Hemostatic coronary risk factors in a healthy population of Maracaibo,Venezuela

The purpose of the present work was to determine the plasma concentrations of fibrinogen and Von Willebrand Factor (VWF) as well as platelet aggregation, in an apparently healthy population of 306 men and 41 women, 33 to 65 years of age, workers of the national oil industry (PDVSA, Maracaibo), as a base investigation in a 5-year prospective national collaborative study. The participants were previously subjected to a thorough clinical examination with cardiovascular evaluation and laboratory tests. Clottable fibrinogen and VWF concentrations were determined in platelet poor plasma, the last one by immunoclectrophoresis, and a multimeric analysis of VWF was performed on those plasmas with concentrations higher than 150 U/dL by SDS agarose electrophoresis, followed by cellulose membrane transference. Platelet aggregation was studied in platelet rich plasma with no addition of stimulants and after collagen and ristocetin were added. Forty per cent of men and 65.8% of women, showed fibrinogen concentrations above 300 mg/dL (p < 0.01) and 12.2% of men and 15.4% of women had VWF values higher than 150 U/dL, with normal multimeric distribution. Fourteen individuals presented spontancous platelet aggregation and increased aggregation in 12 and 13 of them, after induction with collagen and ristocetin respectively. Comparing these findings with those of previous collaborative studies from other countries, the present results could mean that an important proportion of the population here studied, could be at risk for a future coronary event; however, as these are the base findings in Maracaibo, the significance of our results will be better evaluated at the end of the five year study.     

Nonmyeloablative stem cell transplantation is an effective therapy for refractory or relapsed hodgkin lymphoma: results of a spanish prospective cooperative protocol.

We report the results of reduced-intensity conditioning allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-RIC) in patients with advanced Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Forty patients with relapsed or refractory HL were homogeneously treated with an RIC protocol (fludarabine 150 mg/m(2) intravenously plus melphalan 140 mg/m(2) intravenously) and cyclosporin A and methotrexate as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. Twenty-one patients (53%) had received >2 lines of chemotherapy, 23 patients (58%) had received radiotherapy, and 29 patients (73%) had experienced treatment failure with a previous autologous stem cell transplantation. Twenty patients (50%) were allografted in resistant relapse, and 38 patients received hematopoietic cells from an HLA-identical sibling. Five patients (12%) died from early transplant-related mortality (before day +100 after allo-RIC). One-year transplant-related mortality was 25%. Acute GVHD developed in 18 patients (45%). Chronic GVHD developed in 17 (45%) of the 31 evaluable patients. The response rate 3 months after the allo-RIC was 67% (21 [52%] complete remissions and 6 [15%] partial remissions). Eleven patients received donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs) for disease relapse. The response rate after DLI was 54% (3 complete remissions and 3 partial remissions). Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 48% +/- 10% and 32% +/- 10% at 2 years, respectively. Refractoriness to chemotherapy was the only adverse prognostic factor for both OS (63% +/- 12% versus 35% +/- 13%; P = .05) and PFS (55% +/- 16% versus 10% +/- 9%; P = .006). For patients with failure of a prior autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, results were especially good for those who experienced late relapses (>/=12 months: 2-year OS and PFS were 75% +/- 16% and 70% +/- 18%, respectively). These data suggest that allo-RIC is feasible in heavily pretreated HL patients and has an acceptable early transplant-related mortality. Results are better in patients allografted in sensitive disease. Both responses observed after the development of GVHD and DLI may suggest a graft-versus-HL effect. Allo-RIC has to be considered an effective therapeutic approach for patients who have had treatment failure with a previous autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.     

Polyene sequence distribution in modified poly(vinyl chloride) after thermal degradation

The products resulting from the reaction of PVC with sodium benzenethiolate were degraded to 0,3% at 180°C in the solid state and at 160°C in solution in trichlorobenzene. The polyene distribution of the polymers after degradation was studied by both UV-visible and resonance Raman spectroscopies, as a function of the degree of substitution. The results show that there are two types of behaviour: that of the PVC sample prior to the substitution reaction together with the samples modified up to a definite degree of substitution which depends on the starting isotactic content, and that of samples with higher degrees of substitution. The former group exhibits not only a steady improvement in thermal stability but also a preferential formation of polyenes of 7 – 9 double bonds whose concentration decreases with increasing degree of substitution. Conversely, for the second group of samples the thermal stability decreases with the degree of substitution and no specific absorption bands are observed. On the basis of earlier work on the selective substitution of the isotactic GTTG and heterotactic TTTG triads during the first stage of the reaction, the present results show that the bands at 393, 416, and 437 nm are related to specific polyenes which result from initiation by the above quoted conformations in PVC, a conclusion for which confirmatory evidence was obtained by resonance Raman spectroscopic examination of the samples. There is, therefore, clear evidence for the occurrence of two distinct degradation mechanisms, one involving initiation by the unstable triad conformations and the other via random initiation at stable and normal structures. To this may be added the initiation by defect structures, which have been extensively documented in the literature.     

Fourteen novel OPA1 mutations in autosomal dominant optic atrophy including two de novo mutations in sporadic optic atrophy

The OPA1 gene, encoding a dynamin-related GTPase that plays a role in mitochondrial biogenesis, is implicated in most cases of autosomal dominant optic atrophy (ADOA). Sixty-nine pathogenic OPA1 mutations have been reported so far. Most of these are truncating mutations located in the GTPase domain coding region (exons 8-16) and at the 3'-end (exons 27-28). We screened 44 patients with typical ADOA using PCR-sequencing. We also tested 20 sporadic cases of bilateral optic atrophy compatible with ADOA. Of the 18 OPA1 mutations found, 14 have never been previously reported. The novel mutations include one nonsense mutation, 3 missense mutations, 6 deletions, one insertion and 3 exon-skipping mutations. Two of these are de novo mutations, which were found in 2 patients with sporadic optic atrophy. The recurrent c.2708_2711delTTAG mutation was found in 2 patients with a severe congenital presentation of the disease. These results suggest that screening for OPA1 gene mutations may be useful for patients with optic atrophy who have no affected relatives, or when the presentation of the disease is atypical as in the case of early onset optic atrophy.     

Skeletal dysplasia with short,angulated femora (kyphomelic dysplasia)

We report on an infant with broad and severely angulated short femora as the most salient manifestation of a generalized skeletal dysplasia. Other findings include congenital bowing of other long bones, narrow thorax, platyspondyly, micrognathia, and skin dimples. A marked improvement of the bowing and of the irregular flare of the metaphyses was noted over a period of 6 mo. Congenital bowing of long bones can be an isolated finding or associated with other anomalies, so the purpose of reporting all cases is important for further nosologic and pathogenetic elucidation. Because of the severity of the femoral involvement, the condition has been called kyphomelic dysplasia. It may be an autosomal recessive trait. recessive trait.     

Effect of a rhodium complex on alterations of hepatic function in thioacetamide-induced hyperplastic noduligenesis in rats

An in vivo model of liver hyperplastic noduligenesis was inducedin rats by long-term administration of thioacetamide (TAM) (50mg/kg/day i.p.). Three doses of 50 mg/kg of an antitumoral Rh(III)complex were administered at 14, 9 and 5 days before the endof TAM treatment. Plasma and urine were obtained from eitherTAM or Rh(III) complex or TAM plus Rh(III) complex treated ratsto determine the interactions of both substances with the biochemicalparameters related to liver function. The rise in alkaline phosphatase(ALP), teucine aminopeptidase (LAP), -gtutamyl transferase (GGT)and the unchanged activities in the aspartate and alanine aminotransferases(AST, ALT) in plasma of TAM-treated rats indicated that thedisease induced by this substance can be considered as a chronicobstructive biliary disease with indices of cell proliferationand tumors. The increased concentration of bilirubin both inthe plasma and urine of TAM-treated rats suggested liver cholestasisand hepatobiliary obstruction. The very low values of creatinineclearance indicated that there was some degree of kidney failuredue to the effect of TAM. The increased concentration of ammoniaboth in plasma and urine were probably a consequence of thedecreased flux in the urea cycle in the liver. The Rh(III) complexalone did not produce significant changes in the plasma enzymeactivities. The only significant changes were found in the concentrationsof uric acid and ammonia in the urine. When the Rh(III) complexwas administered to TAM-treated rats, significant restorationof the following parameters were observed: plasma enzymaticactivities, blood bilirubin and ammonia, uric acid and creatininein the urine and the creatinine clearance. These results suggestthat the altered liver function induced by TAM can be restoredby Rh(III) complex. The mechanisms by which this complex actsto counteract the TAM-induced changes are not yet established.     

Evaluation of the effect of a school garden as an educational didactic tool in vegetable and fruit consumption in teenagers

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESIncreasing the consumption of vegetables and fruits in Mexico remains a challenge. Promoting sustainable food production systems through schools may be an effective way to educate young people about food and nutrition issues. A study of nutritional education in adolescents, based on the school garden, is necessary in order to evaluate its effects on the consumption of fruits and vegetables among middle- and upper-income segments of the population. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an educational intervention, accompanied by a school garden as an educational teaching tool, to improve vegetable and fruit consumption by Mexican teenagers attending a private middle/high school.SUBJECTS/METHODSTeenagers between 12 and 18 years of age (n = 126) attending a private middle/high school in Queretaro, Mexico participated in a 3-arm, controlled, comparative impact study using a vegetable and fruit consumption frequency questionnaire, food consumption diaries, a psychosocial factor assessment questionnaire of vegetable and fruit consumption, and structured interviews. The participants were randomized into 3 experimental groups: 1) food education + school garden (FE + SG), 2) FE only, and 3) control group (CG).RESULTSThe FE + SG and FE groups significantly increased the frequency and daily intake of vegetables and fruits compared to the CG. The FE + SG group showed greater understanding of, reflection upon, and analysis of the information they received about vegetable and fruit consumption, as well as a greater willingness to include these in their daily diet.CONCLUSIONSFE accompanied by a SG as a teaching tool is more effective at promoting vegetable and fruit consumption than either education alone or control in teenagers in middle-upper income segments of the population.     

Body Composition Changes after a Weight Loss Intervention: A 3-Year Follow-Up Study

Studies comparing different types of exercise-based interventions have not shown a consistent effect of training on long-term weight maintenance. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of exercise modalities combined with diet intervention on body composition immediately after intervention and at 3 years’ follow-up in overweight and obese adults. Two-hundred thirty-nine people (107 men) participated in a 6-month diet and exercise-based intervention, split into four randomly assigned groups: strength group (S), endurance group (E), combined strength and endurance group (SE), and control group (C). The body composition measurements took place on the first week before the start of training and after 22 weeks of training. In addition, a third measurement took place 3 years after the intervention period. A significant interaction effect (group × time) (p = 0.017) was observed for the fat mass percentage. It significantly decreased by 5.48 ± 0.65%, 5.30 ± 0.65%, 7.04 ± 0.72%, and 4.86 ± 0.65% at post-intervention for S, E, SE, and C, respectively. Three years after the intervention, the fat mass percentage returned to values similar to the baseline, except for the combined strength and endurance group, where it remained lower than the value at pre-intervention (p < 0.05). However, no significant interaction was discovered for the rest of the studied outcomes, neither at post-intervention nor 3 years later. The combined strength and endurance group was the only group that achieved lower levels of fat mass (%) at both post-intervention and 3 years after intervention, in comparison with the other groups.     

Nutritional Importance of Selected Fresh Fishes,Shrimps and Mollusks to Meet Compliance with Nutritional Guidelines of n-3 LC-PUFA Intake in Spain

Fishery products are the main source of dietary n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFA). Following the European Commission’s request to address the risks and benefits of seafood consumption, and taking into account the great variability of nutrient and contaminant levels in fishery products, the present work aims to estimate the n-3 LC-PUFA provided per serving of selected fishes, shrimps and mollusks that are commonly consumed in Spain. This would enable the establishment of a risk–benefit analysis of fish consumption and provide recommendations for fish intake to comply with nutritional guidelines of n-3 LC-PUFA intake. We confirmed high variation in the pattern and contents of fatty acids for different species. n-6 PUFA were minor fatty acids, whereas palmitic (C16:0), oleic (C18:1 n-9), and mainly eicosapentaenoic (C20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic (C22:6 n-3) acids were the major fatty acids in the sample. Therefore, consumption of 2–3 servings per week of a variety of fishery products may contribute to compliance with the recommended daily n-3 LC-PUFA intake while maintaining an adequate balance to avoid contaminant-derived potential risks (metals and others). Taking the fatty acid content of fishery products described in this study into consideration, it is advisable to include one serving of fatty fish per week in order to meet recommended n-3 LC-PUFA levels.