Foleyellides rhinellae sp. nov. (Nematoda,Onchocercidae) a new filaria parasitizing Rhinella marina (Anura,Bufonidae) in Mexico

A new nematode species, Foleyellides rhinellae sp. nov. (Onchocercidae), is described from specimens found in the body cavity of the cane toad, Rhinella marina (Linnaeus) (Anura, Bufonidae), in the Laguna de Coyuca, Guerrero, in the Pacific slope of Mexico. The new species differs from the other nine species of Foleyellides by infecting bufonid anurans and by the number and arrangement of caudal papillae. Other distinguishing feature of the new species is the size of the left spicule (0.16–0.23 long), the smallest recorded among the species included in the genus. Foleyellides rhinellae sp. nov. is the second known species of the genus recorded from amphibians of Mexico.     

Levels of Aflatoxin M1 in Breast Milk of Lactating Mothers in Monterrey,Mexico: Exposure and Health Risk Assessment of Newborns

The present study aimed to determine the presence of the aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in breast milk samples from 123 nursing women and the degree of exposure of infants to this toxin, in the metropolitan area of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon state (northeast Mexico). Upon analysis, 100% of the samples were found to be contaminated with the toxin at an average concentration of 17.04 ng/L, with a range of 5.00 to 66.23 ng/L. A total of 13.01% of the breast milk samples exceeded the regulatory limit of 25 ng/L for AFM1 concentration, set by the European Union. The estimated daily intake for AFM1 and the carcinogenic risk index were also determined in the 0- to 6-, 7- to 12-, 13- to 24-, and 25- to 36-month-old age groups. The AFM1 intake through breast milk ranged from 1.09 to 20.17 ng/kg weight/day, and was higher than the tolerable daily intake, indicating a carcinogenic risk for infants in the age groups of 0- to 24-months old. This evidence demonstrates a susceptibility of breast milk to AFM1 contamination that may suggest a carcinogenic risk for the breastfed infants in Monterrey city, Nuevo Leon state, and the need to control the presence of aflatoxins in foods eaten by nursing mothers.     

Intensive Medical Nutrition Therapy Alone or with Added Metformin to Prevent Gestational Diabetes Mellitus among High-Risk Mexican Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of intensive medical nutrition therapy (MNT) plus metformin in preventing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among high-risk Mexican women. An open-label randomized clinical trial was conducted. Inclusion criteria were pregnant women with three or more GDM risk factors: Latino ethnic group, maternal age >35 years, body mass index >25 kg/m², insulin resistance, and a history of previous GDM, prediabetes, a macrosomic neonate, polycystic ovarian syndrome, or a first-degree relative with type 2 diabetes. Women before 15 weeks of gestation were assigned to group 1 (n = 45): intensive MNT-plus metformin (850 mg twice/day) or group 2 (n = 45): intensive MNT without metformin. Intensive MNT included individual dietary counseling, with ≤50% of total energy from high carbohydrates. The primary outcome was the GDM incidence according to the International Association of Diabetes Pregnancy Study Groups criteria. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics and adverse perinatal outcomes between the groups. The GDM incidence was n = 11 (24.4%) in the MNT plus metformin group versus n = 7 (15.5%) in the MNT without metformin group: p = 0.42 (RR: 1.57 [95% CI: 0.67–3.68]). There is no benefit in adding metformin to intensive MNT to prevent GDM among high-risk Mexican women. Clinical trials registration: {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT01675310","term_id":"NCT01675310"}}NCT01675310.     

Evaluation of an ASFV RNA Helicase Gene A859L for Virus Replication and Swine Virulence

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is producing a devastating pandemic that, since 2007, has spread to a contiguous geographical area from central Europe to Asia. In July 2021, ASFV was detected in the Dominican Republic, the first report of the disease in the Americas in more than 40 years. ASFV is a large, highly complex virus harboring a large dsDNA genome that encodes for more than 150 genes. The majority of these genes have not been functionally characterized. Bioinformatics analysis predicts that ASFV gene A859L encodes for an RNA helicase, although its function has not yet been experimentally assessed. Here, we evaluated the role of the A859L gene during virus replication in cell cultures and during infection in swine. For that purpose, a recombinant virus (ASFV-G-∆A859L) harboring a deletion of the A859L gene was developed using the highly virulent ASFV Georgia (ASFV-G) isolate as a template. Recombinant ASFV-G-∆A859L replicates in swine macrophage cultures as efficiently as the parental virus ASFV-G, demonstrating that the A859L gene is non-essential for ASFV replication. Experimental infection of domestic pigs demonstrated that ASFV-G-∆A859L replicates as efficiently and induces a clinical disease indistinguishable from that caused by the parental ASFV-G. These studies conclude that the predicted RNA helicase gene A859L is not involved in the processes of virus replication or disease production in swine.     

Anti-inflammatory effect of aqueous extracts of spent Pleurotus ostreatus substrates in mouse ears treated with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate

Aims:

To evaluate the application of spent Pleurotus ostreatus substrates, enriched or not with medicinal herbs, as a source of anti-inflammatory compounds.

Subjects and Methods:

P. ostreatus was cultivated on five different substrates: Barley straw (BS) and BS combined 80:20 with medicinal herbs (Chenopodium ambrosioides L. [BS/CA], Rosmarinus officinalis L. [BS/RO], Litsea glaucescens Kunth [BS/LG], and Tagetes lucida Cav. [BS/TL]). The anti-inflammatory activity of aqueous extracts of spent mushroom substrates (SMSs) (4 mg/ear) was studied using an acute inflammation model in the mouse ear induced with 2.5 μg/ear 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol13-acetate (TPA).

Results:

Groups treated with BS/CA, BS/RO, and BS/LG aqueous extracts exhibited the best anti-inflammatory activity (94.0% ± 5.5%, 92.9% ± 0.6%, and 90.4% ± 5.0% inhibition of auricular edema [IAO], respectively), and these effects were significantly different (P < 0.05) from that of the positive control indomethacin (0.5 mg/ear). BS/TL and BS were also able to reduce TPA-induced inflammation but to a lesser extent (70.0% ± 6.7% and 43.5% ± 6.6% IAO, respectively).

Conclusions:

Spent P. ostreatus substrate of BS possesses a slight anti-inflammatory effect. The addition of CA L. to mushroom substrate showed a slightly synergistic effect while RO L. had an additive effect. In addition, LG Kunth and TL Cav. enhanced the anti-inflammatory effect of SMS. However, to determine whether there is a synergistic or additive effect, it is necessary to determine the anti-inflammatory effect of each medicinal herb.KEY WORDS: Anti-inflammatory activity, medicinal herbs, Pleurotus ostreatus, spent mushroom substrate     

Utero-cutaneous fistula: a case report and literature review

Utero-cutaneous fistula is a rare clinical entity with less than 15 cases reported worldwide in the last 20 years and this is the first case reported in our country. In this article we review the worldwide literature addressing this condition and present the first case reported in México and the first case reported worldwide in which the fistula is demonstrated using a combination of fistulogram and CT.     

Design and biological evaluation of 99mTc-N2S2-Tat(49–57)-c(RGDyK): A hybrid radiopharmaceutical for tumors expressing α(v)β(3) integrins

The α(ν)β(3) integrin is over-expressed in the tumor neovasculature and the tumor cells of glioblastomas. The HIV Tat-derived peptide has been used to deliver various cargos into cells. The aim of this research was to synthesize and assess the in vitro and in vivo uptake of ^99mTc-N₂S₂-Tat(49–57)-c(RGDyK) (^99mTc-Tat-RGD) in α(ν)β(3) integrin positive cancer cells and compare it to that of a conventional ^99mTc-RGD peptide (^99mTc-EDDA/HYNIC-E-[c(RGDfK)]₂). Methods: The c(RGDyK) peptide was conjugated to a maleimidopropionyl (MP) moiety through Lys, and the MP group was used as the branch position to form a thioether with the Cys¹² side chain of the Tat(49–57)-spacer-N₂S₂ peptide. ^99mTc-Tat-RGD was prepared, and stability studies were carried out by size exclusion HPLC analyses in human serum. The in vitro affinity for α(v)β(3) integrin was determined by a competitive binding assay. In vitro internalization was determined using glioblastoma C6 cells. Biodistribution studies were accomplished in athymic mice with C6 induced tumors that had blocked and unblocked receptors. Images were obtained using a micro-SPECT/CT. Results: ^99mTc-Tat-RGD was obtained with a radiochemical purity higher than 95%, as determined by radio-HPLC and ITLC-SG analyses. Protein binding was 15.7% for ^99mTc-Tat-RGD and 5.6% for ^99mTc-RGD. The IC₅₀ values were 6.7 nM (^99mTc-Tat-RGD) and 4.6 nM (^99mTc-RGD). Internalization in C6 cells was higher in ^99mTc-Tat-RGD (37.5%) than in ^99mTc-RGD (10%). Biodistribution studies and in vivo micro-SPECT/CT images in mice showed higher tumor uptake for ^99mTc-Tat-RGD (6.98% ± 1.34% ID/g at 3 h) than that of ^99mTc-RGD (3.72% ± 0.52% ID/g at 3 h) with specific recognition for α(v)β(3) integrins. Conclusions: Because of the significant cell internalization (Auger and internal conversion electrons) and specific recognition for α(v)β(3) integrins, the hybrid ^99mTc-N₂S₂-Tat(49–57)-c(RGDyK) radiopharmaceutical is potentially useful for the imaging and possible therapy of tumors expressing α(v)β(3) integrins.     

Fundamental Causes of Colorectal Cancer Mortality in the United States: Understanding the Importance of Socioeconomic Status in Creating Inequality in Mortality

Objectives. We used the fundamental cause hypothesis as a framework for understanding the creation of health disparities in colorectal cancer mortality in the United States from 1968 to 2005.Methods. We used negative binomial regression to analyze trends in county-level gender-, race-, and age-adjusted colorectal cancer mortality rates among individuals aged 35 years or older.Results. Prior to 1980, there was a stable gradient in colorectal cancer mortality, with people living in counties of higher socioeconomic status (SES) being at greater risk than people living in lower SES counties. Beginning in 1980, this gradient began to narrow and then reversed as people living in higher SES counties experienced greater reductions in colorectal cancer mortality than those in lower SES counties.Conclusions. Our findings support the fundamental cause hypothesis: once knowledge about prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer became available, social and economic resources became increasingly important in influencing mortality rates.Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men and women in the United States.1 In 2010 an estimated 142 570 people in the United States were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and 50 370 people died as a result of the disease in the same year.2 Over the past 30 years, there have been significant advances in the prevention of colorectal cancer, with reductions in mortality rates due predominantly to improvements in screening and early cancer detection.One of the primary goals of colorectal cancer screening is to reduce mortality by promoting early detection of the disease. Methods used to detect colorectal cancer also aid physicians in the identification and removal of adenomas, which can give rise to colorectal cancer.3 However, because of the unequal distribution of social and economic resources in our society, knowledge about prevention and access to treatments for colorectal cancer is not universal but, rather, is unevenly distributed along the typical social cleavages of race, class, and gender. Thus, social inequalities in colorectal cancer outcomes remain remarkably evident even in an era of successful prevention and treatment strategies.4To gain a more thorough understanding of how existing social inequalities have slowed the decline in mortality attributable to colorectal cancer, we used the “fundamental cause” hypothesis to analyze almost 40 years of US death certificate data. This theoretical construct, first put forth by Link and Phelan,5 stems from the observation that adverse social conditions are repeatedly associated with higher levels of mortality in distinctly different eras and settings.5–9 According to the hypothesis, the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and mortality endures because access to resources such as knowledge, money, power, prestige, and beneficial social connections influences the extent to which people are able to avoid disease and death as well as harness protective factors that can be used to reduce morbidity and mortality.The fundamental cause hypothesis further predicts that as individuals learn how to better prevent or treat diseases, benefits stemming from these newfound abilities will not be distributed uniformly throughout a population. Instead, they will be realized to a greater extent by those who are less likely to face discrimination and stigma and are more likely to have access to socioeconomic resources such as education, money, and information,7 thus resulting in health disparities along common social divisions such as SES and race. According to the hypothesis, more advantaged individuals, relative to their less advantaged counterparts, are poised to disproportionately gain from new health-enhancing capabilities, which may translate to earlier and more rapid reductions in mortality rates.We examined SES inequalities in colorectal cancer mortality in light of major advances in preventing or delaying death, advances predominantly due to improvements in screening and associated policy recommendations. Although colorectal cancer has been surgically treated for more than a century, an emphasis on the prevention of colorectal cancer through widespread screening has become routine only in the past 30 years. In July 1980, the American Cancer Society (ACS) first published recommendations for colorectal cancer screening.10 In 1997, the US Multi-Society Task Force (MSTF), assembled by the US Agency for Health Care Policy Research in conjunction with the American Gastroenterological Association, published its first guidelines for screening for colorectal cancer.11The MSTF guidelines recommended that everyone with risk factors such as age (≥ 50 years), family or personal history of colorectal cancer, history of inflammatory bowel disease, chronic ulcerative colitis, adenomatous polyposis, juvenile polyposis, and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer be screened. Furthermore, following a positive screen, physicians should conduct a diagnostic evaluation of the colon and rectum, use recommended treatments (including the removal of adenomatous polyps), and consider follow-up surveillance after treatment. In 1997, influenced by MSTF’s recommendations, ACS revised its 1980 guidelines to include recommendations stratified by level of risk of developing colorectal cancer.11 Since then, both ACS and MSTF have issued updates on a regular basis.12The 1997 ACS guidelines recommended that all individuals at an average level of risk begin colorectal cancer screening at the age of 50 years. Individuals at moderate risk, based on a personal or family diagnosis of gastrointestinal adenomatous polyps or colorectal cancer, were recommended to initiate screening at the time of onset, the age of 40 years, or 10 years before the youngest case in the family, whichever was earlier. High-risk individuals with hereditary predispositions to colorectal cancer or a personal diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease were recommended to initiate screening at puberty, at the age of 21 years, or 8 to 15 years after the onset of inflammatory bowel disease, depending on their individual risk factors.11According to the fundamental cause hypothesis, developments in colorectal cancer screening, such as clearly stated, evidence-based guidelines and their widespread dissemination, will benefit people of high SES more than their low-SES counterparts, thereby creating new health disparities or exacerbating existing disparities over time. Specifically, we expected individuals living in high-SES locales to benefit from recent developments in colorectal cancer screening, beginning with the release of the first colorectal cancer screening recommendations by ACS. Furthermore, given that socioeconomic inequalities are reproduced and often accentuated over time, we expected the association between SES and colorectal cancer mortality to increase over time.     

Suddenly,a Carriage Appears: Social Support Needs of Latina Breast Cancer Survivors

Through focus groups and individual interviews, data were gathered on the emotional, informational, and instrumental support needs of 22 immigrant Latina women. A thematic analysis revealed that participants who perceived to receive social support reported less psychological distress and better adjustment to breast cancer than those who did not perceive this support. Types and sources of support varied across survivorship stages. Many needs were related to financial, linguistic, and cultural barriers participants encountered in the course of the disease. Based on the findings, we conclude with several clinical recommendations to improve the quality of life in this medically underserved population.     

Experimental Infection of Domestic Pigs with an African Swine Fever Virus Field Strain Isolated in 2021 from the Dominican Republic

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is the etiological agent of African swine fever (ASF), a disease of domestic and wild swine that has spread throughout a large geographical area including Central Europe, East and Southeast Asia, and Southern Africa. Typically, the clinical presentation of the disease in affected swine heavily depends on the virulence of the ASFV strain. Very recently, ASFV was detected in the Dominican Republic (DR) and Haiti, constituting the first diagnosis of ASFV in more than 40 years in the Western hemisphere. In this report, the clinical presentation of the disease in domestic pigs inoculated with an ASFV field strain isolated from samples collected in the DR (ASFV-DR21) was observed. Two groups of domestic pigs were inoculated either intramuscularly (IM) or oronasally (ON) with ASFV-DR21 (10⁴ hemadsorbing dose-50% (HAD₅₀)). A group of naïve pigs (designated as the contact group) was co-housed with the ASFV-DR21 IM-inoculated animals to evaluate ASFV transmission and disease manifestation. Animals inoculated IM with ASFV-DR21 developed an acute disease leading to humane euthanasia at approximately day 7 post-inoculation (pi). Interestingly, animals inoculated via the ON route with ASFV-DR21 developed a heterogeneous pattern of disease kinetics. One animal developed an acute form of the disease and was euthanized on day 7 pi, another animal experienced a protracted presentation of the disease with euthanasia by day 16 pi, and the remaining two animals presented a milder form of the disease, surviving through the 28-day observational period. The contact animals also presented with a heterogenous presentation of the disease. Three of the animals presented protracted but severe forms of the disease being euthanized at days 14, 15 and 21 pi. The other two animals presented with a milder form of the disease, surviving the entire observational period. In general, virus titers in the blood of animals in all study groups closely followed the clinical presentation of the disease, both in length and extent. Importantly, all animals presenting with a prolonged form of the disease, as well as those surviving throughout the observational period, developed a strong ASFV-specific antibody response. These results suggest that ASFV-DR21, unless inoculated parenterally, produces a spectrum of clinical disease, with some animals experiencing an acute fatal form while others presented with a mild transient disease accompanied by the induction of a strong antibody response. At the time of publication, this is the first report characterizing the virulent phenotype of an ASFV field strain isolated from samples collected in the DR during the 2021 outbreak and provides information that may be used in developing epidemiological management measures to control ASF on the island of Hispaniola.