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Bovine mastitis is an emerging disease that causes large economic losses. Staphylococcus aureus its main etiological agent, is multi-resistant to antimicrobials and produces biofilm. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Agave fructans (AF), a type of prebiotic, on multi-resistant and biofilm-forming isolates of S. aureus. Ten isolates of S. aureus from bovine subclinical mastitis previously characterized as highly resistant to antimicrobials and biofilm formers were used in this study. The growth kinetics of S. aureus in the presence of AF was evaluated by the Baranyi and Roberts microbial growth model using the DMFit program. The antibacterial activity of AF against S. aureus was studied by the well-diffusion method and the effect on biofilm formation by the crystal violet method. All assays were performed in triplicate for each isolate and an ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc was performed considering p < 0.05 as significant. The AF showed a decrease in maximum growth rate (µmax) and OD max levels (Ymax) in all isolates with all concentrations. Also, zones of inhibition were observed due to the effect of all AF concentrations in all isolates in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, S. aureus biofilm formation was inhibited by all AF concentrations assessed in this study. More investigations are required to elucidate the mechanisms of action of AF on S. aureus as well as in vivo studies to evaluate its therapeutic efficacy for bovine mastitis.

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The endangered Chiapas killifish Tlaloc hildebrandi is an endemic freshwater species that lives in four subbasins of the Grijalva and Usumacinta basins, and one of the most geographically restricted species of the Produndulidae family. The species was originally described as endemic to springs in the high limestone plateau in San Cristóbal de Las Casas in the Río Amarillo subbasin (upper Grijalva basin). However, it was recently recorded in the Jataté and Tzaconejá subbasins in the upper Usumacinta basin, thereby expanding its known distribution range. The discovery of these populations is relevant not only for the conservation of the species but also for a better understanding of its evolutionary history. Currently, the scarce populations of T. hildebrandi, found in only a few localities in the Grijalva and Usumacinta basins, are fragmented and living under unfavorable conditions. Here, we analyzed three mitochondrial (mt-atp8&6 and mt-nd2) and one nuclear (nuc-s7) marker in order to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of T. hildebrandi. We found that, in comparison with other endangered freshwater fish species from Mexico, T. hildebrandi showed a lower level of genetic diversity (mt-nd2: h = 0.469, π = 0.0009; mt-atp8&6: h = 0.398, π = 0.001; and nuc-S7: h = 0.433, π = 0.001). Moreover, the analyzed populations exhibited a strong genetic structure in accordance with their geographic distribution, and can be placed into three genetic clusters: (1) Amarillo plus Chenhaló in the upper Grijalva basin, (2) Jataté, and (3) Tzaconejá, both in the upper Usumacinta basin. On the basis of our results, we propose the recognition of at least three evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) for the species and the urgent implementation of ex situ and in situ conservation and management efforts that consider the genetic background of the species.

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BACKGROUND: In Mexico, breast cancer is the leading cause of death by malignant tumors in women aged 20 and older. The World Health Organization estimates that 69% of deaths caused by breast cancer occur in developing countries. Little is known about the prevalence of breast carcinoma in Mexico and its molecular subclassification. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study included patients who underwent a mastectomy (single, radical or lumpectomy) or a breast tumor biopsy (core-needle or excisional) from January 2002 to December 2018. The primary purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence and molecular profile of breast in comprehensive cancer center in Mexico and compare our results with those published in the US. This study was approved by our scientific and bioethical committee. RESULTS: The final analysis included 379 patients. The youngest patient was 23 years old and the oldest patient was 89; the mean age at diagnosis was 54.63 years. Patients of 40 years old or younger accounted for 48 of the cases (12.66%) and those older than 40 accounted for 331 of the cases (87.33%). The molecular subclassification showed luminal A subtype in 139 cases (36.67%), luminal B subtype in 143 cases (37.73%), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive carcinomas in 32 cases (8.44%) and triple-negative carcinomas in 65 cases (17.15%). Diabetes mellitus was present in 43 patients (11.34%), hypertension in 78 patients (20.58%), obesity in 82 patients (21.63%) and 66 patients reported being treated with exogenous hormone therapy (17.41%). CONCLUSIONS: Breast carcinoma occurs at an earlier age in Mexican women compared to women in the US. Hormone-positive tumors were found to be more prevalent in older patients, while high-grade tumors were more frequently identified in younger patients.

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Phthalates are esters of phthalic acid used industrially as plastic additives, however, these are not covalently bound to the polymer matrix and therefore can be released to the environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of four phthalates: dibutyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), diethyl phthalate (DEP) and diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) on the in vitro expansion of human hematopoietic cells from umbilical cord blood. For this, 0.5 × 106 cells/mL were exposure to concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 100 µg/mL and the total cell expansion was determined after 14 days of culture in IMDM-cytokines medium. The control cultures attained 1.31 ± 0.21 × 106 cell/mL, whereas the cultures exposed to DBP, BBP and DEHP showed a reduction from 23 to 81%, 17 to 69% and 15 to 93.5%, respectively. DEP did not affect the total cell expansion. The most significant decrease on total cell expansion was observed at 0.1 µg/mL DBP, 100 µg/mL BBP and 10 µg/mL DEHP (p < 0.05). Additionally, the effect of these compounds on the expansion of hematopoietic progenitors was analyzed by clonogenic assays as colony forming units (CFU). The CFU decreased considerably compared with respect to the control cultures. The reduction was 74.6 and 99.1% at 10 and 100 µg/mL DBP respectively, whereas 100 µg/mL BBP and 100 µg/mL DEHP reduced the CFU expansion in 97.1% and 81%, respectively. Cultures exposed to DEP did not show significant differences. The results demonstrate the toxicity of DBP, BBP and DEHP on the human hematopoietic stem cells.

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Resumen Antecedentes El miocardio no compacto es una cardiomiopatía recientemente descrita. Su presentación a cualquier edad debuta como un síndrome de insuficiencia cardiaca, arritmias, embolismo sistémico o muerte súbita. La evidencia científica demuestra una disminución de la mortalidad en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca que ingresan a programas de rehabilitación cardiaca. Objetivo Evaluar el efecto de la rehabilitación cardiaca fase II en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca diagnosticados con miocardio no compacto. Material y métodos Se realizó un estudio observacional y retrospectivo de revisión de casos en pacientes diagnosticados con miocardio no compacto en el Servicio de Rehabilitación Cardiaca registrados hasta el año 2016. Resultados Se incluyeron cinco pacientes con edad promedio de 42 ± 10.5 años, con predominio del género femenino. Al concluir el programa de rehabilitación cardiaca fase II, los pacientes presentaron disminución de disnea, edema y plétora al 100%, p = 0.063; reducción de la presión arterial sistólica, promedio: 4.8 mmHg, p = 0.434; aumento de la frecuencia cardiaca máxima, promedio: 10 latidos por minuto, p = 0.178. No se observaron cambios en los equivalentes metabólicos (Mets) ni en el tiempo de prueba de esfuerzo. Conclusiones La rehabilitación cardiaca representa una alternativa en el manejo de la insuficiencia cardiaca secundaria a miocardio no compacto.

Abstract Background Non-compacted myocardium is a recently described cardiomyopathy. It can present itself at any age as different clinical entities, such as heart failure syndrome, arrhythmias, systemic embolism, or sudden death. Scientific evidence demonstrates a decrease in mortality in patients with heart failure who are admitted to cardiac rehabilitation programs. Objective To evaluate the effect of phase II cardiac rehabilitation programs in patients diagnosed with heart failure secondary to non-compacted myocardium. Material and methods An observational and retrospective study was performed, reviewing the cases diagnosed with non-compacted myocardium registered in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Service until 2016. Results Five patients with a mean age of 42 ± 10.5 years were included, with a female majority. At the end of the phase II cardiac rehabilitation program, all the patients presented decreased dyspnea, edema and plethora (100%, p = 0.063); a reduction in systolic blood pressure, mean: 4.8 mmHg, p = 0.434; an increase of maximum heart rate, average of 10 beats per minute, p = 0.178. No changes were observed in the Mets or in the stress test time. Conclusions Cardiac rehabilitation represents an alternative in the management of heart failure secondary to non-compacted myocardium.

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The search for novel materials and the development of improved processes for water purification have attracted the interest of researchers worldwide and the use of titanium dioxide in photocatalytic processes for the degradation of organic pollutants contained in water has been one of the benchmarks. Compared to crystalline titanium dioxide (cTiO2), the amorphous material has the advantages of having a higher adsorption capacity and being easier to dope with metal and non-metal elements. In this work, we take advantage of these two features to improve its photocatalytic properties in the degradation of Rhodamine B. The structural characterization by XRD analysis gives evidence of its amorphous nature and the SEM micrographs portray the disc morphology of 300 nm in diameter with heterogeneous grain boundaries. The degradation of Rhodamine B tests with the amorphous TiO2 using visible light confirm its improved catalytic activity compared to that of a commercial product, Degussa P25, which is a well-known crystalline material.

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BACKGROUND: An important consideration is to specify the areas of conflict that will be worked on during the psychotherapeutic process in order to develop a specific psychological model for a group intervention with menopausal women. OBJECTIVE: To determine the most relevant areas of psychological conflict for women in the menopausal stage by means of a focalization technique. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A descriptive, cross-sectional, longitudinal study with non-experimental design was done in 29 patients from the Perinatology National Institute of Mexico (INPer). Two groups were formed (A and B), each one with 17 participants; however, in the first session only 12 women from group A assisted. Seventeen therapy sessions were analyzed. Group formation and the number of sessions were based on research and patients needs. Women were given psychotherapeutic care once a week at the psychology department of INPer, for 90 minutes by session. Psychotherapeutic management during sessions was in charge of psychologist responsible of climacteric program of psychology department; while Gesell chamber observer was a psychologist with groups' specialization. For the statistical analysis frequency measures were used. RESULTS: Eleven areas were identified, which showed a great similarity in both groups. Main ones were: relation of the patient to relatives or extensive family, relation to the partner and relation to the children. CONCLUSIONS: This work favors a dynamic therapeutic process with the patients, in addition to being a technique, which provides structure and guidance during menopause.

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En esta revisión se resumen algunos conceptos y avances que se tienen en el campo de la asimetría funcional del sistema neuroinmunoendocrino. En humanos el hemisferio izquierdo está relacionado con el procesamiento de la información en forma sintética como el lenguaje, mientras que el hemisferio derecho está más especializado con el procesamiento de la información en forma holística, como el reconocimiento especial. Las conductas asimétricas observadas en algunos animales pueden explicarse por la existencia de desbalances neuroquímicos en algunas áreas cerebrales. En particular se asocian a las aminas biogénicas con la conducta de giro espontáneo y a la condición de un animal de ser zurdo o diestro (asimetrías neuroquímicas). El cerebro modula en forma asimétrica el funcionamiento del sistema inmune. Se sugiere que en algunos animales el hemisferio izquierdo controla la respuesta inmune mediada por linfocitos y el lado derecho regula la actividad de las células asesinas naturales. Esta modulación puede ser modificada en función del sexo y de si el animal es zurdo o diestro (asimetrías inmunológicas). Las hormonas sexuales pueden modular el establecimiento de algunas asimetrías funcionales en los estadios tempranos del desarrollo y provocar diferencias contrastantes entre los dos sexos. Los cambios rítmicos en los niveles plasmáticos de las hormonas modifican los patrones de asimetría durante la vida posnatal, entre una estación y otra del año, entre un día y otro del ciclo estrual, o en diferentes horas del mismo día (Asimetrías endócrinas).

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