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Introducción: El Campamento Tortuguero de Cedeño ha sido el sitio menos investigado del Golfo de Fonseca, donde se protege a la tortuga golfina en Honduras desde 1975. Objetivo: Evaluar la anidación de la tortuga Golfina (Lepidochelys olivacea) durante la temporada de veda entre el 2011 y 2021 en Campamento Tortuguero Cedeño, Choluteca, Honduras. Métodos: Entre 2011 a 2021, se llevó a cabo el monitoreo diario de las actividades de anidación durante la veda del 1 al 25 de septiembre. Los patrullajes se realizaron entre las 6:00-18:00 h, y las 18:00-5:00 h. Se registró el número total de tortugas que anidaban y se recogieron sus huevos, que se transportaron al criadero, donde se tabularon los resultados de las puestas y las crías. Resultados: Se registró un total 1 065 tortugas de L. olivacea, 95 051 huevos recolectados, 1 065 nidos marcados en tres playas que fueron reubicados en viveros artificiales y una eclosión exitosa de 62 747 neonatos. La playa Las Doradas fue el sitio con el mayor número de tortugas anidadoras, seguido de Los Delgaditos y por último Cedeño. El promedio de la frecuencia de anidación fue de 96 nidos. Del 2011 al 2021 el esfuerzo de recolección de los nidos aumentó en un 91.6 %, pasando de 84 a 161 nidos. El número de personas patrullando se asoció con la cantidad de nidos detectados en las playas. Conclusión: Los esfuerzos de monitoreo y conservación para la especie han indicado que ha habido un incremento en la anidación de L. olivacea en las tres playas, con un mayor incremento en Playa Las Doradas. Este escenario comprueba la funcionalidad de la veda en esta zona.
Introduction: The Cedeño Turtle Camp has been the least researched site in the Fonseca Gulf, where Olive Ridley Turtles in Honduras have been protected since 1975. Objective: To evaluate the nesting of Olive Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) during the closed season from 2011 to 2021 in Campamento Tortuguero Cedeño, Choluteca, Honduras. Methods: From 2011 to 2021, daily monitoring of nesting activities was conducted during the closed season from the 1st to 25th of September. Patrols were conducted between 6:00-18:00 h, and 18:00-5:00 h. The total number of nesting turtles was recorded, and their eggs were collected and transported to the hatchery, where clutch and hatchling performance were tabulated. Results: A total of 1 065 L. olivacea turtles were recorded, 95 051 eggs collected, 1 065 nests marked on three beaches that were relocated in artificial hatcheries and a successful hatching of 62 747 hatchlings. Las Doradas beach was the site with the highest number of nesting turtles, followed by Los Delgaditos and lastly Cedeño. The average nesting frequency was 96 nests. From 2011 to 2021 the nest collection effort increased by 91.6 %, from 84 to 161 nests. The number of people patrolling was associated with the number of nests detected on the beaches. Conclusion: Monitoring and conservation efforts for L. olivacea in the Campamento Tortuguero Cedeño show a positive trend in nesting with a greater increase in Playa Las Doradas. This scenario proves the functionality of the closed season in this area.
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Animais , Implantação do Embrião , Tartarugas/embriologia , HondurasRESUMO
RESUMEN El departamento de Nariño ocupa el cuarto lugar como productor de cebolla de rama, a nivel nacional. En los últimos años, su producción y área de cultivo se han reducido por múltiples limitantes, destacándose, como la más importante, la susceptibilidad al ataque de hongos causantes de pudriciones radicales, los cuales, perjudican el sistema productivo y la rentabilidad. El objetivo del estudio fue caracterizar morfológica y molecularmente las poblaciones de Fusarium, asociados a la enfermedad de pudrición basal de cebolla de rama. Para ello, en los municipios de Pasto, Potosi y Buesaco, se colectaron plantas con síntomas de pudrición basal, acompañada de necrosis de raíces y ablandamiento de tejido. En el laboratorio de Sanidad Vegetal de la Universidad de Nariño, se sembraron tejidos en medio PDA y, a continuación, se purificaron los aislamientos para su posterior caracterización morfológica y molecular. El estudio morfológico, se realizó usando claves taxonómicas para el género Fusarium y la caracterización molecular con cebadores específicos para el género Fusarium y mediante secuenciación. Finalmente, se realizó un análisis filogenético de la variabilidad intraespecífica. Los resultados de la caracterización morfológica y molecular corroboran la presencia de dos especies dentro del género asociadas a esta patología, F. oxysporum f sp. cepae y F. solani. Los análisis filogenéticos muestran alta variabilidad intraespecífica entre los aislamientos de F. oxysporum y F. solani, formando dos complejos Fusarium oxysporum (FOSC) y Fusarium solani (FSSC), manifestando que estas especies no parten de un ancestro común.
ABSTRACT The department of Nariño occupies the fourth place as producer of green onion nationwide. In recent years, its production and cultivation area has been reduced by multiple limitations, highlighting as the most important, the susceptibility to the attack of fungi causing radical problems, which harm the productive system and profitability. This study was carried out in order to morphologically and molecularly characterizes Fusarium populations associated with green onion basal rot disease. For this, in Pasto, Potosi and Buesaco municipalities, plants were collected with basal rot symptoms, tissue deterioration and root necrosis. In the Plant Health laboratory of the University of Nariño, tissues were planted in PDA medium and subsequently the isolates were purified for further morphological and molecular characterization. The morphological study was carried out using taxonomic keys for the genus Fusarium and molecular characterization with specific primers for the genus Fusarium, and by sequencing. Finally, a phylogenetic analysis of the intraspecific variability was carried out. Morphological and molecular characterization results corroborate the presence of two species within the genus associated with this pathology, F. oxusporum f sp. cepae and F. solani. Phylogenetic analyzes show high intraspecific variability between the isolates of F. oxysporum and F. solani, forming two Fusarium oxysporum (FOSC) complexes and Fusarium solani (FSSC), evidencing that these species do not start from a common ancestor.
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Objetivo: Determinar los factores asociados a riesgo cardiovascular en pacientes del Departamento de Medicina del Hospital Sergio E. Bernales (HSEB). Métodos: Estudio transversal, descriptivo y observacional, incluyo 83 pacientes elegidos probabilísticamente de una población de 105 hospitalizados del Departamento de Medicina del HSEB. En el análisis e interpretación de los datos se utilizaron gráficos y tablas de frecuencias relativas y absolutas. Resultados: El 53% fueron mujeres y la edad promedio fue 54,5 años. La frecuencia de factores de riesgo principales fue: El sobrepeso 30,1%, la obesidad 13,3%, el Índice Ci/Ca muy alto en mujeres 54,2%, antecedente familiar de IAM 38,5% e HTA 34,6%, DM2 65,5%, Colesterol Alto 34,4%, HTA 21.7%, según su tipo se tuvo que el 73.9% estaban controladas; y al clasificarla, fueron optimas el 21,7% y Normal-Alta 34,8, asimismo se observó también sedentarismo 50%, consumo carbohidratos 56.6%, lípidos 32.5%, comida rápida 44,6% y como grado de Ansiedad menor un 54.2% y mayor el 32,5%. Conclusión: Un mayor riesgo de evento coronario afecta más a las mujeres mayores de 50 años que en los varones, teniendo como factores de riesgo cardiovascular principales la dieta, el sedentarismo, el sobrepeso, las presiones normal- alta, la ansiedad menor, y comorbilidades asociadas como la diabetes y colesterol alto.
Objective: To determine the factors associated with cardiovascular risk in patients of the HSEB Department of Medicine. Methods: Prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive and observational study, included 83 probabilistically chosen patients from a universe of 105 hospitalized from the HSEB Department of Medicine. For the calculation, OpenEpi version 3 and Microsoft Excel 2010 were used and in the analysis and interpretation of the data, graphs and tables of relative and absolute frequencies were used. Results: 53% were women and the average age was 54.5 years. The frequency of main risk factors was: Overweight 30.1%, obesity 13.3%, the Ci / Ca index very high in women 54.2%, family history of AMI 38.5% and HTA 34.6%, DM2 65.5%, High Cholesterol 34.4% , HTA 21.7% of these 73.9% were controlled, classified and were optimal 21.7% and Normal-High 34.8, also sedentary lifestyle 50%, carbohydrate consumption 56.6%, lipids 32.5%, fast food 44.6% and as a degree of Anxiety less than 54.2% and greater than 32.5%. Conclusion:There is a higher risk of a coronary event more in women over 50 years of age than in men, having as main cardiovascular risk factors diet, sedentary lifestyle, overweight, normal-high pressures, minor anxiety, and comorbidities Associated such as diabetes and high cholesterol.
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INTRODUCTION: Puerto Ricans, the second largest Latino group in the continental US, are underrepresented in genomic studies of Alzheimer disease (AD). To increase representation of this group in genomic studies of AD, we developed a multisource ascertainment approach to enroll AD patients, and their family members living in Puerto Rico (PR) as part of the Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project (ADSP), an international effort to advance broader personalized/precision medicine initiatives for AD across all populations. METHODS: The Puerto Rico Alzheimer Disease Initiative (PRADI) multisource ascertainment approach was developed to recruit and enroll Puerto Rican adults aged 50 years and older for a genetic research study of AD, including individuals with cognitive decline (AD, mild cognitive impairment), their similarly, aged family members, and cognitively healthy unrelated individuals age 50 and up. Emphasizing identification and relationship building with key stakeholders, we conducted ascertainment across the island. In addition to reporting on PRADI ascertainment, we detail admixture analysis for our cohort by region, group differences in age of onset, cognitive level by region, and ascertainment source. RESULTS: We report on 674 individuals who met standard eligibility criteria [282 AD-affected participants (42% of the sample), 115 individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (17% of the sample), and 277 cognitively healthy individuals (41% of the sample)]. There are 43 possible multiplex families (10 families with 4 or more AD-affected members and 3 families with 3 AD-affected members). Most individuals in our cohort were ascertained from the Metro, Bayamón, and Caguas health regions. Across health regions, we found differences in ancestral backgrounds, and select clinical traits. DISCUSSION: The multisource ascertainment approach used in the PRADI study highlights the importance of enlisting a broad range of community resources and providers. Preliminary results provide important information about our cohort that will be useful as we move forward with ascertainment. We expect that results from the PRADI study will lead to a better understanding of genetic risk for AD among this population.
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Polychaetes play a key role in benthic functioning and organic matter recirculation. We performed a meta-analysis to investigate the effects of organic matter on polychaetes, considering its origin, type and measurement along the east coast of South America. We summarize 276 effect sizes, mostly representing the Tropical Southwestern Atlantic and Warm Temperate Southwestern Atlantic provinces. We observed that the effect of organic matter depends on its origin and type. We also reveal that the predominance of tolerant species of Capitellidae, Nereididae and Spionidae explains the great variability in effect sizes and non-significant effects. Organic matter negatively affected assessment of polychaete assemblages, such as aspects of diversity and trophic groups. This result suggests that the impact of organic matter can be more intense for communities than for individual species. We suggest that researchers should investigate more complex ecological scales to understand the overall effect of organic matter on polychaetes.
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Monitoramento Ambiental , Eutrofização , Poliquetos/classificação , Poluição da Água , Animais , Biodiversidade , Biota , Cidades , Estuários , Sedimentos Geológicos/química , Água do Mar/química , América do SulRESUMO
The ApoE ε4 allele is the most significant genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer disease. The risk conferred by ε4, however, differs across populations, with populations of African ancestry showing lower ε4 risk compared to those of European or Asian ancestry. The cause of this heterogeneity in risk effect is currently unknown; it may be due to environmental or cultural factors correlated with ancestry, or it may be due to genetic variation local to the ApoE region that differs among populations. Exploring these hypotheses may lead to novel, population-specific therapeutics and risk predictions. To test these hypotheses, we analyzed ApoE genotypes and genome-wide array data in individuals from African American and Puerto Rican populations. A total of 1,766 African American and 220 Puerto Rican individuals with late-onset Alzheimer disease, and 3,730 African American and 169 Puerto Rican cognitively healthy individuals (> 65 years) participated in the study. We first assessed average ancestry across the genome ("global" ancestry) and then tested it for interaction with ApoE genotypes. Next, we assessed the ancestral background of ApoE alleles ("local" ancestry) and tested if ancestry local to ApoE influenced Alzheimer disease risk while controlling for global ancestry. Measures of global ancestry showed no interaction with ApoE risk (Puerto Rican: p-value = 0.49; African American: p-value = 0.65). Conversely, ancestry local to the ApoE region showed an interaction with the ApoE ε4 allele in both populations (Puerto Rican: p-value = 0.019; African American: p-value = 0.005). ApoE ε4 alleles on an African background conferred a lower risk than those with a European ancestral background, regardless of population (Puerto Rican: OR = 1.26 on African background, OR = 4.49 on European; African American: OR = 2.34 on African background, OR = 3.05 on European background). Factors contributing to the lower risk effect in the ApoE gene ε4 allele are likely due to ancestry-specific genetic factors near ApoE rather than non-genetic ethnic, cultural, and environmental factors.
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Doença de Alzheimer/genética , Apolipoproteína E4/genética , Negro ou Afro-Americano/genética , Hispânico ou Latino/genética , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Estudos de Casos e Controles , Feminino , Frequência do Gene , Variação Genética , Genética Populacional , Estudo de Associação Genômica Ampla , Humanos , Masculino , Porto Rico/etnologia , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical affection caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. There is no current effective treatment since the only two available drugs have a limited efficacy and produce side effects. Thus, investigation efforts have been directed to the identification of new drug leads. In this context, Ca2+ regulating mechanisms have been postulated as targets for antiparasitic compounds, since they present paramount differences when compared to host cells. Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic with demonstrated trypanocidal activity acting through the disruption of the parasite intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. We now report the effect of a benzofuran derivative based on the structure of amiodarone on T. cruzi. This derivative was able to inhibit the growth of epimastigotes in culture and of amastigotes inside infected cells, the clinically relevant phase. We also show that this compound, similarly to amiodarone, disrupts Ca2+ homeostasis in T. cruzi epimastigotes, via two organelles involved in the intracellular Ca2+ regulation and the bioenergetics of the parasite. We demonstrate that the benzofuran derivative was able to totally collapse the membrane potential of the unique giant mitochondrion of the parasite and simultaneously produced the alkalinization of the acidocalcisomes. Both effects are evidenced by a large increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration of T. cruzi.
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Benzofuranos/farmacologia , Doença de Chagas/tratamento farmacológico , Tripanossomicidas/farmacologia , Trypanosoma cruzi/efeitos dos fármacos , Amiodarona/análogos & derivados , Amiodarona/química , Amiodarona/farmacologia , Animais , Benzofuranos/química , Benzofuranos/uso terapêutico , Cálcio/metabolismo , Chlorocebus aethiops , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Dronedarona , Concentração Inibidora 50 , Potencial da Membrana Mitocondrial/efeitos dos fármacos , Mitocôndrias/enzimologia , Mitocôndrias/metabolismo , Oxirredutases/metabolismo , Tripanossomicidas/química , Tripanossomicidas/uso terapêutico , Trypanosoma cruzi/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Trypanosoma cruzi/metabolismo , Células VeroRESUMO
Leishmania donovani is the causing agent of visceral leishmaniasis, a common infection that affects millions of people from the most underdeveloped countries. Miltefosine is the only oral drug to treat infections caused by L. donovani Nevertheless, its mechanism of action is not well understood. While miltefosine inhibits the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine and also affects the parasite mitochondrion, inhibiting the cytochrome c oxidase, it is to be expected that this potent drug also produces its effect through other targets. In this context, it has been reported that the disruption of the intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis represents an important object for the action of drugs in trypanosomatids. Recently, we have described a plasma membrane Ca2+ channel in Leishmania mexicana, which is similar to the L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channel (VGCC) present in humans. Remarkably, the parasite Ca2+ channel is activated by sphingosine, while the L-type VGCC is not affected by this sphingolipid. In the present work we demonstrated that, similarly to sphingosine, miltefosine is able to activate the plasma membrane Ca2+ channel from L. donovani Interestingly, nifedipine, the classical antagonist of the human channel, was not able to fully block the parasite plasma membrane Ca2+ channel, indicating that the mechanism of interaction is not identical to that of sphingosine. In this work we also show that miltefosine is able to strongly affect the acidocalcisomes from L. donovani, inducing the rapid alkalinization of these important organelles. In conclusion, we demonstrate two new mechanisms of action of miltefosine in L. donovani, both related to disruption of parasite Ca2+ homeostasis.
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Antiprotozoários/farmacologia , Agonistas dos Canais de Cálcio/farmacologia , Canais de Cálcio Tipo L/efeitos dos fármacos , Membrana Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Membrana Celular/metabolismo , Leishmania donovani/efeitos dos fármacos , Organelas/efeitos dos fármacos , Organelas/metabolismo , Fosforilcolina/análogos & derivados , Animais , Cálcio/metabolismo , Bloqueadores dos Canais de Cálcio/farmacologia , Homeostase/efeitos dos fármacos , Potencial da Membrana Mitocondrial/efeitos dos fármacos , Nifedipino/farmacologia , Fosforilcolina/farmacologia , Esfingosina/farmacologiaRESUMO
Polychaetes play a significant role in benthic communities' ecology; they dominate the infauna, recycle nutrients from the water column and are commonly used as biological indicators. Along the Gulf of Urabá (Colombian Caribbean), particularly for the zones of the Marirrío Bay and the Rionegro Cove, there are no reports about ecological aspects of polychaete species; only a few taxonomic studies have been conducted. In this research we evaluate the relationship between polychaete species associated with red mangrove roots, Rhizophora mangle, and some physicochemical variables of the water column; also, we made some notes about the spatial distributions of polychaetes species within the two study areas. We found that the environmental variables that best explain polychaetes community segregation are the dissolved oxygen and electrical conductivity; temperature seems to have not a significant effect. In terms of spatial distribution, we found that Alitta succinea, Capitella cf. capitata and Ficopomatus miamiensis occupied the inner, middle and outer zones for both study area and seasons, while Stenoninereis sp. 1 (rainy and dry season) and the exotic polychaete Ficopomatus uschakovi (rainy season) were found just in Rionegro Cove. Finally, the species Nicolea modesta is registered by first time for the Gulf of Urabá, Colombian Caribbean.
Los poliquetos tienen un papel importante en la ecología de las comunidades bénticas, dominan la infauna, reciclan nutrientes de la columna de agua y son comúnmente usados como indicadores biológicos. En el Golfo de Urabá (Caribe Colombiano), específicamente para las zonas de Bahía Marirrío y Ensenada de Rionegro no existen estudios sobre la ecología de los poliquetos, solo se han desarrollado algunos estudos taxonómicos. En esta investigación se evaluó la relación entre algunas variables fisicoquímicas y las especies de poliquetos encontradas. Adicionalmente, se realizaron algunas observaciones sobre las distribución espacial de estas especies en las dos zonas de estudio. Se encontró que las variables que mejor explican las segregación de las especies de poliquetos fueron el oxígeno disuelto y la conductividad eléctrica; la temperatura no tuvo un efecto significativo. En términos de distribución espacial se encontró que las especies Alitta succinea, Capitella cf. capitata y Ficopomatus miamiensis ocuparon las zonas interna, media y externa de las dos áreas de estudio en las dos temporadas de muestreo; mientras que Ficopomatus uschakovi (temporada de lluvia) y Stenoninereis sp. 1 (ambas temporadas) fueron registradas solamente la Ensenada de Rionegro en diferentes temporadas. Finalmente, las especies Nicolea modesta es registrada por primera vez para el Golfo de Urabá.
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Introducción: identificar el síndrome de Burnout o fatiga física en los trabajadores dedicados a la docencia es de suma importancia para el desarrollo de la propuesta de mejoramiento de condiciones laborales. Objetivo: determinar Burnout en los docentes de la Facultad de Enfermería de la Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, sede Santa Marta. Métodos: estudio descriptivo correlacional con enfoque cuantitativo, con una muestra de 30 docentes, de una población de 56, selección muestral no probabilística. La información se recogió mediante el Instrumento Maslach Burnout Inventory, que mide cansancio emocional, despersonalización y desarrollo personal. Resultados: el 66,66 por ciento de las docentes presentaron cansancio emocional bajo y el 26,66 por ciento cansancio emocional medio. 96,66 por ciento nivel bajo de despersonalización y el 80 por ciento alto nivel de realización personal; se evidenció correlación positiva entre despersonalización/tiempo de servicio. Resultados que pueden indicar que la presentación de Burnout es directamente proporcional al tiempo de servicio transcurrido. Conclusiones: la actividad docente en el personal de enfermería representa una condición de riesgo para la presentación Burnout(AU)
Introduction: identify Burnout or physical fatigue in workers engaged in teaching it is of utmost importance for the development of the proposed improvement of working conditions. Objetive: to determine Burnout in teachers of the Faculty of Nursing at the Cooperative University of Colombia in Santa Marta. Methodology: descriptive correlational study with a quantitative approach, in which a sample of 30 teachers out of a total population of 56, non-probabilistic sample selection was chosen. Data collection was done through the Instrument Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), which measures emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal development. Results: the 66.6 percent had low emotional exhaustion and 26.6 percent Average emotional exhaustion. 96 percent low level of depersonalization and 80 percent higher level of personal fulfillment; positive correlation between depersonalization / length of service was evident. Results may indicate that the presentation of Burnout is directly proportional to the elapsed service. Conclusions: The teaching in the nursing staff represents a risk condition for the presentation Burnout(AU)
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Humanos , Esgotamento Profissional/diagnóstico , Docentes de Enfermagem/estatística & dados numéricos , Epidemiologia DescritivaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Statins, which appear to have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, may benefit patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our study sought to determine the association of statins use with disease activity and functional status in a group of patients with RA. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 209 Puerto Ricans with RA (per the 1987 classification criteria of the American College of Rheumatology). Demographic features, lifestyle-related behaviors, disease activity (per Disease Activity Score 28), comorbid conditions, functional status (per Health Assessment Questionnaire), pharmacologic therapy, and patients' and physicians' global assessments using visual analogue scales, were determined. Data were examined using univariate, bivariate, and multiple logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of the study population at study visit was 56.8 (13.5) years (range: 24-86 years); 175 patients (83.7%) were women. The mean (SD) disease duration was 10.4 (9.5) years (range: 0.0-44.0 years). Thirty-two (15.3%) patients were using statins at study visit, and 36 (17.2%) had used statins in the past. In the multivariable analysis, the current use of statins was associated with higher functional status (odds ratio 0.42, 95% confidence interval 0.22-0.80) than was nonuse, after adjusting for age, disease duration, arterial hypertension, coronary artery disease, and dyslipidemia. No association between either current or past use of statins and disease activity was found. CONCLUSION: In this group of RA patients, the current use of statins was associated with a higher functional status; conversely, no association was found between statins use and disease activity. However, larger and longitudinal studies are required to confirm these findings.
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Artrite Reumatoide/tratamento farmacológico , Artrite Reumatoide/fisiopatologia , Inibidores de Hidroximetilglutaril-CoA Redutases/uso terapêutico , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Porto Rico , Índice de Gravidade de DoençaRESUMO
Dronedarone and amiodarone are cationic lipophilic benzofurans used to treat cardiac arrhythmias. They also have activity against the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas' disease. They function by disrupting intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis of the parasite and by inhibiting membrane sterol (ergosterol) biosynthesis. Amiodarone also has activity against Leishmania mexicana, suggesting that dronedarone might likewise be active against this organism. This might be of therapeutic interest, since dronedarone is thought to have fewer side effects in humans than does amiodarone. We show here that dronedarone effectively inhibits the growth of L. mexicana promastigotes in culture and, more importantly, has excellent activity against amastigotes inside infected macrophages (the clinically relevant form) without affecting the host cell, with the 50% inhibitory concentrations against amastigotes being 3 orders of magnitude lower than those obtained previously with T. cruzi amastigotes (0.65 nM versus 0.75 µM). As with amiodarone, dronedarone affects intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in the parasite, inducing an elevation of intracellular Ca2+ levels. This is achieved by rapidly collapsing the mitochondrial membrane potential and inducing an alkalinization of acidocalcisomes at a rate that is faster than that observed with amiodarone. We also show that dronedarone inhibits parasite oxidosqualene cyclase, a key enzyme in ergosterol biosynthesis known to be vital for survival. Overall, our results suggest the possibility of repurposing dronedarone as a treatment for cutaneous, and perhaps other, leishmaniases.
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Amiodarona/análogos & derivados , Amiodarona/farmacologia , Animais , Cálcio/metabolismo , Células Cultivadas , Dronedarona , Ergosterol/metabolismo , Homeostase/efeitos dos fármacos , Leishmania mexicana/efeitos dos fármacos , Leishmania mexicana/metabolismo , Potencial da Membrana Mitocondrial/efeitos dos fármacos , Camundongos , Trypanosoma cruzi/efeitos dos fármacos , Trypanosoma cruzi/metabolismoRESUMO
The genus Ficopomatus (Serpulidae) consists of sessile, tubicolous polychaete annelid worms that may colonize a diversity of substrata, and tolerate considerable variations in salinity. Thus, members of this genus, including Ficopomatus uschakovi, in some cases are exotic and maybe invasive. The purpose of our research was to collect and identify marine organisms associated with the submerged roots of mangrove trees in the Gulf of Urabá, Colombian Caribbean, South America. Within the Gulf, there is a well-developed forest of the Red Mangrove, Rhizophora mangle, along the margins of El Uno Bay. We sampled the roots of R. mangle from five stations of the bay, and we identified specimens of F. uschakovi from each of those stations. Ficopomatus uschakovi was found to be more abundant in regions of the bay that exhibit the lowest salinity. Based on a morphological comparison of the present specimens with the original species description, revised descriptions, and other records from the Indo-West Pacific, Mexican Pacific, and Venezuelan and Brazilian Caribbean, we suggest that F. uschakovi has a broader geographical distribution. Furthermore, because of this broad distribution, and the observed tolerance for low salinity in our study, we also suggest that F. uschakovi is a euryhaline species. It is also likely that F. uschakovi will be found in other localities in the Gulf of Urabá, and in other regions of the Colombian Caribbean. Thus, this record extends the distribution of the species to the Colombian Caribbean, giving the species a continuous distribution across the northern coast of South America.
ResumenEl género Ficopomatus, familia Serpulidae, está compuesto por gusanos poliquetos tubícolas y sésiles que pueden colonizar gran cantidad de sustratos y tolerar variaciones considerables de salinidad. Así, los miembros de éste género, incluyendo Ficopomatus uschakovi, en algunos casos pueden ser considerados exóticos y tal vez invasores. El propósito de nuestra investigación fue recolectar e identificar los organismos marinos asociados a raíces sumergidas de árboles de mangle rojo, Rhizophora mangle, en el golfo de Urabá, Caribe colombiano, Suramérica. Dentro del golfo de Urabá, existe un bosque bien desarrollado de R. mangle, a lo largo de las márgenes de la bahía El Uno. Se tomaron muestras de mangle rojo en cinco estaciones y seidentificó a F. uschakovi para cada una de ellas. Esta especie exhibió mayor abundancia en zonas de la bahía con menor salinidad. Basados en la similitud morfológica que exhiben los ejemplares con la descripción original de la especie, descripciones revisadas e identificaciones reportadas en el oeste del Indopacífico, Pacífico mexicano y la zona Caribe de Venezuela y Brasil, sugerimos que F. uschakovi tiene una amplia distribución geográfica. Además, por esta amplia distribución y la tolerancia observada a bajas concentraciones salinas en nuestro estudio, sugerimos que F. uschakovi es una especie eurihalina. También es probable que F. uschakovi se pueda encontrar en otras localidades en el golfo de Urabá, y en otras regiones del Caribe colombiano. Este registro amplía la distribución de la especie al Caribe colombiano, lo cual demuestra una continuidad en la costa norte de Suramérica.
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The aim of this study was to determine the clinical outcome among indigent patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Puerto Rico receiving their healthcare in a managed care system, as compared with non-indigent patients treated in fee-for-service settings. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 214 Puerto Ricans with RA (per American College of Rheumatology classification criteria). Demographic features, health-related behaviors, cumulative clinical manifestations, disease activity (per disease activity score 28), comorbid conditions, functional status (per Health Assessment Questionnaire), and pharmacologic profile were determined. Data were examined using uni- and multivariable (logistic regression) analyses. The mean (standard deviation (SD)) age of the study population was 56.6 (13.5) years; 180 (84.1 %) were women. The mean (SD) disease duration was 10.8 (9.6) years. Sixty-seven patients were treated in the managed care setting, and 147 patients received their healthcare in fee-for-service settings. In the multivariable analyses, RA patients treated in the managed care setting had more joint deformities, extra-articular manifestations, arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular events, fibromyalgia syndrome, and poorer functional status while having a lower exposure to biological agents than those treated in fee-for-service settings. Efforts should be undertaken to curtail the gap of health disparities among these Hispanic patients in order to improve their long-term outcomes.
Assuntos
Artrite Reumatoide/terapia , Seguro Saúde/organização & administração , Programas de Assistência Gerenciada/organização & administração , Adulto , Idoso , Artrite Reumatoide/economia , Artrite Reumatoide/fisiopatologia , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Análise Multivariada , Pobreza , Porto Rico/epidemiologia , Análise de Regressão , Inquéritos e Questionários , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: In this evaluation we assess the quality of the general and clinical structure in medical units that deliver health services for the Medical Insurance for a New Generation (SMNG) enrollees. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population included 82 medical units that deliver health services to enrollees of the SMNG in 15 states of Mexico, during 2009. Two indexes: the general structure index and the clinical structure index were created. RESULTS: It was found an unequal quality of the general and clinical structure in the different levels of care. The results suggest that the first level of care lacks both important general and clinical structural items. They also show on average a regular quality in the second level of care and a good quality in the third level of care medical units. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the main conclusion of the work of Bulatao, "Improving services requires moving beyond policy reform to strengthening implementation of services".
Assuntos
Seguro Saúde , Qualidade da Assistência à Saúde , Humanos , MéxicoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of care provided at medical units that provide services to Medical Insurance for a New Generation (SMNG) enrollees. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The tracer methodology was used in a sample of 82 medical units selected in fifteen states of Mexico and data collected in November 2009. RESULTS: Problems were found to locate the minimal number of the 18 medical charts requested in three of the tracers. The first level of care on the average reports that the quality of the process of care is 6, in a 10 point scale. In the second level improves and the third level of care is better qualified. CONCLUSIONS: The tracer methodology has enabled us to assess the quality of care. There is room for improvement in the medical units of the state health services, to that end should be directed the efforts in the health system in Mexico.
Assuntos
Seguro Saúde , Garantia da Qualidade dos Cuidados de Saúde/métodos , Indicadores de Qualidade em Assistência à Saúde , Qualidade da Assistência à Saúde , Cobertura Universal do Seguro de Saúde , Pré-Escolar , Humanos , Lactente , MéxicoRESUMO
El objetivo principal del presente estudio fue diseñar un programa de intervención cognoscitivo conductual para mejorar la calidad del sueño de cuidadores familiares de personas con enfermedades crónicas. El programa y un manual de aplicación fue el resultado final del desarrollo tecnológico en este primer estudio. Los psicólogos profesionales, los practicantes del área de la Psicología de la Salud y los profesionales de la salud que trabajen en equipos interdisciplinarios y que estén interesados en velar por la calidad de vida de los cuidadores, podrán hacer uso de estos productos. Está conformado por ocho sesiones, formatos de registro y de tareas para la casa. En la primera y la última sesión se sugiere la aplicación de algunas pruebas (pre y postest); en ellas, se emplean: un formato de entrevista estructurada, el Índice de Calidad de Sueño de Pittsburgh, validado en Colombia por Escobar-Córdoba y Eslava-Schmalbach en el 2005, y la Escala Atenas de Insomnio, versión en español validada en México por Nenclares y Jiménez en el 2005, con el fin de realizar una comparación y contemplar las diferencias existentes entre las condiciones de entrada de los pacientes en los diferentes aspectos evaluados y lo que se observa después de aplicado el programa. A partir de la segunda sesión, se plantea el manejo de información sobre el papel del cuidador; el sueño y el compromiso que debe adquirirse para mejorar la calidad del sueño; el entrenamiento en higiene del sueño en técnicas de relajación; la realización de un plan estratégico del descanso y la utilización de reestructuración cognoscitiva. Finalmente el programa propone una etapa de seguimiento, que se plantea en tres momentos, el primero al mes de manera presencial, el segundo a los seis meses y, el tercero al año, por medio de una llamada telefónica. El seguimiento permitirá conocer el mantenimiento de los resultados después de concluido el programa. En el texto del estudio realizado por Orozco, Eustache y Grosso en el 2011, se presenta el programa y Manual completos.
The purpose of this study was to design a cognitivebehavioral\r\nintervention program addressed to improve\r\nthe sleep quality of chronic diseases patient's family\r\ncaregivers. The program represents the final proposal\r\nof technological development, with the intervention\r\napplication manual designed for professional psychologists\r\nand practitioners in the area of Health Psychology.\r\nThe program comprises eight sessions, registration\r\nforms and homework; in the first and last session the\r\napplication of a pre-test and post-test is suggested and\r\nconducted using: a structured interview format, the\r\nPittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Colombian Version -\r\nvalidated by Escobar-Córdoba and Eslava-Schmalbach,\r\n2005 and Athens Insomnia Scale, Spanish Version -\r\nvalidated in Mexico by Nenclares and Jimenez, 2005,\r\nto make comparisons and appreciate the differences\r\nbetween the conditions of entry of patients evaluated\r\nin the different aspects and what is observed after\r\napplication of the program. Commencing with the\r\nsecond session the information processed is about the\r\nrole of the caregiver, the sleep and commitment of\r\nthe caregiver with the need to improve their quality\r\nof sleep; a training is implemented in terms of sleep\r\nhygiene, relaxation techniques, a strategic plan in the\r\nbenefit of rest and cognitive restructuring. At the end\r\na three time follow-up phase at one month (in person),\r\nsix and twelve months by a telephone call. In the\r\noriginal study by Orozco, Esutache y Grosso (2011)\r\nthe complete program and Manualsare available.
Assuntos
Psicologia , Medicina do Comportamento , Doença Crônica , CuidadoresRESUMO
Amiodarone, a commonly used antiarrhythmic, is also a potent and selective anti-Trypanosoma cruzi agent. Dronedarone is an amiodarone derivative in which the 2,5-diiodophenyl moiety of the parental drug has been replaced with an unsubstituted phenyl group aiming to eliminate the thyroid toxicity frequently observed with amiodarone treatment. Dronedarone has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and its use as a safe antiarrhythmic has been extensively documented. We show here that dronedarone also has potent anti-T. cruzi activity, against both extracellular epimastigotes and intracellular amastigotes, the clinically relevant form of the parasite. The 50% inhibitory concentrations against both proliferative stages are lower than those previously reported for amiodarone. The mechanism of action of dronedarone resembles that of amiodarone, as it induces a large increase in the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration of the parasite, which results from the release of this ion from intracellular storage sites, including a direct effect of the drug on the mitochondrial electrochemical potential, and through alkalinization of the acidocalcisomes. Our results suggest a possible future repurposed use of dronedarone for the treatment of Chagas' disease.
Assuntos
Amiodarona/análogos & derivados , Trypanosoma cruzi/efeitos dos fármacos , Amiodarona/efeitos adversos , Amiodarona/química , Amiodarona/farmacologia , Cálcio/metabolismo , Doença de Chagas/parasitologia , Dronedarona , Potencial da Membrana Mitocondrial/efeitos dos fármacos , Trypanosoma cruzi/metabolismoRESUMO
The purpose of was to evaluate the renal pathology findings as described by the World Health Organization classification for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a group of Puerto Rico patients with lupus nephritis and determine the association with clinical and laboratory findings. The medical records from patients seen at the Lu pus Clinic from 1985 to 2005 were reviewed and patients with a performed renal biopsy included. All patients fulfilled the American ColIege of Rheumatology criteria for SLE. Data gathered from the medical records included demographics, cumulative clinical manifestations and serologic tests at the time of the renal biopsy. There were 139 patients with lupus nephntis (LN) and 71 patients (51%) had a renal biopsy done. From these 86% were females and their mean age at LN diagnosis was 25 years. The mean time between diagnosis of LN and renal biopsy was 1.5 years. The most frequent renal pathology was membranous glomewlonephritis (GN) class V (37%) followed by mesangial GN class II (23%). All groups were similar in clinical manifestations and laboratory parameters. The majority of Puerto Rico patients with LN had membranous GN class V. This data is different from other ethnic groups were diffuse GN type IV has been described as most prevalent.