Economic family burden of metabolic control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Aim: To appraise the economic burden for families of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) at the Instituto Nacional de Pediatria in Mexico City.

Patients And Methods: DM1 family direct costs were obtained from a standardized economic survey in 59 children with no chronic severe complications such as kidney failure in 2002-3.

Results: Mean family annual direct cost of treatment and monitoring was US $1689.

Development of a panel of well-characterized human immunodeficiency virus type 1 isolates from newly diagnosed patients including acute and recent infections.

The aim of this study was the development of a panel constituted by well-defined HIV-1 strains of different genetic forms, with a particular focus on isolates from acute and recent infections. Fourteen HIV-1 isolates, including four from acute and five from recent infections, were expanded in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. SI phenotype, coreceptors use, and TCID(50)/ml were determined.

Room-temperature synthetic pathways to barium titanate nanocrystals.

Novel room-temperature pathways to BaTiO(3) nanocrystals have been recently developed, which stand in contrast to traditional high-temperature methods. Peptide-assisted, bio-facilitated routes have been developed for low-temperature nanocrystal growth, in addition to two low-temperature routes completely independent of biomolecules. These innovative methods lay the groundwork for the facile production of nanoscale BaTiO(3) in economical and energy-efficient ways.

Effects of axial, transverse, and oblique sample motion in FD OCT in systems with global or rolling shutter line detector.

This study deals with effects on the interference signal caused by axial, transverse, and oblique motion in spectrometer-based Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD OCT). Two different systems are compared-one with a global shutter line detector and the other with a rolling shutter. We present theoretical and experimental investigations of motion artifacts.

[Epidemiological profile of premature labor].

Preterm birth is the most important cause of neonatal mortality and birth-related short- and long-term neurological morbidity. This health problem has a meaningful social and economic cost for families and governments. Its frequency varies from 5 to 12% in world-developed regions and can be as high as 40% in poorest regions.

Short PET in pediatric peritoneal dialysis.

Peritoneal equilibration test (PET) is a common technique used in children to evaluate peritoneal membrane transport capacity and adequate the dialysis regimen. Considering that this is a laborious test, a shortened version has been proposed. Our goal was to evaluate the concordance between the 2-h (short) and 4-h (classical) PET values to determine whether the short PET could be used in the clinical setting.

In vitro cytotoxic activity of anthrapyrazole analogues in human prostate DU-145 and testicular NTERA-2 carcinoma cells.

Anthrapyrazoles are potent cytotoxic agents that intercalate into DNA, causing DNA strand breaks, inhibition of DNA synthesis and topoisomerase II. In this study, we investigated the in vitro cytotoxic activity of two anthrapyrazole analogues (AP-10 and AP-11) in human prostate (DU-145) and testicular (NTERA-2) carcinoma cells. The cytotoxic activity of these analogues was determined using the MTS cell growth inhibition assay.

Eccentric training impairs NF-kappaB activation and over-expression of inflammation-related genes induced by acute eccentric exercise in the elderly.

The present study was aimed to investigate in elderly humans changes in NF-kappaB activation and in the expression of the inflammation-related genes inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) induced in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by acute eccentric exercise and by submaximal eccentric training. Eleven subjects, aged 66-75 years, carried out 2 bouts of eccentric exercise separated by 8 weeks of training. Following the first bout, NF-kappaB activation, and protein level of p50/p65 subunits, phospho-IkappaBalpha and phospho-IKKalpha increased, while IkappaBalpha protein level was significantly reduced.

[Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans in cystic fibrosis: clinical significance and specific immune response involving serum immunoglobulins G, A, and M].

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical significance of Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans in respiratory secretions from patients with cystic fibrosis and to assess the immune response to these fungi in serum.

Patients And Methods: The study included 66 patients with cystic fibrosis (34 men; mean age, 16.2 years).

[Variability in smoking experimentation and risk factors in 4 secondary schools in Murcia (Spain)].

Objective: To identify patterns of tobacco experimentation and consumption in 4 geographically close groups of students in the first year of secondary education, as well as attitudes and consumption in their social environments. To identify the factors associated with tobacco experimentation and consumption in each of the student groups.

Material And Method: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted in 4 secondary schools in the region of Murcia (Spain).

Effects of eccentric exercise on NF-kappaB activation in blood mononuclear cells.

Purpose: Changes in nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation induced in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by acute eccentric exercise and by submaximal eccentric training were investigated.

Methods: Eleven subjects carried out two bouts of eccentric exercise separated by 6 wk of training.

Results: Soreness, vertical jump height, and plasma creatine kinase were significantly modified after the first bout.

[Molecular diagnosis and combined lipid lowering therapy of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Report of one case].

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia affects one every 400 individuals, is caused by mutations in the LDL receptor gene and is associated with premature coronary artery disease. Nowadays, LDL cholesterol can be efficiently reduced with the new therapies to reduce blood lipids. We report a female patient who consulted in 1975, when she was 46 years old, for severe hypercholesterolemia.

Effects of strength and endurance training on antioxidant enzyme gene expression and activity in middle-aged men.

This study was aimed at investigating the effects of a 21-week period of progressive strength or endurance training on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) antioxidant enzyme gene expression and activity in healthy middle-aged untrained men. Strength (n=11) and endurance (n=12) training were performed twice a week, including resistance exercises to activate all the main muscle groups or cycle-ergometer pedaling, respectively. mRNA levels of catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and cytosolic superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) were increased after 21 weeks of strength training, while endurance training induced significant changes only in MnSOD and GPx mRNA levels.

Anti-homeostatic synaptic plasticity of glycine receptor function after chronic strychnine in developing cultured mouse spinal neurons.

In this study, we describe a novel form of anti-homeostatic plasticity produced after culturing spinal neurons with strychnine, but not bicuculline or 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX). Strychnine caused a large increase in network excitability, detected as spontaneous synaptic currents and calcium transients. The calcium transients were associated with action potential firing and activation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA(A)) and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors as they were blocked by tetrodotoxin (TTX), bicuculline, and CNQX.

Modelling of the mammographic exposure conditions for radiological detriment study in the Valencian Breast Cancer Screening Programme.

Breast screening programmes are the best weapon to fight against breast cancer. Nevertheless, despite the benefits, this practice supposes a radiological risk that cannot be forgotten. In order to calculate breast glandular doses, different MCNP-4C2 models have been developed, simulating the exposure conditions.

Mutant p53 protein in serum could be used as a molecular marker in human breast cancer.

p53 wild-type is a tumor suppressor gene involved in DNA gene transcription or DNA repair mechanisms. When damage to DNA is unrepairable, p53 induces programmed cell death (apoptosis). The mutant p53 gene is the most frequent molecular alteration in human cancer, including breast cancer.

The effects of an antioxidant-supplemented beverage on exercise-induced oxidative stress: results from a placebo-controlled double-blind study in cyclists.

The objective of this study was to test the effects of an antioxidant-supplemented beverage on exercise-induced oxidative stress in moderately trained cyclists. A double-blind study was conducted in moderately trained cyclists. They were randomly allocated to receive either an antioxidant (13 subjects) or a placebo (13 subjects) 15 min pre-exercise (30 ml.

Changes in oxidative stress markers and NF-kappaB activation induced by sprint exercise.

This study was aimed to investigate changes in blood markers of oxidative damage induced by short-term supramaximal anaerobic exercise and to determine whether oxidative stress was associated to activation of the redox-sensitive transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). Both a single Wingate test (WAnT) test and series of four WAnTs separated by 60 min rest intervals were carried out by eight professional cyclists. Leukocyte 8-OH-2-deoxyguanosine levels were significantly elevated 24 h after both exercise protocols.

Reaction-diffusion model for pattern formation in E. coli swarming colonies with slime.

A new experimental colonial pattern and pattern transition observed in E. coli MG1655 swarming cells grown on semisolid agar are described. We present a reaction-diffusion model that, taking into account the slime generated by these cells and its influence on the bacterial differentiation and motion, reproduces the pattern and successfully predicts the observed changes when the colonial collective motility is limited.

The presence of glia stimulates the appearance of glycinergic synaptic transmission in spinal cord neurons.

Previous studies, using electrophysiological and fluorimetric analysis with a calcium sensitive dye, have shown that 5-7 DIV developing spinal cord neurons displayed high levels of glycinergic transmission. GABAergic and AMPAergic neurotransmission contributed much less to the overall transmission. Here, we show that culturing neurons in absence of a glia cell monolayer reduced the frequency of glycinergic spontaneous IPSCs (0.

Use of risk projection models to estimate mortality and incidence from radiation-induced breast cancer in screening programs.

The authors report on a method to calculate radiological risks, applicable to breast screening programs and other controlled medical exposures to ionizing radiation. In particular, it has been applied to make a risk assessment in the Valencian Breast Cancer Early Detection Program (VBCEDP) in Spain. This method is based on a parametric approach, through Markov processes, of hazard functions for radio-induced breast cancer incidence and mortality, with mean glandular breast dose, attained age and age-at-exposure as covariates.

[Factors predicting detectable viral load in patients with highly active antiretroviral treatment].

Background And Objective: Knowledge of the variables predicting detectable viral load in patients with highly active antiretroviral treatment.

Patients And Method: Observational and cross-sectional study in patients with antiretroviral treatment receiving two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and one protease inhibitor. Several sociodemographic and clinic variables were registered.

Allergic contact urticaria from natural rubber latex in healthcare and non-healthcare workers.

To compare the prevalence of natural rubber latex (NRL) sensitization and allergic contact urticaria from NRL in healthcare and non-healthcare workers, we studied all 1171 patients who attended our clinic during 2001 and 2002. Prick testing for NRL and patch testing with European standard series were performed in all patients and an additional rubber series in those who had contact with rubber. Specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels against NRL and tropical fruits were measured when prick testing was positive.