Spirolactone iridoids might be responsible for the antileishmanial activity of a Peruvian traditional remedy made with Himatanthus sucuuba (Apocynaceae).

Extracts of seven medicinal plants used specifically against cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Madre de Dios region of Peru were evaluated in vitro against promastigote and axenic amastigote forms of Leishmania amazonensis. One of them showed interesting leishmanicidal activities (IC(50)=5 microg/ml in amastigotes). Bio-guided isolation of the stem bark's ethanol extract of Himatanthus sucuuba (Spruce ex Müll.

Selective ruthenium-catalyzed transformations of enynes with diazoalkanes into alkenylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes.

Reaction of a variety of CCH bond-containing 1,6-enynes with N2CHSiMe3 in the presence of RuCl(COD)Cp* as catalyst precursor leads, at room temperature, to the general formation of alkenylbicyclo[3.1.0]hexanes with high Z-stereoselectivity of the alkenyl group and cis arrangement of the alkenyl group and an initial double-bond substituent, for an E-configuration of this double bond.

Demographic, clinical, and microbial aspects of chronic and aggressive periodontitis in Colombia: a multicenter study.

Background: The microbial profile of periodontal disease varies among different human populations. This study evaluated the demographic, clinical, and microbiologic aspects of periodontitis in a multigeographic sample in Colombia.

Methods: Three hundred twenty-five patients with chronic periodontitis (CP), 158 patients with aggressive periodontitis (AgP), and 137 healthy-gingivitis controls from five regions of the country were studied.

The reliability and validity of the Test of Adaptive Behavior in Schizophrenia (TABS).

Performance-based tests of functional capacity are important to utilize in schizophrenia where global measures may underestimate community functioning in the context of impoverished environments and disincentives to return to work. The Test of Adaptive Behavior in Schizophrenia (TABS) is a performance-based measure of adaptive functioning designed to address limitations of other available measures including limited assessment of the ability to initiate and of the ability to identify problems that occur in the course of performing functional activities. The TABS and a variety of symptom, functional outcome, and cognitive measures were administered to 264 outpatients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorders at an initial assessment.

In vivo T(1rho) and T(2) mapping of articular cartilage in osteoarthritis of the knee using 3 T MRI.

Objective: Evaluation and treatment of patients with early stages of osteoarthritis (OA) is dependent upon an accurate assessment of the cartilage lesions. However, standard cartilage dedicated magnetic resonance (MR) techniques are inconclusive in quantifying early degenerative changes. The objective of this study was to determine the ability of MR T1rho (T(1rho)) and T(2) mapping to detect cartilage matrix degeneration between normal and early OA patients.

[Oxygen-conserving devices: a forgotten resource].

Oxygen-conserving devices include transtracheal catheters, reservoir cannulas, and demand oxygen delivery systems. They are designed to extend the amount of time portable oxygen cylinders will last and correct hypoxemia with a lower flow of oxygen. Transtracheal catheters increase the fraction of inspired oxygen by delivering oxygen directly to the trachea, bypassing the dead space of the oropharynx and improving the efficiency of the upper airway as a reservoir.

Posttransplant diabetes mellitus in renal allograft recipients: A prospective multicenter study at 2 years.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors for the development of diabetes mellitus after kidney transplantation (PTDM). A total of 1783 nondiabetic renal allograft recipients transplanted from January 2000 to December 2002 were included. Diabetes was diagnosed following American Diabetes Association criteria.

[Acute rejection of kidney transplant is associated with induction of replicative senescence in CD8+ T lymphocytes].

Acute renal rejection repeatedly activates immunocompromised CD8 + T cells. Maintained activation of CD8 + T cells can induce a process of replicative senescence. In the present study, we will evaluate in CD8 lymphocytes from patients undergoing acute renal rejection characteristics of replicative senescence such as: a) low expression of CD28 molecule; b) telomere shortening and c) increase production of proinflammatory cytokines.

Rabbit antithymocyte globulin versus basiliximab in renal transplantation.

Background: Induction therapy reduces the frequency of acute rejection and delayed graft function after transplantation. A rabbit antithymocyte polyclonal antibody or basiliximab, an interleukin-2 receptor monoclonal antibody, is most commonly used for induction.

Methods: In this prospective, randomized, international study, we compared short courses of antithymocyte globulin and basiliximab in patients at high risk for acute rejection or delayed graft function who received a renal transplant from a deceased donor.

Subcutaneous adipose tissue cytokine production is not responsible for the restoration of systemic inflammation markers during weight loss.

Context: It has been suggested that weight loss can improve systemic inflammation associated with obesity by decreasing the adipose production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This suggestion, however, remains controversial.

Objective: To analyse the effect of weight loss on peripheral inflammatory markers and subcutaneous adipocytokine production.

Hepatitis C virus antibodies and other markers of blood-transfusion-transmitted infection in multi-transfused Cuban patients.

Background: HCV was initially identified in 1989 when it was found to be the primary causative agent of non-A, non-B hepatitis,a condition associated with high rates of progressive and end-stage liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Since then, appreciation of the significant worldwide health impact of HCV infection has grown. HCV infection was identified as a public health problem in Cuba in the 1990s.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor enhances conditioned taste aversion retention.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has recently emerged as one of the most potent molecular mediators of not only central synaptic plasticity, but also behavioral interactions between an organism and its environment. Our previous studies on the insular cortex (IC), a region of the temporal cortex implicated in the acquisition and storage of conditioned taste aversion (CTA), have demonstrated that induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the projection from the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (Bla) to the IC, previous to CTA training, enhances the retention of this task. Recently, we found that intracortical microinfusion of BDNF induces a lasting potentiation of synaptic efficacy in the Bla-IC projection of adult rats in vivo.

Cytometric bead array (CBA) for the measurement of cytokines in urine and plasma of patients undergoing renal rejection.

Renal rejection is associated with an active immune response regulated by cytokines and in which immunocompetent cells are involved. Previous studies have measured high levels of cytokines in the urine and plasma in various renal dysfunction states. However, some methods used to measured cytokines hinder their use as a diagnostic tool in renal rejection.

Cyclosporine withdrawal from a mycophenolate mofetil-containing immunosuppressive regimen: results of a five-year, prospective, randomized study.

Maintenance immunosuppression with cyclosporine (CsA) is associated with nephrotoxicity, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. This long-term study (core study + 4 yr of follow-up) investigated the long-term efficacy and safety of CsA withdrawal from a mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)-based regimen. Seventy-seven patients were maintained on CsA, MMF, and steroids (CsA-MMF group), and 74 were given a CsA-free regimen of MMF and steroids (MMF group).

Efficacy and safety of tacrolimus compared with cyclosporin A microemulsion in renal transplantation: 2 year follow-up results.

Background: Comparison studies of calcineurin inhibitors as cornerstone immunosuppressants in renal transplantation have demonstrated that tacrolimus consistently reduces acute rejection rates and, in some studies, also improves long-term renal outcome in comparison to cyclosporin A (CsA). The aim of the present 2 year follow-up of the European Tacrolimus vs Cyclosporin A Microemulsion Renal Transplantation Study was to investigate long-term clinical outcome in terms of rate of acute rejection, graft and patient survival and graft function.

Methods: The European Tacrolimus vs Cyclosporin A Microemulsion Renal Transplantation Study was a randomized, comparative 6 month trial of the calcineurin inhibitors tacrolimus and CsA in combination with both azathioprine and steroids.

Preparation and structural characterization of three types of homo- and heterotrinuclear boron complexes: salen[[B-O-B][O2BOH]], salen[[B-O-B][O2BPh]], and salen[[B-O-B][O2P(O)Ph]].

Three types of homo- and heterotrinuclear boron complexes have been obtained in moderate to good yields from reactions of salen-type ligands with boric acid and combinations of boric acid with phenylboronic and phenylphosphonic acid. The products are air-stable and have relatively high melting points (>290 degrees C) but are poorly soluble or insoluble in common organic solvents. They have been characterized as far as possible by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, IR, (1)H, (11)B, and (31)P NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography.

Exposure to larva migrans syndromes in squares and public parks of cities in Chile.

Between November 2001 and December 2002, 600 dog fecal samples were collected in main squares and public parks of 13 cities in Chile, from the extreme north to the extreme south of the country. The samples were processed in the laboratory by centrifugal sedimentation and the Harada-Mori methods. T.

Fire fighter fatalities 1998-2001: overview with an emphasis on structure related traumatic fatalities.

Objective: To review the causes of all fire fighter line-of-duty-deaths from 1998 through 2001, and present recommendations for preventing fatalities within the specific subgroup of structure related events.

Methods: Fire fighter fatality data from the United States Fire Administration were reviewed and classified into three main categories of injury. Investigations conducted through the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program provided the basis for the recommendations presented in this paper.

Chilaiditi syndrome associated with transverse colon volvulus: first report in a paediatric patient and review of the literature.

A hepatodiaphragmatic interposition of the colon, known as Chilaiditi's sign, is usually discovered by chance during the study of another event, given that its presentation is normally asymptomatic. When this finding is accompanied by clinical symptoms, either intermittent or persistent, it is known as Chilaiditi syndrome. It may be associated with intestinal obstruction due to twisting.

Renoprotective effects of losartan in renal transplant recipients. Results of a retrospective study.

Background/aims: Chronic allograft nephropathy is the main cause of late graft loss and nonimmunological factors, including hypertension and proteinuria, the principal etiological factors. In this context, blockage of the renin-angiotensin system could be helpful. The aim of the present study was to review the renoprotective efficacy of losartan in a large group of renal transplant patients undergoing long-term follow-up.

A simple method for estimating respiratory solute dilution in exhaled breath condensates.

Exhaled breath condensates have been widely used to detect inflammatory mediators in the fluid that covers airway surfaces of patients with inflammatory lung disorders. This approach is much less invasive than bronchoalveolar lavage, but respiratory droplets are markedly diluted by large and variable amounts of water vapor. We estimated the dilution of respiratory droplets by comparing concentrations of nonvolatile, reference indicators (total nonvolatile cations, urea or conductivity) in 18 normal subjects with normal plasma concentrations by assuming similar concentrations in the respiratory fluid and plasma.