Human decidua-derived mesenchymal stromal cells differentiate into hepatic-like cells and form functional three-dimensional structures.

Background Aims: Previously, we have shown that human decidua-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (DMSC) are mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) with a clonal differentiation capacity for the three embryonic layers. The endodermal capacity of DMSC was revealed by differentiation into pulmonary cells. In this study, we examined the hepatic differentiation of DMSC.

Atrial fibrillation in pigs induces left atrial endocardial transcriptional remodelling.

The leading cause of cardioembolic stroke is atrial fibrillation (AF), which predisposes to atrial thrombus formation. Although rheological alterations promote a hypercoagulable environment, as yet undefined factors contribute to thrombogenesis. The role of the endocardium has barely been explored.

[Survey about responsiveness of third-level hospitals to a medical disaster: after the pandemic influenza in Mexico].

Background: The recent pandemic influenza AH1N1 virus made it clear that planning for medical disaster response is critical.

Objective: To know the responsiveness of a sample of highly specialized hospitals in Mexico to a medical disaster, with the previous pandemic influenza AH1N1 as reference.

Methods: A survey was conducted among the Medical Directors of a sample of highly specialized hospitals, covering: previous experience with the pandemic influenza, space considerations, material resources, staff, logistics, and current general perspectives.

Photoluminescent enzymatic sensor based on nanoporous anodic alumina.

Herein, we present a smart enzymatic sensor based on nanoporous anodic alumina (NAA) and its photoluminescence (PL) in the UV-visible range. The as-produced structure of NAA is functionalized and activated in order to perform the enzyme immobilization in a controlled manner. The whole process is monitored through the PL spectrum and each stage is characterized by an exclusive barcode, which is associated with the PL oscillations.

Heuristic optimization for the design of plasmonic nanowires with specific resonant and scattering properties.

In this contribution, we propose a computational tool for the synthesis of metallic nanowires with optimized optical properties, e.g. maximal scattering cross-section at a given wavelength.

Metazoan parasites on the gills of the skipjack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis (Osteichthyes: Scombridae) from the Alboran Sea (western Mediterranean Sea).

The gills of 31 skipjack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis (L.) caught in the Alboran Sea (western Mediterranean Sea) were examined for metazoan parasites, and the gills of 4 specimens from the Balearic Sea (also western Mediterranean Sea) were analysed for comparative purposes. Nine -species of parasites were found, including 8 didymozoid trematodes (Atalostrophion cf.

The Amerindian mtDNA haplogroup B2 enhances the risk of HPV for cervical cancer: de-regulation of mitochondrial genes may be involved.

Although human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the main causal factor for cervical cancer (CC), there are data suggesting that genetic factors could modulate the risk for CC. Sibling studies suggest that maternally inherited factors could be involved in CC. To assess whether mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphisms are associated to CC, HPV infection and HPV types, a case-control study was performed in the Mexican population.

Genetic variants in genes involved in mechanisms of chemoresistance to anticancer drugs.

Refractoriness to the pharmacological treatment of cancer is dependent on the expression levels of genes involved in mechanisms of chemoresistance and on the existence of genetic variants that may affect their function. Thus, changes in genes encoding solute carriers may account for considerable inter-individual variability in drug uptake and the lack of sensitivity to the substrates of these transporters. Moreover, changes in proteins involved in drug export can affect their subcellular localization and transport ability and hence may also modify the bioavailability of antitumor agents.

Fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitors. 3: tetra-substituted azetidine ureas with in vivo activity.

We describe here our attempts to optimise the human fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibition and physicochemical properties of our previously reported tetrasubstituted azetidine urea FAAH inhibitor, VER-156084. We describe the SAR of a series of analogues and conclude with the demonstration of in vivo dose-dependant FAAH inhibition in an anandamide-loading study in rats.

Characterization of the role of ABCG2 as a bile acid transporter in liver and placenta.

ABCG2 is involved in epithelial transport/barrier functions. Here, we have investigated its ability to transport bile acids in liver and placenta. Cholylglycylamido fluorescein (CGamF) was exported by WIF-B9/R cells, which do not express the bile salt export pump (BSEP).

Identification of soluble forms of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, sVEGFR-1 and sVEGFR-2, in bovine dominant follicles.

The development of dominant follicles requires the parallel growth of a vascular network, regulated by VEGF and its receptors VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2. Here, we demonstrate the presence of mRNA for the soluble forms of VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 by RT-PCR and the respective proteins by Western blot, in bovine dominant follicles. The 3' end of the mRNA coding region and the deduced C-terminal amino acid sequence of the bovine VEGFR soluble forms were similar to those previously described in human and mice.

Sterile cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis in young febrile infants with urinary tract infections.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of and to identify risk factors for sterile cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis in a large sample of febrile young infants with urinary tract infections (UTIs) and to describe the clinical courses of those patients.

Design: Secondary analysis of a multicenter retrospective review.

Setting: Emergency departments of 20 North American hospitals.

Adenosine-derived inhibitors of 78 kDa glucose regulated protein (Grp78) ATPase: insights into isoform selectivity.

78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (Grp78) is a heat shock protein (HSP) involved in protein folding that plays a role in cancer cell proliferation. Binding of adenosine-derived inhibitors to Grp78 was characterized by surface plasmon resonance and isothermal titration calorimetry. The most potent compounds were 13 (VER-155008) with K(D) = 80 nM and 14 with K(D) = 60 nM.

A bacterial consortium isolated from an Icelandic fumarole displays exceptionally high levels of sulfate reduction and metals resistance.

The soils of three fumaroles and one mining site, all with high metal content, were surveyed for the presence of metal-resistant sulfate-reducing bacteria and their potential application in the bioremediation of acid mine drainages. By means of selective soil enrichments a bacterial consortium was isolated from an Icelandic fumarole that displayed very high sulfate reduction in the presence of a mixture of 0.75 g/L of Fe, 0.

SSTR1- and SSTR3-selective somatostatin analogues.

We prepared the two enantiomers of 3-(3'-quinolyl)-alanine (Qla, 1) in multigram scale by asymmetric hydrogenation. These amino acids, protected as Fmoc derivatives, were then used in the solid-phase synthesis of two new somatostatin 14 (SRIF-14) analogues 8 a and 8 b, tetradecapeptides in which the tryptophan residue (Trp8) is replaced by one of the two enantiomers of 3-(3'-quinolyl)-alanine (Qla8) and therefore lack the N--H bond in residue 8. The selectivity of these new analogues for the somatostatin receptors, SSTR1-5, was measured.

Further characterization of the electrogenicity and pH sensitivity of the human organic anion-transporting polypeptides OATP1B1 and OATP1B3.

Organic anion-transporting polypeptides (OATPs) are involved in the liver uptake of many endogenous and xenobiotic compounds, such as bile acids and drugs, respectively. Using Xenopus laevis oocytes and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing rat Oatp1a1, human OATP1B1, or OATP1B3, the sensitivity of these transporters to extracellular/intracellular pH (pHo/pHi) and changes in plasma membrane potential (ΔΨ) was investigated. In X.

Febrile infants with urinary tract infections at very low risk for adverse events and bacteremia.

Background: There is limited evidence from which to derive guidelines for the management of febrile infants aged 29 to 60 days with urinary tract infections (UTIs). Most such infants are hospitalized for ≥48 hours. Our objective was to derive clinical prediction models to identify febrile infants with UTIs at very low risk of adverse events and bacteremia in a large sample of patients.

Quality-of-life impact of primary treatments for localized prostate cancer in patients without hormonal treatment.

Purpose: Earlier studies evaluating the effect on quality of life (QoL) of localized prostate cancer interventions included patients receiving adjuvant hormone therapy, which could have affected their outcomes. Our objective was to compare the QoL impact of the three most common primary treatments on patients who were not receiving adjuvant hormonal treatment.

Patients And Methods: This was a prospective study of 435 patients treated with radical prostatectomy, external-beam radiotherapy, or brachytherapy.

Oral geotrichosis: report of 12 cases.

Oral geotrichosis is an uncommon opportunistic infection caused by Geotrichum candidum, a habitual contaminant and component of the flora of various parts of the body. This communication reports both a 20-year retrospective study of clinically and mycologically proven cases of oral geotrichosis, and a prospective study of fungal oral flora in 200 individuals divided into two groups: normal individuals and individuals with associated conditions. Twelve patients with proven oral geotrichosis were included: 9 females and 3 males, with a mean age of 48.

Dietary patterns in Mexican adults are associated with risk of being overweight or obese.

Our objective was to identify and describe the major dietary patterns in the Mexican adult population and their association with being overweight or obese. Dietary intake was evaluated by a FFQ that was completed by 15,890 Mexican adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2006. Dietary patterns were generated by cluster analysis based on the percent contribution to total energy intake from 30 food groups.

Metabolites from Withania aristata with potential phytotoxic activity.

A series of apocarotenoids (1-8) and one carotenoid (9) were isolated from the leaves of Withania aristata. In addition, the tetraacetylated apocarotenoid glucosides 10-12 were obtained by acetylation, with derivative 9-hydroxymegastigma-4,6E-dien-3-one 9-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside tetraacetate (10) being described for the first time. The structures have been determined by spectroscopic and spectrometric means, mainly NMR and ESI-MS, and comparison with data reported in the literature.

Multifunctionalised benzoxazinones in the systems Oryza sativa-Echinochloa crus-galli and Triticum aestivum-Avena fatua as natural-product-based herbicide leads.

Background: Fifteen novel derivatives of D-DIBOA, including aromatic ring modifications and the addition of side chains in positions C-2 and N-4, had previously been synthesised and their phytotoxicity on standard target species (STS) evaluated. This strategy combined steric, electronic, solubility and lipophilicity requirements to achieve the maximum phytotoxic activity. An evaluation of the bioactivity of these compounds on the systems Oryza sativa-Echinochloa crus-galli and Triticum aestivum-Avena fatua is reported here.

Delivery of paclitaxel from cobalt-chromium alloy surfaces without polymeric carriers.

Polymer-based carriers are commonly used to deliver drugs from stents. However, adverse responses to polymer coatings have raised serious concerns. This research is focused on delivering drugs from stents without using polymers or any carriers.

Organization of a third-level care hospital in Mexico City during the 2009 influenza epidemic.

An outbreak caused by the novel swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus was identified in Mexico in late March 2009. The objective of this report is to describe the organization of a tertiary care center in Mexico City during the contingency. We describe the education program, the hospital organization and triaging, and unforeseen overwhelming circumstances.

Combined strategy for phytotoxicity enhancement of benzoxazinones.

Fifteen new derivatives of D-DIBOA, including aromatic ring modifications and the addition of side chains in positions C-2 and N-4, were synthesized and their phytotoxicity, selectivity, and structure-activity relationships evaluated. The most active compounds among the derivatives at the C-2 position were 6-Cl-2-Et-D-DIBOA and 6-F-2-Et-D-DIBOA. Of the derivatives at N-4, the most active compounds were 6-Cl-4-Pr-D-DIBOA and 6-Cl-4-Val-D-DIBOA.