Identification of Compound Heterozygous Gene Variants in Two Mexican Families with Ellis-van Creveld Syndrome.

Background: Ellis-van Creveld syndrome (EvCS) is an autosomal recessive ciliopathy with a disproportionate short stature, polydactyly, dystrophic nails, oral defects, and cardiac anomalies. It is caused by pathogenic variants in the or genes. To obtain further insight into the genetics of EvCS, we identified the genetic defect for the gene in two Mexican patients.

[Study Plan 2016 of the licentiate of medical surgery of the faculty of higher studies iztacala].

The 2016 undergraduate medical degree curriculum at the Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) is presented. It is the result of a long institutional reflection and academic dialog process of approximately three years, which culminated in its approval by UNAM's Academic Council for the Biology, Chemistry, and Health Sciences areas on January 25, 2016. Its most relevant characteristics are: modular organization, four knowledge areas (biomedical, methodological, socio-psychological, and humanistic and medical practice), and new modules such as Seminar of socio-psycho-biological integration; Genetics and molecular biology; Biochemistry and cellular biology; Pharmacological basis of therapeutics; Infectious diseases, microbiology and parasitology; Medical ethics; Public health; and Evidence-based medicine - clinical epidemiology.

Effects of dopamine on leptin release and leptin gene (OB) expression in adipocytes from obese and hypertensive patients.

Background: A reduction of dopaminergic (DAergic) activity with increased prolactin levels has been found in obese and hypertensive patients, suggesting its involvement as a pathophysiological mechanism promoting hypertension. Similarly, leptin action increasing sympathetic activity has been proposed to be involved in mechanisms of hypertension. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of DA, norepinephrine (NE), and prolactin on leptin release and leptin gene (OB) expression in adipocytes from obese and hypertensive patients.

Comparative study of enalapril vs. losartan on residual renal function preservation in automated peritoneal dialysis. A randomized controlled study.

Background: Residual renal function (RRF) is an important determinant of mortality and morbidity in patients receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD). Recent studies have shown a positive effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) on RRF in PD patients.

Objective: To compare enalapril and losartan for RRF preservation in automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) patients.

[Medical students' pleasure for participating in peer assessment].

Objective: to explore the agreement of medical students (MS) with the statement "I liked participating in my peers' assessment" and the explanations why.

Methods: the peer assessment of 411 MS who participated consisted in assessing audiovisual lectures presented by their classmates using rubrics. Then, they classified their grade of agreement with the statement "I liked participating in my peers' assessment" and briefly explained why.

Assessing creatinine clearance from modification of diet in renal disease study equations in the ADEMEX cohort: limitations and potential applications.

Background And Objectives: Twenty-four-hour urine and dialysate collections provide accepted means to assess adequacy in peritoneal dialysis (PD). Recent publications suggest that creatinine clearance (CrCl) estimated from the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equations (eCrCl) accurately approximates measured CrCl (mCrCl) derived from 24-hour collections of urine and dialysate and might serve as an alternative means to assess small-solute clearance and adequacy in PD.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: Post hoc analysis of data from patients enrolled in ADEMEX was used to assess agreement between mCrCl and eCrCl derived by four- and six-variable MDRD equations (4V-MDRDE and 6V-MDRDE, respectively).

[Academic performance and problem-based learning acceptance in medical students].

Objective: To measure the acceptance of problem based learning (PBL), to find out if they consider that spending extra-time is worthy, how they perceive their own learning, and how it correlated with other learning parameters.

Methods: After exposure to PBL during one semester, a cross sectional survey based on Likert-type scale was conducted to measure the students' opinion about PBL acceptance and perception of their own learning. The sample was 268 (65%) females and 143 (35%) males from the 3rd semester of the medical school.

[Feasibility of implementing a learning based problem solving and peer evaluation approach among medical students in Mexico].

Objective: Assess the degree to which medical students accept and consider useful the techniques of problem based learning (PBL) and evaluation among peers. Analyze the association between the number of PBL clinical cases reviewed and the students' perception about their own learning in a basic course.

Methods: A questionnaire was administered to 334 students enrolled in the third semester of medical school (Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México).

NT-proBNP, fluid volume overload and dialysis modality are independent predictors of mortality in ESRD patients.

Background: N-terminal fragment of B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a marker of both fluid volume overload and myocardial damage, and it has been useful as a predictor of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). It has been suggested that continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) and haemodialysis (HD) may have different effects on fluid volume and blood pressure control; however, whether the independent predictive value of NT-proBNP for mortality is preserved when analysed in conjunction with fluid overload and dialysis modality is not clear.

Methods: A prospective multicentre cohort of 753 prevalent adult patients on CAPD, APD and HD was followed up for 16 months.

Icodextrin improves metabolic and fluid management in high and high-average transport diabetic patients.

Background: Icodextrin-based solutions (ICO) have clinical and theoretical advantages over glucose-based solutions (GLU) in fluid and metabolic management of diabetic peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients; however, these advantages have not yet been tested in a randomized fashion.

Objective: To analyze the effects of ICO on metabolic and fluid control in high and high-average transport diabetic patients on continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD).

Patients And Methods: A 12-month, multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare ICO (n = 30) versus GLU (n = 29) in diabetic CAPD patients with high-average and high peritoneal transport characteristics.

[Staphylococcus aureus colonization and risk of developing a subsequent peritonitis episode caused by an identical strain, among pediatric patients admitted for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis].

Objective: To determine the risk of pediatric end stage renal disease patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis to develop a subsecuent peritonitis episode caused by an identical Staphylococcus aureus (SA) strain.

Methods: Longitudinal survey carried out in a CAPD center at the nephrology department of a tertiary care (reference) pediatric hospital. At recruitment, swabs were collected from the nares, exit site, and hands, respectively from 29 patients who were followed-up for a mean period of 369 +/- 80 days (range 224-516 days), and from the nares and hands of their mothers.

Predictive value of brain natriuretic peptides in patients on peritoneal dialysis: results from the ADEMEX trial.

Background And Objectives: Natriuretic peptides have been suggested to be of value in risk stratification in dialysis patients. Data in patients on peritoneal dialysis remain limited.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: Patients of the ADEMEX trial (ADEquacy of peritoneal dialysis in MEXico) were randomized to a control group [standard 4 x 2L continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD); n = 484] and an intervention group (CAPD with a target creatinine clearance > or =60 L/wk/1.

Chronic kidney disease and dialysis in Mexico.

The increasing rates in incidence and prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are important challenges for health systems around the world, and are even more significant for undeveloped countries. In Mexico the prevalence of CKD seems to be similar to that in highly developed nations, with diabetes as the leading cause of CKD; however, human and economic resources seem to be insufficient for treatment needs. This is reflected in the unacceptably high mortality rates and in noncompliance with established standards and guidelines.

Drug treatment of hypertension: compliance and adverse reactions in a cohort of hypertensive patients in a primary care setting.

Objectives: The primary was to assess the frequency of therapeutic non-compliance due to ADRs in a cohort of patients with recently diagnosed systemic hypertension. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the blood pressure control during the follow-up in the whole cohort and in patients who received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Methods: A cohort of 73 recently diagnosed ambulatory hypertensive patients was followed-up for 6 months.

Inflammation and oxidative stress markers by pentoxifylline treatment in rats with chronic renal failure and high sodium intake.

Background: Inflammation is a risk factor for mortality in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). Prevention of extracellular fluid volume expansion and the use of certain drugs such as pentoxifylline (PF) may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of dietary sodium and PF treatment on the levels of inflammation and oxidative stress markers in rats with CRF.

Comparison of a technique using a new percutaneous osteosynthesis device with conventional open surgery for displaced patella fractures in a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To compare the percutaneous patellar osteosynthesis system (PPOS) technique with open surgery for patella fractures.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Referral orthopedic and trauma center.

Inflammation and extracellular volume expansion are related to sodium and water removal in patients on peritoneal dialysis.

Background: Inflammation is an important risk for mortality in dialysis patients. Extracellular fluid volume (ECFv) expansion, a condition commonly seen in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, may be associated with inflammation. However, published support for this relationship is scarce.

Conjugated estrogens and tibolone modify the gonadotrophin glycosylation pattern in postmenopausal women.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in the percentage of glycosylation of FSH and LH when using conjugated estrogens and tibolone as hormonal therapy (HT) in postmenopausal compared with regular menstrual cycles.

Design: The study had three groups, with 10 participants in each group. The control group consisted of 10 women with normal menstrual cycles, a second group with 10 postmenopausal patients who received conjugated estrogens (Premarin 0.

Effect of parathyroidectomy on cardiac fibrosis and apoptosis: possible role of aldosterone.

Background/aim: It has been demonstrated that parathyroidectomy prevents left ventricular hypertrophy in uremic animals. Although this effect may be mediated by direct actions of parathormone (PTH), it may also be exerted through regulation of profibrotic factors such as aldosterone. In adrenal cortex cell cultures, PTH increases aldosterone release.

Serum markers of low-turnover bone disease in Mexican children with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis.

Background: The frequency of low-turnover bone disease (LTBD) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has increased in past years. This change is important because LTBD is associated with bone pain, growth delay, and higher risk for bone fractures and extraosseous calcifications. LTBD is a histological diagnosis.

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease in an urban Mexican population.

Background: The present study was primarily designed to assess the prevalence of chronic kidney disease in a Mexican urban population residing in Mexico and to evaluate certain biologic and socioeconomic conditions as risk factors for the development of renal disease.

Methods: A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted, which included 3564 patients of either gender aged >18 years, who were randomly selected from lists of patients assigned to primary care facilities in the city of Morelia. A questionnaire about personal current health status, kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease in close relatives, anthropometric and blood pressure measurements, and blood and urine samples to measure glucose, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine was obtained for each patient.

Treatment of type 2 diabetes in primary health care: a drug utilization study.

Background: Metabolic control in type 2 diabetes depends on patient adherence to therapy. Quantitative consumption data do not supply information regarding the appropriate use of medicine. Drug utilization studies are useful to identify treatment adherence problems and, thus, design interventions to improve drug use.

Health-related quality of life predicts outcomes but is not affected by peritoneal clearance: The ADEMEX trial.

Background: We hypothesized that increasing small solute clearance in peritoneal dialysis (PD) would lead to improvements in patient health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Methods: Patients were randomized to a control group [standard 4 x 2 L continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)] and an intervention group (CAPD with a target creatinine clearance >/=60 L/week/1.73 m(2)).

[Hyperleptinemia as a risk factor in obesity-related hypertension].

Background And Objective: Obesity is a risk factor for high blood pressure (HBP). However, the mechanism has not been dilucidated yet. High concentrations of leptin (LEP) contributing to an increased blood pressure in obese patients via increase in the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.

Inflammation in patients on peritoneal dialysis is associated with increased extracellular fluid volume.

Background: Cardiovascular disorders (CD) are the most frequent cause of death in patients on dialysis. CD have been related to increased extracellular fluid volume, peritoneal transport type (PTT), hypertension, and inflammation. Inflammation is in itself a risk factor for mortality.