Delirium is associated with circadian rhythm disruption. In this study we have explored whether circadian variation of melatonin is an indicator for delirium. Melatonin levels were determined from the first day of hospitalization and up to three days after the onset of delirium. Patients who did not developed delirium exhibited a daily melatonin rhythm, while in patients that developed delirium, the melatonin rhythm was lost and mean melatonin levels were found decreased as early as three days before the diagnosis of delirium, indicating that on arrival to the hospital circadian melatonin disruption can be used as an indicator of delirium.

Travelling across several time zones requires a fast adjustment of the circadian system and the differential adjustment speeds of organs and systems results in what is commonly referred as jet lag. During this transitory state of circadian disruption, individuals feel discomfort, appetite loss, fatigue, disturbed sleep and deficient performance of multiple tasks. We have demonstrated that after a 6-h phase advance of the light-dark cycle (LD) scheduled food in phase with the new night onset can speed up re-entrainment. In this study, we explored the possible mechanisms underlying the fast re-entrainment due to the feeding schedule. We focused on first- and second-order structures that provide metabolic information to the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). We compared (i) control rats without change in LD cycle; (ii) rats exposed to a 6-h phase advance of the LD cycle with food ad libitum; and (iii) rats exposed to the 6-h phase advance combined with food access in phase with the new night. We found an immediate synchronizing effect of food on stomach distention and on c-Fos expression in the nucleus of the solitary tract, arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus and paraventricular nucleus. These observations indicate that in a model of jet lag, scheduled feeding can favour an immediate shift in first- and second-order relays to the SCN and that by keeping feeding schedules coupled to the new night, a fast re-entrainment may be achieved by shifting peripheral and extra-SCN oscillations.

The Continuous bright light conditions to which premature infants are subjected while hospitalized in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) can have deleterious effects in terms of growth and development. This study evaluates the benefits of a light/darkness cycle (LDC) in weight and early hospital discharge from the NICU. Subjects were recruited from three participating institutions in Mexico. Eligible patients (n = 294) were premature infants who were hospitalized in the low-risk and high-risk neonatal units classified as stable. The subjects randomized to the experimental group (n = 150) were allocated to LDC conditions are as follows: light from 07:00 to 19:00 and darkness (25 lx) from 19:00 to 07:00. The control group (n = 144) was kept under normal room light conditions (CBL) 24 h a day. Main outcome was weight gain and the effect of reducing the intensity of nocturnal light in development of premature infants. Infants to the LDC gained weight earlier, compared with those randomized to CBL, and had a significant reduction in length of hospital stay. These results highlight those premature infants subjected to a LDC exhibit improvements in physiological development, favoring earlier weight gain and consequently a decrease in hospital stays. ClinicalTrials.gov; 02/09/2020 ID: NCT05230706.

El término síndrome metabólico se refiere a una serie de factores de riesgo que resultan de un desbalance metabólico. Se han señalado varias causas para su desarrollo, entre las que destacan la ingesta excesiva de calorías y el sedentarismo. Este desbalance entre la ingesta y el gasto energético resulta en un incremento de peso en la forma de tejido adiposo, estrechamente asociado con múltiples desórdenes metabólicos. El síndrome metabólico, así como sus consecuencias, representan un serio problema de salud pública a nivel mundial. De ahí, surge la importancia del establecimiento de estrategias exitosas para su diagnóstico y tratamiento. Si bien los estudios epidemiológicos arrojan bastante información, por razones éticas y metodológicas, es necesario abordar los aspectos experimentales con modelos animales. A la fecha, existen múltiples modelos de manera que la elección de uno en específico requiere de la cuidadosa consideración de las variables o fenómenos a estudiar. En esta revisión se abordan aspectos generales del síndrome metabólico. Asimismo, se discuten las características generales de los modelos murinos más empleados en su estudio, como son los basados en dietas altas en carbohidratos y en grasas, además de los genéticos. En particular, para los modelos de dietas altas en grasa, se consideran otros aspectos como el porcentaje de kcal provenientes de la grasa, el tipo de ácidos grasos empleados, los regímenes de alimentación, así como los efectos multigeneracionales.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic degenerative disease. It is a frequent, preventable and treatable disease characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation. The National Institute of Respiratory Diseases (INER), ranked COPD in 2016 in fourth place in the table of annual morbidity and mortality in Mexico. The prevalence of COPD is directly related to smoking; however, its development is multifactorial. For its study it is important to know of any prior exposure to risk factors and of any manifestation of the main symptoms. To make a diagnosis, a detailed clinical history, where the largest amount of data is collected from every new possible COPD patient, and a spirometry are essential. Individual pharmacological treatment is necessary due to the great variability among COPD patients. The drugs used in the treatment of COPD reduce the symptoms, the frequency and severity of exacerbations; however, there is no medication that modifies the long-term deterioration of the lung function. Therefore, a basic knowledge of this condition by the medical doctor first contacted, is essential for the suspicion of COPD in its initial stage and thus, offer the patient immediate medical intervention. The objective of the present work is to provide a basic overview of COPD to the general practitioner. Key words:Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; biomass; tobacco; chronic obstructive bronchitis; emphysema; respiratory system