In the last century, progress in the knowledge of human diseases, their diagnosis and treatment have grown exponentially, due in large part to the introduction and use of laboratory animals. Along with this important progress, the need to provide training and guidance to the scientific community in all aspects related to the proper use of experimental animals has been indispensable. Animal research committees play a primary role in evaluating experimental research protocols, from their feasibility to the rational use of animals, but above all in seeking animal welfare. The Institutional Committee for the Care and Use of Animals (IACUC) has endeavored to share several relevant aspects in conducting research with laboratory animals. Here, we present and discuss the topics that we consider of utmost importance to take in the account during the design of any experimental research protocol, so we invite researchers, technicians, and undergraduate and graduate students to dive into the fascinating subject of proper animal care and use for experimentation. The main intention of these contributions is to sensitize users of laboratory animals for the proper and rational use of them in experimental research, as well as to disseminate the permitted and unpermitted procedures in laboratory animals. In the first part, the significance of experimental research, the main functions of IACUC, and the principle of the three R’s (replacement, reduction, and refinement) are addressed.

Abstract This study aimed at evaluating the levels of different maternal exercise intensities on maternal and fetal outcomes. Wistar rats were mated and the pregnant rats were distributed into four experimental groups (n = 13 animals/group): Control (Not exercise group - 0% of the anaerobic threshold- AT), mild (20%), moderate (80%), and heavy-exercise intensity (140% of AT). These AT were matched to the load of 0, 1, 4 and 7% of the body weight of the animal related to swimming-induced physical intensity. In pregnancy, biomarkers related to maternal blood gases, oxidative stress, metabolism, and reproductive performance, and outcomes of their offspring were analyzed. The mild and moderate-swimming caused no change on implantation, live fetus numbers and oxidative stress status. However, the rats submitted to mild-exercise presented respiratory alkalosis and the heavy-exercise group showed respiratory acidosis. In addition, fetuses of the heavy-exercise dams were smaller for gestational age and lower serum adiponectin levels compared to those of other groups. In conclusion, the moderate-exercise intensity caused beneficial effects for maternal environment and the mild and moderate-exercise presented similar fetal repercussions. Nevertheless, the heavy-exercise intensity caused maternal metabolic alterations that damaged the fetal growth. Therefore, these findings confirm that physical intensity should be carefully conducted to avoid maternal complications and, consequently, compromised fetal repercussions.

Résumé: Objectif: Identifier et analyser d’un point de vue quantitatif / qualitatif les indicateurs socio-économiques de l’obésité maternelle au Mexique. Matériel et méthodes: Recherche évaluative basée sur une conception de cohorte prospective / analytique. La taille de l’échantillon a été établie par toutes les femmes qui sont venues á la clinique prénatale á partir de la 24e semaine de gestation dans un hópital de référence. La taille de l’échantillon a été estimée avec 80% de puissance et 95% de confiance et de signification. Les indicateurs d’intéret étaient les aspects socio-économiques, la nutrition, l’anthropométrie, l’alimentation, la sécurité alimentaire et l’activité physique. L’analyse quantitative a été réalisée á l’aide du logiciel Stata version 14 et de l’analyse qualitative avec Atlas-ti version 8.0. Résultats: La cohorte était composée de 402 femmes enceintes en 2017. D’aprés les principaux résultats, nous avons constaté que 55% des femmes étaient agées de 18 á 24 ans; 15% des femmes ont déclaré avoir un travail rémunéré; 42% de la population ont fait des études secondaires complétes; 32,1% présentaient un degré d’insécurité alimentaire; l’IMC moyen était de 27,8 ± 4,8, 48% des femmes étaient en surpoids et obéses. Conclusions: Les résultats quantitatifs suggérent que les populations ayant une plus grande vulnérabilité socio-économique, l’insécurité alimentaire et une faible activité physique sont plus sujettes á l’obésité maternelle. Les résultats qualitatifs, en plus de compléter et de renforcer les résultats quantitatifs, présentent des preuves pour identifier plus en détail les obstacles et les facilitateurs pour renforcer les programmes d’intervention dans la prévention de l’obésité maternelle.

Resumo: Objetivo: Identificar e analisar, de uma perspectiva quantitativa / qualitativa, os indicadores socioeconômicos da obesidade materna no México. Materiais e métodos: Pesquisa avaliativa baseada em um desenho de coorte prospectivo / analítico. O tamanho da amostra foi estabelecido por todas as mulheres que chegaram à clínica pré-natal a partir da 24a semana de gestação em um hospital estadual de referência. O tamanho da amostra foi estimado com 80% de poder e 95% de confiança e significância. Os indicadores de interesse foram aspectos socioeconómicos, nutrição, antropometria, dieta, segurança alimentar e atividade física. A análise quantitativa foi realizada utilizando o software Stata versão 14 e a análise qualitativa com Atlas-ti versão 8.0. Resultados: A coorte foi composta por 402 gestantes em 2017. Dos principais resultados, constatou-se que 55% das mulheres encontravam- se na faixa etária de 18 a 24 anos; 15% das mulheres relataram ter um emprego remunerado; 42% da população tinha ensino secundário completo; 32,1% apresentaram grau de insegurança alimentar; a média do IMC foi de 27,8 ± 4,8, 48% das mulheres estavam acima do peso e obesas. Conclusões: Os resultados quantitativos sugerem que populações com maior vulnerabilidade socioeconómica, insegurança alimentar e baixa atividade física são mais propensas à obesidade materna. Os resultados qualitativos, além de complementar e reforjar os resultados quantitativos, apresentam evidencias para identificar em maior detalhe as barreiras e facilitadores para fortalecer os programas de intervenção na prevenção da obesidade materna.

Abstract; Objective: To identify and analyze from a quantitative / qualitative perspective the socioeconomic indicators of maternal obesity in Mexico. Methods and material: Evaluative research based on a prospective / analytical cohort design. The sample size was established by all the women who came to the antenatal clinic from the 24th week of gestation in a state referral hospital. The sample size was estimated with 80% power and 95% confidence and significance. The indicators of interest were socioeconomic aspects, nutrition, anthropometry, diet, food safety and physical activity. The quantitative analysis was performed using the Stata version 14 software and the qualitative analysis with Atlas-ti version 8.0. Results: The cohort was comprised of 402 pregnant women in 2017. From the main results we found that 55% of the women were in the age range of 18-24 years; 15% of women reported having a paid job; 42% of the population had full secondary education; 32.1% presented a degree of food insecurity; the mean BMI was 27.8 ± 4.8, 48% of the women were overweight and obese. Conclusions: Quantitative results suggest that populations with greater socio-economic vulnerability, food insecurity and low physical activity are more prone to maternal obesity. The qualitative results, besides complementing and reinforcing the quantitative results, present evidence to identify in greater detail the barriers and facilitators to strengthen intervention programs in the prevention of maternal obesity.

Resumen: Objetivo: Identificar y analizar desde una perspectiva cuanti/cualitativita los indicadores socioeconómicos de la obesidad materna en México. Material y métodos: Investigación evaluativa basada en un diseño de cohorte de tipo prospectivo/descriptivo. El tamaño de la muestra se conformó por todas las mujeres que llegaron a consulta prenatal a partir de la semana 24 de gestación en un hospital de referencia estatal. El tamaño de la muestra se estimó con un 80% de poder y 95% de confianza y significancia. Los indicadores de interés fueron aspectos socioeconómicos, alimentación, antropometría, dieta, seguridad alimentaria y actividad física. El análisis cuantitativo se realizó utilizando el software Stata versión 14 y el análisis cualitativo con Atlas-ti versión 8.0. Resultados: La cohorte estuvo conformada por 402 mujeres embarazadas en 2017. De los resultados principales encontramos que el 55% de las mujeres se encontraba en el rango de edad de 18-24 años; el 15% de las mujeres refirió contar con un empleo remunerado; el 42% de la población tenía secundaria completa; el 32.1% presentó un grado de inseguridad alimentaria; la media de IMC fue de 27.8±4.8, el 48% de las mujeres presentaron sobrepeso y obesidad. Conclusiones: Los resultados cuantitativos sugieren que poblaciones con mayor vulnerabilidad socio-económica, inseguridad alimentaria y escasa actividad física, son más propensas a la obesidad materna. Los resultados cualitativos, además de complementar y reforzar los resultados cuantitativos, plantean evidencias para identificar a mayor detalle las barreras y facilitadores para fortalecer programas de intervención en la prevención de la obesidad materna.

Abstract It is often unclear to the clinical investigator whether observational studies should be submitted to a research ethics committee (REC), mostly because, in general, no active or additional interventions are performed. Moreover, obtaining an informed consent under these circumstances may be challenging, either because these are very large epidemiological registries, or the subject may no longer be alive, is too ill to consent, or is impossible to contact after being discharged. Although observational studies do not involve interventions, they entail ethical concerns, including threats such as breaches in confidentiality and autonomy, and respect for basic rights of the research subjects according to the good clinical practices. In this context, in addition to their main function as evaluators from an ethical, methodological, and regulatory point of view, the RECs serve as mediators between the research subjects, looking after their basic rights, and the investigator or institution, safeguarding them from both legal and unethical perils that the investigation could engage, by ensuring that all procedures are performed following the international standards of care for research. The aim of this manuscript is to provide information on each type of study and its risks, along with actions to prevent such risks, and the function of RECs in each type of study.

ABSTRACT Objective To identify and analyze the socioeconomic indicators of maternal obesity in Mexico and France. Material and Methods Comparative study of two cohorts: EDEN (France) and NUTTSEA (Mexico). The study population consisted of women who requested prenatal consultation at week 24 of pregnancy. Data were collected using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The variables of interest were socioeconomic aspects, nutrition, anthropometry and food security. The quantitative analysis was performed using Stata and the qualitative analysis with Atlas-ti. Results In the EDEN cohort, 68.6% were aged 25-34 years, 73% had paid employment and 53% completed high school. In addition, 6.6% reported having difficulty accessing food and the mean gestational BMI was 23.23 ± 4.6. In the NUTTSEA cohort, 55% were in the age range 18-24 years, 15% reported having paid employment, 42% had completed secondary education, 32.1% presented a degree of food insecurity, and the mean BMI was 27.8 ± 4.8. Conclusions The qualitative and quantitative results of both cohorts suggest that populations with greater socio-economic vulnerability are more prone to maternal obesity, which leads to determine guidelines on barriers and facilitators to strengthen programs to prevent it maternal obesity.

RESUMEN Objetivo Identificar y analizar los indicadores socioeconómicos de obesidad materna en México y Francia. Metodología Estudio comparativo de dos cohortes EDEN sus siglas en francés (Etude des déterminants pré et post natals précoces de la santé et de développement de l'enfant) (Francia) y NUTTSEA (México). La población de estudio se conformó por mujeres que solicitaron consulta prenatal en semana 24 de gestación. Los datos fueron recolectados con cuestionarios y entrevistas semi-estructuradas. Las variables de interés fueron aspectos socioeconómicos, alimentación, antropometría y seguridad alimentaria. El análisis cuantitativo se realizó utilizando Stata y el análisis cualitativo con Atlas-ti. Resultados En cohorte EDEN el 68.6% resultó con edad de 25-34 años, el 73% tenían un empleo remunerado, el 53% preparatoria completa; el 6.6% refirió tener dificultad para acceder a los alimentos; la media del IMC gestacional fue de 23.23±4.6. En la cohorte NUTTSEA el 55% se encontraba en el rango de edad de 18-24 años; el 15% refirió contar con un empleo remunerado; el 42% de la población tenía secundaria completa; el 32.1% presentó un grado de inseguridad alimentaria; la media de IMC fue de 27.8±4.8. Conclusiones Los resultados cuali-cuantitativos de ambas cohortes sugieren que poblaciones con mayor vulnerabilidad socio-económica son más propensas a la obesidad materna, determinando directrices sobre barreras y facilitadores para fortalecer programas de prevención de la obesidad materna.

RESUMEN Objetivo Identificar y analizar los indicadores socioeconómicos de obesidad materna en México y Francia. Metodología Estudio comparativo de dos cohortes EDEN sus siglas en francés (Etude des déterminants pré et post natals précoces de la santé et de développement de l'enfant) (Francia) y NUTTSEA (México). La población de estudio se conformó por mujeres que solicitaron consulta prenatal en semana 24 de gestación. Los datos fueron recolectados con cuestionarios y entrevistas semi-estructuradas. Las variables de interés fueron aspectos socioeconómicos, alimentación, antropometría y seguridad alimentaria. El análisis cuantitativo se realizó utilizando Stata y el análisis cualitativo con Atlas-ti. Resultados En cohorte EDEN el 68.6% resultó con edad de 25-34 años, el 73% tenían un empleo remunerado, el 53% preparatoria completa; el 6.6% refirió tener dificultad para acceder a los alimentos; la media del IMC gestacional fue de 23.23±4.6. En la cohorte NUTTSEA el 55% se encontraba en el rango de edad de 18-24 años; el 15% refirió contar con un empleo remunerado; el 42% de la población tenía secundaria completa; el 32.1% presentó un grado de inseguridad alimentaria; la media de IMC fue de 27.8±4.8. Conclusiones Los resultados cuali-cuantitativos de ambas cohortes sugieren que poblaciones con mayor vulnerabilidad socio-económica son más propensas a la obesidad materna, determinando directrices sobre barreras y facilitadores para fortalecer programas de prevención de la obesidad materna.

ABSTRACT Objective To identify and analyze the socioeconomic indicators of maternal obesity in Mexico and France. Material and Methods Comparative study of two cohorts: EDEN (France) and NUTTSEA (Mexico). The study population consisted of women who requested prenatal consultation at week 24 of pregnancy. Data were collected using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The variables of interest were socioeconomic aspects, nutrition, anthropometry and food security. The quantitative analysis was performed using Stata and the qualitative analysis with Atlas-ti. Results In the EDEN cohort, 68.6% were aged 25-34 years, 73% had paid employment and 53% completed high school. In addition, 6.6% reported having difficulty accessing food and the mean gestational BMI was 23.23 ± 4.6. In the NUTTSEA cohort, 55% were in the age range 18-24 years, 15% reported having paid employment, 42% had completed secondary education, 32.1% presented a degree of food insecurity, and the mean BMI was 27.8 ± 4.8. Conclusions The qualitative and quantitative results of both cohorts suggest that populations with greater socio-economic vulnerability are more prone to maternal obesity, which leads to determine guidelines on barriers and facilitators to strengthen programs to prevent it maternal obesity.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to compare two models of swimming applied to pregnant rats born small for pregnancy age (SPA). Diabetes was chemically induced in adult female rats to develop an inadequate intrauterine environment, leading to birth of a SPA offspring. In adulthood, the female SPA rats were mated and submitted to different swimming programs. The exercise program 1 (Ex1) consisted of swimming for 15 minutes, followed by 15 minutes of rest and another 15 minutes of swimming, 3 days a week before and during pregnancy. Another program (Ex2) was applied during 60 minutes uninterrupted a day, 6 days/week during pregnancy. The pregnant rats presented no interference on body weight and glycemia. The rats submitted to Ex2 model showed decreased insulin and blood glucose levels by oral glucose tolerance test, and reduction in area under curve values. The offspring from dams submitted to both exercise protocols presented an increased rate of newborns SPA. However, the offspring from Ex2 dams showed percentage twice higher of newborns SPA than Ex1 offspring. Our data suggests that continuous exercise of 60 min/day ameliorated the enhanced peripheral insulin sensitivity in growth-restricted females. However, this protocol employed at pregnancy leads to intrauterine growth restriction.

We report a case of Fasciola hepatica in a 50 year-old woman born in Huaral, Lima, and living in Ate Vitarte, district of Lima, Peru, who was admitted because of seven days of disease characterized by progressive abdominal pain. She visited Ate’s Hospital because of right hipocondrial and epigastric cramping abdominal pain in the morning accompanied by nausea and vomiting in four opportunities. Conjunctives were slightly icteric, abdomen was distended and depressible, there was no visceromegaly, Murphy’s sign was positive, and thorax and lungs showed no alterations. At cholecistectomy three specimens identified as Fasciola hepatica were extracted. Following treatment with triclabendazole, clinical course was uneventful.

Se reporta un caso de Fasciola hepatica en una mujer de 50 años de edad, natural de Huaral, procedente de un asentamiento humano del distrito de Ate en Lima, con un tiempo de enfermedad de siete días caracterizado al inicio por dolor abdominal tipo cólico de curso progresivo en el epigastrio, dolor que se irradia a hipocondrio derecho. Luego presentó luego náuseas y vómitos en cuatro oportunidades, de contenido alimenticio y bilioso, por lo que se decide su hospitalización previa atención por emergencia. Al examen físico se encontró conjuntivas oculares levemente ictéricas, abdomen balonado, blando, depresible, no visceromegalia, Murphy positivo, ruidos hidroaéreos presentes, tórax y pulmones sin alteraciones. Posteriormente a los exámenes auxiliares, se diagnosticó colecistitis calculosa aguda y fascioliasis coledociana. En el acto quirúrgico se extrajo tres especímenes identificados como Fasciola hepatica. La paciente después de recibir el triclabendazol, concurrió al Hospital para la evaluación y control, habiendo logrado mejoría y bienestar.

Different perturbations during fetal and post natal development unleash endocrine adaptations that permanently alter metabolism, increasing the susceptibility to develop later disease, process known as "developmental programming"'. Endocrine disruptor compounds (EDC) are widely spread on the environment and display estrogenic, anti-estrogenic or anti-androgenic activity; they are lypophilyc and stored for long periods on the adipose tissue. Maternal exposure to EDC during pregnancy and lactation produces the exposure of the fetus and neonate through placenta and breast milk. Epidemiological and experimental studies have demonstrated reproductive alterations as a consequence of intrauterine and/or neonatal exposure to EDC. Diethystilbestrol (DES) is the best documented compound, this synthetic estrogen was administered to pregnant women at the BO and 60 to prevent miscarriage. It was implicated in urogenital abnormalities in children exposed in utero and withdrawn from the market. The "DES daughters" are women with high incidence of vaginal hypoplasia, spontaneous abortion, premature delivery, uterine malformation, menstrual abnormalities and low fertility. The "DES sons" show testicular dysgenesis syndrome, which is characterized by hypospadias, cryptorchidism and low semen quality. This entity is also associated to the fetal exposure to anti-androgens as flutamide. The effects on the reproductive axis depend on the stage of development and the window of exposure, as well as the dose and the compound. The wide distribution of EDC into the environment affects both human health and ecosystems in general, the study of their mechanisms of action is extremely important currently.

Diversas perturbaciones durante el desarrollo fetal y posnatal desencadenan adaptaciones endocrinas que modifican permanentemente el metabolismo, incrementando la susceptibilidad para el desarrollo de enfermedades, proceso conocido como "programación durante el desarrollo". Los compuestos disruptores endocrinos (CDE) se encuentran en el medio ambiente y presentan actividad estrogénica, antiestrogénica o antiandrogénica; son altamente lipofílicos y se almacenan por periodos prolongados en el tejido adiposo. La exposición materna a CDE durante el embarazo y la lactancia permite su paso al producto a través de la placenta y la leche materna. Estudios epidemiológicos y experimentales han demostrado alteraciones en el eje reproductivo como consecuencia de la exposición intrauterina y/o neonatal a CDE. El compuesto mejor documentado es el dietilestilbestrol (DES), este estrógeno sintético fue administrado a mujeres embarazadas durante los 50s y 60s y retirado del mercado por su implicación en anormalidades urogenitales de los bebés expuestos in útero. Las denominadas "hijas del DES" son mujeres con alta incidencia de hipoplasia vaginal, malformaciones uterinas, irregularidades menstruales, baja fertilidad y alta prevalencia de aborto espontáneo y parto prematuro. Por su parte, "los hijos del DES" presentan una entidad clínica conocida como síndrome de disgenesia testicular caracterizado por hipospadias, criptorquidia y baja calidad del semen. Este síndrome también se asocia a la exposición fetal a compuestos antiandrogénicos como la ñutamida. Los efectos en el eje reproductivo dependen del estadio de desarrollo y del tiempo de exposición, así como de la dosis y el compuesto del que se trate. La extensa presencia de CDE en el ambiente afecta la salud humana e impacta al ecosistema en general por lo cual es de suma importancia el estudio de los mecanismos involucrados en su acción.