Rhodnius prolixus and Rhodnius robustus–like (Hemiptera, Reduviidae) wing asymmetry under controlled conditions of population density and feeding frequency.

Habitat change in Rhodnius spp may represent an environmental challenge for the development of the species, particularly when feeding frequency and population density vary in nature. To estimate the effect of these variables in stability on development, the degree of directional asymmetry (DA) and fluctuating asymmetry (FA) in the wing size and shape of R. prolixus and R. robustus–like were measured under laboratory controlled conditions. DA and FA in wing size and shape were significant in both species, but their variation patterns showed both inter-specific and sexual dimorphic differences in FA of wing size and shape induced by nutrition stress. These results suggest different abilities of the genotypes and sexes of two sylvatic and domestic genotypes of Rhodnius to buffer these stress conditions. However, both species showed non-significant differences in the levels of FA between treatments that simulated sylvan vs domestic conditions, indicating that the developmental noise did not explain the variation in wing size and shape found in previous studies. Thus, this result confirm that the variation in wing size and shape in response to treatments constitute a plastic response of these genotypes to population density and feeding frequency.

Free jejunal intrathoracic graft after esophageal replacement failure

We present the case of a 24 year old man who suffered from severe chronic esophagitis and an esophageal stricture. He was managed by gastric pull-up but complicated by leakage of the anastomosis. Subsequent sophageasurgical treatment with free jejunal graft was performed and the rationale for the technique selected is discussed.

Beneficios independientes de la reducción de la presión arterial en pacientes tratados con nifedipina en microgránulos / Independent benefits of the reduction of the arterial pressure in patients treaties with nifedipine in micro-granules

El estado dippers es un factor de riesgo independiente en los pacientes hipertensos (Risers-R-) Non-dippers-ND-> Dippers-D>Dippers extremos-DE). Se evaluó el efecto de la nueva nifedipina en microgránulos (NMG) una vez al día en la disminución de la presión arterial nocturna medida a través del MAPA con Mobil-o-Graph-CE0434-(I.E.MGmbh-Cockerillstr. 69 D-Stolberg. Germany). Se incluyeron pacientes hipertensos (PAS mayor igual 140 y/o PAD mayor igual 90 mmHg, medidas con esfigmomanómetro de Hg) que recibieron de 30 a 60 mgrs/día de NMG, en un estudio prospectivo abierto comparativo y cruzado en time-doses 8 am ó 8 pm; que luego de 6 semanas de tratamiento mantuvieran PAS < 140 mmHg. Se reclutaron 73 pacientes. 40 pacientes (54.8 por ciento), mantuvieron su estado: NDn = 22 (disminución de la PAS nocturna entre 0 y 10 por ciento), D n= 16 (disminución de PAS nocturna entre 10 y 20 por ciento) y Rn = 2 (incremento de la PAS nocturna). Los otros 33 pacientes (45.2 por ciento) modificaron su estado: cinco: 3D y 2ND cambiaron a DE (disminución de la PAS nocturna > 20 por ciento), once: 2DE y 9ND se transformaron en D, catorce: 6R, 1DE y 7D hacia ND y 3D cambiaron a R. No hubo diferencias significativas en el cambio de estado dippers en ambos grupos (30 ó 60 mgrs), 17 pacientes mejoraron su estado (9ND y 2DE) se transformaron en D y 6R pasaron a ND; 16 pacientes dipper se mantuvieron. Estos resultados sugieren que la NMG ofrece en el 45 por ciento de los pacientes estudiados un beneficio independiente de la reducción de la presión arterial, manteniendo o mejorando el estado dippers ofreciendo una mejor predicción en la disminución de eventos cardiovasculares y del pronóstico de los accidentes cerebrovasculares

Estudio comparativo con análisis de elemento finito y modelo fotoelastico de distribución de esfuerzos de prótesis parcial fija implanto soportada camentada Vs atornillada / Comparative study with análisis of finite element and photo static model of efforts distribution of implant supported fixed partial denture cemented versus screwed

El propósito de este estudio fue realizar una simulación computarizada de la distribución de cargas aplicadas a una P.P.F. implanto-soportada cementada Vs atornillada, utilizando el sofware COSMOS/M. Con el mismo propósito se realizó un análisis de modelo fotoelástico el cual por medio de la distribución de franjas isocromáticas al someterse a una carga permite conocer y analizar los puntos de máxima y miníma concentración de la tensión. Se observó que en el análisis de elemento finito de la prótesis atornillada el punto de máxima concentración de fuerzas en las dos angulaciones fue a nivel del tornillo de fijación y en la prótesis cementada se observa que la fuerza se concentra en los puntos de aplicación de la carga y se distribuye proporcionalmente hacia apical del implante y hacia el hueso alveolar. Con el análisis de modelo fotoelástico se observo que en la prótesis atornillada hay mayor concentración de franjas isocromáticas hacia los implantes y en la prótesis cementada se distribuyen a lo largo de los tejidos de soporte (material fotoelástico.

Prevention of recurrent esophageal bleeding and survival in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis: a randomized study

OBJECTIVES: To compare endoscopic sclerotherapy, propranolol and distal splenorenal shunt in the prevention of rebleeding esophageal varices and mortality in alcoholic cirrhotics. METHODS: Forty-three alcoholic cirrhotics that had bled from esophageal varices were randomized to sclerotherapy (13), shunt (15) or propranolol(15). Outcomes measured were rebleeding from varices and death. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the three treatment groups in relation to rebleeding rate or death. Continued alcohol consumption did not influence outcome. CONCLUSIONS: All three therapies were equally effective in preventing rebleeding from varices

Optimización de la técnica de inmunoelectrotransferencia (western blot) para la confirmación de la infección por el virus de immunodeficiencia humana (VIH) en Panamá / Optimization of the immunoelectrophoresis technic (western blot) for the confirmation of human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV) in Panama

The purpose of this study is to report the results of the authors' investigation to apply the western blot technique (WB UP-LCS) in the diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. To do this, the authors separated the proteins of the HIV-1 virus by electrophoresis, based on their molecular weight, in poliacilamide gel with SDS (SDS-PAGE) during 3 hours at 200 volts. Then they electrotransferred these proteins to nitrocellulose paper during four hours at 200 milliamperes, with the aid of external cooling. The nitrocellulose strips were evaluated considering the incubation time (1 and 16 hours), two conjugates (human anti IgG with Peroxidase and human anti IgG Biotin plus Streptatividine with Peroxidase) and two dilutions of the patients' sera (1/50 and 1/100). Based on their results the Authors conclude that, in the first place, the optimal conditions for the test include a dilution of 1/100 of the patients serum, incubation of the serum for 16 hours and the use of the conjugate of anti human IgG with Biotin and Streptavidine with Peroxidase; secondary, that the immunologic reactivity against proteins p24 and gp 160/120 is the most important diagnostic criterion for the confirmation of infection with HIV-1 and that they obtained a diagnostic correlation of 100% at a cost which was 5 to 7 times less than that of the commercial system