Síntomas depresivos, ansiosos e insomnio, y posibles factores asociados en personal de salud, en un Hospital General en Suramérica, durante la pandemia por COVID-19 en 2020 / Depressive and anxious symptoms and insomnia, and possible associated factors in health workers, in a General Hospital in South America, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020

La pandemia por el nuevo coronavirus COVID- 19 ha tenido impacto en la salud mental del personal médico y de enfermería en todo el mundo. Objetivo: identificar la frecuencia de síntomas depresivos, ansiosos e insomnio y los factores posiblemente relacionados con estos desenlaces en el personal sanitario de un hospital de Suramérica durante el primer pico de la pandemia. Materiales y métodos: se aplicaron las escalas PHQ-9 para depresión, GAD- 7 para ansiedad, ISI - 7 para insomnio en 876 trabajadores de la salud del Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe en la ciudad de Medellín. Resultados: de los 876 participantes (29,2% médicos, 21.2% profesionales de enfermería y 49,5% auxiliares de enfermería), 357 (40.8%) presentaron síntomas depresivos, 300 (34.2%) síntomas ansiosos y 317 (36.2%) insomnio. Se observaron síntomas de depresión, ansiedad e insomnio, con mayor frecuencia en quienes no tenían las necesidades básicas satisfechas y en quienes se sentían estigmatizados por ser personal de salud. Además, la depresión se presentó con más frecuencia en mujeres, la ansiedad en menores de 44 años y el insomnio en personas separadas. Conclusiones: la frecuencia de problemas de salud mental en el personal de salud es considerable. Estos hallazgos demuestran la necesidad de atención en la salud mental de los profesionales médicos y de enfermería durante la pandemia por COVID-19 y la búsqueda de estrategias para mitigar el riesgo en esta población.

Background: pandemic due to novel coronavirus COVID-19 has impacted on the mental health of health care workers all around the world. Material and Methods: this is a cross sectional study in which questionnaires PHQ-9 for depression, GAD-7 for anxiety, ISI-7 for insomnia were virtually and self administered by 876 health care workers laboring in hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe in Medellin city. Results: from 876 participants (29.2% physicians, 21.2% nurses and 49.5% technical nurses), 357 (40.8%) developed depressive symptoms, 300 (34.2%) anxious symptoms and 317 (36.2%) insomnia. Symptoms of depression, anxiety and insomnia were more frequently found in those who did not have basic needs satisfied and in those who felt stigmatized due to being health personal. Besides, depressive symptoms were more frequent in women, anxious symptoms in people younger than 44 years old and insomnia in divorced people. Conclusions: the frequency of mental health problems in health care workers is significant, these findings bring to light the needs for mental health attention in nurses and doctors during COVID-19 pandemic and the research of strategies to mitigate the risk on this population. Feeling stigmatized and not having basic needs satisfied were associated with symptoms of anxiety, depression and insomnia.

Prevalencia de desesperanza y factores sociodemográficos de migrantes mexicanos repatriados / Prevalence of despair and social-demographic factors related of repatriated mexican migrants / Prevalência de desesperança e fatores sociodemográficos de migrantes mexicanos repatriados

Objetivo: Describir las características sociodemográficas generales, así como algunas vinculadas con el proceso de migración y evaluar el nivel de desesperanza de los mexicanos que son deportados de los Estados Unidos de América (EE.UU) al Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México (AICM), a través del Programa de Repatriación al Interior de México (PRIM). Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de tipo transversal en el periodo de julio a diciembre de 2015. Se aplicó en forma aleatoria, confidencial y previo consentimiento un cuestionario estructurado a migrantes mexicanos deportados a su arribo a México y provenientes de los EE.UU, se incluyó una sección de datos sociodemográficos generales; de aspectos relacionados con la migración y, se evaluó el nivel de desesperanza por medio de la Escala de Desesperanza de Beck. Resultados: Se encuestó a 367 migrantes mexicanos deportados, sólo siete fueron mujeres, la mayoría en un rango de edad de 18 a 35 años, el 23% reporta enfermedades pre-existentes, sólo el 45% tuvo un buen acceso a servicios de salud en EE.UU, el 56% ya había sido repatriado en dos o más ocasiones, el 75% había vivido más de cinco años en ese país, sólo el 13% utilizó una Ventanilla de Salud de algún consulado mexicano durante su estancia. La prevalencia de desesperanza fue del 6% en esta población. Conclusiones: El abordaje de la salud mental en poblaciones de migrantes mexicanos carece de políticas públicas. La caracterización de la población migrante repatriada debe ser el punto de partida para incidir en políticas públicas que mejoren la calidad de vida de los migrantes de retorno.

Objective: To describe some general social-demographic characteristics associated with the phenomenon of migration and assess the level of despair among Mexicans who are deported from USA to the City of Mexico International Airport through the Program of Repatriation. Methods: This is a descriptive and transversal study carried out from July to December 2015. A confidential questionnaire was randomly given, provided the previous informed consent, to Mexican migrants who had been deported from USA. Data sections on general social-demographic characteristics and migration-related issues were included. The level of despair was estimated using Beck's Despair Scale. Results: 367 deported Mexican migrants were studied. Only 7 were women. The majority were in the range of 18 to 35 years old. 23% reported having had preexisting illnesses and only 45% had access to health services in USA. 56% had previously been deported in two or more occasions. 75% had been living in USA for more than 5 years. Only 13% used the Health Window at any Mexican Consulate during their stay. The prevalence of despair was 6%. Conclusions: Addressing the condition of mental health among these populations requires further public policies and the precise identification of their characteristics should be the starting point to improve their quality of life upon return.

Objetivo: Descrever as características sociodemográficas gerais, assim como algumas associadas ao processo de migração e avaliar o nível de desesperança dos mexicanos que são deportados dos Estados Unidos da América (EE.UU) ao Aeroporto Internacional da Cidade do México (AICM), através do Programa de Repatriação ao Interior do México (PRIM). Métodos: Estudo descritivo de tipo transversal no período de julho a dezembro de 2015. Aplicou-se em forma aleatória, confidencial e com consentimento prévio, um questionário estruturado a migrantes mexicanos deportados a seu arribo ao México e provindos dos EE.UU. Incluiu-se uma secção de dados sociodemográficos gerais; de aspectos relacionados com a migração e, avaliou-se o nível de desesperança por médio da Escala de Desesperança de Beck. Resultados: Foram questionados 367 migrantes mexicanos deportados, só sete foram mulheres, a maioria em uma faixa etária de 18 a 35 anos, o 23% informa doenças pré-existentes, só o 45% teve um bom acesso a serviços de saúde nos EE.UU, o 56% já tinha sido repatriado em dois ou mais ocasiões, o 75% tinha vivido mais de cinco anos nesse país, só o 13% utilizou um guiché de Saúde de algum consulado mexicano durante sua permanência. A prevalência de desesperança foi do 6% nesta população. Conclusões: A abordagem da saúde mental em populações de migrantes mexicanos carece de políticas públicas. A caracterização da população migrante repatriada deve ser o ponto de partida para promover políticas públicas que melhorem a qualidade de vida dos migrantes de retorno.

Tumor venéreo transmisible canino de presentación atípica. reporte de caso clínico / Canine transmissible venereal tumor of atypical presentation. clinical case report

RESUMEN Se describe el caso de un paciente canino macho entero, raza Bóxer, de ocho años de edad y 30 kg de peso vivo, que ingresó a consulta en el hospital Clínico Veterinario de la Universidad Santo Tomás, sede Santiago, por un aumento de volumen en el ojo derecho, signo clínico con un curso de dos meses de evolución que no respondió al tratamiento con prednisona oral (0,7 mg/kg, dos veces al día (BID), ni a dexametasona y tobramicina en ungüento oftálmico (1 gota, tres veces al día, TID). Al examen físico se observó una masa en el tercer párpado que desplazaba el ojo lateralmente, además de una masa que se palpaba en la base lateral del pene. Se realizó una ecografía ocular que indicó la presencia de una masa de aspecto irregular con parénquima heterogéneo y características neoplásicas en la zona medial del globo ocular derecho y una ecografía abdominal que permitió detectar una masa dorsal a la vejiga. Al realizar citología ecoguiada de las masas intraabdominal y ocular, bajo sedación, se constató una inflamación supurativa, necrosis y displasia epitelial en la masa periorbitaria sugerente de neoplasia, la cual no se pudo diagnosticar fehacientemente; por su parte, la citología de la masa intraabdominal indicó la presencia de Tumor Venéreo Transmisible (TVT). El tratamiento se inició con vincristina (ocho aplicaciones i.v. de 0,7 mg/m2 cada 7 días) lográndose remisión parcial. Ante una posible resistencia al efecto de la quimioterapia, se decidió modificar la terapia a doxorrubicina (30 mg/m2) la cual tuvo respuesta positiva alcanzando remisión completa con una aplicación única.

ABSTRACT An 8 years old, 30 kg live weight, intact male, Boxer breed, was presented at the Santo Tomas Veterinary Teaching Hospital because of a volume increase in his right eye of 2 months of duration; which didn't respond to oral prednisone (0.7 mg/kg, twice a day (BID), or dexamethasone and tobramycin in ophthalmic ointment (1 drop, three times a day, TID). On physical exam, a mass in the third eyelid and another on the base of the penis were noted. Besides that, ocular ultrasonography showed an irregular mass with neoplastic characteristics in the medial area of the eyeball and abdominal ultrasound indicated a mass dorsal to the bladder. Fine needle aspiration of the eye and abdomen masses were done under sedation; cytology of the tumor in the abdomen was compatible with transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) and in the eye the results were suppurative inflammation, necrosis and epithelial dysplasia. Neoplasia couldn't be rule out or confirmed. Initial treatment was started with vincristine (8 applications i.v of 0.7 mg/m2 every 7 days) obtaining a parcial remission; so, considering a possible resistance of the cells to this drug, doxorrubicin (30 mg/rrr2) was used. The patient had a positive response to doxorrubicin achieving complete remission with a single aplication.

Assessment of electrochemotherapy effects on the development of Ehrlich solid tumor in swiss mice using a novel electroporator device / Avaliação dos efeitos da eletroquimioterapia sobre o desenvolvimento do tumor sólido de Ehrlich em camundongos Swiss utilizando um novo eletroporador

Electrochemotherapy is a local anticancer treatment in which non-permeant chemotherapeutic drugs are associated with electric pulses of well-established parameters. The electric pulses cause pores to open on the plasma membrane and facilitate drug transport, enhancing cytotoxicity and reducing side effects. Assessment of electrochemotherapy effects on Ehrlich solid tumor development in this work aims to evaluate in vivo usage of the electroporator device developed by the Department of Electrical Engineering of Engineering School of UFMG. Therefore, 40 Swiss mice were inoculated with Ehrlich tumor cells, and developed the tumor in solid form. After 21 days, mice were subjected to specific treatment protocols (control, bleomycin, electric pulses and electrochemotherapy); 17 days later they were euthanized and the tumors collected for histopathology analysis. Electrochemotherapy induced discrete weight loss and an inflammatory response in the tumor, which was not seen on the other treatment groups. Bleomycin alone induced necrosis. Both groups showed lower cellular proliferation rates. From this study, it was concluded that the animals tolerated electrochemotherapy treatment under anesthesia and the electroporator device developed by the Engineering School of UFMG was adequate when used in an electrochemotherapy protocol.(AU)

Eletroquimioterapia é uma modalidade de tratamento local contra o câncer em que a administração de quimioterápicos não penetrantes à membrana plasmática é associada à aplicação de pulsos elétricos com parâmetros bem estabelecidos, que abrem poros na membrana plasmática e facilitam a entrada desses fármacos nas células, aumentando sua citotoxicidade e reduzindo efeitos colaterais. A avaliação dos efeitos da eletroquimioterapia sobre o desenvolvimento do tumor sólido de Ehrlich em camundongos Swiss neste trabalho teve como objetivo testar o uso in vivo do aparelho eletroporador desenvolvido pelo Departamento de Engenharia Elétrica da Escola de Engenharia da UFMG. Para tanto, foram utilizados 40 camundongos fêmeas da linhagem Swiss, nos quais foram inoculadas células de tumor de Ehrlich, para o desenvolvimento do tumor na forma sólida. Após 21 dias, os camundongos foram submetidos ao protocolo de tratamento específico (controle, bleomicina, pulsos elétricos e eletroquimioterapia); 17 dias depois foram eutanasiados e seus tumores coletados para análise histopatológica e imuno-histoquímica. A eletroquimioterapia induziu perda de peso discreta e uma resposta inflamatória no tumor que não foi observada nos outros grupos. O grupo bleomicina apresentou maior porcentagem de necrose. Ambos os grupos apresentaram menor índice de proliferação celular. Com este estudo, pode-se concluir que o tratamento sob anestesia foi bem tolerado pelos animais e que o aparelho eletroporador desenvolvido pela Escola de Engenharia da UFMG é adequado para utilização em um protocolo de eletroquimioterapia.(AU)

Desempeño de la presepsina como biomarcador temprano de sepsis en un hospital de alta complejidad en Medellín, Colombia / Performance of presepsin as early biomarker of sepsis in a high complexity hospital from Medellin, Colombia

Introducción: la presepsina es el subtipo soluble de la glicoproteína CD14 expresada en la superficie de membrana de los monocitos y los macrófagos; molécula importante en el proceso inflamatorio. Varios estudios sugieren realizar su medición para la identificación temprana de la sepsis. Objetivo: determinar el desempeño diagnóstico y pronóstico de la presepsina en pacientes con sepsis clínica de un hospital de alta complejidad en Medellín, Colombia. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo prospectivo de cohorte única en 60 pacientes con diagnóstico de sepsis clínica durante marzo y diciembre de 2012. La presepsina se midió al momento del diagnóstico, a las 24 y 72 horas; la proteína C reactiva, la procalcitonina y el hemocultivo sólo al momento del diagnóstico. Se utilizaron herramientas de estadística descriptiva para la caracterización de la población y análisis bivariado para la comparación entre medianas. Resultados: El 98,3% de los pacientes tuvieron valores de presepsina sugestivos de sepsis, observándose un valor significativamente más alto en los pacientes sin mejoría (mayor que 700 pg/mL). Se observaron valores de presepsina mayores que 1.000 pg/mL a las 0 y 72 horas del diagnóstico en los pacientes que murieron, pero no se observaron diferencias significativas en comparación con los que no murieron. La proteína C reactiva y la procalcitonina mostraron valores aumentados en la mayoría de los pacientes. Conclusiones: los hallazgos de este estudio se relacionan con lo encontrado en otros estudios donde concluyen que la presepsina es un buen marcador de sepsis, con un importante valor pronóstico y mayor especificidad que otros biomarcadores tradicionales. Palabras clave: sepsis, biomarcadores, diagnóstico, antígenos CD14. (AU)

Introduction: Presepsin is the soluble form of CD14 molecule, a glycoprotein expressed on the membrane surface of monocytes and macrophages and important to inflammatory response. Several studies suggest that presepsin measuring could be used as a good tool to early sepsis diagnosis. Objective: To determine the diagnostic and prognostic performance of presepsin in patients with clinical sepsis at a high complexity hospital from Medellin, Colombia. Materials and methods: A prospective, descriptive cohort study was performed in 60 patients diagnosed with clinical sepsis between March and December of 2012. Presepsin measurement was made at diagnosis time and after 24 and 72 hours. Blood culture, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin were also measured but only at the diagnosis time. Results: 98.3% of patients had presepsin values suggestive of sepsis, with a significantly higher value in patients without clinical improvement (greater than 700 pg/mL). Presepsin values greater than 1,000 pg /mL at 0 and 72 hours of diagnosis was obtained in patients who died, but no significant differences compared to those who did not die were observed. C-reactive protein and procalcitonin showed increased values in most patients. Conclusions: The findings of this study are related to others where it is concluded that presepsin is a good marker of sepsis with an important prognostic value and greater specificity than other traditional biomarkers. (AU)

Amplitude Modulation Approach for Real-Time Algorithms of ECG-Derived Respiration / Desarrollo de Algoritmos en Tiempo Real para Derivar la Respiración del ECG Bajo el Criterio de Amplitud Modulada

This work presents the development of an ECG-Derived Respiration (EDR) methodology based on the amplitude modulation approach. It allows to redefine actual methodologies in order to obtain a continuous EDR signals with high correlations and small delay between EDR and respiration activity. Two algorithms are implemented: one of them using the amplitude modulation of the R-peak (EDRAM) and another one applying a band-pass filter in the bandwidth of respiration. Unlike other techniques in literature, conventional low order filters are applied without sacrifice of correlation factor (0.76 and 0.67) and a minimum delay of 0.27s (with EDRAM) in a ∼6s cycle. A robustness test was performed, and it shows a noise tolerance of up to 20% of the maximum value before its correlation factor drops considerably. The application into a wearable sensor was successfully implemented. The two methodologies proposed show advantages like real-time processing and robustness under certain noises. The proposed AM perspective supports the use of both algorithms for typical applications with high efficiency, low computational cost and ease of implementation. These characteristics result on a technique that facilitates the development of wearable systems, and to increase the information of actual databases.

Este trabajo presenta una metodología para la extracción de la actividad respiratoria derivada de un ECG (EDR, por sus siglas en ingles), basado en el enfoque de amplitud modulada (AM). Esto permite redefinir las metodologías actuales para obtener una señal EDR más continua, con altos factores de correlación y un retraso menor entre la EDR y la actividad respiratoria. Se implementaron dos algoritmos: uno utilizando la modulación de la amplitud del pico R (EDRAM) y el otro aplicando un filtro paso-banda en el espectro de frecuencia de la respiración. A diferencia de otros trabajos en la literatura, se utilizan filtros convencionales de bajo orden pero sin sacrificar el factor de correlación (0.76 y 0.67) y manteniendo un retardo de ∼0.27s (con EDRAM) en un ciclo de ∼6s. Se realizó una prueba de robustez, donde se muestra una tolerancia a ruido blanco de hasta un 20% del valor máximo antes de que el factor de correlación bajara considerablemente. El algoritmo EDRAM se aplicó con éxito en un prototipo de sistema portable. Las dos metodologías propuestas muestran ventajas como el procesamiento en tiempo real y robustez bajo ciertos ruidos. La perspectiva de AM propuesta soporta el uso de ambos algoritmos para aplicaciones típicas con alta eficiencia, bajo costo computacional y facilidad de implementación. Estas características hacen que esta técnica facilite el desarrollo de sistemas portátiles, así como para incrementar la información de las bases de datos actuales.

Estudio anatómioo de la amplitud de los discos ntervertebrales y de la zona fooraminal a nivel toracolumbar en perros adultos / Antomical study of intervertebral disc width and dog´s foraminal zone

La columna vertebral del perro ha sido utilizada como modelo experimental en medicina humana, y es uno de los animales domésticos más estudiados en medicina veterinaria. Sin embargo, existen limitados datos sobre la amplitud del disco intervertebral (DIV) y el foramen intervertebral (FIV). El propósito de este trabajo es medir cuantitativamente la amplitud de los DIV y FIV, e igualmente, la distancia entre la emergencia de los nervios espinales lumbares y el borde anterior del cuerpo vertebral caudal adyacente o altura del triángulo de seguridad de Kambin (ATK). Se realizó un estudio descriptivo en cinco cadáveres de perros. Se midieron: los diametros discales ventrales, la distancia entre la emergencia de los nervios espinales y el borde anterior del cuerpo vertebral caudal adyacente (CVCA), y los diámetros de los FIV de los niveles toracolumbares T12 - L6. La amplitud del DIV en el borde ventral fue en promedio de 7,34 mm (SD± 2,209), y la distancia entre los nervios espinales y el borde posterior del DIV, de 3,56 mm (SD 1,366). Los diámetros promedio del FIV fueron en su aspecto craneocaudal de 5,24 mm (SD 1,838) y dorsoventral de 4,73 mm (SD 1,098). Se evidenció para esta muestra una correlación gráfica entre la ATK y la ADIV, y una longitud máxima de todas las estructuras medidas en el segmento L4 - L5. Además, se plantea la posibilidad del desarrollo de instrumentales intradiscales y transforaminales con un diámetro de 3 mm, hechos a medida para caninos a partir de los 10 kg de peso.

Dog´s spine has been used as an experimental model in human medicine and is also one of the most studied animals in veterinary medicine. However, there are limited descriptions of intervertebral disc IV and intervertebral foramen IF width. The purpose of this study is to measure the width of the IV (IVW) and IF and its relations with the exit of the spinal nerves. A descriptive study was performed in 5-dogs´ cadavers. Were measured IV width, distance between emerging spinal nerve and the adjacent vertebral body (KTH), and the IF diameters. The IV ventral width average was 7.34 mm (SD 2.209) and distance from the spinal nerve and the posterior edge of IV was 3.56 mm (SD 1.366). The average diameters were, in craniocaudal aspect IF was 5.24 mm (SD 1.838) and dorsoventral was 4.73 mm (SD 1.098). The anatomical relationships of ID and IF are fundamental in the development of approaches and instruments for minimally invasive surgery. For this sample, it showed a graphical relationship between KTH and IDW and a maximum length of all measured structures in L4 - L5. This study raises the possibility of developing instrumental for canine dorsolateral percutaneous approach, made ​​for dogs from 10 kg.

Diferencia en la población de células cebadas de glándulas apocrinas de sacos anales de perros adultos y seniles / Difference in the population of mast cells of anal sac apocrine glands of adult and senile dogs

Se estudió la población de células cebadas (CC) presentes en sacos anales de perros adultos y seniles mediante su conteo en cortes de tejido procesado con la técnica de inclusión en parafina y teñidos con azul de toluidina. El promedio de CC obtenido para el grupo de perros adultos jóvenes fue de 18,16 +/- 7,58 (n=12 perros) y para el grupos de adultos maduros fue de 73,75 +/- 16,29 (n=12 perros). Al comparar el número de células de ambos grupos con la prueba de U Mann-Withney se encontró que son significativamente diferentes (P< 0,0001), siendo mayor en el grupo de perros seniles. Esta mayor población de CC puede estar relacionada con una mayor susceptibilidad de los perros seniles a reacciones inflamatorias del tejido de los sacos anales causadas por cambios en la dieta, obesidad y diarrea crónica.

We studied the population of mast cells (CC) present in anal sacs of adult and senile dogs by its count in tissue processed with the technique of embedding in paraffin and stained with toluidine blue. The average CC obtained for the group of adult dogs (n=12) was 18.16 +/- 7.58 and for group of senile dogs (n=12) was 73.75 +/- 16.29. When comparing the number of cells in both groups with Mann-Whitney U test were found to be significantly different (P0.0001), being higher in the group of senile dogs. The largest population of CC may be related to an increased susceptibility of senile dogs to inflammatory reactions in the tissue of the anal sacs caused by changes in diet, obesity and chronic diarrhea.

Abandono de tratamiento antirretroviral en pacientes femeninas en edad reproductiva con diagnóstico de virus de inmunodeficiencia humana VIH/ síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida-SIDA- que asisten a la clínica de enfermedades infecciosas del Hospital Roosevelt / Abandonment of antiretroviral treatment in female patients of reproductive age diagnosed with HIV human immunodeficiency virus / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-AIDS attending the clinic of infectious diseases at Roosevelt Hospital

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo estudiar el abandono de tratamiento antirretroviral (ARV) en pacientes femeninas en edad reproductiva, consistió en determinar el porcentaje y las causas de abandono de dicho tratamiento en pacientes que asistieron a la Clínica de Enfermedades Infecciosas del Departamento de Medicina Interna del Hospital Roosevelt, durante el período de enero 2005 a diciembre 2009. La investigación fue de tipo descriptivo-retrospectivo, mediante revisión sistemática de 1,000 registros médicos de pacientes a estudio que evidenciaron el inicio de tratamiento antirretroviral y el abandono del mismo por un mínimo de dos meses consecutivos...

Dengue virus-induced regulation of the host cell translational machinery

Dengue virus (DV)-induced changes in the host cell protein synthesis machinery are not well understood. We investigated the transcriptional changes related to initiation of protein synthesis. The human hepatoma cell line, HepG2, was infected with DV serotype 2 for 1 h at a multiplicity of infection of one. RNA was extracted after 6, 24 and 48 h. Microarray results showed that 36.5 percent of the translation factors related to initiation of protein synthesis had significant differential expression (Z-score ≥ ±2.0). Confirmation was obtained by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR. Of the genes involved in the activation of mRNA for cap-dependent translation (eIF4 factors), eIF4A, eIF4G1 and eIF4B were up-regulated while the negative regulator of translation eIF4E-BP3 was down-regulated. This activation was transient since at 24 h post-infection levels were not significantly different from control cells. However, at 48 h post-infection, eIF4A, eIF4E, eIF4G1, eIF4G3, eIF4B, and eIF4E-BP3 were down-regulated, suggesting that cap-dependent translation could be inhibited during the progression of infection. To test this hypothesis, phosphorylation of p70S6K and 4E-BP1, which induce cap-dependent protein synthesis, was assayed. Both proteins remained phosphorylated when assayed at 6 h after infection, while infection induced dephosphorylation of p70S6K and 4E-BP1 at 24 and 48 h of infection, respectively. Taken together, these results provide biological evidence suggesting that in HepG2 cells DV sustains activation of the cap-dependent machinery at early stages of infection, but progression of infection switches protein synthesis to a cap-independent process.

Televisión y violencia / Television and violence

In spite the many observational and experimental studies on the relations between television and violence found in the literature, there is still no agreement about an eventual causal relationship. Even if most authors have observed a positive correlation between both variables, these do not have to be necessarily causal; both might depend of a third factor. Although most results show eventual short term causal effects of mass media on violent behavior, some ones suggest the opposite direction of the effect, a third group suggest rather bidirectional influences, and finally other authors talk about the cathartic effects of some violent programs. The final part of the article suggests some possible psychological models as explanation of the eventual relationship between both variables.

A pesar de los múltiples experimentos y observaciones realizados sobre las relaciones entre television y violencia, todavía no es posible ofrecer una conclusión definitiva, La mayoría de las investigaciones observan una correlación positiva entre la exposición habitual a violencia en los medios de comunicación y el actuar agresivamente en los sujetos expuestos, si bien estas correlaciones no tienen porqué explicarse necesariamente en términos causales; ambas variables podrían depender de un tercer factor, responsable de su correlación. Aunque la mayoría de los los autores defiende que el possible influjo causal de los medios de comunicación sobre los comportamientos agresivo y antisocial en la vida real, esto solo se ha observado a corto plazo. Para otros, por el contrario, la causalidad se mostraría justo en dirección contraria: quienes prefieren ver más televisión y las escenas más violentas son los que se comportan más agresivamente. Y no faltan quienes apuntan más bien hacia una posible causalidad bidireccional entre ambas variables, o incluso quienes piensan en su efecto catártico. Concluimos sugiriendo algunos posibles modelos psicológicos podrían explicar las eventuales relaciones- causales o noentre ambas variables.

Hyperhomocystinemia in patients with coronary artery disease

Hyperhomocystinemia has been related to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in several studies. The C677T polymorphism for the gene that encodes the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase enzyme (MTHFR) and low plasma folate levels are common causes of hyperhomocystinemia. Due to differences in nutritional patterns and genetic background among different countries, we evaluated the role of hyperhomocystinemia as a coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factor in a Brazilian population. The relation between homocysteine (Hcy) and the extent of CAD, measured by an angiographic score, was determined. A total of 236 patients referred for coronary angiography for clinical reasons were included. CAD was found in 148 (62.7 percent) patients and 88 subjects had normal or near normal arteries. Patients with CAD had higher Hcy levels [mean (SD)] than those without disease (14 (6.8) vs 12.5 (4.0) æM; P = 0.04). Hyperhomocystinemia (Hcy >17.8 æM) prevalence was higher in the CAD group: 31.1 vs 12.2 percent (P = 0.01). After adjustment for major risk factors, we found an independent association between hyperhomocystinemia and CAD (OR = 2.48; 95 percent CI = 1.02-6.14). Patients with a more advanced coronary score had a higher frequency of hyperhomocystinemia and tended to have higher mean Hcy levels. An inverse relation between plasma folate and Hcy levels was found (r = -0.14; P = 0.04). Individuals with the MTHFR C677T polymorphism had a higher prevalence of hyperhomocystinemia than those without the mutated allele. We conclude that hyperhomocystinemia is independently associated with CAD, with a positive association between Hcy level and disease severity.

Diurnal and spatial (vertical) dynamics of nutrients (N, P, Si) in four sampling days (summer, fall, winter, and spring) in a tropical shallow reservoir and their relationships with the phytoplankton community

Variações vertical, nictemeral e entre os dias de amostragem das formas de nitrogênio, fósforo e sílica solúvel reativa (SRS) foram estudadas no lago das Garças, reservatório tropical raso situado na cidade de São Paulo, sudeste do Brasil. Excetuado o N-NH4, todas as demais formas inorgânicas de nitrogênio (N-NO2, N-NO3 e N total) diminuíram de teor no sentido do fundo do reservatório. Da mesma maneira, todas as formas de nitrogênio apresentaram diferenças significativas quanto às horas de amostragem, aumentando seus valores durante a noite, em razão da ausência de fotossíntese nesse período. Essas formas diminuíram seus teores no dia de amostragem da primavera, graças à floração de Microcystis registrada nesse período. Os valores das três formas de fósforo estudadas (solúvel reativo, particulado e total) apresentaram variação vertical significativa, exceto no dia da amostragem de outono. No dia de amostragem de verão ocorreu aumento dos valores de P total e particulado, sendo que este último constituiu mais de 70% do P total durante todos os dias de amostragem. Considerando as horas, a variação dos teores de fósforo foi significativa nos dias das amostragem de primavera, de outono e de inverno. A variação vertical da sílica reativa solúvel foi significativa em todos os dias de amostragem, menos no da primavera. Essa variação também foi diferente entre as horas e os dias de amostragem.

Nefritis tubulo intersticial asociada a parvovirus b19 / Tubulointerstitial nephritis associated with parvovirus beta19 infection

Paciente de 9 años, previamente sana, que ingresa en anasarca con síndrome nefrótico clínico y humoral, asociado a hipertensión arterial y microhematuria, con función renal normal y se comporta como corticorresistente. Se realiza 1° biopsia renal que informa glomerulonefritis proliferativa mesangial difusa con esclerosis focal y segmentaria. En tratamiento con ciclofosfamida y corticoides, presenta síndrome febril prolongado con anemia secundaria a crisis aplásica de la serie roja, asociada con una infección aguda por parvovirus B19, e insuficiencia renal aguda secundaria a nefritis tubulointersticial severa. La PCR para parvovirus B19 DNA fue positiva en tejido renal y médula ósea. La paciente evoluciona a insuficiencia renal crónica terminal. No se puede descartar que desde su inicio, el síndrome nefrótico estuviera asociado al daño glomerular por la infección viral, que comenzó como síndrome nefrótico con componentes nefríticos y que evoluciona inesperadamente a una nefritis tubulointersticial. Este sería el primer caso en el que se documenta como causa de insuficiencia renal crónica terminal, un daño tubulointersticial secundario a parvovirus B19.

A direct contact between astrocyte and vitreous body is possible in the rabbit eye due to discontinuities in the basement membrane of the retinal inner limiting membrane

Different from most mammalian species, the optic nerve of the rabbit eye is initially formed inside the retina where myelination of the axons of the ganglion cells starts and vascularization occurs. Astrocytes are confined to these regions. The aforementioned nerve fibers known as medullated nerve fibers form two bundles that may be identified with the naked eye. The blood vessels run on the inner surface of these nerve fiber bundles (epivascularization) and, accordingly, the accompanying astrocytes lie mostly facing the vitreous body from which they are separated only by the inner limiting membrane of the retina. The arrangement of the astrocytes around blood vessels leads to the formation of structures known as glial tufts. Fragments (N = 3) or whole pieces (N = 3) of the medullated nerve fiber region of three-month-old male rabbits (Orictolagus cuniculus) were fixed in glutaraldehyde followed by osmium tetroxide, and their thin sections were examined with a transmission electron microscope. Randomly located discontinuities (up to a few micrometers long) of the basement membrane of the inner limiting membrane of the retina were observed in the glial tufts. As a consequence, a direct contact between the astrocyte plasma membrane and vitreous elements was demonstrated, making possible functional interactions such as macromolecular exchanges between this glial cell type and the components of the vitreous body