Evaluation of the immunomodulatory activity of thalidomide on tumor-associated macrophages in the 4T1 murine metastatic breast cancer model / [Avaliação do efeito imunomodulador da talidomida em macrófagos associados a tumores no modelo murino de câncer de mama metastático 4T1]

The present work evaluated the immunomodulatory effect of thalidomide (Thal) at different doses on tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) using a mouse model of human breast cancer. Mice were inoculated with 4T1 cells in the left flank and treated with Thal once a day at concentrations of 50, 100, and 150mg/kg body weight from the 5th day until the 28th day of tumor inoculation. The tumors were sized, proliferation index and TAMs count were evaluated in primary tumors and metastatic lungs. In addition, the metastasis rate was evaluated in the lungs. Thal at 150mg/kg significantly decreased tumor growth, proliferation index, and TAMs infiltration in primary tumors. Conversely, a higher number of TAMs and lower proliferation index were observed in metastatic lungs in mice treated with 150mg/kg of Thal. Furthermore, Thal at 150mg/kg significantly decreased the metastatic nodules in the lungs. Our findings demonstrated that Thal treatment considerably decreased the primary tumor and lung metastasis in mice associated with different TAM infiltration effects in these sites.(AU)

No presente trabalho, foi avaliado o efeito imunomodulador de diferentes doses de talidomida em macrófagos associados ao tumor (TAMs), em um modelo murino de câncer de mama. Camundongos foram inoculados com células 4T1, na região do flanco esquerdo, e tratados com talidomida, uma vez ao dia, nas doses de 50, 100 e 150mg/k, por massa corporal, do quinto dia ao 28º dia de inoculação tumoral. Os tumores foram medidos, o índice de proliferação celular e a contagem de TAMs foram avaliados nos tumores primários e nos pulmões com metástases. Além disso, a taxa de metástases pulmonares também foi avaliada. A talidomida na dose de 150mg/kg diminuiu significativamente o crescimento tumoral, o índice de proliferação celular e a infiltração de TAMs nos tumores primários. Por outro lado, maior número de TAMs e menor índice de proliferação celular foram observados nos pulmões metastáticos, em camundongos tratados com 150mg/kg de talidomida. Ademais, a talidomida na dose de 150mg/kg diminuiu significativamente os nódulos metastáticos nos pulmões. Os resultados demonstraram que o tratamento com talidomida diminuiu o crescimento tumoral e as metástases pulmonares em camundongos, associado com diferentes efeitos na infiltração de TAMs nesses locais.(AU)

Glutathione and IGF-1 in bovine seminal cryopreservation: oxidative stress response and pregnancy rate / [Glutationa e IGF-1 na criopreservação seminal bovina: resposta do estresse oxidativo e taxa de gestação]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the rate of conception, metabolic, and structural conditions of cryopreserved bovine sperm cells, plus extender with IGF-1 and glutathione (GSH). 12 ejaculations of Nelore bulls were used, submitted to treatments: control, gSH (2mM/mL), IGF-1 (100ng/mL) and gSH (1mM/mL) + IGF-1 (50ng/mL). After cryopreservation and thawing the semen passed the fast thermo resistance test (TTR), plasma membrane and acrosomal integrity (PIAI), mitochondrial membrane potential (AP), oxidative stress, and conception rate. Tukey test was used for the statistical analysis of the parametric variables and the Friedman test for nonparametric. The gestation percentage was compared by the Chi-square test. There was no statistical difference (P<0.05) between treatments for the TTRr variable. Otherwise in the oxidative stress evaluated with the CellROX probe was noted that the IGF-1 showed the highest number of reactive cells (P<0.05). The PIAI, AP and gestation rate showed no difference among treatments (P>0.05), with an average of conceptions of 36.58%. It is concluded that IGF-1, gSH and their association did not cause changes in sperm motility, mitochondrial potential, plasma and acrosomal membrane integrity. IGF-1 increased oxidative stress, however, there was no difference in the gestation rate among the treatments.(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar a taxa de concepção, as condições metabólicas e estrutural das células espermáticas bovinas criopreservadas, acrescidas de diluidores com fator de crescimento semelhante à insulina do tipo 1(IGF-1) e glutationa (GSH). Foram utilizados 12 ejaculados de touros da raça Nelore, submetidos aos tratamentos: controle, gSH (2mM/mL), IGF-1 (100ng/mL) e gSH (1mM/mL) + IGF-1 (50ng/mL). Após a criopreservação e descongelação, o sêmen passou pelos testes de termorresistência rápida (TTRr), integridade de membrana plasmática e acrossomal (PIAI), alto potencial mitocondrial (AP), estresse oxidativo e taxa de concepção. Utilizou-se o teste de Tukey para as análises estatísticas das variáveis paramétricas e o teste de Friedman para as não paramétricas, com significância de 5%. A percentagem de gestação foi comparada pelo teste do qui-quadrado. Não hove diferença estatística (P<0,05) entre os tratamentos para a variável TTRr. Já no estresse oxidativo avaliado com a sonda CellROX, observou-se que o IGF-1 apresentou maior quantidade de células reativas (P<0,05), 36,38± 24,10. A PIAI, o AP e a taxa de gestação não apresentaram diferença entre tratamentos (P>0,05), com média de concepções de 36,58%. Conclui-se que o IGF-1, a gSH e a sua associação não causaram mudanças na motilidade espermática, no potencial mitocondrial, na integridade da membrana plasmática e acrossomal. O IGF-1 aumentou o estresse oxidativo, porém sem diferença na taxa de gestação entre os tratamentos.(AU)

Insulina e IGF-1 no meio extensor de criopreservação seminal bovina / Insulin and IGF-I in extender medium for bovine semen cryopreservation

Objetivou-se avaliar a condição metabólica e estrutural das células espermáticas bovinas após congelação, com adição prévia de IGF-I e insulina no meio diluidor seminal. Os ejaculados de seis touros Nelore foram submetidos a quatro tratamentos: controle; insulina (100µUI/mL); IGF-I (150ng/mL) e insulina + IGF-I (50µUI/mL e 75ng/mL, respectivamente). Após a congelação, realizaram-se os testes de termorresistência rápida, coloração pelo corante azul de tripan e Giemsa, além da análise computadorizada da motilidade espermática, da integridade das membranas plasmática e acrossomal, e da peça intermediária por meio de sondas fluorescentes. O teste de termorresistência rápida apresentou efeito dentro do tempo de cada tratamento, mas não entre os tratamentos. Na análise computadorizada da motilidade espermática, foram observados movimento, motilidade e velocidade espermáticos; não houve efeitos dos tratamentos sobre qualquer uma dessas variáveis. Respostas iguais foram obtidas com as sondas fluorescentes e o corante azul de tripan/Giemsa. A adição de insulina e IGF-I, de forma isolada ou combinada, ao meio diluidor para congelação de sêmen não produziu efeitos sobre as condições metabólica e estrutural das células espermáticas.(AU)

This study aimed to evaluate the metabolic and structural condition of the spermatic bovine cells after the freezing, with addition, previously, of IGF-I and Insulin in the seminal thinner medium. The semen of 6 Nellore bulls were submitted to four treatments: Control, Insulin (100µUI/mL); IGF-I (150ng/mL) and Insulin + IGF-I (50µUI/mL and 75ng/mL, respectively). After freezing, rapid resistance tests, Tripan and Giemsa Blue staining, and computerized analysis of sperm motility and integrity of the plasma and acrosomal membranes and the intermediate part were performed by fluorescent probes. The term rapid resistance test had effect within the time of each treatment, but not between treatments. In the computer analysis of sperm motility, sperm movement, motility and velocity no effects of treatments were observed on any of these variables. The same results were obtained with the fluorescent probes and the Blue dye Trypan / Giemsa. The addition of Insulin and IGF-I, alone or in combination, to the semen freezing dilution medium had no effect on the metabolic and structural condition of sperm cells.(AU)

Does supplementation of vitamin C, reduced glutathione or their association in semen extender reduce oxidative stress in bovine frozen semen? / A suplementação de vitamina C, glutationa reduzida ou sua associação no diluidor de sêmen reduz o estresse oxidativo no sêmen congelado bovino?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the addition of vitamin C, reduced glutathione and the association thereof to the bovine semen cryopreservation extender. The ejaculate from nine bulls were divided into four fractions, each corresponding to a treatment, namely: control group-semen diluted with Tris-yolk extender; vitamin C group-semen diluted in Tris-yolk extender supplemented with vitamin C (2.5mmol/mL); glutathione group-semen diluted in Tris-yolk extender supplemented with reduced glutathione (2.5mmol/mL) and associated group-semen diluted in Tris-yolk extender supplemented with vitamin C (1.25mmol/mL) and reduced glutathione (1.25mmol/mL). Afterwards, the semen was packed into French straws and submitted to cryopreservation using automated equipment. After cryopreservation, the semen was thawed and evaluated considering sperm motility, morphology, plasma membrane, acrosome, mitochondrial potential and oxidative stress, as well as the thermo resistance test. Extender's supplementation with the association of vitamin C and reduced glutathione showed benefic effects on sperm motility and preservation of plasma and acrosomal membranes during semen cryopreservation, being also the group that showed higher values of reactive oxygen species. Thus, the association of both antioxidants contributed to the preservation of sperm cells in every analyzed characteristic, suggesting its use on bovine semen cryopreservation.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a adição de vitamina C, glutationa reduzida e sua associação ao diluidor de criopreservação de sêmen bovino. O ejaculado de nove touros foi dividido em quatro frações, cada uma correspondendo a um tratamento, a saber: grupo controle - sêmen diluído em Tris-gema; grupo vitamina C - sêmen diluído em Tris-gema, suplementado com vitamina C (2,5mmol/mL); grupo glutationa - sêmen diluído em Tris-gema, suplementado com glutationa reduzida (2,5mmol/mL) e grupo sêmen associado - diluído em Tris-gema, suplementado com vitamina C (1,25mmol/mL) e glutationa reduzida (1,25mmol/mL ). Posteriormente, o sêmen foi envasado em palhetas francesas e submetido à criopreservação por meio de equipamento automatizado. Após a criopreservação, o sêmen foi descongelado e avaliado quanto à motilidade espermática, à morfologia, à membrana plasmática, ao acrossoma, ao potencial mitocondrial e ao estresse oxidativo, bem como pelo teste de resistência térmica. A suplementação de extensor com a associação de vitamina C e glutationa reduzida mostrou efeitos benéficos sobre a motilidade espermática e a preservação das membranas plasmática e acrossomal durante a criopreservação de sêmen, sendo também o grupo que apresentou maiores valores de espécies reativas de oxigênio. Assim, a associação de ambos os antioxidantes contribuiu para a preservação dos espermatozóides em todas as características analisadas, sugerindo sua utilização na criopreservação de sêmen bovino.(AU)

Antioxidant effect on viability of boar semen cooled to 15°C / Influência de antioxidantes na viabilidade do sêmen suíno resfriado a 15°C

This study aimed to evaluate the addition of Vitamin C, reduced Glutathione and trolox on sperm characteristics of pork refrigerated semen. Six pigs were collected through the technique of gloved hand (10 ejaculates/animals). The semen was diluted in MR-A®. After the previous evaluations, the treatments were added: Control group: diluent only; Vitamin C Group: 200µM/mL Vitamin C; Trolox Group: 200µM/mL Trolox; Glutathione group: 2.5mM/ml Reduced glutathione. The semen was stored in thermal boxes and placed inside the refrigerator at 15oC and evaluated at D0, 12, 48, 72 hours. After 30 hours of incubation, each treatment was divided into two equal fractions and the same concentration of antioxidants was added in one of the parts. The results show that reduced glutathione supplementation preserves sperm motility after 24 hours but also has a higher percentage of acrosome intact in the presence of this antioxidant. There was no effect of adding a second dose of the antioxidants. In conclusion, the addition of reduced Glutathione to the swine semen diluent is a promising alternative for better preservation of sperm characteristics and the addition of the second dose of antioxidants during storage is detrimental to semen.(AU)

Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a adição da vitamina C, da glutationa reduzida e do trolox sobre características espermáticas do sêmen refrigerado de suínos. Seis cachaços foram coletados pela técnica de mão enluvada (10 coletas/animal). O sêmen foi diluído em MR-A®. Após as avaliações prévias, os tratamentos foram adicionados: grupo controle: apenas diluidor; grupo vitamina C: 200µM/mL de vitamina C; grupo trolox: 200µM/mL de trolox; grupo glutationa: 2.5mM/mL de glutationa reduzida. O sêmen foi armazenado em caixas térmicas e alocado dentro do refrigerador a 15oC e avaliado nos tempos zero, 12, 48 e 72 horas . Após 30 horas de incubação, cada tratamento foi dividido em duas frações iguais e adicionou-se a mesma concentração de antioxidantes em uma das partes. Os resultados demonstram que a suplementação de glutationa reduzida preserva a motilidade espermática após 24 horas, bem como tem maior percentual de acrossoma intacto na presença desse antioxidante. Não houve efeito ao se adicionar uma segunda dose dos antioxidantes. Em conclusão, o acréscimo da glutationa reduzida ao diluidor de sêmen suíno é uma alternativa promissora para melhor preservação das características espermáticas, e a adição da segunda dose dos antioxidantes durante o armazenamento é prejudicial ao sêmen.(AU)

Retención de cápsula endoscópica en enfermedad de Crohn ¿cómo manejarla? / Retained capsule endoscopy in Crohn´s disease: how to manage it?

Capsule endoscopy is a technique that allows the study of the small intestine, through a device that is swallowed by the patient, capturing images as it travels through the digestive tract. Capsule retention is the most serious complication. We report the case of a 69 year-old male presenting with iron deficiency anemia, with normal upper endoscopy and colonoscopy; but obscure gastrointestinal bleeding was diagnosed and therefore a study with capsule endoscopy was requested. The patient evolves with retained capsule in the small intestine with ulcerated stenosis as shown by imaging. This finding was confirmed by enteroscopy with biopsy, without being able to extract the capsule. Medical management with corticosteroids was indicated for intestinal obstruction secondary to inflammatory stenosis in the context of Crohn's disease: The capsule was expelled after 21 days of ingestion, with a positive outcome

La cápsula endoscópica es una técnica que permite el estudio del intestino delgado, mediante un dispositivo que es deglutido por el paciente y captura imágenes en su recorrido por el tubo digestivo. La complicación más grave es la retención de la cápsula. Se reporta el caso de un paciente de sexo masculino, de 69 años con anemia ferropénica, con endoscopia alta y colonoscopia normal; planteándose sangrado gastrointestinal de origen oscuro por lo que se solicita estudio con cápsula endoscópica. El paciente evoluciona con retención de la cápsula en intestino delgado, visualizándose en las imágenes la presencia de estenosis ulcerada, hallazgo que se confirma mediante enteroscopia con toma de biopsias, sin lograr extraer la cápsula. Se indica manejo médico con corticoides por obstrucción intestinal secundario a estenosis inflamatoria en contexto de enfermedad de Crohn, expulsando espontáneamente la cápsula al día 21 de su ingestión, sin complicaciones.

Enfermedades pulmonares difusas relacionadas al tabaco / Smoking related interstitial lung disease

Inhalation of tobacco smoke is a risk factor for developing respiratory diseases as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and many cardiovascular diseases. Recently, a new group of interstitial lung diseases (ILD) related to cigarette smoking (SR-ILD) have been described. This group includes pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis, respiratory bronchiolitis, smoking-associated interstitial fibrosis, desquamative interstitial pneumonia. The diagnosis is usually difficult, and the use ofsome clinical clues, high-resolution computerized tomography, and histopathologic findings in lung biopsy could help to differentiate between the various entities. We present a report of clinical cases of patients with SR-ILD seen in our center, and a review of the literature of the above entities.

La inhalación del humo de tabaco es un factor de riesgo conocido para el desarrollo de enfermedades respiratorias como la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica, el cáncer pulmonar y algunas enfermedades cardiovasculares. Se ha descrito un grupo de enfermedades pulmonares difusas (EPD), particularmente asociadas al tabaquismo (EPD-TBQ), entre ellas, la histiocitosis pulmonar de Langerhans (PLCH), la bronquiolitis respiratoria (BR), la neumonía intersticial descamativa (DIP) y recientemente la fibrosis intersticial relacionada a tabaco (SRIF). El diagnóstico suele ser complejo, y la utilización de algunas claves diagnósticas, en conjunto a la tomografía computarizada de tórax de alta resolución y los hallazgos histopatológicos de la biopsia pulmonar, pueden ayudar a diferenciar entre las distintas entidades. Se presenta a continuación, una serie de viñetas clínicas de pacientes con EPD-TBQ, atendidos en nuestro centro, y una revisión de la bibliografía sobre cada una de ellas.

Pedigree studies and evaluation of risk factors of breast cancer in Goa.

BACKGROUND: Incidence of breast cancer (BC) is increasing in most of the countries, including the areas which have had previously low rates. AIM: The aim of this prospective study was to analyze the pedigrees of the patients for detecting hereditary factor prevalence and to investigate the possible risk factors associated with BC in a sample population from Goa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective analysis was performed for 95 BC patients between 2011 and 2012. For assessing the risk factors, a proforma was designed and the necessary data was collected by interview. The process of collecting family history for drawing the pedigree included interviewing the informant. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Online calculators of statistics were used for standard deviation at www.easycalculation.com and fishers test at www.graphpad.com. RESULTS: High frequency of BC was revealed in the sample population from Goa. This could be attributed to the changes in reproductive patterns, physical inactivity and obesity, or general increase in BC awareness. Factors which did not influence the frequency of BC in the sample population include parity, oral contraceptives, alcohol consumption, occupation, exercise, and nutritional supplement. High incidence of family history of 168/1000 individuals was observed in the present study. CONCLUSIONS: Proper management of BC is possible after assessment of cumulative risk of BC in females by a thorough study of both environmental and genetic factors. Cumulative risk can be greatly reduced by controlling the environmental risk.

Síndrome de Sneddon: reporte de un caso / Sneddon syndrome: case report

El síndrome de Sneddon es una vasculitis sistémica, que se caracteriza por accidente cerebrovascular isquémico y livedo reticularis. Es una enfermedad rara, que se da principalmente en mujeres jóvenes. Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 20 años con el diagnóstico de Síndrome de Sneddon, tratada en forma oportuna y con una evolución favorable en el hospital Doctor Hernán Henríquez Aravena de Temuco (HHHA).

Sneddon's syndrome is a systemic vasculitis, characterized by ischemic stroke and livedo reticularis. It is a rare disease that occurs mainly in young women. We report the case of a 20 year old woman diagnosed with Sneddon syndrome, treated in time and with a favorable outcome at Dr. Hernán Henríquez Aravena Hospital (HHHA) of Temuco

Síndrome convulsivo neonatal: enfoque diagnóstico a propósito de un caso de epilepsia focal sintomática / Neonatal seizure syndrome: diagnostic approach about a case of focal epilepsy symptomatic

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las convulsiones neonatales son una descarga hipersincrónica de un grupo neuronal cortical, cuya sintomatología puede ser motora, sensitiva, neurovegetativa o mixta. De etiología variable, deben ser pesquisadas y estudiadas desde un inicio. PRESENTACIÓN DEL CASO: Recién nacido de término, femenino, 38 semanas de gestación, nacido de parto eutócico con Apgar 9-9. Hijo de madre primigesta de 24 años, sin antecedentes mórbidos ni antecedentes durante el embarazo. Presenta dos cuadros cianóticos súbitos descartándose en ese momento hipoglicemia, hipocalemia o alguna infección. Se hospitaliza presentando una convulsión tónico-clónica manejada con fenobarbital dejando dosis de mantención. Persiste con convulsiones agregándose piridoxina al tratamiento. Luego de48 horas fue dado de alta para su manejo y control ambulatorio con fenobarbital y piridoxina vía oral en espera de evaluación de electroencefalograma. Eco tomografía cerebral normal. Perfil Neonatal Ampliado normal. Luego de una semana presenta nuevamente un cuadro convulsivo por lo que se re-hospitaliza. El primer electroencefalograma fue informado como normal, pero el segundo, cuatro días después, mostró presencia de lentitud continua centro-temporal izquierda asociada a un compromiso cortical focal corroborado por tomografía axial computarizada cerebral posterior, realizando el diagnóstico final de epilepsia focal sintomática. DISCUSIÓN: El abordaje de un cuadro de convulsión neonatal obliga en primera instancia a descartar etiologías potencialmente reversibles y que permitirían la resolución de cuadros convulsivos de forma basal. No siempre una convulsión neonatal corresponde a una causa común, llevando en algunas ocasiones a estudios más acabados y donde cuadros como la epilepsia aparecen como una opción importante de considerar.

INTRODUCTION: Neonatal seizures are a hypersynchronic depolarization of a finite set of cortical neurons. The symptoms that manifest are motor, sensory, autonomic, or mixed. The etiology must be studied from the beginning. CASE REPORT: Term newborn, female, 38 weeks gestation, born of vaginal delivery with Apgar score 9-9. Mother of 24 years, no history or background morbid during pregnancy. It presents two episodes of sudden cyanosis boxes discarded at the time of hypoglycemia, hypokalemia, or infection. She is hospitalized for study where he presented a tonic-clonic seizure that was treated with Phenobarbital, following a maintenance dose. Persists with convulsions adding pyridoxine to therapy. After 48 hours without convulsions was discharged for outpatient management with oral phenobarbital and pyridoxine. Electroencephalogram pending. Normal brain ultrasound. Profile Expanded Neonatal normal. After a week presents again seizure so she was hospitalized again. The first electroencephalogram was under normal parameters, but the second made four days later showed the presence of slow continuous center-left temporal cortex associated with focal involvement confirmed by computed tomography brain back, so the diagnosis is made symptomatic focal epilepsy. DISCUSSION: The approach of a neonatal seizure box forces us in the first instance to rule out potentially reversible etiologies and those that allow the resolution of convulsions at baseline. Not always a neonatal seizure corresponds to a common cause, leading sometimes to continue studies and where a epilepsy appears as an important option to consider.

Tuberculosis cutánea: reporte de dos casos y revisión de la literatura / Cutaneous tuberculosis: two case reports and review

Cutaneous tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is uncommon (1 percent of all cases of tuberculosis), but has increased due to the human immunodeficiency virus epidemic and to pharmacologic immunosuppression. It presents a wide variety of clinical forms depending on how bacteria reach the skin and on the immune status of the patient. We present two cases of cutaneous tuberculosis diagnosed in the Hospital Clínico de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. We emphasize the difficulty in diagnosis and classification of this disease and briefly discuss on the different diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

La tuberculosis (TBC) cutánea es una enfermedad infecciosa crónica causada por Mycobacterium tubercu losis. Es una patología poco frecuente (1 por ciento de todos los casos de TBC); no obstante, ha aumentado debido a la epidemia del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana y la presencia creciente de la inmunosupresión farmacológica. Presenta una gran variedad de formas clínicas que dependen de cómo llega el bacilo a la piel y del estado inmunológico del individuo. A continuación, presentamos dos casos clínicos de TBC cutánea vistos en el Hospital Clínico de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile y una revisión del tema.

Estudio sistemático del hueco axilar en la evaluación mamaria por mamografía, ecografía y resonancia magnética: nuestra experiencia / Systematic axillary study in breast evaluation by mammography, ultrasound and MRI: our experience

Los objetivos de este trabajo son: 1) Enfatizar el estudio del hueco axilar como rutina en la evaluación de la mama a través de la mamografía, ecografía y resonancia magnética. 2) Describir la patología del hueco axilar. 3) Describir los hallazgos de cada método en cada caso. 4) Correlacionar los hallazgos con la anatomía patológica (citológica o histológica) a través de punciones guiadas por ecografía para establecer un diagnóstico final. Se incluyen en este trabajo las pacientes que presentaron alteraciones imaginológicas ganglionares entre los años 2005 y 2010, en un total de 276 pacientes punzadas. La conclusión de este trabajo es que el método de elección para el estudio imaginológico de los ganglios axilares es la ecografía junto al Power Doppler, debido a que es sensible, rápida, de bajo costo y confiable.

Efecto de la terapia fotodinámica con metil-aminolevulinato (MAL) comparada con luz roja en el tratamiento de acné inflamatorio leve a moderado / Effectiveness of photodynamic therapy with methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) compared with red light alone in the treatment of acne

Introducción: El acné es una dermatosis inflamatoria frecuente. Habitualmente requiere tratamientos sistémicos no exentos de riesgos. La terapia fotodinámica (TFD) ha demostrado efectividad en el tratamiento del acné. Material y método: estudio prospectivo, aleatorizado, y controlado, comparando la TFD con metil-aminolevulinato (MAL) al 16 por ciento con la aplicación de luz roja sola en el tratamiento del acné inflamatorio leve a moderado. Se aleatorizaron los pacientes a dos grupos; en el primer grupo se realizó TFD con luz roja, previa aplicación de crema de metil-aminolevulinato 16 por ciento (MAL), a las semanas 0 y 2. Resultados: se incluyeron 36 pacientes con acné inflamatorio leve y moderado localizado en región facial. Se determinaron los cambios de grados de acné existiendo diferencias significativas en los cambios de grado a las semanas 2, 4 y 10 (p<0.001), siendo mayor la mejoría clínica del acné en el grupo TFD-MAL comparado con el grupo luz roja sola, pero observable en ambos grupos. Discusión: la fototerapia con luz roja, con o sin fotosensibilizante, representa una opción de tratamiento no invasivo, seguro y eficaz para el acné vulgar. Al combinar la fototerapia con sustancias tópicas, por ejemplo MAL, resulta de una acción sinérgica aditiva.

Introduction: Acne is a frequent inflammatory dermatoses. It usually requires systemic treatments that are not free of adverse events. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) had been shown to be effective in acne. Methods: a prospective, randomized controlled trial was done to evaluate the effectiveness of PDT with methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) compared with red light alone. Patients were randomized in two groups. In the first group PDT-MAL was applied at week 0and 2; and in the second groupred light alone was applied. Results: 36 patients were incluided with facial acne. Effectiveness was evaluated at weeks 2, 4 and 10 for both groups. A statistically significant difference (p<0.001) was found favoring PDT-MAL group. Both groups showed and improvement in cane severity. Discussion: PDT-MAL and red light therapy are an effective and safe treatment option for acne. Combining PDT with MAL is more effective than red light alone.

Función Tiroidea en pacientes pediatricos con enfermedad renal crónica / Thyroid function in pediatric patients with chronic kidney disease

Caracterizar la función tiroidea y la respuesta a test de TRH (thyroid releasing hormone), en niños con enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) leve (L), moderada (M), peritoneodiálisis (PD), hemodiálisis (HD) y trasplantados renales (TX).

Terapia fotodinámica con metil aminolevulinato y ácido 5-aminolevulínico en acné inflamatorio leve y moderado: experiencia clínica / Photodynamic therapy with 5-aminolevulinic acid and methyl aminolevulinate for mild to moderate inflammatory acne: clinical experience

Introducción: La terapia fotodinámica (TFD) con ácido 5-aminolevulínico (ALA) y metil aminolevulinato (MAL) ha mostrado utilidad en el manejo del acné inflamatorio. Métodos: Dos grupos de cuatro pacientes cada uno, portadores de acné inflamatorio leve o moderado. Se realizaron dos sesiones de TFD separadas por dos semanas: un grupo fue tratado con MAL y luz roja y el otro, con ALA y luz azul. Se midió la severidad del acné con escala de 6 puntos y se consideró éxito clínico los grados 0 y 1. Resultados: En ambos grupos se observó éxito clínico a las 12 semanas post tratamiento, quedando con pigmentación residual, escasos comedones y menos de 10 pápulas. Se observaron efectos adversos tolerables, siendo los más importantes el eritema y la descamación. Conclusión: La TFD con ALA y MAL es una buena alternativa terapéutica para aquellos pacientes con acné inflamatorio leve y moderado que no responden o tienen contraindicación a los tratamientos convencionales.

Introduction: Photodynamic therapy with methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) and 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) has shown to be useful in the management of inflammatory acne. Methods: Two groups of 4 patients each with mild to moderate inflammatory acne. Two PDT sessions were performed within a 2 week interval; one group was treated with MAL and red light, and the other with ALA and blue light. Acne severity was measured with a 6-point scale and clinical success was considered between grades 0 and 1. Results: In both groups, clinical success was observed at 12 weeks post treatment, leaving residual pigmentation, scarce comedones and less than 10 papules. Tolerable side effects were observed, being the most important erythema and desquamation. Conclusion: PDT with ALA and MAL is a good therapeutic option for patients with mild to moderate inflammatory acne who do not respond or have contraindications to conventional treatments.

Seed predation by rodents and safe sites for large-seeded trees in a fragment of the Brazilian Atlantic forest / Predação de sementes por roedores e sítios seguros para árvores com grandes sementes em um fragmento de floresta Atlântica brasileira

Seed predation by small rodents is an emerging theme in the ecology of modified landscapes. Here we investigate the role played by the small rodent Oryzomys oniscus as a seed predator of large-seeded trees in a large remnant of the Atlantic forest - the Coimbra forest (3,500 ha), Alagoas state, northeastern Brazil. O. oniscus was captured and identified by setting twenty 500 m long transects, each one composed of 25 traps 20 m apart. This procedure resulted in 483 trap-nights set during a 20-mo period. We used 692 seeds (>15 mm length) from ten local large-seeded tree species for the seed predation trials that basically consisted of three treatments: one seed on the ground freely accessed by vertebrates (unprotected seed), one seed totally protected by an exclosure, and one partially-protected seed (exclosure just for medium-sized and large vertebrates). O. oniscus was captured throughout the Coimbra forest including forest edges (76 captures) and interior areas (67), and this small rodent was responsible for all seed predation visually documented inside exclosures. A 24 hours period of seed exposition permitted elevated rates of seed removal and predation. Seeds were much more removed/predated beneath fruiting trees, but rates varied according to the level of seed protection - 26.3 percent of predation among partially-protected versus 19.2 percent among unprotected seeds. Seeds suffered higher levels of seed predation/removal at the forest edge as well (up to 90 percent). In both habitats, most seeds (>84 percent) remained intact beneath trees without fruits, regardless of the level of seed protection. Our results suggest that O. oniscus may operate as an effective large-seed predator in forest fragments, in which adult trees without fruits constitute low resource spots and thereby provide, at least temporarily, safe sites for large seeds.

Predação de sementes por pequenos roedores é um tema emergente na ecologia de paisagens modificadas. Nesse estudo foi investigado o papel desempenhado pelo pequeno roedor Oryzomys oniscus como predador de grandes sementes de árvores em um grande fragmento de floresta Atlântica - mata de Coimbra (3.500 ha), Estado de Alagoas, Nordeste do Brasil. O. oniscus foi capturado e identificado usando-se 20 transectos com 500 m de comprimento, cada um composto por 25 armadilhas espaçadas a cada 20 m. Esse procedimento resultou em um esforço total de captura de 483 armadilhas-noites, durante um período de 20 meses. Foram utilizadas 692 grandes sementes (>15 mm de comprimento), provenientes de dez espécies de árvores para as sessões de predação, as quais consistiram basicamente de três tratamentos: uma semente no solo com acesso livre para vertebrados (semente desprotegida), uma semente totalmente protegida e uma semente parcialmente protegida (exclusão apenas para médios e grandes vertebrados). O. oniscus foi capturado em todo o fragmento de Coimbra, incluindo bordas de floresta (76 capturas) e áreas de interior (67 capturas). Além disso, esse pequeno roedor foi responsável por toda a predação de sementes visualmente documentada dentro das gaiolas de proteção de sementes. Um período de 24 horas de exposição das sementes permitiu elevadas taxas de remoção e predação. Sementes foram muito mais predadas/removidas debaixo de árvores frutificando, mas as taxas variaram de acordo com o nível de proteção das sementes - 26,3 por cento de predação entre as parcialmente protegidas versus 19,2 por cento entre sementes não protegidas. Sementes sofreram altos níveis de predação/remoção nas bordas de florestas (até 90 por cento). Em ambos os hábitats, muitas sementes (>84 por cento) permaneceram intactas debaixo de árvores sem frutos, independente do nível de proteção. Os resultados do estudo sugerem que O. oniscus pode agir como um predador efetivo de grandes ...

Compromiso renal e infección por VIH/SIDA en pacientes atendidos en un hospital pediátrico chileno / Renal compromise in HIV/AIDS in patients attended at a Chilean children hospital

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of renal abnormalities in HIV positive children hospitalized in one pediatric hospital in Chile. Method: a cross sectional study was performed during April 2007. Results: A total of 18 patients were evaluated, ten male and eight female ranging in age from 4 to 19 years. The average age at the time of HIV diagnosis and nephrologic evaluations were 2,69 and 10,7 years respectively. All patients had acquired HIV infection by vertical transmission. Uriñe samples of two children had microalbuminuria; two had monosymptomatic hematuria, and ten had ¿squamous? cells. Hypercalciuria was detected in one patient, renal lithiasis in another and two patients had abnormal renal ultrasonography. All 19 patients had normal blood pressures. Overall 7 patients (39 percent) had a renal abnormality. Conclusions: The relatively high incidence of renal abnormalities in our series support the need for a nation-wide screening program to assess the incidence of renal impairment in pediatric HIV positive patients.

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la función renal de pacientes infectados con virus de inmuno-deficiencia humana (VIH) que se controlan en un hospital pediátrico chileno. Método: estudio de corte transversal. Resultados: Se evaluaron 18 pacientes, 10 varones y 8 mujeres; edad: entre 4 y 19 años, la edad promedio al diagnóstico de la infección por VIH y al momento de la evaluación fue 2,69 y 10,7 años, respectivamente. Todos nuestros pacientes adquirieron la infección vía vertical. Dos presentaron microalbuminuria y dos hematuria monosintomática. En 10 (55 por ciento) se encontraron células descamativas, en uno hiper-calciuria y en otro litiasis renal. Todos tuvieron presión arterial normal. La ecotomograña renal fue anormal en dos. Se han descrito varias anormalidades renales en pacientes con infección por VIH; en nuestro estudio, 7 pacientes (39 por ciento) tuvieron alteraciones en los exámenes de laboratorio. Conclusión: La alta frecuencia de afectación renal encontrada en pacientes pediátricos con infección por VIH hace necesario plantear un tamizaje nacional para determinar la incidencia de nefropatía asociada en nuestros pacientes.

Síndrome de Sweet en paciente con cáncer de ovario: reporte de un caso: [revisión] / Sweet's Syndrome in patients with ovarian cancer: a case report: [review]

El síndrome de Sweet en pacientes con cánceres sólidos es muy poco frecuente. En una búsqueda exhaustiva en la literatura se encuentra en relación a cáncer bronquial, de mama, de próstata, gástrico, mas no en relación a cáncer de ovario. Este es un reparte de una paciente de 64 años con cáncer de ovario recidivado con lesiones nodulares eritematosos en extremidades superiores e inferiores.

Sweet's Syndrome in patients with solid cancer is infrequent. In an in-depth review of the literature it is related to lung breast prostate, and gastric cancer, but not to ovarian cancer. We present the case of a 64-year-old female patient with ovarian cancer recurrence with nodular erythematous injuries in her upper and lower extremities.