[Kaposi's sarcoma: a sexually transmitted cancer?]. / Sarcoma de Kaposi: un cáncer de transmisión sexual?

Kaposi's sarcoma is a lymphoproliferative opportunistic tumor associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome whose frequency is going down due to the use of combined therapies including proteases and others antivirals. During the last years, it has been postulated that it's origin is in the oncogenic potential of HVH-8; however, for the development of the disease, it's necessary the presence of some coadjuvant factors including immunodeficiency and probably a propicious hormonal status. We practiced a bibliographic review of some recent works related with it's etiology and coadyuvant factors implicated in the development of this neoplasia, phrasing some questions that should be answered in the light of future investigative works.

[Maximal static respiratory pressures. The importance of the study of normal reference values]. / Presiones respiratorias estáticas máximas. Importancia del estudio de los valores de referencia normales.

In order to determine the validity for our population of the theoretical reference values available in the literature today, we studied respiratory muscle force by calculating maximum expiratory pressure PEmax and maximum inspiratory pressure (PImax) in 100 healthy subjects in Asturias (50 women) between 17 and 80 years-old (mean 40.4 +/- 19.3 years). We used the same methods and apparatus as Black and Hyatt and compared the results with theoretical values given by them as references corresponding to our subjects, according to age and sex. Values were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in our population for both parameters and for both men and women. In men PEmax was 69.7% and PImax was 88.5% of the theoretical values, in women PEmax was 60.9% and PImax was 82.9%. These figures indicate that the theoretical values given by Black and Hyatt are not valid for the population we studied and that normal reference values appropriate for each population, laboratory and apparatus must be obtained if valid conclusions are to be reached.

[Influence of liver cirrhosis with and without ascites on ventilatory mechanics]. / Influencia de la cirrosis hepática con y sin ascitis sobre la mecánica ventilatoria.

BACKGROUND: The thoracic cavity plays an important role in the mechanical ventilatory function, and the alteration of some of its structures, such as those which occur in decompensated cirrhosis of the liver, for example the presence of ascites and muscle atrophy, directly influence its normal function. METHODS: In the present study we have evaluated the ventilatory function and respiratory muscular tension by means of the calculation of volumes, flows and resistances of the airways, and also the maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures (Pimax, Pemax). PATIENTS: One hundred patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites without associated respiratory illness, mean age 57 +/- 15 years (range 32-80), were studied. We evaluated the respiratory function before and after the disappearance of the ascites. RESULTS: A restrictive pattern was evident, and various parameters were altered. The most affected being that of the reserve expiratory volume. No associated bronchial obstruction was observed. Respiratory muscular tension was decreased in both the Pimax and the Pemax. With the disappearance of the ascites we found an improvement in the affected parameters, but this did not reach normality. CONCLUSION: In liver cirrhosis associated with ascites, the most common respiratory pattern, is a decrease in ventilatory function of a restrictive type, and also a decrease in the respiratory muscular tension. These alterations improve after the resolution of the ascites.