Pregnancy and Luteal Responses to Embryo Reinsertion following Embryo Flushing in Donor Mares.

The effect of embryo reinsertion immediately after embryo flushing was studied. In Experiment 1, eight mares were used during 32 cycles (8 cycles in each group). For the first two groups, inseminated mares were flushed 8 days after ovulation and prostaglandin F2α was not administered: in group EF-ET (embryo flushing and embryo transfer) the embryo was reinserted in the same donor mare, while in the EF group, no further procedure was performed. In the third group (ET), non-inseminated mares (recipients) received a Day 8 embryo. Progesterone concentration was measured before EF/ET and 72 h after in the three groups. In Experiment 2, twelve mares were used during 17 cycles in two groups, EF-ET (n = 11) and ET (n = 6), as in Experiment 1, except that every mare was flushed 24 h after embryo transfer to retrieve the embryo. Fewer pregnancies resulted after transfer in EF-ET cycles (0/8, 0%) than in the ET group (6/8, 75%). Progesterone concentration decreased significantly (p = 0.05) 72 h after EF-ET but not in EF or ET cycles (p > 0.1). Three mares from the EF-ET showed full luteolysis and signs of endometritis. In Experiment 2, more (5/6; p = 0.08) grade 1 embryos were recovered in the ET compared to the EF-ET group (3/7); 4 embryos were graded 3-4 (were broken or had signs of degeneration) in the EF-ET group but none in the ET group. In both groups, capsule fragments were obtained as indicative of the presence of a recently destroyed embryo in the EF-ET (n = 3) and ET (n = 1) groups. Positive bacterial cultures were obtained in 2/11 and 1/6 embryo flushes from the EF-ET and ET groups, respectively.

The effect of uterine massage and number of embryo flushing attempts on embryo recovery in mares.

The aims of this study were to determine the effect of the embryo flushing technique and the number of flushing attempts performed by operators of different experience on embryo recovery (ER). Ten non-lactating mares were inseminated with the same stallion in six cycles each (n = 60). Embryo flushing (EF) was performed 7-9 days after ovulation by three operators (OP; 20 EF cycles each): OP1 had performed >500 EF before the study, while OP2 and 3 had performed 0 EF. Each EF was performed with 2 flushing attempts (FA) using 1L of ringer's lactate "in-and-out" using two EF techniques: 1) uterine massage (UM): continuous ballottement and massage of the uterus per rectum during ringer lactate recovery, 2) gravity flow (GF): the ringer lactate was allowed to flow back without massaging the uterus. In both groups, 20 IU of oxytocin were administered at the second FA and the ringer lactate was allowed to remain in the uterus for 3 min before recovery. An extra FA was performed in each group using 0.5 L of ringer lactate and uterine massage. More embryos (P < 0.05) per ovulation were recovered in the UM (17/33, 0.51) than in the GF group (8/36, 0.22). For the UM group, 16/17 embryos (94.1 %) were recovered in the first FA, while only one embryo in the second FA (1/17, 5.9 %). In the GF group, 4 embryos were recovered in each FA. No embryo was found in the extra FA in the UM group, while seven additional embryos were found in the GF group (5/7 flushed by OP1; P < 0.05). The overall ER per cycle was 70, 40, and 45 % for OP1, 2 and 3, respectively. In conclusion, highest embryo recovery is achieved in EF performed with UM, with the majority of embryos being flushed in the first FA.

Effects of repeated embryo flushing without PGF2α administration on luteal function, percentage of unwanted pregnancy and subsequent fertility in mares.

BACKGROUND: PGF2α is commonly given at the end of embryo flushing (EF) to shorten the interval to the next oestrus and ovulation. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of repeated EF on plasma progesterone concentration, percentage of mares with endometritis, unwanted pregnancy and subsequent fertility in mares flushed without the use of PGF2α. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled experiments. METHODS: Nine mares were inseminated in seven consecutive cycles (n = 63), to either perform an EF (n = 54) 7-9 days after ovulation or left pregnant (n = 9). PGF2α was not used to induce oestrus. Ultrasound examination and blood sampling were performed just before the EF and 72 h later to determine changes in progesterone concentration and signs of endometritis. RESULTS: The overall percentage of positive EF/pregnancy was 55.5% (30/54) and 66.7% (6/9), respectively. The likelihood of pregnancy/positive EF in the first three cycles was 55.5% (15/29). This was not different (p > 0.1) from the fertility of the last four cycles (69.4%, 25/36). In five EF cycles (9.3%), mares had signs of endometritis and early luteolysis (progesterone <2 ng/mL) 72 h after EF. The reduction in progesterone concentration by 72 h after EF was greater (p < 0.05) for Day 9 (-2.3 ± 0.7 ng/mL) than Day 7 (-1.0 ± 0.8 ng/mL) or Day 8 (-1.3 ± 1.1 ng/mL) cycles. The progesterone concentration in non-flushed mares did not vary significantly during the sampled period (Day 7-12). There were 5 cycles in which the donor mare remained pregnant after the EF, although four were from a single mare. MAIN LIMITATIONS: The mare population was limited to barren and maiden mares. The cycle order and operator allocation to each EF were not randomised. CONCLUSIONS: EF induces a subtle, but significant reduction in progesterone concentrations compared with non-EF cycles. However, the percentage of mares with EF-induced full luteolysis is low (9.3%). The fertility of mares after repeated EF without administration of PGF2α was unaffected; however, there is a considerable risk of unwanted pregnancy (5/27 = 18.5%) in donors from which an embryo was not recovered.

Chitosan sponges loaded with metformin and microalgae as dressing for wound healing: A study in diabetic bio-models.

Among the conditions caused by diabetes, the diabetic foot is a significant public health problem due to its delayed healing process. That makes it essential to design, manufacture, and apply auxiliary dressings during healing. In this work, chitosan sponges were developed and evaluated as wound dressings. Metformin, fucoidan, and exopolysaccharide from Porphyridium purpureum algae were loaded into the sponges and studied as healing promoters. The composite sponges were physicochemically, morphologically, and thermally characterized, allowing us to determine the chemical mechanisms involved in the sponge formation. The mechanical analysis demonstrated that sponge composites have shape memory and good mechanical performance under compression stress, showing a compressive strength above 30 kPa. These results correlated with the materials' porosity, influencing the swelling capacity that reached a maximum of 70 %. The morphology of materials was observed by SEM, resulting in folded films with surface porosity. The results of the biocompatibility tests confirmed that the materials are not cytotoxic or hemolytic and have good antibacterial activity. In vivo wound healing evaluation showed that metformin-loaded chitosan sponges regenerated skin tissue after 21 days of treatment, highlighting the rate of healing provided when exopolysaccharide was added to promote tissue regeneration, which can be corroborated by histological analysis. These results make chitosan sponge compounds promising dressings for diabetic foot wound treatment.

Seasonal absence of supplementary corpora lutea in pregnant mares and the relationship with pregnancy loss.

Two experiments were conducted in the Northern (UK) and Southern (Brazil) hemispheres to determine the effect of season (month of conception) on the development of supplementary CL (SCL) and the relationship with pregnancy loss. In experiment 1, 199 pregnancies were followed between Day 14 and term, to determine the number of SCL and pregnancy viability (Northern Hemisphere). From the 199 pregnancies, 178 were obtained from inseminations during the breeding season (March-September), while the rest, 21 pregnancies resulted from conceptions in the non-breeding season (October to February). Pregnancies conceived in the breeding season were more likely (P < 0.01) to have at least 1 SCL (75.8 %, 135/178) than pregnancies from the non-breeding season (33 %, 7/21). However, the pregnancy loss between Days 35 and 120 of pregnancy in mares with no SCL was similar (3.5 %, 2/57; P >0.1) than from mares with SCL (1.4 %, 2/142). In Experiment 2 (Southern Hemisphere), three groups of recipients were used based on their ovarian activity at the time of embryo transfer: Anestrus (n = 8), transitional (n = 7) and cyclic (n = 7) recipient mares. While all transitional and cyclic mares developed at least 1 SCL, only 50 % of anestrous recipients (4/8) developed SCL by 120 of gestation. In conclusion, the development of SCL in pregnant mares is influenced by the time of season of conception, therefore it appears to be regulated by the photoperiod and the endogenous seasonal variation in gonadotropin concentrations. Mares with no SCL were not at increased risk of pregnancy loss.

A novel nonsense mutation in the insulin receptor gene in a patient with HAIR-AN syndrome and endometrial cancer.

Severe insulin resistance can be caused by rare genetic defects in the insulin receptor known as insulin receptoropathies. These genetic defects cause a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from mild syndromes to lethal disorders. Among those is the HAIR-AN an extreme subtype of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We present a case of a 29-year-old woman with amenorrhea, severe insulin resistance, hirsutism, and acanthosis nigricans who also developed endometrial cancer. She was found to carry a novel heterozygous nonsense mutation insulin receptor gene (INSR). The mutation was inherited from the mother. Levels of insulin receptor and AKT were measured using Western-Blot from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and were both decreased. Thus, we conclude that the identified mutation in the insulin receptor gene and lead to decreased activity of the downstream signaling of the insulin pathway.

Capgras Syndrome Due to Cannabinoids Use: A Case Report With Radiological Findings.

Capgras syndrome is a part of the delusional misidentification syndromes. In this condition, the patient believes that identical individuals have impersonated the people close to them, leading to aggression or even homicide of their relatives. The following article describes the case of a 28-year-old patient with a history of cannabis consumption who arrived at the emergency department due to an unsuccessful murder attempt against his neighbor. At the mental examination, the patient believed their parents were killed some time ago, and impostors were replacing them; laboratory tests showed tetrahydrocannabinol in the urine sample. Therefore, the diagnosis of Capgras syndrome due to cannabis consumption was performed, and treatment was established with two antipsychotics and one mood stabilizer drug, showing satisfactory results after two months.

Determinación de rangos de movimiento del miembro superior en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios mexicanos / Determination of Range of Motion for Upper Limbs in a Sample of Mexican University Students / Determinação de Rangos de Movimento do Membro Superior em uma Amostra de Estudantes Universitários Mexicanos

Resumen Introducción: Esta investigación se realizó en la Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, en la División Multidisciplinaria de la Ciudad Universitaria, con una muestra de estudiantes del programa de Ingeniería Industrial y de Sistemas. Su objetivo fue crear una base de datos que contuviera información sobre los rangos de movimientos (ROMS) del miembro superior de una muestra de jóvenes estudiantes. Materiales y métodos: Se utilizó un inclinómetro de burbuja marca Baseline® y el kit antropométrico Rosscraft®. El diseño de la investigación fue de tipo descriptivo, cuantitativo y transversal, y se tomó una muestra de 50 estudiantes; la determinación de los ROMS consistió en medir a cada uno de los participantes para, posteriormente, capturar y analizar los datos a través del software Minitab17®, para determinar medidas de tendencia central y la existencia de diferencia significativa entre los ROMS de hombres y mujeres. Resultados: Se determinó el límite de rango de movimiento para las articulaciones del codo, hombro, muñeca y antebrazo, encontrando que no existe evidencia de diferencia significativa entre los ROMS de los hombres y las mujeres del estudio, a excepción de la abducción en el hombro derecho. Conclusión: Los datos recopilados en esta investigación pueden ser utilizados para el diseño de áreas de trabajo que se adecúen a las necesidades del usuario, de forma que se evite la presencia de lesiones músculo-esqueléticas y se logre la reducción de la fatiga física en los trabajadores.

Abstract Introduction: This research was carried out at the Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez, División Multidisciplinaria Ciudad Universitaria, with a sample of students of the Industrial and Systems Engineering Program. With the objective of creating a database containing information about the ranges of motion (ROMS) of the upper limb. Materials and Methods: Upper limb ROMS estimation was developed using a bubble inclinometer Baseline® and the Rosscraft® anthropometric kit. The design of the research was descriptive, quantitative and transversal. A sample of 50 students was taken; the determination of the ROMS consisted in measuring each of the participants and, subsequently, the data were captured and analyzed through Minitab17® software, in order to obtain measures of central tendency and the existence of significant difference between the ROMS of men and women. Results: The Range of motion limit for the elbow, shoulder, wrist and forearm joints was determined, finding that there is no evidence of a significant difference between ROMS of men and women in the study, with the exception of abduction in the right shoulder. Conclusion: The data collected in this research can be used to design workspaces that fit the needs of the user, with the aim to avoid the presence of musculoskeletal injuries and reduce physical fatigue among workers.

Resumo Introdução: Esta pesquisa se realizou na Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Divisão Multidisciplinar Cidade Universitária, com uma amostra de estudantes do programa de Engenharia Industrial e de Sistemas. Com o objetivo de criar uma base de dados que contenha informação sobre os rangos de movimentos (ROMS) do membro superior de uma amostra de jovens estudantes. Materiais e métodos: Se utilizou um inclinómetro de borbulha marca Baseline® e o kit antropométrico Rosscraft®. O desenho da pesquisa foi de tipo descritivo, quantitativo e transversal, se tomou uma amostra de 50 estudantes; a determinação dos ROMS consistiu em medir a cada um dos participantes y posteriormente os dados foram capturados e analisados através do software Minitab17®, para determinar medidas de tendência central e a existência de diferença significativa entre os ROMS de homens e mulheres. Resultados: Se determinou o limite de rango de movimento para as articulações do cotovelo, ombro, pulso e o antebraço, encontrando que não existe evidência de diferença significativa entre os ROMS dos homens e as mulheres do estudo, a excepção da abdução no ombro direito. Conclusão: Os dados compilados nesta pesquisa podem ser utilizados no desenho das áreas de trabalho que se adequem às necessidades do usuário, de forma que se evite a presença de lesões musculoesqueléticas, e consiga-se a redução da fadiga física nos trabalhadores.

Quality of Life Considerations During Cancer Treatment in Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Patients: A Systemic Review.

Breast cancer is the number two leading cause of death in women all over the world and is often associated with poor quality of life (QOL). The positive and negative QOL factors influence the overall health and well-being of those affected with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). This literature review was structured to identify and understand both the positive and negative QOL factors throughout breast cancer treatment, as well as post breast cancer treatment. Systemic searches were done of three databases to gather data in breast cancer treatment from 2010-2015. Results identified the positive and negative factors associated with the QOL in relation to breast cancer treatment. The most prevalent positive QOL factors included patient expectations, decreased side effects, and increased survival rate. The most prevalent negative QOL factors included treatment, specific side effects and decreased quality of life. This review may guide healthcare professionals in incorporating new practices and identifying the best regimen to improving QOL. The positive and negative QOL factors, in relation to treatment, are important because they help healthcare professionals understand how those factors impact the overall health and well-being of individuals with IDC.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Xiphister atropurpureus (Perciformes: Stichaeidae).

Analysis of the marine black prickleback Xiphister atropurpureus Kittlitz using 76 bp paired-end Illumina sequences resulted in the assembly of its complete mitogenome. The mitogenome is 16,518 bp in length and contains an origin of light strand replication (OL), control region, 22 tRNA, 2 rRNA, and 13 protein-coding genes. Content and organization of the X. atropurpureus mitogenome is consistent with other teleost. Phylogenetic analysis of X. atropurpureus resolves it in a clade with another member of the Stichaeidae, Chirolophis japonicus Herzenstein.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the horned lizard Phrynosoma blainvillii (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae) from California, USA.

Analysis of Phrynosoma blainvillii Gray from Marina, Monterey County, California, using 150 bp paired-end Illumina sequences (Illumina, San Diego, CA) resulted in the assembly of its complete mitogenome. The mitogenome is 16,946 bp in length and contains a putative origin of light strand replication (OL), control region, 22 tRNA, 2 rRNA, and 13 protein-coding genes. Its content and organization are similar to other Squamata. Phylogenetic analysis of P. blainvillii resolves it in a clade with P. sherbrookei Nieto-Montes de Oca, Arenas-Moreno, Beltrán-Sánchez & Leaché, sister in position to Uma notata Baird. Mitochondrial marker analysis of P. blainvillii from Marina shows that it belongs to a coastal Santa Lucia Mountain Range haplogroup that is distinct from other populations of P. blainvillii in California.

Impact of agricultural expansion on water footprint in the Amazon under climate change scenarios.

Agricultural expansion and intensification are main drivers of land-use change in Brazil. Soybean is the major crop under expansion in the area. Soybean production involves large amounts of water and fertiliser that act as sources of contamination with potentially negative impacts on adjacent water bodies. These impacts might be intensified by projected climate change in tropical areas. A Water Footprint Assessment (WFA) serves as a tool to assess environmental impacts of water and fertiliser use. The aim of this study was to understand potential impacts on environmental sustainability of agricultural intensification close to a protected forest area of the Amazon under climate change. We carried out a WFA to calculate the water footprint (WF) related to soybean production, Glycine max, to understand the sustainability of the WF in the Tapajós river basin, a region in the Brazilian Amazon with large expansion and intensification of soybean. Based on global datasets, environmental hotspots - potentially unsustainable WF areas - were identified and spatially plotted in both baseline scenario (2010) and projection into 2050 through the use of a land-use change scenario that includes climate change effects. Results show green and grey WF values in 2050 increased by 304% and 268%, respectively. More than one-third of the watersheds doubled their grey WF in 2050. Soybean production in 2010 lies within sustainability limits. However, current soybean expansion and intensification trends lead to large impacts in relation to water pollution and water use, affecting protected areas. Areas not impacted in terms of water pollution dropped by 20.6% in 2050 for the whole catchment, while unsustainability increased 8.1%. Management practices such as water consumption regulations to stimulate efficient water use, reduction of crop water use and evapotranspiration, and optimal fertiliser application control could be key factors in achieving sustainability within a river basin.

Factors influencing women's decision to seek antenatal care in the Andes of Peru.

This qualitative study aimed to assess factors influencing pregnant women's decision to seek or avoid antenatal care (ANC) in the Andes of Peru. Open-ended, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 women utilizing ANC (+) and 10 women avoiding ANC (-). Interviews were translated to English from Quechua and Spanish, transcribed, and analyzed using grounded theory. Factors influencing ANC- women included: expecting criticism for having additional children; long ANC wait time and inconvenient hours of operation; and masculine gender of health workers. For ANC+ women, motivating factors included: maximizing positive health outcomes; past negative maternity experiences; pressure from family members; and avoidance of rumored fines or fees associated with ANC non-attendance and in-hospital deliveries, respectively. Both ANC+ and ANC- women were fearful and embarrassed about possible criticism for having additional children and the gender of the health workers, yet they weighed these factors differently. To better understand how rural women make decisions about ANC attendance, it is important to consider the value they place on the factors influencing their decision, and their emotional assessment of such issues.

A survival motor neuron:tetanus toxin fragment C fusion protein for the targeted delivery of SMN protein to neurons.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a degenerative disorder of spinal motor neurons caused by homozygous mutations in the survival motor neuron (SMN1) gene. Because increased tissue levels of human SMN protein (hSMN) in transgenic mice reduce the motor neuron loss caused by murine SMN knockout, we engineered a recombinant SMN fusion protein to deliver exogenous hSMN to the cytosolic compartment of motor neurons. The fusion protein, SDT, is comprised of hSMN linked to the catalytic and transmembrane domains of diphtheria toxin (DTx) followed by fragment C of tetanus toxin (TTC). Following overexpression in Escherichia coli, SDT possessed a subunit molecular weight of approximately 130 kDa as revealed by both SDS-PAGE and immunoblot analyses with anti-SMN, anti-DTx, and anti-TTC antibodies. Like wild-type SMN, purified SDT showed specific binding in vitro to an RG peptide derived from Ewing's sarcoma protein. The fusion protein also bound to cultured primary neurons in amounts similar to those achieved by TTC. Unlike the case with TTC, however, immunolabeling of SDT-treated neurons with anti-TTC and anti-SMN antibodies showed staining restricted to the cell surface. Results from cytotoxicity studies in which the DTx catalytic domain of SDT was used as a reporter protein for internalization and membrane translocation activity suggest that the SMN moiety of the fusion protein is interfering with one or both of these processes. While these studies indicate that SDT may not be useful for SMA therapy, the use of the TTC:DTx fusion construct to deliver other passenger proteins to the neuronal cytosol should not be ruled out.

Survival motor neuron protein in the nucleolus of mammalian neurons.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited motor neuron disease caused by mutations in the survival motor neuron gene (SMN1). While it has been shown that the SMN protein is involved in spliceosome biogenesis and pre-mRNA splicing, there is increasing evidence indicating that SMN may also perform important functions in the nucleolus. We demonstrate here through the use of a previously characterized polyclonal anti-SMN antibody, abSMN, that the SMN protein shows a striking colocalization with the nucleolar protein, fibrillarin, in both nucleoli and Cajal bodies/gems of primary neurons. Immunoblot analysis with antifibrillarin and two different anti-SMN antibodies reveals that SMN and fibrillarin also cofractionate in the insoluble protein fraction of cultured cell lysates. Immunoprecipitation experiments using whole cell extracts of HeLa cells and cultured neurons revealed that abSMN coprecipitated small amounts of the U3 small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) previously shown to be associated with fibrillarin in vivo. These studies raise the possibility that SMN may serve a function in rRNA maturation/ribosome synthesis similar to its role in spliceosome biogenesis.

Estudio retrospectivo para el análisis de los efectos colaterales de la amiodarona / Retrospective study of the side effects of amiodarona

Se realizó el análisis retrospectivo de 130 pacientes, tratdos con amiodarona, vistos en la Clínica de Arritmias de este Instituto desde marzo de 1981 hasta mayo de 1988, con el fin de conocer la frecuencia de los efectos colaterales del fármaco. El grupo estuvo constituído por 67 hombres y 63 mujeres, con edades extremas de 20 meses y 82 años; el tiempo promedio semanal empleado fue de 1.05 g. Todos tuvieron un examen clínico completo, radiológico, ECG y de laboratorio. De ellos, 86 tuvieron además por lo menos un estudio electrofisiológico; a los 118, se les realizaron pruebas periódicas de la función tiroidea. Todos fueron revisados cada 3 a 6 meses. Resultados: la respuesta terapéutica fue buena o excelente en el 83% de los casos. No se observaron cambios electrocardiográficos estadísticamete significativos (duración del PR, QRS, QT). En los exámenes oftalmológicos se documentaron depósitos corneales en el 48% de los pacientes, en ning'n caso fue motivo para la suspensión del tratamiento y en diez se observó regresión espontánea de los depósitos. HUbo alteraciones tiroideas en el 33.8%: 14 tuvieron hipotiroidismo y siete hipertiroidismo, el resto bocio simple; en cuatro casos se descontinuó la medicación por alteraciones tiroideas. Se encontraron lesiones dermatológicas en el 4% de los casos; en ninguno se documentaron datos de toxicidad pulmonar. La respuesta terapéutica fue adecuada en la mayoría de los pacientes; aunque la frecuencia de efectos colaterales fue alta, la suspensión del tratamiento se realizó en un porcentaje reducido

Un modelo experimental de la taquicardia ventricular helicoidal (Torsades de pointes): comunicación preliminar / An experimental model of ventricular belicoidal tachycardia (torsades de ponintes): preliminary communication

Se llevaron a cabo experimentos en 20 perros. Con el tórax abierto se inyectó aconitina en el espesor del septum interventricular. Se registró D y derivaciones directas en epicardio de la aurícula derecha, en las superficies septales derecha e izquierda y en el haz de His. Terminado el estudio se extrajo el corazón para comprobar la colocación de los electrodos y el sitio de aplicación de la aconitina. Se obturo TVH en 15 perros, con un giro de 180- durante el episodio. El giro del AQRS se hizo con un latido de dirección intermedia que correspondió a una captura ventricular por un latido sinusal o por un "eco" ventricular. Después de ese latido se estableció una secuencia de activación AHV en varios latidos, el primero de ellos con AH alargado (p<0.01). El siguiente cambio de dirección del QRS se hizo cuando se perdió esa secuencia de activación y hulo disociación A-V como al principio del episodio. En conclusión, en el modelo experimental utilizado, la TVH se produjo por un doble mecanismo, un foco de automatismo aumentado y una macroreentrada que involucra las dos ramas del haz de His, el nodo A-V y la aurícula

La seudonormalización de la reppolarización durante el ejercicio fisico y los hallazgos hemodinámicos / Pseudnormalization of the repolarization during physical exercise and hemodynamic findings

El significado de la normalización de las alteraciones de la onda T durante el ejercicio ergométrico no ha quedado bien establecido y ha dado lugar a mucha controversia. Se estudiaron 20 pacientes que mostraron este patrón electrocardiográfico durante la prueba de esfuerzo y se les realizó estudio hemodinámico y coronariografía. Los pacientes fueron divididos en 2 grupos: Grupo I, formado por 3 pacientes con seudonormalización de la onda T, y Grupo II, formado por 17 pacientes con seudonormalización de la onda T que además tenían otras manifestaciones clínicas ó electrocardiográficas, de insuficiencia coronaria, tanto en reposo como durante el ejercicio. Los resultados permiten concluir que los pacientes con seudonormalización de la onda T durante la prueba de esfuerzo sin otras manifestaciones de insuficiencia coronaria, tuvieron coronarias normales, lo que indica que dicha modificación por si sola no es un dato de valor diagnóstico en la insuficiencia coronaria. Por otro lado cuando el fenómeno estudiado se asoció a una prueba de esfuerzo positiva, ó al antecedente de infarto del miocardio previo, el estudio hemodinámico mostró obstrucción coronaria importante y de localización múltiple, con un valor predictivo estadísticamente significativo (p <0.05)

La afección cardíaca en la espondilitis anquilosante / Cardiac involvement in ankylosing spondylitis

La espondilitis anquilosante es una enfermedad reumática que afecta principalmente el esqueleto axial y tiene predilección por los varones jóvenes. Entre sus manifestaciones extraarticulares la afección cardíaca, informada hasta en un 48%, ha llamado la atención en los últimos años. Parece existir una variación racial en las características de la espondilitis anquiolosante y en vista de que la mayoría de los estudios han sido realizados en países nórdicos, no parece ser adecuado extrapolar las conclusiones que de ellos derivan, a nuestro medio. Se estudiaron 23 pacientes con diagnóstico establecido de espondilitis anquilosante; a todos ellos se les hizo un estudio clínico, electrocardiográfico y radiológico. Se realizó estudio de Holter en ocho de ellos y un ecocardiograma modo M y bidimensional en siete. La edad promedio de los enfermos fué de 36 años, hubo 21 hombres y 2 mujeres. El tiempo de evolución de la enfermedad reumática fue de 11 años y medio en promedio. Del grupo total, se encontró alteración cardíaca en 4 enfermos, lo que corresponde a un 17.4%. En el examen clínico se detectó insuficiencia aórtica aislada en 2 casos. El electrocardiograma mostró bloqueo de rama derecha de haz de His en un paciente. En el estudio de Holter, sólo se encontró variación en el grado de bloqueo de rama derecha precisamente en el paciente con insuficiencia aórtica, siendo el resto de las grabaciones normales. El estudio ecocardiográfico confirmó la lesión aórtica en los dos pacientes antes mencionados y mostró la misma lesión en otro caso en el cual, los demás estudios fueron normales. Se insiste en la búsqueda de manifestaciones de espondilitis anquilosante en todo enfermo con insuficiencia aórtica aislada y/o trastornos de conducción de etiología desconocida, así como en la valoración cardiológica de todo enfermo con espondilitis