Analysis of biomolecules in cochineal dyed archaeological textiles by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

SERS spectroscopy is successfully employed in this work to reveal different components integrating the cochineal colorant employed for dying archaeological textile samples from the Arica Region in North Chile. This analysis was done by in-situ experiments that does not imply the material (colorant and biomolecules) extraction. The spectroscopic analysis of the archaeological textiles by SERS reveals the presence of bands attributed to carminic acid and nucleobases, mainly adenine and guanine. The identification of these biomolecules was also verified in raw cochineal extract and in cochineal dyed replica wool fibers fabricated by us following ancient receipts. The effect of Al on the complexation of carminic acid and other biomolecules was also tested in order to understand the changes induced by the metal interaction on the colorant structure. This study revealed that Al can also complex biomolecules existing in the cochineal extract. In particular, guanine residue seems to interact strongly with the metal, since SERS bands of this residue are enhanced. Furthermore, a theoretical analysis on the interaction of carminic acid and a silver surface was also performed in order to better understand the interaction mechanism between carminic acid and a metal surface that leads to the final SERS spectrum. The results of the present work will be very useful in the identification of different molecules and metal complexes that may be forming part of the cochineal colorant found in archaeological materials.

[Reconstruction of medial collateral ligament: Description of a new augmentation technique with allograft and interference biocomposite screws]. / Reconstrucción de ligamento colateral medial: descripción de una nueva técnica de aumentación con aloinjerto y tornillos biocompuestos interferenciales.

INTRODUCTION: Medial Collateral Ligament (LCM) instability is associated with multi-ligamentary lesions. There are several procedures for the reconstruction of MCL, we present a percutaneous technique of augmentation. Our goal is to describe a new technique of reconstruction of the LCM by grafting and fixing with biocomposite screws. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present the technique in a total of 21 consecutive patients with MCL injury operated in the period of December 2011 to October 2014. Reconstruction of MCL was performed with long, tibial or long hallux tendon allografts in 18 patients and only one patient was used autograft. Eighteen of the 20 patients had associated lesions: 5 with medial meniscus injury, 8 with anterior cruciate ligament injury, (ACL), 8 with condral injury and 1 with lateral meniscus injury. CONCLUSION: The surgical technique presented is simple to perform, without damage to other structures and with a strong fixation.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La inestabilidad del ligamento colateral medial (LCM) se asocia con lesiones multiligamentarias. Existen varios procedimientos para la reconstrucción del LCM, presentamos una técnica percutánea de aumentación. Nuestro objetivo es describir una nueva técnica de reconstrucción del LCM mediante injerto y fijación con tornillos biocompuestos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Presentamos la técnica en un total de 21 pacientes consecutivos con lesión del LCM operados en el período de Diciembre de 2011 a Octubre de 2014. La reconstrucción del LCM se realizó con aloinjertos del tendón del peroneo largo, tibial posterior o flexor largo del Hallux en 18 pacientes y solamente en un paciente se utilizó autoinjerto. De los 20 pacientes, 18 presentaron lesiones asociadas: cinco con lesión de menisco medial, ocho con lesión del ligamento cruzado anterior, (LCA), ocho con lesión condral y uno con lesión del menisco lateral. CONCLUSIÓN: La técnica quirúrgica presentada es sencilla de realizar, sin daño a otras estructuras y con una fijación resistente.

Reconstrucción de ligamento colateral medial: descripción de una nueva técnica de aumentación con aloinjerto y tornillos biocompuestos interferenciales / Reconstruction of medial collateral ligament: Description of a new augmentation technique with allograft and interference biocomposite screws

Resumen: Introducción: La inestabilidad del ligamento colateral medial (LCM) se asocia con lesiones multiligamentarias. Existen varios procedimientos para la reconstrucción del LCM, presentamos una técnica percutánea de aumentación. Nuestro objetivo es describir una nueva técnica de reconstrucción del LCM mediante injerto y fijación con tornillos biocompuestos. Material y métodos: Presentamos la técnica en un total de 21 pacientes consecutivos con lesión del LCM operados en el período de Diciembre de 2011 a Octubre de 2014. La reconstrucción del LCM se realizó con aloinjertos del tendón del peroneo largo, tibial posterior o flexor largo del Hallux en 18 pacientes y solamente en un paciente se utilizó autoinjerto. De los 20 pacientes, 18 presentaron lesiones asociadas: cinco con lesión de menisco medial, ocho con lesión del ligamento cruzado anterior, (LCA), ocho con lesión condral y uno con lesión del menisco lateral. Conclusión: La técnica quirúrgica presentada es sencilla de realizar, sin daño a otras estructuras y con una fijación resistente.

Abstract: Introduction: Medial Collateral Ligament (LCM) instability is associated with multi-ligamentary lesions. There are several procedures for the reconstruction of MCL, we present a percutaneous technique of augmentation. Our goal is to describe a new technique of reconstruction of the LCM by grafting and fixing with biocomposite screws. Material and methods: We present the technique in a total of 21 consecutive patients with MCL injury operated in the period of December 2011 to October 2014. Reconstruction of MCL was performed with long, tibial or long hallux tendon allografts in 18 patients and only one patient was used autograft. Eighteen of the 20 patients had associated lesions: 5 with medial meniscus injury, 8 with anterior cruciate ligament injury, (ACL), 8 with condral injury and 1 with lateral meniscus injury. Conclusion: The surgical technique presented is simple to perform, without damage to other structures and with a strong fixation.

High activation and skewed T cell differentiation are associated with low IL-17A levels in a hu-PBL-NSG-SGM3 mouse model of HIV infection.

The humanized NOD/SCID/IL-2 receptor γ-chainnull (NSG) mouse model has been widely used for the study of HIV pathogenesis. Here, NSG mice with transgenic expression of human stem cell factor (SCF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin (IL)-3 (NSG-SGM3) were injected with peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL mice) from two HIV-infected (HIV+ ) patients who were under anti-retroviral therapy (ART; referred as HIV+ mice) or one HIV-seronegative healthy volunteer (HIV- ). Such mice are either hu-PBL-NSG-SGM3 HIV+ or HIV- mice, depending on the source of PBL. The kinetics of HIV replication and T cell responses following engraftment were evaluated in peripheral blood and secondary lymphoid tissues. High HIV replication and low CD4 : CD8 ratios were observed in HIV+ mice in the absence of anti-retroviral therapy (ART). Consistent with high activation and skewed differentiation of T cells from the HIV-infected donor, HIV+ mice exhibited a higher T cell co-expression of human leukocyte antigen D-related (HLA-DR) and CD38 than HIV- mice, as well as a shifted differentiation to a CCR7- CD45RA+ terminal effector profile, even in the presence of ART. In addition, HIV replication and the activation/differentiation disturbances of T cells were associated with decreased plasma levels of IL-17A. Thus, this hu-PBL-NSG-SGM3 mouse model recapitulates some immune disturbances occurring in HIV-infected patients, underlying its potential use for studying pathogenic events during this infection.

A comparative study in patients with fractures of the lower limbs between rivaroxaban versus enoxaparin and its impact on bone healing time.

BACKGROUND: Each year it is estimated in the United States an approximate of 8 million fractures; 5 to 10% develop delayed union or absence of periosteal new bone. There are several factors that can cause delay in fracture healing, among the well known, is the use of prophylactic antithrombotic therapy for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT appears in 40 to 60% of the patients undergoing orthopedic surgery without prophylactic antithrombotic therapy. The goal of this study was to assess whether there is a difference in time of bone healing in lower limb fractures (femur and tibia) comparing rivaroxaban to enoxaparin as the prophylactic antithrombotic management. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present a retrospective observational and analytic study in a sample of cases. It is a cross-sectional study with patient data from the database of the American British Cowdray (ABC) Medical Center. We included patients with femur and tibia fractures under antithrombotic prophylactic management with rivaroxaban or enoxaparin during the period of January 2011 to December 2012. Our sample included 32 patients separated into two groups. Students t-test was used for comparing parametric variables and the Mann-Whitney U test for nonparametric variables. Linear regression model was preformed considering the variables related to the time it took the fracture to heal. RESULTS: All fractures consolidated in a time of 13 and 14 weeks for rivaroxaban and enoxaparin respectively (p = 0.67). DISCUSSION: We found no difference in bone healing time for lower limb fractures in patients receiving antithrombotic prophylaxis treatment comparing rivaroxaban with enoxaparin.

ANTECEDENTES: En Estados Unidos se presentan aproximadamente ocho millones de fracturas anuales y de ellas entre cinco y 10% desarrollan retraso o ausencia en la consolidación ósea. Existen diferentes factores bien conocidos que promueven este retraso, entre los cuales se encuentra el uso de los antitrombóticos como terapia profiláctica de la trombosis venosa profunda, la cual aparece de 40 a 60% en pacientes que no los utilizan y son sometidos a cirugías ortopédicas. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar si existe diferencia en el tiempo de consolidación de las fracturas de los huesos de las extremidades pélvicas (fémur y tibia) en pacientes sometidos a terapia profiláctica antitrombótica comparando rivaroxabán con enoxaparina. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Presentamos un estudio descriptivo y analítico con muestreo a conveniencia de casos retrospectivos. Es un estudio transversal con datos recolectivos. Se revisó la base de datos del Centro Médico ABC y se incluyeron pacientes con diagnóstico de fracturas de fémur y tibia sometidos a manejo profiláctico antitrombótico con rivaroxabán o enoxaparina durante el periodo de Enero 2011 a Diciembre de 2012. La muestra total se constituyó de 32 pacientes divididos en dos grupos. Se utilizó la prueba T de Student para comparar variables paramétricas y la prueba U de Mann-Whitney para las no-paramétricas. Se realizó un modelo de regresión lineal considerando las variables relacionadas con el tiempo de consolidación ósea. RESULTADOS: Todas las fracturas consolidaron, presentando un tiempo de 13 semanas con rivaroxabán y de 14 semanas (p = 0.67) con enoxaparina. DISCUSIÓN: No encontramos diferencia en el tiempo de consolidación de las fracturas de los huesos de las extremidades pélvicas (fémur y tibia) en pacientes que reciben antitrombóticos como profilaxis comparando rivaroxabán con enoxaparina.

A comparative study in patients with fractures of the lower limbs between rivaroxaban versus enoxaparin and its impact on bone healing time / Estudio comparativo en pacientes con fracturas de extremidades inferiores entre rivaroxaban versus enoxaparina como terapia profiláctica antitrombótica y su impacto en el tiempo de consolidación

Abstract: Background: Each year it is estimated in the United States an approximate of 8 million fractures; 5 to 10% develop delayed union or absence of periosteal new bone. There are several factors that can cause delay in fracture healing, among the well known, is the use of prophylactic antithrombotic therapy for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT appears in 40 to 60% of the patients undergoing orthopedic surgery without prophylactic antithrombotic therapy. The goal of this study was to assess whether there is a difference in time of bone healing in lower limb fractures (femur and tibia) comparing rivaroxaban to enoxaparin as the prophylactic antithrombotic management. Material and methods: We present a retrospective observational and analytic study in a sample of cases. It is a cross-sectional study with patient data from the database of the American British Cowdray (ABC) Medical Center. We included patients with femur and tibia fractures under antithrombotic prophylactic management with rivaroxaban or enoxaparin during the period of January 2011 to December 2012. Our sample included 32 patients separated into two groups. Student's t-test was used for comparing parametric variables and the Mann-Whitney U test for nonparametric variables. Linear regression model was preformed considering the variables related to the time it took the fracture to heal. Results: All fractures consolidated in a time of 13 and 14 weeks for rivaroxaban and enoxaparin respectively (p = 0.67). Discussion: We found no difference in bone healing time for lower limb fractures in patients receiving antithrombotic prophylaxis treatment comparing rivaroxaban with enoxaparin.

Resumen: Antecedentes: En Estados Unidos se presentan aproximadamente ocho millones de fracturas anuales y de ellas entre cinco y 10% desarrollan retraso o ausencia en la consolidación ósea. Existen diferentes factores bien conocidos que promueven este retraso, entre los cuales se encuentra el uso de los antitrombóticos como terapia profiláctica de la trombosis venosa profunda, la cual aparece de 40 a 60% en pacientes que no los utilizan y son sometidos a cirugías ortopédicas. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar si existe diferencia en el tiempo de consolidación de las fracturas de los huesos de las extremidades pélvicas (fémur y tibia) en pacientes sometidos a terapia profiláctica antitrombótica comparando rivaroxabán con enoxaparina. Material y métodos: Presentamos un estudio descriptivo y analítico con muestreo a conveniencia de casos retrospectivos. Es un estudio transversal con datos recolectivos. Se revisó la base de datos del Centro Médico ABC y se incluyeron pacientes con diagnóstico de fracturas de fémur y tibia sometidos a manejo profiláctico antitrombótico con rivaroxabán o enoxaparina durante el periodo de Enero 2011 a Diciembre de 2012. La muestra total se constituyó de 32 pacientes divididos en dos grupos. Se utilizó la prueba T de Student para comparar variables paramétricas y la prueba U de Mann-Whitney para las no-paramétricas. Se realizó un modelo de regresión lineal considerando las variables relacionadas con el tiempo de consolidación ósea. Resultados: Todas las fracturas consolidaron, presentando un tiempo de 13 semanas con rivaroxabán y de 14 semanas (p = 0.67) con enoxaparina. Discusión: No encontramos diferencia en el tiempo de consolidación de las fracturas de los huesos de las extremidades pélvicas (fémur y tibia) en pacientes que reciben antitrombóticos como profilaxis comparando rivaroxabán con enoxaparina.

Fractura de Toddler. Reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Toddler's fracture, case report and review of literature

Resumen: Introducción: La sospecha del diagnóstico de una fractura de Toddler a menudo es complicada debido a una historia poco clara, a la falta de hallazgos específicos en la clínica y a la ausencia de cambios evidentes en las radiografías iniciales. Presentamos el caso de una infante de tres años y siete meses de edad con el antecedente de caída desde su propia altura con mecanismo de rotación del miembro pélvico izquierdo. La finalidad de este escrito es describir la etiología, patología, diagnóstico y el manejo terapéutico en este tipo de fracturas. Discusión: La historia clínica, la exploración física y el uso de estudios de imagenología ayudan a identificar las fracturas de Toddler, patología que debe ser conocida por médicos especialistas para su manejo ideal.

Abstract: Introduction: The suspected diagnosis of a Toddler's fracture can often be complicated by an unclear history, the lack of specific clinical findings and the absence of obvious changes in the initial radiographs. We present the case of an infant of 3 years and 7 months old with a history of falling from her own height with a rotation mechanism of the left pelvic limb. The purpose of this paper is to describe the etiopathology, diagnosis and therapeutic management of these fractures. Discussion: The clinical history, physical examination and the use of imaging studies help identify Toddler's fractures, pathology that must be known to medical specialists for an ideal treatment.

Surface freezing of water.

Freezing, melting, evaporation and condensation of water are essential ingredients for climate and eventually life on Earth. In the present work, we show how surface freezing of supercooled water in an open container is conditioned and triggered-exclusively-by humidity in air. Additionally, a change of phase is demonstrated to be triggered on the water surface forming surface ice crystals prior to freezing of bulk. The symmetry of the surface crystal, as well as the freezing point, depend on humidity, presenting at least three different types of surface crystals. Humidity triggers surface freezing as soon as it overpasses a defined value for a given temperature, generating a plurality of nucleation nodes. An evidence of simultaneous nucleation of surface ice crystals is also provided.

[Toddler's fracture, case report and review of literature]. / Fractura de Toddler. Reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

INTRODUCTION: The suspected diagnosis of a Toddler's fracture can often be complicated by an unclear history, the lack of specific clinical findings and the absence of obvious changes in the initial radiographs. We present the case of an infant of 3 years and 7 months old with a history of falling from her own height with a rotation mechanism of the left pelvic limb. The purpose of this paper is to describe the etiopathology, diagnosis and therapeutic management of these fractures. DISCUSSION: The clinical history, physical examination and the use of imaging studies help identify Toddler's fractures, pathology that must be known to medical specialists for an ideal treatment.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La sospecha del diagnóstico de una fractura de Toddler a menudo es complicada debido a una historia poco clara, a la falta de hallazgos específicos en la clínica y a la ausencia de cambios evidentes en las radiografías iniciales. Presentamos el caso de una infante de tres años y siete meses de edad con el antecedente de caída desde su propia altura con mecanismo de rotación del miembro pélvico izquierdo. La finalidad de este escrito es describir la etiología, patología, diagnóstico y el manejo terapéutico en este tipo de fracturas. DISCUSIÓN: La historia clínica, la exploración física y el uso de estudios de imagenología ayudan a identificar las fracturas de Toddler, patología que debe ser conocida por médicos especialistas para su manejo ideal.

[Lymphangioma of the spermatic cord]. / Linfangioma de cordón espermático.

We report a new case of spermatic cord lymphangioma in a infant 2 years old. The initial diagnosis was funicular hydrocele. The treatment was the local excision of tumor and the diagnostic was histological. Postoperative course was excellent. Must be explored the transillumination of the mass which would have led us to think other the diagnosis different from that of the cord hydrocele before the operation since it would have given negative. During the operation, must the assured that the cystic anomaly is limited to spermatic cord, to evite recurrences in the postoperative course.

Apoptosis en el testículo contralateral tras lesión testicular unilateral. Estudio experimental * / Apoptosis in the contralateral testis after unilateral testicular torsion. Experimental, study

Introducción. Los resultados de estudios clínicos y experimentales demuestran que determinadas patologías testiculares unilaterales pueden causar infertilidad debido a la disrupción de la espermatogenésis. El mecanismo celular exacto responsable para estos cambios degenerativos no está claro. Objetivo. Estudiar la viabilidad celular en el testículo contralateral tras provocar, experimentalmente, diversas agresiones testiculares unilaterales, comparándolo con un testículo normal. Material y método. El estudio se realiza en seis grupos de 10 ratas macho Wistar en edad prepuberal, que fueron sometidas a agresión testicular unilateral y posterior orquiectomía del testículo contralateral a la lesión. Se valora la muerte celular por mecanismo de 'apoptosis', utilizando un método para la detección de la fragmentación del ADN en citometría de flujo. Resultados. Observamos un aumento de muerte celular por 'apoptosis' en el testículo contralateral tras agresión testicular unilateral (AU)

[Testicular teratoma and epididymal adrenal choristoma]. / Teratoma testicular y coristoma adrenal epididimario.

We report a case of mature testicular cystic teratoma in a 28-month old boy. Due to the characteristics of the palpation and its partial transillumination, it may be confused with a hydrocele. They emphasize on the rarity and benign nature of the peculiarities and refer to its prognosis, usually benign, when is diagnosed at about 2 years of age, providing that a very careful examination of the histological sections rules out the presence of anaplastic cells. A left inguinal orchiectomy was performed because it was not possible to establish a line of cleavage between the tumor and the normal tissue. The pathologic examination revealed a benign lesion. An adrenal choristoma in the caput epididymis was also observed. Postoperative course was satisfactory.

[Apoptosis of the contralateral testis after unilateral testicular injury. Experimental study]. / Apoptosis en el testículo contralateral tras lesión testicular unilateral. Estudio experimental.

INTRODUCTION: The results of both clinical and experimental studies suggest that some testicular unilateral lesions cause infertility due to disruption of spermatogenesis. The cellular mechanism responsible for the degenerative changes is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: Study of the cellular viability in the contralateral testis after unilateral testis injuries. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Six groups of 10 prepuberal Wistar rats subjected to unilateral testicular lesion. To identify the cellular death by "apoptosis" in situ, analysis of DNA fragmentation was performed in cytometric flow. RESULTS: The present study demonstrated an increase of the apoptosis in the contralateral testis after unilateral testicular lesion.

[Duplication of the colon: a case report]. / Duplicación de colon: presentación de un caso.

We report a new case of intestinal duplication in a child of two years old with acute abdomen. At the laparotomy was found to be due to tubular duplication ascending colon. A resection duplication joined a tract of normal colon where are was performed, with termino-terminal anastomosis. The postoperative course was excellent.

[Solitary intestinal fibromatosis: an unusual cause of neonatal intestinal obstruction]. / Fibromatosis intestinal solitaria: una causa rara de obstrucción intestinal neonatal.

We report a new case of solitary intestinal fibromatosis (SIF) in a neonate with intestinal obstruction in the first day of life. At the laparotomy was found to be due to a solid mass in the jejunum. A segmental jejunal resection with anastomosis was performed. Histologic examination showed a SIF. The postoperative course was excellent in contrast to cases of congenital fibromatosis with multiples lesions, which carries a poor prognosis.

[Study of composite resin adhesion]. / Estudio de adhesión de una resina compuesta.

The adhesive resistance of the bonding between a same light-cured composite, was determined "in vitro" by a tensile stress test. The bondings were performed among two parts of same composite with and without resin-bonding agent. The variable used was the application or not of the resin bonding agent for enamel and dentin, over the adhering surface of the matrix, obtaining resistance values of 28-30%, compared with the cohesive resistance of the material used, when the resin bonding was utilized. On the other hand, using a composite without the resin bonding agent, the tensile stress resistance values decreased below 10% of the total cohesive resistance informed by the manufacturer.

[Surgical correction of subcoronal hypospadias]. / Corrección quirúrgica de los hipospadias subcoronales.

In 80% of hypospadias admitted in our out-patients clinic, the meatus was located at the ventral surface of glands, the balano-penile groove or the third of the shaft. In these cases we are performing an operative procedure (Duchekt, 1981) that may be accomplished with minimal complication, a short hospital stay and improve cosmetic appearance. This plastic surgical procedure incorporates a Meatal Advancement and Glandulo-Plasty (MAGPI). We have done 95 of these procedures with an hospital stay average of two days. We have not had any complications. Because of the low complication rate, the short hospitalization required and the benign postoperative course of these children, they believe it is perfectly justifiable to offer this procedure in the correction of subcoronal hypospadias.