[Executive functions in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: exploring the prefrontal model]. / Funciones ejecutivas en pacientes con apnea obstructiva del sueño: explorando el modelo prefrontal.

INTRODUCTION: According to the prefrontal model, individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) manifest behaviours mimicking dysexecutive syndrome as a result of blood gas abnormalities and sleep fragmentation. OBJECTIVE: To compare executive functions in OSA patients with normative values and explore their relationship with blood gas abnormalities and sleep fragmentation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were recruited from the wider community and from a tertiary care hospital. The score obtained in the neuropsychological assessment was compared with Student's t-test for a sample. A multiple linear regression analysis was subsequently estimated, using polysomnographic parameters of hypercapnia, hypoxemia and sleep fragmentation as the predictor variables, and the executive function score as the variable to be predicted. RESULTS: Although the neuropsychological assessment performance of 26% of this sample was classified as executive impairment, indicators of sleep fragmentation and gas abnormalities failed to predict the performance of executive functions. CONCLUSION: A proportion of the patients with OSA presented performance similar to a dysexecutive syndrome; however, the factors underlying and fostering this type of cognitive manifestation remain unclear. Early treatment for this public health problem could be the best tool available for improving quality of life and preventing health risks.

TITLE: Funciones ejecutivas en pacientes con apnea obstructiva del sueño: explorando el modelo prefrontal.Introducción. El modelo prefrontal propone que los individuos con apnea obstructiva del sueño (AOS) manifiestan conductas similares a un síndrome disejecutivo como resultado de las alteraciones de gases en la sangre y la fragmentación del sueño. Objetivo. Comparar las funciones ejecutivas en pacientes con AOS con valores normativos y explorar su relación con las alteraciones de gases en la sangre y la fragmentación del sueño. Pacientes y métodos. Se reclutó a pacientes de la comunidad general y de un hospital de tercer nivel. La puntuación obtenida en la evaluación neuropsicológica se contrastó con la t de Student para una muestra. Posteriormente, se estimó un análisis de regresión lineal múltiple mediante parámetros polisomnográficos de hipercapnia, hipoxemia y fragmentación del sueño como variables predictoras, y la puntuación de funciones ejecutivas como variable que se debe predecir. Resultados. Pese a que el desempeño en la evaluación neuropsicológica del 26% de esta muestra se clasificó como alteración ejecutiva, los indicadores de fragmentación del sueño y alteraciones de gases no predijeron el desempeño ejecutivo. Conclusión. Una fracción de los pacientes con AOS mostró un desempeño similar a un síndrome disejecutivo; no obstante, permanecen indefinidos los factores que subyacen y favorecen este tipo de manifestaciones cognitivas. La atención temprana de este problema de salud pública podría ser la mejor herramienta disponible en aras de mejorar la calidad de vida y prevenir riesgos a la salud.

Estudio observacional retrospectivo de eventos adversos asociados al tratamiento de COVID-19 / Retrospective observational study of adverse events associated with the treatments used for COVID-19

Objetivos: Cuantificar y clasificar los eventos adversos (EA) asociados a los tratamientos empleados para la COVID-19. Describir los medicamentos empleados y su frecuencia de utilización. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, unicéntrico, que incluye pacientes adultos con infección confirmada por SARS-CoV-2 con fecha de ingreso hospitalario entre el 13/03/2020 y 13/04/2020 y con fecha de alta o exitus anterior a 31/05/2020. El período de estudio fue el ingreso y los 30 días posteriores al alta. Se registraron datos demográficos, clínicos, relativos al tratamiento y a los EA. Se categorizó la probabilidad de causalidad del fármaco mediante el algoritmo de Karch y Lasagna modificado. Resultados: Se incluyeron 183 pacientes de los cuales en el 51% se registró algún evento adverso. Se utilizaron hasta 9 fármacos diferentes. La combinación más utilizada fue hidroxicloroquina más azitromicina (57,5%). Se notificaron 142 EA durante el ingreso, siendo los más prevalentes los trastornos hematológicos (24,6%) y gastrointestinales (15,5%). Un 29,6% son producidos probable o posiblemente por fármacos usados para el tratamiento de la COVID-19. El medicamento que produjo más reacciones adversas fue el lopinavir-ritonavir (25% de pacientes). Se detectaron 7 interacciones farmacológicas que produjeron alargamiento del intervalo QT del electrocardiograma. En el período de estudio, la prevalencia de tromboembolismo es del 13,1%. Conclusiones: Casi un tercio de los eventos adversos registrados durante la primera fase de la pandemia, pudieron ser debidos a los tratamientos empleados. La profilaxis anticoagulante adecuada y evitar las interacciones, son las principales claves para evitar problemas relacionados con medicamentos en los pacientes con COVID-19. (AU)

Objectives: Quantify and classify adverse events (AE) associated with the treatments used for COVID-19. Describe the medication used and its frequency of use. Material and methods: A retrospective, single-center study, including adult patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospital admission date between March 13th, 2020 and April 13th, 2020 and with a discharge or death date prior to May 31st, 2020. The study period was from the admission date and until 30 days after discharge. Demographic data, clinical data, treatment and adverse events were recorded. The probability of drug causality was categorized using the modified Karch and Lasagna algorithm. Results: 183 patients were included of which 51% had some adverse event. Up to 9 different drugs were used. The most used combination was hydroxychloroquine plus azithromycin (57.5%). 142 AE were reported during admission, being haematological (24.6%) and gastrointestinal (15.5%) disorders the most prevalent. 29.6% are probably or possibly produced by drugs used for the treatment of COVID-19. The drug that caused the most adverse reactions was lopinavir-ritonavir (25% of patients). Seven drug interactions were detected that produced lengthening of the QT interval of the electrocardiogram. In the study period, the prevalence of thromboembolism is 13.1%. Conclusions: Almost a third of the adverse events registered during the first phase of the pandemic could be due to the treatment used. Adequate anticoagulant prophylaxis and avoiding interactions are the main keys to prevent drug-related problems in patients with COVID-19. (AU)

Amoebicidal activity of cationic carbosilane dendrons derived with 4-phenylbutyric acid against Acanthamoeba griffini and Acanthamoeba polyphaga trophozoites and cysts.

Amoebae from the genus Acanthamoeba are important pathogens responsible for severe illnesses in humans such as Acanthamoeba keratitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. In the last few decades, AK diagnoses have steadily increased. Most patients suffering from AK were contact lens users and the infection was related to poor hygiene. However, therapy is not yet well established, and treatments may last for several months due to resistance. Moreover, these treatments have been described to generate cytotoxicity. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new therapeutic strategies against AK. In this study, the amoebicidal activity of different generation cationic carbosilane dendrons derived with 4-phenylbutyric acid was demonstrated against Acanthamoeba polyphaga and Acanthamoeba griffini trophozoites and cysts. In addition, the combination of chlorhexidine digluconate and the most effective dendron (ArCO2G2(SNMe3I)4) showed an in vitro effect against Acanthamoeba trophozoites and cysts, reducing the minimal trophozoite amoebicidal concentration as well as concentrations with cysticidal activity.

Calidad del sueño y déficit de memoria en el envejecimiento sano / Sleep quality and memory function in healthy ageing

Objetivo: Se estudió la relación entre la calidad del sueño y la memoria en el envejecimiento sano. Método: Participaron 99 personas mayores de 50 años, 69 mujeres y 30 hombres, con una media de edad de 68,74 años (DT = 7,18) y sin patologías asociadas. Se aplicaron las pruebas aprendizaje de palabras y pares visuales asociados mediante versiones computarizadas así como el cuestionario índice de calidad de sueño de Pittsburgh para evaluar la calidad del sueño. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron que el índice de calidad de sueño de Pittsburgh estaba relacionado negativamente con el rendimiento en las pruebas de pares visuales asociados y de aprendizaje de palabras. A peor calidad del sueño peor rendimiento en estas 2 pruebas de memoria. Además, el rendimiento en la prueba de pares visuales asociados estuvo negativamente relacionado con la calidad subjetiva de sueño, la duración y las perturbaciones del sueño. El rendimiento en la prueba de aprendizaje de palabras estuvo relacionado negativamente con la calidad subjetiva del sueño y la eficiencia. Se encontró un efecto débil del género de los participantes sobre el rendimiento en pares asociados y la latencia de sueño. Conclusiones: Los profesionales a cargo de personas de la tercera edad deberían tomar en consideración el efecto negativo de la baja calidad del sueño sobre la memoria. El deterioro de la cognición en estos pacientes puede ser manifestación del desequilibrio neuroendocrino asociado a la rotura de los ritmos circadianos. Sería necesaria más investigación para probar esta hipótesis. (AU)

Objective: To study the relationship between sleep quality and memory in healthy ageing. Methods: The study included 99 people older than 50 years (69 women and 30 men; mean age, 68.74 ± 7.18 years) with no associated diseases. Patients completed digital versions of the Word Learning and Visual Paired Associates tests and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire to assess the quality of sleep. Results: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score was negatively correlated with Visual Paired Associates and Word Learning test performance. Performance in these 2 memory tests decreased in line with sleep quality. In addition, performance in Visual Paired Associates test was negatively correlated with subjective sleep quality, duration, and sleep disturbances. Performance on the Word Learning test was negatively correlated with subjective sleep quality and efficiency. Participants’ sex showed a weak effect on Visual Paired Associates performance and sleep latency. Conclusions: Medical professionals working with elderly patients should take into consideration the effect of poor sleep quality on memory. Cognitive impairment in these patients may be a manifestation of a neuroendocrine imbalance due to a disrupted circadian rhythm. More research is needed to prove this hypothesis. (AU)

Sleep quality and memory function in healthy ageing.

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between sleep quality and memory in healthy ageing. METHODS: The study included 99 people older than 50 years (69 women and 30 men; mean age, 68.74 ± 7.18 years) with no associated diseases. Patients completed digital versions of the Word Learning (WL) and Visual Paired Associates (VPA) tests and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire to assess the quality of sleep. RESULTS: PSQI score was negatively correlated with VPA and WL test performance. Performance in these 2 memory tests decreased in line with sleep quality. In addition, performance in VPA test was negatively correlated with subjective sleep quality, duration, and sleep disturbances. Performance on the WL test was negatively correlated with subjective sleep quality and efficiency. Participants' sex showed a weak effect on VPA performance and sleep latency. CONCLUSIONS: Medical professionals working with elderly patients should take into consideration the effect of poor sleep quality on memory. Cognitive impairment in these patients may be a manifestation of a neuroendocrine imbalance due to a disrupted circadian rhythm. More research is needed to prove this hypothesis.

Participation of interferon type I during canine parvovirus infection.

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is a single-stranded DNA virus that causes severe and fatal gastrointestinal diseases in dogs. CPV has developed several strategies to evade innate immune response mediated by type I interferons (IFN-I) to achieve a successful infection. The aim of this work was to evaluate the capability of CVP-2c to evade the IFN-I mediated response in infected cells. To establish the role of this response, the gene expression of interferon ß (IFNß), IFIT1, IFIT3, MAVS, and STING were estimated in MDCK cells infected with CPV-2c. Viral replication and gene expression was evaluated by quantitative PCR, also, a treatment with IFN-I (interferon omega) was included to confirm the role of IFN-I during CPV infection. The results revealed that CPV-2c infection stimulates the expression of IFNß moderately, in these cells. Due to low IFNß induction, the IFIT1 and IFIT3 expression were also low, and therefore CPV-2c was able to replicate in these cells. However, when the cells were treated with exogenous IFN-I, the IFNß expression was higher, leading to an increased gene expression of IFIT1 and IFIT3, responsible for antiviral control. The overexpression of these proteins reduced the expression of NS1 and VP2 viral genes and hence viral replication. MAVS and STING expression on infected cells showed a mild increase compared to IFNß, suggesting that the viral infection could partially modify its expression. All results obtained in this study showed that during CPV-2c infection in MDCK cells, the IFNß expression was altered since this cytokine is one of the most critical factors for the control and inhibition of viral replication.

Evaluation of intracellular survival of Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus in bovine endometrial cells by qPCR.

BACKGROUND: Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus is the causal agent of sporadic abortion and infertility in bovines that produces economic losses in livestock. AIMS: This study evaluates the capability of C. fetus subsp. fetus to invade and survive in bovine endometrial epithelial cells and attempts to describe a pathogenic mechanism of this microorganism. METHODS: Primary culture of bovine endometrial epithelial cells was challenged with C. fetus subsp. fetus. Intracellular bacteria, represented by the number of genomic copies (g.c.) were quantified at 0, 2, 4, 10, and 24 hours post-infection (h.p.i.), by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The presence of intracellular bacteria was evaluated by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The results showed that only viable C. fetus subsp. fetus could invade endometrial cells. The g.c. number in assays with viable C. fetus subsp. fetus reached an average value of 656 g.c., remained constant until 4 h.p.i., then decreased to 100 g.c, at 24 h.p.i. In assays with non-viable microorganisms, the average value of g.c. was less than 1 g.c. and never changed. The intracellular presence of this bacteria was confirmed at 2 h.p.i. by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that only C. fetus subsp. fetus viable can invade bovine endometrial epithelial cells but will not replicate in them, indicating that the endometrial cells do not represent a replication niche for this pathogen. Nonetheless, this invasion capability suggests that this type of cell could be employed by the pathogen to spread to other tissues.

Promising PEGylated cationic dendrimers for delivery of miRNAs as a possible therapy against HIV-1 infection.

BACKGROUND: The appearance of resistance against new treatments and the fact that HIV-1 can infect various cell types and develop reservoirs and sanctuaries makes it necessary to develop new therapeutic approaches to overcome those failures. RESULTS: Studies of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, complexes formation, stability, resistance, release and particle size distribution confirmed that G2-SN15-PEG, G3-SN31-PEG, G2-SN15-PEG-FITC and G3-SN31-PEG-FITC dendrimers can form complexes with miRNAs being biocompatible, stable and conferring protection to these nucleic acids. Confocal microscopy and flow cytometry showed effective delivery of these four dendrimers into the target cells, confirming their applicability as delivery systems. Dendriplexes formed with the dendrimers and miRNAs significantly inhibited HIV-1 infection in PBMCs. CONCLUSIONS: These dendrimers are efficient delivery systems for miRNAs and they specifically and significantly improved the anti-R5-HIV-1 activity of these RNA molecules.

Development of dextrin-amphotericin B formulations for the treatment of Leishmaniasis.

The most effective medicines available for the treatment of leishmaniasis, a life-threatening disease, exhibit serious toxicological issues. To achieve better therapeutic efficiency while decreasing toxicity associated with amphotericin B (AmB), water-soluble dextrin-AmB (Dex-AmB) formulations were developed. Self-assembled nanocomplexes were formed by dissolving Dex and AmB in alkaline borate buffer, followed by dialysis and either freeze-drying (FD) or nano spray-drying (SD), yielding water dispersible particles with a diameter of 214 nm and 347 nm, respectively. The very simple production process allowed the formation of amorphous inclusion complexes containing 14% of AmB in the form of monomers and water-soluble aggregates. Nanocomplexes were effective against parasites in axenic culture (IC50 of 0.056 and 0.096 µM for L. amazonensis and 0.030 and 0.044 µM for L. infantum, respectively for Dex-AmB FD and Dex-AmB SD) and in decreasing the intramacrophagic infection with L. infantum (IC50 of 0.017 and 0.023 µM, respectively for Dex-AmB FD and Dex-AmB SD). Also, the formulations were able to significantly reduce the cytotoxicity of AmB. Overall, this study demonstrates the suitability of dextrin as an AmB carrier and the facile and inexpensive development of a delivery system for the treatment of leishmaniasis.

Synthesis and in vitro activity of new biguanide-containing dendrimers on pathogenic isolates of Acanthamoeba polyphaga and Acanthamoeba griffini.

The genus Acanthamoeba can cause Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE). The treatment of these illnesses is hampered by the existence of a resistance stage that many times causes infection relapses. In an attempt to add new agents to our chemotherapeutic arsenal against acanthamebiasis, two Acanthamoeba isolates were treated in vitro with newly synthesized biguanide dendrimers. Trophozoite viability analysis and ultrastructural studies showed that dendrimers prevent encystment by lysing the cellular membrane of the amoeba. Moreover, one of the dendrimers showed low toxicity when tested on mammalian cell cultures, which suggest that it might be eventually used as an amoebicidal drug or as a disinfection compound in contact lens solutions.

Sleep quality and memory function in healthy ageing. / Calidad del sueño y déficit de memoria en el envejecimiento sano.

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between sleep quality and memory in healthy ageing. METHODS: The study included 99 people older than 50 years (69 women and 30 men; mean age, 68.74±7.18 years) with no associated diseases. Patients completed digital versions of the Word Learning and Visual Paired Associates tests and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire to assess the quality of sleep. RESULTS: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score was negatively correlated with Visual Paired Associates and Word Learning test performance. Performance in these 2 memory tests decreased in line with sleep quality. In addition, performance in Visual Paired Associates test was negatively correlated with subjective sleep quality, duration, and sleep disturbances. Performance on the Word Learning test was negatively correlated with subjective sleep quality and efficiency. Participants' sex showed a weak effect on Visual Paired Associates performance and sleep latency. CONCLUSIONS: Medical professionals working with elderly patients should take into consideration the effect of poor sleep quality on memory. Cognitive impairment in these patients may be a manifestation of a neuroendocrine imbalance due to a disrupted circadian rhythm. More research is needed to prove this hypothesis.

Microscale Generation of Entangled Photons without Momentum Conservation.

We report, for the first time, the observation of spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) free of phase matching (momentum conservation). We alleviate the need to conserve momentum by exploiting the position-momentum uncertainty relation and using a planar geometry source, a 6 µm thick layer of lithium niobate. Nonphase-matched SPDC opens up a new platform on which to investigate fundamental quantum effects but it also has practical applications. The ultrasmall thickness leads to a frequency spectrum an order of magnitude broader than that of phase-matched SPDC. The strong two-photon correlations are still preserved due to energy conservation. This results in ultrashort temporal correlation widths and huge frequency entanglement. The studies we make here can be considered as the initial steps into the emerging field of nonlinear quantum optics on the microscale and nanoscale.

Meningioma de la vaina del nervio óptico y tratamiento con radioterapia conformacional: reporte de un caso clínico tratado con largo seguimiento / Optic nerve sheath meningioma treated with radiation conformal therapy: clinical case report with long follow up

Introducción: Los meningiomas de la vaina del nervio óptico (MVNO) son tumores inusuales de la vía visual anterior. Sin tratamiento, el crecimiento del tumor lleva a pérdida visual progresiva hasta la ceguera debido a la compresión que ejerce sobre el nervio óptico. Presentación del caso: Paciente, sexo femenino, 42 años, sin antecedentes mórbidos, que en 1992, inicia cuadro de disminución de la agudeza visual del ojo izquierdo. La resonancia magnética (RM) cerebral informa una lesión expansiva fusiforme en relación a la vaina del nervio óptico izquierdo que lo engloba, altamente sugerente de MVNO. En esa ocasión se realiza exploración de órbita la cual resulta frustra, por lo que se decide observación con controles clínicos e imagenológicos anuales, permaneciendo estable. Aproximadamente diez años más tarde, en el lapso de un año, inicia agravación progresiva de la agudeza y campo visual, ptosis palpebral y alteraciones de la oculo-motilidad del ojo izquierdo, objetivadas por examen neuro-oftalmológico, por lo que se sospecha progresión de MVNO. Se solicita nueva RM que confirma crecimiento significativo del tumor. Se descarta nuevo abordaje quirúrgico por riesgo de mayor deterioro visual y se efectúa radioterapia conformacional con una dosis de 54 Gy. Actualmente, a la edad de 65 años, se cumplen 24 años de evolución, 13 post radioterapia, confirmándose estabilidad clínica y radiológica de MVNO. Discusión: La radioterapia, cuando se observa progresión de la enfermedad, ha demostrado ser una terapia eficaz para los MVNO, con menos complicaciones y con mejores resultados en la preservación de la función visual a largo plazo.

Introduction: Optic nerve sheath meningiomas (ONSM) are rare tumors of the anterior visual pathway. Without treatment, tumor growth leads to progressive loss of visual acuity and blindness due to optic nerve compression. Case report: Patient, female, 42 years without other morbility , begins in 1992 with decreased visual acuity of the left eye, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed enlargement of the left optic nerve sheath, suggestive of ONSM. On that occasion, orbit exploration failed, so it was decided to follow up with annual clinical and imaging controls. About ten years later, begins with progressive deterioration of visual acuity and visual field , with ptosis and ocular motor palsy of the left eye, confirmed with neuro-ophtalmological examinations. MRI shows tumor progression. A new surgical approach was discarded by the risk of visual worsening. A conformal radiotherapy was performed with a fractionated 54 Gy dose. Today, at age 65, after 24 years of follow up,13 post radiation therapy. clinical and radiological stability of ONSM is confirmed. Discussion: Conformal radiotherapy has been shown as an effective therapy, with fewer complications and better outcomes in the preservation of visual function in the long term follow up.

Actualización en la fisiopatología y manejo de traumatismo raquimedular: revisión bibliográfica / Actualization in pathophysiology and management of traumatic spinal cord injury: literature review

El Traumatismo Raquimedular (TRM) implica todas las lesiones traumáticas que dañan los huesos, ligamentos, músculos, cartílagos, estructuras vasculares, radiculares o meníngeas a cualquier nivel de la médula espinal. Las consecuencias personales, familiares, sociales y económicas de esta enfermedad, hacen que sea un tema relevante en la actualidad. El propósito de esta revisión es entregar al lector las herramientas elementales sobre el TRM, y está principalmente enfocada en el tratamiento, el cual se aborda estrechamente relacionado con la fisiopatología para comprender los mecanismos moleculares y biomecánicos de trauma, incluyendo sus complicaciones y el manejo de éstas. Respecto al tratamiento del TRM, se aborda la evidencia que ofrecen las terapias actualmente validadas y las aún controversiales, incluyendo los glucocorticoides, la reducción cerrada y la cirugía precoz. Además las terapias emergentes como la hipotermia terapéutica, los nuevos agentes neuroprotectores que se encuentran en fases preclínicas y clínicas de estudio como el riluzol, la minociclina, el litio, los antagonistas opioides, entre otros, y los agentes neurorregenerativos como el Cethrin y el Anti-Nogo que han mostrado buenos resultados en la recuperación neurológica. Las recomendaciones actuales respecto a la terapia con células madre y subtipos de células madre en la actualidad, es que deben llevarse a cabo sólo en el contexto de ensayos clínicos. Aunque aún no existen terapias que permitan la recuperación neurológica completa en todos o la mayoría de los pacientes, las terapias emergentes prevén un futuro promisorio en los resultados clínicos de los pacientes con TRM.

The traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) involves all traumatic injuries that harm the bones, ligaments, muscles, cartilage, vascular, radicular or meningeal structures, at any level of the spinal cord. The personal, family, social and economic consequences of this disease, make it an important issue today. The purpose of this review is to provide the reader, the basic tools of the TRM, and it is mainly aimed at the treatment, which it approaches closely related to the pathophysiology, to understand the molecular and biomechanical mechanisms of trauma, including its complications and his management. Regarding treatment of TSCI, the evidence offered by currently validated and controversial therapies is discussed, including glucocorticoids, closed reduction and early surgery. Also emerging therapies such as therapeutic hypothermia, new neuroprotective agents currently in preclinical and clinical phases as riluzole, minocycline, lithium, opioid antagonists, among others, and neuroregenerative agents like Cethrin and Anti- Nogo that have shown good results in neurological recovery. Current recommendations for therapy with stem cells and subtype stem cell, is that only should be carried out in the context of clinical trials. Although there are not still therapies that allow full neurological recovery in all or most patients, emerging therapies provide a promising future in the clinical outcomes of patients with TRM.

Mucocele apendicular asintomático: reporte de caso clínico / Asintomatic appendiceal mucocele: a clinical case report

El mucocele apendicular es un tipo de patología tumoral de baja incidencia. Su diagnóstico frecuentemente es incidental y su manejo es quirúrgico en base a la histología. CASO CLÍNICO: Paciente de sexo masculino, 83 años, diagnosticado de mucocele apendicular de presentación asintomática como hallazgo incidental en una Tomografía Computarizada (TC) de abdomen pelvis. Se realizó seguimiento radiológico cada 6 meses. Cuatro años más tarde, se vuelve sintomático con presencia de dolor en hemiabdomen inferior derecho, de intensidad moderada asociado a dificultad en la marcha y compromiso de estado general. Sele realizó una TC abdomen-pelvis que mostró una lesión quística retrocecal, de mayor tamaño con respecto al examen previo, que contacta con la corteza anterior del tercio inferior del riñón derecho. En el Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile (HCUCh) se le realiza una hemicolectomía derecha, que requiere de nefrectomíaparcial debido a adhesión de la masa al riñón derecho. Post-cirugía, el paciente evoluciona con diversas complicaciones; entre ellas una sepsis de foco abdominal por un absceso perirrenal, un urinoma con fistula enteral e infecciones recurrentes que prolongaron la estadía hospitalaria. DISCUSIÓN: El mucocele apendicular carece de estudios en base a los que se pueda predecir como evolucionará al ser diagnosticado siendo asintomático. Debido a complicaciones el paciente es sometido a hemicolectomía en lugar de apendicectomía estándar que era la indicada según histología. Por esto, es necesario considerar en estos pacientes, controles radiológicos a menor intervalo de tiempo e incluso tratamiento quirúrgico precoz, con objetivo de evitar complicaciones propias del mucocele...

Appendiceal mucocele is a low incidence tumor, being the cause of between 0.07 to 0.3 percent of all appendectomies. Its diagnosis is often incidental and surgical treatment is based on histology. CASE REPORT: Male patient, 83 years old, diagnosed of appendiceal mucocele presenting as asymptomat icincidental finding in abdominal - pelvic CT performed for other reason. Radiological follow-up was performed every 6 months. Four years later becomes symptomatic with presence of moderate intensity pain in lower right abdomen associated with difficulty in walking and overall commitment. Pelvis CT showed are trocecal cystic lesion, larger compared to the previous review, which contacts the anterior cortex of the lower third of the right kidney. In Clinical Hospital University of Chile (HCUCh) he underwent a right hemicolectomy, requiring partial nephrectomy due to the adhesion of the right kidney. Post- surgery, the patient evolved with various complications including abdominal sepsis for perirenal abscess, urinoma with enteral fistula and recurrent infections that prolonged hospital stay. DISCUSSION: As the mucocele low incidence pathology lacks studies based on that it can predict how it will envolve being asymptomatic. Due to complications, the patient is underwent to hemicolectomy instead of standard appendectomy indicated by histology. Therefore, it is necessary to consider in these patients, radiological controls shorter time interval and even early surgical treatment, in order to avoid complications of mucocele...

Florfenicol feed supplemented decrease the clinical effects of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae experimental infection in swine in México.

The therapeutic value of Florfenicol feed supplemented was evaluated in conventional pigs to eliminate consequences of chronic infection of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. The experimental animals were pigs with an average of 16 kg, after intratracheally inoculation with M. hyopneumoniae they were divided in two experimental groups: (a) the non-medicated; and (b) the feed supplemented group (20 g Florfenicol/ton of feed) during the ensuing 35 days. The average daily weight gain of the Florfenicol-treated pigs (0.33±0.14 kg/day) was significantly higher than that of the non-treated ones (0.21±0.10 kg/day). In medicated animals was still impaired relative to that of the uninfected ones control group (0.39±0.02 kg/day). The average percentage of pneumonic gross lesions extensions' of the pigs groups was: 13.99% for M. hyopneumoniae infected non-medicated group; 1.79% M. hyopneumoniae infected, Florfenicol-treated group and, 0.56% of the uninfected control group. M. hyopneumoniae; colonization was detected at these levels in 7 and 9 members of the respective infected groups. The extent of the pneumonic lesions and M. hyopneumoniae generally was greater in the non-medicated pigs. Therefore, oral administration of Florfenicol via feed ingestion seemed to be somewhat effective in ameliorating the clinical effects of M. hyopneumoniae infection of swine.

Efeitos da fumaça de cigarro sobre a osteogênese e a resistência mecânica óssea em ratos / Effects of cigarette smoke on osteogenesis and bone mechanical resistance in rats

This paper reports a study of the effects of exposure to cigarette smoke on osteogenesis and the mechanical strength of bone in rats. Twelve male rats were separated into two groups (n=6): CT (control) and CI (cigarette). All the animals had free access to rat chow and water throughout the experiment. Group CI was exposed to the smoke of 6 cigarettes/day for 12 weeks. After 6 weeks of exposure to cigarette smoke, a defect was produced on the parietal bone and dense hydroxyapatite (DHA) ceramic bodies were implanted into cavities made surgically in the tibia of the animals, in each group. After surgery, the CT and CI groups returned to normal experimental conditions and, at the end of 12 weeks, they were euthanized, and their tibiae and parietal bones removed for histological processing, while the femurs were subjected to biomechanical tests in a MTS TestStar II three-point flexion module. Consumption of solid and liquid diet was satisfactory in both groups, all animals gaining weight throughout the experiment. CI animals showed a smaller volume of newly formed bone in the parietal defect (8.l9±0.2) and around the DHA implant in the tibia (33±0.5) than the rats in the CT group (14.4±0.5 and 39±1 respectively). The maximum force needed to break the femur was smaller in CI (119±3.2) than in CT (140±6.5). The results of this study led to the conclusion that exposure to cigarette smoke interfered with osteogenesis in the bone defect and around the DHA implant and reduced the maximum force required to completely break the femur, revealing that bone fragility can be caused by tobacco smoke.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da exposição à fumaça de cigarro sobre a osteogênese e a resistência mecânica do osso em ratos. Foram utilizados doze ratos machos, divididos em dois grupos (n=6): grupo CT (controle) e grupo CI (cigarro). Durante 12 semanas, os animais do grupo CI foram expostos à fumaça de seis cigarros/dia. Após seis semanas de exposição à fumaça de cigarro, uma falha óssea de 5mm foi produzida no osso parietal e corpos cerâmicos de hidroxiapatita densa (HAD) foram implantados em cavidade produzida cirurgicamente na tíbia dos animais do grupo CI e CT. Após as cirurgias, os animais retornaram aos protocolos experimentais e, ao término de doze semanas de experimentação, foram eutanasiados, as tíbias e os ossos parietais foram coletados para processamento histológico e os fêmures encaminhados para ensaio biomecânico em um módulo MTS TestStar II®. A exposição à fumaça do cigarro não interferiu no ganho de peso dos animais e os consumos de dieta líquida e sólida foram satisfatórios entre os grupos. Os animais do grupo CI apresentaram menor volume de osso neoformado na falha óssea (8,9±0,2) produzida no osso parietal e ao redor do implante de HAD na tíbia (33±0,5). A força máxima necessária para romper o fêmur dos animais foi menor no grupo CI (119±3,2) do que no grupo CT (140±6,5). Com bases nos resultados obtidos no presente trabalho, pôde-se concluir que a exposição à fumaça do cigarro interferiu na osteogênese da falha óssea e ao redor do implante de HAD, diminuiu a força máxima necessária para a ruptura completa dos fêmures e demonstrando a fragilidade óssea causada pelo hábito tabagista.

Image analysis of modified cellulose fibers from sugarcane bagasse by zirconium oxychloride.

Surface modification of natural fibers has been made using different methods. In this paper, cellulose fibers from sugarcane bagasse were bleached and modified by zirconium oxychloride in situ. The chemically modified cellulose fibers were compared to those of bleached ones. Cellulose fibers were modified with ZrO(2).nH(2)O nanoparticles through the use of zirconium oxychloride in acidic medium in the presence of cellulose fibers using urea as the precipitating agent. The spatial distribution characterization of hydrous zirconium oxide on cellulose fibers was carried out by combining both processing and image analyses obtained by SEM and statistical methodologies. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TG) were also used to characterize the nanocomposite. Results indicated that ZrO(2).nH(2)O nanoparticles of about 30-80nm diameter deposited on cellulose fibers were heterogeneously dispersed.