c-Kit identifies a subpopulation of mesenchymal stem cells in adipose tissue with higher telomerase expression and differentiation potential.

The stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of adipose tissue is an easy to obtain source of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs). We and others have achieved significant but suboptimal therapeutic effects with ADSCs in various settings, mainly due to low rates of differentiation into specific cell types and with the downside of undesired side effects as a consequence of the undifferentiated ADSCs. These data prompted us to find new stem cell-specific markers for ADSCs and/or subpopulations with higher differentiation potential to specific lineages. We found a subpopulation of human ADSCs, marked by c-Kit positiveness, resides in a perivascular location, and shows higher proliferative activity and self-renewal capacity, higher telomerase activity and expression, higher in vitro adipogenic efficiency, a higher capacity for the maintenance of cardiac progenitors, and higher pancreatogenic and hepatogenic efficiency independently of CD105 expression. Our data suggests that the isolation of ADSC subpopulations with anti-c-Kit antibodies allows for the selection of a more homogeneous subpopulation with increased cardioprotective properties and increased adipogenic and endodermal differentiation potential, providing a useful tool for specific therapies in regenerative medicine applications.

Evolución de mujeres con osteoporosis tratadas durante más de tres años / Evolution of women with osteoporosis treated for more than three years

Presentamos la evolución de 41 pacientes con osteoporosis posmenopáusica que han seguido tratamiento durante más de tres años (86 meses de media). Treinta y cinco pacientes (85%) presentaron incrementos de la densidad mineral ósea (DMO) en columna, con una ganancia media del 21%, siendo los cambios estadísticamente significativos (p < 0,005); el 63% mostró incrementos en cadera, pero no fueron significativos. Trece pacientes presentaron alguna fractura por fragilidad y 6 de ellas sufrieron más de un evento. Por orden de frecuencia fueron 8 fracturas vertebrales (19,5%), 5 de la extremidad distal de radio (12%), 3 de húmero (7,5%) y 2 de cadera (5%). El tratamiento más utilizado fue alendronato (71%), seguido de raloxifeno (58%) y risedronato (54%). Utilizando el test de Morisky, el 48% de las pacientes era buena cumplidora. Hemos encontrado correlación entre los aumentos de la DMO y la aparición de fractura, pero no con otros factores de riesgo analizados(AU)

We are going to show the progress of 41 postmenopausal patients who have followed treatment for more than three years (86 months). Assessing several factors such as: development of the bone mineral density (BMD), adherence to therapeutic treatment, incidence of fractures and risk factors. Thirty five patients (85%) showed increases of the BMD in the spine with an average increase of 21%, and presented statistic changes (p < 0.005); 63% presented statistic changes in the hip but with not significant increases. Thirteen patients showed some fracture through fragility and 6 of them suffered more than one episode. By order of frequency: vertebral (spinal) fractures 8 (19.5%), radius 5 (12%), epiphysis of humerus 3 (7, 5%) and hip 2 (5%). The most used treatment was alendronate (71%), followed by raloxifene (58%) and risedronate (54%). Using the Morisky test, the 48% of the patients were reliable. We have found correlation between increases of the BMD and risk of fracture, not being found related to other risk factors(AU)

Three-dimensional sonographic calculation of the volume of intracranial structures in growth-restricted and appropriate-for-gestational age fetuses.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility and reproducibility of volume segmentation of fetal intracranial structures using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound imaging, and to estimate differences in the volume of intracranial structures between intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) and appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) fetuses. METHODS: Total intracranial, frontal, thalamic and cerebellar volumes were measured using 3D ultrasound imaging and Virtual Organ Computer-aided AnaLysis (VOCAL) in 39 IUGR and 39 AGA fetuses matched for gestational age, at 28-34 weeks of gestation. Volumes of, and ratios between, structures were estimated, and differences between IUGR and AGA fetuses were calculated. Volume measurements were performed by two observers, and interobserver and intraobserver intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated for each structure. RESULTS: Volumes were satisfactorily obtained in all fetuses. All net volumes except those for the thalamus (P = 0.23) were significantly smaller (P = 0.001) in IUGR fetuses. After adjusting volumes for biparietal diameter the frontal volume was significantly smaller (P = 0.02) and the thalamic volume significantly greater (P = 0.03) in IUGR fetuses than in AGA fetuses. Significant intergroup differences in the ratios between structures were found only in those involving the frontal region. Interobserver ICCs were as follows: total intracranial 0.97 (95% CI, 0.92-0.98), cerebellar 0.69 (95% CI, 0.44-0.75), frontal 0.66 (95% CI, 0.42-0.79) and thalamic 0.54 (95% CI, 0.37-0.72). CONCLUSIONS: IUGR fetuses show differences in the volume of intracranial structures compared with AGA fetuses, with the largest difference found in the frontal region. These differences might be explained by in-utero processes of neural reorganization induced by chronic hypoxia.

Satisfaction with and psychological impact of immediate and deferred breast reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The present work assesses the effect of immediate breast reconstruction (IBR), deferred breast reconstruction (DBR), and no breast reconstruction on the psychological impact. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Standard questionnaires were used to determine the psychological impact suffered by patients who underwent IBR, DBR and no reconstruction, their degree of satisfaction with the results achieved, and their postprocedure opinions regarding reconstruction options. RESULTS: A total of 526 women underwent mastectomy. The response rate to the questionnaires was 71.67%. A significantly greater proportion of the women who underwent no reconstruction suffered psychological problems than those who underwent reconstruction of some type (P = 0.01). Some 94.77% of the women who underwent IBR maintained a postprocedure preference for this option; in contrast, some 87.27% of the DBR and 56.14% of the no-reconstruction patients declared a postprocedure preference for IBR. In all, 63.49% of the women who underwent reconstruction were moderately very satisfied with the aesthetic results achieved, while only 22.80% of the no-reconstruction patients declared such satisfaction (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The women who underwent no breast reconstruction suffered more emotional problems than those who underwent a reconstruction procedure. In general, all groups reported a postprocedure preference for IBR in their questionnaire answers. The aesthetic results achieved by IBR seem to be those best accepted.

Reconstrucción del complejo areola-pezón: revisión de 60 casos / Nipple-areola complex reconstruction: revision of 60 cases

La creación del complejo areola-pezón, CAP, constituye el último tiempo de la reconstrucción mamaria, transformando la reconstrucción del montículo mamario en una mama. Debemos considerar pues la reconstrucción de la areola y el pezón, como la culminación de la reconstrucción de la mama. Existen numerosas técnicas descritas para la reconstrucción del CAP. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar el grado de satisfacción psicológica de las pacientes tras la misma. El presente estudio fue diseñado como una revisión clínica retrospectiva de 60 pacientes. Tras la revisión de las historias clínicas, las pacientes fueron entrevistadas procediéndose a la realización del cuestionario. El aspecto a cambiar más deseado fue la falta/pérdida de proyección del pezón. No obstante, el 22% de las pacientes respondieron que no cambiarían nada acerca de su reconstrucción. La satisfacción acerca de la reconstrucción del montículo mamario fue excelente o buena para el 68%, normal para el 23% y pobre para el 9%. En cambio, para la reconstrucción del complejo areola-pezón fue excelente o buena para el 50%, normal para el 45% y pobre para el 5%. No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre las diferentes técnicas en función del tiempo transcurrido entre el momento de la mastectomía y el tercer tiempo de la reconstrucción (p=0,06). La técnica de la donación contralateral de pezón fue la que ofreció una mayor satisfacción (2,67 puntos) y proyección (7,23 puntos). A pesar de las diferencias en sus medias, no se demostró ninguna diferencia estadísticamente significativa. Teniéndo en cuenta la técnica usada para la reconstrucción de la areola, la técnica de la donación-injerto de piel inguinal fue la que ofreció mayor satisfacción (3 puntos) y coloración (8,57 puntos). El estudio estadístico objetivó diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p=0,01). Entre las distintas técnicas de reconstrucción del pezón no hay ninguna cuyos resultados se sobrepongan a las demás, pero sí una vez que se reconstruye la areola siendo la técnica que más satisface la del injerto inguinal. A pesar de ello, el aspecto más notable a mejorar está en la reconstrucción del pezón, dada la frecuente disconformidad de las pacientes con la proyección conseguida a lo largo del tiempo por la posible reabsorción del mismo (AU)

The creation of the nipple-areola complex is the latest time in breast reconstruction, transforming the reconstruction of the breast mound into a real breast. We have to consider the reconstruction of the areola and the nipple as the culmination of breast reconstruction. There are a lot of documented techniques for nipple-areola complex reconstruction. The aim of this study is to determine the grade of psychological satisfaction of patients after this reconstruction This study was designed as a retrospective clinic review of 60 patients. After reviewing medical histories, the patients were interviewed and asked to complete a questionnaire. The most common desired aspect was to correct the absence/lost of nipple projection. However, 22% of patients answered they would not change anything regarding their reconstruction. The satisfaction with the mammary mound was excellent or good for 68%, normal for 23 % and poor for 9 %. On the other hand, satisfaction for the nippleareola complex reconstruction was excellent or good for 50%, normal for 45% and poor for 5%. There were no statistical differences among the different techniques depending on the time between the mastectomy intervention and the third reconstruction (p=0,06). For nipple reconstruction, the contralateral nipple donation technique offered more satisfaction (2.67 points) and projection (7.23 points). In spite of the differences in their means, there were no statistically significant differences. Taking into account the technique used for the areola reconstruction, the donation- graft of inguinal skin was the one that offered more satisfaction (3 points) and better coloration (8.57 points). With the statistical study there were obtained significant statistical differences (p=0,01). Among the different techniques for nipple reconstruction there wasn’t anyone whose results overlapped the others, but when the areola was reconstructed there were some, being the inguinal grafting the technique which satisfies more. In spite of this, the aspect which most needed to improve is nipple reconstruction because many patients were unhuppy with the obtained projection and its reabsorption over time (AU)

Primary giant cell tumor of soft tissues similar to bone giant cell tumor: A case report and literature review.

In this report we describe a primary giant cell tumor (GCT) of soft tissues located in the left dorsal wrist of a 52-year-old man. Plain radiographs did not reveal any lesion in his carpal or hand bones. Although the tumor was clinically considered a ganglion initially, the microscopic features were identical to those found in classic GCT of bone. Light microscopy showed a lesion composed of a homogeneously mixed proliferation of spindle and polygonal mononucleated stromal cells and evenly distributed multinucleated, osteoclast-like giant cells. Whereas most bone tumors have an extraosseous counterpart, only 13 cases of GCT in soft tissues had been published until 1998. Moreover, 64 new cases have been reported in three series. Nevertheless, most major reviews and textbooks do not consider this tumor as a specific entity and regard it as a low grade variant of malignant GCT of soft tissue. We describe the clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical features of this rare benign neoplasm emphasizing the differential diagnosis with its malignant soft tissue counterpart, an ominous tumor.

[Epidemiologic study of acute favism cases (G6PD deficiency) in the Autonomous Community of Murcia during 1983-1987. Report of a case]. / Estudio epidemiológico de los casos de favismo agudo (déficit de G6PDHasa) en la Comunidad Autónoma de Murcia durante el período 1983-1987. A próposito de un caso.

This study reminds primary care teams of the fundamental importance of epidemiological histories for diagnosing broad bean disease in rural areas in which broad beans are regularly harvested and the patient's nationality lead one to suspect this illness. A retrospective study of the consumption of broad beans in the region of Murcia is made for the period 1983-1987, the variables of which are: Age, sex, geographical distribution, epidemiological history, diagnosis based on a clinical analysis, need for transfusion, treatment, progress and family case study. Among the conclusions, the greatest number of cases occur in males ranging from 0 to 10 years of age, residents basically of Murcia and the surrounding districts, with a prior history of having ingested broad beans, showing symptoms, revealed through a clinical analysis, which are compatible with are compatible with an hemolytic anemia, for which it was necessary to provide transfusions for a considerable number of cases, achieving good progress and a treatment based on the procedure of fundamentally eliminating broad beans from their diet and certain medicines, and lastly, a later study of the members of these patients' families.

[A case of Burkitt lymphoma (author's transl)]. / Linfoma de Burkitt. Aportación de un caso

A case of sporadic Burkitt lymphoma, localized in the face, in a four year old male, is presented. The marked involvement of the hemolymphatic system and the prognostic value of the metastatic cellular type that may be found in bone marrow is pointed out. Due to the lack of other concluding etiopathogenic criteria, the diagnosis can be established in view of the pathologic and histochemical characteristics of the tumor.