EMF radiation at 2450 MHz triggers changes in the morphology and expression of heat shock proteins and glucocorticoid receptors in rat thymus.

AIMS: Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) can act as inducers or mediators of stress response through the production of heat shock proteins (HSPs) that modulate immune response and thymus functions. In this study, we analyzed cellular stress levels in rat thymus after exposure of the rats to a 2.45 GHz radio frequency (RF) using an experimental diathermic model in a Gigahertz Transverse Electromagnetic (GTEM) chamber. MAIN METHODS: In this experiment, we used H&E staining, the ELISA test and immunohistochemistry to examine Hsp70 and Hsp90 expression in the thymus and glucocorticoid receptors (GR) of 64 female Sprague­Dawley rats exposed individually to 2.45 GHz (at 0, 1.5, 3.0 or 12.0 W power). The 1 g averaged peak and mean SAR values in the thymus and whole body of each rat to ensure that sub-thermal levels of radiation were being reached. KEY FINDINGS: The thymus tissue presented several morphological changes, including increased distribution of blood vessels along with the appearance of red blood cells and hemorrhagic reticuloepithelial cells. Levels of Hsp90 decreased in the thymus when animals were exposed to the highest power level (12 W), but only one group did not show recovery after 24 h. Hsp70 presented no significant modifications in any of the groups. The glucocorticoid receptors presented greater immunomarking on the thymic cortex in exposed animals. SIGNIFICANCE: Our results indicate that non-ionizing sub-thermal radiation causes changes in the endothelial permeability and vascularization of the thymus, and is a tissue-modulating agent for Hsp90 and GR.

Inserción anómala del músculo subclavio como causa de síndrome de estrecho torácico superior / Anomalous subclavius muscle insertion as a cause of thoracic outlet syndrome

Se presenta una causa inusual de síndrome de estrecho torácico superior secundario a la inserción anómala del músculo subclavio en una mujer de mediana edad con síntomas de cervicobraquialgia y parestesias en la mano derecha. La paciente requirió tratamiento quirúrgico mediante la resección del músculo subclavio, tras la cual sus síntomas remitieron completamente. El presente caso resulta de gran interés por la rareza de la causa de la compresión, pero además resalta la importancia de considerar el síndrome de estrecho torácico superior en el diagnóstico diferencial del dolor cervical y cervicobraquial(AU)

An unusual cause of the thoracic outlet syndrome secondary to an anomalous subclavius muscle insertion that was diagnosed in a middle-aged woman who had neck and upper limb pain with parenthesis in her right hand is presented. The patient was successfully treated by surgical muscle resection. The importance of this case is the uncommon cause of the compression. We would like to emphasize the relevance of considering the thoracic outlet syndrome for the differential diagnosis of cervical and cervicobrachial pain(AU)

Resultados terapéuticos a corto plazo de la infiltración con toxina botulínica ante el fracaso del tratamiento convencional de 7 pacientes con epicondilitis / Short-term outcome of a-botulinum toxin infiltration in 7 epicondylitis patients in whom coventional treatment failed

Introducción. La epicondilitis es un trastorno que cursa con dolor en la inserción proximal del músculoextensor radial corto del carpo. El tratamiento habitual se basa en reposo y medidas farmacológicas, fisioterapia, infiltraciones con corticoides y uso de ortesis. Cuando fracasa el tratamiento conservador, disponemos de la alternativa quirúrgica. El objetivo es evaluar la respuesta de los pacientes con epicondilitis rebeldes a tratamiento conservador con toxina botulínica tipo A (TB-A). Material y métodos. Realizamos un estudio prospectivo con 7 pacientes diagnosticados de epicondilitis, con un tiempo de evolución mínimo de 4 meses, en los que fracasó el tratamiento conservador. Antes de tomar una decisión quirúrgica, se les aplicó una única infiltración de TB-A, entre 25 y 50 UI de Botox. Se recogen como variables: dosis aplicada, dolor a la palpación y con la maniobra de extensión resistida de la muñeca y efectos secundarios.Resultados. Obtuvimos una mejoría importante del dolor en todos los pacientes tras 1 mes de la aplicación de TB-A. La paresia de la musculatura extensora del carpo apareció en las 2 primeras semanas con una resolución completa entre los 2-8 primeros meses posinfiltración.Conclusión. El tratamiento de la epicondilitis resistente a tratamiento conservador mediante la aplicación de TB-A es un tratamiento eficaz, que mejora en todos los casos la sintomatología clínica

Introduction. Epicondylitis is a disorder that causes pain in the proximal insertion of the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle. The most common treatment is rest and pharmacological measures, physical therapy, infiltrations with corticoids and orthosis. Surgery can be alternatively used when conservative treatments fail. The objective is assess the response of patients with persistent epicondylitis to botulinum toxin A (TB-A). Materials and methods. A prospective study was carried out with 7 patients diagnosed with epicondylitis (a minimum of 4 months prior to the research), who had failed in their response to conservative treatments. Prior to a surgical decision, each of them was applied a single application of TB-A (25-50 U of Botox).Variables included: dose amount, pain following palpation and pain following resisted wrist extension maneuvers and secondary effects. Results. All patients experienced important improvement. Paresis in forearm muscles appeared in the first two weeks with complete resolution 2-8 months after infiltration. Conclusion. The treatment of epicondylitis resistant to conservative treatments through TB-A application constitutes effective treatment with clinical pictures improvement in all cases