Interleukin-32γ in the Control of Acute Experimental Chagas Disease.

Chagas disease (CD) is an important parasitic disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. Interleukin-32 (IL-32) plays an important role in inflammation and in the development of Th1/Th17 acquired immune responses. We evaluated the influence of IL-32γ on the immune response profile, pathogenesis of myocarditis in acute experimental CD, and control of the disease. For this, C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and IL-32γTg mice were infected subcutaneously with 1,000 forms of Colombian strain of T. cruzi. In the histopathological analyzes, T. cruzi nests, myocarditis, and collagen were quantified in cardiac tissue. Cytokine productions (IL-32, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-17) were measured in cardiac homogenate by ELISA. The IL-32γTg mice showed a better control of parasitemia and T. cruzi nests in the heart than WT mice. Infected-WT and -IL-32γTg mice showed similar levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17, but IL-10 was significantly higher expressed in IL-32γTg than in WT mice. The cytokine profile found in IL-32γTg animals contributed to body weight maintenance, parasitemia control, and survival. Our results indicate that the presence of human IL-32γ in mice infected with the Colombian strain of T. cruzi is important for infection control during the acute phase of Chagas disease.

[Relationship between executive functioning and behaviour in children with cerebral palsy]. / Relacion entre el funcionamiento ejecutivo y la conducta en niños con paralisis cerebral.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral palsy is defined as a group of developmental disorders of movement and posture that causes social and cognitive deficits, emotional, and behavior disturbances. AIM: To study the relationship between executive functioning and behavior in children with cerebral palsy from the answers given by parents and teachers on the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and on the System Assessment Adaptive Behavior (ABAS-II). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The sample consisted on 46 children with CP with a mean age of 10.26 ± 2.95 years. Forty-four of the 46 children were distributed in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) into level I (n = 16), level II (n = 3), level III (n = 11), level IV (n = 10) and level V (n = 4). RESULTS: The results showed a relationship between BRIEF and ABAS-II. Furthermore, discrepancies between the responses from parents and teachers, both in the ABAS-II and in the BRIEF, were obtained. CONCLUSIONS: We found a significant relationship between executive functioning in children with cerebral palsy and adaptive behavior. We found discrepancies in the answers given by parents and teachers. Finally, the data showed that the higher motor impairment increases difficulties at home.

TITLE: Relacion entre el funcionamiento ejecutivo y la conducta en niños con paralisis cerebral.Introduccion. La paralisis cerebral se define como un grupo de trastornos del desarrollo del movimiento y la postura que cursa con deficits cognitivos, alteraciones emocionales, de conducta y sociales. Objetivo. Estudiar la relacion entre el funcionamiento ejecutivo y la conducta en niños con paralisis cerebral a partir de las respuestas aportadas por padres y profesores en el Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) y el sistema de evaluacion de la conducta adaptativa (ABAS-II). Pacientes y metodos. La muestra quedo formada por 46 niños con paralisis cerebral, con una edad media de 10,26 ± 2,95 años. Del total, 44 niños se distribuyeron en el Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) en nivel I (n = 16), nivel II (n = 3), nivel III (n = 11), nivel IV (n = 10) y nivel V (n = 4). Resultados. Los resultados mostraron relacion entre el BRIEF y el ABAS-II; ademas, se obtuvieron discrepancias entre las respuestas aportadas por padres y profesores, tanto en el ABAS-II como en el BRIEF. Asimismo, se hallo relacion entre el GMFCS y los subindices de vida en el hogar, indice practico y autocuidado del ABAS-II. Conclusiones. Se encontro relacion entre el funcionamiento ejecutivo y la conducta adaptativa en niños con paralisis cerebral. Se hallaron discrepancias en las respuestas aportadas por padres y profesores. Por ultimo, los datos muestran que, a mayor afectacion motora, mayores dificultades en el hogar, en el indice practico y en el autocuidado.

A simple genotyping procedure without DNA extraction to identify rare blood donors.

BACKGROUND: Transfusion-induced alloimmunization has severe clinical consequences including haemolytic transfusion reactions, impaired transfused RBCs longevity and greater difficulty in finding compatible blood. Molecular analysis of genomic DNA now permits prediction of blood group phenotypes based on identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms. Implementation of molecular technologies in donor centres would be helpful in finding RBC units for special patient populations, but DNA extraction remains an obstacle to donor genotyping. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We propose a simple method compatible with high throughput that allows blood group genotyping using a multiplex commercial kit without the need for DNA extraction. The principle relies on pre-PCR treatment of whole blood using heating/cooling procedure in association with a recombinant hotstart polymerase. RESULTS: In a prospective analysis, we yielded 5628 alleles identification and designated 63 donors with rare blood, that is either negative for a high-frequency antigen or with a rare combination of common antigens. CONCLUSION: The procedure was optimized for simplicity of use in genotyping platform and would allow not only to supply antigen-matched products to recipients but also to find rare phenotypes. This methodology could also be useful for establishing a donor repository for human platelet antigens (HPA)-matched platelets since the same issues are involved for patients with neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia or post-transfusion purpura.

[Cognitive stimulation in children with cerebral palsy]. / Estimulacion cognitiva en niños con paralisis cerebral.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral palsy is often accompanied by cognitive impairment affecting attention, visuoperception, executive functions and working memory. AIMS. To analyse the effect of cognitive stimulation treatment on the cognitive capabilities in children with cerebral palsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our sample consisted of 15 children with cerebral palsy, with a mean age of 8.80 ± 2.51 years, who were classified with the aid of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) on level I (n = 6), level II (n = 4), level III (n = 2) and level V (n = 3). Cognitive impairment was evaluated by means of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV) and the Continuous Performance Test (CPT-II). Both the questionnaires for parents and teachers from the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and the Conners rating scales (CPRS-48 and CTRS-28) were administered. A cognitive stimulation programme was carried out at a rate of two hours a week for a total of eight weeks. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed after applying the cognitive stimulation treatment in the perceptive reasoning index of the WISC-IV. No differences were obtained on the Conners' and the BRIEF scores before and after the treatment. Neither were any differences found in the results on the WISC-IV according to sex or on the GMFCS. CONCLUSIONS: The cognitive performance of children with cerebral palsy improves after applying a cognitive rehabilitation programme.

TITLE: Estimulacion cognitiva en niños con paralisis cerebral.Introduccion. La paralisis cerebral a menudo cursa con deficits cognitivos de atencion, visuopercepcion, funciones ejecutivas y memoria de trabajo. Objetivo. Analizar el efecto de un tratamiento de estimulacion cognitiva sobre las capacidades cognitivas en niños con pa­ralisis cerebral. Pacientes y metodos. Muestra de 15 niños con paralisis cerebral, con una edad media de 8,80 ± 2,51 años, clasificados mediante el Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) en nivel I (n = 6), nivel II (n = 4), nivel III (n = 2) y nivel V (n = 3). Los deficits cognitivos se evaluaron mediante la escala de inteligencia de Wechsler para niños (WISC-IV) y el Continuous Performance Test (CPT-II). Se administraron los cuestionarios para padres y profesores del Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) y las escalas de evaluacion de Conners (CPRS-48 y CTRS-28). Se realizo un programa de estimulacion cognitiva dos horas semanales durante ocho semanas. Resultados. Se observaron diferencias estadisticamente significativas tras aplicar el tratamiento de estimulacion cognitivo en el indice de razonamiento perceptivo de la WISC-IV. No se obtuvieron diferencias antes y despues del tratamiento en las puntuaciones del Conners y del BRIEF. Tampoco se hallaron diferencias en los resultados de la WISC-IV en funcion del sexo ni en el GMFCS. Conclusion. El rendimiento cognitivo de los niños con paralisis cerebral mejora tras la aplicacion de un programa de rehabilitacion cognitiva.

Sweet taste loss in myasthenia gravis: more than a coincidence?

Sweet dysgeusia, a rare taste disorder, may be encountered in severe anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChRAb)-myasthenia gravis (MG). A 42 year-old man reported progressive loss of sweet taste evolving for almost 10 weeks, revealing an AChRAb-positive MG with thymoma. Improvement of sweet perception paralleled reduction of the MG composite score during the 15 months follow up period, with immunosuppressive and surgical treatments. We suggest that sweet dysgeusia is a non-motor manifestation of MG that may result from a thymoma-dependent autoimmune mechanism targeting gustducin-positive G-protein-coupled taste receptor cells, in line with recent data from MRL/MpJ-Fas lpr/ (MRL/lpr) transgenic mice with autoimmune disease.

Estadificación del cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas. Utilidad de la imagen estructural (TAC) y funcional (FDG-PET) / Staging of non-small cell lung cancer. Diagnosis efficacy of structural (CT) and functional (FDG-PET) imaging methods

Objetivos. Evaluar la exactitud diagnóstica de la tomografía por emisión de positrones con fluorodeoxiglucosa (FDG-PET) en el cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas (CPCNP) y analizar la validez diagnóstica de la tomografía axial computarizada (TAC) y la tomografía por emisión de positrones (PET) en su estadificación. Material y métodos. Se estudiaron prospectivamente 108 pacientes con sospecha clínica de CPCNP potencialmente resecable, siguiendo el protocolo de nuestro hospital y un estudio FDG-PET. El estándar de referencia ha sido la anatomía patológica de la pieza en aquellos pacientes que fueron operados y en el resto de los casos mediante técnicas de imagen específicas y biopsia. Resultados. En el 13% de los pacientes, la FDG-PET fue negativa y tampoco se evidenció tumor en el estudio histológico de la pieza. En el 22% de los pacientes, la FDG-PET detectó enfermedad metastásica (pacientes M0 por TAC). Para la afectación mediastínica, la validez diagnóstica global fue de 0,90 con FDG-PET y de 0,59 con TAC. La FDG-PET clasificó mal lesiones secundarias a fenómenos inflamatorios, de escaso tamaño o muy próximas a la lesión primaria. La estadificación mediastínica fue correcta en el 56% y en el 87% de los pacientes mediante TAC y FDG-PET, respectivamente. Conclusiones. Aunque complementarias, la evaluación funcional (FDG-PET) es significativamente superior a los métodos estructurales (TAC) en la valoración de la afectación mediastínica de pacientes con CPCNP (AU)

Purpose. To evaluate diagnostic accuracy of FDG-PET in the definition of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and analyze diagnostic validity of CT scan and FDG-PET in its staging. Methods. Patients with clinical suspicion of potentially resectable NSCLC (n = 108) were studied by standard procedures in our setting, including fibrobronchoscopy, transthoracic fine-needle aspiration, thoracoabdominal CT scan and FDG-PET. Gold standard was histopathological study in patients who underwent surgery and by specific imaging methods and biopsy, when available, in patients who did not. Results. In 13% of patients, the FDG-PET findings were negative and no tumor was observed in the histological study of the piece. In 22% of patients, FDG-PET detected metastatic disease (M0 by CT scan). For mediastinal involvement, global diagnostic accuracy was 0.90 with FDG-PET and 0.59 with CT scan. False positive FDG-PET findings were produced by inflammatory conditions and false negative findings by the small size or proximity of lymph nodes to primary tumor. Mediastinal staging by CT scan and FDG-PET was correct in 56% and 87% of patients, respectively. Conclusions. Although complementary, the functional method (FDG-PET) is significantly superior to the structural method (CT) for detection of mediastinal tumor disease (AU)

[Staging of non-small cell lung cancer. Diagnosis efficacy of structural (CT) and functional (FDG-PET) imaging methods]. / Estadificación del cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas. Utilidad de la imagen estructural (TAC) y funcional (FDG-PET).

PURPOSE: To evaluate diagnostic accuracy of FDG-PET in the definition of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and analyze diagnostic validity of CT scan and FDG-PET in its staging. METHODS: Patients with clinical suspicion of potentially resectable NSCLC (n = 108) were studied by standard procedures in our setting, including fibrobronchoscopy, transthoracic fine-needle aspiration, thoracoabdominal CT scan and FDG-PET. Gold standard was histopathological study in patients who underwent surgery and by specific imaging methods and biopsy, when available, in patients who did not. RESULTS: In 13% of patients, the FDG-PET findings were negative and no tumor was observed in the histological study of the piece. In 22% of patients, FDG-PET detected metastatic disease (M0 by CT scan). For mediastinal involvement, global diagnostic accuracy was 0.90 with FDG-PET and 0.59 with CT scan. False positive FDG-PET findings were produced by inflammatory conditions and false negative findings by the small size or proximity of lymph nodes to primary tumor. Mediastinal staging by CT scan and FDG-PET was correct in 56% and 87% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although complementary, the functional method (FDG-PET) is significantly superior to the structural method (CT) for detection of mediastinal tumor disease.

Implementation and results of the statewide ONHRSS.

In response to increased consumer demand, state governments are publishing more detailed information about the quality of nursing homes. In 2002, Ohio legislation mandated the publication of a Long-Term Care Consumer Guide that included information on nursing home resident and family satisfaction surveys. Using the 2002 Ohio Nursing Home Resident Satisfaction Survey as an example, this article addresses two research questions: (1) how can statewide resident face-to-face satisfaction interviews be implemented to maximize participation of residents and facilities and produce reliable and valid results, and (2) how satisfied are residents with their nursing home experiences, overall and by level of cognitive function.

Hypofractionation in radiotherapy

Major changes in cancer radiotherapy have followed a greater understanding of the biological effects of radiation on tumours and normal tissues. Clinical radiotherapy is today a solid body of knowledge with well defined scientific foundations. Key concepts in current radiobiology include lethal and sublethal injuries, dose-effect coefficients, alpha/beta ratios, acute and late response, biologically equivalent dose, fraction dose, irradiation time and tumour regeneration between others. Effects of irradiation time and dose per fraction on tumours versus normal tissues are of special importance. Dose per fraction must be considered for analysis of effects in normal late-responding tissues. In contrast, both dose per fraction and irradiation time influence the response to radiation of malignant tumours and acute-responding tissues. Finally, the ability to quantify relationships between radiation dose and biological effect has been of particular value in the development of radiotherapy. This is illustrated by the growing use of high doses per fraction for the treatment of some cancers (AU)

Diagnosis efficacy of structural (CT) and functional (FDG-PET) imaging methods in the thoracic and extrathoracic staging of non-small cell lung cancer

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of FDG-PET in the definition of tumour lung node lesions and to compare the diagnostic validity of CT and FDGPET in the staging of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with clinical suspicion of potentially resectable NSCLC (n = 108) were studied by standard procedures in our setting, including fibrobronchoscopy, transthoracic fine-needle aspiration, thoracoabdominal CT and FDG-PET. PET images were analysed by researchers blinded to results of other imaging modalities. Definitive tumour diagnosis was by histopathological study in patients who underwent surgery and by specific imaging methods and biopsy, when available, in patients who did not. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by comparing CT/PET results with the definitive diagnosis. RESULTS: In 13% of patients, no FDG-PET findings were observed and the histological study was negative for tumour. In 22% of patients, FDG-PET detected metastatic disease (M0 by CT). For mediastinal involvement, global diagnostic accuracy was 0.90 with FDG-PET and 0.59 with CT. False positive FDG-PET findings were produced by inflammatory conditions and false negative findings by the small size or proximity of lymph nodes to primary tumour. Mediastinal staging by CT and FDG-PET was correct in 56% and 87% of patients, respectively. CT indicated mediastinal invasion in 17% of patients with no FDG-PET finding of mediastinal involvement. Conversely, mediastinal spread was undetected by CT in 14% of patients with FDG-PET findings of mediastinal involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Although complementary, the functional method (FDG-PET) is significantly superior to the structural method (CT) for detection of mediastinal tumour disease (AU)

Formación pregraduada y formación de posgrado en Radioterapia Oncológica. Criterios generales / Undergraduate and postgraduate training in Radiotherapy Oncology. General criteria

La oncología radioterápica forma parte del dispositivo nacional de asistencia médica especializada oficialmente establecido en España y exige que los especialista en ella tengan acceso directo a la evaluación de paicentes, participen desde el principio en el conjunto de decisiones conducente a la aproximación terapéutica multidisciplinar de los mismos, promuevan acciones encaminadas al desarrollo de la investigación y colaboren en la formación pre y postgraduada impartida por las instituciones académicas y sanitarias. Las actividades a realizar por los especialistas en oncología radioterápica aconsejan la inclusión en su proceso educativo de contenidos de naturaleza básica y clínica. Así se ha hecho en el nuevo programa formativo de la especialidad. Por otra parte, la especialización en oncología radioterápica impone el conocimiento y la manipulación experta de los dispositivos técnicos necesarios para el tratamiento con radiación ionizante del cáncer y otros procesos benignos. Una parte importante del periodo formativo de los especialistas debe dedicarse a la adquisición de competencia y aptitud técnica suficientes en el manejo de tales dispositivos, punto fuerte del proceso de especialización que nos distingue de otros especialistas y refuerza nuestra posición en el sistema de salud (AU)

In this paper, the author proposes that specialists should have direct Access to assessment detail for oncological patients, and that they should participate in decision taking processes from the outset, promote actions conductive to furthering research, and collaborate in undergraduate and postgraduate training courses offered by academic bodies and health institutions (AU)

Formación de especialistas en Oncología Radioterápica en España / No disponible

No disponible

Investigación en atención primaria de salud. Premisas básicas / Research in primary health care. Basic premises

No disponible

Ciencia y literatura científica en el umbral del siglo XXI. Perspectivas y realidades / Science and scientific literature at the outset of 21st century. Prospects and realities

No disponible

Time-dose-response relationships in postoperatively irradiated patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To define the influence of the dose and time on the response to treatment in postoperatively irradiated head and neck cancer patients and to establish a good prediction of failure. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From January 1985 to December 1995, 214 patients with histologically proven head and neck squamous cell carcinomas were irradiated after radical surgery or single tumour resection according to surgical and histopathological findings. The total doses given ranged between 50 and 75 Gy to the primary bed tumour and between 42 and 56 Gy to the neck with fraction sizes of 1.7-2 Gy/day. The median length of the time interval between surgery and radiotherapy, time of irradiation and total treatment time were 81, 59 and 139 days, respectively. The end-point analyzed was the local-regional tumour control rate at the primary tumour bed and neck for 5 years from the beginning of radiotherapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine predictors of failure from among the following studied variables: (i), clinical stage (T/N) of the patients; (ii), tumour grade; (iii), neck surgery; (iv), tumour margins; (v), histological tumour nodal extension; (vi), chemotherapy; (vii), normalized total dose; (viii), time interval between surgery and radiotherapy; (ix), time of irradiation; and (x), total treatment time. RESULTS: The actuarial 5-year tumour control rate for the entire group was 72%, and 92% of the patients who achieved local control are currently alive without disease. Tumour control was inversely related to T stage (83% for T2 vs. 57% for T4) and the probability of local control within each stage was dependent on the N status (> or =71% for T3-T4/N0 vs. 31-44% for T3-T4/N1-N3). Histological N status and tumour margins, but not tumour grade, impacted significantly on tumour control. When local control was analyzed as a function of the dose to the primary, a non-significant negative dose-response relationship was found. The total treatment time was a significant prognostic factor, and the time interval between surgery and irradiation proved to be an independent predictor of failure. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the absence of a statistically significant dose-response relationship, the present results suggest that postoperative irradiation treatment given to patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas should not be unduly prolonged, in order to minimize the amount of tumour cell proliferation. In these patients, nodal involvement, positive margins of the resected specimens and time interval between surgery and irradiation were the most important prognostic factors.

[Efficacy of radiotherapy for upper urinary tract tumor following radical surgery]. / Eficacia de la radioterapia en los tumores del tracto urinario superior, tras cirugía radical.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of postoperative irradiation for locoregional tumor recurrence and in the prevention of distant metastasis in patients with upper urinary tract tumor treated by radical surgery. METHODS: 51 urothelial tumors of the upper urinary tract, most of which had been treated by radical surgery (nephroureterectomy with resection of bladder cuff were analyzed. Since 1989 an adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy protocol (55 Gy) has been included for high grade and stage tumors. Tumor staging was done according to the Jewett-Marshall classification and the Mostoffi cytological grading. RESULTS: Of the total number of cases analyzed, 16 received postoperative irradiation; of these, 5 (31%) showed recurrence. The recurrence rate was 47% for those treated by radical surgery alone. In patients with stage C tumors, 5 out of 12 cases (41.6%) showed recurrence. The recurrence rate was higher (83%) for patients with stage C tumors treated by radical surgery alone. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy is advocated for high grade and stage upper urinary tract tumors. This therapeutic approach has been found to reduce the number of recurrences and, consequently, morbidity. Although the overall survival rate did not increase, a larger series may show more consistent results in this regard.