Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Patients Being Treated for Scabies in Spain: Opportunities for Improvement - A Multicenter Cross-Sectional CLINI-AEDV Study. / Características clínicas y epidemiológicas de pacientes diagnosticados de escabiosis en España: oportunidades de mejora. Estudio transversal multicéntrico CLINI-AEDV.

BACKGROUND: Several studies support the hypothesis that scabies is on the rise in Spain. There are also concerns about the possible development of resistance to treatment and an increase in atypical presentations. The aims of this study were to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with scabies seen by dermatologists in Spain, to identify the possible emergence of atypical forms of scabies, and to explore the frequency of treatment failures and associated risk factors. METHODS: We conducted an observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study of data collected prospectively in April and May 2023 using the CLINI-AEDVp platform created by the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV). RESULTS: Participating dermatologists from 31 hospitals in 15 of Spain's autonomous communities recorded 186 cases of active scabies (51% in women) during the study period. A diagnostic certainty level of A, B or C as per the International Alliance for the Control of Scabies Consensus Criteria was required for diagnosis. Overall, 92% of patients had typical scabies and 66% had already been treated with a scabicide for the current episode. Of the treated patients, only 36% had received and completed adequate treatment (including the simultaneous treatment of all household members) and 50% had not received clear written recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: In a high proportion of the cases of scabies studied, the patient had already received treatment. In those cases, we observed several remediable shortcomings that could explain why some of these treatments had failed. Remedying these deficiencies should lead to better control of scabies and an improved assessment of the actual effectiveness of currently available scabicides.

[Translated article] Clinical and Epidemiological Characteristics of Patients Being Treated for Scabies in Spain: Opportunities for Improvement - A Multicenter Cross-Sectional CLINI-AEDV Study.

BACKGROUND: Several studies support the hypothesis that scabies is on the rise in Spain. There are also concerns about the possible development of resistance to treatment and an increase in atypical presentations. The aims of this study were to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with scabies seen by dermatologists in Spain, to identify the possible emergence of atypical forms of scabies, and to explore the frequency of treatment failures and associated risk factors. METHODS: We conducted an observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study of data collected prospectively in April and May 2023 using the CLINI-AEDVp platform created by the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV). RESULTS: Participating dermatologists from 31 hospitals in 15 of Spain's autonomous communities recorded 186 cases of active scabies (51% in women) during the study period. A diagnostic certainty level of A, B or C as per the International Alliance for the Control of Scabies Consensus Criteria was required for diagnosis. Overall, 92% of patients had clinical features of classic scabies and 66% had already been treated with a scabicide for the current episode. Of the treated patients, only 36% had received and completed adequate treatment (including the simultaneous treatment of all household members) and 50% had not received clear written recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: In a high proportion of scabies cases, the patient has already received treatment. In those cases, we observe several remediable shortcomings that could explain why some of these treatments fail. Remedying these deficiencies should lead to better control of scabies and an improved assessment of the actual effectiveness of currently available scabicides.

Gender differences in the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in a southern Latin American country: a pilot study.

Aim: This study aimed to study the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, assessing the influence of sex, age, and season of the year.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1329 healthy subjects (668 women and 661 men) aged 18-89 years in Santiago, Chile. Age (years), body mass index, medical history, working status, sex, and date of blood sample were collected.Results: Men were slightly older than women (53.1 ± 18.2 vs. 50.0 ± 15.6 years; p < 0.01) and a higher percentage worked outside the home (73.1% vs. 51.9%, p < 0.001). The mean serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)-D) was 23.3 ± 9.3 ng/ml in women and 20.9 ± 9.5 ng/ml in men (p < 0.001). The levels of 25(OH)-D by season were 26.7 ± 9.0, 23.6 ± 9.7, 19.4 ± 8.5, and 19.1 ± 9.5 ng/ml (for summer, fall, winter, and spring, respectively; p < 0.05). The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency increases with age, rising from 36.5% under 40 years to 48.0% over 60 years (p < 0.004). Male sex, winter and spring, and age showed negative correlation with levels of 25(OH)-D (p < 0.05). Multivariate linear regression showed a final model that incorporates: age (coefficient: -0.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.09 to -0.03; p < 0.001), male sex (coefficient: -2.00; 95% CI: -2.96 to -1.05; p < 0.001), summer (coefficient: 7.30; 95% CI: 6.17 to 8.43; p < 0.001), and fall (coefficient: 4.27; 95% CI: 3.04 to 5.50; p < 0.001).Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is more prevalent in men than in women, in the elderly, and during the winter and spring seasons.

Association between maternal exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) and adverse pregnancy outcomes in Lima, Peru.

The literature shows associations between maternal exposures to PM2.5 and adverse pregnancy outcomes. There are few data from Latin America. We have examined PM2.5 and pregnancy outcomes in Lima. The study included 123,034 births from 2012 to 2016, at three public hospitals. We used estimated daily PM2.5 from a newly created model developed using ground measurements, satellite data, and a chemical transport model. Exposure was assigned based on district of residence (n = 39). Linear and logistic regression analyzes were used to estimate the associations between air pollution exposure and pregnancy outcomes. Increased exposure to PM2.5 during the entire pregnancy and in the first trimester was inversely associated with birth weight. We found a decrease of 8.13 g (-14.0; -1.84) overall and 18.6 g (-24.4, -12.8) in the first trimester, for an interquartile range (IQR) increase (9.2 µg/m3) in PM2.5. PM2.5 exposure was positively associated with low birth weight at term (TLBW) during entire pregnancy (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.03-1.20), and at the first (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.03-1.20), second (OR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.01-1.17), and third trimester (OR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.02-1.18) per IQR (9.2 µg/m3) increase. Higher exposure to PM2.5 was also associated with increased risk of small for gestational age (SGA). There were no statistically significant associations between PM2.5 exposure and preterm births (PTB). Exposure to higher concentrations of PM2.5 in Lima may decrease birth weight and increase the frequency of TLBW and SGA. Our study was inconsistent with the literature in finding no associations with preterm birth.

Time-series analysis of ambient PM2.5 and cardiorespiratory emergency room visits in Lima, Peru during 2010-2016.

INTRODUCTION: There have been no time-series studies of air pollution in Peru. Here we evaluate the effect of ambient PM2.5 on emergency room (ER) visits in Lima. METHODS: We estimated daily PM2.5 levels at a 1 km2 resolution during 2010-2016 using ground measurements, satellite data, and chemical transport model simulations. Population-weighted average daily PM2.5 levels were calculated for each district in Lima (n = 40), and assigned to patients based on residence. ER visits for respiratory and circulatory diseases were gathered from nine large public hospitals. Poisson regression was used to estimate the rate ratio for daily ER visits with change in daily PM2.5, controlling for meteorology, time trends, and district. RESULTS: For each interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM2.5, respiratory disease ER visits increased 4% (95% CI: 0-5%), stroke visits 10% (3-18%), and ischemic heart disease visits (adults, 18-64 years) 11% (-1, 24%). Districts with higher poverty showed significantly stronger associations of PM2.5 and respiratory disease ER visits than districts with lower poverty. Effects were diminished 24-42% using Lima-wide instead of district-specific PM2.5 levels. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term exposure to ambient PM2.5 is associated with increases in ER visits in Lima for respiratory diseases and stroke, and among middle-aged adults, ischemic heart disease.

Hepatectomía en 2 tiempos con técnica de ALPPS (Asociación de bipartición hepática con ligadura portal para hepatectomía en 2 tiempos): experiencia y resultados iniciales del Hospital Regional de Talca / 2 stage hepatectomy with ALPPS technique (Liver splitting association) with ligature portal for hepatectomy in 2 times): experience and initial results of the Regional Hospital of Talca

Resumen Introducción: La insuficiencia hepática posoperatoria (IHP) es una causa importante de morbimortalidad posoperatoria en cirugía hepática. Un remanente hepático futuro (RHF) insuficiente es una de las principales causas IHP La asociación de bipartición hepática con ligadura portal para hepatectomía en 2 tiempos (ALPPS) es una técnica relativamente nueva que induce una rápida hipertrofia parenquimatosa reduciendo el tiempo de espera para lograr un volumen hepático adecuado. Nuestro objetivo es comunicar la experiencia y los resultados iniciales de la hepatectomía en 2 tiempos utilizando la técnica de ALLPS. Material y Método: Se incluyeron todos los pacientes en los que se ha realizado una hepatectomía en 2 tiempos utilizando la técnica de ALPPS entre el 1 de junio de 2014 y el 31 de julio de 2016 en la Unidad de Cirugía Digestiva del Hospital Regional de Talca. Resutados: Durante el periodo de estudio, se realizaron 47 hepatectomías en el Hospital Regional de Talca. En 3 casos (6.3%), se realizó una hepatectomía en 2 tiempos utilizando la técnica de ALPPS, en todos ellos se logró una hipertrofia del remanente hepático futuro (RHF) que permitió completar el segundo tiempo sin IHP clínicamente significativa. Conclusión: En nuestra experiencia inicial, la técnica de ALPPS logró aumentar el RHF permitiendo resecar pacientes que inicialmente tenían un RHF insuficiente para ser sometidos a una hepatectomía mayor.

Introduction: Postoperative liver failure (POLF) is a relevant cause of morbimortality after liver surgery. An insufficient future liver remnant (FLR) is one of the main causes of POLF. The association of hepatic bipartition with portal ligation for 2-stage hepatectomy (ALPPS) is a relatively new technique that induces rapid parenchymal hypertrophy reducing the waiting time to achieve adequate FLR. Our aim is to communicate the experience and the initial results of the hepatectomy in 2-stages using the ALLPS technique. Material and Method: All patients in whom a 2-stage hepatectomy using ALPPS technique between June 1, 2014 and July 31, 2016 in the Digestive Surgery Unit of the Hospital Regional of Talca were included. Results: There were 47 hepatectomies performed at the Hospital Regional of Talca. In 3 cases (6.3%), a 2-stage hepatectomy was performed using the ALPPS technique, in all of which a hypertrophy of the future hepatic remnant (RHF) was achieved, which allowed completing the second stage without POLF clinically significant. Conclusion: In our initial experience, the ALPPS technique successfully allowed increase FLR in patients who initially had insufficient FLR to be submitted a major liver resection.

Purple corn-associated rhizobacteria with potential for plant growth promotion.

AIMS: Purple corn (Zea mays var. purple amylaceum) is a native variety of the Peruvian Andes, cultivated at 3000 m since the pre-Inca times without N fertilization. We aimed to isolate and identify native plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) for future microbial-based inoculants. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighteen strains were isolated from the rhizosphere of purple corn plants grown without N fertilization in Ayacucho (Peru). The 16S rRNA gene clustered the 18 strains into nine groups that contained species of Bacillus, Stenotrophomonas, Achromobacter, Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas and Lysinibacillus. A representative strain from each group was selected and assayed for N2 fixation, phosphate solubilization, indole acetic and siderophore production, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase activity and biocontrol abilities. Inoculation of purple corn plants with single and combined strains selected after a principal component analysis caused significant increases in root and shoot dry weight, total C and N contents of the plants. CONCLUSIONS: PGPRs can support growth and crop production of purple corn in the Peruvian Andes and constitute the base for microbial-based inoculants. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study enlarges our knowledge on plant-microbial interactions in high altitude mountains and provides new applications for PGPR inoculation in purple amylaceum corn, which is part of the staple diet for the native Quechua communities.

Intervenciones realizadas por residentes de cirugía general / Surgical procedures performed by general surgery residents

Introduction: The national Society of Surgery has defined the minimum number of surgical procedures that must be performed by general surgeons in trainee, however, there is no national data reporting this accomplishment. The aim of this study is to report on detail the surgical interventions performed by General Surgery Residents at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile (PUC) as lead surgeons. Methods: Retrospective analysis of surgical procedures performed by 26 Residents of the General Surgery Program (GSP) at PUC who graduated between the years 2012 and 2014. A total of 10.102 registered surgeries were reviewed and summarized. Results: The mean number of interventions performed by surgery residents was 481 (20% of them on the first year). The most frequently performed procedures were (mean per resident) laparoscopic cholecystectomy (115;24%), open appendectomy (89;19%), classic hernioplasty (43;9%), laparoscopic appendectomy (34;7%) and open cholecystectomy (25;5%). Regarding complex/sub-specialty interventions, partial/ total colectomy (12;2%), thyroidectomy-parathyroidectomy (9;2%), vascular access (8;2%), thoracotomy-VATS-sternotomy (5;1%) and breast surgery (4;1%) were the most commonly performed. Fifty three percent of all procedures were done in an emergency setting. The proportion of emergency procedures increased through the GSP training (elective vs emergency: 62 vs 38% at first year and 34 vs 66% at third year, respectively; p < 0.002). Interventions were mainly performed in the capital city of Chile, Santiago (74%) and the remaining were done in other provinces. Regarding only abdominal interventions (mean per resident: 366), 42% was performed by laparoscopy. Conclusions: Residents of the PUC-GSP execute a considerable large amount of interventions as resident surgeons throughout their 3-years-training program, exceeding the minimum recommendations established by the national Society of Surgery.

Introducción: Se han definido objetivos mínimos para la formación de Cirujanos Generales, pero no existen publicaciones que den cuenta del cumplimiento de los mismos. El objetivo de este trabajo es comunicar un análisis descriptivo de las intervenciones quirúrgicas realizadas por los residentes del Programa de Cirugía General (PCG) de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC) en rol de primer cirujano. Material y Método: Se solicitó el registro de operaciones realizadas en rol de 1er cirujano a los 26 egresados entre 2012-2014 del PCG. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de las 10.102 operaciones registradas. Resultados: El promedio de intervenciones realizadas por residente fue de 481 (20 por ciento en 1er año). Las más frecuentes fueron: colecistectomía laparoscópica (115;24 por ciento), apendicectomía clásica (89;19 por ciento), hernioplastía (43;9 por ciento), apendicectomía laparoscópica (34;7 por ciento) y colecistectomía clásica (25;5 por ciento). Las operaciones de especialidades derivadas que más se realizaron: colectomía (12;2 por ciento); tiroidectomía-paratiroidectomía (9;2 por ciento), accesos vasculares (8;2 por ciento), toracotomía-VATS-esternotomía (5;1 por ciento) y cirugía mamaria (4;1 por ciento). Un 53 por ciento de las intervenciones fueron de urgencia, observándose una inversión de la proporción entre procedimientos electivos vs de urgencia a lo largo de la formación (62 vs 38 por ciento en 1ro y 34 vs 66 por ciento en 3ro; p < 0,002). De las intervenciones abdominales (366), 58 por ciento fue por laparotomía y 42 por ciento por laparoscopia. Un 74 por ciento y 26 por ciento de todas las intervenciones se realizaron en centros de Santiago y regiones, respectivamente. Conclusiones: Los residentes de la PUC completan un volumen importante de intervenciones en rol de primer cirujano durante los 3 años de su PCG, superando las exigencias mínimas establecidas.

Maternal exposure to biomass smoke and carbon monoxide in relation to adverse pregnancy outcome in two high altitude cities of Peru.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to pollution from biomass fuel has been associated with low birthweight in some studies. Few studies have included exposure-response analyses. METHOD: We conducted a case-control study of biomass fuel use and reproductive outcome at high altitude in Peru. Cases (n=101) were full term births who were SGA (birth weight <10th percentile for gestational age). Controls (n=101) had a birthweight ≥10th percentile, and were matched to cases on birth week and residence. Biomass fuel use during pregnancy was determined by questionnaire. Carbon monoxide (CO) in the kitchen was measured in a subgroup (n=72). Logistic regression was used to estimate the effects of biofuel and CO on the risk of SGA, controlling for maternal education and parity. RESULTS: Among cases, 30%, 27% and 44% used gas, gas+biomass, and biomass, respectively, while the figures for controls were 39%, 33%, and 29%. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for biomass fuel alone compared with gas alone was 4.5 (95% CI: 1.3, 15.5, p=0.02), while the OR for biomass+gas vs. gas alone was 2.1 (0.80-5.5) (p=0.13). Among the subgroup with measured CO, the mean 48-h kitchen CO levels were 4.8, 2.2 and 0.4ppm for biofuel only, biofuel+gas, and gas respectively. ORs by increasing tertile of CO level were 1.0, 1.16, and 3.53 (test for trend, p=0.02). The exposure-response trend corresponds well with one other study with analogous data. CONCLUSION: Despite limited sample size, our data suggest that maternal exposure to biomass smoke and CO, at high altitude, is associated with SGA among term births.

Pseudoquiste pancreático fistulizado a vía biliar principal / Fistula formation between a pancreatic pseudocyst and the biliary tree

Introduction: Fistula formation between a pancreatic pseudocyst and the biliary tree is uncommon. Clinical case: We report a 71 years old female who developed a pancreatic pseudocyst secondary to a biliary acute pancreatitis. After eight weeks of evolution, the patient was operated due to the size of the pseudocyst and the presence of symptoms. During the operation, a fistula between the cyst and the biliary tree was found. It was successfully excluded performing a choledochostomy with a Kehr tube and pseudocyst drainage. The patient had an uneventful postoperative evolution and imaging studies at the moment of discharge, one month after the operation, did not show a residual cavity...

Introducción: Los pseudoquistes pancreáticos pueden desarrollarse tras episodios de pancreatitis, pudiendo originar diversas complicaciones como infección, hemorragia, fenómenos compresivos o fístulas pancreáticas. En el caso de estas últimas, la comunicación de un pseudoquiste pancreático a la vía biliar es una rareza, existiendo hasta la fecha sólo 19 casos reportados en la literatura. Caso clínico: Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 71 años que desarrolló un pseudoquiste pancreático posterior a pancreatitis aguda biliar y que debido a su tamaño y síntomas se decide el tratamiento quirúrgico a las 8 semanas. Durante la cirugía se diagnostica una fístula entre el pseudoquiste y la vía biliar principal, realizándose exclusión exitosa con coledocostomía con sonda Kehr, colecistectomía y drenaje del pseudoquiste, debido a la imposibilidad de derivación al tubo digestivo por friabilidad de su pared. La paciente evoluciona favorablemente, siendo dada de alta al mes de la cirugía. El control con imágenes previo al alta revela la desaparición del pseudoquiste, sin cavidad residual...

Optimization of lipid production by the oleaginous yeast Lipomyces starkeyi by random mutagenesis coupled to cerulenin screening.

In this work we performed assays for the genetic improvement of the oleaginous yeast Lipomyces starkeyi DSM 70296 focusing on its utilization for lipid biosynthesis from renewable sources. The genetic optimization was carried out by random mutagenesis by ultraviolet irradiation and mutant selection by cerulenin, a compound displaying inhibitory effects on lipid biosynthesis. Mutants demonstrating normal growth in presence of cerulenin were considered as good candidates for further studies. Using this strategy, we selected 6 mutants for further studies, in which their productivities were evaluated by fermentation in shaken flasks and bioreactor. The evaluation of the fermentative performance of mutants was carried out using xylose as sole carbon source; the fermentation of wild-type strain was used as reference. Using this strategy it was possible to identify one mutant (termed A1) presenting a significant increase in the productivity rates of both biomass and lipid in comparison to wild-type strain. A1 mutant was further studied in bioreactor using the same fermentation parameters optimized for L. starkeyi lipid production from a mixed carbon source (xylose:glucose), as previously determined by other studies in our laboratory. A1 presented a productivity increase of 15.1% in biomass and 30.7% in lipid productivity when compared to the wild-type strain with a similar fatty acid composition, despite a slight increase (approx. 7%) on the unsaturated fraction. Our work demonstrates the feasibility of the random mutagenesis strategy coupled with mutant selection based on cerulenin screening for the genetic improvement of the oleaginous yeast L. starkeyi.

Resistance of sperm motility to serum testosterone in men with excessive erythrocytosis at high altitude.

Excessive erythrocytosis (EE) [hemoglobin (Hb) >21 g/dl] observed in natives at high altitude (HA) seems to be due to elevated serum testosterone levels compared with men without EE at HA. The aim of the study was to determine the association between serum testosterone levels and high hemoglobin levels at HA with sperm quality. The study was conducted with 72 adult men living at 4,340 m and 52 native men at sea level (SL). At HA, men were grouped according to hemoglobin value (group 1:16-21 g/dl or group 2: Hb >21 g/dl). Hemoglobin and serum testosterone levels were evaluated. Sperm concentration, percentage of progressive sperm motility, percentage of normal sperm morphology, and markers of seminal vesicles function (corrected seminal fructose) and of prostate function (seminal zinc levels) were calculated. Serum testosterone levels were significantly higher in the group with EE (p<0.001). Progressive sperm motility in men with EE was lower than in the other group (Hb >16-21 g/dl) and that of those at SL. Seminal pH, zinc levels and normal sperm morphology in men at HA were lower than at SL. At HA, a significant inverse relationship was observed between hemoglobin and progressive sperm motility (p<0.01). At SL, serum testosterone levels were directly related with progressive sperm motility, whereas at HA, no association was observed (p>0.05). No association between testosterone levels and corrected seminal fructose was observed in men with EE. In conclusion, low sperm motility was observed in men with EE despite elevated serum testosterone levels suggesting a resistance of sperm motility.

Nerve growth factor induces the expression of chaperone protein calreticulin in human epithelial ovarian cells.

Epithelial ovarian cancer is highly angiogenic and high expression of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), a proangiogenic protein. Calreticulin is a multifunctional protein with anti-angiogenic properties and its translocation to the tumor cell membrane promotes recognition and engulfment by dendritic cells. The aim of this work was to evaluate calreticulin expression in human normal ovaries, benign and borderline tumors, and epithelial ovarian cancer samples and to evaluate whether NGF regulates calreticulin expression in human ovarian surface epithelium and in epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines. Calreticulin mRNA and protein levels were analyzed using RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry in 67 human ovarian samples obtained from our Institution. Calreticulin expression induced by NGF stimulation in cell lines was evaluated using RT-PCR, Western blot and immunocytochemistry. We found a significant increase of calreticulin mRNA levels in epithelial ovarian cancer samples as compared to normal ovaries, benign tumors, and borderline tumors. Calreticulin protein levels, evaluated by Western blot, were also increased in epithelial ovarian cancer with respect to benign and borderline tumors. When HOSE and A2780 cell lines were stimulated with Nerve Growth Factor, we found an increase in calreticulin protein levels compared to controls. This effect was reverted by GW441756, a TRKA specific inhibitor. These results suggest that NGF regulates calreticulin protein levels in epithelial ovarian cells through TRKA receptor activation.

Nerve growth factor stimulates cellular proliferation of human epithelial ovarian cancer.

Due to its ability to induce vascular endothelial growth factor expression and proliferation, migration, and vasculogenesis of endothelial cells, nerve growth factor (NGF) has been considered as an angiogenic factor in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). In this work, we evaluated the angiogenic and proliferative mRNA expression profiles of EOC and addressed the responsiveness of EOC explants to NGF stimulation. Twenty EOC samples were obtained from Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, University of Chile's Clinical Hospital. Global gene expression profiles of selected poorly differentiated serous EOC samples were obtained with DNA oligonucleotide microarrays. In addition, EOC explants were subjected to NGF stimulation and levels of p-AKT, BAX, BCL2, Ki-67, c-MYC, and FOXL2 proteins were determined by immunohistochemistry. Results showed that mRNAs coding for specific transcriptional regulators and antiapoptotic components of the NGF signaling pathway were upregulated in EOC cells. At the protein level, key members of the NGF pathway including p-AKT, BCL2/BAX, Ki-67, and c-MYC were found increased, while FOXL2 was decreased in response to NGF stimulation. These findings strongly suggest that NGF stimulates cellular proliferation of human EOC.

Aromatase activity after a short-course of letrozole administration in adult men at sea level and at high altitude (with or without excessive erythrocytosis).

Men living at high altitudes in Peru compared to sea level counterparts have erythrocytosis (hemoglobin 16-21 g/dl) or excessive erythrocytosis (hemoglobin>21 g/dl). High testosterone (T) levels in men at high altitude (HA) were associated with excessive erythrocytosis. High androgen levels could be due to a low aromatase activity or to an elevated rate of conversion from precursors to testosterone. The aim of this study was to evaluate aromatase activity and rate of conversion from precursors to testosterone before and after administration of the aromatase enzyme inhibitor letrozole (5 mg/day) for a 5-day period to men at HA and at sea level (SL). The response to short term aromatase inhibition was assessed in 30 adult men living at sea level, 31 native men at HA with erythrocytosis (Hb 16-21 g/dl), and 35 men at HA with excessive erythrocytosis (Hb>21 g/dl). Serum hormone levels, estradiol/testosterone, testosterone/androstenedione, and testosterone/dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) ratios were measured. Men with erythrocytosis had lower basal serum T/androstenedione ratios than men with excessive erythrocytosis at HA and men at sea level. Men at HA with excessive erythrocytosis had higher T/DHEAS ratios than men with erythrocytosis and than those at sea level before and after letrozole administration. After letrozole administration, both groups of men at high altitude (with erythrocytosis or with excessive erythrocytosis) showed lower aromatase activities than those at sea level. In conclusion, higher serum testosterone levels in men with excessive erythrocytosis were associated with an increased rate of conversion from DHEAS to testosterone rather than to a lower aromatase activity.

I control therefore I am: effects of mortality salience on control attributions.

Terror Management Theory posits that when individuals are faced with their own mortality, they use several defense mechanisms to reduce the existential anxiety caused by the thought of their own death. In this paper, we examined one such mechanism: Control attributions. To do so, we ran an experiment (n = 140) in which we manipulated mortality salience and type of failure (relevant vs. irrelevant consequences) with which participants were faced. Participants were then instructed to evaluate the possible causes of their failure. The results indicated that participants assigned to the mortality salience condition, compared to those assigned to the control group, were more prone to making controllable attributions. That is, even in situations in which individuals are motivated to avoid responsibility (i.e., a relevant failure), mortality salience increased perceived controllability. These results suggest that attributions might serve as a control mechanism to compensate for the sheer uncontrollability of death.

I control therefore I am: effects of mortality salience on control attributions

Terror Management Theory posits that when individuals are faced with their own mortality, they use several defense mechanisms to reduce the existential anxiety caused by the thought of their own death. In this paper, we examined one such mechanism: Control attributions. To do so, we ran an experiment (n = 140) in which we manipulated mortality salience and type of failure (relevant vs. irrelevant consequences) with which participants were faced. Participants were then instructed to evaluate the possible causes of their failure. The results indicated that participants assigned to the mortality salience condition, compared to those assigned to the control group, were more prone to making controllable attributions. That is, even in situations in which individuals are motivated to avoid responsibility (i.e., a relevant failure), mortality salience increased perceived controllability. These results suggest that attributions might serve as a control mechanism to compensate for the sheer uncontrollability of death (AU)

Desde la Teoría del Manejo del Terror se propone que ante el pensamiento de su propia muerte, los individuos desarrollan diversos mecanismos de defensa con el objetivo de disminuir la ansiedad existencial causada por la mortalidad. En este artículo se examinó uno de estos mecanismos: las atribuciones de control. Así, se realizó un experimento (n = 140) en el cual se manipuló la saliencia de la mortalidad y el tipo de fracaso (con consecuencias relevantes vs. con consecuencias poco relevantes) al que los participantes se enfrentaron. Después se les pidió a los participantes que evaluaran las causas de dicho fracaso. Los resultados mostraron que aquellos participantes a los que se les hizo saliente la mortalidad, en comparación con el grupo control, exhibieron una mayor tendencia para realizar atribuciones controlables; es decir, incluso en aquellas situaciones en las que los individuos podrían estar motivados para evadir la responsabilidad (i.e., un fracaso relevante), la saliencia de la mortalidad aumentó la controlabilidad percibida. Estos resultados sugieren que las atribuciones pueden ser un mecanismo de control compensatorio frente a la incontrolabilidad de la muerte (AU)

Serum testosterone levels and score of chronic mountain sickness in Peruvian men natives at 4340 m.

Life at high altitudes (>4000 m) is associated with higher erythropoiesis. Haemoglobin ≥21 g dl(-1) is considered as excessive erythrocytosis and is a sign of chronic mountain sickness (CMS). The present study was designed to determine an association between serum testosterone (T) and serum oestradiol (E(2) ) levels with the score of CMS. One hundred and seventeen men natives from low altitude (150 m) and 103 men natives from high altitude (4340 m) were studied. The presence of breathlessness or palpitations, sleep disturbance, cyanosis, dilatation of veins, paraesthesia, headaches, tinnitus and Hb ≥21 g dl(-1) , have been included for the CMS score. Men living at high altitude had higher CMS score (P < 0.001), serum T (P < 0.05) and serum E(2) levels (P < 0.04) and had lower serum luteinising hormone levels (P < 0.005) than men living at sea level. At high altitude, the group with the highest CMS score (≥10) showed higher chronological age, SpO(2) , serum T and ratio T/E(2) than the group with CMS score of ≤4. Some symptoms of CMS as sleep disorders and paraesthesia were more related to high serum T level; cyanosis was more related to higher haemoglobin values. In conclusion, higher serum T levels were associated to higher scores of CMS.

The investigation of congenital infection by Trypanosoma cruzi in an endemic area of Chile: three protocols explored in a pilot project.

Given the increasing travel of pregnant women from areas were Trypanosoma cruzi is endemic, the congenital transmission of the parasite has become a global public-health problem. In a recent pilot study, which ran in Chile from 2006 to 2010, three strategies for exploring and managing T. cruzi-infected mothers and their infected or uninfected neonates were investigated. Any protocols applied to the investigation of such mother-and-child pairs need to include the detection of infection in pregnant women, the detection of infection, if any, in the children born to the women, the appropriate treatment of the infected neonates, and the serological-parasitological follow-up of all of the neonates until their medical discharge.