Postpartum consciousness disturbance: can covid-19 cause posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome? / Alteración del nivel de conciencia puerperal: ¿puede el COVID-19 ser causa de síndrome de encefalopatía posterior reversible?

We describe the case of a 24-year-old pregnant woman with no history of note who was admitted with a diagnosis of bilateral pneumonia caused by the new coronavirus. Due to clinical worsening, she required urgent cesarean section with general anaesthesia and intubation for decubitus intolerance. After extubation, she presented altered mental state that required a differential diagnosis of encephalitis/meningitis secondary to SARS-CoV-2. CT and CT-angiography were normal, spinal fluid tests were non-specific, and magnetic resonance imaging reported posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) (due to radiological features suggestive of white matter vasogenic edema affecting the parietal, temporal and occipital lobes, along with altered mental state) secondary to gestational hypertension. Eleven days after the cesarean section the patient began to develop hypertension that required treatment. PRES is associated with certain clinical (headache, altered mental state, visual disturbances and convulsions) and radiological (reversible changes in white substance mainly affecting the parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes) characteristics suggestive of vasogenic oedema In pregnant SARS-CoV-2 patients, the differential diagnosis of hypertension and altered mental state is often extremely complicated because complementary tests can be normal and there is no immediate sign of peripartum hypertension. SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing in spinal fluid could have provided a definitive diagnosis, but the treatment would not have differed.

Natural Enemies of the Harrisia Cactus Mealybug and Other Hypogeococcus Species (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Puerto Rico: Identification and Taxonomic Notes on Primary and Secondary Parasitoids.

Primary and secondary parasitoids of Hypogeococcus spp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) on Cactaceae, Amaranthaceae, and Portulacaceae were reported from field surveys conducted in Puerto Rico, USA, since 2009. Resident natural enemies of the Harrisia cactus mealybug (HCM), Hypogeococcus sp., which is devastating native cacti in Puerto Rico and threatening cacti in the adjacent Caribbean islands, were documented prior to the planned introductions of non-native biological control agents from South America against this pest. Two species of Encyrtidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea) were recorded as primary parasitoids of the HCM on Cactaceae: Leptomastidea hypogeococci Triapitsyn, which was the most common, and Anagyrus quilmes Triapitsyn, Logarzo & Aguirre. Another primary parasitoid, Acerophagus sp. near nubilipennis Dozier (Encyrtidae), was also reared from a different Hypogeococcus sp. on Amaranthaceae and Portulacaceae. Hyperparasitoids, usually via L. hypogeococci, included Prochiloneurus narendrani Noyes & Triapitsyn (Encyrtidae), Pachyneuron sp. (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), Chartocerus elongatus (Girault), and Chartocerus niger (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Signiphoridae). Cheiloneurus chrisiantorresi Triapitsyn sp. n. (Encyrtidae) is newly described and illustrated; its status as a suspect hyperparasitoid of Hypogeococcus sp. on Amaranthaceae and Portulacaceae, along with that of Cheiloneurus sp., will need to be verified. The recorded HCM predators include one species of Chamaemyiidae (Diptera), Leucopina bella (Loew), and three species of Coccinellidae (Coleoptera): Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant, Decadiomus austrinus (Gordon), and Scymnobius flavifrons (Melsheimer).

Survival after biochemical failure in prostate cancer treated with radiotherapy: Spanish Registry of Prostate Cancer (RECAP) database outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: The clinical course in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) after biochemical failure (BF) has received limited attention. This study analyzes survival time from recurrence, patterns of progression, and the efficacy of salvage therapies in patients treated with radical or postoperative radiotherapy (RT). METHODS: This is a multicenter retrospective comparative study of 1135 patients diagnosed with BF and treated with either radical (882) or postoperative (253) RT. Data correspond to the RECAP database. Clinical, tumor, and therapeutic characteristics were collected. Descriptive statistics, survival estimates, and comparisons of survival rates were calculated. RESULTS: Time to BF from initial treatment (RT or surgery) was higher in irradiated patients (51 vs 37 months). At a median follow-up of 102 months (14-254), the 8-year cause-specific survival (CSS) was 80.5%, without significant differences between the radical (80.1%) and postoperative (83.4%) RT groups. The 8-year metastasis-free survival rate was 57%. 173 patients (15%) died of PCa and 29 (2.5%) of a second cancer. No salvage therapy was given in 15% of pts. Only 5.5% of pts who underwent radical RT had local salvage treatment and 71% received androgen deprivation (AD) ± chemotherapy. The worst outcomes were in patients who developed metastases after BF (302 pts; 26.5%) and in cases with a Gleason > 7. CONCLUSIONS: In PCa treated with radiotherapy, median survival after BF is relatively long. In this sample, no differences in survival rates at 8-years have been found, regardless of the time of radiotherapy administered. AD was the most common treatment after BF. Metastases and high Gleason score are adverse variables. To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare outcomes after BF among patients treated with primary RT vs. those treated with postoperative RT and to evaluate recurrence patterns, treatments administered, and causes of death. The results allow avoiding overtreatment, improving quality of life, without negatively affecting survival.

Mercury-induced aggregation of human lens γ-crystallins reveals a potential role in cataract disease.

Cataract disease results from non-amyloid aggregation of eye lens proteins and is the leading cause of blindness in the world. A variety of studies have implicated both essential and xenobiotic metals as potential etiological agents in cataract disease. Essential metal ions, such as copper and zinc, are known to induce the aggregation in vitro of human γD crystallin, one of the more abundant γ-crystallins in the core of the lens. In this study, we expand the investigation of metal-crystallin interactions to heavy metal ions, such as divalent lead, cadmium and mercury. The impact of these metal ions in the non-amyloid aggregation, protein folding and thermal stability of three homologous human lens γ-crystallins has been evaluated using turbidity assays, electron microscopy, electronic absorption and circular dichroism spectroscopies. Our results show that Hg(II) ions can induce the non-amyloid aggregation of human γC and γS crystallins, but not γD crystallin. The mechanism of Hg-induced aggregation involves direct metal-protein interactions, loss of thermal stability, partial unfolding of the N-terminal domain of these proteins, and formation of disulfide-bridged dimers. Putative Hg(II) binding sites in γ-crystallins involved in metal-induced aggregation are discussed. This study reveals that mercury ions can induce the aggregation of human lens proteins, uncovering a potential role of this heavy metal ion in the bioinorganic chemistry of cataract disease.

The Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) protects the kidney from damage produced by a single and low dose of carbon tetrachloride in adult male rats.

Gingko biloba leaves have been used as herbal medicine in China for 5000 years, and the standardized leaf extract (GB-STE) has some beneficial effects in the treatment of age-related, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the renoprotective effects of the Gingko biloba extract (GbE) against the toxicity of a single and relatively low dose of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). In male adult Wistar rats, we determined the urine flux, the concentration of total proteins in urine, the concentration of glucose in urine, and the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in renal cortex as well as two markers of renal function (clearance of inulin and p-aminohippurate); we also compared the histological lesions caused by CCl4. Carbon tetrachloride increased the urinary concentration of total proteins, and the renal concentration of MDA; however, it did not modify the urine flux, urinary concentration of glucose, nor the inuline or the p-aminohipurate clearances. Morphologically, CCl4 generated some tubular damage that was more intense in the inner cortex of kidneys. The GbE extract counteracted the effects of CCl4 on the concentration of total proteins in urine, the concentration of renal MDA, and the renal histological changes. In conclusion the main toxic effects produced by CCl4 were prevented by the GbE, probably due to their antioxidant properties and the inhibition of the main P450 isoenzyme (CYP2E1) that metabolize CCl4.

Erupción eritematosa supravenosa persistente por vinorelbina / Persistent supravenous erythematous eruption induced by vinorelbine

Presentamos un paciente con cáncer de pulmón que desarrolló una erupción cutánea eritematosa persistente sobre la vena inyectada tras la infusión de vinorelbina, sin evidencia de extravasación ni de flebitis superficial. Los hallazgos histopatológicos fueron compatibles con el diagnóstico de una reacción de tipo eritema multiforme-like (necrolisis epidérmica localizada) con anormalidades en la maduración de los queratinocitos, hidradenitisecrina neutrofílica y siringometaplasia escamosa. Todos estos hallazgos son similares a los observados en otras reacciones por citotoxicidad directa porla quimioterapia y pensamos que este caso puede ser considerado como una erupción eritematosa supravenosa persistente por vinorelbina (AU)

A patient with cancer of the lung who developed a persistent erythematous eruption overling the injected vein induced by perfusion of vinorelbine is reported. No evidence of superficial phlebitis or extravasation were observed. Histologic features were consistent with erythema multiforme - like reaction (localized epidermal necrolysis) with abnormalities of the maduration of keratinocytes, eccrine neutrophilic hidradenitis and squamous syringometaplasia.This pathologic alterations are almost diagnostic of a citotoxic chemotherapeutic reaction and we think this case could be diagnostic as a persistent supravenous erythematous eruption (AU)

Protective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on liver damage by a single dose of CCl(4) in male rats.

Functional and morphological alterations were generated by p.o. (per os) administration of a single oral dose of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4); 0.125 mL/kg b.w., equivalent to 293 mg/kg) to adult male Wistar rats. CCl(4) significantly increased (p < 0.05) the serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT; 7478 ± 1044%) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST; 6964 ± 833%), compared to control rats; CCl(4) also significantly decreased serum concentration of albumin (23 ± 5.5%) and increased the concentration of malondialhdeyde (MDA) in liver (300 ± 33%). Furthermore, CCl(4) down-regulated the mRNA steady-state level of tumor necrosis factor a(TNF-a). CCl(4) produced necrosis in the central lobe area, extended to the periphery, nuclear alterations (pycnosis, karyolysis and karyorrhexis), and cytoplasmic acidophilia. The pretreatment with 4 mg/kg (p.o.) of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE), for 5 days, prevented most of the damage caused by CCl(4): significantly decreased the serum activities of ALT and AST (54 and 65%, respectively), compared to CCl(4)-treated rats; GbE partially prevented the increase of liver MDA (55 ± 14%) and the decrease of albumin concentration to 12 ± 0.2%. This pretreatment prevented the down-regulation of TNF-a and up-regulated the interleukine 6 (IL-6) mRNA steady-state level. Moreover, the GbE reduced the amount of necrotic areas in the central lobe area, compared to CCl(4)-treated rats.

Genetic diversity analysis of common beans based on molecular markers.

A core collection of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), representing genetic diversity in the entire Mexican holding, is kept at the INIFAP (Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agricolas y Pecuarias, Mexico) Germplasm Bank. After evaluation, the genetic structure of this collection (200 accessions) was compared with that of landraces from the states of Oaxaca, Chiapas and Veracruz (10 genotypes from each), as well as a further 10 cultivars, by means of four amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) +3/+3 primer combinations and seven simple sequence repeats (SSR) loci, in order to define genetic diversity, variability and mutual relationships. Data underwent cluster (UPGMA) and molecular variance (AMOVA) analyses. AFLP analysis produced 530 bands (88.5% polymorphic) while SSR primers amplified 174 alleles, all polymorphic (8.2 alleles per locus). AFLP indicated that the highest genetic diversity was to be found in ten commercial-seed classes from two major groups of accessions from Central Mexico and Chiapas, which seems to be an important center of diversity in the south. A third group included genotypes from Nueva Granada, Mesoamerica, Jalisco and Durango races. Here, SSR analysis indicated a reduced number of shared haplotypes among accessions, whereas the highest genetic components of AMOVA variation were found within accessions. Genetic diversity observed in the common-bean core collection represents an important sample of the total Phaseolus genetic variability at the main Germplasm Bank of INIFAP. Molecular marker strategies could contribute to a better understanding of the genetic structure of the core collection as well as to its improvement and validation.

Genetic diversity analysis of common beans based on molecular markers

A core collection of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), representing genetic diversity in the entire Mexican holding, is kept at the INIFAP (Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agricolas y Pecuarias, Mexico) Germplasm Bank. After evaluation, the genetic structure of this collection (200 accessions) was compared with that of landraces from the states of Oaxaca, Chiapas and Veracruz (10 genotypes from each), as well as a further 10 cultivars, by means of four amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) +3/+3 primer combinations and seven simple sequence repeats (SSR) loci, in order to define genetic diversity, variability and mutual relationships. Data underwent cluster (UPGMA) and molecular variance (AMOVA) analyses. AFLP analysis produced 530 bands (88.5 percent polymorphic) while SSR primers amplified 174 alleles, all polymorphic (8.2 alleles per locus). AFLP indicated that the highest genetic diversity was to be found in ten commercial-seed classes from two major groups of accessions from Central Mexico and Chiapas, which seems to be an important center of diversity in the south. A third group included genotypes from Nueva Granada, Mesoamerica, Jalisco and Durango races. Here, SSR analysis indicated a reduced number of shared haplotypes among accessions, whereas the highest genetic components of AMOVA variation were found within accessions. Genetic diversity observed in the common-bean core collection represents an important sample of the total Phaseolus genetic variability at the main Germplasm Bank of INIFAP. Molecular marker strategies could contribute to a better understanding of the genetic structure of the core collection as well as to its improvement and validation.

A qualitative study about immigrant workers' perceptions of their working conditions in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Spain has recently become an inward migration country. Little is known about the occupational health of immigrant workers. This study aimed to explore the perceptions that immigrant workers in Spain had of their working conditions. METHODS: Qualitative, exploratory, descriptive study. Criterion sampling. Data collected between September 2006 and May 2007 through semi-structured focus groups and individual interviews, with a topic guide. One hundred and fifty-eight immigrant workers (90 men/68 women) from Colombia (n = 21), Morocco (n = 39), sub-Saharan Africa (n = 29), Romania (n = 44) and Ecuador (n = 25), who were authorised (documented) or unauthorised (undocumented) residents in five medium to large cities in Spain. RESULTS: Participants described poor working conditions, low pay and health hazards. Perception of hazards appeared to be related to gender and job sector. Informants were highly segregated into jobs by sex, however, so this issue will need further exploration. Undocumented workers described poorer conditions than documented workers, which they attributed to their documentation status. Documented participants also felt vulnerable because of their immigrant status. Informants believed that deficient language skills, non-transferability of their education and training and, most of all, their immigrant status and economic need left them with little choice but to work under poor conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The occupational health needs of immigrant workers must be addressed at the job level, while improving the enforcement of existing health and safety regulations. The roles that documentation status and economic need played in these informants' work experiences should be considered and how these may influence health outcomes.

Complicaciones infrecuentes en la cateterización de vías venosas centrales / Uncommon complications in central venous catheterization

No disponible

Calcium (hydrogen-1-malate) hexahydrate on Echeveria gibbiflora leaves and its effect on sperm cells.

Echeveria gibbiflora is a plant widely used for its contraceptive activity in traditional Mexican medicine. Data on calcium crystals in plants are not outstanding. In the case of the Echeveria gibbiflora leaves, however, its quality, quantity, and salt type are quite surprising; one striking result of its X-ray crystallographic data shows the presence of calcium bis (hydrogen-1-malate) hexahydrate [2(C4H5O(5)1), Ca(1)2+, 6(H2O1)]. This highly soluble compound might explain the rapid shape changes of calcium crystals. Because SEM-EDS analysis shows that calcium malate crystals were obtained in a highly pure state and the immobilization and agglutination pattern that OBACE show on human and bull spermatozoa are not found even when high concentrations of calcium bis (hydrogen-1-malate) hexahydrate salt are present it is not feasible to involucrate molecules as calcium malate as part of the OBACE contraceptive activity.

[Antisynthetase syndrome without myositic disease: a case report]. / Síndrome antisintetasa sin afectación miosítica: a propósito de un caso.

Antisynthetase syndrome is a rare disorder, included among the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, characterized by the presence of antisynthetase antibodies. We present a case of a patient with a suggestive clinical stage of interstitial lung disease, skin and articular disease, but without muscle involvement, with the presence of anti Jol antibodies.

The ATP levels in kidneys and blood are mainly decreased by acute ingestion of tullidora (Karwinskia humboldtiana).

Our previous acute toxicity studies with Karwinskia humboldtiana (Kh) in rats showed renal hemodynamic changes with a marked increase in the fractional excretion of sodium and morphological damage. To analyse the effects of Kh or 'tullidora' on energetic metabolism, a single dose of an oral preparation from the seed fruits was given to Wistar rats (1.25 g/kg). In tullidora-treated rats there was 8% mortality. ATP concentrations in renal tissue decreased significantly (control: 53.85+/-3.34, tullidora 38.28+/-5.31 micromol/g fresh tissue, P<0.05). Total blood (54.8+/-0.96, tullidora: 40.2+/-1.55 micromol/dL, P<0.01) and haemoglobin-ATP concentrations (3.69+/-0.12, tullidora: 2.56+/-0.11 micromol/g, P<0.01) were also significantly diminished. Moreover, the total protein in renal cortex from tullidora-treated rats decreased as compared to control group (control: 71.43+/-2.88, tullidora: 55.20+/-4.06 mg/g fresh tissue, P<0.05). In contrast, Na+-K+-ATPase activity in tullidora-treated animals was not different from control rats. These findings might partially explain the acute effects and mortality observed in the Kh treated rats.

Síndrome antisintetasa sin afectación miosítica: a propósito de un caso / Antisynthetase syndrome without myositic disease: a case report

El síndrome antisintetasa (SAS) es un trastorno infrecuente, incluido entre las miopatías inflamatorias idiopáticas, que se caracteriza por la presencia de anticuerpos antisintetasa (ACAS). Presentamos el caso de un paciente con cuadro clínico consistente en afectación intersticial pulmonar,alteraciones cutáneas y articulares, pero sin afectación muscular, junto con la presencia de anticuerpos anti-Jol

Antisynthetase syndrome is a rare disorder, included among the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, characterized by the presence of antisynthetase antibodies. We present a case of a patient with a sugestive clinical stage of interstitial lung disease, skin and articular disease, but without muscle involvement, with the presence of anti Jol antibodies

Detection and bioimaging of nitric oxide in bovine oocytes and sperm cells.

Mammalian gametes contain constitutive nitric oxide synthases (NOS) to synthesize nitric oxide (NO). The detection and bioimaging of NO in bovine gametes is important to determine the regulatory roles of NO during the different events of fertilization. Diaminofluoresceins, new fluorescence indicators for NO, were applied to detect the release of NO from bovine gametes. These compounds yield green fluorescent triazolofluoresceins, which provide the advantages of high specificity, sensitivity, and simplicity for the detection of NO. In this study, we mapped the expression of NOS in the bovine sperm and ova. NOS activity in sperm first appeared in the acrosome, then 60 min later in the head, middle piece, cytoplasmic droplet, and tail. Cow ova had high NO activity in the cytoplasm and in the surrounding corona cells, but not in the zona pellucida. These results show that for bovine gametes, the synthesis NO by the NOS system presents clear patterns of time and spatial distribution that may be important for the different events of fertilization.