El Museo de Anatomía de la Universidad de Chile, un monumento nacional / The anatomy museum of the University of Chile: a national monument

The accrual of anatomical preparations since the nineteenth century in Santiago, Chile, became the so called "anatomical cabinet" under the supervision of professor Julio F Lafargue. Afterwards, this cabinet evolved to form an anatomical museum in the mid twentieth century. It contained preparations using corpses whose identification was not known. Now, the corpses are donated through a body donation program that started thirty years ago. The collection contains, among other interesting items, a situs inversus preparation, Juan Martel's mummy, Tramond house wax preparations and a jibarized head. Nowadays, the museum is open to the community, its collection is recognized as a national historical monument, and has links with other university museums in the country and abroad.

[The anatomy museum of the University of Chile: a national monument]. / El Museo de Anatomía de la Universidad de Chile, un monumento nacional.

The accrual of anatomical preparations since the nineteenth century in Santiago, Chile, became the so called "anatomical cabinet" under the supervision of professor Julio F Lafargue. Afterwards, this cabinet evolved to form an anatomical museum in the mid twentieth century. It contained preparations using corpses whose identification was not known. Now, the corpses are donated through a body donation program that started thirty years ago. The collection contains, among other interesting items, a situs inversus preparation, Juan Martel's mummy, Tramond house wax preparations and a jibarized head. Nowadays, the museum is open to the community, its collection is recognized as a national historical monument, and has links with other university museums in the country and abroad.

eNOS gene Glu298Asp and 4b/a polymorphisms are associated with renal function parameters in Mexican patients with Fabry disease.

Fabry disease (FD) is an inherited X-linked lysosomal disease that causes renal failure in a high percentage of affected individuals. The eNOS gene encodes for endothelial nitric oxide synthase, which plays an important role in glomerular hemodynamics. This gene has two main polymorphisms (Glu298Asp and 4b/a) that have been studied in the context of many different diseases, including those involving cardiovascular and renal alterations. Considering the lack of information regarding eNOS variants and FD, we investigated whether there were associations between eNOS genetic variants and renal function parameters in Mexican patients with FD and renal impairment. In total, 15 FD patients with renal alterations were included in the present study, and associations between eNOS polymorphisms and renal function parameters (urea, creatinine, and GFR) were evaluated. The Asp298 and 4a alleles of the eNOS gene were found to be significantly associated with increased levels of urea and creatinine, and a decreased glomerular filtration rate in FD patients, and this association behaved in a co-dominant fashion. Our results coincide with previous reports showing an association between these polymorphisms and kidney disease, and along with other studies regarding their role in the nitric oxide pathway, suggest that these variants affect the severity of nephropathy in patients with FD.

Calpain-10 gene polymorphisms and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Mexican mestizos.

The calpain-10 gene is expressed primarily in tissues important in glucose metabolism; thus, some of its polymorphisms have been associated with type 2 diabetes. In this study, we examined the association between the calpain-10 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-43, SNP-19, and SNP-63 and type 2 diabetes in Mexican mestizos. We included 211 patients and 152 non-diabetic subjects. Polymerase chain reaction was used to identify alleles. We compared allele, genotype, haplotype, and diplotype frequencies between both groups and used the chi-square test to calculate the risk. The allele frequency of SNP-43 allele 1 was 70% in controls and 72% in patients; the GG, GA, and AA genotype frequencies were 48.7, 42.8, and 8.5% in controls and 51.2, 41.7, and 7.1% in patients, respectively. For SNP- 19, the prevalence of allele 1 (2R) was 32% in controls and 39% in patients. In controls, homozygosity (2R/2R) was 10.5%, heterozygosity was 42.8%, and 3R/3R was 46.7%; in cases, these values were 13.3, 50.7, and 36.0%, respectively. For SNP-63, the frequency of allele 1 was 87% in controls and 83% in patients; genotype frequencies in controls were 75.7% (CC), 23% (CT), and 1.3% (TT), and were 69.7, 27.5, and 2.8%, respectively for the cases. Genotype distributions were consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No significant intergroup differences for allele, genotype, haplotype, or diplotype frequencies were observed. We found no association between these polymorphisms and diabetes. However, our sample size was small, so the role of calpain-10 risk alleles should be further examined.

Depresión respiratoria neonatal y fentanilo intratecal / Neonatal Respiratory Depression and Intrathecal Fentanyl

Objetivo: Establecer la prevalencia de depresión respiratoria neonatal en pacientes expuestas a fentanil intratecal durante cesárea. Métodos: Estudio Observacional Retrospectivo Analítico Tipo Corte Transversal realizado en la Clínica Materno-Infantil de la Corporación Saludcoop en pacientes llevadas a cesárea y que recibieron Fentanil intratecal para anestesia regional en los años 2007 y 2008. Desenlaces primarios: APGAR Bajo (APGAR<7) y APGAR Severo (APGAR<4). Resultados: 2165 Registros de cesáreas y fentanil intratecal con dosis media de 19,21mcg DE=0,206mcg). Prevalencia de APGAR Bajo al nacer al minuto 01=1,77% (DE=0,63%), al minuto 05=0,11% (DE 0,163%), al minuto 10=0%; siendo estos dos últimos valores diferentes al valor del minuto 01 (ANOVA Test Scheffé p=0,031) y sin diferenciarse entre ellos (minutos 5 y 10) (ANOVA p=0,861). APGAR Severamente disminuido al nacer al minuto 1=0,059% (DE 0,058), a los minutos 5 y 10=0%. Los tres valores severamente disminuidos no presentaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre sí (ANOVA p=0,861). Conclusiones: La prevalencia de Depresión Respiratoria medido con el test de APGAR al nacer es baja; el compromiso severo del APGAR presenta una tendencia a 0 en todos los minutos de su valoración; aun así es cuestionable la fiabilidad de la herramienta diagnóstica APGAR) al existir discrepancias en el análisis con una escala mucho más sensible para el diagnóstico (Test de Silverman). La importancia de este estudio solo radica como evaluación de prevalencia y fuente de hipótesis de investigación, no como estudio de asociación o predicción.

Objective: To establish the prevalence of neonatal respiratory depression in patients exposed to intrathecal fentanyl during Cesarean section. Methods: Cross-sectional Analytical Observational Retrospective Study conducted at the Mother and Child Clinic of the Saludcoop Corporation in patients undergoing C-section who received intrathecal fentanyl for regional anesthesia in 2007 and 2008. Primary endpoints: low APGAR score (APGAR<7) and severe APGAR (APGAR<4). Results: 2165 records of C-sections and intrathecal fentanyl with a mean dose of 19.21mcg (SD=0.206mcg). Prevalence of low APGAR at 1.5 and 10 minutes was 1.77% (SD=0.63%), 0.11% (SD 0.163%), and 0%, respectively. The latter two values were different from the 1-minute value (ANOVA Scheffé Test, p=0.031) and there was no difference between them (minutes 5 and 10) (ANOVA p=0.861). Severely diminished APGAR results were, 0.059% (SD 0.058) 1 minute after birth and 0% at 5 and 10 minutes. There were no statistically significant differences between the three severely diminished values (ANOVA p=0.861). Conclusions: The prevalence of respiratory depression measured with the APGAR test at birth is low; severely compromised APGAR shows a trend towards 0 in the different minutes of assessment. However, the reliability of the diagnostic tool (APGAR) is questionable, considering discrepancies when the analysis is done with a far more sensitive diagnostic tool (Silverman test). The importance of this study relates only to the assessment of prevalence and its use as a source of a research hypothesis, and not as an association or prediction study.

Angio-Behçet: a propósito de un caso clínico / Angio-Behçet: a case report

Se ha denominado Angio-Behçet, al conglomerado de fenómenos tromboembólicos en contexto de una Enfermedad de Behçet, que correspondería a una presentación atípica de esta patología. A veces se presenta como accidente vascular isquémico y trombosis venosa asociada a signos clásicos de Enfermedad de Behçet: Úlceras orales y genitales y uveítis. La patogénesis de esta enfermedad ha sido ampliamente estudiada en relación a posible origen genético, autoinmune o infeccioso. El tratamiento es difícil y frecuentemente tardío debido a que el diagnóstico es muy complejo y de gran reto para el clínico.

Angio-Behçet is called to the group of thromboembolic phenomena, associated to Behçet Disease and corresponds to an atypical manifestation of this disease. Sometimes it as an ischemic stroke with venous thrombosis associated to the classical signs of Behçet Disease: oral and genital ulcers and uveitis. The pathogenesis of this disease has been widely studied, with reference to a possible genetic, autoimmune or infectious origin. The treatment is difficult and is frequently late, because the diagnosis is very complex, being a great challenge for any clinician.

Population-based survey of taeniasis along the United States-Mexico border.

Taenia solium and T. saginata are zoonotic tapeworms of substantial medical and economic importance. Although human taeniasis is widely recognised as an endemic problem in Mexico, its presence in the United States is poorly understood. The first population-based study to estimate the prevalence of human infection with Taenia tapeworms along the Texas-Mexico border has recently been conducted. Households were interviewed in the Texan city of El Paso and in the neighbouring Ciudad Juárez, in Mexico. Faecal samples from household members were then checked for Taenia eggs by flotation and/or for Taenia copro-antigens in an ELISA. The overall prevalence of taeniasis in this border region was found to be 3% but, compared with the residents of Juárez, El Paso residents were 8.6-fold more likely to be tapeworm carriers. The interviews revealed some important differences between the two study sites, particularly the more frequent use of anthelminthic drugs on the Mexican side of the border. These findings have implications in terms of the planning of effective health-education campaigns to decrease the prevalence of taeniasis in the human populations along the Texas-Mexico border.

Occurrence of faecal contamination in households along the US-Mexico border.

AIMS: The study aim was to determine the presence of total and faecal coliforms on kitchen surfaces, in tap water and on the hands of caregivers in households on both sides of the US-Mexico border. METHODS AND RESULTS: Samples were collected in 135 randomly selected households in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and El Paso, Texas. Different surfaces throughout the kitchen and head of households' hands were sampled using sterile cotton swabs moistened in D/E neutralizing solution. Sponge/dishcloth and drinking water samples were also obtained. Total and faecal coliforms were enumerated on m-Endo LES and mFC respectively. Total coliforms and Escherichia coli in drinking water samples were enumerated in accordance with the Quanti-Tray method. Sponge/dishcloth samples were the most commonly contaminated kitchen sites, followed by countertops and cutting boards. We recovered faecal coliforms from 14% of the hands of child caregivers, and this indicator was moderately associated with self-reported failure to wash hands after using the toilet (OR = 3.2; 95% CI: 0.9, 11.1). CONCLUSIONS: Hand washing should continue to be emphasized, and additional interventions should be directed to specific kitchen areas, such as sponges/dishcloths, tables/countertops and cutting boards. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: There is a need for additional interventions regarding kitchen sanitation.

Dermatosis liquenoides / Lichenoid dermatoses

Las Dermatosis Liquenoides son un grupo de enfermedades frecuentes en Dermatología. La palabra liquen produce confusión a los dermatólogos, pues es utilizada indistintamente para definir un patrón histopatológico de infiltrado linfocítico en banda en la membrana basal, así como también un patrón clínico de pápulas violáceas aplanadas y brillantes. Considerando su frecuencia, es conveniente que los dermatólogos se encuentren bien familiarizados con estos conceptos en orden a realizar diagnósticos precisos y así otorgar tratamientos adecuados a estos pacientes.

Lichenoid dermatoses are a group of diseases frequently seen in dermatology. The word lichen tends to confuse dermatologists because this term describes a histopathological pattern characterized by a band-like lymphocytic infiltrate in the basal membrane, as well as a clinical pattern of flat, violet, shiny papules. Given the high number of patients suffering from this disorder, it is advisable for dermatologists to be well familiarized with these concepts in order to give an accurate diagnosis and suitable treatment.

Rabeprazole containing triple therapy to eradicate Helicobacter pylori infection on the Texas-Mexican border.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic resistance and duration of therapy influence the success of proton-pump inhibitor-containing Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy. Clarithromycin resistance is associated with treatment failure. AIM: To examine the success of a 7-day rabeprazole-clarithromycin-amoxicillin therapy in the study population. METHODS: Adults from Ciudad Juarez with H. pylori infections identified by culture or histology received rabeprazole 20 mg, clarithromycin 0.5 g and amoxicillin 1 g, each b.d. for 7 days. Outcome was assessed by 13C-urea breath test carried out 4+ weeks after treatment. RESULTS: A total of 111 patients were enrolled and evaluated by urea breath test; 102 completed the full 7 days therapy. Two deviated from protocol, and five stopped because of adverse events. The cure rate (intention-to-treat) was 85% (95% CI: 78-91%); the per-protocol cure rate was 85% (95% CI: 78-91%). Side-effects were not serious and only 6.6% of those with adverse events stopped medication. Only three isolates were clarithromycin-resistant and none was cured. Compliance explained most of the successes. CONCLUSIONS: In the study population a 7-day rabeprazole triple eradication therapy was both effective and well-tolerated. Clarithromycin resistance was uncommon. We observed a slightly better outcome but consistent with results from recent large studies in US populations.

Rosácea ocular: un diagnóstico a menudo no considerado en rosácea / Ocular rosacea: a diagnostic frequently non-considered in rosacea

La rosácea es una enfermedad crónica que puede asociarse e incluso debutar con un compromiso ocular (rosácea ocular), siendo ésta principalmente de predominio palpebral (blefaritis), conjuntiva y/o corneal, es decir, fundamentalmente del polo anterior del ojo. Se presume multifactorial, siendo la alteración de la composición del componente lipídico de la lágrima, motivada por lipasas estafilocócicas aumentadas y meibomitis, los eventos precursores más ampliamente aceptados. Actualmente el tratamiento se basa en fotoprotección ocular, uso de lágrimas artificiales y antibioticoterapia oral y tópica. Otras alternativas de segunda línea son el metronidazol, isotretinoína tópica y sistémica, cirugía y oclusión del punto lacrimal.