Boron-containing compounds as labels, drugs, and theranostic agents for diabetes and its complications.

Diabetes is a disease with a high global burden. Current strategies have failed to limit the advancement and impact of the disease. Successful early diagnosis and treatment will require the development of new agents. In this sense, boron-containing compounds have been reported as agents with the ability to reduce glycemia and lipidemia. They have also been used for labeling and measuring carbohydrates and other molecules linked to the initial stages of diabetes and its progression. In addition, certain boron compounds bind to molecules related to diabetes development and their biological activity in the regulation of elevated glycemia. Finally, it should be noted that some boron compounds appear to exert beneficial effects on diabetes complications such as accelerating wound healing while ameliorating pain in diabetic patients.

Manejo endovascular de aneurisma arteria hepática común

Introducción: El aneurisma de la arteria hepática es infrecuente, presentándose principalmente en trauma y en pacientes con aterosclerosis. Su manejo es complejo y desafiante aún en manos expertas, siendo el abordaje endovascular de elección. Caso clínico: Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 66 años con poliarteritis nodosa a la que se le diagnostica, incidentalmente, un aneurisma de la arteria hepática común (AHC). Inicialmente, se intenta manejo conservador, sin embargo se evidencia crecimiento significativo en el seguimiento por lo que se decide resolución quirúrgica endovascular. Se realiza embolización selectiva de todo el segmento aneurismático de la AHC, mantiendo la perfusión del lóbulo hepático derecho, con apoyo de ultrasonografía intraoperatoria. Discusión: El método de tratamiento preferido para esta entidad es la embolización percutánea con coils metálicos. Si bien es el de menor morbimortalidad asociada, no está exento de riesgos.

Introduction: Hepatic artery aneurysm is rare. The most common etiologies are atherosclerosis and trauma. Management is difficult and challenging. An endovascular approach is preferred to open surgery. Case report: 66-year-old patient with polyarteritis nodosa who was incidentally diagnosed with a common hepatic artery (CHA) aneurysm. Initially, conservative management was performed, however, during follow-up significant growth was evidenced. Endovascular treatment was decided over surgery. Selective embolization of the entire aneurysmal segment of CHA was performed, maintaining perfusion of the right hepatic lobe. Discussion: Percutaneous embolization with metal coils is the treatment of choice for this entity. Although it is the one with the lowest morbidity and mortality, it is not without risks.

Uso de bebidas energizantes y síntomas de insomnio en estudiantes de medicina de una universidad peruana / Use of energy drinks and insomnia symptoms in medical students from a Peruvian university

OBJETIVO: Determinar la asociación entre el consumo de bebidas energizantes y síntomas de insomnio en estudiantes de medicina de una universidad en Lima, Perú. MATERIALES Y MÉTODO: El tipo de estudio realizado es transversal analítico. La población objetivo fueron los estudiantes de medicina de una universidad peruana ubicada en Lima sur de segundo y quinto año. Hubo 289 participantes en el estudio. Se utilizó una encuesta compuesta por un cuestionario sobre el consumo de bebidas energizantes y el Insomnia Severity Index, del cual se determinó un punto de corte de 15 para considerar la presencia de síntomas de insomnio. El análisis multivariado crudo y ajustado se realizó usando la regresión de Poisson con varianza robusta ajustado para sexo, edad, consumo de café, y antecedente de ansiedad y depresión, para obtener el PR (Razón de Prevalencias) con un intervalo de confianza de 95%. RESULTADOS Y DISCUSIÓN: La prevalencia de síntomas de insomnio en la muestra estudiada fue de 21,80%, mientras que la de consumo de bebidas energizantes fue de 39,45%. Se encontró asociación significativa (p=0,008) entre el consumo de este tipo de bebidas y la presencia de síntomas de insomnio. Además, se encontró que los estudiantes que consumen bebidas energizantes tuvieron 1,78 veces más probabilidad de presentar síntomas de insomnio (IC95%: 1,13-2,82), en comparación con los que no consumieron bebidas energizantes (p=0,013). CONCLUSIONES: Existe asociación entre el consumo de bebidas energizantes y síntomas de insomnio.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between the consumption of energy drinks and symptoms of insomnia in medical students of a university in Lima, Peru. Materials and METHODS: This study is cross-sectional analytical. The target population was the second-and fifth-year medical students of a private Peruvian university in southern Lima. There were 289 participants in this study. For this study, a survey composed of a questionnaire about the consumption of energy drinks and the Insomnia Severity Index were used, from which a cut-off point of 15 was determined to consider the presence of insomnia symptoms. The multivariate crude and adjusted analysis were done with Poisson regression with robust variance adjusted for sex, age, coffee consumption, previous diagnosis of depression and previous diagnosis of anxiety; to calculate the PR (Prevalence Ratio) with a 95% CI. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The prevalence of insomnia symptoms in the sample studied was 21,80%, while the consumption of energy drinks was 39,45%. A significant association was found (p = 0.008) between the consumption of this type of drinks and the presence of insomnia symptoms. In addition, it was found that students who consumed energy drinks were 1,78 times more likely to have symptoms of insomnia (95% CI: 1,13-2,82), compared to those who did not consume energy drinks (p=<0,013). CONCLUSIONS: There is an association between the consumption of energy drinks and symptoms of insomnia.

Efecto nefroprotector del Camu Camu (Myrciaria dubia) en un modelo de nefrotoxicidad inducida por gentamicina en ratas / Nephroprotective effect of Camu Camu (Myrciaria dubia) in a model of nephrotoxicity induced by Gentamicin in rats

RESUMEN El objetivo del estudio fue determinar el efecto nefroprotector del extracto de camu camu en un modelo de nefrotoxicidad inducida por la gentamicina. Estudio de tipo experimental formado por 50 ratas Sprague Dawley que se dividieron aleatoriamente en cinco grupos de estudio: Al grupo control se le administró la solución salina, al grupo gentamicina se le indujo la nefrotoxicidad y a los grupos experimentales 1, 2 y 3 se les protegió con el extracto alcohólico de camu camu a diferentes dosis. La actividad nefroprotectora se evaluó por la cuantificación de la creatinina sérica, el peso y análisis histopatológico de los riñones. Los resultados evidenciaron una disminución significativa del nivel de creatinina en los grupos protegidos con el extracto alcohólico de camu camu con respecto al grupo gentamicina (p<0,05). Los grupos que recibieron camu camu presentaron un aumento gradual del peso de los riñones en una relación directa a la dosis del extracto (p<0,05). El análisis histológico evidenció pérdida epitelial, infiltrado inflamatorio intenso y congestión vascular en el grupo gentamicina, mientras que los grupos que recibieron camu camu con el extracto disminuyeron la gravedad del daño. Se concluye que el extracto de camu camu presentó una actividad nefroprotectora significativa en un modelo de nefrotoxicidad inducida por gentamicina.

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to determine the nephroprotective effect of camu camu extract on a gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity model. The study design was experimental using 50 Sprague Dawley rats randomly allocated into 1 of 5 five groups: a control group that was administered a saline solution, a gentamicin group in which nephrotoxicity was induced and experimental groups 1, 2 and 3 that were provided different doses of Camu Camu alcoholic extract. Nephroprotective activity was evaluated via quantification of seric creatinine, histopathological analysis and weighing of the kidneys. Results showed a significant decrease in creatinine levels between the group administered camu camu alcoholic extract and the gentamicin group (p<0.05). Groups who received camu camu presented a gradual increase in kidneys weight which corresponded directly to the extract dose (p<0.05). The histopathological analysis showed epithelial loss, intense inflammatory infiltrate and vascular congestion in the gentamicin group, while the groups who received the extract had a lower level of damage. Camu Camu extract provided a significant nephroprotective activity on a gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity model.

[Psychometric properties and diagnostic value of 'lexical screening for aphasias']. / Propiedades psicometricas y utilidad diagnostica del 'screening lexico para las afasias'

INTRODUCTION. Language assessment in persons with brain injury makes it possible to know whether they require language rehabilitation or not. Given the importance of a precise evaluation, assessment instruments must be valid and reliable, so as to avoid mistaken and subjective diagnoses. AIM. To validate 'lexical screening for aphasias' in a sample of 58 Chilean individuals. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. A screening-type language test, lasting 20 minutes and based on the lexical processing model devised by Patterson and Shewell (1987), was constructed. The sample was made up of two groups containing 29 aphasic subjects and 29 control subjects from different health centres in the regions of Biobio and Maule, Chile. Their ages ranged between 24 and 79 years and had between 0 and 17 years' schooling. Tests were carried out to determine discriminating validity, concurrent validity with the aphasia disorder assessment battery, reliability, sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS. The statistical analysis showed a high discriminating validity (p < 0.001), an acceptable mean concurrent validity with aphasia disorder assessment battery (rs = 0.65), high mean reliability (alpha = 0.87), moderate mean sensitivity (69%) and high mean specificity (86%). CONCLUSION. 'Lexical screening for aphasias' is valid and reliable for assessing language in persons with aphasias; it is sensitive for detecting aphasic subjects and is specific for precluding language disorders in persons with normal language abilities.

TITLE: Propiedades psicometricas y utilidad diagnostica del 'screening lexico para las afasias'Introduccion. La evaluacion del lenguaje en personas con lesion cerebral permite conocer si estas requeriran o no rehabilitacion de lenguaje. Debido a la importancia de una evaluacion precisa, los instrumentos de evaluacion deben ser validos y fiables, con el fin de evitar diagnosticos equivocados y subjetivos. Objetivo. Validar el 'screening lexico para las afasias' (SLA) en una muestra de 58 individuos chilenos. Sujetos y metodos. Se construyo una prueba de lenguaje, tipo cribado, de 20 minutos de duracion y basada en el modelo de procesamiento lexico de Patterson y Shewell de 1987. La muestra estuvo compuesta por dos grupos, 29 sujetos afasicos y 29 sujetos control, pertenecientes a distintos centros de salud de las regiones del Biobio y del Maule, Chile. Sus edades fluctuaban entre 24 y 79 años, y sus años de escolaridad, de 0 a 17. Se determino validez discriminante, validez concurrente con la bateria para la evaluacion de los trastornos afasicos (BETA), fiabilidad, sensibilidad y especificidad. Resultados. El analisis estadistico mostro una alta validez discriminante (p < 0,001), aceptable validez concurrente media con la BETA (rs = 0,65), una alta fiabilidad media (alfa = 0,87), una moderada sensibilidad media (69%) y una alta especificidad media (86%). Conclusion. El SLA es valido y fiable para evaluar el lenguaje de personas con afasias, es sensible para detectar sujetos afasicos y es especifico para descartar trastornos del lenguaje en personas con lenguaje normal.

Malformación arterio-venosa uterina y hemorragia obstétrica: diagnóstico y manejo en tres casos clínicos / Uterine arteriovenous malformation and obstetric hemorrhage: diagnosis and management in three cases

Las malformaciones vasculares uterinas son muy infrecuentes y se presentan asociadas a metrorragia con riesgo vital. Su incidencia no es conocida porque las series son de pocos casos. Presentamos tres pacientes con hemorragia obstétrica cuyo estudio diagnóstico con ultrasonido y angiografía, demostró malformación arteriovenosa uterina. En un caso, dada la extensión de la lesión, el tratamiento fue con embolización bilateral de arterias uterinas seguida de histerectomía. Otras dos pacientes, por preservación de fertilidad, fueron sometidas solo a embolización. La evolución clínica y las imágenes confirmaron que los procedimientos fueron exitosos. Se discute la importancia de la interpretación correcta de las imágenes para el diagnóstico, la adaptación de los métodos terapéuticos al caso individual y el manejo multidisciplinario.

The uterine vascular malformations are very infrequent and associated to maternal hemorrhage with vital risk. The incidence is unknown because the published series are little with few cases. We described three cases with obstetrical hemorrhage and the image study with ultrasound and angiography showed an arteriovenous malformation. One patient, for the extensive lesion, was treated with bilateral embolization of uterine arteries and then, histerectomy. The others patients, for preservation her fertility, were treated with embolization only. The clinical evolution and the vascular images study confirm the success of the procedures. We discuss the importance of images analysis for the diagnosis, the individual application of therapeutic methods and a multidisciplinary approach for this scope.

Neumonía grave del adulto adquirida en la comunidad manejada en sala de cuidados generales en un hospital público / Severe community-acquired pneumonia in adult patients managed in a general ward at a public hospital

Introducción: la neumonía grave del adulto adquirida en la comunidad (NAC grave) se caracteriza por requerir manejo en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI), dado su mayor mortalidad y riesgo de complicaciones, por lo cual se han diseñado distintas escalas de predicción de gravedad. Objetivo: identificar apacientes adultos con NAC grave manejados en la sala de cuidados generales. Pacientes y Métodos: estudio clínico descriptivo retrospectivo, se revisaron las fichas clínicas de 131 pacientes adultos egresados del servicio de medicina del hospital de Quilpué con el diagnóstico de NAC entre el 1 de enero y 31 de diciembre del 2010. Se examinaron los criterios de NAC grave de la Sociedad de Tórax Americana (ATS) y se midió el CURB-65 de 89 pacientes que consignaban esta información. Resultados: en 16 pacientes (18 por ciento) se obtuvo una puntuación del CURB-65 > 3 y en 8 pacientes (9 por ciento) se identificaron > 3 criterios menores de la ATSy en 2 de ellos un criterio mayor. Conclusión: se identificaron pacientes con NAC grave manejados en la sala de cuidados generales de un hospital publico.

Introduction: severe community-acquired pneumonia (severe CAP) is characterized by intensive care unit (ICU) requirement, given its higher mortality and complications rate. Different prediction scales have been designed to assess severity. Objective: identify adult patients with severe CAP managed in the general ward of a public hospital. Patients and Methods: retrospective descriptive study, including all adult patients dischargedfrom hospital with CAP diagnosis, from january 1st to december 31st, 2010, with a total of 131 medical records reviewed. The American Thoracic Society criteria (ATS) of severe CAP and CURB-65 scores from 89 medical records were calculated. Results: 16 patients (18 percent) had CURB-65 score > 3, 8 patients (9 percent) had > 3 minor ATS criteria, and 2 of those patients had a major criterion. Conclusion: a significant number of patients with severe CAP were managed on the general ward of a public hospital.

[Therapy for early gastric cancer with submucosal endoscopic disection using the IT-Knife 2]. / Tratamiento endoscópico de cancer gástrico temprano mediante disección endoscópica sub-mucosa (DES) usando el IT-Knife 2.

70 years old woman, without history of illness, came to the Digestive Endoscopic Center of the Gastroenterology department of Arzobispo Loayza hospital, with the diagnosis of Abdominal pain syndrome, in which Upper Endoscopy was practiced. Upper endoscopy concludes the diagnosis of a malignant lesion probably an Early gastric cancer type IIa+IIc, which was confirmed with pathology. Endoscopic treatment was done with Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). The lesion was totally removed, in accordance with the pathologist. Endoscopic controls at 10 weeks showed retractable red scar and a negative biopsy for neoplasm. This case is reported for being the first one published in our literature in which therapeutic ESD with IT-Knife2, was done in Early Gastric cancer.

Tratamiento endoscópico de cáncer gástrico temprano mediante disección endoscópica sub-mucosa (DES) usando el IT-KNIFE 2 / Therapy for early gastric cancer with submucosal endoscopic disection using the IT-knife 2

Mujer de 70 años de edad, sin antecedentes de importancia. Acude al centro de Endoscopía Digestiva del servicio de Gastroenterología del Hospital Nacional ôArzobispo Loayzaõ donde se le practica Endoscopia alta, indicada por presentar Síndrome Doloroso abdominal. La endoscopia alta concluye como presencia de lesión en relación a Cáncer gástrico precoz tipo IIa+IIc que se confirma con la patología. Se realiza tratamiento endoscópico mediante Disección endoscópica sub-mucosa (DES) usando el IT-Knife2, lográndose extirpar la lesión en su totalidad conforme confirma el estudio de pieza resecada. Control endoscópico a las 10 semanas muestra cicatriz roja y la biopsia negativa para neoplasia. Se reporta este caso por ser el primero publicado en nuestro medio en el que se usó DES curativa.

70 years old woman, without history of illness, came to the Digestive Endoscopic Center of the Gastroenterology department of Arzobispo Loayza hospital, with the diagnosis of Abdominal pain syndrome, in which Upper Endoscopy was practiced. Upper endoscopy concludes the diagnosis of a malignant lesion probably an Early gastric cancer type IIa+IIc, which was confirmed with pathology. Endoscopic treatment was done with Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). The lesion was totally removed, in accordance with the pathologist. Endoscopic controls at 10 weeks showed retractable red scar and a negative biopsy for neoplasm. This case is reported for being the first one published in our literature in which therapeutic ESD with IT-Knife2, was done in Early Gastric cancer.

Comparative genomic analysis reveals novel facts about Leptospirillum spp. cytochromes.

Chemolithoautotrophic acidophilic bacteria, which belong to the genus Leptospirillum, can only grow with Fe(II) as electron donor and oxygen as an electron acceptor. Members of this genus play an important role in bioleaching sulfide ores. We used nearly complete genome sequences of Leptospirillum ferrooxidans (group I), Leptospirillum rubarum, Leptospirillum '5-way CG' (group II) and Leptospirillum ferrodiazotrophum (group III) to identify cytochromes that are likely involved in electron transfer chain(s). The results show the presence of genes encoding a number of c-type cytochromes (18-20 genes were identified in each species), as well as bd and cbb3 oxidases. Genes encoding cbb3 oxidase are clustered, with predicted genes involved in cbb3 maturation proteins. Duplication of cbb3 encoding genes (ccoNO) was detected in all four genomes. Interestingly, these micro-organisms also contain genes that potentially encode bc1 and b6f-like complexes organized into two putative operon structures. To date, the Leptospirillum genus includes the only organisms reported to have genes coding for two different bc complexes. This study provides detailed insights into the components of electron transfer chains of Leptospirillum spp., revealing their conservation among leptospirilla groups and suggesting that there may be a single common pathway for electron transport between Fe(II) and oxygen.

Endoparasite fauna of five Gadiformes fish species from the coast of Chile: host ecology versus phylogeny.

The aims of the present study were to compare, using multivariate analyses, the degree of similarity of the endoparasite fauna of five fish species belonging to the order Gadiformes: Merluccius gayi, Merluccius australis, Macruronus magellanicus (Gadoidei) and Micromesistius australis and Nezumia pulchella (Macrouroidei), from the southern and central Chilean coast, and to evaluate whether the composition of the endoparasite fauna was determined by phylogenetic or ecological relationships. We employed our database of Merluccius australis, M. magellanicus and Micromesistius australis, which was complemented with published information for M. magellanicus, Merluccius australis, Micromesistius australis, M. gayi and N. pulchella. A higher number of endoparasite species was recorded for Merluccius australis, Micromesistius australis and M. magellanicus, namely Anisakis sp. and Hepatoxylon trichiuri, which is the most prevalent parasite among these hosts. Aporocotyle wilhelmi and Hysterothylacium sp. were detected only in M. gayi, whereas Lepidapedon sp. was found exclusively in N. pulchella. These results suggest that fish ecology rather than host phylogeny was the most important factor for the determination of similarity in parasite composition. This result could be explained by the similar trophic patterns of hosts and by the predominance of generalist larval species among these fish parasite communities.

Perfil clínico, epidemiológico y quirúrgico de pacientes operados por cáncer renal en el Hospital Naval Almirante Nef / Clinical, epidemiological and surgical profile of renal cancer patients at Hospital Naval Almirante Nef

Introducción: El cáncer renal ocupa el tercer lugar dentro de los tumores genitourinarios y el 3 por ciento de los tumores malignos primarios, siendo el cáncer urológico con mayor mortalidad y cuya incidencia ha aumentado a nivel mundial. Material y método: Revisión retrospectiva de las fichas de todos los pacientes con diagnóstico de cáncer renal que fueron nefrectomizados o tumorectomizados entre los años 1999 y 2009 en el Hospital Naval Almirante Nef de Viña del Mar, con un total de 135 pacientes. Resultados: Observamos un aumento importante en el número de casos el año 2009, siendo más frecuente en hombres durante los diez años revisados. La media de la edad fue de 61,81 años y la mayoría no presentaba factores de riesgo. Cuarenta y ocho por ciento de los casos diagnosticados fueron hallazgos y 60 por ciento de éstos se encontraban en etapa I. El síntoma más frecuente fue el dolor abdominal. Setenta por ciento de los casos fueron diagnosticados por ecotomografía abdominal y 12 por ciento por pielotac. El 11 por ciento de los pacientes presentaron metástasis posquirúrgicas, siendo la mayoría a pulmón seguido de hígado. De éstos, 20 por ciento habían presentado tumores primarios menores de 7 cm. Conclusión: La incidencia del cáncer renal va en aumento y el diagnóstico precoz de lesiones asintomáticas y de bajo volumen que presentan un porcentaje no despreciable de infiltración tumoral, sugieren un manejo quirúrgico agresivo.

Introduction: Renal cancer represents the third most common cancer within genitourinary tumors and3 percent of all primary malignant tumors. It is the urological cancer with the most mortality rate and it´s incidence has increased worldwide. Methods: Restrospective review of the medical records of every patient diagnosed with renal cancer who where nephrectomized or tumorectomized between the years 1999 and 2009 at Hospital Naval Almirante Nef, Viña del Mar, with a total of 135 patients. Results: There was an important increase in the number of cases in 2009. The higher frequency in men was maintained during the years studied. The mean age was 61.81 years and most of the patients didn’t have any risk factors. 40 percent of the diagnosed cases were asymptomatic findings and 60 percent of them where on stage I. The most frequent symptom was abdominal pain. 70 percent of all cases where diagnosed by abdominal ecotomography and 12 percent CT without contrast. 11 percent of the patients presented post-surgical metastasis, most of them to lung followed by liver. 20 percent of them had primary tumors smaller than 7 cm. Conclusion: The incidence of renal cancer is increasing and the early diagnosis of asymptomatic and small lesions which in an important percentage have tumoral infiltration suggest an aggressive surgical treatment.

Histomorphology of prepuberal ovaries in the South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis Zimmerman, 1783).

The South American fur seal reproductive histophysiology is scarcely described. This study provides a histological description of prepuberal South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) ovaries as well as three-dimensional reconstructions of subcapsular crypts and primordial follicles. Ovaries from fresh dead animals were processed for histology and sliced into serial sections. A portion of the superficial cortex was photographed, and the images were processed using BioVis3d software in order to generate 3-dimensional reconstructions. A. australis prepuberal ovaries conform to the basic structure of pinnipedian species, with a subcapsular crypts system made up of interconnecting cisternae and tubules with multiple openings to the surface. Generally, the primordial follicles were arranged in a monolayer beneath the tunica albuginea and were closely associated with subcapsular crypts. The large number of interstitial cells distributed throughout the cortex was the main histological feature in comparison with previous reports in other seals. Three-dimensional reconstructions modelled the subcapsular crypts microarchitecture and showed the close spatial relationship between the crypts and the primordial follicles. Despite the fact that the general ovarian histological structure was similar to that of other pinnipeds, the large number of interstitial cells is a distinctive feature that raises the question about the origin and function in A. australis with regard to the steroidogenic activity reported in other seal species.

Chromium uptake, retention and reduction in photosynthetic Euglena gracilis.

Photosynthetic Euglena gracilis grown with different K(2)CrO(4) concentrations was analyzed for its ability to take up, retain and reduce Cr(VI). For comparison, cells were also exposed to CrCl(3). Cellular Cr(VI) uptake at pH 7.2 showed a hyperbolic saturation pattern with K (m) of 1.1 mM, V (m) of 16 nmol (h x 10(7) cells)(-1), and K (i sulfate) of 0.4 mM. Kinetic parameters for sulfate uptake were similar, K (m) = 0.83 mM, V (m) = 15.9 nmol (h x 10(7)cells)(-1) and K (i chromate) = 0.3 mM. The capacity to accumulate chromium depended on the ionic species, external concentration and pH of the incubation medium. Cr(VI) or Cr(III) accumulation was negligible in the acidic (pH 3.5) culture medium, in which Cr(VI) was abiotically reduced to Cr(III). At pH 7.2 Cr(VI) was fully stable and high accumulation (>170 nmol/1 x 10(7) cells at 1 mM K(2)CrO(4)) was achieved; surprisingly, Cr(III) accumulation was also significant (>35 nmol/1 x 10(7) cells at 1 mM CrCl(3)). Cr(VI) was reduced by cells at pH 7.2, suggesting the presence of an external reductive activity. Cr(VI) induced an increased cysteine and glutathione content, but not in phytochelatins suggesting that chromium accumulation was mediated by monothiol compounds.

Cell death mechanisms induced by cytotoxic lymphocytes.

One of the functions of the immune system is to recognize and destroy abnormal or infected cells to maintain homeostasis. This is accomplished by cytotoxic lymphocytes. Cytotoxicity is a highly organized multifactor process. Here, we reviewed the apoptosis pathways induced by the two main cytotoxic lymphocyte subsets, natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ T cells. In base to recent experimental evidence, we reviewed NK receptors involved in recognition of target-cell, as well as lytic molecules such as perforin, granzymes-A and -B, and granulysin. In addition, we reviewed the Fas-FasL intercellular linkage mediated pathway, and briefly the cross-linking of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and TNF receptor pathway. We discussed three models of possible molecular interaction between lytic molecules from effector cytotoxic cells and target-cell membrane to induction of apoptosis.

Heterogeneidad histológica intratumoral del carcinoma basocelular / Intratumoral histological heterogeneity of basal cell carcinoma

De acuerdo a la histología, el Carcinoma Basocelular (CBC) se clasifica en CBC agresivos y no agresivos. A veces, se toma una biopsia incisional para definir el tipo histológico y el tratamiento. El propósito de este estudio fue analizar la heterogeneidad histológica del CBC. Se cortaron en forma completa 21 CBC faciales, consignando el tipo histológico y la variabilidad histológica intratumoral. Un total de 139 placas fueron analizadas y clasificadas en tumores agresivos (micronodular, morfeiforme, infiltrativo) y no agresivos (nodular y superficial). El 57 por ciento de los CBC mantiene el mismo tipo histológico a través de todo el tumor. Un 43 por ciento muestra algún cambio histológico intratumoral, el 24 por ciento cambia de un tipo no agresivo a otro no agresivo, y un 14 por ciento presenta una mezcla de subtipos agresivos y no agresivos intratumoral. Este estudio muestra una heterogeneidad histológica intratumoral, teniendo relevancia en el enfoque terapéutico y el riesgo de recidiva.

Histologically, Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is classified in aggressive and nonaggressive. Sometimes, an incisional biopsy is used to differentiate histological subtyping and to decide adequate treatment. The purpose of this study was to analyse the histological heterogeneity of BCC. 21 facial BCCs were fully cut. 139 paraffin sections were analysed and classified into aggressive (micronodular, morpheic, infiltrative) and nonaggressive (nodular, superficial) histological types. 57 percent of BCCs maintained their histological type throughout the entire tumour, 43 percent showed some kind of histological change, 24 percent changed from a nonaggressive into another nonaggressive histological type, 14 percent of the tumours showed nonaggressive and aggressive type in the same tumour. This study shows histological heterogeneity throughout BCC, which is relevant in BCC therapy and carcinoma recurrence.

The fate of organs refused locally and transplanted elsewhere.

UNLABELLED: The number of kidney allografts procured from deceased donors has been fairly constant in the past few years, while organs from living donors steadily increase. In our program, existing protocols refused some kidneys which were subsequently accepted and transplanted at other hospitals. Thus, a review of our criteria to accept kidneys became necessary. METHODS: We studied the outcome of all kidneys refused by us but transplanted in other programs between 2002 and 2004. The data analyzed included ID no. donor, transplant center, procurement date, donor age, ischemic times, recipient alive or dead, creatinine level (when it was offered), initial function, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, biopsy, reason why the kidney was not accepted in our program, kidney functioning or lost, and cause of graft failure. The chi-square, Fisher, and t tests were used to analyze our data; P values of <.05 were regarded as significant. RESULTS: Originally 137, we excluded kidneys exported due to mandatory sharing (26 of 137 = 18.97%) and multiorgan placement (10 of 137 = 7.3%). Thus, 101 kidneys were not accepted by us because they did not meet the existing criteria of our program, but were accepted elsewhere. Reasons for nonacceptance were divided into donor quality, donor social history, donor age, donor size/weight, positive serological test, as well as organ preservation time, organ anatomical damage, elevated creatinine, abnormal urinalysis, abnormal biopsy, and decreased urine output. Donor issues were 66 of 101 (65.3%) with a graft loss of 13.6%, and organ issues were 35 of 101 (34.7%) with a graft loss of 66.6%. Donor quality totaled 24 of 66 (36.4%) and donor social history totaled 20 of 66 (30.3%); these were the most common causes for kidney nonacceptance related to donor issues. Reasons related to organ quality included elevated creatinine (15 of 35 = 42.9%; graft loss, 46.6%), and abnormal biopsy (9 of 35 = 25.7%; graft loss, 11.1%) and organ anatomical damage (4 of 35 = 11.4%; graft loss, 75%) (P = .42). Graft loss was more frequent with creatinine levels above 2.4 mg/dL (P < .001, RR gf = 1.5). Long-term fate of these 101 kidneys transplanted elsewhere: 82 (81.2%) were still working while 19 (18.8%) were lost. The causes of graft loss were renal artery thrombosis (42.1%), renal venous thrombosis (26.3%), death for other reasons (15.8%), graft never worked (10.5%), and ESRD (5.7%). The results suggest that the criteria for refusal related to donor issues, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, donor age and donor size, should be revised owing to the low percentage of graft loss. Other donor issues such as positive serological test and donor social history (drug use, alcoholism) represent a serious potential risk for the health of recipients; for this reason, considering these persons as possible donors is very difficult irrespective of the graft outcome. Kidney refusals related to organ issues (especially elevated creatinine and anatomical damage) due to the very high percentage of graft loss should be considered high risk and probably be excluded. The increase in the demand of kidneys to be transplanted is a very important reason for a continuous and systematic review of donor exclusion criteria in every transplant program. The results presented here have helped us to improve both our outcomes and utilizations based on scientific evidence.

Assessing the risk of infection and rejection in Hispanic renal transplant recipients by means of an adenosine triphosphate release assay.

INTRODUCTION: Because of the necessary immunosuppression, transplant recipients have a high risk of infection. Conversely, underimmunosuppression carries with it the risk of rejection. It would be quite useful to have a test that could differentiate between infection and rejection in renal transplant patients and better still, to predict which patients are at risk of complications. A new assay, which measures adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis by CD4+ T cells in response to stimulation by phytohemagglutinine (Immuknow assay, Cylex, Inc) is undergoing clinical evaluations. Preliminary investigations suggest that this test could be useful to assess and predict the immune status of patients with other conditions. METHODS: We examined the records of all patients who received a kidney transplant in our program between August 2004 and January 2005. Of 64 patients, 58 had pretransplant and posttransplant ATP level determinations. We searched for associations between ATP levels and immunosuppression type, doses, and levels; creatinine levels; white blood cell count; tissue typing; preformed antibodies; as well as ATP levels on infection and rejection, and changes in ATP levels with time. Chi-square, Fisher, t test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and relative risks were used for analysis of data. RESULTS: There was no relation between ATP levels and immunosuppression type, doses, or levels; creatinine levels; white blood cell counts; HLA; and panel-reactive antibody (P > 0.05). However, patients with moderate or high pretransplant ATP levels had more rejection episodes (8/10) while patients with ATP levels in the low immune response had more infections (6/11) (P < .001; relative risk [RR] for rejection = 1.2; RR for infection = 4.4). The mean ATP levels for rejection was 423.3 ng/mL versus 268.45 ng/mL for infection and 277.15 ng/mL for no events (ANOVA, P = .0145). Although acute rejections occurred mostly above 300, this was not significant (P = .059; RR = 0.9). Infections were more frequent with ATP under 300 (RR = 7.3) and severe infection (endocarditis, meningitis, peritoneal abscesses, pneumonia, etc) were more frequent under 200 (P < .001). Comparing pretransplant with posttransplant values at the second week an increase correlated with rejection (P < .001, RR = 15.3), while a decrease did not correlate with the infection (P = .845, RR = 1.4). Patients who received antirejection treatment had a decrease in their ATP levels at 5 days (P = .002). CONCLUSION: This ATP release assays helpful in determining the risk of developing infection or rejection, as well as follow-up in the response to therapy.