[Tamsulosin, oxybutynin or their combination in the treatment of ureteral stent-related symptoms]. / Tamsulosin, oxybutynin or their combination in the treatment of ureteral stent-related symptoms.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper is to compare the efficacy of tamsulosin, oxybutynin or their combination for the treatment of symptoms related to double J stent (DJS). METHODS: Randomized clinical non-blinded trial with three arms (tamsulosin, oxybutynin or combination) to assess the improvement of ureteral related symptoms with DJS with the questionnaire of Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ) and the adverse effects of treatment. Evaluations were made at 7 and 21 days after the placement of DJS. The maneuvers were compared using Chi squared test, Kruskall-Wallis, ANOVA and Wilcoxon considering a statistically significant p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: 170 patients with CJJ were evaluated. A perprotocol analysis was performed in 142 patients, 53 received tamsulosin (37.4%), 42 oxybutynin (29.6%) and 47 the combination of both (33%). At 7 and 21 days the improvement was similar in all three arms. Men with tamsulosin and women with oxybutynin had less general symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Tamsulosin, oxybutynin or its combination similarly improve ureteral stent related symptoms and this improvement becomes more noticeable over time. Men are less symptomatic with tamsulosin and women with oxybutynin.

OBJETIVO: comparar la eficacia de tamsulosina, oxibutinina o su combinación para el tratamiento de los síntomas relacionados con el uso de catéter doble J (CJJ). MÉTODOS: ensayo clínico aleatorizado, no cegado, de tres brazos (tamsulosina, oxibutinina o la combinación), para evaluar la mejoría de los síntomas asociados a CJJ con el cuestionario de síntomas asociados a catéteres ureterales (USSQ) y los efectos adversos del tratamiento. Las evaluaciones se hicieron a los 7 y 21 días de colocado el CJJ. Las maniobras se compararon mediante Chi cuadrada, Kruskall-Wallis, ANOVA y Wilcoxon, considerando estadísticamente significativa una p ≤ 0.05. RESULTADOS: se evaluaron 170 pacientes con CJJ. El análisis se realizó por protocolo con 142 pacientes, 53 recibieron tamsulosina (37.4%), 42 oxibutinina (29.6%) y 47 la combinación de ambos (33%). A los 7 y 21 días la mejoría fue similar en los tres brazos. Los hombres con tamsulosina y las mujeres con oxibutinina tuvieron menos síntomas generales. CONCLUSIONES: la tamsulosina, oxibutinina o su combinación mejoran de manera similar los síntomas por CJJ y esta mejoría se hace más notoria a través del tiempo. Los hombres están menos sintomáticos con tamsulosina y las mujeres con oxibutinina.

Assessing the phytoplankton and water quality of Kingston Harbour and Hellshire coast, Jamaica, after the implementation of a waste water treatment facility / Evaluación de la calidad de las aguas de la Bahía de Kingston y la costa Hellshire, Jamaica, después de la implementación de una planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales

Deteriorating water quality of Kingston Harbour, due primarily to sewage discharge and its effect on nearby Hellshire Coast, has been an issue since the 1970s. The implementation of a new sewage treatment facility in 2007 to receive the harbour’s waste at Soapberry was expected to make a positive difference. Physico-chemical and biological parameters were used to assess water quality to determine the effect of the facility. Eleven stations used in earlier studies (1990 to 1998) were re-sampled to represent Kingston, Hunts Bay and North East Hellshire coastline over a four week sampling regime between May and June 2011. While temperature, salinity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and pH remained unchanged between the 1990’s and 2011, BOD5, faecal coliform and nitrate concentrations indicated that the water quality had improved minimally in Kinsgton and Hellshire,and deteriorated significantly in Hunts. Phytoplankton biomass decreased in Kingston (from 3.84 mg m-3 in 1998 to 2.81 mg m-3 in 2011) and increased significantly in Hunts (from 14.69 mg m-3 in 1998 to 24.17 mg m-3 in 2011). Biomass along Hellshire was similar (2.15 mg m-3 in 1998; 2.45 mg m-3 in 2011). In 1998 the nanoplankton biomass (2.7 to 20μm) dominated throughout the Harbour. In 2011 Hunts Bay was dominated by net-plankton (>20μm), indicative of eutrophic waters.

El deterioro de la calidad del agua del puerto de Kingston es debido principalmente a la descarga de aguas residuales y su efecto en los alrededores de la Costa de Hellshire, esto ha sido un problema desde la década de 1970. La implementación de una nueva planta de tratamiento de aguas residuales en 2007 para recibir residuos del Puerto de Kingston en Soapberry se esperaba hiciera una diferencia positiva. Parámetros físico-químicos y biológicos fueron utilizados para evaluar la calidad del agua y determinar el efecto de la planta de tratamiento. Once estaciones que fueron utilizadas en estudios anteriores (1990-1998) se muestrearon nuevamente para representar el puerto de Kingston, Bahía Hunts y la costa North East Hellshire sobre un régimen de muestreo de cuatro semanas entre mayo y junio de 2011. Mientras la temperatura, salinidad, turbidez, oxígeno disuelto y pH se mantuvieron sin cambios entre los años noventa y 2011, BOD5, coliformes fecales y concentraciones de nitratos indicaron que había mejorado la calidad del agua del puerto y la costa mínimamente mientras que la calidad del agua en la bahía Hunts se había deteriorado significativamente. La biomasa del fitoplancton disminuyó en el puerto de Kingston (de 3.84mg m-3 en 1998 a 2.81mg m-3 en el 2011), y aumentó significativamente en bahía Hunts (de 14.69mg m-3 en 1998 a 24.17mg m-3 en el 2011). La biomasa en la costa permaneció similar (de 2.15mg m-3 en 1998 a 2.45mg m-3 en 2011). En 1998 la biomasa de nanoplancton (2.7 a 20μm) dominó a lo largo del puerto. En el 2011 la bahía Hunts era dominada por neto-plancton (>20μm), indicativo de aguas eutróficas.

Polymorphisms in the GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes are associated with increased risk of preeclampsia in the Mexican mestizo population.

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disorder in humans and a major cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Increasing evidence suggests that oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between null alleles of the glutathione S-transferases (GST) M1 and T1 genes and the risk of preeclampsia. This case-control study involved 112 preeclamptic and 233 normoevolutive pregnant women. The null polymorphisms were genotyped by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Our results showed an increased risk of preeclampsia in patients with the GSTT1 null genotype [odds ratio (OR) = 2.21; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.14-4.27; P = 0.018]. Our data further showed that a combination of deletion genotypes of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes conferred an even higher risk of preeclampsia (OR = 4.56, 95%CI = 1.59-13.09; P = 0.005). Our results provide the first evidence suggesting that a GSTT1 null polymorphism might be associated with preeclampsia in the Mexican mestizo population, and that this risk increases with the combination of both GSTT1 and GSTM1 null polymorphisms.

[Postraumatic epidural arachnoid spinal cyst: case report]. / Quiste aracnoideo espinal epidural postraumático: presentación de un caso.

INTRODUCTION: Extradural arachnoid spinal cysts are unfrequent lesions that are associated with spinal trauma, surgery and less frequently with congenital anomalies. The clinical manifestations are similar to those seen with other compressive spinal cord lesions. Magnetic resonance techniques allow to diagnose correctly this pathology and to define its thopographic situation. The pathologic history of the patient is essencial to establish the ethiology. Surgery is the elective treatment in most cases. CLINICAL CASE: The patient is a 35 years old man who has a medical history of penetrating spinal trauma two years ago. In that instance he suffered an unilateral spinal cord section at D2-D3 level with the corresponding Brown Sequard syndrome. A small wound was detected at the skin dorsal level and it was closed without difficulties. At the beginning, he improved his motor right leg function with rehabilitation and vitamins. After two years of good recovery he came to our hospital suffering a neurological deterioration of six months of evolution. The physical examination revealed an spastic paraparesis. Magnetic resonance was performed demonstrating a cystic extradural collection compressing the spinal cord at D3-D4 level. Surgical decompressive treatment allowed to excise the cyst and it was possible to define a dural tear that was closed successfully. The outcome was good with restoration of the initial motor function that he had after the spinal trauma. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical management of postraumatic epidural arachnoid spinal cyst allows to detect the meningeal tear and to close it, which is highly effective on these kinds of lesions.

Brote inusitado de neumonía de la comunidad durante una epidemia de influenza en el Paraguay / Unusual outbreak of pneumonía in the community during an influenza epidemic in Paraguay

La pandemia de influenza por el virus H1N1 afectó a la población del Paraguay a partir de la primera semana de julio de 2009. La misma se acompañó de un brote inusitado de neumonía de la comunidad. Describe las características demográficas y clínicas de un brote de neumonía de la comunidad durante la pandemia. Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo, prospectivo, que incluyó a sujetos adultos portadores de clínicos de enfermedad tipo influenza acompañada de neumonía aguda de la comunidad, internados en el Departamento de Medicina Interna del Hospital Nacional (Itauguá) durante los meses de julio y agosto de 2009. .Este brote determinó gran morbilidad pero baja mortalidad...

Effect of Mangifera indica L. extract (QF808) on protein and hepatic microsome peroxidation.

The antioxidant activities of QF808, a steam bark extract of Mangifera indica L., were studied on hydroxyl-mediated oxidation of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and in a hepatic microsome system. The extract was effective in reducing the oxidation of BSA, since its half- maximal inhibition concentration (IC(50)) was 0.0049% w/v in the inhibition of carbonyl group formation and lower than 0.0025% w/v in the inhibition of sulfhydryl group loss. QF808 inhibited lipid peroxidation which was initiated enzymatically by reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), IC(50)= 0.00075% w/v, or non-enzymatically by ascorbic acid, IC(50) = 0.0126% w/v. The extract tested did not inhibit NADPH-dependent cytochrome P-450 reductase activity, since it had no effect on the oxidation rate of NADPH. These results suggest that QF808 has an antioxidant activity, probably due to its ability to scavenge free radicals involved in microsome lipid peroxidation. In addition, QF808 antioxidant profile in vitro is probably similar to its principal polyphenolic component, mangiferin, a glycosylated xanthone.

Ozone treatment reduces markers of oxidative and endothelial damage in an experimental diabetes model in rats.

Ozone has been used as a therapeutical agent and beneficial effects have been observed. However so far only a few biochemical and pharmacodynamic mechanisms have been elucidated. We demonstrate that controlled ozone administration may promote an oxidative preconditioning or adaptation to oxidative stress, preventing the damage induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Taking into account that diabetes is a disorder associated with oxidative stress, we postulate that ozone treatment in our experimental conditions might protect antioxidant systems and maintain, at a physiological level, other markers of endothelial cell damage associated with diabetic complications. Five groups of rats were classified as follows: (1) control group treated only with physiological saline solution; (2) positive control group using streptozotocin (STZ) as a diabetes inductor; (3) ozone group, receiving 10 treatments (1.1 mg kg(-1)), one per day after STZ-induced diabetes; (4) oxygen group (26 mg kg(-1)), one per day, as in group 3 but using oxygen only; (5) control ozone group, as group 3, but without STZ. The ozone treatment improved glycemic control and prevented oxidative stress, the increase of aldose reductase, fructolysine content and advanced oxidation protein products. Nitrite and nitrate levels were maintained without changes with regard to non-diabetic control. The results of this study show that repeated administration of ozone in non-toxic doses might play a role in the control of diabetes and its complications.

Time course of oxidative damage in different brain regions following transient cerebral ischemia in gerbils.

The time course of oxidative damage in different brain regions was investigated in the gerbil model of transient cerebral ischemia. Animals were subjected to both common carotid arteries occlusion for 5 min. After the end of ischemia and at different reperfusion times (2, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96 h and 7 days), markers of lipid peroxidation, reduced and oxidized glutathione levels, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and copper/zinc containing SOD (Cu/ZnSOD) activities were measured in hippocampus, cortex and striatum. Oxidative damage in hippocampus was maximal at late stages after ischemia (48-96 h) coincident with a significant impairment in glutathione homeostasis. MnSOD increased in hippocampus at 24, 48 and 72 h after ischemia, coincident with the marked reduction in the activity of glutathione-related enzymes. The late disturbance in oxidant-antioxidant balance corresponds with the time course of delayed neuronal loss in the hippocampal CA1 sector. Cerebral cortex showed early changes in oxidative damage with no significant impairment in antioxidant capacity. Striatal lipid peroxidation significantly increased as early as 2 h after ischemia and persisted until 48 h with respect to the sham-operated group. These results contribute significant information on the timing and factors that influence free radical formation following ischemic brain injury, an essential step in determining effective antioxidant intervention.

"Mangifera indica L. extract (QF808) reduces ischaemia-induced neuronal loss and oxidative damage in the gerbil brain".

The effect of oral administration of Mangifera indica L. extract (QF808) on ischemia-reperfusion-induced neuronal death in the gerbil hippocampal CA1 sector was examined. Oral administration of QF808 for 7 days dose-dependently protected against neuronal cell death following transient ischaemia and reperfusion as assessed by histopathology. In addition, locomotor activity assessment prior to ischaemia and 7 days after correlated well with the histological results. To evaluate redox alterations by reactive oxygen species, total sulfhydryl, non-protein sulfhydryl groups (NPSH), malondialdehyde + 4-hydroxyalkenals and total nitrogen oxide levels were assayed in hippocampus and cortex homogenates. QF808 treatment attenuated NPSH loss, nitrogen oxide levels and lipid peroxidation in the hippocampus. These results suggest that orally administered QF808 is absorbed across the blood-brain barrier and attenuates neuronal death of the hippocampal CA1 area after ischaemia-reperfusion. These protective effects are most likely due to the antioxidant activity of QF808.

Zinc fingers: DNA binding and protein-protein interactions.

The zinc finger domain is a very ubiquitous structural element whose hallmark is the coordination of a zinc atom by several amino acid residues (cysteines and histidines, and occasionally aspartate and glutamate). These structural elements are associated with protein-nucleic acid recognition as well as protein-protein interactions. The purpose of this review is to examine recent data on the DNA and protein binding properties of a few zinc fingers whose three dimensional structure is known.

Evaluation of the in vitro antioxidant activity of Mangifera indica L. extract (Vimang).

An extract of Mangifera indica L. (Vimang) was tested in vitro for its antioxidant activity using commonly accepted assays. It showed a powerful scavenger activity of hydroxyl radicals and hypochlorous acid and acted as an iron chelator. The extract also showed a significant inhibitory effect on the peroxidation of rat-brain phospholipid and inhibited DNA damage by bleomycin or copper-phenanthroline systems.

The C1-C2 interface residue lysine 50 of pig kidney fructose-1, 6-bisphosphatase has a crucial role in the cooperative signal transmission of the AMP inhibition.

To understand the mechanism of signal propagation involved in the cooperative AMP inhibition of the homotetrameric enzyme pig-kidney fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, Arg49 and Lys50 residues located at the C1-C2 interface of this enzyme were replaced using site-directed mutagenesis. The mutant enzymes Lys50Ala, Lys50Gln, Arg49Ala and Arg49Gln were expressed in Escherichia coli, purified to homogeneity and the initial rate kinetics were compared with the wild-type recombinant enzyme. The mutants exhibited kcat, Km and I50 values for fructose-2,6-bisphosphate that were similar to those of the wild-type enzyme. The kinetic mechanism of AMP inhibition with respect to Mg2+ was changed from competitive (wild-type) to noncompetitive in the mutant enzymes. The Lys50Ala and Lys50Gln mutants showed a biphasic behavior towards AMP, with total loss of cooperativity. In addition, in these mutants the mechanism of AMP inhibition with respect to fructose-1,6-bisphosphate changed from noncompetitive (wild-type) to uncompetitive. In contrast, AMP inhibition was strongly altered in Arg49Ala and Arg49Gln enzymes; the mutants had > 1000-fold lower AMP affinity relative to the wild-type enzyme and exhibited no AMP cooperativity. These studies strongly indicate that the C1-C2 interface is critical for propagation of the cooperative signal between the AMP sites on the different subunits and also in the mechanism of allosteric inhibition of the enzyme by AMP.

[Clinical use of new antidepressive agents with dual action (literature review)]. / Uso clínico de los nuevos antidepresivos que poseen un mecanismo de acción dual (revisión de la literatura).

The effective pharmacological treatment of depression started in 1958 with the introduction of iproniazide and imipramine. New agents quickly followed with more specific actions and a safer side effect profile. Very recently, fourth generation antidepressants with dual action have been introduced. These new agents pose a challenging dilemma. Is it better to develop drugs ever more selective towards specific monoamine receptor subpopulations, or drugs that act upon several monoamines in a more focused way? The priority seems to be the investigation of the interactions of the various monoaminergic systems. This paper reviews the clinical use of the new antidepressants that implement the notion of dual action as an important element for efficacy combined with receptor-specific action as a basis for tolerability.

Uso clínico de los nuevos antidepresivos que poseen un mecanismo de acción dual (revisión de la literatura) / Clinical use of new antidepressive agents with dual action (literature review)

The effective pharmacological treatment of depression started in 1958 with the introduction of iproniazide and imipramine. New agents quickly followed with more specific actions and a safer side effect profile. Very recently, fourth generation antidepressants with dual action have been introduced. These new agents pose a challenging dilemma. Is it better to develop drugs ever more selective towards specific monoamine receptor subpopulations, or drugs that act upon several monoamines in a more focused way? The priority seems to be the investigation of the interactions of the various monoaminergic systems. This paper reviews the clinical use of the new antidepressants that implement the notion of dual action as an important element for efficacy combined with receptor-specific action as a basis for tolerability.

Prevention of renal injury after induction of ozone tolerance in rats submitted to warm ischaemia.

On the basis that ozone (O3) can upregulate cellular antioxidant enzymes, a morphological, biochemical and functional renal study was performed in rats undergoing a prolonged treatment with O3 before renal ischaemia. Rats were divided into four groups: (1) control, a medial abdominal incision was performed to expose the kidneys; (2) ischaemia, in animals undergoing a bilateral renal ischaemia (30 min), with subsequent reperfusion (3 h); (3) O3 + ischaemia, as group 2, but with previous treatment with O3 (0.5 mg/kg per day given in 2.5 ml O2) via rectal administration for 15 treatments; (4) O2 + ischaemia, as group 3, but using oxygen (O2) alone. Biochemical parameters as fructosamine level, phospholipase A, and superoxide dismutases (SOD) activities, as well as renal plasma flow (RPF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR), were measured by means of plasma clearance of p-amino-hippurate and inulin, respectively. In comparison with groups 1 and 3, the RPF and GFR were significantly decreased in groups 2 and 4. Interestingly, renal homogenates of the latter groups yielded significantly higher values of phospholipase A activity and fructosamine level in comparison with either the control (1) and the O3 (3) treated groups. Moreover renal SOD activity showed a significant increase in group 3 without significant differences among groups 1, 2 and 4. Morphological alterations of the kidney were present in 100%, 88% and 30% of the animals in groups 2, 4 and 3, respectively. It is proposed that the O3 protective effect can be ascribed to the substantial possibility of upregulating the antioxidant defence system capable of counteracting the damaging effect of ischaemia. These findings suggest that, whenever possible, ozone preconditioning may represent a prophylactic approach for minimizing renal damage before transplantation.

Ozone oxidative preconditioning: a protection against cellular damage by free radicals.

There is some anecdotal evidence that oxygen-ozone therapy may be beneficial in some human diseases. However so far only a few biochemical and pharmacodynamic mechanisms have been elucidated. On the basis of preliminary data we postulated that controlled ozone administration would promote an oxidative preconditioning preventing the hepatocellular damage mediated by free radicals. Six groups of rats were classified as follows: (1) negative control, using intraperitoneal sunflower oil; (2) positive control using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) as an oxidative challenge; (3) oxygen-ozone, pretreatment via rectal insufflation (15 sessions) and after it, CCl4; (4) oxygen, as group 3 but using oxygen only; (5) control oxygen-ozone, as group 3, but without CCl4; group (6) control oxygen, as group 5, but using oxygen only. We have evaluated critical biochemical parameters such as levels of transaminase, cholinesterase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, phospholipase A, calcium dependent ATPase, reduced glutathione, glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase and lipid peroxidation. Interestingly, in spite of CCl4 administration, group 3 did not differ from group 1, while groups 2 and 4 showed significant differences from groups 1 and 3 and displayed hepatic damage. To our knowledge these are the first experimental results showing that repeated administration of ozone in atoxic doses is able to induce an adaptation to oxidative stress thus enabling the animals to maintain hepatocellular integrity after CCl4 poisoning.

Identification of a marine agarolytic pseudoalteromonas isolate and characterization of its extracellular agarase

The phenotypic and agarolytic features of an unidentified marine bacteria that was isolated from the southern Pacific coast was investigated. The strain was gram negative, obligately aerobic, and polarly flagellated. On the basis of several phenotypic characters and a phylogenetic analysis of the genes coding for the 16S rRNA, this strain was identified as Pseudoalteromonas antarctica strain N-1. In solid agar, this isolate produced a diffusible agarase that caused agar softening around the colonies. An extracellular agarase was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration, and ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. The purified protein was determined to be homogeneous on the basis of sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and it had a molecular mass of 33 kDa. The enzyme hydrolyzed the beta-1,4-glycosydic linkages of agar, yielding neoagarotetraose and neoagarohexaose as the main products, and exhibited maximal activity at pH 7. The enzyme was stable at temperatures up to 30 degreesC, and its activity was not affected by salt concentrations up to 0.5 M NaCl.

Epilepsia inducida por música / Musicogenic epilepsy induction

Musicogenic epilepsy is a rare entity. It used to be considered a form of auditory evoked epilepsy. However, the theme of the music as the trigger of a partical complex seizure and likely, the memory components while listening to the music, suggest that this seizure disorder, might well be a disorder of a higher cognitive function. Therefore, it could be included within the affective epilepsy group. The case report we present in this paper, confirms the diagnosis of musicogenic epilepsy and the role of brain spect in reaching that diagnosis

Development, reliability and validation of the Diabetes Emotional Adjustment Scale in Spanish: preliminary findings.

OBJECTIVE: The development of instruments to measure emotional maladjustment in diabetic Hispanic populations has received little attention. We present the development and validation of the Diabetes Emotional Adjustment Scale in Spanish. METHOD: An eighteen-item self-administered scale was construed to assess emotional adjustment in Spanish-speaking diabetic patients and the psychometric properties of the scale were assessed. The scale was applied to a sample of sixty patients and scale scores were correlated with scores on a battery of Spanish versions of established measures of psychological distress, to assess concurrent validity. Test-retest reliability was established four years later re-examining thirty-eight of the initial sixty-patients sample. RESULTS: Split-half reliability and test-retest reliability were satisfactory. There were significant correlations between the scale results and measures of depression, trait-anxiety, family adjustment, and locus of control of behavior. A principal component analysis with varimax rotation yielded a six-factor solution explaining 50.4 percent of the total variance. CONCLUSIONS: The scale is useful as a screening instrument, but the confirmation of factor structure stability and the correlation of the scale results with objective measures of metabolic control, require further investigation.

[The neurobiological bases of aggression: the pharmacotherapeutic implications]. / Bases neurobiológicas de la agresión: implicaciones farmacoterapéuticas.

The aim of this paper is to attempt a classification of aggressive behavior based on neurobiological mechanisms and to shed some light on the pharmacological treatment of this condition. Drugs that enhance serotonin transmission are indicated in conditions related to decreased serotonergic transmission. Dopamine blockers are useful in the acute control of aggression and the violence displayed by schizophrenic patients. Clozapine probably has an anti-aggressive effect independent of its antipsychotic action. Noradrenergic agents have been shown effective in chronic aggression of organic brain syndromes. Gabaergic drugs are effective in acute aggression and in organic brain syndromes.