The effects of antioxidants in the senescent auditory cortex.

We investigated whether a 2-month dietary supplementation of antioxidants, in the form of blueberry phytochemicals, could reverse or retard the age-related decline in temporal processing speed observed in the aged rat. To this end, extracellular single unit responses to frequency modulated (FM) sweeps were recorded in the primary auditory cortex (AI) of aged rats that had been placed on either a blueberry-supplemented or control diet 2 months prior to the physiological recordings. Results showed that most cells recorded from the blueberry-fed rats responded most vigorously to fast FM sweeps, similar to that observed in young rats. In contrast, the majority of cells recorded from the control rats showed a preference for slow FM sweep rates. These results suggest that age-related changes in temporal processing speed in A1 may be reversed by dietary supplementation of blueberry phytochemicals.

[Cross reactivity among proton pump inhibitors: does it exits?]. / 'Existe reactividad cruzada entre inhibidores de la bomba de protones?

BACKGROUND: There has been little research into adverse reactions to proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole and its analogs) of suspected allergic etiology. We found nine studies in the medical literature and only two of these describe cross reactivity between proton pump inhibitors detected by skin prick tests. CASE REPORT: We present a 24-year-old woman who twice developed total body pruritus and urticaria with facial angioedema 1-2 hours after ingesting an omeprazole capsule. In the second episode the patient also reported the sensation of having a lump in her throat. METHODS: Skin prick and intradermal tests were performed with omeprazole, pantoprazole, and lansoprazole, which were positive for the three proton pump inhibitors. For ethical reasons, oral challenge testing was not performed. CONCLUSION: The clinical picture and the positive skin test results suggest an IgE-mediated mechanism. Skin prick tests may be useful for the diagnosis of cases of suspected allergy to omeprazole and its analogs. We found cross reactivity between three proton pump inhibitors detected by skin tests.

¿Existe reactividad cruzada entre inhibidores de la bomba de protones? / Cross reactivity among proton pump inhibitors: does it exits?

Antecedentes: Los casos descritos sobre reacciones adversas a los inhibidores de la bomba de protones (omeprazol y análogos) con sospecha de etiología alérgica son escasos, encontrando un total de nueve trabajos en la literatura médica. Únicamente en dos de ellos se ha descrito la existencia de reactividad cruzada entre varios miembros del grupo mediante pruebas cutáneas. Caso clínico: Se trata de una mujer de 24 años que presentó en dos ocasiones prurito y urticaria generalizados, con angioedema facial en un intervalo de 1-2 horas tras la toma de omeprazol por vía oral; en el segundo episodio refiere además sensación de cuerpo extraño en garganta. Métodos: Se realizan pruebas cutáneas por prick e intradermorreacción con omeprazol, lansoprazol y pantoprazol, con resultado positivo para los tres fármacos. No se realiza provocación oral por razones éticas. Conclusión: El desarrollo del cuadro clínico y la positividad de los tests cutáneos sugieren un mecanismo mediado por Ig E. Destaca la validez de las pruebas cutáneas en el diagnóstico de los casos de sospecha de alergia a omeprazol y análogos. Hemos encontrado la existencia de reactividad cruzada entre los inhibidores de la bomba de protones, mediante la positividad de pruebas cutáneas (AU)

Background: There has been little research into adverse reactions to proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole and its analogs) of suspected allergic etiology. We found nine studies in the medical literature and only two of these describe cross reactivity between proton pump inhibitors detected by skin prick tests. Case report: We present a 24-year-old woman who twice developed total body pruritus and urticaria with facial angioedema 1-2 hours after ingesting an omeprazole capsule. In the second episode the patient also reported the sensation of having a lump in her throat. Methods: Skin prick and intradermal tests were performed with omeprazole, pantoprazole, and lansoprazole, which were positive for the three proton pump inhibitors. For ethical reasons, oral challenge testing was not performed. Conclusion: The clinical picture and the positive skin test results suggest an IgE-mediated mechanism. Skin prick tests may be useful for the diagnosis of cases of suspected allergy to omeprazole and its analogs. We found cross reactivity between three proton pump inhibitors detected by skin tests (AU)

Uso de hierro intravenoso en pacientes renales crónicos con anemia. Mayores niveles de hemoglobina a más bajo costo / Use of intravenous iron in chronic renal patients with anemia. Higher levels of hemoglobin at a lower cost

It is presented the experience with 90 patients receiving Eritropoietin s.c. and oral iron who were in chronic haemodialysis. After basic laboratories, including iron kinetic, in all of them was stopped oral iron and started i.v. iron 60 mgs per week, but keeping the same eritropoietin doses. The results showed an increased haemoglobin level from 6.5 to 11 g/dl mean values and a decreased doses of eritropoietin between 25 to 50%. This represent an important elevation of haemoglobin levels at a significant low cost

[Use of intravenous iron in chronic renal patients with anemia. Higher levels of hemoglobin at a lower cost]. / Uso de hierro intravenoso en pacientes renales crónicos con anemia. Mayores niveles de hemoglobina a más bajo costo.

It is presented the experience with 90 patients receiving Eritropoietin s.c. and oral iron who were in chronic haemodialysis. After basic laboratories, including iron kinetic, in all of them was stopped oral iron and started i.v. iron 60 mgs per week, but keeping the same eritropoietin doses. The results showed an increased haemoglobin level from 6.5 to 11 g/dl mean values and a decreased doses of eritropoietin between 25 to 50%. This represent an important elevation of haemoglobin levels at a significant low cost.

Uso de eritropoyetina en pacientes con insuficiencia renal crónica y en hemodiálisis / Use of erythropoietin in patients with chronic renal insufficiency and in hemodialysis

Erythropoietin (EP) injected subcutaneously (SC) 2 or 3 times a week, respectively, or intravenously (IV) 3 times a week, increased the hemoglobin and the hematocrit of all the patients so treated. The total units of EP used was less when it was administered SC. EP once or twice a week, respectively, administered SC also increased the hemoglobin and hematocrit in each case, and the total amount of EP used was also less

[Use of erythropoietin in patients with chronic renal insufficiency and in hemodialysis]. / Uso de eritropoyetina en pacientes con insuficiencia renal crónica y en hemodiálisis.

Erythropoietin (EP) injected subcutaneously (SC) 2 or 3 times a week, respectively, or intravenously (IV) 3 times a week, increased the hemoglobin and the hematocrit of all the patients so treated. The total units of EP used was less when it was administered SC. EP once or twice a week, respectively, administered SC also increased the hemoglobin and hematocrit in each case, and the total amount of EP used was also less.

[Adverse reactions to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in AIDS patients]. / Reacciones adversas a trimetoprima-sulfametoxazol en pacientes con SIDA.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present was to evaluate the incidence of side effects to Trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) in 32 patients with AIDS and pneumonia by Pneumocystis carinii. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out following a protocol which included all items related with the drug used. RESULTS: Side effects to TMP-SMX were seen in 75% of the patients treated with the most important and severe being at a cutaneous level. These severe reactions require withdrawal of the drug and its substitution by pentamidine in half of the cases, while in the remaining 25% the reactions were mild. To date none of the 9 patients prophylactically treated with TMP-SMX have relapsed over 3 years of follow up while 4 out of the 9 treated with pentamidine have had relapsed. CONCLUSIONS: Trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole is the ideal prophylactic drug for those who are able to tolerate it. Following review of the literature 2 schedules of tolerance induction were proposed for use in patients who have had previous reactions with this drug, including a rapid schedule and another slow schedule.

Preventive effect of Spirulina maxima on the fatty liver induced by a fructose-rich diet in the rat, a preliminary report.

Cyanobacteria Spirulina maxima from Texcoco Lake in Mexico was administered as a 5% component of a purified diet, to Wistar rats together with a high percentage of fructose (60%) and its effect on several lipid fractions of plasma and liver was studied and compared to those of rats fed purified diets containing 60% of glucose or 60% of fructose. A preventive effect of Spirulina maxima on the fructose-induced increase of the liver triglycerides level was observed together with an elevation of the phospholipid concentration in this tissue. On the other hand Spirulina maxima produced a plasma cholesterol level even lower than that observed in the control group.