A real-life overview of a hematopoietic cell transplant program throughout a four-year period, including prospective registry, exclusion causes and final donor selection.

Traceability of patients who are candidates for Hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) is crucial to ensure HCT program quality. Continuous knowledge of both a detailed registry from a HCT program and final exclusion causes can contribute to promoting a real-life vision and optimizing patient and donor selection. We analyzed epidemiological data reported in a 4 year-monocentric prospective registry, which included all patients presented as candidates for autologous (Auto) and/or allogeneic (Allo) HCT. A total of 543 patients were considered for HCT: 252 (42.4%) for Allo and 291 (57.6%) for Auto. A total of 98 (38.9%) patients were excluded from AlloHCT due to basal disease progression more commonly (18.2%). Seventy-six (30.2%) patients had an HLA identical sibling, whereas 147 (58.3%) patients had only Haplo. UD research was performed in 106 (42%) cases, significantly more often in myeloid than lymphoid malignancies (57% vs 28.7%, p < 0.001) but 61.3% were finally canceled, due to donor or disease causes in 72.4%. With respect to Auto candidates, a total of 60 (20.6%) patients were finally excluded; progression was the most common cause (12%). Currently, Haplo is the most frequent donor type. The high cancellation rate of UD research should be revised to optimize further donor algorithms.

Awareness of obstetric warning signs in Ecuador: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: In Ecuador, the reported maternal death rate was 45.71 per 100,000 live births in 2013. This may be partly due to a lack of maternal knowledge of obstetric warning signs during pregnancy, delivery and the post-partum period. This study sought to evaluate awareness of obstetric warning signs among pregnant women in relation to individual demographic and area-level socio-economic indicators. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data collected by Ecuador's Ministry of Health at the conclusion of a national maternal health campaign (2014-2015). A nationally representative sample of 3435 pregnant women from the nine administrative zones completed surveys regarding basic demographics and their awareness of obstetric warning signs. METHODS: We defined eight obstetrical warning signs according to the literature and Ecuadorian practice that could occur during pregnancy, delivery and the post-partum period (severe headache, strong abdominal ache, bleeding or presence of malodorous secretion, rupture of the amniotic sac, high fever, abnormal presentation of the baby, decrease in baby's movements and delayed labour). A woman was considered 'aware' if she recognised at least four of the eight warning signs and stated she would seek immediate healthcare at their presentation. For each administrative zone, four socio-economic indicators (poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and subemployment) were obtained from the National Institute of Statistics and Census. Correlates of awareness of the obstetric warning signs were evaluated using hierarchical logistic models clustered by the administrative zone. RESULTS: Nationally, 86.9% of women were 'aware' of obstetric warning signs. After adjustment for age, socio-economic indicators and clustering, indigenous participants were 59% less likely to be aware of obstetric warning signs than mestizos (odds ratio [OR] = 0.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.28-0.59). For every 1% increase in area poverty, participants had a 5% decreased likelihood of being aware of obstetric warning signs (OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.93-0.96), adjusting for age, ethnicity and other socio-economic indicators. The most effective source of campaign information about obstetric warning signs was personal communication with a healthcare professional, as opposed to mass media advertisements (OR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.34-2.71). CONCLUSIONS: A majority of Ecuadorian pregnant and post-partum women are aware of obstetric warning signs. Indigenous ethnicity and area-level poverty are associated with a lack of awareness. Personal communication with a healthcare professional was the most effective source of information. These findings have implications for improvement of maternal awareness of warning signs.

Enzyme mediated synthesis of polypyrrole in the presence of chondroitin sulfate and redox mediators of natural origin.

Polypyrrole (PPy) was synthesized by enzyme mediated oxidation of pyrrole using naturally occurring compounds as redox mediators. The catalytic mechanism is an enzymatic cascade reaction in which hydrogen peroxide is the oxidizer and soybean peroxidase, in the presence of acetosyringone, syringaldehyde or vanillin, acts as a natural catalysts. The effect of the initial reaction composition on the polymerization yield and electrical conductivity of PPy was analyzed. Morphology of the PPy particles was studied by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy whereas the chemical structure was studied by X-ray photoelectron and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopic techniques. The redox mediators increased the polymerization yield without a significant modification of the electronic structure of PPy. The highest conductivity of PPy was reached when chondroitin sulfate was used simultaneously as dopant and template during pyrrole polymerization. Electroactive properties of PPy obtained from natural precursors were successfully used in the amperometric quantification of uric acid concentrations. PPy increases the amperometric sensitivity of carbon nanotube screen-printed electrodes toward uric acid detection.

[The usefulness of electromyographical monitoring with intraoperative brain mapping during motor lesionectomy]. / Utilidad de la monitorización electromiográfica durante la estimulación eléctrica cortical intraoperatoria en áreas motoras.

INTRODUCTION: Surgery for resection of supratentorial lesions near the motor areas and/or internal capsule carries an associated risk of damage to cortical or subcortical motor pathways. Intraoperative brain mapping, using direct cortical electric stimulation, is a surgical adjunct used during lesionectomy in functional cortex. The technique of observing movements elicited by electrical stimulation has proved useful for intraoperative localization of motor pathways but it is difficult observe the entire body at once. Thus, a small movement may be missed while attention is focused on another site. AIM: To determinate the usefulness of electromyographical monitoring in locating motor pathways during neurosurgery in functional cortex. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We recorded multichannel electromyography activity during cortical and subcortical electric stimulation in a consecutive series of 40 patients undergoing craniotomies for lesionectomy near motor cortex or subcortical motor tracts. Because the aim of the electromyography recordings was to sample as many muscles as possible, the two electrodes connected to each different amplifier input were placed in different muscles in the same region of the body. RESULTS: No motor responses were detected by either electromyographical monitoring or visual inspection in 20% patients. Electromyographical activity was the only indication of motor response in 17%. Motor responses were detected simultaneously by either electromyographical monitoring and visual inspection in 76%. CONCLUSIONS: Electromyography monitoring enhances the ability to detect the location of primary motor cortex and subcortical pathways with electrical stimulation during neurosurgery.

Utilidad de la monitorización electromiográfica durante la estimulación eléctrica cortical intraoperatoria en áreas motoras / The usefulness of electromyographical monitoring with intraoperative brain mapping during motor lesionectomy

Introducción. La resección de lesiones adyacentes a áreas sensitivomotoras conlleva el riesgo de lesionar las vías motoras corticosubcorticales. La realización de un mapa funcional de la corteza expuesta en la craneotomía mediante estimulación eléctrica cortical mejora notablemente los índices de resecabilidad lesional y reduce los riesgos de morbimortalidad. La valoración de la respuesta tras el estímulo consiste en detectar un movimiento o una contracción muscular en el paciente. En algunas ocasiones, debido a la posición del paciente, la iluminación o por tratarse de una contracción mínima, esta respuesta puede pasar desapercibida. Objetivo. Determinar la utilidad de la monitorización electromiográfica simultánea a la estimulación eléctrica corticosubcortical como ayuda a la localización de áreas motoras. Pacientes y métodos. Se registra la actividad electromiográfica simultánea en múltiples grupos musculares durante la estimulación eléctrica cortical y subcortical con electrodos de superficie en una serie consecutiva de 40 pacientes sometidos a craneotomías para resección de lesiones cercanas a áreas funcionales motoras. Al pretender monitorizar el mayor número posible de músculos, cada electrodo (activo e indiferente) se coloca en dos músculos adyacentes en la misma región del cuerpo por cada amplificador. Resultados. No se objetivaron respuestas motoras clínicas ni electromiográficas en el 20% de los pacientes. Se detectó sólo respuesta electromiográfica en el 17% de los pacientes. La respuesta motora clínica y electromiográfica fue simultánea en el 76% de los pacientes. Conclusiones. La utilización de monitorización electromiográfica durante el mapeo cortical con estimulación eléctrica facilita la localización de la corteza motora primaria y las vías motoras subcorticales (AU)

Associated risk of damage to cortical or subcortical motor pathways. Intraoperative brain mapping, using direct cortical electric stimulation, is a surgical adjunct used during lesionectomy in functional cortex. The technique of observing movements elicited by electrical stimulation has proved useful for intraoperative localization of motor pathways but it is difficult observe the entire body at onces. Thus, a small movement may be missed while attention is focused on another site. Aim. To determinate the usefulness of electromyographical monitoring in locating motor pathways during neurosurgery in functional cortex. Patients and methods. We recorded multichannel electromyography activity during cortical and subcortical electric stimulation in a consecutive series of 40 patients undergoing craniotomies for lesionectomy near motor cortex or subcortical motor tracts. Because the aim of the electromyography recordings was to sample as many muscles as possible, the two electrodes connected to each different amplifier input were placed in different muscles in the same region of the body. Results. No motor responses were detected by either electromyographical monitoring or visual inspection in 20% patients. Electromyographical activity was the only indication of motor response in 17%. Motor responses were detected simultaneously by either electromyographical monitoring and visual inspection in 76%. Conclusions. Electromyography monitoring enhances the ability to detect the location of primary motor cortex and subcortical pathways with electrical stimulation during neurosurgery (AU)

Tipificación molecular de Mycobacterium tuberculosis en los departamentos de Cochabamba, La Paz y Santa Cruz / Molecular tipificación of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Cochabamba, La Paz and Santa Cruz

El presente trabajo tuvo por objetivo determinar los genotipos de cepas de Mycobacterium tuberculosis de los departamentos de Cochabamba, La Paz y Santa Cruz, aplicando la técnica IS6110-PCR.

Estudio histopatológico e inmunohistoquímico sobre neosporosis en fetos bovinos procedentes de matadero / Histopatological and immunohistochemical study on neosporosis in bovine fetuses coming from slaughterhouse

Objetivo. Determinar la presencia de lesiones, formas evolutivas y antígenos compatibles con Neospora caninum, a través de estudios histopatológicos e inmunihistoquímicos en el sistema nervioso central de fetos bovinos procedentes de matadero. Materiales y métodos. Se estudiaron muestras de cerebro, cerebelo y médula de 108 fetos mayores de cinco meses, provenientes de un frigorifico del municipio de Montería – Córdoba. Los estudios histopatológicos se realizaron mediante coloración con hematoxilina - eosina y los estudios inmunohistoquímicos a través de la técnica de peroxidasa anti-peroxidasa. Resultados. El estudio estableció que de los 108 fetos examinados por histopatología, el 27,8% presentaron lesiones compatibles con el protozoario. Estas lesiones, fueron observadas principalmente en cerebro (24.1%) y en menor número a nivel medular (3.7%). Las lesiones compatibles observadas consistieron en gliosis, meningitis, congestión y hemorragia focal severa. Los estudios inmunihistoquímicos, utilizados para detectar antígenos tisulares del agente etiológico, resultaron negativos. Conclusiones. Con base en los resultados, se puede afirmar que existen alteraciones histopatológicas en el sistema nervioso central de fetos bovinos procedentes de matadero, compatibles con infecciones por el protozoario N. caninum. La coloración inmunohistoquímica para detección del parásito fue negativa, no obstante, no se descarta la presencia del agente por lo que se sugiere la realización de técnicas más específicas como PCR.

Experimental evidence of accelerated energy transfer in turbulence.

We investigate the vorticity dynamics in a turbulent vortex using scattering of acoustic waves. Two ultrasonic beams are adjusted to probe simultaneously two spatial scales in a given volume of the flow, thus allowing a dual channel recording of the dynamics of coherent vorticity structures. Our results show that this allows one to measure the average energy transfer time between different spatial length scales, and that such transfer goes faster at smaller scales.

[Biotechnological invention patents: a legal-economic analysis]. / Patentes de invenciones biotecnológicas: un análisis jurídico-económico.

Not without controversy, patents have traditionally been considered as elements which stimulate and protect inventive activity. In this article, we look at the economic advantages of a patent system and also at the possible critcisms. We then examine the application of patents in modern biotechnology. After concluding that current intellectual property laws do not come out clearly against the protection of biotechnology inventions, we then review the proposals for European Union regulation in the form of a directive which would clarify patenting possibilities.

[Caudal appendix in sequential defects of amniotic rupture. A case report]. / Apéndice caudal en los defectos secuenciales de ruptura de amnios. Presentación de un caso.

We present the case of a stillbirth, who presented with constrictive amniotic bands, amniotic adhesions, limb-body-wall complex, and the presence of a pseudotail that was studied at the Pathology Unit of the Acapulco General Hospital. This entity, formerly termed cyllosomus and pleurosomus, is rare. The anomalies were interpreted as being band- and/or compression-related defects. The latter included limb deficiency, body wall deficiency, neural tube defects, scoliosis, postural deformations, growth deficiency and short umbilical cord. The scanty literature on this subject in Mexico is due to the lack of interest to report isolated cases like the one we comment here, which depends on local interest in teratology.

Actividad antibacteriana de extractos de plantas medicinales valles bajos / Activity and microbial of medicinal extracts of plants, low valleys

Se evaluó la actividad antimicrobiana de 10 especies de plantas medicinales separadas en grupos morfológicos, contra la Salmonella typhi, Staphilococcus aureus y Staphilococcus epidermis, se evidenció actividad en extractos de Plantago lanceolata, Phrygilanthus repens, Schinos molle y Matricaria chamonilla

Follow up study of chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes in hospital workers occupationally exposed to low levels of ionizing radiation.

In the present study we analyzed and followed up on the cytogenetic effects of low levels of ionizing X-radiation on hospital workers at 72 h cultures. Samples of peripheral blood were collected from 10 hospital workers exposed to 1.84 mSv/year, and from 10 non exposed individuals, who were screened simultaneously and used as controls. The chromosomes were prepared using standard techniques. After 12 months, we undertook a second evaluation, this time with exposure to the same workers of 1.67 mSv/year. We observed 100 metaphases per subject, and there was a high percentage of altered metaphases (29.2% in the first sample and 26% in the second samples) The chromosome analysis in the second mitotic division, show aberrations such as gaps, breaks and acentric fragments, as well as other alterations such as dicentrics and rings, as well as chromosome variants (double minutes) in the exposed workers vs. the controls, and the difference was statistically highly significant (p < 0.001). There is no statistically significant difference between the first sample of exposed workers with the second one (p > 0.05). The findings in this study are interesting, because the workers were exposed to doses well below the accepted standards for exposure to radiations. Because of these unusual findings, our results could have potentially major consequences on our views on standards of exposure to radiation.

Cytokines in adenoviral disease in children: association of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels with clinical outcome.

To explore the pathogenic mechanisms involved in adenovirus infection, we evaluated total levels of immunoglobulins, antiadenovirus antibodies, adenovirus-specific circulating immune complexes, and cytokines in serum samples obtained from 38 hospitalized children with adenovirus infection. According to their clinical findings and outcome, the infections were classified as follows: (1) moderate (group I, n = 10), (2) severe (group II, n = 12), and (3) fatal (group III, n = 16). About 60% of the children had elevated IgM levels. IgG-containing adenovirus-specific circulating immune complexes were initially detected in 7 of 16 group III patients, 4 of whom had low serum levels of the third component of complement. A decrease in initial antiadenovirus IgG antibodies was observed in 3 of 10 patients in group III. Serum interleukin-6 was not detected in group I (none of 10), but was present in group II (7 of 12, p = 0.016) and group III (13 of 16, p < 0.001). Interleukin-8 was detected in all groups; values in fatal cases were significantly higher than in surviving children. Tumor necrosis factor alpha was not observed in group I (none of 10) and was uncommon in group II (2 of 12) but was frequently detected in group III (9 of 15, p = 0.01). Interleukin-1 and interleukin-4 were rarely detected in serum samples. Increased concentrations of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha were associated with hypoperfusion, febrile peaks, tonic-clonic seizures, and septic shock. In 5 of 10 patients in groups II and III, autoantibodies specific for smooth muscle were found. Our findings indicate that high serum values for interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha are associated with severity of adenovirus infection.

La rotación mandibular según Steiner, Ricketts, Jarabak y McNamara en adultos jóvenes con clase I esqueletal. Estudio comparativo / Mandibular rotation according to Steiner, Ricketts, Jarabak and McNamara in young adults with skeletal class I malocclusion. A comparative study

Se compararon los diagnósticos de la rotación mandibular en individuos adultos jóvenes con crecimiento terminado y clase I esqueletal, obtenidos con cuatro análisis cefalométricos diferentes, para establecer si son equivalentes entre sí y poder utilizar indistintamente cualquiera de ellos. Los métodos en estudio fueron los de Steiner, Ricketts, Jarabak y McNamara. Los análisis que tuvieron mayor número de coincidencias y que no presentaban diferencias estadísticas significativas entre sí, fueron los de Steiner, Ricketts y McNamara, sin embargo, hay que destacar que no todos los diagnósticos de cada individuos eran concordantes. El método de Jarabak es el que presenta las mayores diferencias con los anteriores. Se concluye que los métodos no son reemplazables entre sí. Al utilizar dos muestras independientes y obtener resultados similares se puede decir que la técnica en la toma de telerradiografías es estándar en Santiago

Estudio cefalométrico del tamaño de los maxilares y de la altura facial inferior, en individuos con crecimiento terminado, en clase I esqueletal / A cephalometric study of jaw size and lower facial height, in complete growth individuals, with skeletal class I

En este trabajo de investigación, se compararon los tamaños de los maxilares y de la altura facial ánteroinferior de individuos en clase I esqueletal y con crecimiento terminado, con los valores encontrados por Harvold para niños blancos que ya habían finalizado su etapa de desarrollo. Se estudiaron 43 individuos de ambos sexos correspondientes a 2 muestras que tenían como características comunes: - Crecimiento terminado (18 a 20 años) en clase I esqueletal. - Sin extracciones (excluyendo terceros molares). - Presencia de leves anomalías dentarias. - Sin tratamiento ortodóncico previo. Se observó en este estudio que la altura facial inferior es mayor en ambos sexos, como también lo es el tamaño mandibular en varones, en relación a los valores obtenidos por Harvold como parámetros de normalidad, en lo que respecta a estas dos variables

Cytokines involved in the generation of cytolytic effector T lymphocytes.

The differentiation of precursor, antigen-competent, T cells into effective helper and/or cytolytic cells involves a number of different steps that are signaled by soluble molecules termed cytokines. We demonstrate here that subsets of T cells, distinguished on the basis of their expression of cell-surface markers, CD4 and CD8, receive distinct signals for differentiation. The precursor T cells of a T-cell subset that is MHC class II-restricted are readily activated by signals provided by rIL-1, rIL-2, rIL-3, or IFN-gamma. The precursor T cells of the MHC class I-restricted T-cell subset, on the other hand, are not readily activated by signals provided by rIL-1, rIL-3, or IFN-gamma. Recombinant IL-2 apparently functions in a nonrestricted manner, in that it can provide growth signals to both MHC class I- and class II-restricted T cells.