Chronic recording of the vagus nerve to analyze modulations by the light-dark cycle.

Objective.The vagus nerve is considered to play a key role in the circadian rhythm. Chronic continuous analysis of the vagus nerve activity could contribute to a better understanding of the role of the vagus nerve in light-dark modulations. This paper presents a continuous analysis of spontaneous vagus nerve activity performed in four rats.Approach.We analyzed the vagus electroneurogram (VENG) and electroencephalogram (EEG) over a recording period of 28 d. Spike activity and heart rate estimation were derived from the VENG, and slow-wave activity was derived from the EEG. The presence of repetitive patterns was investigated with periodograms, cosinor fitting, autocorrelation, and statistical tests. The light-dark variations derived from the VENG spikes were compared with EEG slow waves, an established metric in circadian studies.Results.Our results demonstrate that light-dark variations can be detected in long-term vagus nerve activity monitoring. A recording period of about 7 d is required to characterize accurately the VENG light-dark variations.Significance.As a major outcome of this study, vagus nerve recordings hold the promise to help understand circadian regulation.

Online marketing practices of regenerative medicine clinics in US-Mexico border region: a web surveillance study.

INTRODUCTION: The potential of regenerative medicine to improve human health has led to the rapid expansion of stem cell clinics throughout the world with varying levels of regulation and oversight. This has led to a market ripe for stem cell tourism, with Tijuana, Mexico, as a major destination. In this study, we characterize the online marketing, intervention details, pricing of services, and assess potential safety risks through web surveillance of regenerative medicine clinics marketing services in Tijuana. METHODS: We conducted structured online search queries from March to April 2019 using 296 search terms in English and Spanish on two search engines (Google and Bing) to identify websites engaged in direct-to-consumer advertising of regenerative medicine services. We performed content analysis to characterize three categories of interest: online presence, tokens of scientific legitimacy, and intervention details. RESULTS: Our structured online searches resulted in 110 unique websites located in Tijuana corresponding to 76 confirmed locations. These clinics' online presence consisted of direct-to-consumer advertising mainly through a dedicated website (94.5%) or Facebook page (65.5%). The vast majority of these websites (99.1%) did not mention any affiliation to an academic institutions or other overt tokens of scientific legitimacy. Most clinics claimed autologous tissue was the source of treatments (67.3%) and generally did not specify route of administration. Additionally, of the Tijuana clinics identified, 13 claimed licensing, though only 1 matched with available licensing information. CONCLUSIONS: Regenerative medicine clinics in Tijuana have a significant online presence using direct-to-consumer advertising to attract stem-cell tourism clientele in a bustling border region between Mexico and the USA. This study adds to existing literature evidencing the unregulated nature of online stem cell offerings and provides further evidence of the need for regulatory harmonization, particularly to address stem cell services being offered online across borders.

Non-invasive continuous respiratory monitoring using temperature-based sensors.

Respiratory rate (RR) is a key vital sign that has been traditionally employed in the clinical assessment of patients and in the prevention of respiratory compromise. Despite its relevance, current practice for monitoring RR in non-intubated patients strongly relies on visual counting, which delivers an intermittent and error-prone assessment of the respiratory status. Here, we present a novel non-invasive respiratory monitor that continuously measures the RR in human subjects. The respiratory activity of the user is inferred by sensing the thermal transfer between the breathing airflow and a temperature sensor placed between the nose and the mouth. The performance of the respiratory monitor is assessed through respiratory experiments performed on healthy subjects. Under spontaneous breathing, the mean RR difference between our respiratory monitor and visual counting was 0.4 breaths per minute (BPM), with a 95% confidence interval equal to [- 0.5, 1.3] BPM. The robustness of the respiratory sensor to the position is assessed by studying the signal-to-noise ratio in different locations on the upper lip, displaying a markedly better performance than traditional thermal sensors used for respiratory airflow measurements.

Reaching Uninsured Overweight and Obese Children Through the FitKids Mobile Lifestyle Modification Program: Lessons Learned.

The US prevalence of childhood obesity remains high with ~ 1 in five children diagnosed with obesity, and rates of obesity are likely higher in uninsured and Medicaid populations than in those with private insurance. To understand the impact of an obesity intervention, an established mobile clinic program conducted a study to determine whether a FitKids Mobile Lifestyle Modification Program could reach overweight and obese uninsured children. Eighty-six children (ages 8-18 years) participated in the FitKids study over two trial periods. The first trial consisted of four total visits, but subsequent visits after the initial visit had poor turnout. Through telephonic interviews, parents described positive aspects of the program: (1) providers' individual attention to their child, (2) increased knowledge about obesity, nutrition, and diet, (3) and parent and child were motivated to be more active. The most common barriers noted for return visits were (1) personal/family factors, (2) scheduling issues, and (3) distance to the clinic. As quality improvement, for the second trial, total number of visits was reduced from 4 to 3 visits and reminder calls were instituted. Percentage of children who returned for the third visit (67.5% for Trial 1 and 62.5% for Trial 2) was not improved despite quality improvement interventions. Mobile clinics provide a unique solution to reach underserved overweight and obese children to help them create a more active and healthy lifestyle, but more research is needed to understand how best to optimize programs.

Salivary tannin-binding proteins are a pervasive strategy used by the folivorous/frugivorous black howler monkey.

Dietary tannins can affect protein digestion and absorption, be toxic, and influence food selection by being astringent and bitter tasting. Animals that usually ingest tannins may regularly secrete tannin-binding salivary proteins (TBSPs) to counteract the negative effects of tannins or TBSPs production can be induced by a tannin-rich diet. In the wild, many primates regularly eat a diet that contains tannin-rich leaves and unripe fruit and it has been speculated that they have the physiological ability to cope with dietary tannins; however, details of their strategy remains unclear. Our research details the salivary protein composition of wild and zoo-living black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) feeding on natural versus manufactured low-tannin diets, and examines differences in TBSPs, mainly proline-rich proteins (PRPs), to determine whether production of these proteins is dependent on the tannin content of their food. We measured the pH, flow rate, and concentration of total protein and trichloroacetic acid soluble proteins (an index of PRPs) in saliva. Howler monkeys produced slightly alkaline saliva that may aid in the binding interaction between tannin and salivary proteins. We used gel electrophoresis to describe the salivary protein profile and this analysis along with a tannin-binding assay allowed us to detect several TBSPs in all individuals. We found no differences in the characteristics of saliva between wild and zoo-living monkeys. Our results suggest that black howler monkeys always secrete TBSPs even when fed on foods low in tannins. This strategy of constantly using this salivary anti-tannin defense enables them to obtain nutrients from plants that sometimes contain high levels of tannins and may help immediately to overcome the astringent sensation of their food allowing howler monkeys to eat tanniferous plants.

Non-invasive BCG monitoring for non-traditional settings.

This paper presents the results from actual measurements of cardiac activity acquired through the use of noninvasive sensors to detect Ballistocardiogram (BCG). The results show that it is feasible to unobtrusively monitor heart rate in non-standard settings such as waiting rooms or at school using simple chairs fitted with capacitive sensors. The selected sensors, based on electromechanical principles, are able to measure BCG from a variety of subjects. We present the results for 114 participants from homes, school and a hospital waiting room, adding up over 815 minutes of data.

Damage control in thoracic and lumbar unstable fractures in polytrauma. Systematic review / Controle de danos em fraturas instáveis torácica e lombar em politraumatizados. Revisão sistemática / Control de daños en fracturas torácicas y lumbares inestables en politraumatizados. Revisión sistemática

The objective of this systematic review was to integrate the information from existing studies to determine the level of evidence and grade of recommendation of the implementation of damage control in unstable thoracic and lumbar fractures in polytraumatized patients. Eighteen papers were collected from different databases by keywords and Mesh terms; the level of evidence and grade of recommendation, the characteristics of the participants, the time of fracture fixation, the type of approach and technique used, the length of stay in the intensive care unit, the days of dependence on mechanical ventilator, and the incidence of complications in patients were assessed. The largest proportion of the studies were classified as level 4 evidence and grade C of recommendation which is favorable to the implementation of damage control in unstable thoracic and lumbar fractures in polytraumatized patients as a positive recommendation, although not conclusive. Most papers advocate fracture stabilization within 72 hours of the injury which is associated with a lower incidence of complications, hospital stay, stay in the intensive care unit and lower mortality.

O objetivo desta revisão sistemática foi integrar as informações dos estudos existentes para determinar o nível de evidência e grau de recomendação da aplicação do controle de danos em fraturas torácica e lombar instáveis em pacientes com politraumatismo. Foram incluídos 18 artigos encontrados em diferentes bancos de dados, usando-se palavras-chave e termos do MeSH; avaliaram-se: nível de evidência e grau de recomendação, características dos participantes, momento em que se realizou a fixação da fratura, tipo de acesso e a técnica utilizada, dias de permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva, os dias de dependência de ventilação mecânica e a incidência de complicações dos pacientes. A maior proporção de artigos foi classificada como nível 4 de evidência, com predomínio do grau C de recomendação, o que torna favorável à implementação do controle de danos em fraturas torácicas e lombares instáveis em pacientes com politraumatismo, não sendo, contudo, concludente. A maioria dos artigos preconiza a estabilização da fratura nas primeiras 72 horas da lesão, o que está associado a menor incidência de complicações, permanência hospitalar, permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva e a menor mortalidade.

El objetivo de esta revisión sistemática fue integrar la información de los estudios existentes para determinar el nivel de evidencia y grado de recomendación de la aplicación del control de daños en fracturas torácicas y lumbares inestables en pacientes politraumatizados. Se incluyeron 18 artículos localizados en diferentes bases de datos a través de palabras clave y términos del MeSH; se valoró el nivel de evidencia y grado de recomendación, las características de los participantes, el momento en que se realizó la fijación de la fractura, el tipo de abordaje y técnica utilizada, los días de estancia en la unidad de terapia intensiva, los días dependientes de ventilador mecánico y la incidencia de complicaciones de los pacientes. La mayor proporción de los estudios se catalogaron como nivel de evidencia 4 y se obtuvo un grado C de recomendación como predominante lo cual coloca la aplicación de control de daños a fracturas torácicas y lumbares inestables en pacientes politraumatizados como una recomendación favorable pero no concluyente. La mayoría de los artículos abogan por una estabilización de la fractura en las primeras 72 horas de la lesión lo cual se asocia a menor incidencia de complicaciones, estancia hospitalaria, estancia en la unidad de cuidados intensivos y menor mortalidad.

Noninvasive ambulatory measurement system of cardiac activity.

This work implements a noninvasive system that measures the movements caused by cardiac activity. It uses unobtrusive Electro-Mechanical Films (EMFi) on the seat and on the backrest of a regular chair. The system detects ballistocardiogram (BCG) and respiration movements. Real data was obtained from 54 volunteers. 19 of them were measured in the laboratory and 35 in a hospital waiting room. Using a BIOPAC acquisition system, the ECG was measured simultaneously to the BCG for comparison. Wavelet Transform (WT) is a better option than Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) for signal extraction and produces higher effective measurement time. In the laboratory, the best results are obtained on the seat. The correlation index was 0.9800 and the Bland-Altman limits of agreement were 0.7136 ± 4.3673 [BPM]. In the hospital waiting room, the best results are also from the seat sensor. The correlation index was 0.9840, and the limits of agreement were 0.4386 ± 3.5884 [BPM]. The system is able to measure BCG in an unobtrusive way and determine the cardiac frequency with high precision. It is simple to use, which means the system can easily be used in non-standard settings: resting in a chair or couch, at the gym, schools or in a hospital waiting room, as shown.

Contact pressure monitoring device for sleep studies.

This project implements a non-invasive sleep monitoring system using a bed pressure sensor array. The system detects changes in the contact pressure between a subject and the bed and is able to automatically select the sensor with the best respiratory signal, determine the respiratory rate (RR), count number of sleep apneas and count body position changes through the night. The respiratory signal is validated with an airflow sensor using Pearson's correlation coefficient. To determine the performance of body position and apnea detection algorithms, the sensibility and positive predictivity is computed on preliminary data and known records from a Physionet database. Real data is obtained from 5 subjects totaling 39 hours measured at home during a full night sleep, in a non-invasive way. The data is used to calculate relevant parameters to estimate a sleep quality. Cumulative frequency of sleep interval duration is proposed as a novel metric for sleep assessment.

Evaluación del sistema de tratamiento de aguas residuales de industria avícola / Wastewater Treatment System Evaluation of a Poultry Industry

Las aguas residuales de las industrias avícolas contienen altas concentraciones de materia orgánica, sólidos suspendidos, grasas, nitrógeno y fósforo. Su composición y flujo generalmente varían dependiendo del proceso industrial, tamaño de las instalaciones, número de animales sacrificados, eficiencia de recolección de sangre y subproductos, consumo de agua por ave sacrificada y manejo del agua en el proceso industrial. En este sentido, la disposición sin tratamiento de estos efluentes a los cuerpos receptores causa un impacto ambiental negativo. En esta investigación se evaluó la eficiencia de un sistema de tratamiento de aguas residuales de una industria avícola zuliana (ARIAZ). Se determinaron los parámetros: demanda química de oxígeno (DQO), demanda bioquímica de oxígeno (DBO), sólidos suspendidos totales (SST), sólidos suspendidos volátiles (SSV), aceites y grasas (A y G), nitrógeno total Kjeldahl (NTK), fósforo (P), temperatura (T) y pH, a la entrada y salida del sistema de tratamiento y en cada una de las unidades que lo integran. El sistema de tratamiento de ARIAZ está integrado por: tamiz rotatorio, tanque de separación de A y G, sistema de lodos activados (reactor biológico y sedimentador secundario) y cámara de cloración, además del tratamiento de lodos. Los resultados demostraron que la planta de tratamiento removió eficientemente la DQO, DBO, A y G, NTK, SST y SSV en 89,67; 98,53; 92,55; 97,78; 94,92 y 96,23%, respectivamente. Las concentraciones de fósforo no mostraron variaciones durante el tratamiento.

Poultry industries wastewater contains high concentrations of organic matter, suspended solids, fat, nitrogen and phosphorus. Its composition and flow generally varies depending on the manufacturing process, plant size, number of slaughtered animals, efficiency the collection of blood and sub-products, water consumption per slaughtered bird and water management in the industrial process. In this regard, the disposal of untreated effluent to the receiving water causes a negative environmental impact. In this study the efficiency of a wastewater treatment system of a zuliana poultry industry (ZPI) was evaluated. The parameters chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), volatile suspended solids (VSS), oils and grease (O&G), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), phosphorus (P), temperature (T) and pH, in the affluent and effluent of the treatment system and in each of the units were determined. The treatment system of the ZPI is set up of rotary screen, O&G separation tank, activated sludge system (biological reactor and secondary sediment) reactor, secondary sediment, chlorination chamber, in addition the sludge treatment. The results demonstrated that the COD, BOD, O&G, TKN, TSS and VSS were efficiently removed in 89.67, 98.53, 92.55, 97.78, 94.92 and 96.23%, respectively. The P concentrations no shown variations during treatment.

Importance of diffuse pollution control in the Patzcuaro Lake Basin in Mexico.

In the catchment area of the Lake Patzcuaro in Central Mexico (933 km2) the apportionments of erosion, sediment, nutrients and pathogen coming from thirteen micro basins were estimated with the purpose of identifying critical areas in which best management practices need to be implemented in order to reduce their contribution to the lake pollution and eutrophication. The ArcView Generalized Watershed Loading Functions model (AV-GWLF) was applied to estimate the loads and sources of nutrients. The main results show that the total annual contribution of nitrogen from point sources were 491 tons and from diffuse pollution 2,065 tons, whereas phosphorus loads where 116 and 236 tons, respectively during a thirty year simulation period. Micro basins with predominant agricultural and animal farm land use (56% of the total area) accounts for a high percentage of nitrogen load 33% and phosphorus 52%. On the other hand, Patzcuaro and Quiroga micro basins which comprise approximately 10% of the total catchment area and are the most populated and visited towns by tourist 686,000 people every year, both contributes with 10.1% of the total nitrogen load and 3.2% of phosphorus. In terms of point sources of nitrogen and phosphorus the last towns contribute with 23.5% and 26.6% respectively. Under this situation the adoption of best management practices are an imperative task since the sedimentation and pollution in the lake has increased dramatically in the last twenty years.

Tratamiento y costos farmacológicos de la hipertensión arterial no complicada en un hospital regional / Treatment and pharmacological costs of the arterial hypertension not complicated in a regional hospital

OBJETIVOS: Evaluar el tratamiento farmacológico en pacientes con HTA determinando los fármacos prescritos,las combinaciones terapéuticas más utilizadas, el costo farmacológico de los mismos y el logro del control de las cifras tensionales. MÉTODOS: Estudio analítico transversal en una cohortede pacientes con diagnóstico de hipertensión arterial, atendidos entre enero y marzo de 2007, en el HospitalRegional de la Policía Nacional del Perú ôAugusto B. Leguíaõ. Se revisaron las historias clínicas y se efectuó una entrevista determinando las características demográficas, clínicas, fármacos prescritos y costos del tratamiento. Los fármacos antihipertensivos se clasificaron según las clases terapéuticas consideradas enel petitorio de la Sanidad Policial. El análisis descriptivo e inferencial se realizó con los programas SPSS 12.0.y EPIDAT 3.1. RESULTADOS: Ingresaron 865 pacientes, con edad promedio de 63.5±12.2 años, la mayoría son delsexo masculino (54.5 por ciento). En el periodo de un año se registró una prescripción de 522,360 unidades demedicamentos, siendo los fármacos más utilizados el IECA enalapril (56.61 por ciento), los calcio antagonistasdihidropiridínicos (amlodipino 16.87 por ciento y nifedipino 5.05 por ciento), los betabloqueadores (atenolol 9.79 por ciento) y los diuréticos tiazídicos (9.60 por ciento). El 50 por ciento recibemonoterapia, el 43 por ciento utiliza dos fármacos y el 7 por ciento tres fármacos. Enalapril es el fármaco más utilizado en monoterapia (65.7 por ciento), cuando se combinan dos fármacos la asociación más frecuente es enalapril con tiazidas (38.9 por ciento) y la combinación más frecuentementeal utilizar tres fármacos es la asociación entre enalapril, calcioantagonistas dihidropiridínicos y tiazidas (51.7 por ciento). A mayor estadio de HTA se requiere de mayor cantidad de fármacos. La posología de los fármacosmayoritariamente es a dosis convencionales y no más de dos tomas al día. Con la medicacación...

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the pharmacological treatment in patients with arterial hypertension determining the prescribed drugs, the most usedtherapeutic combinations, the achievement of the ideal control of the arterial tension and the pharmacologicalcost of the same ones. METHODS: Analytical cross-sectional study in apatientsÆ cohort with diagnosis of arterial hypertension, attended between January and March, 2007, in the Regional Hospital of the Police Health System ôAugusto B. Leguíaõ. The clinical files were checked and an interview was done determining the generaland clinical characteristics, prescribed drugs and costs of the treatment. The pharmacological treatment of arterial hypertension was classified according to the drugs groups recorded in the Police Health System. The statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 12.0 and EPIDAT 3.1. RESULTS: 865 patients were enrolled, with average age of 63.5±12.2 years, most of them male (54.5 per cent). In a one year period there was registered a prescriptionof 522 360 units of drugs, being the most used IECA Enalapril (56.2 per cent), Calcio-antagonists (Amlodipine 17.2 per cent and Nifedipine 4.7 per cent), beta blockers (Atenolol 9.9 per cent and Propranolol 0.2 per cent) and Thiazide diuretics (9.3 per cent). 50 per cent receives monotherapy, 43 per cent uses two medicaments and 7 per cent three medicaments. Enalapril is the most used drug in monotherapy (65.7 per cent), when two drugs are combined the most frequent association is Enalapril with Thiazides (38.9 per cent) and the most frequent combination when three drugs are prescribed is Enalapril, Caantagonists and Thiazides (51.7 per cent). When the patients is in a higher arterial hypertension status, it is needed more quantity of drugs. The dosages of the drugs for most of patients are the conventional. With the prescribedmedication, 89.1 per cent of the patients achieved a control of the arterial hypertension, being the major control...

Tratamiento y costos farmacológicos de la hipertensión arterial no complicada / Pharmacological treatmentn and costs of uncomplicated arterial hypertension

Se realizó un estudio en 865 pacientes hipertensos del Hospital Regional PNP Augusto B. Leguía de Lima con edad promedio de 63.5 +- 12.2 años con el objetivo de evaluar el tratamiento farmacológico prescrito, las combinaciones más utilizadas, el logro del control óptimo de las cifras de PA y el costo del tratamiento. La monoterapia más utilizada fue con el Enalapril, seguido de las combinaciones: IECA-tiazida y IECA-diurético tiazida-calcioantagonista. Con la medicación prescrita, el 89.1 por ciento de los pacientes logró un óptimo control de la HTA (acorde al 7JNC), siendo el control mayor en los pacientes no diabéticos (91.8 por ciento) en comparación a los diabéticos (63.4 por ciento) (p<0.001). Se considera que la alta adherencia al tratamiento se debe a que los pacientes tienen acceso gratuito a las drogas mencionadas. Los bajos costos del tratamiento que se hallaron en este estudio se deben a que el sistema de salud de la PNP da prioridad a la compra de medicamentos genéricos a través de licitación pública. En conclusión, los pacientes hipertensos que se atienden en dicho nosocomio alcanzan los objetivos terapéuticos en un alto porcentaje debido al alto grado de adherencia que genera la accesibilidad gratuita a las drogas prescritas y a la disponibilidad constante de las mismas en razón al bajo costo de su adquisición institucional.

An interdisciplinary performance-based approach to training laboratory animal technicians.

Experience has proven that comprehensive training and education make it easier to attract and retain highly qualified animal care technicians, as well as to ensure that research facilities reach maximum performance. The authors outline the training approach used at SoBran, Inc., by describing the subject matter covered in their initial orientation period and in ongoing training sessions. The authors also address recordkeeping methods and training-program assessment.

Hemoglobin and platelet count effect on platelet yields in plateletpheresis.

BACKGROUND: Platelet transfusion in thrombocytopenic patients, especially those with marrow failure, remains one of the most important support measures available. Treatment success depends on rational use of platelet transfusion. Platelet yield, reflected in transfused platelet dose, influences platelet recovery in the patient and allows prolonging intervals between transfusions. In this study, our main objective was to identify donor laboratory and clinical factors that showed some influence on platelet yield obtained by apheresis. METHODS: Healthy donor laboratory and clinical data were analyzed prior to performing plateletpheresis. Platelet yield was quantified after plateletpheresis procedure was concluded in two different ways: a) prefixed volume of 5,000 mL processed, and b) volume determined according to manufacturer recommendations. Age, gender, hemoglobin concentration, platelet and leukocyte count, height, and weight were included as yield-predicting donor variables. RESULTS: In group A, two variables were significant: donor platelet count and hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations with r = 0.554, and in group B, donor platelet count, Hb concentrations, and volume with r = 0.758. CONCLUSIONS: Donor platelet count and hemoglobin concentrations influence platelet yield: higher platelet count corresponds to higher yield, while hemoglobin shows an inverse relationship, i.e., the lower the hemoglobin concentrations, the higher the platelet yield.

High doses of dexamethasone in adult patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

BACKGROUND: High-dose dexamethasone (DXM) has been used in treatment of patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) who are refractory to other treatments such as prednisone and splenectomy; nevertheless, different studies show variable success rates, this postulated as possibly being due to racial differences. The objective of this study was to determine DXM effectiveness at high doses in Mexican mestizo adult patients diagnosed with ITP with and without splenectomy. METHODS: Nonhospitalized adult patients with ITP were included, eight patients previously splenectomized (group 1) and 11 who had not undergone splenectomy (group 2). Patients received DXM 40 mg/day intravenously (i.v.) during 4 consecutive days every 4 weeks until six cycles were completed. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups regarding age (mean 39 vs. 33 years of age) and initial platelet count (M 17 vs. 24 x 10(9)/L). Median evolution time was 84 months for group 1 and 7 months for group 2 (p = 0.002). Of 19 patients, nine achieved a favorable response (FR), six belonged to group 1, and three to group 2 (Fisher p = 0.07). Nevertheless, after 6 months only two group 1 patients and two group 2 patients maintained FR (Fisher exact test p = 1). Patients achieving FR to initiation of second cycle maintained FR at the end of six cycles. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, the previously mentioned high-dose DXM therapy appears to be useful for both patients with ITP with and without splenectomy and high-dose DXM appears to be a good alternative therapy for postsplenectomy and relapse patients. However, duration of FR to treatment was brief; therefore, other treatment plans might be required to achieve longer remission duration. Response was similar to that observed in other studies carried out in different populations; thus, apparently no genetic or racial variations exist. In addition, whether patients not responding after second cycle should continue until completing the 6-month plan or should try a different therapeutic approach must be considered in the treatment plan.

Sequential Variations in the Content of Bone Marrow Colony-forming Cells in Individual Patients with Aplastic Anemia Before and After Immunosuppressive Therapy; Hematopoiesis.

Previous studies have shown that the levels of hematopoietic progenitor cells (colony-forming cells; CFC) are drastically reduced in the vast majority of patients with aplastic anemia (AA). This has been observed both in patients before and after immunosuppressive therapy. In those studies, however, both groups of patients were usually formed by different individuals, thus it was not possible to follow the kinetics of such cells in each particular patient. In the present study, we have determined the content of myeloid and erythroid CFC in individual AA patients before and after therapy. Treated patients were studied at two different times (8-18 months apart) to detect any possible variations due to the ongoing treatment. At diagnosis, the levels of both myeloid and erythroid CFC were drastically reduced, as compared to normal bone marrow, in all the patients studied. This correlated with very low levels of leukocytes and hemoglobin in circulation. After the patients entered an immunosuppressive treatment, all of them showed significant increments in their CFC levels, and this correlated with increments in their hematological parameters in peripheral blood. However, in most patients CFC levels were still below the normal range. When the second sample after treatment was obtained, great variations in CFC numbers were observed. In terms of erythroid CFC levels, a further increase was seen in most patients, and this correlated with a further increase in hemoglobin levels. In contrasts, the levels of myeloid CFC were increased in only some of the patients, whereas in others, significant reductions were evident. Interestingly, in this latter group of patients, CFC never reached the levels observed before treatment. Our results indicate that, in a significant proportion of patients, a common pattern seems to exist. That is to say, low CFC numbers are present before treatment; an increase in the numbers of such cells results as an effect of the immunosuppressive therapy and further variations in CFC numbers (within individual limits that may differ significantly from one patient to another) take place as long as the treatment continues. Finally, we observed a correlation between CFC levels and the clinical status of the patients, i.e., those patients that showed a complete or a partial response to treatment showed higher levels of both myeloid and erythroid CFC than those patients that did not respond to therapy.

Cinco episodios de anemia aplástica transitoria en tres enfermos / Five episodes of transiet aplastic anemia in three patients

Se informan cinco episodios de anemia aplástica (AA) grave en tres enfermos, dos mujeres y un varón, de 32, 56 y 41 años de edad, respectivamente, el último con tres episodios. Fueron relacionados con exposición a insecticidas, solventes y fármacos (trimetoprim con sulfametoxazol, pirimetamina y derivados de pirazolanas). Acudieron con padecimintos de dos semanas de evolución con anemia, púrpura mucocutánea y en tres episodios fiebre. Como tratamiento en tres casos se utilizó prednisona y danazol por 10 días, así como antibióticos. En todos los casos se observó recuperación espontánea al cabo de 16 a 45 días que no se correlacionó con infección viral, hemoglobinopatía o evidencia de proceso mieloproliferativo. Se diagnósticaron como AA transitoria, variante de la AA con recuperación temprana y completa de la hematopoyesis

Cytogenetic findings in 303 mexican patients with de novo acute myeloblastic leukemia

In this report we show the chromosomal changes seen in a group of 303 Mexican patients with de novo Acute myeloblastic Leukemia (AML). Two hundred forty-two patients were diagnosed and treated at two hospitals affiliated with the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS). These are the Centro Medico Nacional Siglo XXI and Centro Medico La Raza Hospitals; the remaining 61 patients were diagnosed and treated at the Hospital General de Mexico (HGM). Clonal abnormalities were detected in 75.6 percent of the patients; this result agrees with what has been reported in other large series of AML studies. The incidence of changes per hospital was similar in patients from the IMSS hospitals (72-75 percent), while an increase was seen in patients from the HGM (85.2 percent). The cromosomal changes seen in this study in order of frequency were: t(15;17)[18.8 percent], t(9;22)[9.2 percent], miscellaneous chromosomal changes (mainly rearrangementa of chromosomes 1,2,3,12 y 17) [8.2 percent], abnormalities of 16q22 [7.3 percent], t(8;21)[6.3 percent], -7/del(7q)[5.6 percent], t(6;9)[5.3 percent), and abnormalities of 11q23 [4.6 percent]. We reported an increase in the indicidence of certain types of chromosomal changes seen in cases of AML, in comparison with reports from other countries. These differences must not be disregarded. We support this finding when comparing distribution of changes in the population of patients seen in the IMSS hospitals with those from the HGM; the main difference lies in the socioeconomic level