Comparison of examination of thoracic radiographs and thoracic computed tomography in dogs with appendicular osteosarcoma.

Appendicular osteosarcoma (OSA) is a highly metastatic tumour in dogs. The aim of the study was to compare thoracic radiographs with thoracic computed tomography (CT) in the staging of canine appendicular OSA. In all, 39 canine patients histologically diagnosed with OSA were reviewed in the retrospective study. All dogs underwent radiographic examination as well as CT examination of the thoracic cavity. Pulmonary nodules were detected radiographically in two cases (5%), whereas the CT imaging showed that pulmonary nodules were evident in 11 cases (28%, P = 0.024). There was an improved detection of small pulmonary nodules in the lung parenchyma with CT (P = 0.021). The number of nodules in CT examination had a significant negative influence on survival time (P = 0.005). However, whether nodules were present in CT or not did not influence overall survival (P = 0.368). CT examination was superior to thoracic radiography in the screening and detection of pulmonary nodules in dogs with OSA.

Release of biochemical markers of damage to neuronal and glial brain tissue is associated with short and long term neuropsychological outcome after traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed at the analysis of release patterns of neurobiochemical markers of brain damage (neuron specific enolase (NSE) and protein S-100B) in patients with traumatic brain injury and their predictive value with respect to the short and long term neuropsychological outcome. METHODS: Serial NSE and S-100B concentrations were analysed in blood samples taken at the first, second, and third day after traumatic brain injury. In 69 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria (no history of neurological or psychiatric disorder or alcohol or drug dependency, blood sampling according to the scheduled time scale, aged between 16 and 65 years) standardised neurological examinations and qualitative and quantitative evaluation of CT were performed. Comprehensive neuropsychological assessment was performed in 39 subjects 2 weeks after admission and in 29 subjects at a 6 month follow up examination. RESULTS: Most patients presented with minor head injuries (GCS>/=13) at the time of admission. Six months later most patients were fully independent in activities of daily living. Two thirds of the patients, however, still had neuropsychological dysfunction. Patients with short and long term neuropsychological disorders had significantly higher NSE and S-100B serum concentrations and a significantly longer lasting release of both markers. A comparative analysis of the predictive value of clinical, neuroradiological, and biochemical data showed initial S-100B values above 140 ng/l to have the highest predictive power. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of post-traumatic release patterns of neurobiochemical markers of brain damage might help to identify patients with traumatic brain injury who run a risk of long term neuropsychological dysfunction.

[Intra-articular B-cells in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis]. / Intraartikuläre B-Zellen in der Pathogenes der Rheumatoiden Arthritis.

B-cells of the rheumatoid synovial tissue are constant and in some cases dominant elements of the inflammatory infiltrate and are located near to the site of tissue destruction. The pattern of B-cell distribution, the pattern and the relationship to the corresponding antigen presenting cells (follicular dendritical reticulum cells; FDC's) shows a great variation: B cells exhibit a follicular organisation forming secondary follicles, follicle like patterns with irregular formed FDC's networks and a diffuse pattern of and isolated FDC's. Molecular analysis of immunoglobulin genes from synovial B-cell clones and synovial tissue demonstrates the occurrence of immunoglobulin gene hypermutation as well as germline configuration. The FDC formations in the synovial tissue may therefore serve as an environment for B-cell maturation which is involved in the generation of autoantibodies. An autoantibody may be only defined as "pathogenic" if the antibody fulfills the Witebsky-Rose-Koch criteria for classical autoimmune disease: definition of the autoantibody, induction of the disease by transfer of the autoantibody and isolation of the autoantibody from the disease specific lesion. B-cells of rheumatoid synovial tissue show specificity for FcIgG, collagen 2, sDNA, tetanus toxoid, mitochondrial antigens (M2) and bacterial HSP's and the contribution of these antibodies to the pathogenesis of RA are still hypothetic. Antibody with specificity for bacterial HSP's which have arose during contact with an infectious agent and may due to crossreactivity with eukaryotic HSP of synovial tissue perpetuate the local inflammatory process. The characteristic pattern, the localisation within the area of tissue destruction and the exclusive function of B-cells to recognize conformation dependent antigens suggests a central role of B-cells in the inflammatory process. The analyzation of the synovial tissue B-cell therefore will help to characterise antigens which are responsible for the pathogenesis of RA.

Modificaciones de algunas variables antropometricas en el lactante segun estado de hidratacion. / Modifications of some anthropometric variables in the infant according to the hydration state

Postulando que un descenso ponderal por desnutricion genera cambios antropometricos diferentes de aquellos producidos por deshidratacion, se estudian 55 ninos de uno a once meses de edad hospitalizados, 33 de ellos por deshidratacion debida a diarrea prolongada, bronconeumonia o sindrome de malabsorcion intestinal (grupo B) Utilizando el puntaje estandar y su cambio se investigo peso, perimetros braquial y de pierna y pliegues cutaneos tricipital y subescapular en el grupo A al ingreso y despues de hidratarse y en el grupo A al ingreso y despues de hidratarse y en el grupo B al ingreso y luego de perder peso por desnutricion. Las variables antropometricas estudiadas cambian de manera distinta en ambos grupos ya que lo hacen comparablemente en el grupo B pero en el grupo A el perimetro braquial y el pliegue tricipital lo hacen significativamente menos que el peso

Rehidratacion del lactante hospitalizado por diarrea aguda con solucion oral OMS. / Rehydration of neonates hospitalized by acute diarrhea with World Health Organization oral solution

Se estudiaron 74 menores de dos anos hospitalizados por sindrome diarreico agudo con deshidratacion, sometiendolos a reparacion del trastorno hidroelectrolitico con una solucion hidratante oral que corresponde a la mezcla original propuesta por la Organizacion Mundial de la Salud diluida en agua en proporcion dos es a uno. El seguimiento, que comprendio control clinico y humoral, en terminos de electrolitos plasmaticos y equilibrio acido base se efectuo al ingreso, a la manana siguiente y en dos periodos mas de 24 horas cada uno. La edad promedio al ingreso fue 5.6 meses y el 76% tenia estado nutricional normal o desnutricion leve. El 97% mostraba una deshidratacion leve o moderada. Desde un punto de vista clinico los resultados fueron excelentes y desde el punto de vista humoral se observo la conveniencia de una administracion mayor de sodio a traves de un aporte de volumen mas elevado y por tanto de una rehidratacion mas rapida. Se concluye asimismo la necesidad de elevar la concentracion de potasio en la solucion