Descripción de un caso de angioedema hereditario dependiente de estrógenos / A case description of oestrogen-dependent inherited angioedema

Introducción: El angioedema hereditario es una enfermedad genética rara que carece de tratamiento específico. Principales síntomas: Se caracteriza por la aparición recurrente de episodios de edema que afectan fundamentalmente a piel y mucosa. Diagnósticos principales: Existen tres tipos de angioedema hereditario, habiéndose relacionado el tipo III con situaciones que presentan niveles elevados de estrógenos. Intervenciones terapéuticas: Exponemos el caso de una paciente con angioedema hereditario tipo III, que presenta crisis de angioedema coinciciendo con el periodo periovulatorio y premenstrual. Ante dicha relación hormonal, se pautó terapia con gestágenos para intentar reducir el número de ovulaciones. Resultados: Tras varios meses en tratamiento con desogestrel la paciente refiere disminución del número y gravedad de las crisis. Conclusión: La terapia con gestágenos parece resultar útil en el control de los episodios de angioedema hereditario tipo III.(AU)

Introduction: Hereditary angioedema is a rare genetic disease without any specific treatment. Main symptoms: It is characterized by recurrent episodes of skin and mucous oedema. Main diagnoses: There are three types of angioedema and type III has been related to high-level oestrogen conditions. Therapeutic interventions: We describe the case of a patient with hereditary angioedema type III, who had an episode of angioedema associated with the periovulatory and premenstrual period. Due to this hormonal influence, we used gestagen therapy to attempt to reduce the number of ovulations. Results: After several months of treatment with desogestrel, the patient reports a decrease in the number and severity of episodes. Conclusion: Gestagen therapy seems to be useful for controlling episodes of hereditary angioedema type III.(AU)

Effect of Dentoxol® in the treatment of recurrent mild aphthous ulcers. A prospective observational pilot study

ABSTRACT: Background: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common oral ulceration. Its prevalence in the general population varies between 5% and 60%, and during the acute period, it causes pain and interferes with basic activities, such as eating, swallowing and talking. Dentoxol® is a medical mouthrinse that cleans, moisturizes and lubricates the mouth, mechanically stimulating local epithelial regeneration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Dentoxol® in improving the general state of patient with minor RAS using two different treatment schemes. Material and methods: Thirty-nine patients with RAS were recruited in a prospective observational pilot study. Two dosing regimens, 5 ml of Dentoxol® twice daily and 5 ml of Dentoxol® three times daily were evaluated. Results: Efficacy to improve the general state was significant superior in "Three time daily" group compared with "twice daily" at 72 h (66% vs 33% respectively). No pain was reported in approximately 90% of cases at 96 h of use in both group without significant differences between the groups in any evaluation time-point. Conclusion: Despite the limitations of these preliminary data, Dentoxol® shows promising beneficial properties for the management of minor RAS.

Intra-operative kinetics of anti-HLA antibody in simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation.

During simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation (SLK) in highly sensitized patients, donor specific anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies (DSA, HLA) can be present prior to transplant leading to positive crossmatch, yet these recipients have relatively low incidences of acute rejection. The mechanisms and timing underlying immunologic changes that occur intra-operatively remain largely unknown. Therefore, we measured the intra- and peri-operative kinetics of anti-HLA antibodies in highly sensitized SLK recipients. In this study, pre- and post-operative blood samples were obtained from sensitized SLK candidates with documented DSA. Intra-operative samples were obtained from a sub-group of SLK recipients. Pretransplant anti-HLA antibody profiles were created and flow cytometry and anti-human globulin complement-dependent cytotoxic crossmatches were performed. Significant reductions in anti-HLA class I and II DSA were seen intra-operatively shortly after reperfusion of the liver allograft. This effect was most pronounced for anti-HLA class I DSA (mean change, -85%, p < 0.05); changes to anti-HLA class II DSA were less robust (mean change, -47%, p = 0.15). Importantly, non-DSA anti-HLA antibodies remained unchanged throughout the perioperative period, suggesting the mechanism(s) by which the liver lowers DSA levels are specific to the DSA. These data demonstrate the immunologic benefit of performing SLK is lasting and occurs very shortly after liver reperfusion.

The study of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake from a parental perspective: a systematic review of observational studies in the United States.

Despite widespread information about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, uptake continues to be low (CDC, 2010). HPV vaccine uptake may be maximized by better understanding factors likely to influence parents' decisions to vaccinate their age-recommended children. Previous reviews have summarized barriers and facilitators likely to influence parents' decision to vaccinate their adolescents (mostly daughters) against HPV; however, less attention has been given to summarize and evaluate the methodology. The aim of this study is to systematically review the methodology used in observational studies of HPV vaccine uptake from a parental perspective. A systematic search of Academic Search Premier, CINAHL, ERIC, Medline and PsycInfo to obtain relevant articles after FDA vaccine approval (2006 to present) yielded 446 studies, of which 17 studies were eligible. Results showed the majority of studies were cross-sectional, with random sampling from list-assisted sources being the most common method for data collection. Most studies used convenience samples and relied on parental self-report. Also, the majority of studies explored vaccine initiation, but only a few explored regimen completion and timely completion of vaccine regimen. Given that the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine is based on established recommendations for a three dose regimen within a timely interval, studies on factors likely to influence regimen completion and timely completion of regimen are essential to maximize the effectiveness and public health benefits of the vaccine. Research with more diverse samples, better and increased use of random sampling techniques, and the use of precise and objective measures of vaccine uptake to supplement parental self-report, is necessary to reduce selection and information biases in future studies. Studies to inform on factors likely to influence parents' decisions to vaccinate their sons against HPV are also needed.

Multicolored Asian lady beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) activity and wine grape phenology: implications for pest management.

We determined the phenology of the multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), adults in relation to the phenology of wine grapes (Frontenac and Marechal Foch) in Minnesota and Wisconsin vineyards to establish a management window for H. axyridis infestations in wine grapes. In addition, we also assessed the flight activity of H. axyridis in an agricultural landscape. The phenology of berry development and ripening was determined by recording berry size and sugar content of randomly selected berries. The phenology of H. axyridis was determined by tracking its flight activity with yellow sticky cards in vineyards and with a blacklight trap in an agricultural landscape. Berry development and ripening showed three distinct growth periods or phases. The end of growth period I averaged 9 July (Frontenac) and 11 July (Marechal Foch). Veraison, which marks the end of growth period II, averaged 25 July (Frontenac) and 3 August (Marechal Foch). Harvest, the third growth period averaged 18 September for Frontenac and 17 September for Marechal Foch. A major peak of H. axyridis captures occurred between veraison and harvest (i.e., the grape susceptible stage). A similar peak in the summer was observed in the agricultural landscape approximately 10 d before the major peak in the vineyards.

Isolation and properties of AMP deaminase from jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) mantle muscle from the Gulf of California, Mexico.

Adenosine monophosphate (AMP) deaminase was purified from jumbo squid mantle muscle by chromatography in cellulose phosphate, Q-Fast and 5'-AMP sepharose. Specific activity of 2.5U/mg protein, 4.5% recovery and 133.68 purification fold were obtained at the end of the experiment. SDS-PAGE showed a single band with 87kDa molecular mass, native PAGE proved a band of 178kDa, whereas gel filtration detected a 180kDa protein, suggesting the homodimeric nature of this enzyme, in which subunits are not linked by covalent forces. Isoelectric focusing of this enzyme showed a pI of 5.76, which agrees with pI values of AMP deaminase from other invertebrate organisms. AMP deaminase presented a kinetic sigmoidal plot with Vmax of 1.16µM/min/mg, Km of 13mM, Kcat of 3.48µM.s(-1) and a Kcat/Km of 267 (mol/L)(-1).s(-1). The apparent relative low catalytic activity of jumbo squid muscle AMP deaminase in the absence of positive effectors is similar to that reported for homologous enzymes in other invertebrate organisms.

Enumerative and binomial sequential sampling plans for the multicolored Asian lady beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) in wine grapes.

To develop a practical integrated pest management (IPM) system for the multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), in wine grapes, we assessed the spatial distribution of H. axyridis and developed eight sampling plans to estimate adult density or infestation level in grape clusters. We used 49 data sets collected from commercial vineyards in 2004 and 2005, in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Enumerative plans were developed using two precision levels (0.10 and 0.25); the six binomial plans reflected six unique action thresholds (3, 7, 12, 18, 22, and 31% of cluster samples infested with at least one H. axyridis). The spatial distribution of H. axyridis in wine grapes was aggregated, independent of cultivar and year, but it was more randomly distributed as mean density declined. The average sample number (ASN) for each sampling plan was determined using resampling software. For research purposes, an enumerative plan with a precision level of 0.10 (SE/X) resulted in a mean ASN of 546 clusters. For IPM applications, the enumerative plan with a precision level of 0.25 resulted in a mean ASN of 180 clusters. In contrast, the binomial plans resulted in much lower ASNs and provided high probabilities of arriving at correct "treat or no-treat" decisions, making these plans more efficient for IPM applications. For a tally threshold of one adult per cluster, the operating characteristic curves for the six action thresholds provided binomial sequential sampling plans with mean ASNs of only 19-26 clusters, and probabilities of making correct decisions between 83 and 96%. The benefits of the binomial sampling plans are discussed within the context of improving IPM programs for wine grapes.

Toxicity of commonly used insecticides in sweet corn and soybean to multicolored Asian lady beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae).

Use of insecticides with low toxicity to natural enemies is an important component of conservation biological control. In this study, we evaluated the toxicity of insecticides used in sweet corn, Zea mays L., and soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., to the multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), under laboratory and field conditions. Field experiments conducted in sweet corn in 2003 and 2004 and in soybean in 2003, showed that H. axyridis was the most abundant predator. In sweet corn, densities of H. axyridis larvae in plots treated with spinosad or indoxacarb were generally higher than in plots treated with chlorpyrifos, carbaryl, bifenthrin, and A-cyhalothrin. In soybean, densities of H. axyridis larvae in plots treated with chlorpyrifos were higher than in plots treated with lambda-cyhalothrin. Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the acute toxicity of insecticides to eggs, first and third instars, pupae, and adults. Spinosad, followed by indoxacarb, were the least toxic insecticides for all life stages of H. axyridis. Conventional insecticides showed high toxicity to H. axyridis when applied at field rates under laboratory conditions. Overall, first instars were most susceptible to the insecticides tested, followed by third instars and adults, eggs, and pupae. Our results suggest that spinosad, and to a lesser extent indoxacarb, offer reduced toxicity to H. axyridis and would be beneficial for conservation biological control in agricultural systems where H. axyridis is abundant.

Prophenoloxidase from brown shrimp (Penaeus californiensis) hemocytes.

Prophenoloxidase (proPO) was purified from blood cells of the brown shrimp Penaeus californiensis by ultracentrifugation and dye affinity chromatography. The isolated proPO is a 114-kDa monomeric protein as determined by SDS-PAGE. This protein can be hydrolyzed by proteinases, producing a 107-kDa active phenoloxidase (PO). The isoelectric point for both protein forms was 7.35. The PO reaction using L-DOPA as substrate, has an optimum pH of 8, and was poorly inhibited by sodium azide, thiourea and EDTA, but strongly inhibited by diethyl thiocarbamate. According to the substrate affinity and inhibition characteristics, this phenoloxidase was classified as a tyrosinase-like phenoloxidase. Purified proPO was not activated by bacterial lipopolysaccharides or beta-glucans.

Identifying outcomes.

The author describes the importance of outcome management in nurse practitioner practice. A scheme for the development of outcome management projects is presented. Obstacles in the use of outcome management are discussed.

Isolation of Vibrio and Pseudomonas from brown shrimp (Penaeus californiensis Holmes) intestine.

Bacteria of the genera Vibrio, Pseudomonas and Aeromonas were isolated from the intestine of apparently healthy brown shrimp (Penaeus californiensis Holmes) cultured in a tidal pond. Species from these genera of bacteria have been reported as shrimp pathogens and have been involved in human gastrointestinal disorders related to seafood consumption. Isolation was done first in Marine broth, then in selective media (TCBS, Cetrimide and MacConkey). The oxidase negative strains were discarded as insignificant to shrimp culture. The identification of oxidase positive strains was based in morphological and colonial characteristics, biochemical capabilities, and both salinity and temperature tolerance. API 20E system and fatty acid analysis were also included. Three potentially pathogenic bacteria, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio furnissii and Pseudomonas putida were isolated and identified from healthy shrimp intestine.

[Effect of a sodium fluoride solution at different temperatures on the solubility of deciduous dental enamel]. / Efecto de una solución de fluoruro de sodio a diferentes temperaturas en la solubilidad del esmalte dentario temporal.

An in vitro study about the influence of temperature on the solubility of deciduous powdered enamel protected by sodium fluoride (0.05%) was made to observe the variation of the weight loss when the tissue was exposed to 0.5 N lactate buffer at pH 4.5. The protective capacity of fluoride to decrease the acid solubility in temporary tooth enamel presumably can be attribute to increase the temperature measured by scale centrigrade.