Current perspectives in Bietti crystalline dystrophy.

Bietti crystalline dystrophy (BCD) is a rare-inherited disease caused by mutations in the CYP4V2 gene and characterized by the presence of multiple shimmering yellow-white deposits in the posterior pole of the retina in association with atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and chorioretinal atrophy. The additional presence of glittering dots located at the corneal limbus is also a frequent finding. The CYP4V2 protein belongs to the cytochrome P450 subfamily 4 and is mainly expressed in the retina and the RPE and less expressed in the cornea. The disease has its metabolic origin in the diminished transformation of fatty acid substrates into n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids due to a dysregulation of the lipid metabolism. In this review, we provide updated insights on clinical and molecular characteristics of BCD including underlying mechanisms of BCD, genetic diagnosis, progress in the identification of causative genetic and epigenetic factors, available techniques of exploration and development of novel therapies. This information will help clinicians to improve accuracy of BCD diagnosis, providing the patient reliable information regarding prognosis and clinical prediction of the disease course.

La investigación etnográfica en la Escuela Nacional de Enfermería y Obstetricia / Ethnographic research at the National School of Nursing and Obstetrics

En este documento se presenta el panorama de la Introducción de la metodología de las ciencias sociales como es la antropología y la Investigación de tipo etnográfico, a la formación de recursos de enfermería en la Escuela Nacional de Enfermería y Obstetricia (ENEO), situación que se ha visto favorecida por la aparición de nuevas demandas hacia las profesiones de la salud por parte de la sociedad, que han exigido el redimensionamiento del campo de actividad y del sistema de conocimientos, habilidades y valores profesionales, como condición del desempeño exitoso, bajo las nuevas condiciones del mundo globalizado y las necesidades de atención a poblaciones culturalmente diversas, cuestión que en nuestro país es pan de todos los días.

This paper presents an overview of the introduction of the methodology of social sciences, as anthropology and ethnographic research, to the training of nursing resources at the National School of Nursing and Obstetrics (Acronym in Spanish: ENEO). A situation like that, has been fueled by the emergence of new demands on the health professions by the society, who have required the downsizing of the field of business and system knowledge, skills and professional values, as a condition of successful performance under new conditions in the globalized world, and the new care needs of the population culturally diverse, a question that in our country is daily bread.

Biological oxidation of sulphides by microorganisms present in the scum layer of UASB reactors treating domestic wastewater.

This study aimed at the identification of microorganisms present in the scum layer of the settler compartment of upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors, and to evaluate their role in the biological oxidation of sulphides. The experiments were conducted using scum samples taken from two pilot-scale UASB reactors, both treating domestic wastewater. Microorganisms similar to Beggiatoa sp., Thiotrix sp. and species of cyanobacteria were identified based on their morphology, and most of them have been shown to be capable of carrying out sulphur oxidation. Tests of biological oxidation of sulphides using scum and cultures of the cyanobacteria Phormidium and Pseudoanabaena showed a significant decrease in the concentrations of the sulphides, suggesting that the microorganisms present in the scum layer can play a role in the minimization of odour emissions.

The production of MLR-blocking factors after lymphocyte immunotherapy for RSA does not predict the outcome of pregnancy.

PROBLEM: The questions of whether production of mixed lymphocyte reaction-blocking factors (MLR-BFs) after immunotherapy with lymphocytes for recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) has prognostic value and whether cytotoxic antibodies are also involved were tested. METHOD OF STUDY: A prospective study with 33 patients who had a history of two or more abortions, lacking MLR-BFs, was carried out. The patients received immunizations with lymphocytes and 6 weeks or later were tested for seroconversion of MLR-BFs. Seventeen of these thirty-three patients were evaluated for antipaternal cytotoxic antibodies. The results were correlated with the outcome of the next pregnancy after treatment. RESULTS: Eighty percent of the 33 patients had a live child. Of those patients having success, only 50% produced MLR-BFs. Of those patients having a new loss, five did and two did not produce MLR-BF (P > 0.05). Regarding the 17 patients tested for cytotoxic antibodies, 4 of the 5 patients who tested positive had a new abortion, whereas only 1 of 12 whose tests remained negative did not have gestational success (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The presence of MLR-BFs is not a prognostic criterium for the outcome of pregnancy after alloimmunotherapy, and, consequently, it is not a good diagnostic tool for RSA of alloimmune cause.

Ada software for cytometry.

Ada is a new general-purpose language that embodies the concepts of software engineering. Although it was initially developed for military purposes, it is suitable for developing software for cytometry and other health-related applications. A pilot study has demonstrated the feasibility of employing Ada for cytometry applications. Three packages were created. The first subtracts a control three-dimensional population from multiple individual experimental populations and presents the results in spread sheet form. A second package has the capability of finding aggregates of cells. The results of this package are visualized employing a commercially available program for three-dimensional presentation of the data that permits rotation in real time. A third package consists primarily of interface drivers for two commercially available personal computer boards, an ADC and a stepper motor controller. The major problems with the coding were due to incomplete implementation of the language. This pilot study, together with others, indicates that it would be both cost effective and beneficial to implement cytometry and other medical devices in Ada.

Rotated intestinal anastomoses.

Using a technique of end-to-end intestinal anastomosis, based upon a 90 degree axial rotation, the conjunction of both mesenteric edges without peritoneal serosa is avoided; theoretically, this would be the weakest area of such an anastomosis. This theory was experimentally tested in the colon of rabbits and the technique compared with the usual, so-called exact facing technique, justifying its clinical use in the hope of improving the results of gastrointestinal operations.