Chromosome damage induced in cord blood T-lymphocytes infected in vitro by HTLV-I.

Experiments were carried out to investigate whether the human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I), alone or in combination with a chemical mutagen such as mitomycin C (MMC), has the capacity to damage host chromosomes. Cord-blood T lymphocytes (CBL) were infected by co-cultivation with lethally irradiated HTLV-I-producing cells. Infected and immortalized CBL were then studied for frequencies of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE), chromosome breaks and micronuclei. HTLV-I-infected cells had statistically higher baseline SCE, chromosome aberrations and micronucleus values than the uninfected control CBL. While MMC treatment further augmented these values both in control and in infected lymphocytes, the latter did not show dose-related increases, most likely because of the more pronounced MMC-induced delaying effect on cell progression to mitosis. In view of similar previous observations in mouse lymphocytes carrying the Moloney murine leukemia virus, it is suggested that expression of a common retrovirus gene product, such as the pol endonuclease, might be responsible for the cytogenetic abnormalities observed. In addition to the IL-2 autocrine loop, the direct induction of chromosome damage by HTLV-I in target lymphocytes may be related to the pathogenesis of malignancies associated with HTLV-I infection.

Monitoreo clínico neurológico através de escala de Glasgow modificada / Neurologic clinical monitoring by modified glasgow scales

Se presenta por vez primera en nuestro medio la aplicación de una Escala de Monitoreo clinico en el seguimiento del paciente neurológico. Se controlaron 50 pacientes con un protocolo único lo que permitió fijar pautas. Se evaluó la Cuadrícula destacando aspectos positivos y dificuldades halladas en la puesta en práctica. Se mostraron y discutieron casos individuales de sumo interés. Por último se deja abierto el camino para interesantes perspectivas futuras (

[Effects of ketamine on the pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid. Variations of its effects]. / Acción de la ketamina sobre la presión del líquido cefalorraquídeo. Variaciones de sus efectos.

Effects of chlorhydrate of Ketamine upon CSF pressure were studied in 10 patients with different intracranial pathology. In opposition to the results of other authors, in 5 patients there was no increase of pressure after the drug was applied. This difference is ascribed to the individual pathology of the patients studied, emphasizing that 4 of them were bearers of a diffuse vascular encephalopathy with intelectual damage, added to an acute vascular accident in 3 cases. For these reasons, it is presumed that a deficient auto-regulation of cerebral circulation, with diminished vasomotor reactivity, is reasponsible for the absence of hypertension after application of the drug. The study of the variations of cerebrospinal fluid pressure after chlorhydrate of Ketamine is applied may enable to measure the efficiency of the mechanisms of auto-regulation in any determined patient.

[Controlled hypotension with sodium nitroprusside in surgery for cerebral aneurysm]. / Hipotensión controlada con nitroprusiato de sodio en cirugía de aneurismas cerebrales

Sodium nitroprusside given by intravenous drop was infused in 10 patients with cerebral aneurysm in order to achieve the controlled hypotension. The easy beginning of the hypotension was consisted as well as the evanescent action of the drug and the abscense of collateral effects. Morbility and mortality differences were not seen between our cases and those in which normotension was used.