Deciphering the virulence factors of the opportunistic pathogen Mycobacterium colombiense.

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) contains clinically important nontuberculous mycobacteria worldwide and is the second largest medical complex in the Mycobacterium genus after the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. MAC comprises several species that are closely phylogenetically related but diverse regarding their host preference, course of disease, virulence and immune response. In this study we provided immunologic and virulence-related insights into the M. colombiense genome as a model of an opportunistic pathogen in the MAC. By using bioinformatic tools we found that M. colombiense has deletions in the genes involved in p-HBA/PDIM/PGL, PLC, SL-1 and HspX production, and loss of the ESX-1 locus. This information not only sheds light on our understanding the virulence mechanisms used by opportunistic MAC pathogens but also has great potential for the designing of species-specific diagnostic tools.

Síndrome del desfiladero torácico superior secundario al tratamiento de hipercifosis con corsé / Thoracic outlet syndrome secundary to hyperkiphosis treatment by corset

El síndrome del desfiladero torácico superior (SDTS) consiste en un cuadro clínicamente bien definido, con manifestaciones neurovasculares variables según las estructuras comprometidas en el trayecto cervicoaxilar, y desencadenado por diversas causas. Se describe el caso de una joven afectada de dorso curvo, que tras tratamiento ortopédico lyonés, con apoyo anterior en hombros, comenzó de forma casi inmediata a presentar sintomatología indicativa de SDTS, la cual remitió tras la supresión de la ortesis. Cabe destacar la originalidad etiológica de este caso, así como su forma de presentación. Revisada la bibliografía sobre el tema no hemos encontrado descripciones etiológicas similares. (AU)

Estudio epidemiológico del absentismo laboral en el personal hospitalario por dolor de espalda / Epidemiological study of work absenteeism in hospital personnel due to back pain

Introducción: La patología vertebral, por su frecuencia, genera gran absentismo laboral y discapacidades, con enorme repercusión económica; de ahí la importancia de su estudio. El objetivo de este artículo es poner de manifiesto los factores relacionados con el perfil laboral del trabajador hospitalario que puedan inducir la aparición de patología de espalda, y comparar la incidencia de ésta en los trabajadores del Hospital General del INSALUD de Soria, con la encontrada en el total de población activa de la provincia. Material y métodos: Se han registrado las bajas laborales aparecidas entre el 1-10-99 y el 30-9-00. Además de las variables biológicas habituales, y de aquellas que tienen que ver con el desarrollo de la actividad profesional, se han recogido los datos relacionados con la baja laboral. Se ha realizado su estudio descriptivo y comparativo. Resultados: La incidencia total de bajas ha sido de 335 sobre 851 trabajadores, siendo 75 (22,5 por ciento) causadas por patología musculo-esquelética (la segunda causa en frecuencia). De ellas, 35 (46,7 por ciento) corresponden a patología vertebral. No existen diferencias significativas entre los trabajadores que han cursado baja por dolor de espalda en relación al total de la plantilla, para las principales variables analizadas (edad, sexo, servicio, o si es personal fijo o no en la empresa), excepto para la categoría profesional. Conclusiones: Entre los factores analizados sólo se han encontrado diferencias significativas en la aparición de patología de la espalda en dos categorías profesionales, los fisioterapeutas y el personal de hostelería. La incidencia hallada en nuestro personal (4,1 por ciento) difiere significativamente de la hallada en la población global (2,2 por ciento) (AU)

Caryodendron orinocense ('nuez de Barinas') oil: tocopherol content and use in cosmetics.

Preliminary studies showed the possibility of using the oil extracted from the 'nuez de Barinas' (Caryodendron orinocense Karst.) (also known as 'taque nut'), in cosmetic formulation, due to its UV absorbance spectrum as well as other physical, chemical and toxicological characteristics. Some Amerindians have used this oil as unction. The tree, also called in Venezuela 'nueza' or 'nogal de Barquisimeto', and in other countries 'Inchi' or 'taque', belongs to the Euphorbiaceae, and grows wild along the base of the Andes mountains in Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Colombia. The oil presented a high polyunsaturated fatty acid content, especially linoleic acid (75.13%), which makes it susceptible to oxidation. alpha, beta, gamma and delta-tocopherols are chemical compounds that have antioxidant and vitamin E activity. Tocopherols are used in cosmetics owing to these two characteristics. These properties vary depending on the isomer, the alpha-tocopherol having higher vitamin activity, while the delta-tocopherol has the highest antioxidant power, acting as free radical scavenger. The objective of this study was to assess the presence of tocopherols in the oil, as well as the emollient efficiency and activity of the oil after incorporation as a base in formulation of cosmetic products. Results showed good emollient efficiency and activity, and the presence of alpha, beta, gamma and delta-tocopherols, which means that the oil will be stable in cosmetic formulations.

[Recurrent fetal loss. A multifactorial problem?]. / Pérdida gestacional recurrente. Un problema multifactorial?

The fetal recurrent loss (P.F.R.), it is a clinical disturbance associated with multiple factors, that it are in a frustrating situation so much for the couples like for the doctor. The objective was to evaluate 39 couples with P.F.R. in order to establish the responsibility of each factor and proceed to treatment I specify, considering as success the get a pregnancy with viable product. The protocol included clinical history, histerosalpingography, ultrasound, analysis cromosomal, antibodies for TORCH and antiphospholipids, test endocrine specifies, genitals cultivation and biopsy of endometrial. 23% it of the fetal losses is due to only factor; 64.2% it is due to multiple factors and 12.8% they don't have apparent factor. The infectious factors, endocrine, anatomical and autoimmunity was the more constants. Pregnancy with viable product in the 82% was achieved of the cases. We concluded that the P.F.R. it is a problem that is due to multiple factors and that it require a diagnosis-therapeutic integral focus.

[Promotion of infant health. Experiences in a rural health center]. / Promoción de la salud del lactante. Experiencia en un centro de salud rural.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of the feeding changes in the first months of life is used to estimate the achievement of more healthy practices, after a year of developing the infant health surveillance programme. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out in a unit of Pediatrics of a Primary Health Center.... The clinical histories of children, born between 1-4-90 and 30-9-90 (group I, n = 55) and those of the children born between 1-4-89 and 30-9-89 (group II, n = 41) were reviewed. The evaluation ended the 30-3-91. Neonatal hospital morbidity, socio-familiar data, and the feeding practices during the first six months of life were studied. RESULTS: The mothers, who were 20 years or less at delivery, were 12 in the group I, and 2 in the group II. The proportion of housekeepers was near the 70% in both groups. Breast-feeding during the first month of life is 85,45% in group I and 53,66% in group II (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Increase of adolescent mothers and SO, higher number of children with possible psycho-social and health risks. Suitable social conditions for maternal participation in the activities of the Infant Health surveillance Programme. Health education is the most adequate method to establish a more healthy relation between mother and child.