Probiotic screening and safety evaluation of Lactobacillus strains from plants, artisanal goat cheese, human stools, and breast milk.

The aim of this study was to select autochthonous strains of Lactobacillus from stools of healthy infants and adults, human milk, artisanal goat cheese, and fruits and vegetables according to their probiotic properties and safety. From 421 strains of Lactobacillus isolated, 102 (24.2%) were shown to be tolerant to gastric pH and bile salts; they were used to determine their anti-Helicobacter pylori (agar diffusion assay), antioxidant (oxygen radical absorption capacity), and anti-inflammatory (inhibition of interleukin-8 release by tumor necrosis factor-α-stimulated HT-29 cells) activities as well as their ability to adhere to intestinal (Caco-2) and gastric (AGS) epithelial cells. Results obtained were compared with three commercial probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, L. plantarum 299v, and L. johnsonii NCC533. The five strains most efficient according to these activities were subsequently identified by sequencing their 16S rRNA gene, their susceptibility to antibiotics was determined, and their safety evaluated in mice. One strain of L. plantarum was discarded due to the higher prevalence of liver bacterial translocation observed in the animals fed this strain. In conclusion, four autochthonous strains of L. rhamnosus were finally selected with probiotic properties and safety allowing their eventual use in human studies. These results contribute to increase the diversity of probiotic strains available for the development of nutraceuticals and functional foods.

[Colorectal cancer screening at Clínica Alemana, Santiago de Chile]. / Plan de tamizaje de cáncer colorrectal ("Mes del Colon") en la Clínica Alemana de Santiago de Chile.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence is rapidly increasing. It has been demonstrated that it can be prevented and cured when the diagnosis is made in early stages. OBJECTIVE: For this reason it is necessary to apply a screening program in asymptomatic patients. METHOD: Since 2003, we conducted a CRC screening plan called "Mes del Colon" at Clínica Alemana Santiago. A press and local diffusion campaign was designed. Open to the community CRC talks were scheduled. An ad hoc database was designed. An informed consent was available. Patients older than 50 years and high risk patients were included. Total colonoscopy and a medical interview after the procedure were included in the plan with favorable economic conditions. RESULTS: Since 2003, 1158 patients were included The 1.8% of them were excluded because of incomplete data or because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. The 54% of patients were women. Mean age was 58.4 years old and mean body mass index 25.5 kg/m2. Polipoid lesions were seen in 45% of the patients. Six (1%) of them were adenocarcinomas, 291 (57%) adenomas (98% tubular adenomas), 189 (37%) hyperplastic polyps and 25 (5%) miscellaneous lesions. In this series, the necessary number to investigate for 1 adenoma was 3.9. CONCLUSIONS: CRC prevention campaigns are needed due to the continuous increase of the incidence in our country. The detection of precursor or early lesions that are longstanding before becoming advanced cancer allows its treatment avoiding progression.

Perfil epidemiológico del melanoma maligno en el Hospital San Juan de Dios / Epidemiologic profile of the malignan melanoma in the San Juan de Dios Hospital

Durante la última década se ha registrado un considerable incremento en la incidencia del cáncer cutáneo en el ámbito mundial. En Chile, como en el resto de Latinoamérica, existen pocos estudios respecto a la epidemiología del cáncer cutáneo. En nuestra serie se analizan retrospectivamente 64 casos de melanoma maligno, observados en el Hospital San Juan de Dios durante el período comprendido entre enero de 1992 hasta enero de 1999

Tratamiento quirúrgico del melanoma maligno: revisión de 44 casos / Surgical treatment of malignant melanoma: review of 44 cases

La incidencia del melanoma maligno cutáneo está en incremento sostenido en todo el mundo como consecuencia de varios factores demográficos: exposición a la luz solar, disminución de la capa de ozono, mayor tendencia a deportes al aire libre y prolongación del promedio de vida de la población entre otros. Los factores más significativos en el pronóstico son: etapa de la enfermedad, espesor de la lesión grado de crecimiento vertical, sitio anatómico, ulceración y hemorragia, edad, sexo, forma de tratamiento. Se presenta un estudio descriptivo en relación con el tratamiento en un período de 8 años (1992-1999) de 44 pacientes. En ellos se estudiaron variables de edad, sexo, grado, grado de exposición solar, antecedentes familiares correlacionados, características clínicas de la lesión, tratamiento y recidiva. Los resultados se exponen en relación a las características señaladas. Se destaca la necesidad de hacer un registro minuciso de las características demográficas, epidemiológicas y clínicas así como un seguimiento controlado de los pacientes. Se señala las características del tratamiento quirúrgico y la necesidad de implementar el estudio del linfonodo centinela y linfocintigrafía