La eritropoyetina humana recombinante reduce la disfunción sensoriomotora y el deterioro cognitivo en ratas con enfermedad renal crónica / Human recombinant erythropoietin reduces sensorimotor dysfunction and cognitive impairment in rat models of chronic kidney disease

INTRODUCCIÓN: La enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) puede provocar anemia e inducir afectaciones neurológicas. La eritropoyetina humana recombinante (rHuEPO) se utiliza en el tratamiento de la anemia en la ERC. Sin embargo, existe poca evidencia de los efectos de la rHuEPO sobre la conducta y las funciones cognitivas en la ERC. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto del tratamiento con rHuEPO sobre las funciones sensoriomotoras y cognitivas en un modelo de ERC. MÉTODOS: Ratas macho de la cepa Wistar fueron asignadas a 4 grupos: control y ERC, con y sin tratamiento con rHuEPO (1.050 UI/kg de peso, una vez por semana durante 4 semanas). Las pruebas conductuales de laberinto acuático de Morris, campo abierto y cinta adhesiva se realizaron de manera simultánea a la inducción del daño renal y el tratamiento. Mientras que la determinación de marcadores de función renal y anemia se realizaron al término del estudio. RESULTADOS: El tratamiento con rHuEPO redujo el daño en el riñón y corrigió la anemia en las ratas con ERC. En las pruebas conductuales, el tratamiento con rHuEPO redujo la disfunción sensoriomotora observada en los animales con ERC. Por otra parte, en los animales con ERC y tratamiento con rHuEPO resolvieron el laberinto en menor tiempo en comparación a los grupos control. CONCLUSIONES: El tratamiento con rHuEPO reduce el daño en el riñón, corrige la anemia y reduce la disfunción sensoriomotora y cognitiva en los animales con ERC

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can cause anaemia and neurological disorders. Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) is used to manage anaemia in CKD. However, there is little evidence on the effects of rHuEPO on behaviour and cognitive function in CKD. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of rHuEPO in sensorimotor and cognitive functions in a CKD model. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups: control and CKD, with and without rHuEPO treatment (1050 IU per kg body weight, once weekly for 4 weeks). The Morris water maze, open field, and adhesive removal tests were performed simultaneously to kidney damage induction and treatment. Markers of anaemia and renal function were measured at the end of the study. RESULTS: Treatment with rHuEPO reduced kidney damage and corrected anaemia in rats with CKD. We observed reduced sensorimotor dysfunction in animals with CKD and treated with rHuEPO. These rats also completed the water maze test in a shorter time than the control groups. CONCLUSIONS: rHuEPO reduces kidney damage, corrects anemia, and reduces sensorimotor and cognitive dysfunction in animals with CKD

Hydrogeochemical baseline in a human-altered landscape of the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

Groundwater pollution in tropical and human-altered coastal landscapes is receiving novel attention due to decreasing in annual recharge as a consequence of recurrent droughts and overexploitation, whereby saline intrusion, point and diffuse source contamination, and water conflicts are common denominators. This study presents a detailed groundwater evaluation in a coastal aquifer within the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Three sampling campaigns including major ions, heavy metals, and fecal coliform analyses were conducted between July 2013 and March 2014 across 17 wells within the alluvial and fissured units of the Jacó aquifer. The groundwater system is classified as mixed HCO3--Ca2+-Mg2+ type. Coliforms presence was found in two wells, nearby Mona Creek headwaters and near the coastal line. Heavy metal concentrations were below quantification limits in most of the wells; however, chromium concentrations up to 6.56 µg/L were quantified within the coastal line and central portion of the alluvial aquifer in 20 out of the 48 samples. The spatial distribution of major ions (K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, SO42-, and HCO3-) exhibited an increasing trend towards the central portion of the alluvial aquifer, which may be potentially associated with the large unregulated urban expansion, invoking a need of a continuous water quality monitoring program in this touristic hot spot. This study provides useful information for other similar coastal aquifers in Central America, whereby increasing population growth and unregulated touristic, industrial, and agricultural activities are posing a truly challenge to ensure water security and sustainability parallel to the economic development in a changing climate.

Human recombinant erythropoietin reduces sensorimotor dysfunction and cognitive impairment in rat models of chronic kidney disease. / La eritropoyetina humana recombinante reduce la disfunción sensoriomotora y el deterioro cognitivo en ratas con enfermedad renal crónica.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can cause anaemia and neurological disorders. Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) is used to manage anaemia in CKD. However, there is little evidence on the effects of rHuEPO on behaviour and cognitive function in CKD. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of rHuEPO in sensorimotor and cognitive functions in a CKD model. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups: control and CKD, with and without rHuEPO treatment (1050 IU per kg body weight, once weekly for 4 weeks). The Morris water maze, open field, and adhesive removal tests were performed simultaneously to kidney damage induction and treatment. Markers of anaemia and renal function were measured at the end of the study. RESULTS: Treatment with rHuEPO reduced kidney damage and corrected anaemia in rats with CKD. We observed reduced sensorimotor dysfunction in animals with CKD and treated with rHuEPO. These rats also completed the water maze test in a shorter time than the control groups. CONCLUSIONS: rHuEPO reduces kidney damage, corrects anemia, and reduces sensorimotor and cognitive dysfunction in animals with CKD.

Spruce xylan/HEMA-SBA15 hybrid hydrogels as a potential scaffold for fibroblast growth and attachment.

A hybrid hydrogel (GHC-SBA15) based on spruce xylan (HC), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and mesoporous silica (SBA15) was prepared with the intended use of fibroblast attachment and growth. Xylan was functionalized with acryloyl chloride to introduce vinyl groups and was crosslinked by radical polymerization with HEMA in presence of SBA15. Infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance confirmed the copolymerization of HEMA with xylan. Up to 20 wt.% addition, SBA15 was homogenously incorporated in the structured hydrogel network as observed by SEM. Moreover, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, small angle X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy indicated that the mesoporous SBA15 framework was maintained and that the hybrid hydrogel was a physical mixture of SBA15 with the copolymer HC/HEMA. Rheological analysis revealed that addition of 20% w/w SBA15 into hydrogel enhanced significantly the mechanical properties. In addition, we demonstrate that fibroblast L929 cells grew and spread on GHC-SBA15. Cell viability was within the expected range.

Registro nacional de esclerosis lateral amiotrófica: prueba piloto, junio de 2015 a mayo de 2016 / Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis National Registry: Pilot Test, June 2015 to May 2016

INTRODUCCIÓN La esclerosis lateral amiotrófica (ELA) es una enfermedad neurodegenerativa, que causa el deterioro de las neuronas motoras superiores e inferiores y lleva a la muerte al 50% de los enfermos en los primeros 3 años posteriores al diagnóstico, siendo la más frecuente de estas condiciones en los adultos. Se estima que la tasa de incidencia de la ELA para todas las edades es de 1,6 personas por cada 100.000 habitantes, cifra que aumenta a 5 personas por cada 100.000 en la séptima década de la vida. La incidencia estimada en Argentina es de 2 por 100.000 habitantes por año, pero no existen cifras oficiales. La ELA no es una enfermedad de declaración obligatoria a nivel nacional, por cuya razón surge la necesidad de realizar un estudio que describa el comportamiento de la enfermedad en el país. OBJETIVOS A nivel general, desarrollar e implementar como prueba piloto el Registro Nacional de Esclerosis Lateral Amiotrófica (ReNELA) en Argentina. De manera específica, construir y consolidar una base de datos unificada para los efectores involucrados, realizar un análisis epidemiológico descriptivo de la base de datos construida y evaluar el registro y su alcance respecto de la población afectada en el período seleccionado. MÉTODOS Se elaboró un registro anónimo, que incluyó a pacientes vivos con residencia en el territorio nacional y diagnóstico de ELA basado en historias clínicas. El instrumento fue una base de datos construida para volcar los datos pertinentes al registro y analizarlos posteriormente. RESULTADOS Se logró construir una base con datos de 215 personas que padecen ELA. Dado que se estudió a la población alcanzada por la red de neurólogos y no fue posible tomar una muestra representativa, no cabe realizar inferencias estadísticas generalizables a la población del país. DISCUSIÓN Esta experiencia permitió identificar posibles factores que facilitarían la consolidación del registro y su continuidad para establecerse como una herramienta capaz de caracterizar epidemiológicamente la ELA en el país.

Colágenas Recombinantes para Andamios de Ingeniería de Tejidos / Recombinant Collagens for Tissue Engineering Scaffolds

Resumen: Las colágenas son cada día más atractivas en la fabricación de andamios para Ingeniería de Tejidos, por su biocompatibilidad, manejo y capacidad de producirlas industrialmente. El objetivo del presente artículo fue presentar un análisis sobre el avance en la investigación, el desarrollo y producción de colágenas recombinantes de humano, los sistemas de producción y sus usos en Ingeniería de Tejidos. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura científica internacional arbitrada en bases de datos como Scopus, PubMed y Google Académico y se empleó aquella relevante a nuestro objetivo. Se encontró que el desarrollo de colágenas recombinantes de humano muestra un avance significativo y en la actualidad los sistemas de expresión, como bacterias y plantas, presentan ventajas sobre la calidad de la estructura y la biocompatibilidad, aunque con rendimientos todavía bajos. Mientras que existe escasa información sobre sus aplicaciones en Ingeniería de Tejidos, principalmente cartílago y hueso, en modelos animales y estudios clínicos. En las fuentes de información no se incluyeron patentes, por lo que nuestros hallazgos están limitados a publicaciones científicas. El presente trabajo, presenta los avances más recientes sobre la ingeniería de colágenas recombinantes y sus aplicaciones biomédicas en fabricación de tejidos con potencial uso clínico. Por lo que su factibilidad en la medicina regenerativa es prometedor y se requiere mayor investigación que permita su aplicación en un futuro cercano.

Abstract: Due to its biocompatibility, handling and industrial production capacity, collagens have been increasingly attractive in the manufacture of scaffolds for Tissue Engineering. The aim of the present work was to present an analysis on the progress in research, development and production of human recombinant collagens, expression systems and their uses in Tissue Engineering. A review of the international scientific peer-reviewed literature in databases such as Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar was done and that relevant to our objective was employed. The development of human recombinant collagens was found to be significant, and currently the expression systems, like bacteria and plants, show advantages over structure quality and biocompatibility, albeit with still restricted yields. However, there is narrow information about its applications in Tissue Engineering, mostly studied for cartilage and bone, in animal models and clinical studies. We did not include patents in the study, thus our findings are limited to scholar data. The present work presents the most recent advances in the engineering of recombinant collagens and their biomedical applications in the manufacture of tissues with potential clinical applications. The potential of recombinant collagens in regenerative medicine is promising and more research is needed that might allow a broad application in the near future.

Development of the endocrine pancreas and novel strategies for beta-cell mass restoration and diabetes therapy

Diabetes mellitus represents a serious public health problem owing to its global prevalence in the last decade. The causes of this metabolic disease include dysfunction and/or insufficient number of β cells. Existing diabetes mellitus treatments do not reverse or control the disease. Therefore, β-cell mass restoration might be a promising treatment. Several restoration approaches have been developed: inducing the proliferation of remaining insulin-producing cells, de novo islet formation from pancreatic progenitor cells (neogenesis), and converting non-β cells within the pancreas to β cells (transdifferentiation) are the most direct, simple, and least invasive ways to increase β-cell mass. However, their clinical significance is yet to be determined. Hypothetically, β cells or islet transplantation methods might be curative strategies for diabetes mellitus; however, the scarcity of donors limits the clinical application of these approaches. Thus, alternative cell sources for β-cell replacement could include embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and mesenchymal stem cells. However, most differentiated cells obtained using these techniques are functionally immature and show poor glucose-stimulated insulin secretion compared with native β cells. Currently, their clinical use is still hampered by ethical issues and the risk of tumor development post transplantation. In this review, we briefly summarize the current knowledge of mouse pancreas organogenesis, morphogenesis, and maturation, including the molecular mechanisms involved. We then discuss two possible approaches of β-cell mass restoration for diabetes mellitus therapy: β-cell regeneration and β-cell replacement. We critically analyze each strategy with respect to the accessibility of the cells, potential risk to patients, and possible clinical outcomes.

Development of the endocrine pancreas and novel strategies for ß-cell mass restoration and diabetes therapy.

Diabetes mellitus represents a serious public health problem owing to its global prevalence in the last decade. The causes of this metabolic disease include dysfunction and/or insufficient number of ß cells. Existing diabetes mellitus treatments do not reverse or control the disease. Therefore, ß-cell mass restoration might be a promising treatment. Several restoration approaches have been developed: inducing the proliferation of remaining insulin-producing cells, de novo islet formation from pancreatic progenitor cells (neogenesis), and converting non-ß cells within the pancreas to ß cells (transdifferentiation) are the most direct, simple, and least invasive ways to increase ß-cell mass. However, their clinical significance is yet to be determined. Hypothetically, ß cells or islet transplantation methods might be curative strategies for diabetes mellitus; however, the scarcity of donors limits the clinical application of these approaches. Thus, alternative cell sources for ß-cell replacement could include embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and mesenchymal stem cells. However, most differentiated cells obtained using these techniques are functionally immature and show poor glucose-stimulated insulin secretion compared with native ß cells. Currently, their clinical use is still hampered by ethical issues and the risk of tumor development post transplantation. In this review, we briefly summarize the current knowledge of mouse pancreas organogenesis, morphogenesis, and maturation, including the molecular mechanisms involved. We then discuss two possible approaches of ß-cell mass restoration for diabetes mellitus therapy: ß-cell regeneration and ß-cell replacement. We critically analyze each strategy with respect to the accessibility of the cells, potential risk to patients, and possible clinical outcomes.

Impaired activation of Stat1 and c-Jun as a possible defect in macrophages of patients with active tuberculosis.

Studies of patients with active tuberculosis (TB) and infected healthy individuals have shown that interferon (IFN)-gamma is present in sites of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in comparable levels. This suggests that there is a deficiency in the macrophage response to IFN-gamma in TB patients. We used recombinant human IFN-gamma to stimulate adherent monocyte-derived macrophages from three groups of people: patients with active tuberculosis (TBP), their healthy household contacts (HHC) and healthy uninfected controls from the community (CC). We then evaluated the ability of the macrophages to inhibit the growth of M. tuberculosis H37Rv as well as their cytokine profile at early in infection (48 h). After IFN-gamma treatment, macrophages of healthy individuals (HHC and CC) controlled M. tuberculosis growth and produced mainly nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin (IL)-12p70, whereas TBP macrophages did not kill M. tuberculosis. Additionally, TBP macrophages produced low levels of NO and IL-12p70 and high levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and IL-10. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta levels were similar among all three groups. M. tuberculosis infection had little effect on the cytokine response after IFN-gamma stimulus, but infection alone induced more IL-10 and TGF-beta in TBP macrophages. There were no differences in Stat1 nuclear translocation and DNA binding between the groups. However, the phosphorylated Stat1 and c-Jun (AP-1) in nuclear protein extracts was diminished in TBP macrophages compared to macrophages of healthy individuals. These results indicate an impairment of Stat1-dependent and Stat1-independent IFN-gamma signalling in macrophages of people with active tuberculosis, suggesting a different molecular regulation that could impact macrophage functionality and disease outcome.

Melanoma primario del esófago / Primary esophageal melanoma: report of one case

Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus is an extremely rare tumor. Less than 300 cases have been published worldwide. Although surgical excision is the best possible therapeutic option, the prognosis is poor. We report a 70 years old man, who underwent an esophagoscopy due to a 6-months history of dysphagia and upper abdominal discomfort. There was no history of previous cutaneous melanoma. A polypoid and pigmented mass (of 5 cm diameter) almost completely occluding the lumen in the lower third of the esophagus, was found. The histological diagnosis of the initial biopsy was melanoma. Transhiatal esophagectomy was performed and the esophagus was replaced by an isoperistaltic gastric tube with cervical esophageal anastomosis. The excised specimen showed a polypoid tumor with black pigmentation of 5.5 cm. The diagnosis of pathological and immunohistochemical studies was a primary esophageal malignant melanoma. The resection margins of esophagus were free of tumor. He received no postoperative adjuvant therapy and signs of recurrence were observed 3 months after the operation.

El melanoma primario maligno del esófago es extremadamente raro y menos de 300 casos han sido publicados hasta el momento. Aunque la resección quirúrgica ha sido considerada como la mejor opción, el pronóstico es muy pobre. Se presenta a un paciente de 70 años a quien se le realizó una esofagogastroscopía por disfagia y epigastralgia de 6 meses de evolución. No había antecedentes de melanoma cutáneo. El examen demostró una masa polipoidea pigmentada de 5 cm de diámetro en el tercio inferior del esófago, que la biopsia informó como melanoma maligno. Se realizó una esofagectomía transhiatal y el estómago fue reemplazado por un tubo gástrico isoperistáltico con una anastomosis esofagogástrica cervical. El estudio de la pieza operatorio demostró un tumor polipoideo de 5,5 cm, con pigmentación negra. El estudio histológico demostró que el tumor correspondía a un melanoma maligno primario del esófago. Los márgenes de resección oral y caudal estaban libres de tumor. No recibió terapia adyuvante complementaria y a los 3 meses de la intervención había signos clínicos e imagenológicos de recurrencia de la enfermedad.

Electroencephalographic evaluation of gold wire implants inserted in acupuncture points in dogs with epileptic seizures.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate both, clinically and with electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings, the effect of gold wire implants in acupuncture points in dogs with uncontrolled idiopathic epileptic seizures. Fifteen dogs with such diagnosis were enrolled in the study. A first EEG recording was performed in all dogs under anaesthesia with xylazine (1mg/kg) and propofol (6 mg/kg) before the treatment protocol, and a second EEG was performed 15 weeks later. Relative frequency power, intrahemispheric coherence available through EEG, number of seizures and seizure severity were compared before and after treatment using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. There were no significant statistical differences before and after treatment in relative power or in intrahemispheric coherence in the EEG recording. However, there was a significant mean difference in seizure frequency and seizure severity between control and treatment periods. After treatment, nine of the 15 dogs (60%) had at least a 50% reduction in seizures frequency during the 15 weeks established as follow-up of this treatment.

Agentes etiológicos de dermatomicosis aislados en pacientes de la ciudad de Concepción y comunas circunvecinas: año 2006 / Ethiologic agents of dermatomicosis isolated from patients at Concepcion and arounded locations: Chile 2006

Las dermatomicosis son infecciones causadas por hongos queratinofilicoss que infectan la piel, pelo y uñas y constituyen un motivo frecuente de consulta dermatológica. Con el propósito de determinar la prevalencia de agentes fúngicos causantes de dermatomicosis, se analizaron en forma retrospectiva los resultados obtenidos en muestras de pelo, piel y uñas de 664 pacientes con sospecha clínica de dermatomicosis, procedentes de consultas de la especialidad en la ciudad de Concepción, en el periodo comprendido entre enero y diciembre de 2006. La edad de los pacientes fluctuó entre uno y 80 años. Se estudiaron 164 muestras de piel lampiña, sin considerar manos ni pies; 16 muestras palmares e interdigitales de mano; 51 muestras plantares e interdigitales de pie; 339 muestras de uñas de pies; 83 muestras de uñas de manos, y 11 muestras de cuero cabelludo. A todas las muestras se les realizaron examen microscópico directo con KOH tinta y cultivo en dos tipos de medios: agar Saboraud cloramfenicol y agar Saboraud cloramfenicol más cicloheximida. De las 664 muestras analizadas, resultaron 443 positivas para hongos (66,7%), de las cuales 412 (93%) fueron diagnosticadas por el examen directo; y 368 (83%) fueron positivas en el cultivo; en 31 muestras el diagnóstico sólo fue posible en el examen de cultivo, y en 44 el diagnóstico fue hecho a través del examen microscópico directo, no recuperándose el hongo en el cultivo. Las especies fúngicas aisladas en orden de frecuencia fueron: Trichophyton rubrum (73,4%); Trichophyton mentagrophytes (9,0%), Candida spp. (3,5%); Microsporum canis (2,4%); Epidermophyton floccosum (0,5%), Fusarium spp. (0,3%). Podemos concluir que la especie predominante en la población estidiada fue Trichophyton rubrum, que se presenta a todos los sitios topográficos estudiados. La frecuencia de aislamiento de cada especie fúngica varía según la localización...

Dermatomycoses are infections caused by fungus that affect skin, hair and nails, and represent a common cause of dermatologic consultations. In order to establish the type of fungi that cause these infections we analyzed 664 outpatients with a clinical diagnosis of dermatomycoses during the year 2006. Age ranged from 1 to 80 years. We studied 164 samples of skin lesions, 16 palms and interdigital area; 51 soles and interdigital toenails, 339 to enails, 83 fingernails, and 11 from scalps AII samples were analyzed microscopically using KOH and were cultured in agar Sabouraud with chloramphenicol, and agar Sabouraud with chloramphenicol plus cycloheximide. Results: of a total 664 samples, 443 (66.7%) were positive for fungi, 412 (93%) through microscopic exam, 368 (83%) had a positive culture for fungi. In 33 samples the diagnosis was made only through culture and in 44 samples only through microscopic exam. The fungal species isolated and related to the area were. Trichophyton rubrum (73.4%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes (9.0%), Candida spp. (3.5%), Microsporum canis (2.4%), Epidermophyton floccosum (0.5%), Fusarium spp (0.26%). We concluded that the frequency of each specie of fungi iso-lated varied with anatomical location, but the predominant species was Trichophyton rubrum and it was present in all anatomical sites studied. In general, these lab results agreed with clinical diagnosis.

Radioquimioterapia neoadyuvante en cáncer gástrico T4 localmente irresecable: resultados preliminares / Chemoradiotherapy in patients with non resectable gastric cancer: report of 10 patients

En el caso de pacientes con cáncer gástrico T4, puede estar indicada la quimiorradioterapia si no es posible la resección de las estructuras infiltradas. Analizamos 10 pacientes con cáncer gástrico irresecable (8 hombres, 2 mujeres) tratados por nosotros en el periodo 2003-2005. Después de la laparotomía exploradora, los pacientes con cáncer gástrico localmente avanzados e irresecables son tratados con RT-QT concomitante 2 semanas después de la laparotomía. El tratamiento consistió en radioterapia a dosis de 45 Gy en 25 fracciones de 1.8 Gy, 5 veces por semana por 5 semanas sobre estómago y linfáticosregionales, y 5 FU en 1ª y 5º semana (425mg/m2) o Capecitabina 825 mg/m2 diarios, en dos dosis, cada12 hrs. Un mes después se realiza la segunda laparotomía con resección del estómago y linfadenectomía en casos de remisión total o parcial de la enfermedad. Todos los carcinomas fueron proximales. Nueve pacientes se reintervinieron, un paciente tuvo progresión de la enfermedad. Un paciente fue nuevamente irresecable y ocho fueron sometidos a una gastrectomía total D2. Se logró respuesta patológica completa en tres casos (no había cáncer residual en el estómago ni en los ganglios) y parcial en cinco. Creemos que en cáncer gástrico T4 localmente irresecable la RT-QT seguida de cirugía es una buena alternativa terapéutica.

Angiosarcoma secundario a terapia conservadora por cáncer de mama: a propósito de un caso clínico / Angiosarcoma after conservation treatment for breast cancer: a clinical case report

La angiosarcoma es una neoplasia maligna del endotelio, linfático o vascular descrito por primera vez por Caro y Stubenrauch en 1945. Representa menos del 1 por ciento de las neoplasias malignas de tejido blando y a diferencia de la mayoría de los sarcomas muestra especial predilección por la piel y tejidos blandos superficiales. Se presenta principalmente en cabeza y cuello de pacientes añosos, o aparece en áreas de infedema crónico o radiodermitis con aspectos de máculas eritematosas o purpúricas que se extienden formando nódulos que más tarde se ulceran. Es poco frecuente en niños. Presentamos el caso de una paciente con angiocarcinoma secundario a cirugía conservadora y radioterapia complementaria por carcinoma mamario.

[Immediate results in percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty with the Nucleus balloon]. / Resultados inmediatos en la valvuloplastía mitral percutánea con el balón "Nucleus".

UNLABELLED: We present the immediate results of mitral valvuloplasty in 10 patients using Nucleus balloon. Several publications show highly successful results obtained with the Inoue balloon and double balloon technique. There are no publications of Nucleus balloon. We consider that this device could offer several advantages according to its physical and technical characteristics. We performed the procedure in 10 female patients, with severe mitral valve stenosis, with an average age of 44.8 years (23-70) and an average Wilkins score of 7.5 (6-9), using a combined technique. The increase in mitral valve area with Gorlin equation was 1.03 +/- .13 to 2.6 +/- .67 cm2, the decrease in transmitral gradient from 15 +/- 4.1 to 3.42 +/- 2.6 mm Hg, and decrease in systolic pulmonary pressure from 54.1 +/- 18.8 to 24.9 +/- 5.1 mm Hg. One patient developed grade I mitral insufficiency after the procedure, and another non significant interatrial shunt. CONCLUSIONS: Good results are obtained with this balloon, the valvuloplasty technique is more simple than with double balloon, it is much cheaper than Inoue balloon and we consider it could be useful in moderately calcified valves.

Extracciones secuenciales de Cu y Cd en sedimentos de aguas de desecho

Empleando la técnica de Especiación o de las Extracciones Secuenciales, se midieron las diferentes fracciones en las que los metales Cd y Cu se asocian a los diferentes componentes cuyo origen está relacionado a aguas de desecho urbano e industrial

Determinación de cobre y cadmio en diferentes fracciones granulométricas en lodos de aguas de desecho

Se realizó un estudio del lodo proveniente de un lago que es nutrido con aguas pretratadas de desechos urbanos e industriales, midiéndose los totales de cadmio y cobre en tres etapas se muestreo; en paralelo se realizó el análisis por clase granulométrico de los metales, para determinar si existe alguna correlación en la determinación de cadmio y cobre con el tamaño de grano y la naturaleza del sedimento. Se halló que la mayor parte del Cu y del Cd se concentró en la fracción menor a 0.074 mn. El cobre total presentó un aumento notable en los meses de junio y setiembre, aumento que probablemente se haya debodo a que el lago no fuí limpiado, lo que contribuyó quizá a ello