Biochemical and osmoregulatory responses of the African clawed frog experimentally exposed to salt and pesticide.

Salinization and pollution are two main environmental stressors leading deterioration to water quality and degradation of aquatic ecosystems. Amphibians are a highly sensitive group of vertebrates to environmental disturbance of aquatic ecosystems. However, studies on the combined effect of salinization and pollution on the physiology of amphibians are limited. In this study, we measured the standard metabolic rate (SMR) and biochemical parameters of adult males of the invasive frog Xenopus laevis after 45 days of exposure to contrasting salinity environments (400 and 150 mOsm NaCl) with either 1.0 µg/L of the organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos (CPF) or pesticide-free medium. Our results revealed a decrease in SMR of animals exposed to the pesticide and in the ability to concentrate the plasma in animals exposed simultaneously to both stressors. The lack of ability to increase plasma concentration in animals exposed to both salt water and CPF, suggests that osmoregulatory response is decreased by pesticide exposure. In addition, we found an increase of liver citrate synthase activity in response to salt stress. Likewise, the liver acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity decreased by 50% in frogs exposed to salt water and CPF and 40% in those exposed only to CPF, which suggest an additive effect of salinity on inhibition of AChE. Finally, oxidative stress increased as shown by the higher lipid peroxidation and concentration of aqueous peroxides found in the group exposed to salt water and pesticide. Thus, our results revealed that X. laevis physiology is compromised by salinization and pesticide exposure to both environmental stressors join.

Effect of salinity acclimation on osmoregulation, oxidative stress, and metabolic enzymes in the invasive Xenopus laevis.

Aquatic animals often display physiological adjustments to improve their biological performance and hydrosaline balance in saline environments. In addition to energetic costs associated with osmoregulation, oxidative stress, and the activation of the antioxidant system are common cellular responses to salt stress in many species, but the knowledge of osmoregulation-linked oxidative homeostasis in amphibians is scarce. Here we studied the biochemical responses and oxidative responses of Xenopus laevis females exposed for 40 days to two contrasting salinities: hypo-osmotic (150 mOsm·kg-1 ·H2 O NaCl, HYPO group) and hyper-osmotic environments (340 mOsm·kg-1 ·H2 O NaCl, HYPER group). We found an increase of plasma osmolality and plasma urea concentration in the animals incubated in the HYPER treatment. Increases in electrolyte concentration were paralleled with an increase of both citrate synthase and cytochrome c oxidase activities in liver and heart. Interestingly, HYPO group had higher catabolic activity of the skin and liver total antioxidant capacity (TAC), compared with animals from the HYPER group. Moreover, there was an inverse relationship between liver TAC and plasma osmolality; and with the metabolic enzymes from liver. These findings suggest that salinity induces changes in urea metabolism and specific activity of metabolic enzymes, which appears to be tissue-dependent in X. laevis. Contrary to our expectations, we also found a moderate change in the oxidative status as revealed by the increase in TAC activity in the animals acclimated to low salinity medium, but constancy in the lipid peroxidation of membranes.

Screen time impairs the relationship between physical fitness and academic attainment in children / O tempo de tela prejudica a relação entre a forma física e o sucesso acadêmico em crianças

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was twofold: to analyze the association between physical fitness and academic attainment, and to determine the influence of screen time on the association between physical fitness and academic attainment.METHODS: A cross-sectional study including 395 schoolchildren from seven schools of the Maule Region, Chile (mean age 12.1 years; 50.4% boys) participated in the autumn of 2014 (March to June). Self-reported physical activity and screen time were evaluated. The study measured academic achievement (mean of the grades obtained in several core subjects), physical fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength), weight, height, parental education, and socioeconomic status. Linear regression analysis was used to analyze the relationships between physical fitness and academic attainment after adjusting for potential confounders by gender. Analysis of variance was used to analyze the differences in academic attainment according to fitness and screen time categories (< 2 hours/day and ≥ 2 hours/day).RESULTS: In both genders good cardiorespiratory fitness levels were associated with high language (ß = 0.272-0.153) and mean academic attainment (ß = 0.192-0.156) grades; however, after adjusting for screen time and other potential confounders, these associations disappear. Similarly, no relationship was observed after analyzing those children who spend more hours of screen time (≥ 2 hours/day).CONCLUSIONS: Academic attainment is associated with higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels; however, it was weakly impaired by screen time. These findings seem to suggest that parents and policymakers should minimize the negative effects of screen time on children's lives to maximize the beneficial effect of healthy habits on academic attainment.

OBJETIVO: Analisar a relação entre a forma física e o sucesso acadêmico e determinar a influência do tempo de tela sobre a relação entre a forma física e o sucesso acadêmico.MÉTODO: Estudo transversal que incluiu 395 crianças em idade escolar de sete escolas da região de Maule, Chile (com idade média de 12,1 anos; 50,4% de meninos), foi feito no outono de 2014 (março a junho). A atividade física e o tempo de tela autorrelatados foram avaliados. Mensuramos o desempenho escolar (média das notas obtidas em diversas matérias principais), a forma física (aptidão cardiorrespiratória e força muscular), o peso, a estatura, a escolaridade dos pais e a condição socioeconômica. A análise de regressão linear foi usada para avaliar as relações entre a forma física e o sucesso acadêmico após o ajuste pelas possíveis variáveis de confusão por sexo. A análise de variância foi usada para avaliar as diferenças no sucesso escolar de acordo com as categorias de forma física e tempo de tela (< 2 horas/dia e ≥ 2 horas/dia).RESULTADOS: Em ambos os sexos, os bons níveis de aptidão cardiorrespiratória foram associados às maiores notas em línguas (ß = 0,272-0,153) e à média de sucesso acadêmico (ß = 0,192-0,156); contudo, após ajustar o tempo de tela e outras possíveis variáveis de confusão, essas associações desaparecem. Da mesma forma, não foi observada relação após analisar as crianças com mais horas de tempo de tela (≥ 2 horas/dia).CONCLUSÕES: O sucesso acadêmico está associado a maiores níveis de aptidão cardiorrespiratória; contudo, foi pouco prejudicado pelo tempo de tela. Esses achados parecem sugerir que os pais e órgãos reguladores devem minimizar os efeitos negativos do tempo de tela sobre as vidas das crianças para maximizar o efeito benéfico de hábitos saudáveis sobre o sucesso acadêmico.

Screen time impairs the relationship between physical fitness and academic attainment in children.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was twofold: to analyze the association between physical fitness and academic attainment, and to determine the influence of screen time on the association between physical fitness and academic attainment. METHODS: A cross-sectional study including 395 schoolchildren from seven schools of the Maule Region, Chile (mean age 12.1 years; 50.4% boys) participated in the autumn of 2014 (March to June). Self-reported physical activity and screen time were evaluated. The study measured academic achievement (mean of the grades obtained in several core subjects), physical fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength), weight, height, parental education, and socioeconomic status. Linear regression analysis was used to analyze the relationships between physical fitness and academic attainment after adjusting for potential confounders by gender. Analysis of variance was used to analyze the differences in academic attainment according to fitness and screen time categories (< 2 hours/day and ≥ 2 hours/day). RESULTS: In both genders good cardiorespiratory fitness levels were associated with high language (ß=0.272-0.153) and mean academic attainment (ß=0.192-0.156) grades; however, after adjusting for screen time and other potential confounders, these associations disappear. Similarly, no relationship was observed after analyzing those children who spend more hours of screen time (≥ 2 hours/day). CONCLUSIONS: Academic attainment is associated with higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels; however, it was weakly impaired by screen time. These findings seem to suggest that parents and policymakers should minimize the negative effects of screen time on children's lives to maximize the beneficial effect of healthy habits on academic attainment.

Delayed intracranial hypertension and cerebral edema in severe pediatric head injury: risk factor analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Diffuse brain edema has been described as a major cause of intracranial hypertension (IH) following traumatic brain injury (TBI), and several studies suggest that it may be more frequent in children than in adults. While most cases of IH following TBI are present from the beginning, several studies have described a subgroup of patients with delayed elevations in intracranial pressure (ICP). METHODS: Retrospective review of severe pediatric TBI cases admitted to a single institution during a 6-year period. Patients were classified into three groups, based on the temporal evolution of ICP: patients who evolved without IH, patients who had IH at admission and patients with delayed IH. A risk factor analysis was performed to find differences between these groups. RESULTS: 31 cases of severe pediatric TBI were analyzed. 13 patients were female and 18 male, with an average age of 8.9 years. 4 patients met the described criteria for delayed IH; the only significant risk factor was presence of edema at the initial brain CT (p = 0.008). 3 additional patients presented clinical deterioration after 48 h and signs of brain edema in the CT, after ICP monitoring had been discontinued. CONCLUSIONS: Late-onset IH is a relatively common clinical condition in the pediatric population with severe TBI (present in 13% of the cases in our series), and the presence of a Marshall III CT scan at admission is a significant risk factor for this condition. Pediatric patients may benefit from a more prolonged period of ICP monitoring than adults, and the lack of amelioration of brain edema at follow-up brain CT (even with normal ICP values) may be an indication that more prolonged monitoring is needed.

Síndrome de transfusión intergemelar estadio III, manejado con fotocoagulaición láser guiada por fetoscopia, complicado con Síndrome de Ballantyne y RCIU selectivo del feto donante: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura / A case report and literature review in twin-twin transfusion syndrome stage III, fetoscopy -guided laser therapy, complicated with ballantyne syndrome and selective IUGR of fetus donor

Objetivo: se presenta el caso de una paciente primigestante con embarazo monocorial biamniótico y síndrome de transfusión intergemelar estadio III, diagnosticado en la semana 23 de gestación. El manejo se llevó a cabo con foto-coagulación láser selectiva y secuencial de vasos comunicantes. Se presentó complicación con síndrome de Ballantyne y RCIU selectivo del feto donante. Desembarazada en la semana 35 con buen resultado perinatal. El objetivo es realizar una revisión actualizada de la literatura del síndrome de Ballantyne. Materiales y métodos: se revisaron las bases de datos PubMed, Cochrane, MEDLINE y libros de la especialidad, relativos al término “síndrome de Ballantyne”, sin restricción en la fecha de publicación. Conclusión: la fotocoagulación láser selectiva y secuencial de vasos comunicantes es el manejo de elección para el síndrome de transfusión fetofetal. La restricción de crecimiento selectivo del feto donante en estadio III se puede presentar en el 40 a 70% de los casos. El síndrome de Ballantyne puede ser secundario a edema placentario sin hidrops fetal; su sospecha puede ayudar a identificar cuáles pacientes se podrían beneficiar de un manejo activo de esta patología.

Objective: a 21 years old primigravid patient with biamniotic monochorial twin pregnancy and stage III twin-to -twin transfusion syndrome, diagnosed during week 23 of gestation is presented. She was managed with selective, sequential laser photocoagulation of the communicating blood vessels which was complicated by Ballantyne’s syndrome (mirror syndrome) and selective intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) of the donor fetus. She delivered during week 35 with good perinatal result. The object was to make an updated review of the literature about Ballantyne’s syndrome. Materials and methods: the PubMed/ MEDLINE, Cochrane databases were searched as well as books on the specialization, related to the term “Ballantyne’s syndrome”, with no restriction regarding publication date. Conclusion: selective, sequential laser photocoagulation of the communicating blood vessels is the management of choice for twintwin fetus transfusion syndrome. Selective growth restriction of the donor fetus in stage III could be presented in 40% to 70% of cases. Ballantyne’s syndrome could be secondary to placental edema without fetal hydrops; suspecting it, helps to identify which patients could benefit from active management of this pathology.

Manejo del factor masculino leve a moderado con L-carnitina. Serie de casos / Managing mild to moderate male factor with L-carnitine. Case series

Objetivo: determinar la utilidad de la L-carnitina vía intramuscular de 1 gr como tratamiento para los casos de factor masculino leve a moderado. Materiales y métodos: participaron en el estudio doce sujetos a los cuales se les diagnosticó oligo-asteno-teratozospermia leve a moderada. Se les administró a un grupo L-carnitina a dosis de 1 gr IM cada 4 día por lo menos por 2 meses previo al procedimiento de reproducción asistida al que fueron sometidos junto con sus parejas. Tomamos como control los parámetros espermáticos el día en que se les realizaba el procedimiento. Resultados: en el grupo que utilizó L-carnitina se observó una mejoría significativa al momento de realizar el procedimiento de reproducción asistida en cuanto a los parámetros espermáticos de concentración y en la movilidad, logrando embarazo en un 50 por ciento. Conclusión: el uso de L-carnitina incrementa la concentración y la movilidad de los espermatozoides, mejorando la tasa de embarazo.

Elastografía: un nuevo método diagnóstico / Elastography: a new diagnostic method

La elastografía es un nuevo método diagnóstico de proyección de imagen por ultrasonidoo resonancia magnética utilizada para determinar tejidos blandos anormales a través de los parámetros de elasticidad durante la compresión de aquéllos, así, se pueden diferenciar los cánceres o tejidos patológicos de los tejidos sanos circundantes; además, es útil para supervisar el tratamiento del tumor o determinar placas arterioescleróticas, entre otros.Se ha encontrado beneficioso en diferentes campos de la medicina, como cardiología, ginecología, urología, endocrinología y, en tiempos no muy lejanos, en otros campos.

Modelos de consentimiento informado en Ginecología y Obstetricia. Una propuesta / Obstetrics and gynecology informed consent forms

La práctica ginecológica y obstétrica en Colombia, al igual que en otros países, lleva un alto riesgo de demandas por responsabilidad médico-legal. En Colombia, la información y posterior información por el paciente del procedimiento que le será realizado son exigencias legales muchas veces ignoradas, que tienen un incalculable valor para la defensa del médico en caso de una demanda. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo proponer modelos de consentimiento informado para los principales procedimientos ginecológicos y obstétricos, los cuales protegen la autonomía del paciente y facilitan al ginecoobstetra la práctica de su profesió.