Comparative proteomic analysis of the hemolymph and salivary glands of Rhodnius prolixus and R. colombiensis reveals candidates associated with differential lytic activity against Trypanosoma cruzi Dm28c and T. cruzi Y.

BACKGROUND: Immune response of triatomines plays an important role in the success or failure of transmission of T. cruzi. Studies on parasite-vector interaction have shown the presence of trypanolytic factors and have been observed to be differentially expressed among triatomines, which affects the transmission of some T. cruzi strains or DTUs (Discrete Typing Units). METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Trypanolytic factors were detected in the hemolymph and saliva of R. prolixus against epimastigotes and trypomastigotes of the Y strain (T. cruzi II). To identify the components of the immune response that could be involved in this lytic activity, a comparative proteomic analysis was carried out, detecting 120 proteins in the hemolymph of R. prolixus and 107 in R. colombiensis. In salivary glands, 1103 proteins were detected in R. prolixus and 853 in R. colombiensis. A higher relative abundance of lysozyme, prolixin, nitrophorins, and serpin as immune response proteins was detected in the hemolymph of R. prolixus. Among the R. prolixus salivary proteins, a higher relative abundance of nitrophorins, lipocalins, and triabins was detected. The higher relative abundance of these immune factors in R. prolixus supports their participation in the lytic activity on Y strain (T. cruzi II), but not on Dm28c (T. cruzi I), which is resistant to lysis by hemolymph and salivary proteins of R. prolixus due to mechanisms of evading oxidative stress caused by immune factors. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The lysis resistance observed in the Dm28c strain would be occurring at the DTU I level. T. cruzi I is the DTU with the greatest geographic distribution, from the south of the United States to central Chile and Argentina, a distribution that could be related to resistance to oxidative stress from vectors. Likewise, we can say that lysis against strain Y could occur at the level of DTU II and could be a determinant of the vector inability of these species to transmit T. cruzi II. Future proteomic and transcriptomic studies on vectors and the interactions of the intestinal microbiota with parasites will help to confirm the determinants of successful or failed vector transmission of T. cruzi DTUs in different parts of the Western Hemisphere.

Plasma neurofilament light chain levels suggest neuroaxonal stability following therapeutic remyelination in people with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic demyelination is a major contributor to axonal vulnerability in multiple sclerosis (MS). Therefore, remyelination could provide a potent neuroprotective strategy. The ReBUILD trial was the first study showing evidence for successful remyelination following treatment with clemastine in people with MS (pwMS) with no evidence of disease activity or progression (NEDAP). Whether remyelination was associated with neuroprotection remains unexplored. METHODS: Plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels were measured from ReBUILD trial's participants. Mixed linear effect models were fit for individual patients, epoch and longitudinal measurements to compare NfL concentrations between samples collected during the active and placebo treatment period. RESULTS: NfL concentrations were 9.6% lower in samples collected during the active treatment with clemastine (n=53, geometric mean=6.33 pg/mL) compared to samples collected during treatment with placebo (n=73, 7.00 pg/mL) (B=-0.035 [-0.068 to -0.001], p=0.041). Applying age- and body mass index-standardised NfL Z-scores and percentiles revealed similar results (0.04 vs 0.35, and 27.5 vs 33.3, p=0.023 and 0.042, respectively). Higher NfL concentrations were associated with more delayed P100 latencies (B=1.33 [0.26 to 2.41], p=0.015). In addition, improvement of P100 latencies between visits was associated with a trend for lower NfL values (B=0.003 [-0.0004 to 0.007], p=0.081). Based on a Cohen's d of 0.248, a future 1:1 parallel-arm placebo-controlled study using a remyelinating agent with comparable effect as clemastine would need 202 subjects per group to achieve 80% power. CONCLUSIONS: In pwMS, treatment with the remyelinating agent clemastine was associated with a reduction of blood NfL, suggesting that neuroprotection is achievable and measurable with therapeutic remyelination. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02040298.

Prevalencia de factores asociados a la enfermedad cardiovascular y su relación con el ausentismo laboral de los trabajadores de una entidad oficial / Prevalence of factors associated with cardiovascular disease and their relationship with work absenteeism in a government office

Resumen Introducción: Las enfermedades cardiovasculares constituyen la primera causa de muerte en el mundo. Este fenómeno se atribuye a estilos de vida, tales como sedentarismo, ingesta de alimentos con elevado valor calórico, consumo de alcohol y tabaco, que traen como resultado el aumento en frecuencias de obesidad, dislipidemias e hipertensión, convirtiéndose así en factores de riesgo que inciden directamente sobre la prevalencia de enfermedad y muerte de origen cardiovascular, que, por ende, representan una carga importante para la salud en población trabajadora. Objetivo: Determinar los factores asociados con la enfermedad cardiovascular y su relación con el ausentismo laboral de los trabajadores de una entidad oficial en la ciudad de Bogotá. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo en el que se emplearon registros de 214 trabajadores, incluidas variables sociodemográficas, clínicas-cardiovasculares y laborales. Se efectuó un análisis de las variables independientes y el desenlace, y se planteó un modelo de regresión logística, teniendo como variable dependiente el ausentismo laboral. Resultados: Las prevalencias de la muestra fueron: tabaquismo, 13.1%; consumo de alcohol, 35.1%; sedentarismo, 39.7%; trabajadores con sobrepeso u obesidad, 54.2% y colesterol total elevado, 43.9%. El 29.9% recibía tratamiento para la hipertensión, 4.7% para la diabetes y 21.5% para las dislipidemias. Conclusión: La prevalencia de factores de riesgo asociados a la enfermedad cardiovascular es similar a la encontrada en otros estudios de población trabajadora. El modelo de regresión logística encontró que las variables estado civil casado, obesidad, tratamiento para la hipertensión, estadio de presión arterial diastólica y tiempo de servicio se comportan como variables predictoras del ausentismo laboral.

Abstract Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is the first cause of death in the world. This phenomenon is attributed to life styles, such a sedentarism, ingestion of high calorie foods, and alcohol and tobacco consumption. This leads to an increase in the rates of obesity, dyslipidaemia, and hypertension. These then become risk factors that directly affect the prevalence of disease and death of cardiovascular origin, which consequently represents a significant health problem in the working population. Objective: To determine the factors associated with cardiovascular disease and their relationship with work absenteeism in a government office in the City of Bogota, Colombia. Materials and methods: A descriptive study was carried out using the work records of 214 employees. Sociodemographic, clinical-cardiovascular, and work variables were also recorded. An analysis was performed on the independent variables and the outcome, and a logistic regression model was prepared using work absenteeism as a dependent variable. Results: The prevalences of the sample were: smoking, 13.1%; alcohol consumption, 35.1%; sedentarism, 39.7%; overweight or obese workers, 54.2%; and elevated total cholesterol, 43.9%. Treatment was being received for hypertension in 29.9%, with 4.7% for diabetes, and 21.5% for lipid disorders. Conclusion: The prevalence of risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease is similar to that found in other studies on the working population. The regression model showed that the variables marital status, obesity, treatment for hypertension, diastolic blood pressure level, and length of service, behaved as predictive variables of work absenteeism.

Association of Cognitive and Behavioral Features Between Adults With Tuberous Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia.

Importance: Individuals with tuberous sclerosis complex can develop a progressive neuropsychiatric syndrome known as tuberous sclerosis-associated neuropsychiatric disorders. Tuberous sclerosis-associated neuropsychiatric disorders symptoms overlap with clinical criteria for frontotemporal dementia, yet the association between the 2 has not been explored. Objective: To investigate the potential association between tuberous sclerosis-associated neuropsychiatric disorders and frontotemporal dementia. Design, Setting, and Participants: Case-control study that enrolled patients with tuberous sclerosis complex with normal IQs in an observational clinical study at the University of California, San Francisco, from 2017 to 2019 where they underwent a comprehensive clinical evaluation including neuropsychologic testing, cerebral spinal fluid biomarker profiling, and structural neuroimaging. The study included adults who fulfilled the clinical criteria for tuberous sclerosis complex and had normal IQs, had frontotemporal dementia, or were healthy control individuals. Main Outcomes and Measures: Tuberous sclerosis-associated neuropsychiatric disorders checklist severity score, neuropsychologic test scores, cerebral spinal fluid concentrations of phosphorylated tau181, total tau, amyloid-ß 42, and neurofilament light chain. Amyloid and tau positron emission tomography scans were obtained in a subset of patients. Results: Eighteen patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (mean [SD] age, 48 years [9.54]; 13 women [72%]), 16 with frontotemporal dementia (60 [6.93] years; 7 women [44%]) and 18 healthy control individuals (63 [3.85] years; 9 women [50%]) were included. The tuberous sclerosis-associated neuropsychiatric disorders checklist and neuropsychological test results were not significantly different when the tuberous sclerosis complex and frontotemporal dementia cohorts were compared. The tuberous sclerosis complex cohort exhibited elevated cerebral spinal fluid phosphorylated tau181 and neurofilament light chain with a mean of 32 pg/mL and 2300 pg/mL, respectively, when compared to healthy control individuals. All 3 patients with tuberous sclerosis complex who underwent fluorine 1B-labeled flortaucipir tau positron emission tomographic neuroimaging showed punctate foci of elevated [18F]flortaucipir binding in the frontal and temporal regions. Conclusions and Relevance: Adults with tuberous sclerosis complex showed phenotypic overlap with frontotemporal dementia. The results support a possible clinical continuum between tuberous sclerosis-associated neuropsychiatric disorders and frontotemporal dementia and highlights a potential pathophysiological link between neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative processes. Quantitative neuropsychological testing and the tuberous sclerosis-associated neuropsychiatric disorders checklist, potentially supplemented by cerebral spinal fluid and imaging biomarkers, could be used to screen and prognosticate for risk of a neurodegenerative process in adult patients with tuberous sclerosis complex.

Acute coronary syndrome and acute kidney injury: role of inflammation in worsening renal function.

BACKGROUND: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), a common complication of acute coronary syndromes (ACS), is associated with higher mortality and longer hospital stays. The role of cytokines and other mediators is unknown in AKI induced by an ACS (ACS-AKI), leading to several unanswered questions. The worsening of renal function is usually seen as a dichotomous phenomenon instead of a dynamic change, so evaluating changes of the renal function in time may provide valuable information in the ACS-AKI setting. The aim of this study was to explore inflammatory factors associated to de novo kidney injury induced by de novo cardiac injury secondary to ACS. METHODS: One hundred four consecutive patients with ACS were initially included on the time of admission to the Coronary Unit of the Instituto Nacional de Cardiología in Mexico City, from February to May 2016, before any invasive procedure, imaging study, diuretic or anti-platelet therapy. White blood count, hemoglobin, NT-ProBNP, troponin I, C-reactive protein, albumin, glucose, Na+, K+, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, creatinine (Cr), endothelin-1 (ET-1), leukotriene-B4, matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1, resolvin-D1 (RvD1), lipoxin-A4 (LXA4), interleukin-1ß, -6, -8, and -10 were measured. We finally enrolled 78 patients, and subsequently we identified 15 patients with ACS-AKI. Correlations were obtained by a Spearman rank test. Low-rank regression, splines regressions, and also protein-protein/chemical interactions and pathways analyses networks were performed. RESULTS: Positive correlations of ΔCr were found with BUN, admission Cr, GRACE score, IL-1ß, IL-6, NT-ProBNP and age, and negative correlations with systolic blood pressure, mean-BP, diastolic-BP and LxA4. In the regression analyses IL-10 and RvD1 had positive non-linear associations with ΔCr. ET-1 had also a positive association. Significant non-linear associations were seen with NT-proBNP, admission Cr, BUN, Na+, K+, WBC, age, body mass index, GRACE, SBP, mean-BP and Hb. CONCLUSION: Inflammation and its components play an important role in the worsening of renal function in ACS. IL-10, ET-1, IL-1ß, TnI, RvD1 and LxA4 represent mediators that might be associated with ACS-AKI. IL-6, ET-1, NT-ProBNP might represent crossroads for several physiopathological pathways involved in "de novo cardiac injury leading to de novo kidney injury".

Omentina: papel en la resistencia a la insulina, inflamación y protección cardiovascular / Omentin: Role in insulin resistance, inflammation and cardiovascular protection

La omentina es una nueva adipocina a la que se le ha atribuido la capacidad de regular actividades metabólicas (sensibilidad a la insulina) y antiinflamatorias, ofreciendo protección cardiovascular en la obesidad y diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Por lo anterior, es importante conocer los mecanismos a través de los cuales confiere protección cardiovascular, con el objetivo de considerar la omentina como blanco o agente terapéutico en este escenario.

The omentin is an adipokine, which role is due to the capacity of regulate metabolic (insulin sensitivity) and anti-inflammatory activities, thus conferring vascular protection during obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2. By this, it is important to know the mechanisms by which omentin confers cardiovascular protection, with the purpose of establish omentin a possible therapeutic target or molecule on this scenario.

[Omentin: Role in insulin resistance, inflammation and cardiovascular protection]. / Omentina: papel en la resistencia a la insulina, inflamación y protección cardiovascular.

The omentin is an adipokine, which role is due to the capacity of regulate metabolic (insulin sensitivity) and anti-inflammatory activities, thus conferring vascular protection during obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2. By this, it is important to know the mechanisms by which omentin confers cardiovascular protection, with the purpose of establish omentin a possible therapeutic target or molecule on this scenario.

Tratamiento percutáneo de estenosis valvular pulmonar crítica en una mujer de 40 años con cianosis / Percutaneous Balloon Pulmonary Valvuloplasty in a 40-Year Old Woman with Cyanosis / Percutaneous Balloon Pulmonary Valvuloplasty in a 40-Year Old Woman with Cyanosis

La estenosis valvular pulmonar aislada es poco frecuente. Se diagnostica y se trata casi siempre durante la infancia, razón por la cual es poco común encontrarla en la edad adulta. En esta presentación se describe el caso de una paciente de 40 años con disnea ante pequeños esfuerzos, cianosis central y uñas en vidrio de reloj, que presentaba una estenosis valvular pulmonar crítica con cortocircuito de derecha a izquierda a través del foramen oval. El gradiente transvalvular pulmonar era de 150 mm Hg. Se realizó una valvulotomía pulmonar percutánea con un catéter balón Nucleus de Numed Cardiac Diagnostics. El gradiente medido por cateterismo y ecocardiograma inmediatamente después del procedimiento fue de 23 mm Hg. Seis meses después había desaparecido la cianosis y el gradiente transvalvular pulmonar fue de 19 mm Hg. La paciente lleva una vida normal, sin limitaciones en su calidad y estilo de vida.

Isolated pulmonary valve stenosis is uncommon. As the diagnosis and treatment of this condition is made during childhood, it is a rare finding in adult patients. We describe the case of a 40-year old female patient with dyspnea during slight exertion, central cyanosis and nail clubbing with a critical pulmonary valve stenosis and right-to-left shunt through a patent foramen ovale. The pulmonary valve gradient was 150 mm Hg. Percutaneous pulmonary valvuloplasty was performed using a Nucleus balloon catheter (Numed Cardiac Diagnostics). Immediately after the procedure, the pulmonary gradient measured by cardiac catheterization and echocardiography decreased to 23 mm Hg. Six months later the cyanosis had disappeared and the gradient was 19 mm Hg. The patient lives a normal life with no limitations in her quality of life and lifestyle.

Insuficiencia mitral grave posvalvuloplastia mitral percutánea / Severe Mitral Regurgitation after Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty

Introducción La valvuloplastia mitral percutánea es en la actualidad el tratamiento de elección en pacientes portadores de estenosis mitral de etiología reumática si la anatomía es apropiada. La insuficiencia mitral grave posvalvuloplastia continúa siendo un desafío. Objetivo Determinar las causas de insuficiencia mitral grave posvalvuloplastia mitral. Material y métodos Se realizaron 110 valvuloplastias mitrales percutáneas en forma consecutiva en 107 pacientes (3 repetidas por reestenosis) en el Instituto de Cardiología y Cirugía Cardiovascular de Cuba, entre el 17 de junio de 1998 y el 30 de junio de 2004 (106 por el método de Inoue y 4 por Multitrack); el tiempo de evolución promedio fue de 24,6 meses (máximo 72 y mínimo 1,93 meses). La insuficiencia mitral se clasificó por ecocardiografía Doppler en leve si el área regurgitante era menor de 4 cm2 , moderada si era de 4-8 cm2. y grave si era > 8 cm2 y por ventriculografía izquierda según los criterios de Sellers. Para lograr correlación entre la clasificación por ecocardiografía Doppler color de tres grados y la de Sellers (cuatro grados) la insuficiencia mitral 1+ se consideró leve, 2+ y 3+ moderada y 4+, grave. Resultados Se produjeron cinco insuficiencias mitrales graves posprocedimiento (4,54% del total). Tres de ellas necesitaron reemplazo valvular mitral por rotura de la valva anterior. Las dos restantes se encuentran bajo tratamiento médico. Conclusión Los mecanismos de producción de la insuficiencia mitral posvalvuloplastia mitral percutánea son multifactoriales. Puede ocurrir en manos expertas.

Background Percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty is currently the treatment of choice in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis with suitable valvular anatomy. After the procedure, the development of severe mitral regurgitation is still a challenge. Objective To determine the causes of severe mitral regurgitation after percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty. Material and Methods A total of 110 percutaneous mitral valvuloplasties were consecutively performed in 107 patients (3 procedures were repeated due to restenosis) at the Instituto de Cardiología y Cirugía Cardiovascular in Cuba between June 17, 1998 and June 30, 2004 (106 using the Inoue technique and 4 with the Multi-Track system). The average follow-up was 24.6 months (maximum 72 and minimum 1.93 months). The se verity of mitral regurgitation was evaluated according to the regurgitant jet area measured by Doppler echocar- diography: mild regurgitation when the area was <4 cm2 , moderate when the area ranged from 4-8 cm2 , and severe when it was >8 cm2 . Left ventriculography was also used to quantify the severity of mitral regurgitation using Seller's criteria. The calibration of Doppler echocardiographic measures of the degree of mitral regurgitation (3 degrees of severity) by angiographic grading (4 degrees) provided the following grading ranges: 1+, mild regurgitation; 2+ and 3+, moderate regurgitation; and 4+, severe regurgitation. Results A total of five severe mitral regurgitations developed after the procedure (4.54%). A mitral valve replacement was necessary in three of them due to rupture of the anterior valve. The remaining two cases are still under medical treatment. Conclusion Multifactorial mechanisms are responsible for the development of mitral regurgitation after percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty, which may occur even in expert hands.

The repercussions of spinal cord injury on the action of the diaphragmatic crura for gastroesophageal reflux containment.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional and nonexperimental. OBJECTIVE: To detect and compare functional abnormalities in the esophagus and esophagogastric junction in 2 groups with chronic spinal injuries, 1 with injuries at the phrenic innervation level and the other at upper thoracic levels, and to relate these to gastroesophageal reflux containment. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There are no studies on esophageal manometry with pH metering among spinal cord injury patients. Worldwide statistics reveal that the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease among spinal cord injury patients is greater than among the general population, at around 22% to 27%. The "diaphragmatic crura" has been recognized as an important antireflux barrier and should functionally be considered to be a muscle separated from the costal diaphragm. However, doubts remain regarding whether this difference relates to its innervation. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study on 29 patients with complete spinal cord injuries: 14 quadriplegics (level C4) and 15 paraplegics (levels T1-T7). Functional abnormalities of the esophagogastric junction, esophagus, and diaphragm were investigated using esophageal manometry and diaphragmatic video fluoroscopy. Presence of gastroesophageal reflux was investigated subjectively (pyrosis and regurgitation) and objectively (pH metering and endoscopy). RESULTS: The incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease was 27.6%, without difference between the groups. This became statistically significant when the mean diaphragmatic crural pressures were compared (quadriplegics: 37.5 +/- 17.8; paraplegics: 26.6 +/- 7.2; P = 0.048). It was also significant in relation to the prevalence of at least one of the objective and/or subjective reflux findings and/or esophageal peristaltism (quadriplegics: 85.7%; paraplegics: 40.0%; P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: Spinal injury at the level of the phrenic innervation did not predispose the quadriplegics toward greater risk of developing gastroesophageal reflux disease. Paradoxically, manometry showed significantly greater crural contractility among the quadriplegics.

Un modelo para estimar la productividad de camiones usados para movimiento de tierra en obras de infraestructura

Las operaciones de movimiento de tierra son parte fundamental de la mayoría de los proyectos de construcción de infraestructura. Para obtener ganancias cuando se trabaja en estas operaciones, la creación de un plan y la selección del equipo apropiado son aspectos críticos para maximizar la productividad. Obtener la máxima productividad es una tarea que puede ser muy difícil. Para planificar la obra, se debe conocer los tiempos de viaje de los camiones. El tiempo de viaje es una variable que depende de muchas otras variables. Este artículo presenta el desarrollo de un modelo que permite realizar estudios sofisticados, utilizando características fundamentales del equipo, para estimar el tiempo de viaje y rendimiento de camiones en obras de movimiento de tierra. (AU)

Costo efectividad de dos alternativas de tratamiento de la estenosis mitral / Cost-effectiveness of two treatment options of mitral stenosis

Se presenta una evaluación económica completa del tipo costo efectividad, cuyo objetivo fue determinar entre dos alternativas de tratamiento de la estenosis mitral la más efectiva y menos costosa. La investigación se realizó en el Instituto de Cardiología y Cirugía Cardiovascular. La información se obtuvo de revisiones bibliográficas, entrevistas no estructuradas a personal de salud, historias clínicas, datos de los departamentos de farmacia, cirugía, hemodinamia y contabilidad y de la aplicación de una encuesta a pacientes. El universo estuvo integrado por todos los pacientes que fueron sometidos a un proceder percutáneo (50) o quirúrgico (57) a partir del año 1991 hasta el 2002. Los resultados se expresaron en frecuencias absolutas, porcentajes, medias y desviación estándar, demostrando que, a niveles iguales de efectividad, la opción óptima es la menos costosa; en este trabajo, la valvuloplastia mitral percutánea

Determinacion inmunoquimica de autoinmunidad en oido interno en pacientes con diagnostico de enfermedad de Meniere / Inmunochemical determination of autoimmunity in the inner ear in patients with diagnosis of Meniere's disease

Objetivo: determinar la presencia de anticuerpos contra antígenos de membrana coclear y proteína de choque térmico de 70kDa (HSP70) en enfermedad de Méniére. Diseño: estudio observacional descriptivo y analítico. Lugar: Instituto de Genética Humana de la Facultad de Medicina de la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana y servicios de otorrinolaringología de los Hospitales San José, Militar Central, San Ignacio y de la Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá. Población: muestra de once pacientes con diagnóstico de enfermedad de Méniére y once controles sanos. Intervenciones: se determinaron las concentraciones de anticuerpos específicos de la proteína de choque térmico (HSP70) en el suero de los pacientes antes de iniciado el tratamiento. Mediciones principales: la concentración y especificidad de los anticuerpos anti-HSP70 fue determinada a través de las técnicas ELISA y Western Blot. Resultados: en la prueba ELISA no se encontraron diferencias significativas entre las absorbancias de casos y controles (p>0.05), en la prueba del Western Blot se encontró un índice de positividad del 90.9 por ciento (N=11) en los pacientes frente a un 9.1 por ciento (N=10) en los controles (p<0.001). Conclusión: las determinaciones de anticuerpos anti-HSP70 por medio de la técnica del Western Blot pueden utilizarse como apoyo diagnóstico en la enfermedad de Méniére, así como indicador para elegir una terapia inmunosupresora en los pacientes positivos para estos autoanticuerpos.

Determinacion serica de los niveles de ICAM-1s en pacientes con rinitis alergica / Serum levels of ICAM-1s in patient with allergic rhinitis

Se presume que la molécula de adhesión intercelular -1 (ICAM-1, CD54) está involucrada en la patogénesis del asma y se ha detectado una forma soluble de ICAM-1 (ICAM-1 s) en concentraciones elevadas en el suero de pacientes con ciertas condiciones inflamatorias. En este estudio, examinamos los niveles de ICAM-1 soluble en pacientes con rinitis alérgica de diversos grados: leve (8 pacientes), moderada (12 pacientes), severa (15 pacientes), del instituto de alergias, asma e inmunología. Los resultados fueron luego comparados con 10 sujetos saludables, como control negativo, sin diagnóstico de rinitis alérgica ni asma, y con 10 sujetos con asma de la unidad de neumología del Hospital La Samaritana, como control positivo. Todos los pacientes con edades entre 15 y 55 años. Utilizamos la técnica ELISA para medir ICAM-ls. Con anterioridad, todos los pacientes fueron sometidos a una prueba alérgica mediante el método Prick. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar si ICAM-1 s es un marcador de la severidad de la rinitis alérgica, y encontramos que los niveles de ICAM-1 soluble muestran un incremento a medida que la rinitis alérgica progresa. La comparación entre el grupo general de rinitis alérgica y el grupo de control negativo muestra resultados estadísticamente significativos (P < 0.05) y cada uno de los grupos de rinitis alérgica (leve, moderada y severa) en relación con el control negativo mostró que la expresión de ICAM-1 no incrementa y se mantiene baja, (Rinitis Leve p = 0.495, Moderada p = 0.0017, Severa p = 0.0014). Los anteriores resultados confirman nuestra hipótesis

Diagnostico Clinico y Angiografico de la Arteritis de Takayasu / Clinical and angiographic diagnosis of Takayasu's arteritis

Se estudiaron tres enfermas aquejadas de arteritis de Takayasu diagnosticadas en el Instituto de Cardiologia y Cirugia Cardiovascular en 1995. El diagnostico se fundamento en los criterios de Ishikawa: todos cayeron en la clasificacion tipo III de Ueno y colaboradores (afeccion del arco aortico y sus ramas principales, y la aorta toracoabdominal y sus ramas). La panaortografia sigue siendo el metodo diagnostico esencial para la localizacion de estas lesiones asi como para definir la conducta terapeutica. El tratamiento comporta dos vertientes: el etiologico que permanece aun empirico basados en los esteroides, la quimioprofilaxis antituberculosa, los citostaticos y el tratamiento de las consecuencias de la enfermedad, el cual es, esencialmente quirurgico basado en general en la revascularizacion. Este tratamiento se justifica por el pronostico sombrio de la enfermedad, la insuficiencia del tratamiento medico y porque la incapacidad funcional del paciente es importante, lo que constituye un desafio a la cirugia cardiovascular

Marcadores tiroideos en comunidades indigenas y negras de Colombia / Thyroid markers in Colombian indian and black community

El sistema hipotálamo-hipófisis-tiroides forma un conjunto anatómico y funcional único en el organismo, fundamental para la vida y la continuidad de la especie. Los marcadores hormonales constituyen un parámetro esencial en la evaluación del sistema endocrino. Al igual que otros marcadores biológicos, estos están sujetos a variaciones en individuos diferentes que en la mayoría de los casos determinan la enfermedad. La evaluación de marcadores hormonales en poblaciones aisladas de Colombia surge como una necesidad contemporánea tanto para las comunidades implicadas como para el resto de la población en cuanto a que los valores autóctonos revelados deberán considerarse como los verdaderos valores de referencia en nuestro país. En el presente trabajo se determinaron los valores de los marcadores tiroideos: T3, T4 y TSH en comunidades indígenas y negras de Colombia. Se evaluaron 180 muestras de plasma, correspondientes a 5 grupos indígenas, 3 grupos negros y 1 grupo control de mestizos de Santafé de Bogotá, utilizando las técnicas de inmunoensayo por polarización de la fluorescencia (FPIA) para T4 y de inmunoensayo en micropartículas enzimáticas (MEIA) para T3 Y TSH. comunidad así como establecer valores de referencia para estos grupos étnicos

Neoplasias intraventriculares en dos enfermos / Intraventricular neoplasms in two patients

Se presentaron historias clínicas de pacientes con lesiones intraventriculares. Un pacientes de 3 años y el segundo de 49 años. En ambos, la tomografía computada mostró la lesión intraventricular. En el segundo, se practicó un estudio de resonancia magnética y la localización y extensión de la lesión se define mejor. La evolución postquirúrgica de los dos pacientes fue satisfactoria. Se efectuan algunas consideraciones sobre los métodos de imagen empleados.