Lesiones gástricas en pacientes infectados con Helicobacter pylori: expresión de RAGE (receptor de productos de glicosilización avanzada) y otros inmunomarcadores / Expression of RAGE in Helicobacter pylori infested gastric biopsies

Background: Inflammation is a common phenomenon present in gastric mucosa of patients infected with H. pylori. Activation of the RAGE/multiligand axis is thought to be a relevant factor in cancer-mediated inflammation. RAGE is a membrane receptor, belonging to the immunoglobulin family, and the over-expression of RAGE has been associated with increased invasiveness and metastasis generation in different types of cancer, including gastric cancer. Furthermore recent experiences show that the use of its soluble form (sRAGE) or silencing of the gene coding for this receptor could provide therapeutic benefits in cancer. Aim: To evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of RAGE, MUC-1, β-Catenin free and phosphorylated, Cyclin-D1 and GSK3 in gastric biopsy specimens infected with H. pylori. Material and Methods: Immunohistochemical analysis was carried out in gastric biopsies from 138 patients: 55 with inflammatory injury (no atrophic gastritis), 42 with pre-cancerous conditions (atrophy or intestinal metaplasia) and 41 with dysplastic lesions or in situ adenocarcinoma. Results: There was a high rate of positive RAGE expression in the three groups of biopsies. Biopsies with dysplasia or in situ carcinoma had a significantly higher percentage of RAGE expression than the other groups of biopsies. Conclusions: The increased RAGE expression reported in both dysplasia and incipient cancer support the role of the multiligand/RAGE axis in gastric carcinogenesis.

[Expression of RAGE in Helicobacter pylori infested gastric biopsies]. / Lesiones gástricas en pacientes infectados con Helicobacter pylori: expresión de RAGE (receptor de productos de glicosilización avanzada) y otros inmunomarcadores.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation is a common phenomenon present in gastric mucosa of patients infected with H. pylori. Activation of the RAGE/multiligand axis is thought to be a relevant factor in cancer-mediated inflammation. RAGE is a membrane receptor, belonging to the immunoglobulin family, and the over-expression of RAGE has been associated with increased invasiveness and metastasis generation in different types of cancer, including gastric cancer. Furthermore recent experiences show that the use of its soluble form (sRAGE) or silencing of the gene coding for this receptor could provide therapeutic benefits in cancer. AIM: To evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of RAGE, MUC-1, ß-Catenin free and phosphorylated, Cyclin-D1 and GSK3 in gastric biopsy specimens infected with H. pylori. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Immunohistochemical analysis was carried out in gastric biopsies from 138 patients: 55 with inflammatory injury (no atrophic gastritis), 42 with pre-cancerous conditions (atrophy or intestinal metaplasia) and 41 with dysplastic lesions or in situ adenocarcinoma. RESULTS: There was a high rate of positive RAGE expression in the three groups of biopsies. Biopsies with dysplasia or in situ carcinoma had a significantly higher percentage of RAGE expression than the other groups of biopsies. CONCLUSIONS: The increased RAGE expression reported in both dysplasia and incipient cancer support the role of the multiligand/RAGE axis in gastric carcinogenesis.

Manejo del paciente con fisura labio-palatina en Arica: experiencia de 15 años / Management of cleft lip palate in Arica: 15 years experience

Introducción: Frente al alto número de pacientes con fisura labial y/o palatina ya existente en la ciudad de Arica y al incremento constante de nuevos casos, en 1987 decidimos abordar el problema desde un punto de vista multidisciplinario e interdisciplinario, integrando además la valiosa ayuda de los padres de los niños fisurados. Objetivo: Mostrar nuestra experiencia y sus resultados parciales en el manejo multidisciplinario del paciente fisurado en la ciudad de Arica entre los años 1987y 2002. Material y método: Mediante la creación y puesta en práctica del "Programa de Atención del Paciente Fisurado", en el Hospital Juan Noé de Arica entre los años 1987y 2002, se atienden 59 pacientes que siguen el programa. Resultados: A modo de resultado preliminar se entrega la experiencia de 59 casos que siguieron el protocolo del programa. Conclusión: El trabajo con el paciente fisurado, es un trabajo de largo aliento. Como factores de importancia se destacan el largo tiempo de seguimiento, el factor crecimiento y la observación atenta de la evolución en cada caso en particular. Resulta imprescindible el trabajo en equipo multidisciplinario, evaluando en conjunto cada caso, elaborando un claro y estructurado plan de acción con cada paciente, así como evaluar en forma periódica y en conjunto los resultados parciales.

Introduction: Due to the high prevalence of patients with cleft lip with or without cleft palate in the city of Arica Chile and the constant increase of new cases, in 1987 we decided to face the problem from a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary point of view, incorporating the valuable help from the parents of the affected children. Aim: To show our experience in the multidisciplinary manage of cleft lip-palate in the city of Arica during the years 1987 to 2002 Material and method: By the creation and set up of the "Cleft Lip-Palate patient attention program", in the Juan Noé Hospital of Arica during the years 1987 to 2002, we follow 59 patients attending the program. Results: Some preliminary results are displayed, according to the experience of 59 cases of patients attending the program. Conclusion: Complete management of the cleflip patient is a longjob. As important factors outstand age, growth and careful observation ofevolution in every single case. Multidisciplinary team work is a must, evaluating each case together, developing a clear structured plan of action for each patient, as well as periodically evaluating partial results.

Antibody microarray typing, a novel technique for Streptococcus pneumoniae serotyping.

The use of antibody-based miniaturized devices for microbiological applications is a field poorly investigated in the era of more developed molecular amplification techniques. A novel antibody microarray for Streptococcus pneumoniae serotyping was developed, by printing nanolitre volumes of pneumococcal serotype-specific antibodies on multi-well slides. This microarray, which showed high specificity when tested against reference and clinical S. pneumoniae isolates, can be applicable as a faster, cost-effective and accurate serotyping technique for pneumococcal epidemiological studies.

Different expression of MMPs/TIMP-1 in human atherosclerotic lesions. Relation to plaque features and vascular bed.

BACKGROUND: Proteolytic imbalance might determine arterial remodeling and plaque destabilization in atherosclerotic vessels. The aim of this study was to examine differences in the patterns of metalloproteinases (MMPs) and MMP inhibitor (TIMP-1) expression in advanced human atheromas, both in relation to the plaque features and the vascular bed involved. METHODS AND RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry for MMP-1, -3, -9 and TIMP-1 as well as the collagen content were measured in vascular sections from patients undergoing peripheral revascularization (carotid n=11, femoral n=23) and aorto-coronary bypass surgery (mammary arteries n=20, as controls). Increased expression of all MMPs was detected in atherosclerotic as compared with control sections (P<0.01). Aneurysmal plaques showed a significant increase of MMP-1 and-3 and a reduction in total collagen (P<0.05) in relation to occlusive lesions. Calcification areas in atherosclerotic plaques were consistently associated with increased TIMP-1 expression (P<0.01). Finally, MMP-9 expression was higher in occlusive lesions from carotid than femoral arteries (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Aneurysm lesions expressed higher MMP-1 and-3 expression than occlusive plaques, and MMP-9 was mainly detected in carotid as compared with femoral arteries. TIMP-1 was associated with arterial calcification. These differences in the MMPs/TIMP-1 expression might determine the evolution of advanced atherosclerotic plaques and contribute to its vulnerability.

Alargamiento mandibular mediante tracción en pacientes con síndrome de Pierre Robin / Treatment of Pierre Robin syndrome by gradual mandibular distraction

El alargamiento óseo mediante tracción gradual es una nueva herramienta para el tratamiento de las malformaciones óseas del esqueleto facial. Utilizamos esta técnica en dos pacientes con síndrome de Pierre Robin portadores de hipoplasia mandibular severa con obstrucción respiratoria crítica, logrando un alargamiento mandibular importante (entre 1,65 cm y 2,2 cm), suficiente para permitir el cierre de la traqueostomía en un paciente y retirar de asistencia respiratoria mecánica al segundo caso. Con este método relativamente sencillo se logran excelentes resultados estético y funcional con muy pocos inconvenientes

Estudio de elementos traza en embarazadas controladas en Hospital Roy H. Glover de Chuquicamata: evaluación en relación a pérdida reproductiva y aparición de malformaciones congénitas / Study of tracer elements in controlled pregnant women in Roy H. Glover Hospital from Chuquicamata: abortion and congenital abnomalities related

Los habitantes de la mina Chuquicamata, en el norte de Chile, están dispuestos al polvo, humo y otros agentes derivados de los procesos de extracción y tratamiento del mineral. Estudiando la composición de polución ambiental entre Chuquicamata y Calama, una ciudad cercana, se observaron diferencias para selenio, zinc, plomo, manganeso, fierro y cobre, los que indicaban un decaimiento del nivel a mayor distancia de la fuente emisora. El Departamento de Control de Calidad de la Corporación Nacional del Cobre ha desarrrollado técnicas para analizar concentraciones de metales en muestras orgánicas: orina, sangre, pelo, uñas, en base a dos métodos: espectrometría de emisión con fuente de plasma y absorción atómica con generación de hidruros. Diversos tejidos y líquidos corporales investigados para niveles de arsénico en madres y sus hijos recién nacidos revelaron valores más altos en los niños, especialmente en pelo y uñas. Para estudiar el impacto teratogénico de los contaminantes de esta área, buscamos una correlación entre niveles aumentados de elementos traza de las embarazadas que acudan a su control en Chuquicamata y un dsenlace patológico: pérdida reproductiva y/o presencia de malformaciones en mortinatos y recién nacidos. Se intenta establecer un diágnostico lo más preciso posible con estudio anatomopatológico, cromosómico y otros