Recognizing Relational Interactions with Social Institutions in Refugee Children's Experiences of Intertwining Vulnerability and Agency.

In this paper, we examine relational interactions between refugee children and social institutions, building the case for the recognition of the co-occurrence and intertwining of vulnerability and agency in children's experiences in diverse refugee situations. This developmental relational approach offers refinement of a general relational worldview by specifying how vulnerable and agentic experiences are co-constructed by children and adult individuals and institutions. We analyze the conceptual roots of vulnerable and agentic experiences, and use the concept of co-construction to specify the processes and outcomes of interactive relational experiences. Evidence from example studies of the intertwining of vulnerability and agency in specific refugee situations demonstrates how refugee children contribute to power-oriented experiences. Due recognition of the relational co-construction of intertwining vulnerable and agentic experiences provides a basis for refining generalized relational observations, and a fine-grained basis for developing policies and procedures to dispel ambivalence to refugee children and to change inequitable policies and practices.

Ambivalence towards the Protection of Refugee Children: A Developmental Relational Approach.

In this paper we analyze the contemporary ambivalence to child migration identified by Jacqueline Bhabha and propose a developmental relational approach that repositions child refugees as active participants and rights-bearers in society. Ambivalence involves tensions between protection of refugee children and protection of national borders, public services and entrenched images. Unresolved ambivalence supports failures to honor the rights of refugee children according to international law and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. There is failure to protect and include them in national public services and in international coordination of public health and wellbeing. We identify misrepresentations of childhood and refugeeness that lie behind ambivalence and the equitable organization and delivery of public services for health and wellbeing. With illustrative studies, we propose a developmental relational framework for understanding refugee children's contributions in the sociocultural environment. Contrary to the image of passive victims, refugee children interact with other people and institutions in the co-construction of situated encounters. A developmental relational understanding of children's 'co-actions' in the social environment provides a foundation for addressing misrepresentations of childhood and refugeeness that deny refugee children protection and inclusion as rights-bearers. We point to directions in research and practice to recognize their rights to thrive and contribute to society.

Quince años de Luna Nueva: una experiencia de interrelación entre pacientes y profesionales / Fifteen years of New Moon: an experience of interaction between patients and professionals

Existen claras pruebas de la eficiencia de los grupos de expresión y apoyo en la atención de los pacientes oncológicos. Desde 1999, en el Hospital General de Agudos “Dr. José María Penna”, de la CABA, se organiza un grupo conducido de forma profesional para orientar, acompañar y promover la ayuda solidaria a las personas afectadas por el cáncer — pacientes y familiares— a través de una red inter- y extrahospitalaria, cuyo objetivo es compartir experiencias y lograr mejores resultados en los tratamientos. Los encuentros bimensuales programados cuentan con la participación de profesionales que se han propuesto como interlocutores válidos para presentar temas novedosos o que generan dudas en los pacientes — prevención del linfedema, aspectos nutricionales con especial énfasis en los tratamientos adyuvantes, particular atención a los bifosfonatos, por ejemplo—. De este modo, se abrió un panorama nuevo para la promoción de la salud y sus resonancias en una patología que se cronifica, y se posibilitó ejercer y perfeccionar las capacidades interpersonales en un medio real entre pacientes y profesionales del equipo de salud.

Behavior of Salmonella during fermentation, drying and storage of cocoa beans.

Due to cocoa being considered a possible source of Salmonella contamination in chocolate, the behavior of Salmonella during some cocoa pre-processing stages (fermentation, drying and storage) was investigated. The fermentation process was carried out on a pilot scale (2 kg beans/box) for 7 days. Every day a fermentation box was inoculated with a Salmonella pool (ca. 4 log MPN/g). The results showed that Salmonella did not affect (P>0.05) the growth of the main microorganism groups involved in cocoa fermentation. On the other hand, the pathogen was influenced (P<0.05) by yeast, acetic acid bacteria and pH. In spite of Salmonella showing counts ≤ 1 log MPN/g in the first days, at the end of fermentation it grew in all samples, reaching counts as high as 7.49 log MPN/g. For drying and storage, cocoa beans were inoculated during the fermentation (experiment A) or during the drying (experiment B). In these stages the decline of the water activity affected the pathogen behavior. In experiment A during the drying, Salmonella count increased in most of the samples. In experiment B either a slight growth or no growth in the samples inoculated up to 48 h was observed, whereas the other samples showed reductions from the initial count. After 30 days of storage at room temperature, the water activity decreased to 0.68, and reductions of Salmonella ranged from 0.93 to 2.52 log MPN/g. Despite the reductions observed during the storage, the pathogen was detected even after 120 days. Therefore, the results showed that Salmonella growth or survival depends on when the contamination occurs.

Cdc42 is involved in basal cell carcinoma carcinogenesis.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer in older persons and is a rapidly rising incidence. E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion activates Cdc42, a Rho GTPase essential for cell polarity in numerous settings. No study has yet addressed a biological significance of Cdc42 alterations in BCC pathogenesis. Our aim was to investigate E-cadherin-dependent cell-cell contacts and Cdc42 activity in BCC formation. We evaluated E-cadherin and Cdc42 expression by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis in samples of 15 normal skin (NS) and 30 BCC (10 superficial, 9 nodular and 11 infiltrative subtypes). Low E-cadherin and high Cdc42 immunohistochemical expression were found in BCC samples compared with NS. E-cadherin staining was significantly reduced in infiltrative BCC compared with superficial and nodular. A significantly greater Cdc42 expression was observed in BCC compared with NS; moreover, superficial BCC had a significantly lower Cdc42 expression in respect to the other subtypes. Western blot analysis confirmed the significantly decreased E-cadherin expression in infiltrative BCC as well as Cdc42 reduction in superficial BCC in respect to the other subtypes. In BCC the increased Cdc42 in association with reduced E-cadherin might contribute to the disruption of adhesion mechanisms and to the loss of cell polarity, thus explaining a mechanism by which cancer cells can escape from the control of adjacent normal keratinocytes. Our study also showed that Cdc42 and E-cadherin expression differed according to aggressive behaviour of BCC subtypes and suggested important functions of these molecules in regulating tumour demarcation and progression.

Estrés oxidativo en hijos masculinos de hipertensos / Oxidative stress in the male children of hypertensive patients

La Hipertensión arterial (HTA), es un problema de salud pública mundial. Se asocia al deterioro de la función endotelial y los antecedentes familiares podrían tener importancia razón por la cual nos propusimos analizar el estado del estrés oxidativo en hijos masculinos de hipertensos en 60 sujetos masculinos normotensos edad 16 - 25 años, 2 grupos: 30 hijos de padres con HTA, 30 hijos de padres sin HTA. Se determinaron: ON (ensayo de diazotización - Reacción de Greiss), sustancias reactivas al ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS), Glutatión peroxidasa, Proteína C Reactiva (PCR) altamente específica, Acido úrico, Saturación de Transferrina y Ferritina. La media de ON en grupos con y sin antecedentes de HTA: 97,16 μmol ± 21,74 y 125,27 μmol ± 28,25 (P = 0,0002); media de PCR en sujetos con y sin antecedentes de HTA:5,5 mg/dL ± 1,40 y 4,2 mg/dL ± 1,69 (P = 0,0022). La Peroxidación lipídica, Glutatión peroxidasa, ácido úrico, saturación de transferrina y ferritina, no mostraron cambios significativos. Concluimos que los valores de ON encontrados en los hijos de hipertensos podrían deberse a que esta condición favorecería un proceso de reendotelización precoz y a una vasodilatación mediada por ON defectuosa. Con respecto a la PCR la media fue significativamente mayor en los hijos de hipertensos (ambos valores estuvieron dentro del rango normal). Es posible estos cambios sean el primer paso hacia la aparición de una disfunción endotelial. Se recomienda evaluar los descendientes de pacientes hipertensos con el fin de investigar predictores que podrían permitir poner de manifiesto la tendencia a desarrollar la HTA.

Hypertension (HTN) is a global public health problem. It is associated with impaired endothelial function and family history may be important reason why we decided to analyze the state of oxidative stress in hypertensive male children in 60 normotensive male subjects aged 16 to 25 years, 2 groups: 30 children of parents with hypertension, 30 children of parents without HTN. Were determined: ON (diazotization test - Greiss reaction), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), glutathione peroxidase, C-reactive protein (CRP) highly specific uric acid, transferrin saturation and ferritin. The mean of NO in groups with and without a history of hypertension: 97.16 ± 21.74 and 125.27 mol mol ± 28.25 (P = 0.0002), mean CRP in subjects with and without a history of hypertension: 5.5 mg / dL ± 1.40 and 4.2 mg / dL ± 1.69 (P = 0.0022). Lipid peroxidation, glutathione peroxidase, uric acid, transferrin saturation and ferritin did not show significant changes. We conclude that the values of NO found in hypertensive children could be because this condition would favor an early re-endothelialization process and mediated vasodilation ON defective. With respect to the mean CRP was significantly higher in offspring of hypertensive (both values were within the normal range). It is possible these changes are the first step towards the development of endothelial dysfunction. It is recommended to evaluate the offspring of hypertensive patients in order to investigate predictors that could allow to reveal the tendency to develop hypertension.

Production of quince nursery trees by different grafting methods / Produção de mudas de marmeleiro por diferentes métodos de enxertia

Cutting propagation was the system to produce quince nursery trees (Cydonia oblonga). Experiments have been carried out in order to identify news propagations methods. As a result of this research, the 'Japonês' quince (Chaenomeles sinensis) was selected with rootstock, due to its good plant vigor for grafting, rusticity, and adequate performance in the field, mainly in the first years after planting. However, the best grafting period and grafting method must be determined for this rootstock. This research evaluated three grafting methods and five quince scion cultivars on 'Japonês' rootstock. The quince cultivars 'Provence', 'Mendoza Inta-37', 'Portugal', 'Smyrna', and 'Japonês' were grafted by winter cleft grafting, winter budding, and summer budding on 90cm long plants of 'Japonês' quince rootstock seedlings, cultivated in 3-liter plastic bags. Plant growth evaluations started as early as 60 days, and were concluded 150 days after grafting. Cleft grafting resulted in the highest graft survival rate for 'Smyrna', 'Mendoza Inta-37' and 'Japonês' cultivars. Although the higher graft survival rate was recorded in the winter, the buds grafted in the summer had better development.

Propagação por estaquia foi o sistema adotado no passado para produzir mudas de marmelo (Cydonia oblonga). Atualmente, pesquisas têm sido desenvolvidas para identificar novos métodos de propagação. A partir dos resultados dessas pesquisas, neste trabalho, o marmelo Japonês (Chaenomeles sinensis) foi selecionado como porta-enxerto, pelo seu bom vigor, pela sua rusticidade e pelo seu desempenho adequado no campo, principalmente nos primeiros anos depois do plantio. Porém, devem ser determinados a melhor época para a realização da enxertia e o método mais adequado quando se utiliza esse porta-enxerto. O presente trabalho avaliou três métodos de enxerto e cinco cultivares de marmelo enxertadas no porta-enxerto 'Japonês'. As cultivares de marmelo 'Provence', 'Mendoza Inta-37', 'Portugal', 'Smyrna' e 'Japonês' foram enxertadas por meio de três métodos: por garfagem em fenda cheia (julho), borbulhia de inverno (julho) e borbulhia de verão (janeiro), em mudas do porta-enxerto 'Japonês', com 90cm de comprimento e diâmetro próximo a 8mm, 15cm acima do colo da planta, mantidas em sacos plásticos com capacidade de 3L. As avaliações de crescimento tiveram incício aos 60 dias e foram concluídas 150 dias depois da enxertia. A enxertia realizada pelo processo de garfagem favorece a maior porcentagem de enxertos brotados, chegando próximo a 100 por cento de sucesso para 'Smyrna', 'Mendoza Inta-37' e 'Japonês'. Embora a taxa de sobrevivência de enxerto mais alta tenha sido registrada na enxertia por borbulhia realizada no inverno, os enxertos realizados no verão tiveram melhor desenvolvimento.

The meaning and mental health consequences of long-term immigration detention for people seeking asylum.

The aim of the present research was to examine the experience of extended periods of immigration detention from the perspective of previously detained asylum seekers and to identify the consequences of these experiences for life after release. The study sample comprised seventeen adult refugees (sixteen male and one female; average age 42 years), who had been held in immigration detention funded by the Australian government for on average three years and two months. They were interviewed on average three years and eight months following their release and had been granted permanent visa status or such status was imminent. The study employed a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to explore detention and post-detention experiences, and mental health some years after release. The qualitative component consisted of semi-structured interviews exploring psychological well-being, daily life, significant events, relationships, and ways of coping throughout these periods. This was supplemented with standardised quantitative measures of current mental health and quality of life. All participants were struggling to rebuild their lives in the years following release from immigration detention, and for the majority the difficulties experienced were pervasive. Participants suffered an ongoing sense of insecurity and injustice, difficulties with relationships, profound changes to view of self and poor mental health. Depression and demoralisation, concentration and memory disturbances, and persistent anxiety were very commonly reported. Standardised measures found high rates of depression, anxiety, PTSD and low quality of life scores. The results strongly suggest that the psychological and interpersonal difficulties participants were suffering at the time of interview were the legacy of their adverse experiences while detained. The current study assists in identifying the characteristics of prolonged immigration detention producing long-term psychological harm.

Erythrina speciosa (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) under soil water saturation: morphophysiological and growth responses.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Erythrina speciosa is a Neotropical tree that grows mainly in moist habitats. To characterize the physiological, morphological and growth responses to soil water saturation, young plants of E. speciosa were subjected experimentally to soil flooding. METHODS: Flooding was imposed from 2 to 4 cm above the soil surface in water-filled tanks for 60 d. Non-flooded (control) plants were well watered, but never flooded. The net CO(2) exchange (A(CO2)), stomatal conductance (g(s)) and intercellular CO(2) concentration (C(i)) were assessed for 60 d. Soluble sugar and free amino acid concentrations and the proportion of free amino acids were determined at 0, 7, 10, 21, 28 and 45 d of treatments. After 28, 45 and 60 d, dry masses of leaves, stems and roots were determined. Stem and root cross-sections were viewed using light microscopy. KEY RESULTS: The A(CO2) and g(s) were severely reduced by flooding treatment, but only for the first 10 d. The soluble sugars and free amino acids increased until the tenth day but decreased subsequently. The content of asparagine in the roots showed a drastic decrease while those of alanine and gamma-aminobutyric increased sharply throughout the first 10 d after flooding. From the 20th day on, the flooded plants reached A(CO2) and g(s) values similar to those observed for non-flooded plants. These events were coupled with the development of lenticels, adventitious roots and aerenchyma tissue of honeycomb type. Flooding reduced the growth rate and altered carbon allocation. The biomass allocated to the stem was higher and the root mass ratio was lower for flooded plants when compared with non-flooded plants. CONCLUSIONS: Erythrina speciosa showed 100 % survival until the 60th day of flooding and was able to recover its metabolism. The recovery during soil flooding seems to be associated with morphological alterations, such as development of hypertrophic lenticels, adventitious roots and aerenchyma tissue, and with the maintenance of neutral amino acids in roots under long-term exposure to root-zone O(2) deprivation.

Photosynthetic limitation by CO2 diffusion in drought stressed orange leaves on three rootstocks.

Photosynthetic limitations under moderate water deficit were evaluated in 'Valência' orange trees grafted on three different rootstocks, in pots. Net CO(2) assimilation rate (A (N)), stomatal conductance (g (s)), and photosystem II (PS II) operating efficiency (F'(q)/F'(m)) in response to changing intercellular CO(2 ) partial pressure (C (i)) were analyzed under controlled conditions. Drought decreased A (N) and g (s), whereas F'(q)/F'(m) remained unchanged. This resulted in a higher ratio between electron transport rate (ETR) and gross CO(2) assimilation rate (A (G)). Since the comparison of A (N)-C (i) gas exchange curves can lead to incorrect conclusions, a normalization of C (i) values (C(i)(f)) of stressed leaves was applied. Then, the relationship established for irrigated trees between the ETR/A (G) ratio and C (i) was used to estimate the C(i)(f) from ETR/A (G) ratios measured under water stress. The response of A (N) to C(i)(f) suggests that the CO(2) diffusional restriction is the main factor that limits photosynthesis in orange leaves under moderate water deficit.

Unconjugated bilirubin modulates the intestinal epithelial barrier function in a human-derived in vitro model.

Unconjugated bilirubin promotes intestinal secretion without affecting nutrient digestion or absorption. In the current study, the effects of unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) on the barrier function of the intestinal epithelium were investigated. The apical side of human intestinal cell line Caco-2 monolayers was challenged with purified UCB. Transepithelial electrical resistance and paracellular fluxes of 10 kD Cascade blue conjugate dextran were measured. Cell monolayer viability was studied using LDH release and trypan blue exclusion tests. Redistribution of enterocyte tight junction occludin was studied by confocal microscopy. Bilirubin induced a dose-dependent decrease of transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). This effect was maximal at 6 h and tended to be reversed at 48 h. Oxidated bilirubin was ineffective. Bilirubin significantly increased fluorescent dextran paracellular passage. Cell viability was not affected by UCB over the 5-200 nmol/L concentration range. Finally, bilirubin triggered a reversible redistribution of tight junctional occludin. UCB increases the permeability of intestinal epithelium. This effect is reversible, dependent on the redox status of the molecule and the rearrangement of the tight junction. These data attribute to bilirubin a novel role of functional modulator of intestinal paracellular permeability in vitro.

Psychological, neuroendocrine and immune measures in non spousal carers of disabled elderly in Italy.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether psychological well being as well as metabolic, neuroendocrine and immune functions were different in non spousal primary caregivers of disabled elderly than in controls. SETTING AND DESIGN: We randomly recruited 38 primary family carers of over 65 year old recipients of health home care services and 37 controls stratified according to sex and age. METHOD: Data were collected on psychological wellbeing (including anxiety, depression and self-perceived quality of life), on neuroendocrine and immune conditions (haemanalysis and metabolic signs, plasma ACTH, cortisol, prolactin, intra-lymphocyte content of beta-endorphins, NK cell activity and number), as well as on the incidence and severity of influenza disease during previous winter. RESULTS: Caregivers showed greater anxiety, although mean scores did not reach pathological levels. Neither depression nor satisfaction on quality of life did differ significantly, nor differences in haemanalisis and metabolic signs were found, apart from leukocyte and lymphocyte number, which was significantly lower in carers. Plasma levels of ACTH, cortisol and prolactin, the intra-lymphocyte content of beta-endorphins as well as the NK cell number and cytotoxicity did not show significant differences. Incidence and severity of influenza episodes was also similar, whereas the duration of influenza disease showed to be significantly longer. CONCLUSIONS: Non spousal caregivers of disabled elderly suffer from only slight alterations of psychological, endocrine and immune parameters, and do not respond very differently to influenza disease. This does not support therefore any generic privilege for them in the allocation of public support or respite services.

Local rh-VEGF administration enhances skin flap survival more than other types of rh-VEGF administration: a clinical, morphological and immunohistochemical study.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate experimentally whether administration of recombinant (rh) vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) can protect skin flaps from necrosis and to study the optimum mode of rh-VEGF administration. We used rats to study the effects of local or systemic administration of rh-VEGF on skin flap during surgery; we also tested preoperative systemic administration of rh-VEGF to assess whether it may prepare the tissue to respond to the hypoxic injury better than previously tested methods. The animals were 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats. Group I rats received multiple systemic injections of rh-VEGF in the tail artery prior to flap dissection. Group II rats were injected with rh-VEGF in the clamped left epigastric artery during flap dissection; in this group, the left flaps thus received rh-VEGF locally (via incubation for 10 min during hypoxia) and the right flaps systemically, after blood flow restoration. Group III received saline solution instead of VEGF in the same way as group II. Skin samples from the distal portion of the flaps were collected on day 7 for morphological and immunohistochemical analysis. The flaps exhibiting the least necrosis were those treated with local rh-VEGF, followed by those treated with systemic rh-VEGF. The flaps that received rh-VEGF locally showed a strong VEGF expression on keratinocytes and endothelial cells, the greatest amount of mature and newly formed vessels and strong survivin expression in endothelial cells. Local rh-VEGF administration should thus be considered as an effective therapeutic option to enhance the survival of a tissue at risk for perfusion.

Reduced number and impaired function of circulating gamma delta T cells in patients with cutaneous primary melanoma.

We studied the peripheral representation, in vitro expansion, cytokine production, and cytotoxicity of gamma delta T lymphocytes from 23 patients with cutaneous primary melanoma and 28 healthy subjects. We demonstrated that the absolute number and the percentage of circulating gamma delta + T cells were significantly reduced in melanoma patients in comparison with healthy subjects. The decrease was due to a reduction of V delta 2 T cells, whereas the number of V delta 1 T cells was not affected. As a consequence, the V delta 2/V delta 1 ratio was inverted in melanoma patients. A lower percentage of gamma delta + T cells producing tumor necrosis factor-alpha or interferon-gamma was found in melanoma patients. After a 10 d in vitro culture, both the percentage and the expansion index of gamma delta T cells, and in particular of V delta 2 subset, were significantly reduced in melanoma patients in comparison with healthy subjects. The cytotoxicity of sorted gamma delta T cells against tumor cell lines and the percentage of gamma delta T cells producing perforins were preserved in melanoma patients. The numerical and functional impairment of gamma delta T cells could contribute to the inadequate immune response found in melanoma patients and offers the potentiality for the planning of new approaches of immune therapy of malignant melanoma.

Factores de riesgo cardiovascular en una muestra de 100 estudiantes de medicina de la Universidad de Carabobo / Cardiovascular risk factors in a sample of 100 medical students of the University of Carabobo

Las enfermedades cardiovasculares representan la primera causa de muerte en Venezuela; la ateroesclerosis es el primer factor implicado en su aparición. Recientemente ha aumentado la prevalencia de enfermedades cardiovasculares en la población menor de 40 años, lo que hace necesario determinar la presencia de factores de riesgo en este grupo de individuos. A una muestra de 100 estudiantes, de ambos sexos, de 20-30 años, se les determinó: Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC), tensión arterial, hábitos tabáquicos, antecedentes de enfermedad cardiovascular en familiares y lípidos séricos. Se consideraron factores de riesgo: hipertensión arterial, sobrepeso u obesidad, presencia de hábitos tabáquicos y/o antecedentes de enfermedad cardiovascular en parientes de primer grado de consanguinidad; CT (Colesterol total) ≥200 mg por ciento, HDL-c ≤35mg por ciento en hombres y ≤45 mg por ciento en mujeres, LDL-c≥130 mg por ciento, Triglicéridos (TG) ≥200 mg por ciento, Relación CT/HDL>4,5 y relación LDL-c/HDL-c>2,5. Se determinaron promedios, error estándar y análisis de correlación. La hipertensión arterial se presentó en 30 por ciento de los sujetos, 49 por ciento IMC≥25 Kg/mý, de ellos 38 (77,55 por ciento) tenían sobrepeso y 11 (22,45 por ciento) obesidad. El tabaquismo se presentó en 16 por ciento de los individuos. El 43 por ciento refirió antecedentes de hipertensión arterial. Se observó CT≥200 mg por ciento en el 31 por ciento. El 24,32 por ciento (n= 9) de los hombres presentó cifras de HDL-c≤35 mg por ciento y el 55,56 por ciento (n= 35) de las mujeres presentó HDL-c≤45 mg por ciento. El 42 por ciento de la muestra tenía LDL-C≥130 mg por ciento y el 13 por ciento presentó TG≥200 mg por ciento. En 11 por ciento de los individuos se observaron más de dos factores de riesgo. Los factores de Riesgo cardiovascular estuvieron presentes en la población estudiada, esto impone la necesidad de fomentar la educaci...

Fibrinógeno plasmático, coeficiente de permeabilidad y parámetros de polimerización del Coágulo de fibrina en hombres con trastornos lipídicos / Plasma fibrinogen, permeability coefficient and fibrin clot polymerization in male dyslipedemic patients

Diversos estudios epidemiológicos afirman que el fibrinógeno es un factor de riesgo coronario, con un mayor valor predictivo de enfermedad cardiovascular que el que tienen los lípidos sanguíneos en el desarrollo de esta patología. Es por esto que el objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la relación que existe entre la concentración de fibrinógeno, la permeabilidad y los parámetros de polimeración de coágulo de fibrina con los lípidos séricos en hombres entre 20 y 50 años de edad; para lo cual se estudiaron 20 individuos con trastornos lipídicos, sin otra patología agregada, comparándolos con 19 sujetos sanos. Los resultados obtenidos revelan una concentración de fibrinógeno mayor en los pacientes con trastornos lipídicos que en los sujetos sanos (p<0.001), una correlación positiva entre fibrinógeno y colesterol total, cuando las concentraciones del mismo son ≥200 mg/dL (r= 0.640, p<0.046), una correlación positiva entre fibrinógeno y triglicéridos (r= 0,406, p<0,01), y una velocidad de polimeración más elevada en los pacientes con alteraciones lipídicas (p<0,009). En el estudio de permeabilidad del coágulo no se encontró ninguna diferencia relevante entre los coeficientes de permeabilidad de los grupos estudiados, ni correlación con los lípidos séricos. En conclusión los trastornos lipídicos en hombres están asociados en forma estrecha con las concentraciones plasmáticas de fibrinógeno

Numerical and functional alterations of circulating gammadelta T lymphocytes in aged people and centenarians.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the peripheral representation, in vitro expansion, cytokine production, and cytotoxicity of gammadelta T lymphocytes from 104 healthy subjects ranging in age from 19 to 103 years. We demonstrated that the absolute number of circulating gammadelta(+) T cells was reduced significantly in old people and centenarians in comparison with young subjects as a consequence of the age-related decreased lymphocyte number. The decrease was a result of an age-dependent reduction of Vdelta2 T cells, whereas the absolute number of Vdelta1 T cells was unaffected by age. As a consequence, the Vdelta2/Vdelta1 ratio was inverted in old subjects and centenarians. A higher percentage of gammadelta(+) T cells producing tumor necrosis factor alpha was found in old donors and centenarians, whereas no age-related difference was observed in interferon -gamma production. After a 10-day in vitro expansion, a twofold lower expansion index of gammadelta T cells, and particularly of a Vdelta2, but not of a Vdelta1 subset, was found in old people and centenarians in comparison with young subjects. The cytotoxicity of sorted gammadelta T cells was preserved in old people and centenarians. The alteration of gammadelta T cells could contribute to the age-related derangement of T cell-mediated, adoptive responses and may represent a new characteristic of immunosenescence.

Factores de riesgo y diagnóstico de salud del adolescente venezolano: estudio piloto / Risk factors and health diagnosis of Venezuelan adolescent: pilot study

El internista venezolano esta trabajando en la definición de su área de trabajo en este grupo poblacional. Conocer los factores de riesgo en general del adolescente. Estudio transversal, multicéntrico de adolescentes que asisten a consulta de medicina interna.Procedimiento: 1) Autorización escrita, 2) Explicación de los objetivos, 3) Encuesta de factores de riesgo, 4) Diagnósticos. El análisis fue descriptivo y comparativo. 75 individuos estudiados; 69 por ciento mujeres. 11 por ciento tenían alteración de la figura paterna; el 27 por ciento habían sufrido repitencia escolar; 64 por ciento no comparte con la familia; 43 por ciento inició la ingesta alcohólica con amigos. La violencia fue: 39 por ciento en el hogar y 55 por ciento fuera del hogar; 43 por ciento eran sexualmente activos; 28 por ciento de las mujeres tenían historia de embarazos, 1 de cada 12 había sido abusado sexualmente; 7 reconocieron el uso de drogas. Se definen áreas de trabajo: la comunicación familiar, educación sexual, historia de abuso sexual, educación antiviolencia y educación preventiva general. Se propone utilizar los resultados del presente estudio para incluir en la historia clínica diaria en forma permanente áreas de orientación para los adolescentes y sus padres

Linfoma primario de recto: presentacion de dos casos / Primary lymphoma of rectum: presentation of 2 cases

En general, los linfomas linfociticos gastrointestinales ocupan una pequena proporcion de los tumores del aparato digestivo, siendo en orden de frecuencia primero los de localizacion gastrica, seguidos de los de intestino delgado, area ileocecal y colon. En la localizacion rectal, los linfomas malignos de recto constituyen por otra parte solo el 0,2 al 0,65% de todos los tumores malignos de colon y recto. Se presentan dos casos de linfomas primarios de recto de tipo linfocitico y se analizan los aspectos diagnosticos y terapeuticos