Microaeration promotes volatile siloxanes conversion to methane and simpler monomeric products.

The ubiquitous use of volatile siloxanes in a myriad of product formulations has led to a widespread distribution of these persistent contaminants in both natural ecosystems and wastewater treatment plants. Microbial degradation under microaerobic conditions is a promising approach to mitigate D4 and D5 siloxanes while recovering energy in wastewater treatment plants. This study examined D4/D5 siloxanes biodegradation under both anaerobic and microaerobic conditions ( [Formula: see text]  = 0, 1, 3 %) using wastewater sludge. Results show that the use of microaeration in an otherwise strictly anaerobic environment significantly enhances siloxane conversion to methane. 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified potential degraders, including Clostridium lituseburense, Clostridium bifermentans and Synergistales species. Furthermore, chemical analysis suggested a stepwise siloxane conversion preceding methanogenesis under microaerobic conditions. This study demonstrates the feasibility of microaerobic siloxane biodegradation, laying groundwork for scalable removal technologies in wastewater treatment plants, ultimately highlighting the importance of using bio-based approaches in tackling persistent pollutants.

Does physical activity improve motor function and gait in huntington disease? A systematic review and meta-analysis. / ¿La actividad física mejora la función motora y la marcha en la enfermedad de Huntington? Una revisión sistemática y metaanálisis.

INTRODUCTION: Huntington's disease (HD) is a degeneration of the brain. OBJECTIVE: To assess the evidence of the physical activity (PA) to improve motor function, gait speed, and walking endurance in individuals with HD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two reviewers independently screened references and selected relevant studies to identify randomized controlled trials (RCT), from MEDLINE/PubMed, CENTRAL, PEDro, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science databases from inception to September 2021. Two reviewers evaluated risk of bias by the PEDro scale. The primary outcome was assessed motor function, gait speed and walking endurance as a secondary outcome was evaluated activities of daily living (ADL), lower limb functionality strenght, balance, mobility and cognition function in HD. RESULTS: Eight RCT were finally included (231 individuals). Forest plots showed a positive effect for gait endurance, the mean difference (MD) was 17.40 (95% CI from 5.40 to 29.35; p = 0.004), the MD lower limb functionality strength was 1.76 (95% CI from 0.18 to 3.33; p = 0.03) favoring PA group and the MD cognition function was 1.83 (95% CI from 0.50 to 3.16; p = 0.007). No benefits were found for motor function, gait speed, ADL, balance and mobility. CONCLUSIONS: Positive effects of programs PA were observed for walking endurance lower limb functionality strenght and cognition function in low and moderate stage of HD. However, no benefits were found for motor function, gait speed, ADL, balance and mobility. All authors included aerobic exercises in their programs but is unclear if vigorous and intensive PA is optimal for individuals with HD.

TITLE: ¿La actividad física mejora la función motora y la marcha en la enfermedad de Huntington? Una revisión sistemática y metaanálisis.Introducción. La enfermedad de Huntington (EH) es una degeneración del cerebro. Objetivos. Evaluar la evidencia de la actividad física (AF) para mejorar la función motora y la marcha en las personas con EH. Materiales y métodos. Dos revisores examinaron de forma independiente las referencias y seleccionaron ensayos controlados aleatorizados en Medline/PubMed, CENTRAL, PEDro, Scopus, CINAHL y Web of Science desde el inicio hasta septiembre de 2021 y evaluaron el riesgo de sesgo mediante la escala PEDro. Las variables principales fueron la función motora y la marcha, y las secundarias, las actividades de la vida diaria (AVD), la funcionalidad (extremidades inferiores), el equilibrio, la movilidad y la función cognitiva en la EH. Resultados. Se incluyeron ocho ensayos controlados aleatorizados (231 individuos). Se observó un efecto positivo para la resistencia en la marcha, la diferencia de medias fue de 17,4 (intervalo de confianza al 95%: 5,4-29,35; p = 0,004), la diferencia de medias para la funcionalidad (extremidades inferiores) fue de 1,76 (intervalo de confianza al 95%: 0,18-3,33; p = 0,03) y la diferencia de medias para la función cognitiva fue de 1,83 (intervalo de confianza al 95%: 0,5-3,16; p = 0,007) a favor del grupo de AF. No se encontraron beneficios para la función motora, la velocidad de marcha, las AVD, el equilibrio y la movilidad. Conclusiones. Los programas de AF mejoran la resistencia en la marcha, la función cognitiva y la funcionalidad (extremidades inferiores) en la EH. Sin embargo, no se observaron efectos positivos para la función motora, la velocidad de la marcha, las AVD, el equilibrio y la movilidad. Todos los autores incluyeron ejercicios aeróbicos en sus programas, pero no está claro si la AF vigorosa e intensiva es óptima para las personas con EH.

Microaerobic conditions in anaerobic sludge promote changes in bacterial composition favouring biodegradation of polymeric siloxanes.

Volatile organic silicon compounds (VOSiC) are harmful pollutants to the biota and ecological dynamics as well as biogas-based energy conversion systems. However, there is a lack of understanding regarding the source of VOSiCs in biogas, especially arising from the biochemical conversion of siloxane polymers such as polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS). The biodegradation of PDMS was evaluated under anaerobic/microaerobic conditions (PO2 = 0, 1, 3, 5%), using wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) sludge as an inoculum and PDMS as a co-substrate (0, 50, 100, 500 ppm). On average, strictly anaerobic treatments produced significantly less methane than the 3 and 5% microaerated ones, which show the highest PMDS biodegradation at 50 ppm. Thauera sp. and Rhodococcus sp. related phylotypes were identified as the most abundant bacterial groups in microaerated treatments, and siloxane-related molecules were identified as remnants of PDMS catabolism. Our study demonstrates that microaeration promotes changes to the native bacterial community which favour the biological degradation of PDMS. This confirms that the presence of VOSiC (e.g., D4-D6) in biogas is not only due to its direct input in wastewaters, but also to the PDMS microbial catabolism. Microaerobic conditions enhance both PDMS and (subsequent) VOSiC degradation in the liquid phase, increasing the concentrations of D4 and D5 in biogas, and the production of less toxic siloxane-based derivatives in the liquid phase. This study suggests that microaeration of the anaerobic sludge can significantly decrease the concentration of PDMSs in the WWTP effluent. However, for WWTPs to become effective barriers for the emission of these ecotoxic contaminants to the environment, such a strategy needs to be coupled with an efficient biodegradation of VOSiCs from the biogas.

The supporting role of the teres major muscle, an additional component in glenohumeral stability? An anatomical and radiological study.

Muscle coordination plays an important role in glenohumeral stability. The rotator cuff and the long head of the biceps are considered the primary dynamic stabilizers muscles. However, the fact that a subgroup of patients with a massive tear in the rotator cuff were able to keep a normal function, should make us question this traditional view. We hypothesize that the teres major which is also a monoarticular scapulohumeral muscle, although it is not part of the conjoined tendon of the rotator cuff, can play a role in glenohumeral stability by a direct support of the humeral head generated by the particular posteroanterior location of this muscle under the humeral head and which, as far as we know, has not been written up previously. This particular effect could appear while the arm is being lifted and the humeral head could be leaning on against the teres major muscle belly underneath it. An anatomical a radiological study was carried out to substantiate our hypothesis. Two cadaver specimens were used for the anatomical study. Frist body was studied through conventional dissection. The second body was analysed through sectional anatomy. Then a radiological study was carried out using magnetic resonance imaging in a healthy male volunteer. Both anatomically and radiologically, the anteroinferior surface of the humeral head was showed firmly resting against the muscle belly of the teres major, to the point of misshaping it from 110 degrees of arm elevation with external rotation. The specific contribution of this effect to the glenohumeral stability needs to be confirmed by further studies and can help us to prevent the high incidence of glenohumeral dislocations.

Tobacco exposure and sleep disturbance in 498 208 UK Biobank participants.

Background: The prevalence of sleep disturbance is high and increasing. The study investigated whether active, former and passive smoking were associated with sleep disturbance. Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from the UK Biobank: a cohort study of 502 655 participants, of whom 498 208 provided self-reported data on smoking and sleep characteristics. Multivariable multinomial and logistic regression models were used to examine the associations between smoking and sleep disturbance. Results: Long-sleep duration (>9 h) was more common among current smokers [odds ratio (OR): 1.47; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17-1.85; probability value (P) = 0.001] than never smokers, especially heavy (>20/day) smokers (OR: 2.85; 95% CI: 1.66-4.89; P < 0.001). Former heavy (>20/day) smokers were also more likely to report short (<6 h) sleep duration (OR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.25-1.60; P < 0.001), long-sleep duration (OR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.47-2.71; P < 0.001) and sleeplessness (OR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.38-1.57; P < 0.001) than never smokers. Among never smokers, those who lived with more than one smoker had higher odds of long-sleep duration than those not cohabitating with a smoker (OR: 2.71; 95% CI: 1.26-5.82; P = 0.011). Conclusions: Active and passive exposure to high levels of tobacco smoke are associated with sleep disturbance. Existing global tobacco control interventions need to be enforced.

Estimación de Edad Dentaria Utilizando el Método de Demirjian en Niños de 5 a 15 Años de Curicó, Chile / Dental Age Estimation Using the Demirjian's Method in Children 5 to 15 Years of Age in Curicó, Chile

El método de Demirjian (MD) es el más ampliamente difundido para estimar la edad dental (ED). Con este método se han realizado numerosos estudios en diferentes grupos étnicos, analizándose niños europeos, asiáticos y norteamericanos entre otros. Estos resultados sugieren posibles diferencias en los patrones de maduración dental entre las diferentes poblaciones. El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la edad dentaria aplicando el MD en una muestra de 363 ortopantomografías de pacientes entre 5 y 15 años, obtenidas de un centro radiológico maxilofacial privado en Curicó, VII región, Chile. Se obtuvo un coeficiente de correlación inter-clase (CCI), como medida de correlación entre edad dental y cronológica, de 0,974 (CCI 95% 0,968­0,979). El CCI para niños fue de 0,972 (CCI 95% 0,963- 0,979) y en el caso de las niñas fue de 0,977 (CCI 95% 0,969­0,983). En general, el método de Demirjian tendió a sobreestimar la edad en los niños y niñas. La ED observada fue mayor que la edad cronológica (EC) en 130 niños y en 138 niñas, resultó igual a la EC en 13 niños y 8 niñas, y fue menor que la EC en 38 niños y 33 niñas. En conclusión, nuestros resultados coinciden con hallazgos en numerosos lugares del mundo, es decir, la ED en este grupo se fue levemente mayor que la muestra original franco-canadiense. Sin embargo, el rango obtenido de la ED es similar al de la EC y el grado de correlación entre ambas es casi perfecto al aplicar el CCI. El grado de correlación entre ambas edades para cada sexo también es muy bueno. Por lo tanto, consideramos que el MD es aplicable a esta muestra de niños.

The Demirjian's method (DM) is the most widely used method for estimating dental age. A number of studies with this method have been performed in different ethnic groups, with European, Asian y North American children being analyzed among others. Possible differences in patterns of dental maturation among different population have been suggested. The aim of this study was to determine dental age with the DM in a sample of 363 panoramic radiographs from children 5-15 years old, obtained from a private radiological maxillofacial center in Curicó, Chile. An inter-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was obtained as a measure of correlation between dental and chronological age of 0.974 (ICC 95% 0.968-0.979). The ICC for boys was 0.972 (ICC 95% 0.963- 0.979) and 0.977 for girls (CCI 95% 0.969-0.983). In general, DM overestimated the age in girls and boys. Dental age (DA) was observed to be higher than chronological age (CA) in 130 boys and 138 girls; DA was equal to CA in 13 boys y 8 girls and lower than CE in 38 boys and 33 girls. In conclusion, our study concurs with several other studies in other places of the world, indeed the DA was found to be higher when compared to the original French-Canadian sample. However, the range obtained for DA is similar to CA and the degree of correlation between both is almost perfect when applying ICC. The degree of correlation between both ages for each sex was found as very good. Furthermore, we consider that DM can be applied to this sample of children.

Improving products of anaerobic sludge digestion by microaeration.

Biogas, digested sludge and sludge liquor are the main products of anaerobic sludge digestion. Each of the products is influenced significantly by specific conditions of the digestion process. Therefore, any upgrade of the digestion technology must be considered with regard to quality changes in all products. Microaeration is one of the methods used for the improvement of biogas quality. Recently, microaeration has been proved to be a relatively simple and highly efficient biological method of sulfide removal in the anaerobic digestion of biosolids, but little attention has been paid to comparing the quality of digested sludge and sludge liquor in the anaerobic and microaerobic digestion and that is why this paper primarily deals with this area of research. The results of the long-term monitoring of digested sludge quality and sludge liquor quality in the anaerobic and microaerobic digesters suggest that products of both technologies are comparable. However, there are several parameters in which the 'microaerobic' products have a significantly better quality such as: sulfide (68% lower) and soluble chemical oxygen demand (COD) (33% lower) concentrations in the sludge liquor and the lower foaming potential of the digested sludge.

Increased placental angiogenesis in late and early onset pre-eclampsia is associated with differential activation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2.

INTRODUCTION: Placentas from both early-onset (EOPE) and late-onset pre-eclampsia (LOPE) exhibit signs of underperfusion, which in turn, may be associated with altered angiogenesis. Tyrosine 951 (Y951) and Y1175 phosphorylation of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) induced by VEGF triggers the angiogenesis process. Endothelial markers such as CD31 and CD34 have been used for estimating angiogenic processes in several tissues, including placenta. We asked whether vascular density in placental villi was related to Y951/Y1175 phosphorylation of VEGFR2 in LOPE or EOPE. METHODS: We obtained placental samples from women with normal pregnancies (n = 22), LOPE (n = 13), EOPE (n = 15) and preterm deliveries (n = 10). Slices from placental tissue were used for CD31 immunostaining. We estimated the expression of CD31, CD34, VEGF, and VEGFR2 by western blot and quantitative PCR. Y951 phosphorylation of VEGFR2 was estimated by western blot, whereas Y1175 phosphorylation was analyzed by ELISA. RESULTS: Vessel density in terminal villi and CD31 and CD34 protein abundance were increased in LOPE and EOPE compared to normal pregnancy. However, mRNA levels for CD31 and CD34 were lower in LOPE than in normal pregnancy and VEGF mRNA was higher in EOPE. VEGFR2 protein concentration was not different among the studied groups. Y951 and Y1175 phosphorylation of VEGFR2 was higher in LOPE than in the normotensive group, but only Y951 exhibited greater phosphorylation in EOPE compared to normal pregnancy. DISCUSSION: Changes in vessel formation in the pre-eclamptic placenta are controversial. Our study suggests a pro-angiogenic state in both LOPE and EOPE. These changes are however, associated with differential expression of endothelial markers and VEGFR2 activation. CONCLUSION: There is evidence of increased placental angiogenesis in LOPE and EOPE that is associated with differential activation of VEGFR2.

PP003. Antagonism in A2A and A2B adenosine receptor on fetal endothelium proliferation involves a nitric oxide-depended intracellular pathway in early and late-onset pre-eclampsia.

INTRODUCTION: Adenosine A2A and A2B receptor intracellular pathway is associated with either increasing endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) expression or eNOS activation (i.e., tyrosine 1177 phosphorylation); a mechanism linked to pro or anti-proliferative effects depending of the cell type. However, there are no reports in pre-eclampsia. OBJECTIVES: Investigate whether NO signaling pathway is involved in fetal endothelium proliferation induced by adenosine receptor activation in early and late-onset pre-eclampsia. METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were isolated from normal (n=25), late-onset pre-eclampsia (n=11) and early-onset pre-eclampsia (n=22). Adenosine A2A and A2B expression was evaluated by immunocytochemistry and Western blot. Cell proliferation was analyzed using MTS-assay in absence or presence of non-selective adenosine receptor agonist (NECA 10µM), adenosine A2A receptor selective agonist (CGS-21680, 100nM), and/or the antagonists ZM-241385 (0-100µM) or MRS-1754 (0-1µM) for A2A and A2B receptors during 24h. In parallel experiments NOS inhibitor (L-NAME, 100µM) was used in co-incubation by either adenosine receptor agonist or antagonists. Nitrite concentration in the culture medium and protein nitration assessed by Western blot were measured in cells exposed to CGS-21680 (30min). RESULTS: Early-onset pre-eclampsia was associated to low A2A (∼70%), but high (∼2-fold) A2B adenosine receptor protein abundance compared with normal or late-onset pre-eclampsia. Basally, HUVEC from early-onset showed a low (∼42%), whereas late-onset exhibited high proliferation (∼1.5-fold) compared with normal pregnancy. Cell proliferation was increased by CGS-21680 (∼2-fold) in late-onset or normal pregnancy and ∼5-fold in early-onset pre-eclampsia compared with respective control. NECA increased cell proliferation only in normal cells. Stimulatory effect of CGS-21680, was inhibited by ZM-241385 in normal pregnancies (Ki, 25nM) and late-onset (Ki 50nM) but not in early-onset (Ki ambiguous). Interestingly, MRS-1754 showed an increase in cell proliferation in a dose-response manner only in early-onset group. L-NAME partially blocked (∼25%) the stimulatory effect of CGS-21680 in late-onset and normal pregnancy. Interestingly, L-NAME revert the maximal stimulatory effect of MRS-1754 observed in early-onset. Total and phosphorylated eNOS protein was reduced (∼50%) in early-onset pre-eclampsia compared to late-onset or normal pregnancy. In turn, cells from late-onset pre-eclampsia exhibited high (∼2-fold) eNOS phosphorylation compared with normal pregnancy. In normal pregnancy, CGS-21680 (30min) increased (∼2-fold) the eNOS phosphorylation and nitrotyrosine formation, without changes in nitrite levels, but non-significant changes were observed in early or late-onset pre-eclamptic cells. CONCLUSION: Fetal endothelium from early-onset exhibits a predominant anti-proliferative effect mediated by adenosine A2B receptors activation, whereas the stimulatory effect of adenosine A2A receptors prevails in cells from late-onset pre-eclampsia. Both pro and anti-proliferative effects seem mediated by a nitric oxide-depended intracellular pathway. Supported by FONDECYT 1100684, Conicyt Anillo ACT73.

Comparison of microbial activity in anaerobic and microaerobic digesters.

Microaerobic alternative of anaerobic digestion offers many advantages especially when sulfide concentration in the digester is high. For better understanding of the microaerobic technology more detailed characterization of biomass activity is needed. Two equal digesters were operated under the same condition except of microaeration in one of them. During long term operation of anaerobic and microaerobic digesters the sludge quality and the biomass activity was monitored. The activity of sulfide oxidizing bacteria of microaerobic biomass was significantly higher in comparison with anaerobic biomass. The activity of sulfate reducing bacteria was comparable. The activity of methanogenic bacteria activity depended on sulfide concentration more than on microaeration. The extent of foaming problems was lower in the microaerobic than in the anaerobic digester.

Schwannoma maligno en la mandíbula: reporte de un caso / Malignant Schwannoma in mandible: a case report

El schwannoma maligno es una neoplasia cuyo origen está dado por tejido nervioso periférico. Rara vez se presenta en cabeza y cuello, más escasamente se encuentra en el territorio maxilofacial. A continuación se reporta desde el punto de vista radiológico el caso de un paciente de sexo masculino, de 9 años de edad, que presentó un aumento de volumen de crecimiento rápido, expansivo, ubicado en el cuerpo y rama mandibular derecha con diagnóstico de neurosarcoma maligno de mandíbula o schwannoma maligno mandibular con compromiso del canal mandibular, canal y foramen mentoniano, tejido blando y tejido óseo del sector.

The malignant schwannoma is a neoplasia whose origin is given by peripheral nerve tissue. It rarely appears in the head and neck, and even less frequently in maxillofacial territory. Here is a case report of a male patient, 9 years old, with a rapidly growing mass, expansive growth, located in the body and right mandibular ramus diagnosed as a malignant neurosarcoma or malignant schwannoma of the mandible, with mandibular canal, mental canal and foramen, soft tissue and bone involvement of the region.

Latin american experience with two low-dose oral contraceptives containing 30 microg ethinylestradiol/75 microg gestodene and 20 microg ethinylestradiol/150 microg desogestrel.

The objective of this study was to compare cycle control, efficacy and tolerance of an oral contraceptive containing 20 microg ethinylestradiol and 150 microg desogestrel with a preparation containing 30 microg ethinylestradiol combined with 75 microg gestodene. This study involved 342 women and 4104 cycles use in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. Contraceptive efficacy was good with both formulations. Two pregnancies occurred in the desogestrel group but were not due to method failure. With respect to cycle control, the incidence of intermenstrual bleeding was higher during the first 3 cycles in the desogestrel group; it was significant (p <0.01) during the first 3 days of the cycle for a normal or heavy bleeding only in the Mexican group. Amenorrhea was not reported for any group, but the incidence of dysmenorrhea was significantly higher (p <0.01) in the Brazilian desogestrel group (13.8%) and was significantly lower (p <0.01) in the Mexican gestodene group (8.5%). Adverse events were similar in all the countries with headache, breast tension, and nausea, the most frequently reported symptoms. The range of mean increase in body weight varied from 0.2 kg in the Argentine group to 2.6 kg in the Chilean group (95% confidence limit, +/- 2.51) in the gestodene group, and 0.2 kg in the Argentine group to 2.5 kg in Brazilian group (95% confidence limit, +/- 2.36) in the desogestrel group. Fifteen women discontinued because of headache, but there were no significant differences between the groups regarding discontinuation for this and other medical or non-medical reasons. Both oral contraceptive preparations are reliable and well tolerated, and both have favorable effects on control cycle.

Mesigyna once-a-month combined injectable contraceptive: experience in Latin America.

A phase III clinical study was carried out among 534 fertile Latin American women to evaluate cycle control, side effects, and contraceptive efficacy of a once-a-month combined injectable, Mesigyna, consisting of 50 mg norethisterone enanthate and 5 mg estradiol valerate. The pregnancy rate at 1 year was 0 per 100 woman-years for a total experience of 4688 woman-months. The overall discontinuation rate at one year was 17.9%. Discontinuation rate for bleeding problems was 5.1%. The Colombian women had a significant increase (p <0.001) in bleeding problems compared to other countries. The discontinuation rate for amenorrhea was 1.1%. There were no significant differences between the groups regarding discontinuation for other medical or non-medical reasons. Mean weight gain after one year of use was 1.02 kg. Mesigyna is an appropiate once-a-month injectable contraceptive for Latin American women since it is highly effective and its perception of normal menstrual bleeding is of importance in the Latin American population.

[Comparative study between estradiol valerate combined with cyproterone acetate, and conjugated equine estrogens combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate as hormone replacement therapy in climacteric]. / Estudio comparativo entre la combinación valerianato de estradiol-acetato de ciproterona y estrógenos conjugados equinos-acetato de medroxiprogesterona como terapia hormonal de reemplazo en el climaterio.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness in the control of climacteric symptoms, the tolerability and the uterine bleeding pattern between two types of hormone replacement therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 81 postmenopausal women between 40 and 60 years age with vasomotor symptoms were studied. Randomly it was administered: I. Conjugated equine estrogens (CEE)-Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA): 21 tablets with 0.625 mg of CEE and 10 tablets with 5 mg of MPA which were taken with the last ten tablets of CEE in each cycle (n = 3 7). II. E2V-CPA: 11 tablets with 2 mg of E2V and 10 tablets with 2 mg of E2V and 1 mg of CPA (n = 44). Each cycle comprised 28 days. The treatments were compared with squared Chi and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The hot flushes presence was significantly greater in the group with CEE-MPA (p < 0.03). Severe throbs at the end of the study had a trend to be more frequent in the group with EC-MPA (p < 0.06). At the end of the study there was a greater frequency of breast tenderness in the group with CEE-MPA (P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Both treatments have good effectiveness, tolerability and same bleeding pattern. Only the frequency of hot flushes, the presence of severe throbs and breast tenderness were lower in the group with E2V-CPA, that makes this preparation an option that can have a better acceptance by the women.

Enferemdad hemorroidal: tratamiento quirúrgico por la técnica de Fergusson / Hemorrhoidal disease: Fergusson's surgical technique

Entre enero de 1983 y enero de 1991 se llevo a cabo un estudio prospectivo de la enfermedad hemorroidal tratada quirurgicamente por la tecnica de Fergusson en la Clinica San Rafael de Santafe de Bogota, D.C. Se revisaron 132 historias clinicas de pacientes cuya edad promedio era de 40 años; al sexo masculino le correspondio un 48 por ciento y al femenino, el 52 por ciento. Se encontraron hemorroides mixtas en 70 pacientes (53 por ciento), internas en 51 (39 por ciento), y externas en 11 (8 por ciento). El motivo principal de consulta fue el sangrado, el cual se produjo en 34 pacientes (26 por ciento), y 66 enfermos (50 por ciento), acusaron estreñimiento como antecedente de importancia. A todos se les practicó rectosigmoidoscopia como estudio fundamental para definir la conducta, y a un 40 por ciento se les practicó colon por enema. El seguimiento se realizó entre 1 y 8 años, con un promedio de 5; se presentaron complicaciones en el 4 por ciento de los pacientes. Se presentan los resultados obtenidos y se discuten con relacion a la literatura mundial.

Tratamiento quirúrgico del quiste pilonidal: técnica semiabierta / Surgical treatment of pilonidal cysts, semi-open technique

Se evalua en forma prospectiva el protocolo de tratamiento del quiste pilonidal en 73 pacientes sometidos a cirugia en la Clinica San Rafael de Santafe de Bogota, D.C., entre enero de 1983 y enero de 1991. No se encontro predominio de sexo en la presentacion del quiste pilonidal y el promedio de edad fue de 24 años; la mayoria de los pacientes eran empleados; consultaron por dolor y secrecion; 35 (48 por ciento) mostraban masa; 55 (75 por ciento) presentaban un orificio de drenaje. Se sometieron a tratamiento quirurgico por la tecnica semiabierta (Mc. Fee) 58 pacientes (79 por ciento), de los cuales 1 (1.7 por ciento) tuvo complicaciones: infección de la herida quirurgica. Se analizan los resultados con otro informe de la literalura mundial.

[Treatment of human papilloma virus of the cervix using cryosurgery]. / Tratamiento del virus del papiloma humano (VPH) del cervix con criocirugía.

The causal lesions by VPH in the cervix, are associated to cancer. Currently 56 different subtypes have been isolated, from which, the 16, 18, 31, 33, 35 and 39 are more frequently related with the cervical intraepithelial neoplasia; from here derives the importance of opportune treatment. The objective of this paper is to evaluate VPH of the cervix opportune treatment with cryosurgery. Seventy five patients were analyzed, from April 1988 to May 1990 with diagnosis of cervical VPH, by cytology, colposcopy and histopathology; in whom cryosurgery with double freezing technique, was practiced; and were evaluated ever six months, during two years with cytology and colposcopy. Whenever there was persistence or recurrence, cryosurgery was used again; doing this even three times, previously discarding intraepithelial cancer. Seventy seven per cent of the patients received only one session; 16% two, and 7% three. At the six months review, it was found that 92% of the cases were negative, and 8% with persistence; at 12 months, 89% negative and 11% with recurrences; at 18 months, 93% negative, 3% with persistence and 4% with recurrence; at 24 months, 96% negative and 4% with recurrence. It is concluded that cryosurgery is efficacious in the treatment of these lesions, easy to use, well tolerated, with minimal side effects, it does not require anesthesia and is of a low cost.

Physico-chemical characterization of the main factors affecting the mode of action of liver alcohol dehydrogenase immobilized on nylon tubing.

Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) from horse liver (EC 1.1.1.1), cross-linked through the bifunctional reactive glutaraldehyde, onto nylon tubing was immobilized (35 micrograms cm-2 internal surface of nylon tubing). ADH inactivation kinetics of the immobilized enzyme are of first order (t1/2 = 84.3 h, k = 8.2 x 10(-3) h-1 at 5 degrees C; t1/2 = 2.6 h, k = 0.26 h-1 at 50 degrees C). The activity versus pH profile points to a smaller effect of pH on the activity of the enzyme, which is the case of ADH in solution, explicable on the basis of limitations to proton diffusion towards/from the support. A limiting effect to free external diffusion of the substrate (products) towards/from the support was observed; this effect seems to determine the effective kinetic behaviour of immobilized ADH.