Relationship between sperm quality parameters and the fatty acid composition of the muscle, liver and testis of European eel.

This study looks at the correlations that fatty acids have with different tissues in the European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) during hormonally-induced sexual maturation, with different sperm quality parameters. In order to evaluate the different dynamics of the use of fatty acids, a categorization of the results from each sperm quality parameter (volume, concentration, motility and velocity) was performed. Low and moderate correlations were observed between muscle tissue and some sperm quality parameters but no high correlations were found. Eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n3, EPA) in the liver seems to have a role in determining the volume of sperm produced. This can be explained by the fact that EPA is a major requirement in the early phases of sperm production (probably as a component of the spermatozoal membrane). In addition, the levels of α-linolenic acid (18:3-n3, ALA) and linoleic acid (18:2-n6, LA) in the liver decreased when sperm motility increased. In all the tissues, a negative correlation was observed between arachidonic acid (20:4n-6, ARA) and the different sperm velocity parameters. The fact that an increase in the consumption of ARA coincides with an increase in the speed of spermatozoa, highlights the important role that this fatty acid plays not only in sperm production, but also in sperm velocity. All this information could prove useful in the development of suitable broodstock diets to improve sperm quality and subsequently, the larval development of this species.

Simplified prediction of Staphylococcus aureus growth in a cooked meat product exposed to changing environmental temperatures in warm climates.

In this work, a simplified method is used to estimate the growth of Staphylococcus aureus in a pasteurized meat product left for several hours at environmental temperatures (diurnal time) in warm climates of different cities in Argentina. Hourly temperature data for a warm January (the hottest month of the year) day, and literature data on the kinetics of S. aureus growth inoculated in a pasteurized meat product were used for calculations. As shown by results, if a cooked meat product is left exposed to environmental temperature at diurnal time, predictions made when using a constant temperature value (i.e. average daily) may not be accurate. Growth estimations in contaminated food left under ambient conditions during diurnal time, should consider the changing environmental temperature for correct results.

Predictors of radial artery patency for coronary bypass operations.

BACKGROUND: Few data exist regarding angiographic predictors of radial artery patency for coronary bypass grafting, and the benefit of calcium antagonists is not clear. METHODS: One hundred fifteen patients were studied who had myocardial revascularization with the radial artery plus internal mammary and vein grafts with 3.5 +/- 1.1 grafts per patient. Sixty-three patients received diltiazem and 52 patients did not. Base line and follow-up angiographies were analyzed 1 year postoperatively in 50 of these patients with a quantitative computerized method. RESULTS: One hundred fourteen patients survived and were followed for 30.1 +/- 12.6 months. Patency for mammary grafts was 100%, for radial grafts it was 80%, and for saphenous vein grafts it was 68%. Patent radial artery grafts had significantly greater degree of stenosis in the native vessels than occluded grafts (73% +/- 14% vs 40% +/- 24%), (p = 0.0007; confidence interval = 95%). Radial artery patency increased to 92% when arteries with 70% or more stenosis were considered. No differences were observed for clinical and angiographic end points in the patients that received diltiazem compared with the rest who had not. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of stenosis in the native coronary artery significantly influences the patency rate of radial artery grafts, independent of diltiazem.

Influence of the estrous cycle and estradiol on the behavioral effects of amphetamine and apomorphine in rats.

This experiment was designed to investigate the influence of hormonal status of the rat on the effects of two doses of an indirect-acting dopamine agonist (amphetamine 0.25 and 1.0 mg/kg, IP) and a direct-acting dopamine agonist (apomorphine 62.5 and 250 micrograms/kg, SC) on the acquisition of conditioning avoidance responses (CARs) and the performance of some spontaneous behaviors. Active conditioned avoidance was improved by amphetamine in all the groups except in females at diestrus; apomorphine improved this response only in females at estrus and in ovariectomized rats after estradiol replacement, but the avoidance response was deteriorated in males and females at diestrus and after ovariectomy without estradiol replacement. Both dopaminergic drugs had contrasting effects on motor activity, number of rearings, and number of head shakes according to the hormonal status of the rat. Only the time spent in grooming behavior decreased after the treatment with both dopamine agonists in all of the five groups studied. These results provided behavioral evidence for the hypothesis that dopaminergic activity in the CNS is affected distinctively by modifications in the sexual hormone status (gender, estrous cycle, ovariectomy, and estradiol replacement). Relationships between ovarian hormones and dopaminergic system are discussed.

Behavioral effects of a LHRH antagonist in intact and ovariectomized rats.

The effects of the LHRH antagonism on the acquisition of conditioned responses (CARs) and spontaneous motility were studied in intact and ovariectomized rats. A synthetic antagonist of LHRH, [N-acetyl-D-p-chloro-Phe1,2,D-Trp3,D-Arg6,D-Ala10]-LHRH, was injected in a single dose (10 micrograms/rat, SC) at noon on the day of proestrus in the normally cycling rat, and behavioral experiments were carried out on the morning of estrus or metestrus. Two procedures were followed in the ovariectomized rats: in the first, the antagonist was injected 1 h before estradiol, and in the second, at noon on the day after estradiol replacement. The experiments were carried out 24 and 48 h after estradiol, respectively. The LHRH antagonist facilitated the acquisition of CARs in both experimental groups, thus reversing the impairments observed during estrus and metestrus and those induced by estradiol replacement. The antagonist decreased the number of head shakes during estrus, whereas it induced an increase in total motility and rears in ovariectomized control animals. On the other hand, the antagonist increased the number of rears and reversed the decrease in grooming behavior induced by estradiol. The results led to the idea of a role of LHRH in behaviors not apparently related to sex, which could explain the behavioral changes observed across the estrous cycle and those induced by estradiol replacement in ovariectomized rats.

Postabortion insertions of the pleated membrane.

The pleated or intrauterine membrane (IUM) was designed to fit a range of uterine sizes and shapes and to adjust to transient changes resulting from uterine motility. The retention and contraceptive abilities of postabortion IUM insertions are analyzed in this study of 154 IUM insertions made within 3 days of treatment for an incomplete or inevitable abortion. Results indicate low 1-year net cumulative event rates for pregnancy (1.7 per 100 users), expulsion (7.2 per 100 users), and removal for bleeding and/or pain (3.9 per 100 users). These rates were similar to those reported in a study of interval insertions of the IUM; moreover, these results also compared favorably with corresponding rates of postabortion insertions reported in studies using other devices. Thus, the postabortion period is indicated as being an effective time for IUM insertion.

[Treatment of breast cancer in males]. / Tratamiento del cáncer de mama en hombres.

Breast cancer is an unusual disease in males. We report the treatment results in 12 male patients with breast cancer and without distant metastases at the moment of diagnosis, treated between 1978 and 1993. All were subjected to surgical resection and radiotherapy; chemotherapy was not used. In four patients with local lymph node involvement, tamoxifen was used. Clinical staging at the moment of diagnosis was stage I in one patient, stage II in seven and stage III in four. Subjects were followed for a mean of 67 months and a median of 56 months. Local control of the tumour was achieved in 100% of patients and five years survival was 90%. Two patients presented with distant metastases at nine and 106 months of follow up. It is concluded that breast cancer in men has a similar survival rate than in women.

[Hemangiopericytoma: report of 4 cases]. / Hemangiopericitoma: comunicación de 4 casos.

Hemangiopericytoma is an infrequent tumor of vascular origin derived from Zimmermann's pericyte cells. It is generally seen in adults of both sexes and its major risk is late recurrence, that occurs in up to 50% of cases. Its spread pattern is principally hematogenous. The management of the disease is similar to that of other sarcomas. Surgical treatment alone controls the disease in less than 30% of cases and the association of surgery and radiation therapy decrease the risk of local and distant recurrence. We report four cases of hemangiopericytomas, located in the prostate, retroperitoneum, supraclavicular space and lung. The four patients were treated with surgery and radiation therapy, three of them have had no evidence of recurrence after 1.5 to 6 years of follow up and the patient with the tumor located in the lung died one year after the operation.

[Late effects of radiofrequency fulguration: report of five cases]. / Efectos tardíos post fulguración con radiofrecuencia: experiencia clínica en 5 casos.

Radiofrequency fulguration is the definitive treatment of several supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. During radiofrequency application, the conduction in a specific zone is interrupted as a consequence of cellular necrosis and edema. The disappearance of edema, minutes or hours after the procedure, allows the reappearance of conduction and arrhythmias. On the other hand, the definitive lesion is larger than the one caused acutely, due to the progression of the scar. We report five patients, in whom there was an apparent failure of the fulguration, since at the end of the procedure there was conduction in the fulgurated zone, the tachycardia was inducible or pre excitation and arrhythmias reappeared during the follow up. All five were subjected to a new electrophysiological study and in all, fulguration had been effective. We conclude that these late effects of fulguration are due to the slow progression of fibrosis, that continues days or weeks after the procedure.

Hemangioma of the kidney.

A case of hemangioma in the lower pole of the right kidney is reported. Relapsing hematuria and a urographic filling defect were the principal findings. A vascular mass of thick uniform vessels with rapid shunting of contrast medium into the vein was seen in arteriography. The histologic appearance was highly dilated vessels with well-framed walls. Lower heminephrectomy was successfully performed. The main features of this rare tumor are discussed.

The IUD and anemia: a study of hematocrit.

PIP: Lippes Loop D or Copper T-200 devices were randomly assigned to 400 women in Santiago, Chile, none of whom had been recently pregnant, in the effort to test the relationship between IUD use and anemia and the effect of daily iron supplements on hematocrit levels in conjunction with IUD use. The mean age for the acceptor group was 25.4; the mean parity was 1.9. Daily iron supplements were randomly assigned to 200 women in the group. Daily iron supplements were given to 21 women in the non-iron group who were admitted with hematocrit values of less than 30%. Hematocrit readings were performed at admission and at each subsequent follow-up. Readings were performed on cervical samples at 1, 3, 6 and 12 month follow-up visits. Mean admission hematocrit values were compared to the corresponding values at each follow-up via a paired t-test. There were no significant differences found for users of either IUD in the group taking daily iron supplements. In the non-supplement group, there were significant declines in hematocrit levels at 3 and 6 months after IUD insertion. At 12-months post-insertion, the mean hematocrit values for all groups increased from the 6-month level. Women taking iron supplements had lower rates of expulsion and removal for bleeding and pain, but the results were insignificant.^ieng

[Breast cancer: comparison between biochemical and immunohistochemical determination of estrogen receptors]. / Cáncer de la mama: comparación entre la determinación bioquímica e inmunohistoquímica de los receptores de estrógenos.

Immunohistochemical (IH) assessment of nuclear estrogen receptor has been considered an alternative method to conventional biochemical assay. The present work intends to compare specificity and sensitivity of IH and biochemical technique to assess nuclear estrogen receptor in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded mammary carcinoma samples. IH positive reaction was defined as 14% or more nuclear staining in 100 cells counted under high magnification (400x). Biochemical assay was considered positive over 10 fmol/mg of protein. 66 cases were collected with a mean age of 55.6 years and a mean tumor size of 25.2 mm. Histologically, 62 cases were ductal carcinomas, 2 lobular carcinomas, and 2 medullary carcinomas. Biochemical assay for estrogen receptor was positive in 35 cases (63%) and IH in 40 cases (71%). The present results show that IH assessment of estrogen receptor is highly specific and sensitive. Estrogen receptor present in non-tumor cells and blood vessels walls may disclose false positive biochemical results and false negative result if the tumor mass is small or there are isolated tumor cells. IH assessment of estrogen receptor can be performed in small samples, including in situ lesions. The method of fast, reliable, and of lower cost, IH may be considered the method of choice in cases with insufficient sample for biochemical assay and/or in tumors containing scant cells.

[Allogenic bone marrow transplantation in the treatment of malignant hematologic disease]. / Trasplante alogeneico de médula ósea en el tratamiento de enfermedades hematológicas malignas.

We have treated 28 patients (pts) with malignant hematological diseases with allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). 18 pts had acute lymphoblastic (ALL) and non lymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL), 5 chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), 2 severe aplastic anemia (SAA), 1 myelodisplasia, 1 Fanconi's anemia and 1 advanced Non Hodgkin's lymphoma. All but three received the graft from HLA identical sibling donors. We used conditioning with total body irradiation and chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, cytarabine and etoposide) in 17 pts and chemotherapy alone in 11. 24 pts had full hematological recovery 18 to 25 days post BMT. 15 pts died after BMT as a consequence of toxicity or early infection (4), graft failure (2), graft versus host disease (4) or relapse (5). Actuarial event free survival for the group with favorable prognosis (SAA, ALL and ANLL in first or second remission and CML in chronic phase) is 57% at 36 months. Allogeneic BMT is an effective and feasible therapeutic procedure for selected patients with hematological malignancies.

Cánceres de mama multifocales-multicéntricos: ¿Son realmente de peor pronóstico? / Multifocal-multicentric breast cancers: are they of worse prognosis?

The malignant mammary pathology can be presented like unifocal or multifocal-multicentric tumors (MFMC). The influence of this factor as prognostic is controversial. Objective: Establish if the presence of MFMC breast cancer, in comparison to the unifocal breast cancer, is associated to worse prognosis. Patients and Method: Combined prospective-retrospective cohort, corresponding to the totality of patients treated by surgery of breast cancer at Hospital FACH between 1972 and 2007 that fulfilled the inclusion criteria, obtaining a total of 589 patients. The statistic analysis was done with Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests and T-student for quantitative variables, chi square for qualitative variables and Kaplan-Meier curves with log rank test for survival. Results: The 93.4 percent of the patients had unifocal breast cancer, while the rest (6.6 percent) had MFMC cancer. There were no significant statistical differences between ages of both groups (57.88 and 54.92 years for unifocal and MFMC, respectively). MFMC cancer group presented more bilateral cancer than unifocal cancer group (7.7 percent versus 1.6 percent; p = 0.04); also, the lymph node affectation was greater in MFMC group (4.06 versus 1.83 lymph nodes; p = 0.001). There were no statistical significant differences in 5 years survival when comparing unifocal and MFMC tumors (81.8 percent and 90.4 percent, respectively; p = 0.223). There were no differences on 5 years free metastasis survival between both groups (Unifocals 86.2 percent; MFMC 75 percent; p = 0.651). Discussion: MFMC breast cancer was associated to bad prognostic factors, nevertheless, there was not significant differences in 5 years metastasis free survival and global survival between both groups, reason why multifocality-multicentricity would not confer worse prognosis to the disease.

La patología mamaria maligna puede manifestarse como tumores unifocales o multifocales-multicéntricos (MFMC). La influencia de este factor en el pronóstico es controversial. Objetivo: Establecer si la presencia de cáncer de mama MFMC se asocia a peor pronóstico. Pacientes y Método: Cohorte combinada prospectiva-retrospectiva de 589 pacientes sometidas a cirugía por cáncer de mama en el Hospital FACH entre los años 1972-2007. El análisis estadístico se realizó con las pruebas de Kolmogorov-Smirnov y T de Student para variables cuantitativas, chi cuadrado para variables cualitativas, curvas de Kaplan-Meier y test de log rank para sobrevida. Resultados: El 93,4 por ciento de las pacientes eran portadoras de cáncer unifocal, mientras el 6,6 por ciento de cáncer MFMC. No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas en cuanto a edad entre ambos grupos (57,88 y 54,92 años para unifocales y MFMC, respectivamente). La frecuencia de cáncer bilateral en el grupo MFMC fue mayor que en el unifocal (7,7 por ciento y 1,6 por ciento; p = 0,04); asimismo, el compromiso linfático fue mayor en este grupo (4,06 y 1,83 linfonodos comprometidos; p = 0,001). La sobrevida a 5 años fue de un 81,8 por ciento para cáncer unifocal y 90,4 por ciento para MFMC, sin diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ambos, (p = 0,223). La sobrevida libre de metástasis a 5 años no mostró diferencias (Unifocales 86,2 por ciento; MFMC 75 por ciento; p = 0,651). Discusión: El cáncer de mama multifocal se asoció a factores de mal pronóstico; sin embargo, no se encontraron diferencias significativas en cuanto a sobrevida libre de metástasis y sobrevida global entre ambos grupos, por lo que multifocalidad-multicentricidad no conferiría un peor pronóstico a la enfermedad.

Simplified prediction of Staphylococcus aureus growth in a cooked meat product exposed to changing environmental temperatures in warm climates / Predición simplificada del crecimiento de Staphylococcus aureus en productos cárnicos cocidos expuestos a temperaturas ambientes cambiantes en climas cálidos

In this work, a simplified method is used to estimate the growth of Staphylococcus aureus in a pasteurized meat product left for several hours at environmental temperatures (diurnal time) in warm climates of different cities in Argentina. Hourly temperature data for a warm January (the hottest month of the year) day, and literature data on the kinetics of S. aureus growth inoculated in a pasteurized meat product were used for calculations. As shown by results, if a cooked meat product is left exposed to environmental temperature at diurnal time, predictions made when using a constant temperature value (i.e. average daily) may not be accurate. Growth estimations in contaminated food left under ambient conditions during diurnal time, should consider the changing environmental temperature for correct results.

En este trabajo se utiliza un método simplificado para predecir el crecimiento de Staphylococcus aureus en un producto cárnico pasteurizado dejado por varias horas a temperatura ambiente diurna en zonas de clima cálido. En la predicción, se utilizaron datos de la temperatura horaria para un día caluroso típico de enero (mes más caliente del año) en varias ciudades de la Argentina y datos de la literatura sobre tiempos de generación y tiempo lag de la bacteria inoculada en un producto cárnico pasteurizado. Los resultados indicaron que cuando el producto se deja a temperatura ambiente diurna durante varias horas, no se debe utilizar para la predicción un valor de temperatura promedio (ej.: temperatura media diaria), sino que hay que tener en cuenta la evolución de este parámetro a lo largo del período considerado.