Sediment-quality assessment using the polychaete Arenicola marina: contamination, bioavailability, and toxicity.

The sediment quality of Cádiz Bay, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (LPGC) Port, Santander Bay, Algeciras Bay, and Huelva Estuary (Spain) was evaluated by analysing a battery of biochemical biomarkers-activities of biotranformation enzymes ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase [EROD], dibenzylflourescein dealkylase [DBF], and glutathione S-transferase [GST]; activity of antioxidant enzyme glutathione reductase [GR]; and lipid peroxidation [LPO]-in the polychaete Arenicola marina after laboratory sediment exposure. Huelva Estuary polychaetes showed significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced LPO, GST, and EROD activities compared with control lugworms related to metals and presumably polychlorinated biphenyls. EROD activity significant (p < 0.05) induction was associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons after Santander Bay sediment exposure. Nickel appeared to significantly (p < 0.05) induce GR activity and LPO in LPGC Port sediment-exposed organisms. DBF activity significantly (p < 0.05) increased in polychaetes exposed to sediments from sewage-contaminated areas. A. marina was sensitive at the biochemical level. Integration of sediment characterization and biomarker results allowed the identification of polluted sites as well as the cause of possible sediment toxicity.

[Primary small bowel neoplasms as a complication of celiac disease]. / Neoplasias primarias de intestino delgado como complicación de la enfermedad celíaca.

Celiac disease is produced by gluten intake in genetically susceptible children and adults and is the most common severe food intolerance in western countries. Eliminating gluten from the diet is essential in these patients, since most of the complications that can occur are more frequent if there is lack of treatment adherence. The most serious complication in these patients is the development of neoplasms, the most frequent being enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma; however, an increase in the incidence of small bowel adenocarcinoma has also been described. We present two cases of small bowel carcinoma in patients with celiac disease, which were diagnosed at the onset of the disease.

Effects of a hypothetical escape of CO2 gas from subterranean storage sites on water flea Daphnia magna.

The impacts of a hypothetical CO2 gas leak from freshwater sediments on the survival and reproduction of freshwater flea Daphnia magna were analyzed. Another objective was to assess the performance of standard toxicity testing protocols for CO2-induced acidification research in freshwaters. Four pH levels (7.5, 7.0, 6.5, and 6.0) and two sediments with different contamination level were tested. The results revealed that the D. magna are susceptible to a gradual but relatively rapid CO2 enrichment of the water column causing a change from circumneutral to acidic conditions. Standard 48-h immobilization test with D. magna tended to underestimate the toxicity at CO2-induced acidity condition. Dissolved aluminum may be implicated in the toxicity to the parental daphnids exposed. Metal outflux from sediments and behavior in elutriate have been discussed.

The influence of ph and waterborne metals on egg fertilization of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis), the oyster (Crassostrea gigas) and the sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus).

This study evaluated the combined effect of pH and metals on the egg fertilization process of two estuarine species, the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis), the oyster (Crassostrea gigas) and a marine species, the sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus). The success of egg fertilization was examined after exposure of gametes to sediment extracts of various degrees of contamination at pH 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5 and 8.0. At the pH levels from 6.5 to 8.0, the egg fertilization of the different species demonstrated different sensitivity to metal and/or acidic exposure. In all species, the results revealed that egg fertilization was almost completely inhibited at pH 6.0. The egg fertilization of the blue mussel M. edulis was the least sensitive to the exposure while that of the sea urchin P. lividus demonstrated a concentration-dependent response to the pH levels from 6.5 to 8.0. The results of this study revealed that acidity increased the concentration of several metal ions (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) but reduced its availability to the organisms, probably related to the reactivity of the ions with most non-metals or to the competition among metals and other waterborne constituents.

Biomarker responsiveness in different tissues of caged Ruditapes philippinarum and its use within an integrated sediment quality assessment.

Biomarkers comprising activities of biotransformation enzymes (ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase -EROD-, dibenzylfluorescein dealkylase -DBF-, glutathione S-transferase -GST), antioxidant enzymes (glutathione reductase -GR- and glutathione peroxidase -GPX), lipid peroxidation -LPO- and DNA strand breaks were analyzed in the clam Ruditapes philippinarum caged at Cádiz Bay, Santander Bay and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (LPGC) Port (Spain). Sediments were characterized. Digestive gland was the most sensitive tissue to sediment contamination. In Cádiz Bay, changes in LPO regarding day 0 were related with metals. In LPGC Port, DBF, EROD, and GST activity responses suggested the presence of undetermined contaminants which might have led to DNA damage. In Santander Bay, PAHs were related with EROD activity, organic and metal contamination was found to be associated with GR and GST activities and DNA damage presented significant (p < 0.05) induction. R. philippinarum was sensitive to sediment contamination at biochemical level. Biomarkers allowed chemical exposure and sediment quality assessment.

Técnica de Rutkow y Robbins (tapón y parche) para la reparación de hernias inguinales: Hospital Dr. Manuel Noriega Trigo IVSS San Francisco, Estado Zulia, Venezuela / Technique of Rutkow and Robbins (plug and patch) to the reparation of inguinals hernias

Objetivo: Caracterizar la reparación de las hernias inguinales según la técnica de Rutkow y Robbins (tapón y parche) con malla de polipropileno. Material y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo donde se evaluaron 102 pacientes de la Consulta de Cirugía General, del Hospital Dr. Manuel Noriega Trigo, San Francisco, Venezuela con diagnóstico de hernia inguinal primaria, en el lapso de enero 2002 a 30 de septiembre 2005. Se practicaron 124 hernioplastias porque 11 pacientes presentaban hernias bilaterales. Se valoró sexo, edad, tipo de hernia, tiempo quirúrgico, dolor postoperatorio, período de estancia hospitalaria, reincorporación al trabajo habitual y complicaciones.Resultados: Del total de pacientes, 91 (89.2%) eran del sexo masculino y 11 (10.8%) del femenino. El promedio de edad fue 42.7±18.29, con un rango que oscilaba entre 12 y 82 años, el grupo etario más frecuente fue de 21 a 30 años (23.5%). En el sexo masculino predominó la hernia inguinal indirecta con 47 casos de los cuales 25.5% eran derechas y 20.6% izquierdas, en el sexo femenino prevaleció la hernia directa con 4 casos (3.9%). El tiempo quirúrgico tuvo un promedio de 32.18±6.42 minutos. El dolor postoperatorio se informó como molestia (33.3%) o leve (39.2%) en la mayoría de los casos, moderado en 8.8% y en ningún caso se supo de dolor severo. La estancia hospitalaria fue 23.41±3.8 horas, con cifras entre 3 y 40 horas; el reintegro al trabajo promedió 21.56±6.5 días (entre 10 y 40). Las complicaciones post-operatorias se presentaron en 6.9% de los pacientes: infección de la herida, 1%; hematoma, 1%; seromas, 2%; 1% neuralgia inguinal, 1%; y retención urinaria, 2%. Conclusión: Técnica rápida de ejecutar, poca morbilidad postoperatoria, corta estancia, pronto reintegro laboral y escasas complicaciones, por lo que demostró ser segura para la reparación de las hernias inguinales.

Objective: To describe the repair process of inguinal hernias according to the Rutkow and Robbins technique (plug and patch) and polypropylene mesh. Methods: A descriptive study was performed on 102 patients attending to the Surgery Clinic at Hospital Dr. Manuel Noriega Trigo, San Francisco, Venezuela. Patients had a diagnosis of primary inguinal hernia during the period of January 2002 to September, 2005. 124 hernioplasties were practiced, 11 patients received surgery for bilateral hernias. Variables in this study included: sex, age, hernia type, surgical time, postoperation pain, period of hospital staying, time for returning to daily activities, and complications. Results: Ninety one males (89.2%) and eleven females (10.8%) were included in this study. Average age was of 42.7±18.29 years (Range, 12-82) and the more frequent age group lies between 21 to 30 years (23.5%). Inguinal indirect hernia was more common on males (n=47, 25.5% right side. 20.6% left side). The direct inguinal hernia was present on 4 females (3.9%). The duration of the surgical procedure was 32.18±6.42 minutes. Postoperative pain was reported as discomfort (33.3%), mild (39.2%), moderate (8.8%), and no patients reported severe pain. Duration of hospital stay was 23.41±3.8 hours (Range, 3 to 40 hours), time for returning to daily activities was 21.56±6.5 days (Range, 10 to 40). The postoperative complications presented on 6.9% of the patients: 1% wound infection, 1% hematoma, 2% seromas, 1% inguinal neuralgia and 2% urinary retention. Conclusion: This is a quick technique associated with little postoperative morbidity, short hospital stay, short time for returning to daily activities and rare complications. This technique proves to be safe for the repair of inguinal hernias.

Neoplasias primarias de intestino delgado como complicación de la enfermedad celíaca / Primary small bowel neoplasms as a complication of celiac disease

La enfermedad celíaca se produce por la ingesta de gluten en niños y adultos genéticamente susceptibles, y es la intolerancia alimentaria grave más común en los países occidentales. La eliminación del gluten presente en la dieta es obligatoria en estos pacientes, ya que la mayoría de las complicaciones que pueden presentarse son más frecuentes en caso de incumplir el tratamiento.La complicación más grave de estos pacientes es el desarrollo de neoplasias, la más frecuente es el linfoma de células T asociado a enteropatía; pero también se ha descrito un aumento en la incidencia de adenocarcinoma del intestino delgado.Se presentan 2 casos de carcinoma de intestino delgado en pacientes celíacos, que se diagnosticaron al comienzo de la enfermedad(AU)

Celiac disease is produced by gluten intake in genetically susceptible children and adults and is the most common severe food intolerance in western countries. Eliminating gluten from the diet is essential in these patients, since most of the complications that can occur are more frequent if there is lack of treatment adherence.The most serious complication in these patients is the development of neoplasms, the most frequent being enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma; however, an increase in the incidence of small bowel adenocarcinoma has also been described.We present two cases of small bowel carcinoma in patients with celiac disease, which were diagnosed at the onset of the disease(AU)

Edmundo Vallecalle Suégart y las ciencias fisiológicas: (Conferencia Edmundo Vallecalle Suegart) / Edmundo Vallecalle Suegart and the physiological sciences: (Conference Edmundo Vallevalle Suegart)

Como un homenaje a la memoria del Dr. Edmundo Vallecalle Suégart, el autor resume la experiencia de casi 20 años de trabajo científico y docente a su lado. Se comentan diferentes trabajos experimentales en ratas, donde se trata de demostrar la estrecha relación existente entre los sistemas nervioso y endocrino y diferentes mediadores. Igualmente se mencionan las dificultades que en esta época había para la realización de esta clase de trabajos y la creatividad y perseverancia del Dr. Vallecalle para solucionarlas

"Cirugía laparoscópica: alternativa Hospitalaria para tratar la colecistitis crónica calculosa frente a la cirugía convencional / Surgery laparoscopic: hospital alternative to treat colecistits chronic calculosa in from the conventional surgery

A objeto de comparar la aplicación de Colecistectomía Laparoscópica (CL) y la Colecistectomía convencional para tratar la Colecistitis crónica calculosa (CCC) en el medio hospitalario, se realizó un estudio prospectivo, longitudinal, al azar, comparativo y controlado. Se evaluaron 148 pacientes en el lapso de octubre 1998 a octubre 1999, 122 mujeres (82 por ciento) y 26 hombres (18 por ciento), divididos en Grupo A (n=72) sometidos a Colecistectomía abierta (CA) y Grupo B (n=76) llevados a CL. Se valoro: sexo, edad, dosis de analgésico requerida en postoperatorio, tiempo quirúrgico, inicio vía oral, periodo de estancia hospitalaria, incorporación a actividades habituales y complicaciones. El promedio de dosis analgésica para A fue de 3,11,9 dosis, mientras que para B fue 1,81,0 dosis, con una (p0,05). En el tiempo quirúrgico; A fue 69,721,8 minutos en tanto que B fue 7324,2 minutos (p0.05). El inicio de la vía oral revelo; A con un promedio de 19,98,3 horas y B con 13,77,4 horas (p0.05). El promedio de estancia hospitalaria fue de 2,41,8 días para A, mientras que B fue 1,20,6 días, (p0.05). Relativo a la incorporación del paciente a sus actividades habituales, para A fue 41,316,8 días y para B fue 25,416,1 días, (p0,05). Las complicaciones en el grupo A fueron 16,6 por ciento y en el grupo B 9,2 por ciento, no hubo lesión de vías biliares ni mortalidad en los grupos estudiados; la tasa de conversión fue de 7,3 por ciento. Colecistectomía por Laparoscopia puede ser considerada la técnica de elección para tratar CCC, en el medio hospitalario