Evaluation of haematological, serum biochemical and histopathological parameters of growing rabbits fed Amaranthus dubius.

Amaranthus dubius is an alternative source of fibre and protein for the feed formulation for growing rabbits, although its effects on their health status are yet unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of three dietary levels (0, 160 and 320 g/kg) of A. dubius on haematological, serum biochemical and histopathological parameters of fattening rabbits. One hundred and thirteen New Zealand White rabbits were fed ad libitum from weaning (35 days) to slaughter (87 days). The health status of the animals was monitored, and mortality was recorded. Before slaughtering, 30 rabbits were randomly selected for haematological and serum biochemical analysis. During slaughter, 18 rabbits were randomly selected for histopathological study in heart, liver, lung and small intestine. The health status of rabbits was good, with no differences among treatments in mortality. Diet and sex did not affect the values of most haematological and serum biochemical parameters. Fibrinogen, glucose and high-density lipoprotein values increased significantly from 0 to 320 g/kg A. dubius diets. The white blood cell count and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase values decreased significantly from 0 to 320 g/kg A. dubius diets. The organs showed histologically well-structured tissues. However, in all experimental groups several samples with lesions were observed, always highly focalized in small tissue areas. The main lesions observed, probably related to conditions of thermal stress affecting the rabbits, were cholesterolosis (heart), steatosis (liver), inflammatory lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate (lung) and chronic inflammatory tissue damage (small intestine). In conclusion, the inclusion of up to 320 g/kg A. dubius in diet did not jeopardize the health status of growing rabbits. Therefore, A. dubius can become an alternative raw material for the formulation of feeds in tropical and subtropical countries where this plant is widespread.

Technical Aspects of Using a Second Magnetic Grasper to Improve the Surgical Field in Single Port Revisional Bariatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The future of minimally invasive surgery in revisional surgery is experiencing changes with new equipment such as the magnetic assistance that can be used with single port devices in order to perform an incisionless surgery (Luengas R, Galindo J, Castro M, et al. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2021;17(1):147-152). Magnetic assistance through an auxiliary grasper with two internal magnets serves beyond liver retraction in different steps of the surgery improving the surgical field by obtaining a better visualization and triangulation. PURPOSE: Expose the feasibility of using two internal magnetic graspers by single port performing a conversion surgery of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). METHODS: A 36-year-old female patient underwent a SG in 2015 and consults in 2021 because of severe GERD with a 33-point GERD-HRQL score. She has preoperative evaluation for a conversion surgery from SG to RYGB. Using a single port device through the umbilicus, an additional 5 mm trocar was placed in the left side of the abdomen. Two internal magnets were introduced through the umbilicus, and they were controlled by two external magnets placed over the abdomen with an articulated arm. The first magnet was used for liver retraction and the second one to perform both anastomoses, close the intermesenteric and Petersen defect, acting as an auxiliary grasper. The ethical committee approval was obtained through an informed consent from the participant included in the study.

Oversewing staple line of the gastric remnant in gastric bypass reduces postoperative bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a surgery with low rate complications. However, it is not exempt from them, and 1-6% suffer complications such as postoperative bleeding. Many intraoperative techniques have been evaluated to reduce postoperative bleeding, like the oversewing or reinforcement of the staple line. This study aims to evaluate the rate of postoperative bleeding in the oversewing of the staple line of the gastric remnant group versus the stapling only group. METHODS: This is a 2-center, case-control study. We randomly selected two groups who underwent RYGB or OAGB: group A (n = 225) with oversewing from 2019 to 2020 and group B (n = 225) with stapling only between the period of 2017-2018; both groups with similar demographic characteristics. RESULTS: The overall mean age was 37.39 ± 9.6 years and mean BMI was 41.59 ± 8.6 kg/m2; the postoperative bleeding rate was significantly lower (p < 0,05) in patients with oversewing of the staple line of the gastric remnant. Operative time was shorter for the stapling only group and the difference between the mean operative time was 10.6 min. CONCLUSIONS: Oversewing the staple line of the gastric remnant significantly reduces the incidence of postoperative bleeding regardless of BMI. Being a cost-effective technique compared to others available despite the increase in operating time.

The systemic pathology of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus infection in humans.

The histopathology of fatal Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) in humans has not been well documented. To evaluate the spectrum of disease in man, the histologic slides of the 21 autopsied patients who died with documented VEE infection during the 1962-63 VEE epidemic in Zulia, Venezuela were reviewed. The main histopathologic lesion observed in multiple organs and tissues, especially the brain, gastrointestinal tract, and lungs, was moderate to marked diffuse congestion and edema with hemorrhage. In the central nervous system (CNS), mild or focal mixed inflammatory cell infiltrates were present in the leptomeninges and perivascular spaces (65%). Meningoencephalitis associated with intense necrotizing vasculitis was observed in 2 patients (10%), and cerebritis was observed in 5 cases (25%). There was a striking depletion of lymphocytes with vascular thrombosis and necrosis of follicles in lymph nodes (77%), spleen (69%), and the gastrointestinal tract (90%). Widespread hepatocellular degeneration and individual cell necrosis was observed in 61% of the cases. Most patients (90%) had interstitial pneumonia, frequently complicated by acute bronchopneumonia (33%). Overall, the lesions observed in the CNS and reticuloendothelial tissues are comparable to what is observed in experimental animals; however, extensive hepatocellular degeneration and interstitial pneumonia are not prominent pathologic features of VEE in animals. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that lymphoid and reticuloendothelial tissues are the targets in VEE virus infection in humans, and that many of the histopathologic changes are attributable to primary lymphoid and endothelial cell injury.

[Candida in biological human samples]. / Candida en muestras biológicas corporales.

Infections by Candida have been raising in the last decades, and risk factors, mainly immunosuppression and the appearance of Candida no albicans, are determinants in the prognosis of these mycoses. The purpose of this investigation was to identify and establish the prevalence of C. albicans and Candida spp. in candidiases, in patients to the Hospital Universitario de Maracaibo, whose biological samples were processed for both direct examination and cultures, needed for the proper identification. From October 1996 to October 1998, isolation and identification of yeasts of Candida were performed in 177 biological samples: 73 (41.24%) Candida albicans and 104 (58.75%) Candida spp. Both blastoconidias and pseudohyphae were found in 34 samples (19.21%), 24 of which (70.5%) were diagnosed as C. albicans and 10 (29.5%), as Candida spp. Blastoconidias identified by direct method were distributed as C. albicans 34.2% and Candida spp. 65.7%. C. albicans was found more often in intertrigo, sputum and in bronquial lavage samples. Candida spp. was more frequent in nails. Candidiasis is a frequently diagnosed mycosis in hospitals, mainly among immunossuppresed patients. It is very important to use direct microscopical evaluation and cultures, in order to establish the presence of blastoconidias and pseudohyphae, that will help to diagnose the aethiology and prevalence of candidiasis. It is also important to recognize subungueal candidiasis in hospital staff, that could spread the infection to inpatients.

Lack of correlation between the central anti-nociceptive and peripheral anti-inflammatory effects of selective COX-2 inhibitor parecoxib.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are thought to exert their pharmacological actions by a common mechanism: inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX)-mediated prostanoid synthesis. Yet, differences and dissociation between their analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects have not been related to this enzymatic mechanism but mainly to pharmacokinetic factors. Thus, we have compared the effects of an equieffective anti-inflammatory dose (6 mg/kg i.p.) of two NSAIDs with comparable spinal pharmacokinetics, ketoprofen (moderately preferential for COX-1) and parecoxib (selective COX-2), on the activation of spinal nociceptive neurons (measured as c-Fos expression) induced by carrageenan-induced acute inflammation in the rat paw. Both NSAIDs showed a similar anti-inflammatory effect when administered after carrageenan injection (post-treatment). Post-treatment with ketoprofen produced inhibition of c-Fos but parecoxib did not have any significant effect. In addition, parecoxib anti-inflammatory effect was greater than that of ketoprofen, when administered before carrageenan injection (pre-treatment). Paradoxically, pre-treatment with ketoprofen produced a greater inhibition of c-Fos expression than with parecoxib, in all lamina of ipsilateral dorsal horn of the lumbar spinal cord. This suggests that NSAIDs therapeutic profile is related to their selectivity for COX isoforms and COX-2 is involved in the initiation but not in the maintenance of nociceptive spinal activation, which depends on COX-1.

[Colonofibroscopy, diagnostic style and therapeutic application]. / Colonofibroscopia modalidad diagnóstica y aplicación terapéutica.

Endoscopic examination of the entire colon is now possible without complication with the fiberoptic colonoscope. Early cancers and polyps not detected by X-ray have been disclosed. Biopsy is posible under direct vision at any level of insertion. Patients with suspicious lesions by barium enema are spared surgery by definitive endoscopic diagnosis. Polyps, pedunculated or sessile, beyond the reach of the conventional rigid sigmoidoscope can be removed without complication. The instruments used in this study were the colonofiberoscopes model ACMI F0 9000 P [105 cm] and ACMI two channel 7 Fr, and 12 Fr [160 cm] in length, respectively.

[Abdominal laparoscopy, experience in 1,400 cases studied]. / Laparoscopia abdominal, experiencia de 1.400 casos estudiados.

Laparoscopy is a simple and sure method of diagnosis for the gastroenterologist. Laparascopy does not oppose exploratory laparatomy and can often substitute it advantageously. In fact it causes less morbility and mortality, less discomfort to the patient, requires only local anesthesia, permits leaving the hospital within 4 hours, and when done by an experienced and able person provides data of great usefulness in diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. A laparoscopy can confirm or refute various doubtful clinical diagnoses. It is hoped that the thecnic demonstrated and seen through the laparoscopy will lead to a greater use of this valuable diagnostic examination.

[Precocious maternity at the Valera Central Hospital]. / Maternidad precoz en el Hospital Central de Valera.

PIP: The study covers deliveries by young women up to age 15 that occurred at the Valera Central Hospital until 1959, inclusive. The authors emphasize the obsteric and socioeconomic aspects of motherhood at such an early age. Premature births are very frequent in this group of patients, while cases of toxemia and eclampsia are rare. Children are generally born in good health and only 2% are stillborn. There were no cases of maternal death, and complications in pregnancy and delivery were few and relatively insignificant. Perinatal mortality was omitted from the study because of a lack of subsequent controls.^ieng

Glomerular hyalinosis and its relation to hyperfiltration.

Reduction in renal mass in rats results in hyperfiltration of the remnant nephrons, accompanied by injury to the glomeruli and their eventual sclerosis. This study was undertaken in a rat model with 5/6 reduction of renal mass to follow the evolution of glomerular damage, over an 11-week period, with particular emphasis on the widely prevalent, although seldom discussed, lesion of hyalinosis. Light, electron, and immunofluorescence microscopic studies were performed and blood pressure, excretion of urinary albumin, and serum creatinine levels determined. Systolic blood pressure, urinary albumin excretion, and serum creatinine levels were all increased by the third week following operation. Blood pressure and serum creatinine continued to increase throughout the period of study. Glomerular damage was focal and segmental, and glomeruli were equally affected in both the juxtamedullary and outer zones of the cortex. Endothelial injury was noted to be the first indicator of glomerular damage, followed closely by alterations in the epithelial cells. The early hyalinosis lesion was characterized by an accumulation of homogeneous electron-dense material beneath damaged endothelial cells with later encroachment on the capillary lumen resulting in the easily recognizable eosinophilic, periodic acid-Schiff-positive lesion by light microscopy. These alterations were accompanied by complex changes within the mesangium, including both mesangiosclerosis and mesangiolysis. Glomerular hyalinosis, glomerular sclerosis, vascular damage, blood pressure, and albuminuria were ranked in order of severity and the rankings subjected to multiple regression analysis. Significant correlations were present between glomerular sclerosis and hyalinosis, arterial damage and blood pressure, and hyalinosis and urinary albumin excretion. The hyalinosis lesion accompanying the progressive glomerular sclerosis in this model resembles that seen in a number of human conditions. In addition, the correlations of hyalinosis with glomerular sclerosis and albuminuria reflect its association with glomerular injury; it is likely that it will prove to be a reliable marker of hyperfiltration injury.

[Intestinal amebiasis]. / Amibiasis intestinal

Infection produced by Entamoeba histolytica constitutes a clinical problem of great importance due to its frequence and serious complications. Age, diagnosis and clinical manifestations, phisic exploration, lab. procedures, proctosigmoidoscopy, radiology, complications, pathologic anatomy, statistical reports from the Ministry of Health and Social Asistence in addition we emphasize on the importance of an accurate and precocious diagnosis. We expose an effective terapeutic regimen for the different amibiasis states.

Serotipificación de candida albicans en aislados de muestras clínicas / Seratypification of candidad albicans in clinical sample isolates

Se realizó el estudio en levaduras provenientes de muestras biológicas remitidas a la Sección de Micología del Departamento de Laboratorio Clínico del Hospital Universitario de Maracaibo y se procedió a la serotificación de las especies de Candida albicans aisladas en forma aleatoria. Las 152 muestras estudiadas fueron positivas al directo y cultivo en su toalidad y correspondieron a C.albicans 61 (40,13 por ciento) y a Candida no albicans 91 (59,87 por ciento). De las muestras estudiadas, en 22 (14,47 por ciento) se observó la presencia de blastoconidias y pseudomicelio, correspondiendo 15 (68,18 por ciento) a C.albicans y 7 (31,82 por ciento) a Candida no albicans. En los casos en que se observaron solamente blastoconidias al examen directo, se identificó C.albicans en 46 (35,38 por ciento) y Candida no albicans en 84 (64,62 por ciento). C.albicans fue más frecuente en las muestras de lavado bronquial. El serotipo de 24 cepas de C.albicans, escogidas en forma aleatoria, se encontró: 23 (95,83 por ciento) cepas del serotipo A y 1 cepa del serotipo B (4,17 por ciento) en una muestra de lavado bronquial. Se observó predominio del serotipo A, tal como se reporta en diferentes trabajos de serotipificación en muestras biológicas