Demonstration of Single-Barium-Ion Sensitivity for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay Using Single-Molecule Fluorescence Imaging.

A new method to tag the barium daughter in the double-beta decay of ^{136}Xe is reported. Using the technique of single molecule fluorescent imaging (SMFI), individual barium dication (Ba^{++}) resolution at a transparent scanning surface is demonstrated. A single-step photobleach confirms the single ion interpretation. Individual ions are localized with superresolution (∼2 nm), and detected with a statistical significance of 12.9σ over backgrounds. This lays the foundation for a new and potentially background-free neutrinoless double-beta decay technology, based on SMFI coupled to high pressure xenon gas time projection chambers.

Design and tests of a portable mini gamma camera.

Design optimization, manufacturing, and tests, both laboratory and clinical, of a portable gamma camera for medical applications are presented. This camera, based on a continuous scintillation crystal and a position-sensitive photomultiplier tube, has an intrinsic spatial resolution of approximately 2 mm, an energy resolution of 13% at 140 keV, and linearities of 0.28 mm (absolute) and 0.15 mm (differential), with a useful field of view of 4.6 cm diameter. Our camera can image small organs with high efficiency and so it can address the demand for devices of specific clinical applications like thyroid and sentinel node scintigraphy as well as scintimammography and radio-guided surgery. The main advantages of the gamma camera with respect to those previously reported in the literature are high portability, low cost, and weight (2 kg), with no significant loss of sensitivity and spatial resolution. All the electronic components are packed inside the minigamma camera, and no external electronic devices are required. The camera is only connected through the universal serial bus port to a portable personal computer (PC), where a specific software allows to control both the camera parameters and the measuring process, by displaying on the PC the acquired image on "real time." In this article, we present the camera and describe the procedures that have led us to choose its configuration. Laboratory and clinical tests are presented together with diagnostic capabilities of the gamma camera.

[Specific treatment of the acute cerebral infarct. Present and future]. / Tratamiento específico del infarto cerebral agudo. Presente y futuro.

INTRODUCTION: Specific pharmacological strategies in the treatment of the acute phase of a cerebral infarct are directed towards potentiating reperfusion (antithrombotic or thrombolytic drugs) and neuroprotection as early on as possible. DEVELOPMENT: The antithrombotic agents are anticoagulants, hypofibrinogemiant agents (Ancrod) and antiaggregants. The IST was done with anticoagulants, using heparin subcutaneously which causes increased bleeding without any obvious benefit. Others have used heparinoids (TOAST) or low molecular weight heparins (FISS or FISS bis) with no benefit either but with excessive bleeding with the former. Regarding Ancrod, a recent North American study (STAT) with administration of it within three hours showed significant benefit three months later. Another European study is still underway (ESTAT). With regard to antiaggregants, IST and CAST were done using Aspirin, showing a drop in early recurrences and increase in recoveries, so that aspirin has been recommended for use during the first 48 hours. There are studies using abciximab (Reopro), a blocker of the IIb-IIIa glycoprotein receptors, in which phase II data have shown that it is safe and tends to improve the outcome. A study on phase III is currently ongoing. The thrombolytic drugs have been evaluated in various trials. The PROACT study evaluated intraarterial pro-UK and showed significant recanalization of middle cerebral artery occlusions, but with a larger number of hemorrhages and no reduction in mortality and besides, in PROACT II the outcome of treated patients was better. The NINDS trial using intravenous rt-PA (0.9 mg/kg in < 3 hours) showed an improved functional state 3 months later. In the ECASS doses of 1.1 mg/kg of rt-PA in < 6 hours were used and improvement was seen after three months which was countered by an increase in cerebral hemorrhage and mortality. The ECASS II, with similar dosage to NINDS and an identical window to ECASS, showed a favorable tendency in the evolution of the treated group, with no increase in symptomatic intracranial hemorrhages. Neuroprotectors have shown to be effective in experimental models of ischaemia but at the moment there is no definite evidence of their benefit in the numerous trials carried out on humans, although some subgroups of patients seem to benefit from some of them. Studies therefore are still being done. In future their use in combination with thrombolysis may be considered.

[Interleukins and pregnancy: a disputed reality]. / Interleukinas y embarazo: una realidad cuestionada.

We are reviewing information concerning to the role of interleukins (ILs) in labor and pregnancy; these substances produce the ignition of the arachidonic acid/prostaglandins cascade to induce labor, this process could be also activated by bacterial lipopolysaccharides in this case we could have preterm labor. The activity and production of IL-2 normally is inhibited, if it does not happen an abortion could result. IL-3 and stimulatory growth factors (SGFs) are implicated in the growth and development of the pregnancy, the alteration in the production of this IL could produce intrauterine growth retardation, both of this ILs are acting in the maternal fetal interface. We consider very important that the gynecologists and obstetricians should have more information about ILs related to normal and complicated pregnancy.

[Testicular and paratesticular tumors during childhood and adolescence]. / Tumores testiculares y paratesticulares en la infancia y adolescencia.

INTRODUCTION: Testicular and paratesticular tumors represent 1-2% of the solid tumors in children. We present a retrospective series of 15 cases in patients less than 18 years of age. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 9.7 yrs, 6 of them prepubertal (mean age: 2.08 ± 1 yrs) and 9 pubertal (mean age: 15.1 ± 1.3 yrs). The most common clinical form of presentation was a painless testicular mass. The α-fetoprotein levels were high in 5 patients (yolk-sac tumors and embryonal carcinomas). The pathological study showed 11 primary testicular tumors and 4 paratesticular tumors (rhabdomyosarcomas), with 60% being germinal tumors and the rest non-germinal. Around 60% were malignant tumors (2 from the yolk-sac tumors, 2 embryonal carcinomas, one seminoma and 4 rhabdomyosarcomas). Among the benign tumors, the most common was the mature cystic teratoma. Surgery was the initial treatment in all of the cases (radical orchiectomy in 13 tumors and enucleation in 2 teratomas, with retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy in 4 cases). In 11 patients the tumor was in stage I, while 4 cases (2 embryonal carcinomas and 2 rhabdomyosarcomas) were in stage IV with pulmonary metastasis. Chemotherapy whether or not combined with radiotherapy was applied in 7 patients (4 rhabdomyosarcomas, 2 embryonal carcinomas and one seminoma). CONCLUSIONS: Testicular and paratesticular tumors in prepubertal children show epidemiological, histological, therapeutical and evolutional characteristics well differentiated from postpubertal or adult subjects.

PP078. Total antioxidant capacity in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension: Its relation to maternal and/or perinatal complications.

INTRODUCTION: Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is a major cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity, particularly in under-resourced countries, like Mexico. Studies on PIH have shown increased oxidative stress products such as malondialdehyde and decrease of total antioxidant capacity (TAC). In this research we measured one marker of oxidative stress (OS) the TAC in patients with PIH and we associated it with the development of maternal and/or fetal complications. OBJECTIVES: Determine whether the plasma level of total antioxidant capacity (as a marker of oxidative stress) influences the development of maternal and/or perinatal complications in patients with PIH. METHODS: A observational, analytical, clinical study was conducted in patients with gestational hypertension (GH), mild preeclampsia (MP), severe preeclampsia (SP) and normal pregnancy (NP) > or = 28weeks gestational age. Serum samples were collected and stored at -70°C until use for the determination of total antioxidant capacity. It was associated with the development of maternal and/or perinatal complications. RESULTS: TAC level in normotensive patients (NP) was mean of 2679 +/- 2014mEq/L while in hypertensive patients (GH, MP, SP) was on mean of 1502 +/-1340mEq/L (p<0.05), in the GH group was 1620 +/-1042mEq/L, in the MP group was 1977 +/-1865mEq/L, in the SP was 819 +/-305meq/L The mean TAC level in the 29 patients who had maternal and/or perinatal complications was 1521mEq/L, while in the 38 patients who showed no maternal and/or perinatal complications the mean was 2355mEq/L (p<0.05). Of the 29 patients who had complications 15 (52%) had greatly diminished TAC levels (less than 1000mEq/L), 9 (31%) had between 1000 and 2500mEq/L and only 5 (17%)>2500mEq/L. 72% (28/39) of PIH group had one or more maternal and/or perinatal complications, while only 1 patient (3.6%) of 28 patients with NP had one or more maternal and/or perinatal complications (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with decreased TAC level had a higher percentage of maternal and/or perinatal complications. Patients with PIH classified as mild preeclampsia, showing reduced TAC level should be in close observation as they have the risk of developing life-threatening complications since management is usually as outpatient.

[Kawasaki disease in 76 patients. Risk factors for coronary artery aneurysms]. / Enfermedad de Kawasaki en 76 pacientes. Factores de riesgo de aparición de aneurismas coronarios.

INTRODUCTION: Kawasaki disease is an acute systemic vasculitis of childhood, of unknown origin, and is considered the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children. Therefore, it is important to know clinical manifestations and complications in children with Kawasaki disease in our environment and to look for risk factors for the development of cardiac complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective review of 76 children with Kawasaki disease evaluated from January 1997 to May 2008. RESULTS: Of the patients studied, 64.5% were males. The mean age was 3 years and 4 months. The main clinical findings were fever (mean of 8.13 days), rash, bilateral non-exudative conjunctivitis, changes in lips and oral cavity, changes in the extremities, cervical lymphadenopathy and arthralgias. The most important laboratory findings were leucocytosis, thrombocytosis, elevated C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, hypoalbuminaemia, hyperbilirubinaemia, elevated serum transaminases and sterile pyuria. Twelve of the patients (15.7%) developed coronary artery aneurysms, two patients had a mild mitral insufficiency and one patient with a mild pericardial effusion. There was one case of cholestatic hepatitis. All the complications were resolved without sequelae. Male sex (OR = 1.24), an urticarial exanthem (OR = 10.53) and a C-reactive protein > 10mg/dl (OR = 4.20) were identified as risk factors for coronary aneurysms. CONCLUSIONS: Our patients had the typical clinical and laboratory findings of Kawasaki disease. Mild coronary artery complications were observed in 15.7% of the patients. Male sex, an urticarial exanthem and an elevated C-reactive protein are risk factors for coronary aneurysms.

Evaluation of a haematological analyser for its use in canine clinical pathology.

A semiautomatic electronic system for counting blood cells in veterinary haematology (Sysmex F-800) was evaluated. A total of 100 samples of canine blood were analysed. The results for leucocyte (WBC), erythrocyte (RBC), and platelet (PLT) counts, the haemoglobin concentration (Hb), and haematocrit value (Hct) obtained using the autoanalyser were compared with those obtained using a manual method as a reference. The results show very high levels of correlation for WBC (r = 0.96), Hb (r = 0.97) and Hct (r = 0.95) and high levels for RBC (r = 0.85) and PLT (r = 0.72). The precision is satisfactory in all the parameters studied with the exception of the platelet count (CV = 10.2%) where it is unsatisfactory. Taking into consideration the margin of error associated with manual cell counting methods, we conclude that this haematological analyser is sufficiently accurate for work with blood samples from dogs.