The physiological role of arcuate kisspeptin neurons in the control of reproductive function in female rats.

Kisspeptin plays a pivotal role in pubertal onset and reproductive function. In rodents, kisspeptin perikarya are located in 2 major populations: the anteroventral periventricular nucleus and the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC). These nuclei are believed to play functionally distinct roles in the control of reproduction. The anteroventral periventricular nucleus population is thought to be critical in the generation of the LH surge. However, the physiological role played by the ARC kisspeptin neurons remains to be fully elucidated. We used bilateral stereotactic injection of recombinant adeno-associated virus encoding kisspeptin antisense into the ARC of adult female rats to investigate the physiological role of kisspeptin neurons in this nucleus. Female rats with kisspeptin knockdown in the ARC displayed a significantly reduced number of both regular and complete oestrous cycles and significantly longer cycles over the 100-day period of the study. Further, kisspeptin knockdown in the ARC resulted in a decrease in LH pulse frequency. These data suggest that maintenance of ARC-kisspeptin levels is essential for normal pulsatile LH release and oestrous cyclicity.

[MARS (Molecular Absorbent Recirculating System) as hepatic extracorporeal care in serious acute liver failure of alcoholic etiology]. / MARS (molecular adsorbent recirculating system) como asistencia extracorporea hepatica en el fracaso hepatica en el fracaso hepatico agudo grave de etiologia enolica.

Acute liver failure with criteria of seriousness and alcoholic etiology is a picture of worldwide distribution, with an elevated mortality, of approximately 50%, that requires admission to the ICU. Acute serious alcoholic hepatitis is defined by a Maddrey score value > 32 and/or spontaneous encephalopathy. Together with the classical treatment with corticosteroids and nutritional supplements, alcoholic abstinence and others such as anti-TNF therapy, we introduce MARS (Molecular Adsorbent recirculating System) as a extracorporeal liver assistance system with detoxification function, that is presented as a support measure that makes it possible to maintain the patient in good conditions until an organ becomes available or until the functional recovery of the native liver. In our case, MARS has shown some spectacular results and above all, results maintained over time, associated to the rest of the therapeutic measures characteristic of this disease.

[Triple ureter in crossed renal ectopy: an embryologic rarity]. / Triplicidad ureteral en la ectopia renal cruzada: una rareza embriológica.

Presentation of one case of CRE (crossed renale ectopia) with triplicity (trifidity) of the ortho and ectopic collector systems, due to the existence in both cases of pyelourethral bifidity and a third cranial blind ureter. This case represents a casual finding during a routine study of a female patient with orthostatic and exertion urinary incontinence (EUI). The case idiosyncrasies, which initially elicited the possibility of urethral ectopia, are analyzed. Incidence and variants of this unusual congenital anomaly are commented upon.

[Uterovaginal duplication with right hematocolpos caused by imperforate septum and ipsilateral renal agenesia: report of a case diagnosed using non-invasive methods]. / Duplicidad ureterovaginal con hematocolpos derecho por septo imperforado y agenesia renal ipsilateral: aportación de un caso diagnosticado por métodos no invasivos.

Case report of a pubertal female patient with clinical signs of hypogastric pain initiated with the menarche, dysmenorrhoea and a palpable pelvic mass. The suspected clinical signs, ultrasound scans, urographies and CAT, confirmed the existence of an uterovaginal duplicity with right hematocolpos due to imperforate septum and pool of menstrual blood, as well as ipsilateral renal agenesis. The vagina examination and resection of the septum under sedation solved the case.