Access to assisted human reproduction techniques in Colombia: Disparity between the recognition of reproductive rights and their effective implementation.

Public funding of assisted reproduction technologies (ARTs) is a controversial issue. Some health systems have proposed public funding of ARTs. In recent years, there has been evidence of a change in the line of jurisprudence and legislation in Colombia about this topic. This article analyzes the tension between the recognition of individual sexual and reproductive rights and the common good, in terms of the sustainability of the health system and the reasonable use of limited resources to meet the health needs of the population. This article concludes that, despite regulatory progress, there has been a lack of corresponding progress in their effective implementation and the recognition of reproductive rights.

Factores genéticos y fisuras orofaciales no sindrómicas / Genetic Factors and Nonsyndromic Orofacial Clefts

Las fisuras orofaciales son un grupo de anomalías cuya etiología es resultante de la interacción entre factores genéticos y ambientales. Entre todos los genes candidatos para la ocurrencia de fisuras orofaciales no sindrómicas, el más citado y conocido es el IRF6; otros genes importantes son el FOXE1, PVRL1 y el MSX1. A partir de nuevos datos consolidados referentes a esta etiología, se puede establecer un sistema más efectivo de orientación genética para prevenir la ocurrencia de estos tipos de anomalías.

Orofacial clefts are a group of anomalies whose etiology derives from the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Among all candidate genes for the occurrence of nonsyndromic orofacial clefts, IRF6 is the most quoted and known. Other important genes are FOXE1, PVRL1 and MSX1. Thus, from new consolidated data for this etiology a more effective system of genetic counseling can be established to prevent the occurrence of these types of anomalies.

Viabilidade na prescrição de antibióticos para crianças com fissura labiopalatina durante o tratamento odontológico / Viability of antibiotic prescription for children with cleft lip and palate during dental treatment

As fissuras labiopalatinas correspondem às malformações craniofaciais mais prevalentes na espécie humana. É indispensável durante o processo reabilitador destas anomalias, a existência de condições adequadas de saúde bucal para a realização das cirurgias primárias e secundárias. Considerando que na infância os órgãos e tecidos estão em desenvolvimento, apresentando peculiaridades fisiológicas e farmacocinéticas, a prescrição medicamentosa pediátrica deve ser uma prática cautelosa; além do mais, o uso de antibióticos pode acarretar alterações na microbiota normal do trato gastrintestinal. Por sua vez, o Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais da Universidade de São Paulo (HRAC/USP) utiliza cefazolina endovenosa para tratamento profilático nos procedimentos cirúrgicos reparadores em crianças com fissuras. O uso de antimicrobianos sistêmicos pode causar sérias reações adversas incluindo distúrbios gastrintestinais, erupções cutâneas e em casos mais graves, choque anafilático. Desse modo, as infecções dentais neste grupo, quando possível, devem ser tratadas sem o uso de antibióticos, limitando sua administração apenas aos casos mais graves associados a comprometimentos sistêmicos.

Clefts of the lip and palate represent the most prevalent craniofacial malformations in humans. During the process of rehabilitation of these anomalies, the existence of adequate oral health conditions to perform primary and secondary surgeries is essential. Considering that organs and tissues are still developing in childhood and are presenting physiological and pharmacokinetic peculiarities, the pediatric drug prescription must be a cautious practice; furthermore, the use of antibiotics can lead to changes in the normal flora of the gastrointestinal tract. In turn, the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies of the University of São Paulo (HRAC/USP) uses intravenous cefazolin for prophylactic treatment in reparative surgical procedures on children with clefts. The use of systemic antimicrobial may cause serious adverse reactions including gastrointestinal disturbances, rashes, and in severe cases, anaphylactic shock. Thus, the dental infections in this group, whenever possible, should be treated without the use of antibiotics, limiting their administration only for the most severe cases associated with systemic involvement.

Enamel defects in permanent first molars and incisors in individuals with cleft lip and/or palate / Defectos de esmalte en primeros molares e incisivos en individuos con fisura labial y/o palatina

Background. Enamel defects are common in deciduous and permanent maxillary incisors of individuals with lip and palate cleft, and their occurrence has been associated with the cleft, especially when the alveolus is affected. Objective. To compare the prevalence of enamel defects in permanent maxillary and mandibular central incisors and first molars of individuals with cleft lip and palate, cleft palate, and without clefts. Materials and methods. The study analyzed the case of 150 individuals -50 with cleft lip and palate, 50 with cleft palate and 50 without clefts-, of both genders and aged 6 to 12 years. The frequency, extent, and location of enamel alterations on the buccal aspect of teeth were evaluated by the modified DDE index. Results. There was a greater manifestation of enamel defects in maxillary incisors and molars in groups with clefts, with statistically significant difference compared with the noncleft group. Conclusions. The occurrence of enamel defects was common in permanent incisors and molars and was significantly associated with clefts.

Antecedentes. Los defectos de esmalte son comunes en los incisivos superiores deciduos y permanentes de individuos con fisura de labio y paladar; su ocurrencia ha sido asociada con la fisura, especialmente cuando el alveolo es afectado. Objetivo. Comparar la prevalencia de defectos de esmalte en incisivos centrales y primeros molares superiores e inferiores permanentes de individuos con fisura labiopalatina, fisura palatina y sin fisura. Materiales y métodos. El estudio analizó el caso de 150 individuos -50 con fisura labiopalatina, 50 con fisura palatina y 50 sin fisura- de ambos géneros entre 6 y 12 años. La frecuencia, extensión y localización de las alteraciones de esmalte en la superficie vestibular de los dientes fue evaluado por el índice DDE modificado. Resultados. Hubo mayor manifestación de defectos de esmalte en incisivos y molares superiores en los grupos con fisuras, con diferencia estadística significativa comparada con el grupo sin fisura. Conclusiones. La ocurrencia de defectos de esmalte fue común en incisivos y molares permanentes y estuvo significativamente asociada a las fisuras.

Diferencia veno-arterial de dióxido de carbono como predictor de mortalidad en pacientes en estado de shock, en Terapia Intensiva del Hospital Viedma, junio 2013-enero 2014 / Venoarterial carbon dioxide difference as a predictor of mortality in patients' state of shock at Intensive Therapy unit from Viedma's Hospital, june 2013-january 2014

El estado de shock es el resultado final de la presencia de hipoperfusión e hipoxia tisular, la evaluación del nivel ∆pCO2 puede identificar situaciones de hipoperfusión tisular o deuda de oxígeno no detectables por otros parámetros como la ScvO2 como predictores de mortalidad en las primeras 24hrs. El objetivo del estudio es evaluar la utilidad de la medición de la diferencia veno-arterial de dióxido de carbono como predictor de mortalidad en pacientes en shock admitidos en la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva del Hospital Viedma, Cochabamba-Bolivia. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo y prospectivo, con una muestra ideal de 74 pacientes con nivel de confianza de 95%. Los datos fueron recolectados mediante una planilla pre-estructurada con las siguientes variables: Sexo, edad, diagnóstico de ingreso, delta CO2 arterio-venoso, lactato, ScvO2, Frecuencia Cardiaca, Presión arterial media al ingreso y a las 24 hrs. Los análisis estadísticos se realizaron en el programa IBM SPSS 20® para Windows. Entre los resultados tenemos que el valor promedio de ∆pCO2 al ingreso de los pacientes fallecidos fue de 8,3 mmHg en comparación a un valor de 5 mmHg en los pacientes sobrevivientes, manteniéndose la diferencia a las 24 hrs. El nivel ∆pCO2>6 mmHg en las primeras 24hrs en el grupo mortalidad fue de 14 (45%) pacientes comparado con ∆pCO2>6 mmHg en solo 19% pacientes del grupo sobrevida. Concluimos que el ∆pCO2 tiene buena sensibilidad como predictor de mortalidad precoz, al encontrarse que el 83,9 % de los pacientes que fallecen tienen un ∆pCO2 inicial>6mmHg.

The shock is the end result of the presence of hypoperfusion and tissue hypoxia, ∆pCO2 level assessment can identify situations of tissue hypoperfusion or oxygen debt undetectable by other parameters such as ScvO2 as predictors of mortality in the first 24 hours. The objective of the study is to assess the usefulness of veno-arterial carbon dioxide difference measurement as predictor of mortality in shock patients at Intensive Therapy Unit of Viedma's Hospital, Cochabamba-Bolivia. It is a prospective and descriptive study with a perfect simple of 74 patients with 95% confidence level. Data were collected by a pre-structure form with the following variables: Sex, age, diagnosis of income, arteria-venous delta CO2, lactate, ScvO2, heart rate, mean arterial pressure at admission and at 24 hrs. Statistical analyses were performed in the IBM SPSS program 20® for Windows. We find that the average value of ∆pCO2 to the income of the deceased patients was 8.3 mmHg compared to a value of 5 mmHg in surviving patients, keeping the difference 24 hours a day. ∆pCO2 level >6 mmHg at the first 24hrs in the mortality group was 14 (45%) patients compared with ∆pCO2> 6 mmHg at only 19% survival group. We conclude that the ∆pCO2 has good sensitivity as a predictor of early mortality, found that 83.9% of patients whodie have an initial ∆pCO2 >6mmHg.

Intranasal tooth and associated rhinolith in a patient with cleft lip and palate.

We report the case of a 9-year-old girl who presented with a complaint of a malodorous bloody discharge from the left naris. The patient had previously undergone a complete repair of left-sided cleft lip and palate. Clinical examination revealed hyperplasia of the nasal mucosa on the left side. X-ray examination of the nasal cavity demonstrated a radiopaque structure that resembled a tooth and a radiopaque mass similar to an odontoma that was adherent to the root of the suspected tooth. With the patient under general anesthesia, the structure was removed. On gross inspection, the structure was identified as a tooth with a rhinolith attached to the surface of its root. Microscopic examination revealed normal dentin and pulp tissue. A nonspecific inflammatory infiltrate was observed around the rhinolith, and areas of regular and irregular mineralization were seen. Some mineralized areas exhibited melanin-like brownish pigmentation. Areas of mucus with deposits of mineral salts were also observed. Rare cases of an intranasal tooth associated with a rhinolith have been described in the literature. We believe that this case represents only the second published report of an intranasal tooth associated with a rhinolith in a patient with cleft lip and palate.

Interferon-gamma inhibits cellular proliferation and ACTH production in corticotroph tumor cells through a novel janus kinases-signal transducer and activator of transcription 1/nuclear factor-kappa B inhibitory signaling pathway.

Interferon-gamma (IFNG) is a cytokine that exerts potent antiproliferative and tumoricidal effects in a variety of cancers. Moreover, IFNG modulates normal pituitary hormone secretion, and was shown to inhibit the expression of the ACTH precursor POMC in murine ACTH-secreting AtT-2010/21/2008 tumor cells. We have studied the functional role of IFNG on pituitary tumor cells, focusing on the involvement of IFNG in the molecular events leading to the control of POMC transcriptional repression. Herein, it is shown that IFNG inhibits AtT-20 tumor cell proliferation without inducing apoptosis. Unexpectedly, an activated janus kinases-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT1) cascade is required for IFNG inhibitory action on POMC promoter activity. Factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) is necessary for the inhibitory action of IFNG on Pomc transcription, since loss of NF-kappaB activity with IkappaB super-repressor abolishes this effect. In addition, 1 and 2 IFNG receptor immunoreactivity was detected in human corticotropinoma cells. Interestingly, IFNG inhibits ACTH production from these cells in primary cell culture, without affecting basal ACTH biosynthesis in normal non-tumoral pituitary cells. In conclusion, our data show for the first time that POMC transcription can be negatively regulated by a JAK-STAT1 and NF-kappaB-dependent pathway.

Evaluación del empleo y la permanencia del conocimiento de plantas medicinales por los pobladores del área rural altiplánica del departamento de La Paz / Evaluation of the employment and the permanence of knowledge of medicinal plants by the inhabitants of the rural highland area of the department of La Paz

Trabajo realizado a través de encuestas a los pobladores del área rural del Altiplano de La Paz con objetivo de evaluar el grado de reconocimiento, empleo y correlación bibliográfica referida a las plantas medicinales. Nuestros resultados obtenidos indican que existe un elevado reconocimiento, empleo y correlación del uso de plantas medicinales por parte de los pobladores respecto a su ultimo empleo. Se determinó que las especies más empleadas fueron Eucalyptus globulus (Eucalipto); Achyrochine aequalifolia (Wira wira); Matricaria Chamomilla (Manzanilla); Xanthium spinosum (Amor seco); Minthostachys mollys (Khoa). (AU)

HLA class II and class I polymorphism in Venezuelan patients with myasthenia gravis.

Oligotyping performed among ethnically mixed Venezuelan patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) and controls has revealed positive associations of HLA class I A*31, B*08, B*39, B*40, C*15, C*17, and class II DRB1*09 and negative associations of DQB1*06 and DQA1*02 with the disease. Sequential removal of human leukocyte antigen B (HLA-B) alleles when relative predispositional effects (RPEs) were looked for demonstrated that B*08 is the allele group with the largest contribution in the overall MG patients followed by B*39 and B*40. Several specificities (A*31, B*08, C*17, DRB1*03, DQA1*05, and DQB1*02) indicated increased frequencies among patients with thymic hyperplasia versus patients without hyperplasia or controls. Tests to identify alleles with the strongest association to MG in our patients detected DRB1*13 and B*38 as possible predisposing secondarily associated alleles in patients with hyperplasia. The associations observed disappear after Bonferoni correction of probability values and have been described in patients of Caucasian and/or Oriental ethnic background. Thus, our results reflect the heterogeneity of our population and of the patients tested and suggest a limited influence of several HLA genes in this heterogeneous disease or that these might be only markers of nearby non-HLA genes responsible for the susceptibility or resistance effect.