From a recombinant key antigen to an accurate, affordable serological test: Lessons learnt from COVID-19 for future pandemics.

Serological tests detect antibodies generated by infection or vaccination, and are indispensable tools along different phases of a pandemic, from early monitoring of pathogen spread up to seroepidemiological studies supporting immunization policies. This work discusses the development of an accurate and affordable COVID-19 antibody test, from production of a recombinant protein antigen up to test validation and economic analysis. We first developed a cost-effective, scalable technology to produce SARS-COV-2 spike protein and then used this antigen to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis allowed optimizing the cut-off and confirmed the high accuracy of the test: 98.6% specificity and 95% sensitivity for 11+ days after symptoms onset. We further showed that dried blood spots collected by finger pricking on simple test strips could replace conventional plasma/serum samples. A cost estimate was performed and revealed a final retail price in the range of one US dollar, reflecting the low cost of the ELISA test platform and the elimination of the need for venous blood sampling and refrigerated sample handling in clinical laboratories. The presented workflow can be completed in 4 months from first antigen expression to final test validation. It can be applied to other pathogens and in future pandemics, facilitating reliable and affordable seroepidemiological surveillance also in remote areas and in low-income countries.

The immunodominant antibody response to Zika virus NS1 protein is characterized by cross-reactivity to self.

Besides antigen-specific responses to viral antigens, humoral immune response in virus infection can generate polyreactive and autoreactive antibodies. Dengue and Zika virus infections have been linked to antibody-mediated autoimmune disorders, including Guillain-Barré syndrome. A unique feature of flaviviruses is the secretion of nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) by infected cells. NS1 is highly immunogenic, and antibodies targeting NS1 can have both protective and pathogenic roles. In the present study, we investigated the humoral immune response to Zika virus NS1 and found NS1 to be an immunodominant viral antigen associated with the presence of autoreactive antibodies. Through single B cell cultures, we coupled binding assays and BCR sequencing, confirming the immunodominance of NS1. We demonstrate the presence of self-reactive clones in germinal centers after both infection and immunization, some of which present cross-reactivity with NS1. Sequence analysis of anti-NS1 B cell clones showed sequence features associated with pathogenic autoreactive antibodies. Our findings demonstrate NS1 immunodominance at the cellular level as well as a potential role for NS1 in ZIKV-associated autoimmune manifestations.

Clinical usefulness of tomographic standards for COVID-19 pneumonia diagnosis: Experience from a Brazilian reference center

ABSTRACT Background: COVID-19 is a new disease and the most common complication is pneumonia. The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) proposed an expert consensus for imaging classification for COVID-19 pneumonia. Objective: To evaluate sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and reproducibility of chest CT standards in the beginning of the Brazilian COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: Cross-sectional study performed from March 1st to April 14th, 2020. Patients with suspected COVID-19 pneumonia submitted to RT-PCR test and chest computed tomography (CT) were included. Two thoracic radiologists blinded for RT-PCR and clinical and laboratory results classified every patient scan according to the RSNA expert consensus. A third thoracic radiologist also evaluated in case of discordance, and consensus was reached among the three radiologists. A typical appearance was considered a positive chest CT for COVID-19 pneumonia. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated. Cohen's kappa coefficient was used to evaluate intra- and inter-rater agreements. Results: A total of 159 patients were included (mean age 57.9 ± 18.0 years; 88 [55.3%] males): 86 (54.1%) COVID-19 and 73 (45.9%) non-COVID-19 patients. Eighty (50.3%) patients had a positive CT for COVID-19 pneumonia. Sensitivity and specificity of typical appearance were 88.3% (95%CI, 79.9-93.5) and 94.5% (95%CI, 86.7-97.8), respectively. Intra- and inter-rater agreement were assessed (Cohen's kappa = 0.924, P= 0.06; Cohen's kappa=0.772, P= 0.05, respectively). Conclusion: Chest CT categorical classification of COVID-19 findings is reproducible and demonstrates high level of agreement with clinical and RT-PCR diagnosis of COVID-19. In RT-PCR scarcity scenarios or in equivocal cases, it may be useful for attending physicians in the evaluation of suspected COVID-19 pneumonia patients attended at the emergency unit.

Clinical usefulness of tomographic standards for COVID-19 pneumonia diagnosis: Experience from a Brazilian reference center.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is a new disease and the most common complication is pneumonia. The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) proposed an expert consensus for imaging classification for COVID-19 pneumonia. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and reproducibility of chest CT standards in the beginning of the Brazilian COVID-19 outbreak. METHODS: Cross-sectional study performed from March 1st to April 14th, 2020. Patients with suspected COVID-19 pneumonia submitted to RT-PCR test and chest computed tomography (CT) were included. Two thoracic radiologists blinded for RT-PCR and clinical and laboratory results classified every patient scan according to the RSNA expert consensus. A third thoracic radiologist also evaluated in case of discordance, and consensus was reached among the three radiologists. A typical appearance was considered a positive chest CT for COVID-19 pneumonia. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were calculated. Cohen's kappa coefficient was used to evaluate intra- and inter-rater agreements. RESULTS: A total of 159 patients were included (mean age 57.9 ±â€¯18.0 years; 88 [55.3%] males): 86 (54.1%) COVID-19 and 73 (45.9%) non-COVID-19 patients. Eighty (50.3%) patients had a positive CT for COVID-19 pneumonia. Sensitivity and specificity of typical appearance were 88.3% (95%CI, 79.9-93.5) and 94.5% (95%CI, 86.7-97.8), respectively. Intra- and inter-rater agreement were assessed (Cohen's kappa = 0.924, P = 0.06; Cohen's kappa=0.772, P = 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: Chest CT categorical classification of COVID-19 findings is reproducible and demonstrates high level of agreement with clinical and RT-PCR diagnosis of COVID-19. In RT-PCR scarcity scenarios or in equivocal cases, it may be useful for attending physicians in the evaluation of suspected COVID-19 pneumonia patients attended at the emergency unit.

Impact of COVID-19 outbreak in reperfusion therapies of acute ischaemic stroke in northwest Spain.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Spain has been one of the countries more heavily stricken by SARS-CoV-2, which has had huge implications for stroke care. The aim was to analyse the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic outbreak on reperfusion therapies for acute ischaemic stroke in the northwest of Spain. METHODS: This was a Spanish multicentre retrospective observational study based on data from tertiary hospitals of the NORDICTUS network. All patients receiving reperfusion therapy for ischaemic stroke between 30 December 2019 and 3 May 2020 were recorded, and their baseline, clinical and radiological characteristics, extra- and intra-hospital times of action, Code Stroke activation pathway, COVID-19 status, reperfusion rate, and short-term outcome before and after the setting of the emergency state were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 796 patients received reperfusion therapies for ischaemic stroke. There was a decrease in the number of patients treated per week (46.5 patients per week vs. 39.0 patients per week, P = 0.043) and a delay in out-of-hospital (95.0 vs. 110.0 min, P = 0.001) and door-to-needle times (51.0 vs. 55.0, P = 0.038). Patients receiving endovascular therapy obtained less successful reperfusion rates (92.9% vs. 86.6%, P = 0.016). COVID-19 patients had more in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: A decrease in the number of patients benefiting from reperfusion therapies was found, with a delay in out-of-hospital and door-to-needle times and worse reperfusion rates in northwest Spain. COVID-19 patients had more in-hospital mortality.

Progress in loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for detection of Schistosoma mansoni DNA: towards a ready-to-use test.

Schistosomiasis is one of the most prevalent Neglected Tropical Disease, affecting approximately 250 million people worldwide. Schistosoma mansoni is the most important species causing human intestinal schistosomiasis. Despite significant efforts in recent decades, the global disease burden of schistosomiasis remains extremely high. This could partly be attributed to the absence of accurate diagnostic tools, primarily in endemic areas. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is increasingly used in molecular diagnostics as a field-friendly alternative to many other complex molecular methods and it has been proposed as an ideal candidate for revolutionizing point-of-care molecular diagnostics. In a previous work, a LAMP-based method to detect S. mansoni DNA (SmMIT-LAMP) was developed by our research group for early diagnosis of active schistosomiasis in an experimental infection murine model. The SmMIT-LAMP has been further successfully evaluated in both human stool and snail samples and, recently, in human urine samples. In this study, we developed an important improvement for SmMIT-LAMP molecular assay, transforming it into a cold maintenance dry format suitable for potentially manufacturing as kit for ready-to-use for schistosomiasis diagnosis. This procedure could be applied to create dry LAMP kits for a laboratory setting and for diagnostic applications for other neglected tropical diseases.

Chronotype and circadian rhythm in bipolar disorder: A systematic review.

Despite a complex relationship between mood, sleep and rhythm, the impact of circadian disruptions on bipolar disorder (BD) has not been clarified. The purpose of this systematic review was to define current evidence regarding chronotype and circadian rhythm patterns in BD patients. 42 studies were included, involving 3432 BD patients. Disruption of the biological rhythm was identified, even in drug-naïve BD patients and independently of mood status. Daily profiles of melatonin levels and cortisol indicated a delayed phase. Depression was more frequently associated with circadian alterations than euthymia. Few studies evaluated mania, demonstrating irregular rhythms. Evening type was more common in BD adults. Studies about the influence of chronotype on depressive symptoms showed conflicting results. Only one investigation observed the influences of chronotype in mania, revealing no significant association. Effects of psychoeducation and lithium on rhythm in BD patients were poorly studied, demonstrating no improvement of rhythm parameters. Studies about genetics are incipient. In conclusion, disruption in circadian rhythm and eveningness are common in BD. Prospective research evaluating the impact of circadian disruption on mood symptoms, metabolism, seasonality, the influence of age and the effects of mood stabilizers are needed.

Beneficial effects of previous exercise training on renal changes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic female rats.

This study evaluated the effects of aerobic exercise performed both previously and after the induction of diabetes mellitus on changes of renal function and structure in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Female wistar rats were divided into five groups: sedentary control (C + Se); trained control (C + Ex); sedentary diabetic (D + Se); trained diabetic (D + Ex) and previously trained diabetic (D + PEx). The previous exercise consisted of treadmill running for four weeks before the induction of diabetes mellitus. After induction of diabetes mellitus with streptozotocin, the D + PEx, D + Ex and C + Ex groups were submitted to eight weeks of aerobic exercise. At the end of the training protocol, we evaluate the serum glucose, insulin and 17ß-estradiol levels, renal function and structure, proteinuria, and fibronectin, collagen IV and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß1) renal expressions. Induction of diabetes mellitus reduced the insulin and did not alter 17ß-estradiol levels, and exercise did not affect any of these parameters. Previous exercise training attenuated the loss of body weight, the blood glucose, the increase of glomerular filtration rate and prevented the proteinuria in the D + PEx group compared to D + Se group. Previous exercise also reduced glomerular hypertrophy, tubular and glomerular injury, as well as the expressions of fibronectin and collagen IV. These expressions were associated with reduced expression of TGF-ß1. In conclusion, our study shows that regular aerobic exercise especially performed previously to induction of diabetes mellitus improved metabolic control and has renoprotective action on the diabetic kidney.

Hospital mortality in postoperative critically ill patients older than 80 years. Can we predict it at an early stage? / Mortalidad hospitalaria en pacientes críticos postquirúrgicos mayores de 80 años. ¿Podemos predecirla de forma precoz?

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of in-hospital mortality throughout the post-surgical period of patients aged 80 or over who were admitted to the post-surgical critical care unit, as well as to assess the predictive capacity of those variables existing in the first 48hours on the in-hospital mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational retrospective cohort study conducted on postsurgical patients up to 80years old who were admitted to the unit between June 2011 and December 2013. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression was used to determine the association between mortality and the independent variables. RESULTS: Of the 186 patients included, 9 (4.8%) died in the critical care unit, and 22 (11.8%) died in wards during hospital admission, giving a hospital mortality of 31 (16.7%). Among the 78 patients (42%) that underwent acute surgery, and the 108 who underwent elective surgery, there was a mortality rate of 19 (10.2%) and 12 (6.5%), respectively. As regards the variables analysed during the first 48hours of admission that showed to be hospital mortality risk factor were the need for mechanical ventilation over 48h, with an OR: 7.146 (95%CI: 1.563-32.664, P=.011) and the degree of the severity score on the APACHE II scale in the first 24hours, with an OR: 1.102 (95%CI: 1.005-1.208, P=.039). CONCLUSION: The incidence of hospital mortality in very old patients found in our study is comparable to that reported by other authors. Patients who need mechanical ventilation over 48h, and with higher scores in the APACHE II scale could be at a higher risk of in-hospital mortality.

Standardization of the Maristán Scale of Informal Care in people with schizophrenia and other psychoses.

OBJECTIVE: No instrument has been developed and validated across cultures to measure the degree of support provided by informal carers to people with schizophrenia. We aimed to develop such a measure. METHOD: The Maristán Scale of Informal Care was developed directly from the views of patients with schizophrenia in six countries. Face-to-face interviews were carried out with participants and 103 were repeated after 30 days. Principal Axis Factoring followed by Promax rotation evaluated the structure of the scale. Horn's parallel combined with bootstrapping determined the number of factors. Cronbach's alpha estimated the scale's internal consistency and intra-class correlation its test-retest reliability. RESULTS: A total of 164 interviews were undertaken, 103 with re-test. The Horn's Parallel Analysis and the analysis of the Promax rotation revealed one factor. Cronbach's alpha was 0.89. Intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.56 (95% CI 0.42-0.68) and this increased to 0.64 (95% CI 0.51-0.75) after removing two outlying values. Patients from Argentina recorded the lowest scores (poor informal support/care). CONCLUSION: The Maristán Scale of Informal Care is a reliable instrument to assess the degree of support provided by informal carers to people with schizophrenia across cultures. A confirmatory factor analysis is needed to evaluate the stability of its factor structure.

Estudo Comparativo entre Índice Anamnético de Disfunção Temporomandibular e Inventário de Ansiedade Traço-Estado (IDATE) em mulheres idosas / Comparative Study between the Anamnetic Index of temporomandibular dysfunction and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) in older women

A população de idosos no Brasil vem aumentando rapidamente, o que coloca em evidência a atenção à saúde do idoso. Nesse contexto, realizou-se uma avaliação comparativa entre índice de Disfunção Temporomandibular (DTM) e níveis de ansiedade em um grupo de 73 mulheres idosas, funcionalmente independentes, na faixa etária de 60 a 87 anos. Foi utilizado um Índice Anamnético para DTM que agrupou os sujeitos desta pesquisa em: indivíduos sem DTM, portadoras de DTM leve, portadoras de DTM moderada e portadoras de DTM severa. A aplicação do Inventário de Ansiedade Traço-Estado (IDATE) classificou os indivíduos pesquisados de acordo com a tendência para reagir à pressão psicológica com ansiedade (traço de ansiedade) e o nível de ansiedade momentânea (estado de ansiedade). Os resultados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de correlação entre Índice de DTM e o nível de ansiedade, nas escalas de traço (A-traço) e estado (A-estado), utilizando-se o coeficiente de correlação de Spearman, obtendo-se correlação estatisticamente significante (p<0,05) entre Índice de DTM e escala de ansiedade traço-estado. Isso nos permite concluir que houve correlação entre DTM e ansiedade na amostra estudada.

Brazilian older population is on the increase since the last decade, a fact that draws attention on the older people's health needs. The conducted study aimed to assess the relation between the Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMD) and anxiety levels in a group of 73 functionally independent women aged 60 to 87. An anamnestic index for TMD was the tool to classify individuals of the sample as: women without TMD, women with slight TMD, women with moderate TMD and women with severe TMD. The State-Trait Anxious Inventory (STAI) was used to classify the individuals in the sample as to their ability to face psychological stress with anxiety (anxious trait) and the momentary anxiety level (anxious state). The collected data were subjected to correlation analysis between the TMD index and the anxiety level, on the anxious trait (A-trait) and anxious state (A-state) scales, applying the Spearman correlation rate and it resulted in a statistically significant relation (p<0.05) between the TMD index and the state-trait anxiety scale. We can conclude that there was correlation between TMD and anxiety into the studied group.

Frequency and aetiology of dermatophytosis in children age 12 and under in the state of Amazonas, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Few scientific studies have evaluated dermatophytosis among children in the state of Amazonas or in the greater northern region of Brazil. AIMS: The aim of this study was to research the frequency and aetiology of dermatophytosis in children age 12 and under, who were seen between March 1996 and November 2005 at the Mycology Laboratory of the National Institute of Amazonian Research. METHODS: For mycological diagnoses, epidermal scales and/or hairs were used. A portion of this material was treated with potassium hydroxide for direct examination, and another portion was cultivated in Mycobiotic Agar for the isolation of dermatophytes. RESULTS: Of the 590 samples analysed, 210 showed positive diagnoses by direct examination and cultivation. Tinea capitis (153 cases) was the most frequent type of dermatophytosis, and Trichophyton tonsurans (121 cases) was the most frequently isolated fungal agent. Tinea corporis was observed in 48 cases where the most frequently isolated fungal agent was also T. tonsurans (17 cases), and the corporal regions most affected were the face, arms and trunk. The laboratory confirmed tinea pedis in 6 cases, and the principal fungal agents isolated were Trichophyton rubrum (3) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (3). The presence of tinea cruris was confirmed in 3 cases, and T. rubrum, T. tonsurans and Epidermophyton floccosum were isolated from these cases. CONCLUSIONS: The children examined were primarily affected by tinea capitis, and the main fungal agent for this dermatophytosis was T. tonsurans.

Evaluation of the role of angiogenic factors in the pathogenesis of schistosomiasis.

Schistosomiasis is one disease produced by helminths, which affect many people in tropical areas. Granuloma formation is the main mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of this disease. Experimental studies have demonstrated angiogenesis (blood vessels formation from pre-existing vessels) in the initial phase of granuloma formation. In the present work, VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) levels were analyzed in sera from people diagnosed with different helminthic infections. Patients with schistosomiasis and filariasis had significantly high VEGF levels in compared with healthy people and patients diagnosed with hookworms. In addition, the effects of angiogenesis inhibition using anti-angiogenic factors (endostatin) were evaluated in a schistosomiasis murine model. A lesion decrease was observed in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni and treated with endostatin. Finally, mechanisms of angiogenesis induction were studied and observed that cercariae antigens stimulated the angiogenic factors by host alveolar macrophages.

An international risk prediction algorithm for the onset of generalized anxiety and panic syndromes in general practice attendees: predictA.

BACKGROUND: There are no risk models for the prediction of anxiety that may help in prevention. We aimed to develop a risk algorithm for the onset of generalized anxiety and panic syndromes. METHOD: Family practice attendees were recruited between April 2003 and February 2005 and followed over 24 months in the UK, Spain, Portugal and Slovenia (Europe4 countries) and over 6 months in The Netherlands, Estonia and Chile. Our main outcome was generalized anxiety and panic syndromes as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire. We entered 38 variables into a risk model using stepwise logistic regression in Europe4 data, corrected for over-fitting and tested it in The Netherlands, Estonia and Chile. RESULTS: There were 4905 attendees in Europe4, 1094 in Estonia, 1221 in The Netherlands and 2825 in Chile. In the algorithm four variables were fixed characteristics (sex, age, lifetime depression screen, family history of psychological difficulties); three current status (Short Form 12 physical health subscale and mental health subscale scores, and unsupported difficulties in paid and/or unpaid work); one concerned country; and one time of follow-up. The overall C-index in Europe4 was 0.752 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.724-0.780]. The effect size for difference in predicted log odds between developing and not developing anxiety was 0.972 (95% CI 0.837-1.107). The validation of predictA resulted in C-indices of 0.731 (95% CI 0.654-0.809) in Estonia, 0.811 (95% CI 0.736-0.886) in The Netherlands and 0.707 (95% CI 0.671-0.742) in Chile. CONCLUSIONS: PredictA accurately predicts the risk of anxiety syndromes. The algorithm is strikingly similar to the predictD algorithm for major depression, suggesting considerable overlap in the concepts of anxiety and depression.

Doença granulomatosa crônica: diagnóstico no primeiro episódio infeccioso / Chronic granulomatous disease: diagnosis on the first infection episode

OBJETIVO: Relatar caso ilustrativo de doença granulomatosa crônica cujo diagnóstico ocorreu durante o aparecimento do primeiro episódio infeccioso, colaborando com a iniciativa do Brazilian Group for Immunodeficiency para a sensibilização do pediatra geral em relação ao diagnóstico precoce das imunodeficiências primárias, o que está associado a melhor qualidade de vida e maior sobrevida desses indivíduos. DESCRIÇÃO DE CASO: Paciente do sexo masculino, 39 dias de vida, admitido em pronto-socorro pediátrico por febre alta há cinco dias e irritabilidade. No dia seguinte, observou-se abscesso cervical, isolando-se Staphylococcus aureus comunitário. Durante a internação, ocorreram outros abscessos superficiais e em cadeias ganglionares profundas, além de resposta lenta aos antimicrobianos. Solicitou-se investigação para imunodeficiências, que confirmou a hipótese de doença granulomatosa crônica por quantificação dos ânions superóxido e teste de redução do nitrobluetetrazolio. Paciente foi encaminhado a serviço especializado, no qual identificou-se doador de medula óssea compatível, realizando-se o transplante seis meses após o diagnóstico. Quatro meses após o transplante, ocorreu normalização do burst oxidativo, indicando sucesso. COMENTÁRIOS: O paciente mostrou apresentação típica da doença, o que permitiu seu diagnóstico por pediatras gerais já na primeira infecção, tendo como consequência o acompanhamento por especialistas em imunodeficiências primárias, a introdução da profilaxia antimicrobiana e a procura bem sucedida de doador de medula HLA-compatível.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of chronic granulomatous disease diagnosed during the first infectious episode in order to collaborate with the Brazilian Group for Immunodeficiency, in sensitizing the general pediatrician that the early diagnosis of primary immunodeficiency results in better quality of life and longer life expectancy for the patients. CASE DESCRIPTION: Male patient, 39 days, admitted to the pediatric emergency ward with fever for the last five days and irritability. On the following day, a cervical abscess was noted and a community Staphylococcus aureus was isolated. During hospital stay, other abscesses were observed in the skin and in the deep ganglia chains, with a slow response to antibiotics. Investigation of immunodeficiency was requested and chronic granulomatous disease was confirmed by quantification of superoxide anions and nitrobluetetrazolium tests. The patient was transferred to a specialized clinic for bone marrow transplantation, performed six months after diagnosis. Four months afterwards, the normalization of oxidative burst was noted, indecating the success of the transplantation. COMMENTS: The patient showed a typical presentation of the disease, which allowed its diagnosis by general pediatricians on the first infection, allowing the follow-up by experts in primary immunodeficiencies, the introduction of antimicrobial chemoprophylaxis, and the successful search for an HLA-compatible bone marrow donor.

[Proposal for a new microsurgical model for the study of induced endometriosis in Wistar rats. Preliminary results]. / Propuesta de un nuevo modelo microquirúrgico para el estudio de la endometriosis inducida en rata Wistar. Resultados preliminares.

The current knowledge status on the patogenesis of endometriosis as well as devastating consequences of disease evolution in women's reproductive health, have promoted researchers advances in a great manner during last years. The immunologic and neangiogenesis systems implication have opened new ways of knowledge over classic theories from the beginning of the xx century. The experimental resesearch, using animal induction models. Below we explain the first steps a new induction model ("PGR1-HotDog"), based on Wistar rats using a new disease autogeneration system, created for te study of the early stages of the endometriosis.

[Cystic adenomatoid malformation pulmonary: are we able to foresee its evolution?]. / Malformación adenomatoidea quística: somos capaces de prever su evolución?

The congenital pulmonary malformation are a rare entity in pediatric age. Between of them, the cystic adenomatoid malformation (MAQ) is the most ferquent entity, followed by pulmonary sequestration (SP) and the most rare broncogenic cyst. As a consequence of ultrasound and fetal magnetic resonance we are abble to diagnose earlier this patology. To know the clinical findings, the diagnosis, and the evolution, we have done a retrospective study of underwented MAQ at our hospital during the last 17 years, including such with late diagnosis as with prenatal diagnosis, and describing those presenting impredictable evolution or a different difficul diagnosis. We report four MAQ's cases. Three of them, about late diagnose: the first one evolutioned till malignant tumor, the second one with a supplementary lobe and third one with a wrong MAQ diagnose. The fourth one associated MAQ with a SP.

[Retrospective evaluation of carcinoid tumors of the appendix in children]. / Estudio retrospectivo del tumor carcinoide apendicular en niños.

Carcinoids of the appendix are rare in children. Usually diagnosed incidentally on histologic investigation following appendectomy for acute apendicitis. To investigate the significance of the diagnosis of appendiceal carcinoid tumors in children, we conducted a retrospective study in our institution. Between 1990 and 2007 a total of 1158 appendectomy were done. In four patients the diagnosis was appendiceal carcinoid. We studied treatment, follow-up and prognosis of this patients. Indicacion for appendectomy was acute pain in lower right quadrant. The median tumor diameter was lower than 1 cm and the appropriate treatment was appendectomy. The prognosis was excellent in all the patients.