Farmers' perceptions and acceptance of crossbred guinea pigs in Mantaro Valley, Peru.

This study aimed at assessing farmers' perceptions and acceptance of the proposed breeding strategy of Instituto Veterinario de Investigaciones Tropicales y de Altura (IVITA), located in the Central Andes of Peru. A total of 34 farmers, who had received guinea pigs from IVITA, were interviewed. The questionnaire was performed in Spanish language and covered topics about the guinea pig production, feeding, mating system, training, the main products, perception and acceptance of crossbred lines ("cuy RG"), and the farmers' comment about the terminal crossbred animal ("cuy G"). The preferred feeding strategy was a combination of forage and supplement. All farmers implemented a controlled mating system. Most farmers had received training on feeding, reproduction, management, equipment, and facilities. The main product is animals for slaughter. The 82.40% of farmers reported that they do not purchase guinea pigs from IVITA anymore, because they are highly susceptibility to lymphadenitis, which is a highly contagious disease and causes swollen lymph nodes and affects the meat quality. Most of the respondents classified the "cuy RG" and "cuy G" as suitable for meat production and were satisfied with the performance of the animals. Therefore, 58.80% of respondents already recommended "cuy RG" to other farmers. However, 17.70% of the respondents would not recommend these animals because they are susceptible to disease, especially lymphadenitis. Therefore, IVITA should engage in more structured dialogue with farmers and regularly include their opinion in future improvement of its breeding strategies. This could help to reach higher acceptance rates by farmers.

Estimation of genetic parameters for four Peruvian guinea pig lines.

This study aimed to estimate genetic parameters for four guinea pig lines of a crossbreeding scheme. Two paternal lines are selected for growth rate (P1) and feed conversion rate (P2), whereas two maternal lines are selected for growth rate of litter (M1) and litter size at birth (M2). The heritabilities and genetic correlations were estimated with animal linear models employing multivariate analyses with REML. The heritabilities for birth weight (BW) were 0.21±0.02 and 0.23±0.03 for P1 and P2, respectively, and for weaning weight (WW), the heritability was 0.28±0.03 for P2. The estimates for weight at 60 days of age (W60) were 0.34±0.01 and 0.47±0.04 for P1 and P2, respectively, and for partial feed conversion rate was 0.46±0.03 for P2. Heritabilities for litter weight at birth (LW) were 0.09±0.03 and 0.10±0.03 for P1 and M1, respectively. For litter weight at 10 days of age (LW10), the heritability was 0.15±0.03 for M1. Heritabilities for litter size (LS) were 0.17±0.03, 0.20±0.03 and 0.11±0.03, and for number of pups born alive (BA) were 0.09±0.03, 0.14±0.03 and 0.09±0.03 for P1, M1 and M2, respectively. Similarly, high genetic correlations were found between BW, WW and W60 and between LW, LS, LW10 and BA. The genetic correlation between BW direct and maternal was moderately negative (- 0.24 ± 0.10) for P1. These results show the genetic status for all four guinea pig lines, which is essential for the further improvement of the currently implemented breeding programme and also indicate an opportunity for genetic improvement.

Vertical saccades in senescence.

PURPOSE: To determine the metrics of vertical saccades in elderly subjects for comparison in neurologic disease. METHODS: Sixteen elderly subjects, ten middle-aged subjects, and thirteen young subjects were examined using a magnetic search coil technique. Saccades were measured to predictable vertical target steps and maximal saccadic excursion was measured from primary position. RESULTS: Maximal upward voluntary excursion was reduced in the elderly (mean 32.9 degrees) compared to young subjects (mean 43.1 degrees). Maximal downward voluntary excursion was also reduced in the elderly (mean 32.8 degrees), compared to young subjects (mean 46.8 degrees). The limited ocular motor range of the elderly was not increased by oculocephalic maneuvers. Individual young subjects had significantly larger downward than upward excursions, but elderly subjects generally had symmetrical upward and downward excursions. Asymptotic peak velocities were not significantly slower in the elderly. Individual young subjects made faster upward than downward saccades. Vertical saccade latencies were significantly prolonged and saccadic accuracy was reduced in the elderly compared to the young subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The range and accuracy of upward and downward saccades decrease, and their latency increases in senescence. This quantitative study provides norms for the detection of brain or orbital disease in young, middle-aged, and elderly subjects.

A case of corneal keloid: clinical, surgical, pathological, and ultrastructural characteristics.

A 69-year-old patient developed a localised, whitish, elevated, corneal lesion with a smooth and glistening surface following trauma, without evidence of corneal perforation. Twelve months later, the lesion showed evidence of slow growth. An excisional biopsy was then performed. Histopathologically, the lesion was covered by non-keratinised squamous epithelium and was comprised of randomly oriented collagen fibres containing active fibroblasts. Blood vessels were noted deep in the lesion. Ultrastructurally, the cell population was formed by fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, similar to keloids of the skin. The clinical, pathological, and ultrastructural features of the corneal lesion are compatible with a corneal keloid.

Retinoblastoma associated orbital cellulitis.

AIM: Preseptal and orbital cellulitis are rare presenting features of intraocular retinoblastoma. The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency of retinoblastoma associated cellulitis, as well as to review its clinical and histopathological features. METHODS: The medical records of 292 retinoblastoma patients in the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were reviewed. Those indicating a history of, or presenting with, cellulitis were retrieved and their clinical, radiological, and histopathological variables were assessed. Patients with definite extraocular tumour extension on clinical or radiological examination were excluded. RESULTS: 14 patients were found to have retinoblastoma associated cellulitis (4.8%); nine had bilateral and five had unilateral retinoblastoma. Conjunctival and blood cultures were performed in 10 cases and were negative. 10 children were treated with intravenous steroids, often in conjunction with antibiotics, resulting in a prompt decrease in inflammation. Three other children were treated with antibiotics alone and one received no treatment. Computed tomographic scanning depicted large intraocular tumours occupying between 80% and 100% of the globe in each case. In eight patients, periocular inflammation was radiologically interpreted as possible extraocular extension. In one patient serial computed tomographic scanning showed a reduction in intraocular calcification over time which occurred in the presence of cellulitis, 12 patients underwent enucleation and histopathological examination revealed large necrotic, poorly differentiated tumours associated with uveal involvement and early optic nerve invasion. Focal perilimbal destruction was seen in one patient, and in another peripapillary extrascleral extension was present. 12 patients are alive with a mean follow up of 56.4 months. CONCLUSIONS: Radiological evaluation of scleral integrity may be hindered by periocular inflammatory changes. The orbital cellulitis correlated well with the presence of advanced intraocular retinoblastoma with massive necrosis and anterior chamber involvement. In the majority of patients, cellulitis was not indicative of an extension of retinoblastoma into the orbit. Intravenous steroid treatment reduced orbital inflammation, facilitating examination and subsequent enucleation.

Corneoscleral abscess resulting from a broken suture after cataract surgery.

An 82-year-old man had pain and decreased vision in his right eye 15 months after uncomplicated cataract surgery. Examination revealed a large corneoscleral abscess with a 2 mm x 1 mm area of fluorescein staining at the base of a broken protruding 10-0 nylon suture. Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated from both the suture and base of the ulcer. Despite intensive topical, subconjunctival, and systemic antibiotics, a large corneal perforation developed, necessitating a 10 mm tectonic penetrating keratoplasty. Long-term follow-up of patients after cataract surgery is important and should include an inspection of the limbal wound and removal of loose or broken exposed sutures. Suture-related complications will be eliminated if clinical studies prove the safety and efficacy of sutureless cataract surgery.

Wessely-type immune ring following phototherapeutic keratectomy.

Immune rings following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) have been reported but have not been described in detail. This case report describes an immune ring after phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) in a patient with long-standing superficial corneal scars. A dense white ring formed in the peripheral cornea on the fourth day following surgery. The patient was treated with antibiotics until negative cultures were reported 48 hours later. A biopsy was taken and examined by light microscopy using hematoxylin-eosin and Mason's trichrome staining. The stroma showed focal keratocyte depopulation with nuclear fragments, occasional polymorphonuclear leucocytes, and an active fibroblastic reaction. No lymphocytes or plasma cells were seen. Clinically, the immune ring faded slowly and was still apparent 9 months after the PTK. Studies of similar cases are required to clarify the mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon.

[Epidemic dermatits by Paederus irritans in Piura, Perú at 1999, related to El Niño phenomenon]. / Dermatite epidêmica por Paederus irritans em Piura, Perú, 1999, relacionada ao fenômeno El Niño.

The phenomen El Niño that affected Peru at 1998, made possible the growth of copious vegetation in traditionally dry places. On this way, Paederus irritans, dipterous of the order Coleoptera that produces dermatitis when croushed on the skin, found substract that allowed the natural growth of its population. The coming of occasional rains on the months of February to April 1999, attacked the habitat of this insect, that looked for urban areas, exposing seriously the general population of Piura on north Perú to the contact. During February and May 1,451 cases of dermatitis caused by Paederus irritans, called latigazo because of its linear and eritematous characteristic lesions on the skin, were notified at Piura. The more affected body areas were head (56.6%) and neck (30.9%), but there were also cases of conjunctivitis and genital injuries, because of hands contamination.

Sequential lamellar and penetrating keratoplasty for multiple limbal choristomas.

Large choristomas that straddle the cornea and limbus can be removed and a lamellar graft sutured to the excision site. A central penetrating keratoplasty performed later can restore a clear visual axis.

Tumors of the eye in Saudi Arabia.

The geographic incidence of tumors usually uncovers the influence that environment, race and culture exert upon the prevalence of cancer. Therefore this study of tumors of the eye is presented as a baseline for Saudi Arabia between the years 1982G and 1989G. The most common malignant tumors, in decreasing order of frequency, are retinoblastoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva, basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid, and malignant melanoma. The most common benign tumors, in the same order, are nevi, epithelial cysts, hemangiomas and dermoid cysts. There are, in Saudi Arabia, certain unique features for retinoblastoma, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. Furthermore, these conditions have distinctive incidence rates when compared with cancer incidence in Western countries.

[Comparative study on the protective effect of two immunization schemes using a hepatitis B recombinant vaccine in vulnerable health science students]. / Estudio comparativo del efecto protector de dos esquemas de inmunización con una vacuna recombinante contra la Hepatitis B en estudiantes del area de ciencias de la salud susceptibles.

OBJECTIVE: Demonstrate the protective effect of hepatitis B in vaccine vulnerable health sciences students, under 30 years with three schemes the vaccination, two of them are conventional three doses and another one with two doses. HYPOTHESIS: Three schedules of vaccination dosage schemes hepatitis B produce antibody response over 10 IU/ml. DESIGN: Analytical, experimental, longitudinal., prospective and concurrent cohort study. MATERIALS AND METHOD: 100 vulnerable female and male students of the Medical Technology Faculty of the UNMSM Medical School were enrolled at first. 89 students completed the final analysis due to the inclusion and exclusion criteria in accordance with the study purpose. A vaccine dosage of 20 ug of surface antigen in 1 mL through three dosage schemes was administered: month 0, 1, 6; month 0, 1, 2; and month 0, 1. Blood samples were taken before and 1, 2, 6, and 7 months after the first dosage administration to determine the anti-HBs level. Anti-HBs approximately 10 mIU/mL was defined as seroprotective value. RESULTS: 89 students under 30 years (average age: 23.5 years). 46 (51.7%) male individuals, and 43 (48.3%) female individuals.12.4% of students reached protection within 30 days from the first dosage; 98.8% reached protection within 30 days from the second dosage; and 100% reached protection 180 days later. After the second dosage, the three groups reached protection values, and at the end of the study, the average antibody levels were between 532.7 mIU/mL and 1237.2 mIU/mL. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed an equivalent protective effect 7 months after the first dosage. An equivalent protective effect for hepatitis B was reached through three different vaccination schemes: conventional three dose scheme (month 0, 1, 6); two dose brief scheme (month 0, 1); and three dose brief scheme (month 0, 1, 2). A two dose scheme is suggested for individuals under 30 years, which would imply a higher compliance rate, lower cost, and a similar protection benefit.

Estrogen receptors in breast carcinoma.

PIP: On the basis of estrogen receptor assays, breast carcinomas are presently classified as estrogen-dependent tumors, which respond to endocrine therapy, and autonomous tumors, for which endocrine therapy is useless. This paper presents a short review of the biochemical principles of estrogen dependence, the procedures used to determine estrogen receptors, and the clinical applications of the findings of these assay procedures. Biobhemically, the estroogen dependence of normal breast cells is explained as a biochemical reaction occurring between the circulating estradiol and the breast cell, which occurs in 3 steps: 1) circulating estradiol penetrates the cellular membrane by passive diffusion, followed by 2) combining of estradiol with the estrogen-binding protein (estrophilin) and formation of an estrogen receptor complex which undergoes activation and translocation into the nucleus, to result in 3) the activated steroid receptor which combines with the nuclear charomatin and stimulates ribonucleic acid synthesis for the formation of estradiol binding proteins or estradiol receptors. The cytosol method of Wittliff et al. is described in brief and entails radioactive competitive analysis; the other available laboratory procedure is immunofluorescence of tumor sections. Quantification of estrogen receptor content can be used clinically to decide on ablative endocrine therapy, to determine the effectiveness of anti-estrogen administration, to determine the primary site of metastatic carcinoma, and as a screenng device.^ieng

Anterior orbital varix presenting as a lacrimal sac mucocele.

A 35-year-old woman was referred to the Oculoplastics Clinic because of a left nasal swelling and intermittent tearing of 1 year's duration. The clinical examination and echographic and radiologic findings were consistent with an anterior venous anomaly. Complete surgical excision was performed and histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of a varix.

Muscarinic antagonists in the treatment of acquired pendular and downbeat nystagmus: a double-blind, randomized trial of three intravenous drugs.

We performed a double-blind, randomized trial of intravenous scopolamine, benztropine, and glycopyrrolate in 7 patients with acquired nystagmus and oscillopsia. Five patients had pendular nystagmus and 2, downbeat nystagmus. We recorded eye movements with a magnetic search coil technique and tested visual acuity and motion perception before and after administration of each drug. Scopolamine reduced nystagmus in all patients. Benztropine was moderately effective and glycopyrrolate had a negligible impact. Visual acuity improved only with scopolamine; motion discrimination and oscillopsia improved significantly with scopolamine and benztropine. Pendular and downbeat nystagmus respond to intravenous antagonists of central muscarinic receptors.

Effects of edrophonium on saccadic velocity in normal subjects and myasthenic and nonmyasthenic ocular palsies.

We measured saccadic peak velocities in 8 patients with myasthenia gravis, 9 patients with proven nonmyasthenic ocular palsies, and 3 controls. Patients followed a target moving to and from primary position at 1-second intervals for 8 minutes. We measured the amplitudes and velocities of centrifugal saccades at the start of the task, after 3 minutes of the task (fatigue) and 1 minute after receiving IV edrophonium. The effects of fatigue, though prominent in some myasthenic patients, did not distinguish between the groups. However, edrophonium increased saccadic peak velocities in myasthenic patients but decreased them in both controls and nonmyasthenic patients. Analysis of saccades by amplitude bins showed that these changes in peak velocity reflected shifts in the velocity-amplitude relationship.

[Severe strongyloidiasis with pseudotumor pancreatic involvement. Clinical case]. / Strongyloidiasis severa con compromiso pancreático seudotumoral. Caso clínico.

We report the first clinical case of a patient with a severe hyper infestation due to Strongyloides stercoralis who developed a pancreatic pseudotumoral complication. Its clinical aspects, auxiliary exams, therapeutic schedule, evolution and the roentgenographic, ultrasound and TAC images are shown in this paper.

Estudio comparativo del efecto protector de dos esquemas de inmunización con una vacuna recombinante contra la Hepatitis B en estudiantes del área de ciencias de la salud susceptibles / Comparative study on the protective effect of two immunization schemes using a Hepatitis B recombinant vaccine in vulnerable health science students

Objetivo: Demostrar que el efecto protector contra la Hepatitis B en estudiantes menores de 30 años del área de Ciencias de la Salud susceptibles es similar luego de completar los dos esquemas de vacunación (acortado y convencional) en menor tiempo y con menos dosis. Hipotesis: Los 3 esquemas de dosificación de la vacuna contra la hepatitis B generan anticuerpos por encima de 10 ug/100 ml generando igual efecto de protección. Diseño: Analítico, experimental, longitudinal, prospectivo y de cohortes concurrentes. Material y Métodos: Un total de 100 alumnos de ambos sexos de Tecnología Médica de la Facultad de Medicina de la UNMSM susceptibles fueron enrolados, quedando para el análisis final, 89 alumnos tomando en cuenta los criterios de inclusión y exclusión de acuerdo al objetivo del estudio. Se administró la vacuna a la dosis de 20 ug del antigeno de superficie en 1 mL, en tres esquemas de dosificación; 0, 1, 6 y 7 meses de la primera dosis de vacuna para determinación de anti.HBs. Se definió como seroprotección un valor mayor o = a 10 mUI/mL de anti-HBs. Resultados: En base a los 89 alumnos menores de 30 años, cuya edad promedio fue 23.5 años, siendo el 51.7 por ciento (46) del sexo masculino y 48.3 por ciento (43) sexo femenino. A los 30 días de la primera dosis el 12.4 por ciento alcanzó protección, a los 30 días posterior a la segunda dosis el 98.8 por ciento y los 180 días el 100 por ciento de protección. Después de la segunda dosis los tres grupos alcanzaron títulos protectores, y al final del estudio los niveles promedios de anticuerpos estuvieron entre 532.7 mUI/mL y 1237.2 mUI/mL. Conclusiones: En el presente estudio se logró alcanzar hasta los 7 meses después de la primera dosis, igual efecto protector contra la Hepatitis B mediante la administración de la vacuna con tres esquemas de vacunación diferentes: esquema convencional de tres dosis (0,1,6 meses), esquema acortado de dos dosis (0,1 mes) y esquema acortado de tres dosis (0,1,2 meses). Se plantea la posibilidad de un esquema con dos dosis en personas menores de 30 años, el cual tendría un mayor índice de cumplimiento y un menor costo e igual beneficio protector.

Objetive : To prove the protector effect of vaccine against hepatitis B in susceptible health sciences students, younger than 30 years old with three schedule of vaccination, two of them are three conventional doses and another one with two doses. Hypothesis: Three schedules of vaccination against hepatitis B produce antibody response over 10 IU/ml Design: This is a analytical, expetimental, longitudinal., prospective and concurrents cohort study. Subjects and Methods: Overall of 100 susceptible medical technology students both sexs from Medicine Faculty of San Marcos University were enlisted; final analysis were done with 89 students.Vaccine doses administred was a HBsAg 20 ug/mL in three schedules: : 0,1 and 6 months, 0,1 and 2 months and 0,1 month and were taken blood samples before and 1,2,6, and 7 months after first doses of vaccine in order to determine anti HBs levels. Results: Final analysis was done in 89 students with 23.5 years old on average; 51.6% were males and 48.3 per cent females. Thirty days after first doses 12.4 per cent of vaccinated were protected, 98.8 per cent after second doses and 100 per cent at 180 days after first doses: Serum antibody levels at the end of study were betwem 532.7 mIU/mL and 1237.2 mIU/ml Conclusions: The results of our study indicate that seven months after first doses of hepatitis B vaccine has a similarseroprotection levels of anti HBs with any of three schedule used. This results seggest that we could be to recomend atwo doses schedule for persons younger than 30 years old.

Seroprevalencia de fasciolosis en escolares y en ganado vacuno en la provincia de Huancavelica, Perú / Seroprevalencia of fasciolosis in students and cattle in the province of Huancavelica, Peru

Determinar la seroprevalencia de fasciolosis en escolares y vacunos de la provincia de Huancavelica ydescribir su percepción sobre ésta. Materiales y métodos: Este estudio se realizó en diferentes pisos ecológicos y altitudes de 2000 a 5000 m.s.n.m. Se realizó una entrevista seroepidemiológica a 842 escolares de educación secundaria de colegios estatales escogidos al azar, así como a 532 vacunos aleatorios criados por la familia del escolar. En ambos casos se realizó la prueba serológica de FAS2-ELISA. El análisis de datos se realizó por tipo de zona (urbana o rural) con el programa SPSS v.11, considerando un p<0,05 como estadísticamente significativo. Resultados: La prueba fue positiva en 33 estudiantes (2,6 por ciento en zona urbana y en 4,9 por ciento en zona rural, p>0,05) y en 123 vacunos (23,1 por ciento). Los distritos de Izcuchaca y Palca tuvieron >10 por ciento de escolares positivos. No hubo asociación entre infección escolar y animal. Un 45 por ciento de escolares refirió conocer la enfermedad (28 por ciento en zona urbana y 56,5 por ciento en zona rural, p<0,01); los escolares de zona rural tuvieron más respuestas correctas sobre fasciolosis. El conocimientosobre el daño hepático de la fasciolosis fue más frecuente que sobre su transmisión y prevención. Conclusiones: Los distritos de Izcuchaca y Palca son hiperendémicos para fasciolosis humana en la provincia deHuancavelica. Debido a su importancia clínica, se requiere fuerte intervención educativa en prevención, especialmente en zonas urbanas.

Between years 2000 and 2002 Callao province had the highest rates of Brucella melitensis infection in Peru, and goat breeding is an important economic activity. In order to know Brucellosis seroprevalence in goats, we analyzed a 175 animal sample from nine farms in Callao and Ventanilla districts, using the Bengal Rose test for screening and 2-mercapto-ethanol for confirmation. 53,7% (94) goats were more than six months old; history of vaccination was positive in 38,3% and 81,9% respectively. Using Bengal Rose test, 10/148 goats were positive in Callao, and 0/27 in Ventanilla; and, finally, only seven animals had a confirmed diagnosis of Brucella infection. Risk for human brucellosis is latent in Callao because of the presence of infected goats.