Control of motivation for sucrose in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus by dynorphin peptides and the kappa opioid receptor.

The dynorphin peptides are the endogenous ligands for the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) and regulate food intake. Administration of dynorphin-A1-13 (DYN) in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) increases palatable food intake, and this effect is blocked by co-administration of the orexin-A neuropeptide, which is co-released with DYN in PVN from neurons located in the lateral hypothalamus. While PVN administration of DYN increases palatable food intake, whether it increases food-seeking behaviors has yet to be examined. We tested the effects of DYN and norBNI (a KOR antagonist) on the seeking and consumption of sucrose using a progressive ratio (PR) and demand curve (DC) tasks. In PVN, DYN did not alter the sucrose breaking point (BP) in the PR task nor the elasticity or intensity of demand for sucrose in the DC task. Still, DYN reduced the delay in obtaining sucrose and increased licks during sucrose intake in the PR task, irrespective of the co-administration of orexin-A. In PVN, norBNI increased the delay in obtaining sucrose and reduced licks during sucrose intake in the PR task while increasing elasticity without altering intensity of demand in the DC task. However, subcutaneous norBNI reduced the BP for sucrose and increased the delay in obtaining sucrose in the PR task while reducing the elasticity of demand. Together, these data show different effects of systemic and PVN blockade of KOR on food-seeking, consummatory behaviors, and incentive motivation for sucrose and suggest that KOR activity in PVN is necessary but not sufficient to drive seeking behaviors for palatable food.

Pax3 induces target-specific reinnervation through axon collateral expression of PSA-NCAM.

Damaged or dysfunctional neural circuits can be replaced after a lesion by axon sprouting and collateral growth from undamaged neurons. Unfortunately, these new connections are often disorganized and rarely produce clinical improvement. Here we investigate how to promote post-lesion axonal collateral growth, while retaining correct cellular targeting. In the mouse olivocerebellar path, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) induces correctly-targeted post-lesion cerebellar reinnervation by remaining intact inferior olivary axons (climbing fibers). In this study we identified cellular processes through which BDNF induces this repair. BDNF injection into the denervated cerebellum upregulates the transcription factor Pax3 in inferior olivary neurons and induces rapid climbing fiber sprouting. Pax3 in turn increases polysialic acid-neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM) in the sprouting climbing fiber path, facilitating collateral outgrowth and pathfinding to reinnervate the correct targets, cerebellar Purkinje cells. BDNF-induced reinnervation can be reproduced by olivary Pax3 overexpression, and abolished by olivary Pax3 knockdown, suggesting that Pax3 promotes axon growth and guidance through upregulating PSA-NCAM, probably on the axon's growth cone. These data indicate that restricting growth-promotion to potential reinnervating afferent neurons, as opposed to stimulating the whole circuit or the injury site, allows axon growth and appropriate guidance, thus accurately rebuilding a neural circuit.

Linking preterm infant gut microbiota to nasograstric enteral feeding tubes: exploring potential interactions and microbial strain transmission.

Introduction: Preterm birth is a growing problem worldwide. Staying at a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) after birth is critical for the survival of preterm infants whose feeding often requires the use of nasogastric enteral feeding tubes (NEFT). These can be colonized by hospital-associated pathobionts that can access the gut of the preterm infants through this route. Since the gut microbiota is the most impactful factor on maturation of the immune system, any disturbance in this may condition their health. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the impact of NEFT-associated microbial communities on the establishment of the gut microbiota in preterm infants. Material and methods: A metataxonomic analysis of fecal and NEFT-related samples obtained during the first 2 weeks of life of preterm infants was performed. The potential sharing of strains isolated from the same set of samples of bacterial species involved in NICU's outbreaks, was assessed by Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) genotyping. Results: In the samples taken 48 h after birth (NEFT-1 and Me/F1), Staphylococcus spp. was the most abundant genera (62% and 14%, respectively) and it was latter displaced to 5.5% and 0.45%, respectively by Enterobacteriaceae. Significant differences in beta diversity were detected in NEFT and fecal samples taken at day 17 after birth (NEFT-3 and F3) (p = 0.003 and p = 0.024, respectively). Significant positive correlations were found between the most relevant genera detected in NEFT-3 and F3. 28% of the patients shared at least one RAPD-PCR profile in fecal and NEFT samples and 11% of the total profiles were found at least once simultaneously in NEFT and fecal samples from the same patient. Conclusion: The results indicate a parallel bacterial colonization of the gut of preterm neonates and the NEFTs used for feeding, potentially involving strain sharing between these niches. Moreover, the same bacterial RAPD profiles were found in neonates hospitalized in different boxes, suggesting a microbial transference within the NICU environment. This study may assist clinical staff in implementing best practices to mitigate the spread of pathogens that could threaten the health of preterm infants.

Interobserver reliability of classifying shoulder calcific tendinopathy on plain radiography and ultrasound.

INTRODUCTION: Shoulder calcific tendinopathy is a frequent cause of shoulder pain. Diagnosis is usually based on ultrasound (US) and/or X-ray. US is considered an inherently operator-dependent imaging modality and, interobserver variability has previously been described by experts in the musculoskeletal US. The main objective of this study is to assess the interobserver agreement for shoulder calcific tendinopathy attending to the size, type, and location of calcium analyzed in plain film and ultrasound among trained musculoskeletal radiologists. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From June 2018 to May 2019, we conducted a prospective study. Patients diagnosed with shoulder pain related to calcific tendinopathy were included. Two different experienced musculoskeletal radiologists evaluated independently the plain film and the US. RESULTS: Forty patients, with a mean age of 54.6 years, were included. Cohen's kappa coefficient of 0.721 and 0.761 was obtained for the type of calcium encountered in plain film and the US, respectively. The location of calcification obtained a coefficient of 0.927 and 0.760 in plain film and US, respectively. The size of the calcification presented an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.891 and 0.86 in plain film and US respectively. No statistically significant differences were found in either measurement. CONCLUSION: This study shows very good interobserver reliability of type and size measurement (plain film and US) of shoulder calcifying tendinopathy in experienced musculoskeletal radiologists.

Revascularización mediante aterectomía direccional en isquemia crítica de miembro inferior. Primera experiencia ecuatoriana / Revascularization through directional atherectomy in critical inferior limb ischemia: first Ecuadorian experience

Introducción: La aterectomía direccional es una técnica mínimamente invasiva que puede ser utilizada para evitar la amputación de los miembros inferiores en caso de isquemia crítica. Caso: Se presenta la primera experiencia en Ecuador, realizada en una paciente diabética e insuficiente renal. Este procedimiento logró repermeabilizar el segmento femoropoplíteo izquierdo con éxito. Discusión: La aterectomía direccional es una alternativa eficaz, mínimamente invasiva, para evitar la amputación de miembros inferiores en pacientes isquemia crítica y múltiples comorbilidades. Palabras clave: Aterectomía, isquemia, miembro inferior, pie diabético.

Introduction: Directional atherectomy is a minimally invasive technique that can be used to avoid lower limb amputation due to critical ischemia. Case report: This is the first experience in Ecuador, using this technique in a diabetic patient with chronic renal failure. The procedure achieved successful recanalization of the left femoropopliteal artery. Discusion: Directional atherectomy seems to be an alternative to avoid limb amputation in patients with critical ischemia and several comorbidities.

Eficacia de terapia fotodinámica como complemento de terapia convencional periodontal versus terapia convencional en el tratamiento de pacientes adultos con periodontitis crónica: una revisión sistemática con metaanálisis / Effectiveness photodynamic therapy complementing conventional periodontal therapy versus conventional therapy in the treatment of adult patients with chronic periodontitis: a systematic review with meta-analyses

Se evaluó la eficacia de la terapia fotodinámica como complemento de terapia periodontal convencional comparándola con la terapia convencional en el tratamiento de sacos periodontales en pacientes adultos con periodontitis crónica basándose en ensayos clínicos comprendidos entre los años 2010 y 2015, para determinar si su uso otorga mejores resultados para el tratamiento de esta enfermedad. Se seleccionaron ensayos clínicos aleatorios prospectivos, aleatorizados o no aleatorizados, controlados y no controlados que permitieron la comparación entre el tratamiento convencional y la terapia fotodinámica, con un grupo en el cual se utilizó sólo la terapia convencional. Los datos de los ensayos clínicos fueron ingresados al software Review Manager®. Se realizaron tres metaanálisis para las variables: Nivel de inserción clínica (NIC) y profundidad de sondaje (PS), el test de I2 fue utilizado para medir la heterogeneidad del estudio y posteriormente un análisis de sensibilidad para determinar los estudios heterogéneos. Se pudieron analizar 7 estudios, con un total de 186 pacientes, quienes fueron controlados 3 meses post tratamiento. Se utilizó la diferencia de medias, un intervalo de confianza de 95 % para medir el NIC y PS. A los 3 meses, no se encontró diferencias significativas en NIC (p= 0,93) y PS (p= 0,71). Conclusión: La terapia fotodinámica en complementación a la terapia convencional no otorga mejor resultado clínico ni estadístico comparado con la terapia convencional al evaluar el nivel de inserción clínica. Al evaluar la profundidad de sondaje es recomendable la utilización de terapia convencional sola.

The efficacy of photodynamic therapy as an adjunct to conventional periodontal therapy evaluated by comparing with conventional therapy alone in the treatment of periodontal pockets in adult patients with chronic periodontitis based on clinical trials between 2010 and 2015, to determine if its use can provide better results for treating this disease. Prospective randomized clinical trials and randomized clinical trials or non-randomized, controlled and uncontrolled that allowed comparison between a group which was applied to conventional therapy and photodynamic therapy, a similar group was selected to which you He applied only conventional therapy. Data from clinical trials entered into Review Manager®. Three meta-analyzes for the variables analyzed were performed: Level clinical attachment (NIC) and probing depth (PS), the test of I2 was used to measure the heterogeneity of the study and then a sensitivity analysis to determine which studies awardedheterogeneity. As results, seven studies analyzed in 186 patients who underwent treatment at least controlled within 3 months post treatment. The mean difference was used, a confidence interval of 95 % to measure the NIC and PS. At 3 months, no significant differences in NIC (p= 0.93) and PS (p= 0.71). In conclusion, the photodynamic therapy complementary to conventional therapy does not provide better clinical or statistical results compared with conventional therapy to evaluate the clinical attachment level. In assessing probing depth, is advisable to use conventional therapy alone.

Abraham Horwitz (1910-2000) padre de la Salud Pública Panamericana / Abraham Horwitz (1910-2000): a Leading Man of Pan American Public Health

The Chilean physician Abraham B Horwitz (1910-2000) was an outstanding personality of World and Pan American public health during the second half of the twentieth century. He was member of a family that, emigrating due to ethnic persecutions in Russia, took refuge in Chile. He became a relevant physician, a specialist in infectious diseases and public health. He was highly influential in the birth of the Public Health School at the University of Chile and the Chilean Health Service. He became Executive Director of the Pan American Health Organization, holding that position for 16 years. During this period, the institution experienced a great development. He stimulated research in the areas of basic sanitation, nutrition and eradication of transmissible diseases. He also opened unexplored areas such as the relation between economy, modern administration and health. During his last years, he chaired a successful Nutrition Committee at the United Nations. The most outstanding achievement of this Committee was the promotion of widespread vitamin A use. His intellectual and social deed is continued by The Pan American Foundation for Health and Education and this institution established an annual prize in his memory.

Comunicación de caso clínico de encefalitis herpética demostrada por biopsia cerebral con microscopía electrónica / Communication of a clinical case of herpetic encephalitis demonstrated by cerebral biopsy with electronic microscopy

Se presentan los hallazgos de biopsia cerebral realizada en una menor de 2 años de edad, con evidencias clínicas de una encefalitis aguda grave. La biopsia se efectuó en el lóbulo temporal derecho basado en la signología clínica de focalización neurológica y la TAC que demostró mayor compromiso en áreas temporales. Mediante microscopía electrónica se visualizaron múltiples partículas virales intranucleares morfológicamente idénticas al virus herpes simplex. A través del método peroxidasa anti peroxidasa (PAP) se observó una marcada positividad para herpes simplex tipo II. Se realizó tratamiento antiviral con Aciclovir a partir del 6º día de enfermedad. Sobrevivió con grandes secuelas neurológicas

Envenenamiento por fluoroacetato de sodio (10-80) en pediatria: reporte de caso

La presente publicación se hace con la finalidad de exponer un caso de envenenamiento por fluoroacetato de sodio (10-80), tratado con alcohol etílico (whisky) al 14% con excelente resultado, en el Servicio de Urgencias del Hospital del Niño "Dr Francisco de Icaza Bustamante"

Diabetes mellitus e intolerancia a la glucosa en hipertensos. Hospital de Villarrica. / Diabetes mellitus and glucose intolerance in hypertensive patients. Hospital of Villarrica

Se analizan los resultados de las glicemias en ayunas y postingesta de 75 gramos de glucosa a los 120 minutos en 199 hipertensos del Hospital de Villarrica. Se precisan algunas caracteristicas del grupo estudiado como presencia de obesidad, tipo de hipertension, antecedentes hereditarios de diabetes, existencia de glicemia previas, ruralidad.Se encuentran once pacientes diabeticos y nueve con intolerancia a la glucosa, segun criterios diagnosticos propuestos por el DATA Group.Se destaca el factor obesidad en los casos de diabetes e intolerancia a la glucosa. Se enfatiza la necesidad de efectuar pesquisa de diabetes en los hipertensos, especialmente obesos entre los cincuenta y setenta anos

Tabaquismo, alcohol y drogas en estudiantes recién ingresados a la Universidad de Concepción / Smoking, alcohol and drugs consumption in just enrolled students at Universidad de Concepción, Chile

La asociación fumar tabaco, beber alcohol y consumir drogas es frecuente en los adolescentes. Por esta razón estudiamos a 1.192 estudiantes recién ingresados a la Universidad de Concepción. El 40, 1 por ciento fumaba y la asociación con consumo de alcohol era 9,6 por ciento y de drogas 6,5 por ciento; mientras que en los estudiantes no fumadores era de 3,1 por ciento y 1,3 por ciento respectivamente. Los estudiantes que bebían alcohol fumaban 67,7 por ciento y los que consumían drogas 70 por ciento; mientras que la prevalencia de fumadores en los que no bebían alcohol era de 38,4 y los que no consumían drogas era de 39,1 por ciento. La asociación de consumo de alcohol y drogas fue de 3,8 por ciento en los estudiantes fumadores y 0,2 por ciento en los estudiantes no fumadores. Estos antecedentes hacen necesario implementar un programa de prevención del tabaquismo, alcohol y drogas a nivel pre-escolar y escolar; y a nivel superior otorgar oportunidades de tratamientos para dejar de fumar, beber y abandonar el consumo de drogas