[Results of all-inside arthroscopic meniscal sutures, mid-term review]. / Resultado de suturas meniscales por técnica artroscópica ''todo adentro'', revisión a mediano plazo.

INTRODUCTION: all-in meniscal suture devices have evolved and simplified meniscal repair. In this study we will formulate the following research questions: what is the rate of survival and failure? What are the risk factors associated with failure? And what are the functional results after meniscal repair surgery? MATERIAL AND METHODS: ambispective study from 2001 to 2021 of patients with repairable meniscal injury with all-in meniscal suture devices. The survival and failure ratio were obtained with the Kaplan-Meier test, the risk factors associated with meniscal suture failure were assessed with the logistic regression test, and the pre- and post-surgical functional results were estimated with the test. t-Student. RESULTS: in 20 years of follow-up of 316 menisci repaired with all-in meniscal sutures, a survival rate of 95.9% was obtained. The absence of injury to the anterior horn of the meniscus was shown to be a protective factor [OR = 0.12], together with not practicing impact sports [OR = 0.2]. Post-surgery IKDC and Tegner-Lysholm results were shown to be very good to excellent (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: all-in meniscal suture devices are and will continue to be front-line weapons in the repair of meniscal tears. In 20 years of follow-up, a lower failure rate was evidenced, associated with excellent functional results.

INTRODUCCIÓN: los dispositivos de suturas meniscal todo adentro han evolucionado y simplificado la reparación meniscal. En este estudio formulamos las siguientes preguntas de investigación: ¿cuál es la tasa de supervivencia y falla?, ¿cuáles son los factores de riesgo asociado a falla? y ¿cuáles son los resultados funcionales posterior a la cirugía de reparación meniscal? MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio ambispectivo desde el 2001 al 2021 de pacientes con lesión meniscal reparable con dispositivos meniscales de sutura todo adentro. La razón de supervivencia y falla se obtuvo con el test de Kaplan-Meier, los factores de riesgo asociado con falla de la sutura meniscal se valoraron con el test de regresión logística y los resultados funcionales pre y postquirúrgicos fueron estimados con la prueba t-Student. RESULTADOS: en 20 años de seguimiento de 316 menisco reparados con suturas meniscal todo adentro se obtuvo que la razón de supervivencia de 95.9%. La ausencia de lesión del cuerno anterior del menisco se mostró como un factor protector [OR = 0.12], junto a la no práctica de deportes de impacto [OR = 0.2]. Se mostraron resultados del IKDC y Tegner-Lysholm posterior a la cirugía de muy buenos a excelentes (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIÓN: los dispositivos de sutura de meniscal todo adentro son y seguirán siendo armas de primera línea en la reparación de las roturas meniscales. En 20 años de seguimiento se evidenció una menor tasa de falla, asociados con excelentes resultados funcionales.

Resultado de suturas meniscales por técnica artroscópica "todo adentro", revisión a mediano plazo / Results of all-inside arthroscopic meniscal sutures, mid-term review

Resumen: Introducción: los dispositivos de suturas meniscal todo adentro han evolucionado y simplificado la reparación meniscal. En este estudio formulamos las siguientes preguntas de investigación: ¿cuál es la tasa de supervivencia y falla?, ¿cuáles son los factores de riesgo asociado a falla? y ¿cuáles son los resultados funcionales posterior a la cirugía de reparación meniscal? Material y métodos: estudio ambispectivo desde el 2001 al 2021 de pacientes con lesión meniscal reparable con dispositivos meniscales de sutura todo adentro. La razón de supervivencia y falla se obtuvo con el test de Kaplan-Meier, los factores de riesgo asociado con falla de la sutura meniscal se valoraron con el test de regresión logística y los resultados funcionales pre y postquirúrgicos fueron estimados con la prueba t-Student. Resultados: en 20 años de seguimiento de 316 menisco reparados con suturas meniscal todo adentro se obtuvo que la razón de supervivencia de 95.9%. La ausencia de lesión del cuerno anterior del menisco se mostró como un factor protector [OR = 0.12], junto a la no práctica de deportes de impacto [OR = 0.2]. Se mostraron resultados del IKDC y Tegner-Lysholm posterior a la cirugía de muy buenos a excelentes (p < 0.0001). Conclusión: los dispositivos de sutura de meniscal todo adentro son y seguirán siendo armas de primera línea en la reparación de las roturas meniscales. En 20 años de seguimiento se evidenció una menor tasa de falla, asociados con excelentes resultados funcionales.

Abstract: Introduction: all-in meniscal suture devices have evolved and simplified meniscal repair. In this study we will formulate the following research questions: what is the rate of survival and failure? What are the risk factors associated with failure? And what are the functional results after meniscal repair surgery? Material and methods: ambispective study from 2001 to 2021 of patients with repairable meniscal injury with all-in meniscal suture devices. The survival and failure ratio were obtained with the Kaplan-Meier test, the risk factors associated with meniscal suture failure were assessed with the logistic regression test, and the pre- and post-surgical functional results were estimated with the test. t-Student. Results: in 20 years of follow-up of 316 menisci repaired with all-in meniscal sutures, a survival rate of 95.9% was obtained. The absence of injury to the anterior horn of the meniscus was shown to be a protective factor [OR = 0.12], together with not practicing impact sports [OR = 0.2]. Post-surgery IKDC and Tegner-Lysholm results were shown to be very good to excellent (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: all-in meniscal suture devices are and will continue to be front-line weapons in the repair of meniscal tears. In 20 years of follow-up, a lower failure rate was evidenced, associated with excellent functional results.

Agresores sexuales seriales en Colombia: dos estudios de casos de las ciudades de Bogotá y Cali / Serial sex offenders in Colombia: two case studies from the citiesof Bogotá and Cali

El presente artículo, luego de ilustrar al lector sobre la naturaleza de los agresores sexuales seriales, desarrolla puntualmente dos casos de estudio documentados por la Procuraduría Delegada para el Ministerio Público en Asuntos Penales y la Policía Nacional, extraídos de las líneas investigativas que implementan estas instituciones desde años atrás. Este ejercicio investigativo conforma un estudio de caso múltiple que busca ampliar el conocimiento disponible sobre la materia, haciendo los respectivos análisis frente a la naturaleza de los individuos que cometen esta clase de transgresiones y a sus dinámicas delincuenciales. Se encuentran los resultados de diferentes entrevistas, revisión de expediente judicial, aplicación de pruebas psicométricas en dos sujetos capturados y condenados por la comisión de agresiones sexuales de similares características. En ambos casos, el delito sexual es el objetivo de la actividad, en el que predomina amenaza con arma cortopunzante. En los dos casos estos comportamientos se presentan después de los 18 años, el sujeto (1) presenta 23 víctimas registradas en el sistema judicial, y el sujeto (2), 15 víctimas reconocidas; en cuanto a las características psicológicas, los dos tuvieron problemas en el acatamiento de normas, con baja tolerancia a la frustración y actitudes machistas durante su infancia y adolescencia.

Ube2l3 gene expression is modulated by activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor: implications for p53 ubiquitination.

Exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon and environmental contaminant, results in several deleterious effects, including fetal malformation and cancer. These effects are mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-activated receptor that regulates the expression of genes encoding xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes. Several reports suggest that AhR function is beyond the adaptive chemical response. In the present study, we analyzed and compared gene expression profiles of C57BL/6N wild-type (WT) and Ahr-null mice. DNA microarray and quantitative RT-PCR analyses revealed changes in the expression of genes involved in the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). UPS has an important role in cellular homeostasis control and dysfunction of this pathway has been implicated in the development of several human pathologies. Protein ubiquitination is a multi-step enzymatic process that regulates the stability, function, and/or localization of the modified proteins. This system is highly regulated post-translationally by covalent modifications. However, little information regarding the transcriptional regulation of the genes encoding ubiquitin (Ub) proteins is available. Therefore, we investigated the role of the AhR in modulation of the UPS and regulation of Ube2l3 transcription, an E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, as well as the effects on p53 degradation. Our results indicate that AhR inactivation decreases on liver proteasome activity, probably due to a down-regulation on the expression of several proteasome subunits. On the other hand, AhR activation increases Ube2l3 mRNA and protein levels by controlling Ube2l3 gene expression, resulting in increased p53 ubiquitination and degradation. In agreement with this, induction of apoptosis was attenuated by the AhR activation.

Aromatic hydrocarbons upregulate glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and induce changes in actin cytoskeleton. Role of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR).

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) is a multifunctional enzyme involved in several cellular functions including glycolysis, membrane transport, microtubule assembly, DNA replication and repair, nuclear RNA export, apoptosis, and the detection of nitric oxide stress. Therefore, modifications in the regulatory ability and function of GAPDH may alter cellular homeostasis. We report here that 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and beta-naphthoflavone, which are well-known ligands for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), increase GAPDH mRNA levels in vivo and in vitro, respectively. These compounds fail to induce GAPDH transcription in an AhR-null mouse model, suggesting that the increase in GAPDH level is dependent upon AhR activation. To analyse the consequences of AhR ligands on GAPDH function, mice were treated with TCDD and the level of liver activity of GAPDH was determined. The results showed that TCDD treatment increased GAPDH activity. On the other hand, treatment of Hepa-1 cells with beta-naphthoflavone leads to an increase in microfilament density when compared to untreated cultures. Collectively, these results suggest that AhR ligands, such as polycyclic hydrocarbons, can modify GAPDH expression and, therefore, have the potential to alter the multiple functions of this enzyme.

[Anal intraepithelial neoplasia (NIA) and infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) in anoreceptive patients]. / La neoplasia intraepitelial anal y la infección por virus del papiloma humano en pacientes anorreceptivos.

BACKGROUND: An association between human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and progression to anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) and epidermoid cancer has been established. OBJECTIVE: To know the prevalence of low and high grade AIN, as well as HPV infection in an anoreceptive patients group, infected or not, by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patients with anoreceptive sexual relations were considered in this study. Patients who accepted anal citology and high definition anoscopy and biopsies with a follow-up not minor of 3 months were included. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were included: 40 male (90.9%) with average age of 31 years. Anal cytology showed inflammatory alterations in 21 patients (28%), low grade intraepithelial lesion in 23 (52%); there were not patients with high grade epithelial lesion. According to the high definition anoscopy, there were low grade intraepithelial lesion in 42 patients (95%) and high grade in 2 (5%). Biopsy showed low grade intraepithelial in 26 patients (59%), high grade in 4 (9%) and inflammatory alterations in 14 (32%). The prevalence of AIN and HPV infection was 68% in both diseases. The HIV infection was associated with the presence of high grade AIN (p=0.002, OR 47.7) CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of AIN and HPV infection between patients with anoreceptive sexual relations. The HIV infection is a risk factor for the development of high grade AIN.

Treatment of pediatric non-Hodgkin lymphomas in a country with limited resources: results of the first national protocol in Nicaragua.

We report the results of a protocol for the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) conducted in Nicaragua in the context of an international collaborative program. Fifty-three children with NHL treated between 1996 and 2003 were retrospectively evaluated. Therapy was designed based on local drug availability and affordability with dose and schedule adaptations for Burkitt and lymphoblastic lymphomas. With a median follow-up of 3 years, the projected 9-year overall survival was 63% and event-free survival 53%. The treatment was efficacious, feasible, and well tolerated in spite of the local socio-economical conditions.

Descubriendo el pseudoxantoma elástico / Discovering the elasticum pseudoxanthoma

Enfermedad hereditaria rara, el pseudoxantoma elástico es un trastorno genético del tejido conectivo, que se caracteriza por fragmentación de las fibras elásticas y posterior calcificación de éstas afectando dermis, vasos sanguíneos y la membrana de Bruch de retina. El patrón de herencia es muy variable, lo que hace posible que esta enfermedad pueda estar subdiagnosticada. La escasa incidencia de esta patología justifica la presentación de dos casos que tuvieron solamente manifestaciones cutáneas.

Hereditary disease does not frequent pseudoxanthoma elastic; is a genetic upheaval of the conective weave, that characterizes by fragmentation of elastic fibers and later calcification of these, affecting dermis, blood vessels and membrane of Bruch of retina. The inheritance pattern is very variable which causes that disease; can be subdiagnosed. The litlle incidence of this pathology, causes that in our professional experience we have been able to diagnose two cases in which the manifestations were cutaneous.

Treatment of childhood Wilms' tumor without radiotherapy in Nicaragua.

BACKGROUND: Recent trends in therapeutic strategies for Wilms' tumor are based on an attempt to reduce or omit radiotherapy (RT) in a sizable fraction of patients. We report here the clinical and histological features as well as the results obtained in 37 children (23 males, 14 females; median age at diagnosis 3 years, range 0.8-8 years) diagnosed between 1991 and 1996, and treated with chemotherapy (CT) and surgery at La Mascota Hospital, Managua, Nicaragua. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were grouped as follows: those who underwent surgery at diagnosis (group A, n = 4), patients who received preoperative CT because of large tumor size (group B, n = 27), lung metastases (n = 5) or bilateral disease (n = 1) (group C, n = 6). Treatment consisted of vincristine (VCR) and actinomycin-D (ACTD) for 24 weeks in group A, and of VCR, ACTD and adriamycin for 68 weeks in groups B and C. Histology was classified as favorable in 30 patients (81%), unfavorable in six patients (all of group B) and unknown in one. RESULTS: With a median follow-up time of 6.4 years the event-free survival for the whole group was 80.1%+/-6.8 (SE). No event occurred beyond 5 years of diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that RT does not appear necessary for the majority of patients, and that an excellent surgical approach associated with an intensive CT schedule can control the disease, even in the absence of adequate information on the intra-abdominal tumor extent.

North-South twinning in paediatric haemato-oncology: the La Mascota programme, Nicaragua.

We describe the La Mascota twinning programme between La Mascota paediatric hospital in Managua, Nicaragua, and hospitals in Monza and Milan, Italy, and Bellinzona, Switzerland. The programme was based on the belief that an attempt to reduce the gap in mortality from cancer in childhood between developed and less developed countries should become an integral part of the care and research activity of a haemato-oncological department of a developed country and not simply an exercise in solidarity. This programme for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia shows that intellectual, organisational, and financial resources can be generated by a twinning programme. What is vital for such programmes is a long-term commitment to a comprehensive and holistic strategy that incorporates supply of drugs, training and supervision of health professionals, and the care of the children and of their parents.

Minimal cardiac effects in asymptomatic athyreotic patients chronically treated with thyrotropin-suppressive doses of L-thyroxine.

Biondi, Fazio, and colleagues recently reported that long term T4 treatment to suppress serum TSH markedly affects cardiac function. T4-treated patients had more symptoms [12.2 +/- 3.9 (+/-SD) vs. 4.2 +/- 2.3 by quantitative questionnaire], higher mean heart rate, increased incidence of atrial extrasystoles, increased interventricular septal thickness and left ventricular mass index (LVMi), and significant diastolic dysfunction. The severity of cardiac abnormalities was highly correlated with scores of a rating scale used for assessing symptoms of thyrotoxicosis. We have duplicated their studies in 17 athyreotic patients (mean age, 45 +/- 10 yr; range, 27-63 yr) without heart disease or hypertension whose dose of T4 was titrated to suppress serum TSH to less than 0.01 microU/mL. The mean duration of T4 treatment was 9.2 +/- 5.4 yr. Controls were healthy volunteers matched for sex and age (+/-3 yr). The mean T4 dose was 2.8 +/- 0.9 micrograms/kg (0.192 +/- 0.058 mg/day). By questionnaire, patients had minimal symptoms, although their symptom score was significantly greater than the control value (4 +/- 3 vs. 2 +/- 1; P < 0.05; maximum score, 36). No differences in mean heart rate or in atrial or ventricular extrasystoles were noted. In patients, indexes of systolic and diastolic function and interventricular septal thickness were similar to control values. The mean LVMi was normal in both groups. However, the mean LVMi in patients (117 +/- 35 g/m2) was higher than that in controls (92 +/- 31; P < 0.05). In conclusion, patients were minimally affected by TSH-suppressive doses of T4. They had few symptoms and no increase in extrasystoles or basal heart rate. Based on current knowledge, the increase in LVMi observed in patients without associated significant systolic or diastolic abnormalities does not have clinical or prognostic importance. Therefore, in the absence of symptoms of thyrotoxicosis, patients treated with TSH-suppressive doses of L-T4 may be followed clinically without specific cardiac laboratory studies.

Treatment of childhood Hodgkin's disease with COPP or COPP-ABV (hybrid) without radiotherapy in Nicaragua.

BACKGROUND: Childhood Hodgkin's disease (HD) in low-income countries has been reported to have distinct presenting features, including a high prevalence of the mixed cellularity subtype, which also seems to be associated with poorer prognosis. Further investigations are needed to evaluate these issues. Another controversial aspect of childhood HD is the use of radiotherapy (RT) in its treatment and the growing concern about its serious adverse side effects. In this paper, data on the diagnosis and outcome of children treated without RT in a low-income country (Nicaragua) are reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-eight consecutive children aged 0-15 years, diagnosed at 'La Mascota' Hospital of Managua (Nicaragua) from January 1990 to October 1995. entered this study. Follow-up was updated in May 1996. Clinical and histopathological staging was performed according to Ann Arbor and Rye criteria, respectively. Treatment consisted of COPP (six cycles) for stages I or IIA, or COPP-ABV hybrid): eight cycles for stages IIB or III, and ID cycles for stage IV. Total cumulative doses of adriamycin and bleomycin in this protocol are, respectively, 200 and 80 mg:sqm for stages II B or III and 250 and 100 mg/sqm for stage IV. RESULTS: The median age of the 48 patients at diagnosis was seven years, and the mean age was 7.9 years (range 3-15 years). Clinical stages were IA in 5, IIA in 9, IIB in 6, IIIA in 5, IIIB in 14, and IVB in 9. Histopathologically, 25 cases presented with mixed cellularity, 15 with nodular sclerosis, 5 with lymphocytic predominance and 3 with lymphocytic depletion. Four patients did not proceed with treatment and were lost to follow-up. Two patients (stages IIIB and IVB), who never achieved complete remission (CR) during treatment, presented progressive disease at the end of the scheduled chemotherapy. The remaining 42 patients were in complete remission at the end of chemotherapy. Following discontinuation of therapy, one patient (stage IA) was lost to follow-up and two patients with stage IIIB, who were in CR after the second chemotherapy cycle, relapsed 20 and 9 months following the diagnosis. EFS at three years is 100% for the 25 patients with stages I, II, IIIA and 74.9% for the 23 patients with stages IIIB or IV. CONCLUSION: The presenting features found in these patients are similar to those reported from other low-income countries. In our experience, however, the high prevalence of the mixed cellularity subtype was not associated with poorer prognosis. Satisfactory results have been achieved in patients with stages I, II or IIIA HD using COPP or COPP-ABV (hybrid) regimens without RT. The treatment was also well tolerated and can thus be recommended for these patients in low-income countries, where RT facilities may be scarce or unavailable. The use of more aggressive treatment schedules and/or RT on involved fields in front-line treatment may, however, be needed for the more advanced stages IIIB or IV. Large studies with adequate follow-up are needed to evaluate whether, if RT is omitted, higher cumulative doses of more toxic drugs are required and thus compare the long-term toxic effects of different treatment modalities.

Use of all-trans retinoic acid to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia: a case with very severe features at the onset in Nicaragua.

We observed a child with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) who, at the onset, had extremely severe hemorrhagic and septic complications. According to our experience in Nicaragua, there was a very high risk of early death. The patient was successfully treated with a program that included all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) followed by cytotoxic chemotherapy. ATRA has two important features: it is effective in initial treatment of APL and it is inexpensive. Because of the high cost and the need for extensive supportive care, optimal myeloablative therapy used in patients with various types of acute myeloid leukemia generally cannot be given in developing countries. ATRA treatment for APL is affordable everywhere.

Clastogenicity of red pepper (Capsicum frutescens L.) extracts.

Extracts from the fruits of Capsicum frutescens L. were tested for their clastogenicity using the mouse-bone-marrow micronucleus (mouse-MN) assay. Results of the mouse-MN, an in vivo method, indicated that the isolate CF-1 is clastogenic at the maximum tolerated dose of 1.22 mg/kg mouse. Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon two-sample test showed that the null hypothesis, mu tetracycline = muCF-1, is acceptable at 0.05 and 0.01 degrees of significance. Hence, the clastogenicity of CF-1 is statistically similar to that of tetracycline, a known clastogen, at the 5% and 1% levels of significance.