Glandular Odontogenic Cyst: A Case Report and Literature Review

The glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) is a pathological entity that most commonly develops in the anterior region of the mandible and can emulate other lesions, including other cysts, odontogenic tumors, and even malignant lesions of glandular origin. Therefore, the aim of this manuscript is to report a new case of GOC treated conservatively and to discuss its clinical, radiological, histopathological, and therapeutic aspects.

El quiste odontogénico glandular (QOG) es una entidad patológica que se desarrolla con mayor frecuencia en la región anterior de la mandíbula y que puede mimetizar otras lesiones incluyendo otros quistes, tumores odontogénicos y hasta lesiones malignas de origen glandular. Por lo tanto, el objetivo del presente manuscrito es reportar un nuevo caso de QOG tratado de forma conservadora y discutir sus aspectos clínicos, imagenológicos, anatomopatológicos y terapéuticos.

Biológical invasions in agroecosystems of continental Ecuador: ecological niche of alien species and low risk agricultura! Crops / Invasiones biológicas en agroecosistemas de ecuador continental: nicho ecológico de especies exóticas y cultivos agrícolas bajo riesgo

RESUMEN En Ecuador las especies exóticas invasoras (EEI) provocan consecuencias negativas en los aspectos ecológicos, económicos y de seguridad alimentaria. Los agroecosistemas hacen parte de los sectores productivos a nivel mundial, pero son vulnerables a sufrir invasiones biológicas por la constante actividad humana y por el traslado de vegetación, tierra y semillas, por lo que deben ser constantemente monitoreados, pues desempeñan un papel importante en la economía al ser fuente de empleo. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar la influencia potencial de las EEI sobre los agroecosistemas de Ecuador continental a través del modelado del nicho ecológico. Se usó como método de modelación el algoritmo de máxima entropía y se emplearon los registros de presencia de seis especies de plantas, tres insectos y un molusco en sus regiones nativas y en zonas invadidas a nivel mundial. Los registros provienen de Global Biodiversity Information Facility y de Tropicos. Como variables explicativas se emplearon 19 variables bioclimáticas y seis variables de vegetación. Se obtuvieron los mapas de distribución geográfica potencial, las áreas de superposición de la distribución de las especies y la delimitación de las zonas de mayor riesgo. Se determinó que las condiciones ambientales de las regiones Sierra y Amazónica son idóneas para una posible invasión de seis y siete especies. Además, más del 50 % de la cobertura agropecuaria del país podría ser afectada por las especies Wasmannia rochai, Spondias purpurea L., Lissachatina fúlica y Conium maculatum L., siendo los cultivos de ciclo corto los más vulnerables a la invasión por estas especies.

ABSTRACT In Ecuador, invasive alien species (IAS) cause negative consequences in ecology, economy, and food security. Agroecosystems belong to one of the productive sectors worldwide but are vulnerable to biological invasions by constant human activity and the transfer of vegetation, soil, and seeds, so they must be constantly monitored because of their important role in the economy to be a source of employment. The objective of this research was to evaluate the potential influence of IAS on the agroecosystems of continental Ecuador through the modeling of the ecological niche. The maximum entropy algorithm was used as a modeling method, and the presence register in the native region and invaded areas at a global level of six plant species, three insect species and one mollusc species were used. Data were obtained from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and Tropicos. As explanatory variables, 19 bioclimatic variables, and six vegetation variables were used. Maps of potential geographical distribution, the overlap areas of the distribution of the species, and the delimitation of the zones of greater risk were obtained. It was determined that the environmental conditions of the Sierra and the Amazonian regions are ideal for a possible invasion of most species. Moreover, more than 50 % of the agricultural coverage of the country could be affected by Wasmannia rochai, Spondias purpurea L., Lissachatina fulica, and Conium maculatum L., with short cycle crops being the most vulnerable to invasion.

Estudio comparativo de equipos INR capilar "point of care" versus INR venoso, en pacientes en tratamiento con antagonistas de vitamina K / Comparison of point of care capillary international normalized ratio (INR) with INR measured in venous samples

Background: INR is used to monitor the treatment with vitamin K antagonists. A strategy to reduce waiting times for sampling is to measure INR in a capillary sample using a portable point of care (POC) type coagulometer. Aim: To evaluate the correlation of CoaguChek Pro II™, Xprecia™ and microINR™ with venous INR measured at the clinical laboratory and their ease of use. Materials and Methods: Patients provided capillary and venous blood samples for parallel tests comparing Xprecia™ Stride with CoaguChek Pro II™ and with venous INR, microINR™ with CoaguChek Pro IITM and with venous INR. The devices' ease of use was assessed surveying the sampling staff. Results: The three tested devices had good correlation coefficients with venous INR: CoaguChek Pro IITM 0.953 and 0.962; Xprecia™ of 0.912 and microINR™ of 0.932. The correlation coefficient of Xprecia™ with CoaguChek Pro IITM was 0.937 and microINR™ with CoaguChek Pro IITM was 0.976. Conclusions: CoaguChek Pro IITM, Xprecia™ and microINR™ results had a good correlation coefficient with INR measured at the laboratory. Our results indicate that, in the hands of trained users, POC-type coagulometers are reliable and acceptable for routine use in anticoagulant treatment control.

A clinically structured and partnered approach to genetic testing in Trinidadian women with breast cancer and their families.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer death in Caribbean women. Across the Caribbean islands, the prevalence of hereditary breast cancer among unselected breast cancer patients ranges from 5 to 25%. Moreover, the prevalence of BC among younger women and the high mortality in the Caribbean region are notable. This BC burden presents an opportunity for cancer prevention and control that begins with genetic testing among high-risk women. Measured response to positive genetic test results includes the number of preventive procedures and cascade testing in family members. We previously reported data on an active approach to promote cascade testing in the Bahamas and report on preventive procedures showing moderate uptake. Here, we describe a clinically structured and community-partnered approach to the dissemination and follow-up of genetic test results including family counseling for the promotion of risk mitigation strategies and cascade testing in our Trinidadian cohort of patients tested positive for BC predisposition genes. METHODS: As a part of our initial study of BC genetic testing in Trinidad and Tobago, all participants received pre-test counseling including three-generation pedigree and genetic testing for BRCA1/2, PALB2, and RAD51C. The study was approved by the University of Miami IRB and the Ethics Committee of the Ministry of Health, Trinidad and Tobago. We prospectively evaluated a clinically structured approach to genetic counseling and follow-up of BC mutation carriers in Trinidad and Tobago in 2015. The intervention consisted of (1) engaging twenty-nine BC patients with a deleterious gene mutation (probands), and (2) invitation of their at-risk relatives to attend to a family counseling session. The session included information on the meaning of their results, risk of inheritance, risk of cancer, risk-reduction options, offering of cascade testing to family members, and follow-up of proband decision-making over two years. RESULTS: Twenty-four of twenty-nine mutation carriers (82.8%) consented to enroll in the study. At initial pedigree review, we identified 125 at-risk relatives (ARR). Seventy-seven ARR (62%) attended the family counseling sessions; of these, 76 ARR (99%) consented to be tested for their family gene mutation. Genetic sequencing revealed that of the 76 tested, 35 (46%) ARR were carriers of their family mutation. The ARR received their results and were urged to take preventative measures at post-test counseling. At 2-year follow-up, 6 of 21 probands with intact breasts elected to pursue preventive mastectomy (28.5%) and 4 of 20 women with intact ovaries underwent RRSO (20%). CONCLUSIONS: In Trinidad and Tobago, a clinically structured and partnered approach to our testing program led to a significant rate of proband response by completing the intervention counseling session, executing risk-reducing procedures as well as informing and motivating at-risk relatives, thereby demonstrating the utility and efficacy of this BC control program.

Transcranial direct current stimulation reduces food-craving and measures of hyperphagia behavior in participants with Prader-Willi syndrome.

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a neurodevelopmental genetic disorder characterized by intellectual disabilities and insatiable appetite with compulsive eating leading to severe obesity with detrimental health consequences. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been shown to modulate decision-making and cue-induced food craving in healthy adults. We conducted a pilot double blind, sham-controlled, multicenter study of tDCS modulation of food drive and craving in 10 adult PWS participants, 11 adult obese (OB) and 11 adult healthy-weight control (HWC) subjects. PWS and OB subjects received five consecutive daily sessions of active or sham tDCS over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), while HWC received a single sham and active tDCS in a crossover design. Standardized psychometric instruments assessed food craving, drive and hyperphagia by self-report and caregiver assessment over 30 days. Robust baseline differences were observed in severity scores for the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ) and Dykens Hyperphagia Questionnaire (DHQ) for PWS compared to HWC while obese participants were more similar to HWC. Active tDCS stimulation in PWS was associated with a significant change from baseline in TFEQ Disinhibition (Factor II) (Ƶ = 1.9, P < 0.05, 30 days) and Total Scores (Ƶ = 2.3, P < 0.02, 30 days), and participant ratings of the DHQ Severity (Ƶ = 1.8, P < 0.06, 5 days) and Total Scores (Ƶ = 1.9, P < 0.05, 15 days). These findings support sustained neuromodulatory effects and efficacy of tDCS to reduce food drive and behaviors impacting hyperphagia in PWS. Transcranial direct current stimulation may represent a straight-forward, low risk and low cost method to improve care, management and quality of life in PWS.

RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS FOR GASTRIC METAPLASIA AND CANCER: A HOSPITAL-BASED CASE-CONTROL STUDY IN ECUADOR.

INTRODUCTION: worldwide, stomach cancer is the fifth most frequent cancer, with 952 000 new cases diagnosed in 2012. Ecuador currently holds the 15th place of countries with the highest incidence of stomach cancer for both sexes. OBJECTIVES: the objective of this study was to evaluate risk and protective factors for gastric cancer/metaplasia. METHODS: a hospital-based case-control study was conducted in Quito, Ecuador. Cases were defined as patients with histological confirmation of gastric cancer (N = 60) or incomplete gastric metaplasia (N = 53). Controls were defined as patients free of gastric cancer or premalignant lesions (N = 144). All participants were personally interviewed using a structured questionnaire to collect data about dietary habits, lifestyle and medical history. RESULTS: risk factors significantly associated to the presence of gastric cancer/metaplasia were the consumption of reheated foods at least 3 times per week (AOR: 4.57; CI: 2.2 - 9.5) and adding salt to more than 50% of foods (AOR: 1.32; CI: 1.04 - 1.67). Protective factors for gastric cancer/metaplasia were the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (AOR: 0.39; CI 0.19 - 0.83), age less than 58 years old (AOR: 0.38; CI: 0.18 - 0.79) and have received treatment for H. Pylori infection (AOR: 0.33; CI: 0.16 - 0.71). CONCLUSIONS: this study reports for the first time, the risk and protective factors associated with gastric cancer and metaplasia in Ecuador.

Introducción: el cáncer de estómago ocupa la quinta posición entre los cánceres más frecuentes en el mundo, con 952.000 casos diagnosticados en el 2012. El Ecuador ocupa el 15º lugar entre los países con la incidencia más alta de cáncer gástrico en ambos sexos. Objetivo: el objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar los factores de protección y de riesgo para cáncer/metaplasia gástrico. Métodos: se realizó un estudio hospitalario de casos y controles en la ciudad de Quito, Ecuador. Se definieron como casos a los pacientes con diagnóstico histológico confirmado de cáncer gástrico (N = 60) o con metaplasia gástrica incompleta (N = 53). Se definieron como controles a los pacientes sin cáncer gástrico o lesiones premalignas (N = 144). A todos los pacientes se les realizó una entrevista personalizada utilizando un cuestionario estructurado para recoger datos sobre hábitos dietéticos, estilo de vida e historia clínica. Resultados: los factores de riesgo asociados significativamente con el diagnóstico de cáncer gástrico/metaplasia fueron el consumo de alimentos recalentados al menos tres veces a la semana, (AOR: 4,57; CI: 2,2 ­ 9,5) y añadir sal a más del 50% de las comidas (AOR: 1,32; CI: 1,04 ­ 1,67). Los factores de protección asociados significativamente para no desarrollar cáncer/metaplasia gástrico fueron el uso de antiinflamatorios no esteroideos (AOR: 0,39; CI 0,19 ­ 0,83), edad menor a 58 años (AOR: 0,38; CI: 0,18 ­ 0,79) y haber recibido tratamiento para la infección por H. Pylori (AOR: 0,33; CI: 0,16 ­ 0,71). Conclusiones: este estudio reporta por primera vez los factores de riesgo y de protección asociados con el cáncer/ metaplasia gástrico en Ecuador.

Acute treatment with 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, tropisetron, reduces immobility in intact female rats exposed to the forced swim test.

The effects of tropisetron, a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, were evaluated in adult Fischer female rats exposed to the Forced Swim Test (FST). Rats selected on the days of proestrus or estrus was immersed in a cylinder of water for 2 consecutive days. Rats were exposed to the FST for 15 min on day 1 (pretest), followed by a 5-min session (test), 24 h later. The proestrous-estrous group consisted of rats that were exposed to the FST on their proestrous stage (pretest); then 24 h later the same rats were exposed to the FST on their estrous stage (test). Rats in the estrous-diestrous group were exposed to the FST on their estrous stage (pretest) and 24 h later on their diestrous stage (test). Rats were injected intraperitoneally with saline or 1.0 or 2.0 mg/kg tropisetron 30 min prior to exposure to the cylinder on the test day. Immobility, swimming, and struggling behaviors were scored for 5 min. There was a significant decline in immobility after treatment with 2.0 mg/kg tropisetron in both groups. In addition, a significant decline in swimming was observed in the estrous rats (proestrous-estrous group) after treatment with 2.0 mg/kg tropisetron. There were no significant effects of tropisetron on struggling in any groups examined.

Ulcera eosinofílica de la lengua / Eosinophilic ulcer of the tongue

Se presenta un paciente de 27 años, sexo masculino, con una ulceración en borde lateral de la lengua, acompañada de dolor y prurito leves. El estudio histopatológico confirmó el diagnóstico de úlcera eosinofílica de la lengua. Se observó remisión total espontánea, siete días después de la biopsia. La úlcera eosinofílica de la lengua tiene un curso benigno autolimitante. Su comienzo rápido y el corto tiempo de curación son claves en el diagnóstico diferencial con el epitelioma espinocelular. Un reconocimiento temprano de esta entidad es importante, a efectos de evitar tratamientos potencialmente mutilantes innecesarios