Evolutionary aspects on the origin, distribution and ramifications of the ischiadicus nerve in the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) / Aspectos evolutivos sobre as origens, distribuições e ramificações dos nervos isquiáticos do tamanduá-bandeira (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)

This work aimed to describe the origin, distribution, and ramifications of the ischiadicus nerve in the giant anteater and to provide anatomical data which could explain not only the evolutionary aspects but also provide important information for other related works. For the present study, four specimens were used, prepared by perfusion of 10% formaldehyde solution via the femoral artery, for conservation and dissection. The origin of the right and left ischiadicus nerves in the giant anteater from the ventral ramification of the third lumbar (L3) and the first (S1), second (S2), and third (S3) sacral spinal nerves. These nerves were symmetrical in all animals studied. The distribution and ramification occurred to the superficial, middle, and deep gluteal, gemelli, piriform, quadratus femoris, tensor fasciae latae, caudal crural abductor, cranial and caudal parts of the biceps femoris, adductor, semitendinous, and cranial and caudal parts of the semimembranous muscles. Based on the origins of the ischiadicus nerves, there is a caudal migration in the nerve location in animals in a more recent position on the evolutionary scale due to reconfiguration of the lumbosacral plexus, resulting from the increase in a number of lumbar vertebrae. There is no complete homology of the muscle innervation.(AU)

Objetivou-se descrever as origens, distribuições e ramificações dos nervos isquiáticos no tamanduá-bandeira, disponibilizando, assim, dados anatômicos que possam não só elucidar os aspectos evolutivos como também fornecer informações importantes para áreas afins. Foram utilizados quatro espécimes preparados por meio da perfusão de formaldeído 10% via artéria femoral, para conservação e dissecação. As origens dos nervos isquiáticos direito e esquerdo no tamanduá-bandeira foram provenientes dos ramos ventrais dos nervos espinhais lombares três e sacrais um, dois e três, sendo simétricos em todos os animais estudados. As distribuições e ramificações ocorreram nos músculos glúteos superficial, médio e profundo; gêmeo; piriforme; quadrado femoral; tensor da fáscia lata; abdutor crural caudal; bíceps femoral parte cranial; bíceps femoral parte caudal; adutor; semitendíneo; semimembranáceo parte cranial e semimembranáceo parte caudal. Notou-se que houve uma migração caudal na localização deste nervo nos animais mais recentes na escala evolutiva, devido a uma reconfiguração do plexo lombossacral decorrente do aumento no número de vértebras lombares, não havendo uma homologia total quanto à inervação dos músculos.(AU)

Valoración multidimensional del envejecimiento en la ciudad de Antofagasta / Cross sectional geriatric assessment of free living older subjects from Antofagasta, Chile

Background: The effects of aging on people must be evaluated to adequate sanitary actions. Aim: To assess the characteristics of older subjects living in Antofagasta, Chile. Material and Methods: Cross sectional assessment of 602 subjects without dementia, aged more than 60 years (55 percent females). A socioeconomic and medical history was obtained and Barthel, Lawton, Yesavage depression, Tromp fall risk and Folstein Mini mental scales were applied. Results: Sixty eight percent of subjects had more than six years of studies. Forty six percent had hypertension, 28 percent had osteoarticular problems, 20 percent had hypercholesterolemia and 17 percent diabetes mellitus. Four percent had depression and falls were reported by 35 percent. Seventy four percent were independent in basic and instrumental activities. Ninety four percent had normal cognitive functions. Age was an important determinant of functional capacity. Conclusions: The main problems detected in this sample were the risk of falls and the presence of chronic diseases.

[Urinary nickel in children exposed to petcoke pollution]. / Nivel de níquel urinario en niños residentes en ciudades cercanas a megafuentes.

BACKGROUND: Petcoke is a remnant of the oil refining process that contains Ni and other heavy metals. Undesired human exposure to these compounds may result from petcoke combustion in plants located in the vicinity of the cities. AIM: To compare levels of urinary Ni in schoolchildren residing in cities exposed and not exposed to petcoke pollution. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was done in schoolchildren aged 7 to 8 years old in two cities in northern Chile: Mejillones (n = 59), near to a petcoke plant, and Tocopilla (n = 56) as the reference city. First, morning urinary samples were collected and urinary Ni was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Socioeconomic and environmental exposure information of families was obtained applying a questionnaire to parents. Multiple linear regression was performed to identify other variables that may explain urinary Ni differences among the cities. RESULTS: Median level of Ni was higher in Mejillones (4.9 fig/L) than in Tocopilla (3.9 fig/L). Residing in the exposed city was the most important explaining factor (B = 0.26; IC 0.107 - 0.428). Additionally years of residency was associated with urinary Ni (B = 0.03; IC 0.004 - 0.060). CONCLUSIONS: Urinary Ni in schoolchildren is higher in the city exposed to petcoke emissions. The difference does not imply that there are concrete hazards for the population's health. However, it warns about the existence of a higher exposure in places where petcoke is used.

Nivel de níquel urinario en niños residentes en ciudades cercanas a megafuentes / Urinary nickel in children exposed to petcoke pollution

Background: Petcoke is a remmant of the oil refiningprocess that contains Ni and other heavy metáis. Undesired human exposure to these compounds may result from petcoke combustión in plants located in the vicinity ofthe cities. Aim: To compare levéis of urinary Ni in schoolchildren residing in cities exposed and not exposed to petcoke pollution. Material and methods: A cross sectional study was done in schoolchildren aged 7 to 8 years oíd in two cities in northern Chile: Mejillones (n = 59), near to a petcoke plant and Tocopilla (n = 56) as the reference city. First, morning urinary samples were collected and urinary Ni was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Socioeconomic and environmental exposure information of families was obtained applying a questionnaire to parents. Múltiple linear regression was performed to identify other variables that may explain urinary Ni differences among the cities. Results: Median level of Ni was higher in Mejillones (4.9 fig/L) than in Tocopilla (3.9 fig/L). Residing in the exposed city was the most important explaining factor (B = 0.26; IC 0.107 - 0.428). Additionally years of residency was associated with urinary Ni (B = 0.03; IC 0.004 - 0.060). Conclusions: Urinary Ni in schoolchildren is higher in the city exposed to petcoke emissions. The difference does not imply that there are concrete hazards for the population s health. However, it warns about the existence of a higher exposure in places where petcoke is used.

Esofagitis tuberculosa en un paciente HIV positivo / Esophageal tuberculosis. Repon of one case with aids

Tuberculosis rates in Chile are higher than expected during the last years. This is directly related to the increase of immunodeficiency associated to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Gastrointestinal tuberculosis is the sixth in frequency of extra pulmonary localizations. We report an HIV(+) 55 year-old male, that presented with fever and epigastric pain. In an upper GI endoscopy small elevated lesions were described in the esophagus. Pathological study was suggestive of tuberculous infection. The definitive diagnosis of esophageal tuberculosis was obtained by a PCR test of the biopsy sample. Antituberculous therapy was started and one year later there was a regression but not disappearance of esophageal lesions and granulomas in the pathological study.

[Esophageal tuberculosis. report of one case with AIDS]. / Esofagitis tuberculosa en un paciente HIV positivo.

Tuberculosis rates in Chile are higher than expected during the last years. This is directly related to the increase of immunodeficiency associated to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Gastrointestinal tuberculosis is the sixth in frequency of extra pulmonary localizations. We report an HIV(+) 55 year-old male, that presented with fever and epigastric pain. In an upper GI endoscopy small elevated lesions were described in the esophagus. Pathological study was suggestive of tuberculous infection. The definitive diagnosis of esophageal tuberculosis was obtained by a PCR test of the biopsy sample. Antituberculous therapy was started and one year later there was a regression but not disappearance of esophageal lesions and granulomas in the pathological study.

Modelos de regresión y correlación / Regression and correlation models

En este número de C&T iniciamos una serie de artículos dedicados al tema de regresión y correlación. En este artículo se definen y explican los conceptos básicos de regresión lineal y correlación. Se explica cómo opera y cómo aplicar un modelo de regresión lineal simple, así como la interpretación de la información obtenida. Se detallan los supuestos que deben chequearse y cumplirse para que el modelo sea válido y la importancia de evaluar los datos en forma gráfica, antes de cualquier análisis multivariado. Este artículo no pretende reemplazar libros especializados en el tema, pero sí dar una visión general que permita entender cómo operan estos modelos y cuáles son sus virtudes y debilidades.

Inferir o no inferir es la pregunta / To infer or not to infer: that is the question

No es raro disponer de información que no proviene de una muestra estrictamente aleatoria y se nos plantea el dilema de si es procedente o no enunciar conclusiones referidas a la población de la cual se extrajo esa muestra. Se discuten algunas consideraciones referentesa la decisión de extrapolar o no de la muestra a la población.

Effects of amphetamine on immune-mediated lung inflammatory response in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The present study analyzed the effects of acute amphetamine (AMPH) treatment on immune-mediated lung inflammatory response in rats. METHODS: There were four experiments. In the first and second experiments, rats were treated with AMPH (1 mg/kg) or 0.9% NaCl, and locomotor activity (experiment 1) and serum AMPH concentrations (experiment 2) were measured 1 or 12 h after treatment. In the third experiment, rats which were immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) were treated 14 days later with 0.9% NaCl or AMPH (1 mg/kg). Twelve hours after these treatments, all animals were submitted to challenge by 1% OVA inhalation being analyzed afterwards for bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL), peripheral blood and bone marrow cellularity. In the fourth and final experiment, rats were treated and studied as for experiment 3, except that half of the animals within each group were previously treated with metyrapone prior to the OVA challenge. RESULTS: In the non-immunized rats, AMPH treatment induced an increase in locomotor activity synchronized to high serum AMPH concentrations 1 h after, but not 12 h after treatment. In OVA-challenged rats, AMPH treatment decreased the total number of inflammatory cells, recovered in both BAL and peripheral blood and increased the total number of bone marrow cells. These effects, observed 1 day after OVA challenge, were abrogated by previous metyrapone treatment. CONCLUSION: AMPH treatment changed HPA-axis responsiveness to the stress condition imposed by the OVA challenge decreasing lung and blood leukocytes cellularity most probably via corticosterone actions on bone marrow activity.

Polyphasic evidence for the reclassification of Rhodothermus obamensis Sako et al. 1996 as a member of the species Rhodothermus marinus Alfredsson et al. 1988.

DNA-DNA reassociation studies, 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons and fatty acid analysis were used to reassess the taxonomic status of the type strain of Rhodothermus obamensis and several strains of the genus Rhodothermus isolated from widely distributed shallow marine hot springs. The results show that the type strain of R. obamensis, JCM 9785T, has a DNA-DNA reassociation value of 78% with the type strain of R. marinus, DSM 4252T. The other strains examined had DNA-DNA reassociation values that varied between about 68 and 94% with R. marinus. The 165 rRNA gene sequence was determined for the type strain of R. obamensis and found to share 99.5% similarity with the type strain of R. marinus. The fatty acid composition of R. obamensis was slightly different from that of the other strains examined, but indicated that this strain is very closely related to the other strains examined in this study. On the basis of DNA-DNA reassociation values, 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison and fatty acid profiles, it was concluded that R. obamensis and R. marinus represent the same species and that the name Rhodothermus obamensis should be regarded as a junior synonym of Rhodothermus marinus.

Análisis termogravimétrico de la fase inorgánica de sistemas resinosos y compómeros / Thermogravimetric analisy of the unorganic phase of the resin system and compomeros

No momento de relacionar um sistema resinoso com vistas a sua correta utilizaçäo clínica, é importante saber sua composiçäo e para isto se realizou o presente trabalho, com o objetivo de conhecer a porcentagem em peso, da fase inorgânica de 16 sistemas resinosos e compômeros. Com esse propósito se separou uma porçäo de cada material que foi pesada, levada a temperatura de volatizaçäo total da fase orgânica e novamente pesada, obtendo-se o valor, em peso, da carga inorgânica. As resinas Aeilite Flow e Revolution foram as que apresentaram menor proporçäo de carga. Valores intermediários se registraram com Tetric Flow e Solitaire e valores com maior proporçäo de carga inorgânica no restante dos materiais analisados

Increased prevalence of retrovirus infections among older women in Africa.

Recent studies of HIV-2 have suggested an increased incidence and prevalence among women older than 45 y compared with younger women. We therefore examined whether this phenomenon applied generally to all 3 major retroviruses, HIV-1, HIV-2 and HTLV-I, among women in Africa. We conducted a MedLine search from 1987 to 1997, using the keywords Africa and HIV-1, HIV-2 or HTLV, respectively. Community studies, national surveys and studies on professional cohorts were selected. Age groups > 45/50 y were compared with the age group with the lowest female/male prevalence ratio between 20 and 44 y of age. Thirty-one studies had sufficient data to be included. The female/male odds ratio (OR) for seropositivity was calculated for the old and the young age groups, respectively, providing the ratio of odds ratios: OR (old)/OR (young). Summary ratios for studies of all 3 retroviruses were estimated. In general we found a higher female/male prevalence ratio in the age group over 45/50 y than in the younger age group. For HIV-1 the odds ratio was 1.82 times [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19-2.79] higher in the old age group than in the young group. For HIV-2 it was 1.97 [95% CI 0.95-4.08], and for HTLV-I it was 2.02 [95% CI 0.99-4.14] times higher. For all 3 viruses combined, the ratio was 1.88 [95% CI 1.36-2.61]. The few incidence studies of HIV-1 and HIV-2 indicated a similar tendency. Since differential mortality is unlikely to explain the pattern, the increase in the HIV-1, HIV-2 and HTLV-I female/male prevalence ratio suggests that older women may have increased exposure or susceptibility to all 3 retrovirus infections.

Nitric oxide modulates Na+, K+-ATPase activity through cyclic GMP pathway in proximal rat trachea.

The present work demonstrated that nitric oxide (NO) modulates Na+, K+-ATPase activity in the proximal rat trachea. Sodium nitroprusside induced concentration-dependent (10-100 microM) stimulation in proximal trachea Na+, K+-ATPase activity. The effect was specific for Na+, K+-ATPase since Mg-ATPase activity was unaffected. This NO-donor changed neither Na+, K+-ATPase nor Mg-ATPase activity in the distal segment. The modulatory action on Na+, K+-ATPase induced by sodium nitroprusside was linked to an increase in nitrates/nitrites and cyclic GMP levels in proximal segments. Modulation of proximal Na+, K+-ATPase activity by sodium nitroprusside was mimicked by S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (100 microM) and 8-bromo-cyclic GMP (100 microM). Both sodium nitroprusside and 8-bromo-cyclic GMP effects on Na+, K+-ATPase activity of proximal segments of trachea were blocked by 2 microM of KT 5823 (a cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor), but not by 0.5 microM of KT 5720 (a cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor). Both kinase inhibitors decreased proximal Na+, K+-ATPase activity, but did not change Mg-ATPase activity. Okadaic acid (1 microM), a phosphatase-1 inhibitor, increased proximal Na+, K+-ATPase but not Mg-ATPase activity. The effect of okadaic acid was non-additive with that of 8-bromo-cGMP on Na+, K+-ATPase activity. Our results suggest that NO modulates proximal rat trachea Na+, K+-ATPase activity through cyclic GMP and cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase.

Optimization of polymerase chain reaction for detection of HIV type 2 DNA.

The aim of this study was to increase the sensitivity of an earlier version of an HIV-2 nested PCR assay based on primers in the gag, pol, LTR, and env regions. The assay was first optimized with regard to concentrations of dNTP, MgCl2, and primers, using a method that allowed optimization of all three parameters in only two test runs. We then designed and optimized new primer sets in the LTR, gag, and gag/pol regions that were based on more isolates than were the former (old) primer sets. Samples from 57 HIV-2 antibody-positive individuals were tested with the four old primer sets as well as with the three new primer sets. Five primer sets from this run (new gag, new gag/pol, old LTR, old env, and new LTR) were then tested with 35 more samples, giving a total number of 92 tested samples from HIV-2-infected individuals. At initial testing of the 92 samples a combination of primer sets from two different regions yielded a sensitivity ranging from 93.5 to 98.9%. After repeated testing the sensitivity ranged from 96.7 to 100% for the different primer combinations. The specificity was 100% for all primer sets except old LTR, which had a specificity of 97%. In conclusion, it is possible to create a more sensitive PCR assay by optimizing the different PCR parameters as well as by including primer sets based on more isolates.

Mutaciones del gen supresor de tumor p53 en adenocarcinoma gástrico / Mutations of p53 suppressor gene in gastric adenocarcinoma

Background: We have shown numeric alterations such as hyperploidy and hypoploidy with loss of chromosome 17 in primary gastric cancer. This chromosome maps p53 suppressor gene that induces the transcription of genes related to cellular cycle control, DNA synthesis and repair, cellular differentiation and apoptosis. Aim: To analyze, at a molecular level, the possible alterations of p53 suppressor gene in samples of gastric cancer and non tumoral mucosa. Material and methods: Tissue samples of gastric carcinoma and non tumoral gastric mucosa coming from 26 patients subjected to a total gastrectomy were analyzed. The mutation of p53 suppressor gene exons 7 to 9 were determined using a conformational polymorphism analysis in single strands of the gene and indirect sequencing in some cases. Results: Alterations in p53 gene were found in 77 percent of tumoral and 19 percent of non tumoral samples. T insertions in codons 260, 317 and 321, G insertion in codon 328 and G-T transvertion in codon 302 were found. Aminoacid sequence analysis of p53 protein obtained with sequencing data showed that T insertion in codon 260 could translate three erroneous aminoacids after the mutation and produce a truncated protein due to the creation of a stop codon. No associations between alterations of p53 gene and clinical or pathological variables such as age, sex, tumor localization, histological type and presence of Iymph node metastases were observed

Práctica de autocuidado en los profesionales de Antofagasta / Practice of self-care in Antofagasta professionals

El autocuidado, asumido como una conducta preventiva en los profesionales del área de salud estatal de la ciudad de Antofagasta, es el foro central de esta investigación de tipo descriptiva-analítica. Existen en estos profesionales, elementos que hacen esperables y deseable la internalización de conductas preventivas. Estos elementos son sus experiencias profesionales, que les han permitido vivenciar los beneficios de las conductas positivas en Salud, así como los daños frente a la ausencia de éstas. Se encontro que un bajo porcentaje de profesionales realiza Prácticas de Autocuidado, que éstas no se relacionan con el nivel de atención en que se desempeña el profesional, destaca la relación entre una alta Motivación en Salud con la internalización de Autocuidado. Este estudio permitió identificar las debilidades y fortalezas del Autocuidado asumido como una conducta en un grupo de profesionales del área de salud

Estudo comparativo de métodos analíticos para dosagem de metemoglobina no sangue / Comparative study among analitycal methods to blood methemoglobin determination

A exposição ocupacional aos solventes anilina e nitrobenzeno é monitorizada biologicamente através da determinação dos níveis de metemoglobina sanguínea. O máximo teor de metemoglobina permitido nas amostras de sangue dos indivíduos expostos é 5% da hemoglobina total, obrigando a utilização de métodos analítico-sensíveis e precisos. Dois métodos analíticos utilizados na determinação de metemoglobinemia (Hegesh et all. e Evely & Malloy. Mod. Beutler), rotineiramente utilizados nos laboratórios de hematologia e Toxicologia da Faculdade de Farmácia da UFMG, foram estudados objetivando estabelecer o mais adequado para ser utilizado na monotirazação biológica de indivíduos expostos ocupacionalmente à anilina ou nitrobenzeno. Apenas o método de Hegesh et all. mostrou-se adequado para os objetivos propostos. Foram detectados valores tão baixos quanto 0,9% de metemoglobina e os coeficientes de variação intra e interensaio foram, respectivamente, 3,87% e 3,25%.

Interleukin-3 and lipopolysaccharide interact to inhibit proliferation of mouse bone marrow cells.

The mechanisms underlying the multiple biological activities presented by interleukin-3 (IL-3) are not yet fully understood. As a regulator of hematopoiesis, IL-3 is known to interact with several other molecules. The present study investigates the interaction of IL-3 and Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which results in the inhibition of the in vitro proliferation of mouse bone marrow (BM) cells. BM cells from adult BALB/c mice were cultured at 37 degrees C, with 5% CO2 in air, in RPMI-1640 medium complemented with fetal calf serum. Viable cells were counted on day 3. Whereas IL-3 and LPS alone increased the number of viable cells as compared to control cultures, the simultaneous addition of the factors lowered that number below controls. Cell fractions of different densities, isolated by Percoll gradient (70, 50 and 40%), also behaved in the same way. The same effect was observed when BM non-adherent cells were isolated 1 day after initiation of cultures and analyzed 2 days later, but not if the culture was initiated in the absence of adherent cells. Pre-incubation experiments showed that only if total BM cells were pre-incubated for 24 h with IL-3/LPS or LPS alone was the inhibitory effect of the two factors maintained. Soluble inhibitory factors were only observed in cultures of adherent BM cells.

Capacidad de factores socioeconómicos para predecir déficit de talla en una población menor de 10 años / Socioeconomics factors capability to predict low height in under 10 years old population

La exploración de los datos de 5380 niños menores de 10 años del universo muestral de la encuesta sobre el estado nutricional de la población chilena, mediante la aplicación del método de la segmentación conocido como Automactic Interaction Detection, permite modelar una función que explica los déficit de talla de los individuos en estudio, en relación a las variable socioeconómicas colectadas en el estudio. El resultado del proceso de segmentación sobre las variables predictoras, mostró el poder discriminatorio sólo de la escolaridad familiar, la promiscuidad, el combustible usado para cocinar y el ingreso, las que concurren a definir siete clases o segmentos terminales. Estas clases pueden considerarse como factores e indicadores socioeconómicos válidos del riesgo de déficit de talla de individuos. Su potencialidad evidente radica en la posibilidad de calificar rápidamente a individuos de nivel socioecionómicos desconocido, a través del diseño de instrumentos de fácil aplicación, toda vez que para determinar la pertenencia de un sujeto a una clase sólo se requiere de dos o tres características objetivas