Identification of prognostic factors for survival in patients with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma in a Mexican population.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Gastric adenocarcinoma is among the high-ranking tumors, with respect to frequency and mortality, worldwide. The inflammatory process and immune system activity are associated with oncologic control. Our aim was to identify whether the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and other variables are prognostic factors for survival in patients with metastatic gastric cancer in a Mexican population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma, hospitalized within the time frame of December 2011 to 2021, were analyzed. The NLR, PLR, and albumin and hemoglobin levels obtained from blood samples were calculated. Functional status (ECOG and Karnofsky), sex, histology, and the presence of signet ring cells were also considered possible prognostic factors. Each factor's prognostic value for overall survival was determined through univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The study included 956 patients diagnosed with metastatic gastric cancer, of whom 494 (51.7%) were men and 462 (48.3%) were women. The main histologic finding was diffuse adenocarcinoma (n = 619, 64.7%), followed by intestinal adenocarcinoma (n = 293, 30.6%), and the presence of signet ring cells was found in 659 (68.9%) patients. Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed on 238 patients (24.9%) to confirm peritoneal carcinomatosis. The multivariate analysis showed that an NLR above 3.2 (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.27-1.8; p < 0.001), albumin below 3.5 g/dl (HR 1.25, CI 1.06-1.47; p = 0.006), and an ECOG performance status of 2 or higher (HR 1.39, CI 1.10-1.76; p = 0.005) were independent factors that predicted a lower survival rate, whereas a Karnofsky score above 70% (HR 0.69, CI 0.53-0.91; p = 0.008) was associated with a better survival rate. Lastly, the PLR was not statistically significant in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The NLR, nutritional status assessed through albumin measurement, and functional status can act as independent prognostic survival factors in hospitalized Mexican patients diagnosed with metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma and be taken into account during therapeutic decision-making.

Prevalence of primary eosinophilic colitis in patients with chronic diarrhea and diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Primary eosinophilic colitis (PEC) is an inflammatory disease caused by the infiltration of eosinophils into the mucosa of the colon, determined after having ruled out other possible causes. It is characterized by abdominal pain and diarrhea and its prevalence is unknown. AIMS: To know the prevalence of PEC in patients with chronic diarrhea and in those with clinical criteria for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients with chronic noninflammatory diarrhea that were consecutively seen over a decade were studied through colonoscopy, with systematic biopsy. Patients with a known or decompensated organic disease, alarm features, abnormal minimal laboratory test results, and factors associated with eosinophilia were excluded. Patients with the clinical criteria for IBS-D (Rome III) were selected from the general group. Eosinophilic colitis was defined as the presence of > 35 eosinophils/100 epithelial cells per field in any of the segments. RESULTS: From the 683 patients seen, a total of 545 patients (361 women) were included in the study. Twenty-two cases of PEC were detected, resulting in a prevalence of 4.0%. A total of 343 patients had IBS-D criteria (223 women), with 16 cases of PEC detected, for a prevalence of 4.7%. Colonoscopy was normal, or almost normal, in all the PEC cases detected. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of PEC was 4.0% in the patients with chronic diarrhea and 4.7% in the patients with IBS-D. Peripheral eosinophilia appeared to be the main distinctive clinical characteristic, but systematic biopsy was essential for making the diagnosis.

Prevalence of primary eosinophilic colitis in patients with chronic diarrhea and diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. / Prevalencia de colitis eosinofílica primaria en pacientes con diarrea crónica y síndrome de intestino irritable con predominio de diarrea.

INTRODUCTION: Primary eosinophilic colitis (PEC) is an inflammatory disease caused by the infiltration of eosinophils into the mucosa of the colon, determined after having ruled out other possible causes. It is characterized by abdominal pain and diarrhea and its prevalence is unknown. AIMS: To know the prevalence of PEC in patients with chronic diarrhea and in those with clinical criteria for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients with chronic noninflammatory diarrhea that were consecutively seen over a decade were studied through colonoscopy, with systematic biopsy. Patients with a known or decompensated organic disease, alarm features, abnormal minimal laboratory test results, and factors associated with eosinophilia were excluded. Patients with the clinical criteria for IBS-D (Rome III) were selected from the general group. Eosinophilic colitis was defined as the presence of>35eosinophils/100 epithelial cells per field in any of the segments. RESULTS: From the 683 patients seen, a total of 545 patients (361 women) were included in the study. Twenty-two cases of PEC were detected, resulting in a prevalence of 4.0%. A total of 343 patients had IBS-D criteria (223 women), with 16 cases of PEC detected, for a prevalence of 4.7%. Colonoscopy was normal, or almost normal, in all the PEC cases detected. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of PEC was 4.0% in the patients with chronic diarrhea and 4.7% in the patients with IBS-D. Peripheral eosinophilia appeared to be the main distinctive clinical characteristic, but systematic biopsy was essential for making the diagnosis.

Norovirus and human adenovirus occurrence and diversity in recreational water in a karst aquifer in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.

AIMS: To determine the seasonal occurrence and diversity of norovirus (NoV) and human adenovirus (HAdV) in groundwater from sinkholes, and brackish water used for recreational activities in the karst aquifer of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. METHODS AND RESULTS: Hollow fibre ultrafiltration was used to concentrate viruses and standard plaque assay methods were used to enumerate somatic and F+ specific coliphages as viral indicators. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays were used to estimate the number of genome copies for NoV strains GI, and GII, and HAdVs. The predominant NoV genotypes and HAdV serotypes were identified by comparative sequence analysis. Somatic and male F+ specific coliphages were detected at concentrations up to 94 and 60 plaque-forming units per 100 ml respectively. The NoV genogroup I (GI) was associated with 50% of the sampled sites during the rainy season only, at concentrations ranging from 120 to 1600 genome copies per litre (GC l-1 ). The NoV genogroup II (GII) was detected in 30 and 40% of the sampled sites during the rainy and dry seasons, respectively, at concentrations ranging from 10 to 290 GC l-1 . During the rainy and dry seasons, HAdVs were detected in 20% of the sites, at concentrations ranging from 24 to 690 GC l-1 . Identification of viral types revealed the presence of NoV GI.2, GII.Pe, GII.P16 and GII.P17, and HAdV F serotypes 40 and 41. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that NoVs and HAdVs are prevalent as virus contaminants in the karst aquifer, representing potential health risks particularly during the rainy season, in one of the most important areas used for tourism in Mexico. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is one of the few studies conducted in karst aquifers that provide a foundational baseline of the distribution, concentrations and diversity of NoVs and HadVs in these particular environments.

Placenta previa total acreta complicada con ruptura prematura de membranas pretérmino: reporte de un caso / Total placenta praevia accreta complicated with preterm premature rupture of membranes: A case report

Resumen ANTECEDENTES La incidencia de acretismo placentario se ha elevado en países industrializados debido al incremento en la tasa de cesáreas. La ruptura prematura de membranas pretérmino se asocia con complicaciones en 3% de todos los embarazos. En la actualidad no existen publicaciones que documenten la atención médica de ambas alteraciones en conjunto. CASO CLÍNICO Paciente de 31 años, en curso del segundo embarazo (30.2 semanas de gestación), que acudió al servicio médico por salida de líquido transvaginal. Se confirmó la ruptura prematura de membranas pretérmino por cristalografía y determinación de microglobulina alfa 1 placentaria por tira reactiva Amnisure®. La valoración de los médicos del servicio de Medicina Materno-Fetal fue: placenta previa total, con lagunas placentarias y flujo turbulento, grosor miometrial menor de 1 mm y pérdida de la interfase deciduomiometrial. Después de comprobar el bienestar fetal se inició el tratamiento conservador de la ruptura prematura de membranas pretérmino. Se decidió finalizar el embarazo a las 31 semanas, debido a que se confirmó el inicio del trabajo de parto y actividad uterina normal; se efectuó cesárea-histerectomía sin complicaciones maternas. CONCLUSIÓN La placenta previa total con datos de acretismo, concomitante con ruptura prematura de membranas pretérmino, es una complicación poco común. Estas pacientes deben recibir tratamiento conservador y adecuada vigilancia materno-fetal. A pesar de los buenos resultados obtenidos en este caso, se requiere mayor evidencia para indicar el tratamiento conservador en estas pacientes.

Abstract BACKGROUND The incidence of placental accreta has increased in industrialized countries, due to the increase in the rate of cesarean sections. On the other hand, the premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), complicate approximately 3% of all pregnancies and is associated mainly with neonatal complications related to prematurity. At present, there is no documented evidence in the medical literature of the approach of both pathologies together. CLINICAL CASE 31-year-old woman at 30.2 weeks' gestation in her second pregnancy is admitted to the hospital with vaginal discharge. PROM is confirmed by fern-type crystallization and quantification of placental alpha macroglobulin-1 (PAMG-1) microglobulin by Amnisure® test strip. Medical assessment is performed by the maternal-fetal specialists, finding complete placenta praevia with the presence of vascular lacunae with turbulent lacunar flow, myometrium thickness < 1mm and loss of the clear space. Fetal well-being is confirmed and conservative management of PPROM is initiated. Obstetric delivery is conducted at 31 weeks of gestation with Caesarean section - Hysterectomy without complications. CONCLUSIONS The premature rupture of membranes in presence of placenta accreta is a rare complication. In this patients, conservative management is a suitable alternative, with an appropriate maternal and fetal surveillance. More evidence is required to indicate the conservative treatment in these patients.

[Cerebrovascular risk factors seen in a university hospital]. / Factores de riesgo para accidente vascular encefálico en un hospital universitario.

INTRODUCTION: Risk factors (RF) in pediatric stroke differ from those of adults, and they include a wide range of diseases such as heart disease, infections, leukemias, and inborn errors of metabolism. OBJECTIVES: To describe RF for ischemic stroke in a pediatric population, and to examine the relationship of RF with age, sex and type of stroke. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An analysis was made of database of 114 children and adolescents with ischemic stroke from January 2003 to July 2012. Risk factors were stratified into 6 categories and ischemic strokes were classified as arterial and venous. We compared the RF with age, sex, and type of stroke (chi2 and OR). RESULTS: The median age was 2.5 years, with 74 (62.2%) males. No RF was identified in 7.9% of patients, and 67% had more than one RF. The most common RF were acute systemic diseases (56.1%), heart disease (35.1%), and chronic systemic diseases (29.8%). There was a statistically significant association between acute systemic disease and age less than 5 years (P<.001), and between chronic systemic disease and age 5 years or more (P<.02). The RF of heart disease was associated with arterial infarction (P<.05), and the acute head and neck disease RF was associated with venous infarction (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: The RF for ischemic stroke are multiple in the pediatric population, and some of them are associated with a specific age and type of stroke. The detection of these factors may help in the primary prevention of people at risk, an early diagnosis, and treatment and prevention of recurrences.

Tratamiento de una lesión endoperiodontal tipo III (combinada o verdadera): reporte de un caso / Treatment of type III periodontal-endodontic lesion (combined or true): a case report

Se presenta un caso clínico de una lesión endoperiodontal tipo III (combinada o verdadera) en un paciente de sexo femenino de 41 años de edad sin antecedentes sistémicos. La paciente fue derivada del Curso de Especialización en Periodoncia de la Escuela de Graduados de la Universidad de Chile debido a una lesión periapical en la pieza 3.6. El pronóstico en este tipo de lesiones es dudoso, ya que es necesario que se efectúe el tratamiento endodóntico así como el periodontal, y el resultado recae más en el tratamiento periodontal. La pieza fue tratada endodónticamente dejando medicamento intraconducto a base de Clorhexidina al 2 por ciento en gel por 7 días. Una vez obturado el diente se citó a la paciente 3 meses después para un control radiográfico. Actualmente el diente está totalmente asintomático, sin movilidad y con señales de reparación.

We report a case of a type III periodontal-endodontic lesion (combined or true) in a 41-year-old female patient without systemic history. The patient was transferred from the Specialization Course in Periodontology at the Graduate School of the University of Chile due to a periapical lesion in the tooth 3.6. The prognosis for this type of lesion is uncertain, since it is necessary to perform endodontic and periodontal treatment, and the result depends more on the periodontal treatment. The piece was treated endodontically leaving intracanal medication based on 2 percent Chlorhexidine gel for 7 days. Once the tooth obturated, we gave the patient an appointment 3 months later for a control radiography. Currently, the tooth is completely asymptomatic, without mobility and with signs of repair.

Characterization of Rhynchosia yellow mosaic Yucatan virus, a new recombinant begomovirus associated with two fabaceous weeds in Yucatan, Mexico.

Rhynchosia minima (L.) DC. (Fabaceae) plants exhibiting bright golden mosaic symptoms were previously associated with begomovirus infection in Yucatan, México [1]. To characterize the begomovirus infecting these plants, the complete bipartite genome was cloned and sequenced. Sequence comparisons indicated that the virus was distinct from all other begomoviruses known to date, including those previously identified from symptomatic R. minima, and the name Rhynchosia yellow mosaic Yucatan virus (RhYMYuV) is proposed. Pairwise comparisons indicated that RhYMYuV DNA-A [2,597 nt, (EU021216)] and DNA-B [2,542 nt, (FJ792608)] components shared the highest nt sequence identity with Cabbage leaf curl virus (CaLCuV), 87% for component A and 71% for component B. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that both components of RhYMYuV are most closely related to other New World begomoviruses, having as closest relatives immediate outliers to the major Squash leaf curl virus (SLCV) clade. Recombination analysis of the RhYMYuV genome indicated that the DNA-A component has arisen through intermolecular recombination. R. minima plants inoculated with the monomeric clones developed a bright yellow mosaic similar to symptoms observed in naturally infected plants, confirming that the clones were infectious. Nicotiana benthamiana plants biolistically inoculated with monomeric clones developed curling and chlorosis in the newly emerging leaves. RhYMYuV was also detected in symptomatic Desmodium sect. Scorpiurus Benth. (Fabaceae) that were collected near the RhYMYuV-infected plants.

Association of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus subtype IE with two equine epizootics in Mexico.

Two outbreaks of encephalitis consistent with an etiology of Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus occurred in equines on the Pacific coast of southern Mexico in 1993 (Chiapas State) and in 1996 (Oaxaca State). In Chiapas, there were 125 cases, of which 63 were fatal and in Oaxaca, there were 32 cases and 12 fatalities. Virus was isolated from two horses from each outbreak, including three brain isolates and one from blood. Virus isolates (93-42124, ISET-Chi93, Oax131, and Oax142) were shown by indirect immunofluorescence, hemagglutination inhibition, monoclonal antibody ELISA, and nucleotide sequencing to be VEE virus, subtype IE, a type previously thought to be equine-avirulent. Genetic characterization and phylogenetic analysis indicated that the outbreak viruses were identical or nearly identical to one another and that they were closely related to equine-avirulent IE strains from Guatemala and the Gulf coast of Mexico. In a plaque-reduction neutralization test, sera collected from healthy horses in Chiapas and Oaxaca reacted significantly better with isolate 93-42124 than with Guatemala IE isolate 68U201, suggesting that subtle genetic changes may have resulted in alteration of neutralization domains. It is not clear whether these differences may also influence equine virulence. However, renewed VEE virus subtype IE activity in Mexico, and its apparent conversion to equine virulence, underscores the need for increased surveillance, additional laboratory and epidemiologic studies in VEE-endemic regions, and possibly new vaccines.

Gross and microscopic features in chancroid: a study in 200 new culture-proven cases in San Salvador.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A better knowledge of gross and microscopic features in chancroid are important in this increased frequency disease. STUDY DESIGN: Two biopsies were taken from each one of 200 culture-proven cases of chancroid, and studied through different stains. RESULTS: The ratio male/female was 15.7/1, and adenopathies were found in 87%. Biopsies showed edema, lymphohistiocytic inflammation and fibrinoid vasculitis, as well as the presence of numerous eosinophils and Russell bodies. CONCLUSION: Biopsy should be considered as an important tool for the diagnostic of chancroid.

Neoplasias malignas en pacientes con trasplante renal / Malignants neoplasms in patients with renal transplant

Además del riesgo de la pérdida de la función del injerto por rechazo inmunológico, el paciente con transplante renal también está expuesto al riesgo de desarrollar tumores malignos. Se comunica la experiencia en el diagnóstico y tratamiento del cáncer en pacientes con trasplante renal. De agosto de 1967 a diciembre de 1991 se realizaron 338 trasplantes renales en 318 pacientes. De este total, 16 sujetos (5.4 porciento) desarrollaron 25 enfermedades malignas, mismas que fueron diagnosticadas con bases clínicas e histopatológicas. Se analizaron: tipo de tumor, edad, sexo, fuente de injerto, esquema de inmunosupresión, tiempo para diagnóstico del tumor, curso clínico, tratamiento y seguimiento.