Effect of sainfoin proanthocyanidins on milk fatty acids from ewes rearing suckling lambs.

Proanthocyanidins (PAC) can modulate the fatty acid (FA) profile of animal products and make them healthier for human consumption, but their effects are highly variable depending on several factors such as PAC chemical structure or dose. The present experiment aimed to evaluate the effect of PAC on the milk FA profile of Rasa Aragonesa ewes fed fresh sainfoin (PAC-containing forage legume) during the rearing period of suckling lambs (4 weeks postlambing). Twenty lactating ewes rearing a single male lamb were fed fresh sainfoin ad libitum plus 200 g/d of barley. Half the ewes were orally dosed with 100 mL of water (Sainfoin Group; n = 10) and the other half with polyethylene glycol (50 g PEG4000/100 mL water, Sainfoin + PEG Group; n = 10) to block PAC effects. Sainfoin and milk samples were collected weekly to determine their FA profile by gas chromatography. Fresh sainfoin contents of C18:3n-3 decreased from week 1 to week 2, C16:0 and C18:0 increased from week 1 to week 3, and C18:2n-6 did not change. Regarding milk FA, there were minor effects of PAC on milk-saturated FA. During the whole study, the presence of PAC increased C18:0, C18:2n-6, C18:3n-3 and total polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) n-6 and n-3, and decreased C18:1 t11, branched- and odd-chain FA. However, the decrease of milk concentrations of trans-monounsaturated FA, C18:1 t10, and total conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and the increase of total PUFA due to the presence of PAC occurred only in week 1, while CLA c9,t11 was lower during weeks 1 and 2. The canonical analyses confirmed the differences between treatments in the FA profile of milk. Overall, the use of fresh sainfoin in the diet of lactating ewes resulted in a beneficial modification of the concentration of several milk FAs, suggesting some changes in ruminal biohydrogenation.

Phototherapy for Prurigo Nodularis: Our Experience and a Review of the Literature. / Fototerapia en el prurigo nodular. Experiencia propia y revisión de la literatura.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Prurigo nodularis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by highly pruritic nodular lesions that cause constant itching and scratching and significant quality-of-life impairment. It has been described in a range of conditions, including skin diseases (mainly atopic dermatitis) and metabolic, neurological, and psychiatric disorders. The pathophysiological mechanisms are largely unknown. Various modalities of phototherapy have been described as appropriate and safe treatments for achieving clinical control and alleviating symptoms. In this article, we describe our experience with phototherapy in patients with prurigo nodularis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective observational study of patients who received their first cycle of phototherapy to treat prurigo nodularis between March 2011 and October 2019. Information was collected on epidemiological and clinical characteristics, concomitant treatments, type and duration of phototherapy, maximum dose reached, and response to treatment. RESULTS: We studied 44 patients (30 women and 14 men) with a median age of 65.5years. The most common form of phototherapy used was narrowband UV-B phototherapy (34 cycles, 77.27%) followed by a combination of UV-B and UV-A phototherapy (8 cycles). Response to treatment was considered satisfactory (clearance rate of ≥75%) in 24 patients (55.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Phototherapy is a suitable treatment for prurigo nodularis in a considerable proportion of patients. It can be used as monotherapy or combined with other treatments.

Milk yield and genomewide expression profiling in the mammary gland of beef primiparous cows in response to the dietary management during the pre- and postweaning periods.

Accelerated growth programs during prepubertal periods have been promoted to advance the first calving of beef heifers. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate nutrition-induced changes on first lactation milk yield and composition and on gene expression of the mammary gland in Parda de Montaña primiparous cows. Female calves ( = 16) were involved in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment. In the preweaning period (PRE-W; 0-6 mo), female calves were either fed a creep feed supplement (Creep) or fed only their dam's milk (Control). In the postweaning period (POST-W; 6-15 mo), heifers received either a high-energy diet (91.7 MJ/d) or a moderate-energy diet (79.3 MJ/d). All the heifers were managed together from breeding (15 mo) to the end of their first lactation (32 mo). Animal performance; milk production and quantity during the first lactation; plasma glucose, IGF-I, and leptin concentrations; and RNA samples from the mammary gland at the end of the first lactation of the primiparous cows (32 mo) were analyzed. The BW and ADG of the primiparous cow during its first lactation were not different among treatments; however, creep feeding during PRE-W reduced milk production ( < 0.01), milk CP, crude fat, lactose, nonfat solids, and casein content throughout lactation and increased somatic cell count in the third ( < 0.05) and fourth month of lactation ( < 0.10). The energy level during the POST-W had no effect on milk production and quality. Gene expression in the mammary gland was affected by the diet in the PRE-W and POST-W, with the PRE-W diet having the greatest impact. During the PRE-W, creep feeding resulted in upregulation of genes related to immune response and chemokine activity, suggesting that these animals might be in a compromised immune status. Therefore, this strategy would not be recommendable; meanwhile, increasing the energy level in the diet during the POST-W would be recommendable, because it had no deleterious effects on milk yield and composition.

Meat quality of light lambs is more affected by the dam's feeding system during lactation than by the inclusion of quebracho in the fattening concentrate.

The inclusion of natural antioxidants in the diet, through fresh forages or condensed tannins, might prolong meat shelf life and modify the meat quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the dam's feeding system during lactation and the inclusion of quebracho in the fattening concentrate of male lambs on meat color, chemical composition, and lipid oxidation. Dams and their suckling lambs were fed indoors or allowed to graze on alfalfa or sainfoin until lambs reached 42 d old. Thereafter, the weaned lambs were fed concentrates with 5% quebracho or without quebracho until reaching 22 to 24 kg BW. Meat of suckling lambs from dam's fed indoors (Indoor lambs) presented greater intramuscular fat content and lower α-tocopherol content than meat of suckling lambs from dam's fed Alfalfa (Alfalfa lambs) and Sainfoin (Sainfoin lambs; < 0.01), independent of the fattening diet. Regarding meat color of longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle, on average, Indoor lambs' meat presented greater lightness, yellowness, and hue angle values than Alfalfa and Sainfoin lambs' meat ( < 0.05). The redness was affected by the interaction between the feeding system during lactation and the time of storage, but, on average, Alfalfa and Sainfoin lambs had greater redness than Indoor lambs ( < 0.05). The lipid oxidation from 5 to 14 d of meat display time observed for Sainfoin lambs was lower than that for Indoor lambs ( < 0.05). The intramuscular fatty acid profile of meat from the Sainfoin and Alfalfa lambs met particularly well the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations recommendation for human health, compared that of meat from the Indoor lambs. The dietary inclusion of quebracho during fattening modified meat α-tocopherol content, oxymyoglobin levels after 8 d of storage, and fatty acid profiles. In conclusion, the results indicate higher importance of the diet during suckling than during the subsequent fattening period on meat quality parameters such as color, lipid oxidation, and fatty acid profile. Dams grazing Sainfoin provide a more stable lamb meat, and it would be cheaper to feed the dams with fresh forages with a high α-tocopherol content than supplementing the concentrate of the lambs with synthetic α-tocopherol.

Effect of vitamin E supplementation or alfalfa grazing on fatty acid composition and expression of genes related to lipid metabolism in lambs.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin E (VE) supplementation and alfalfa grazing during fattening on fatty acid composition and mRNA expression of genes related to lipid metabolism in the LM of Rasa Aragonesa light lambs. After weaning, 48 lambs were kept indoors and fed a commercial concentrate and a VE supplemented concentrate (480 mg DL-α-tocopheryl acetate/kg DM) for 0 (control [CON]), 10 (VE10d), 20 (VE20d), and 30 d (VE30d) before slaughtering at 22 to 24 kg. Simultaneously, 8 unweaned lambs grazed in alfalfa (154 mg α-tocopherol/kg DM) paddocks with their dams and supplemented with the commercial concentrate (ALF). Immediately after slaughter, LM was sampled to determine gene expression. After 24 h of cooling at 4°C, LM was extracted to determine intramuscular fat (IMF) content and fatty acid composition. The IMF content did not differ with the dietary treatment ( = 0.212). Unweaned grazing alfalfa lambs had greater concentration of rumenic acid (C18:2 c9,t11; P < 0.001) and lower oleic acid (C18:1 c9; = 0.001) content and PUFA n-6:n-3 ratio (P < 0.001) but similar expression of genes implicated in lipid metabolism compared to the concentrate-fed lambs. Vitamin E supplementation did not modify muscle fatty acid composition; however, it increased the expression of FADS2 and ELOVL6, which are involved in desaturation of long-chain fatty acid and the elongation of SFA and MUFA. The results showed that a short period of VE supplementation, especially 10 (VE10d) and 20 d (VE20d), modified gene expression. Overall, the results showed that VE may be acting as a regulatory factor for transcriptional control of genes related to lipid metabolism in the muscle of Rasa Aragonesa light lambs (22-24 kg live weight and younger than 90 d old).

Puede el paciente advertir cercanía al nervio dentario inferior bajo anestesia infiltrativa?: presentación de un caso clínico / Can the patient notice the proximity to mental nerve under local anesthesia?: report of a clinical case

Cuando se colocan implantes dentales en el sector posterior de la mandíbula, el profesional debe decidir si utilizar la técnica troncular o la infiltrativa. Algunos estudios afirmaron que bajo anestesia infiltrativa el paciente podría advertir al profesional a través de su dolor, la cercanía del fresado o la colocación del implante al nervio dentario inferior. En contra posición, el objetivo de esta presentación de un caso clínico es evidenciar a través de tomografías pre y post quirúrgicas,que bajo anestesia infiltrativa la paciente no refirió dolor a pesar que el implante fue colocado íntimamente en relación al conducto dentario inferior.(AU)

Puede el paciente advertir cercanía al nervio dentario inferior bajo anestesia infiltrativa?: presentación de un caso clínico / Can the patient notice the proximity to mental nerve under local anesthesia?: report of a clinical case

Cuando se colocan implantes dentales en el sector posterior de la mandíbula, el profesional debe decidir si utilizar la técnica troncular o la infiltrativa. Algunos estudios afirmaron que bajo anestesia infiltrativa el paciente podría advertir al profesional a través de su dolor, la cercanía del fresado o la colocación del implante al nervio dentario inferior. En contra posición, el objetivo de esta presentación de un caso clínico es evidenciar a través de tomografías pre y post quirúrgicas,que bajo anestesia infiltrativa la paciente no refirió dolor a pesar que el implante fue colocado íntimamente en relación al conducto dentario inferior.

Phosphorus loss from a mixed land use catchment in northwest Spain.

This work examined P loss from a mixed land use catchment in northwest Spain and how it was related to hydrological factors. A stream draining a mixed land use catchment of 16 km in northwest Spain was monitored for 5 yr. Water samples were taken more frequently with increased stream flows. A total of 132 runoff events of different magnitudes were analyzed in this study. Mean annual P loss from the catchment was 11.5 kg km, about 68% being transported during runoff events, which only contributed to 29% of the flow. The contribution of runoff events to particulate P and dissolved P losses was 76 and 46% of total losses during the study period, respectively. A high interannual variability in P loss was observed, the differences being related to rainfall amount and distribution. At a seasonal scale, the highest P loads and concentrations were observed during rainy seasons; the lowest P loads occurred in summer because they occurred with stream flow. Particulate P accounted for the greatest proportion (74%) of transported P. There was a high variability in P transported between runoff events, with maximum discharge and discharge increase being the most important variables explaining total P concentration in these events through their effect on suspended sediment concentration.

Frecuencia de anticuerpos anti-Neospora caninum en ovinos del departamento de Córdoba, Colombia / Frequency of antibodies anti-Neospora caninum in sheeps from the department of Cordoba, Colombia

Objetivo. Evaluar la frecuencia de anticuerpos anti-N. caninum en dos rebaños de ovinos del departamento de Córdoba-Colombia. Materiales y métodos. El estudio fue realizado en el departamento de Córdoba (Colombia) en dos explotaciones de ovinos que presentaron antecedentes de abortos y muerte de animales adultos. Se muestrearon 28 hembras adultas de pelo criollo (Camura), escogidas por muestreo aleatorio simple. Un péptido recombinante de Neospora caninum (NcGRA1) fue utilizado para el diagnóstico por DOT-ELISA y el suero fue diluido en 1:200. Resultados. Este estudio reporta por primera vez para el departamento y para el país la presencia de anticuerpos anti-N. caninum en el 78.6% (22/28) de los ovinos muestreados. Conclusiones. Estos resultados confirman la infección por Neospora caninum en ovinos y la necesidad de nuevos estudios que asocien la presencia del parasito con manifestaciones clínicas en diferentes regiones del país.

Objective. To investigate the effects of supplements with protected fat such as calcium soaps containing omega 3 or 6 milk production, composition and reproductive performance. Materials and methods. Twenty-four Holstein cows were used in a mixed model design. From 20 days before calving until 105 days postpartum, cows were assigned to different treatments; C: control diet, O6: animals supplemented with protected unsaturated fat including a higher amount of omega, 6 and O3: animals fed with protected unsaturated fat including higher amounts of omega 3. Milk volume and composition, and body condition score (CC) were determined, along with the first postpartum heat and ovulation. Results. Supplementation with omega 3 or 6 had no effect on milk volume, and fat percentages, protein, milk non-fat solids (SNF) and total solids (ST). However, there is a positive effect of omega 6 supplementation on the CC at 45 days postpartum (p<0.05). This was also reflected in a faster ovarian recovery (42.24±16.75 days to first postpartum ovulation). Conclusions. The use of omega 6 supplementation improves body condition score of animals during early postpartum, decreasing the days to the first ovulation and postpartum heat without affecting the volume or composition of the milk. Supplementation with omega 3 does not affect any productive parameters in the early postpartum.

Instrumental meat quality of veal calves reared under three management systems and color evolution of meat stored in three packaging systems.

This study evaluated the meat quality of grazing suckling calves (GR), suckling plus supplemented calves (SUP) and weaned calves finished on concentrates (FIN) and the color evolution of meat packaged in film (FILM), modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and vacuum packaging (VAC). Intramuscular fat was quite low for all treatments and GR meat had greater percentages of PUFA and lower SFA, MUFA and n6/n3 than SUP and FIN. FIN and SUP meat had more L* and was more tender when aged than GR. GR meat was tough and dark. The packaging system was more influential on meat color than the feeding management. VAC had the lowest values of metmyoglobin when aged. MAP had the greatest L* and hue angle and the lowest redness after 13 d of aging, thus MAP was the packaging with the shortest shelf life.

Grazing lucerne as fattening management for young bulls: technical and economic performance and diet authentication.

Three fattening systems were evaluated from weaning to slaughter in order to find alternatives to grain feeding in young bulls, and to test the reliability of carcass subcutaneous fat colour to discriminate among them. After weaning (224 kg), one group of animals was fed concentrates and straw until they reached the target slaughter weight (450 kg; Feedlot), another group grazed rotationally on lucerne supplemented with 1.8 kg DM/day barley until slaughter (LUC), and the third group had the same management as LUC animals for 3 months (period 1) and thereafter was finished on concentrates and straw until slaughter (period 2; LUC + Feedlot). Animals were weighed weekly and sampled monthly for serum IGF-I and leptin, and plasma non-esterified fatty acids and carotenoid pigment concentration analyses. Carcass characteristics and subcutaneous fat colour were recorded after slaughter. In period 1, Feedlot animals had slightly greater weight gains than their grazing counterparts (P < 0.10), and at the end of period 1 they had 66% greater IGF-I and 35% greater leptin concentration (P < 0.01). Plasma carotenoid pigments were undetectable in Feedlot animals, but increased during grazing in LUC and LUC + Feedlot treatments. In period 2, weight gains were lowest for LUC, intermediate for Feedlot and greatest for LUC + Feedlot animals (P < 0.001), conditioning the time taken to reach slaughter weight (73, 58 and 47 days, respectively; P < 0.05). Leptin and IGF-I concentrations increased in all management systems during period 2. Plasma carotenoid pigment concentration reached its maximum at the end of period 2 in LUC animals, but it decreased sharply in LUC + Feedlot animals in this period. Management did not affect carcass traits except for subcutaneous fat colour. Yellowness, Chroma (C*) and the value of the integral of the translated reflectance spectrum (SUM), estimator of carotenoid pigment content in fat, were higher in LUC than in LUC + Feedlot and Feedlot animals (P < 0.001). Two logistic regressions were obtained to discriminate carcasses from LUC treatment: P (LUC) = (1 + e(18.8-5.6 × lightness-36.9 × redness + 0.3 × SUM + 29.8 × C*))(-1) and LUC + Feedlot treatment: P (LUC + Feedlot)=(1 + e(833.7-11.8 × lightness + 4.7 × redness + 0.2 × SUM-2.5 × C*))(-1). The economic margin, calculated as income achieved minus costs, was greatest for LUC, intermediate for LUC + Feedlot and lowest for Feedlot treatment. Therefore, grazing lucerne supplemented with barley was an interesting alternative for fattening young bulls in these conditions, producing carcasses of similar quality, which could be accurately traced by measuring subcutaneous fat colour.

Molecular orbital differentiation of agonist and antagonist activity in the GlycineB-iGluR-NMDA receptor.

We present various molecular electronic descriptors of agonists and antagonists for Glycine(B)-iGluR-NMDA receptor with a view to identify computational measures that help differentiate between these two classes of biologically active compounds. We use as reference the glycine site in the NR1 subunit of the NMDA receptor (Glycine(B)-iGluR-NMDA). Glycine(B)-iGluR-NMDA receptor is important in learning and memory, and it is involved in various neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer, Parkinson, and Huntington as well as in neuropathies such as schizophrenia and depression. We carried out quantum calculations at two levels, (1) B3LYP Density Functional (6-311G**), and (2) PM3 Hamiltonian for 168 molecules, of which 22 are agonists and 146 are antagonists. Regardless of the quantum mechanical level used we found a consistent signature of agonists versus antagonist action, the energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO). Effective differentiation of agonists and antagonists by a single molecular descriptor is seldom seen. We present a plausible electronic structure argument to rationalize these results.

Neurobehavioral effect of essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus in mice.

Tea obtained from leaves of Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf is used for its anxiolytic, hypnotic and anticonvulsant properties in Brazilian folk medicine. Essential oil (EO) from fresh leaves was obtained by hydrodistillation and orally administered to Swiss male mice 30 min before experimental procedures. EO at 0.5 or 1.0 g/kg was evaluated for sedative/hypnotic activity through pentobarbital sleeping time, anxiolytic activity by elevated plus maze and light/dark box procedures and anticonvulsant activity through seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole and maximal electroshock. EO was effective in increasing the sleeping time, the percentage of entries and time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze as well as the time spent in the light compartment of light/dark box. In addition, EO delayed clonic seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole and blocked tonic extensions induced by maximal electroshock, indicating the elevation of the seizure threshold and/or blockage of seizures spread. These effects were observed in the absence of motor impairment evaluated on the rotarod and open field test. Our results are in accord with the ethnopharmacological use of Cymbopogon citratus, and after complementary toxicological studies it can support investigations assessing their use as anxiolytic, sedative or anticonvulsive agent.

Utilización en la práctica clínica de los tests de resistencia genotípica al VIH-1. Factores predictivos de mala evolución virológica en tratamientos de rescate / Clinical use of HIV-1 resistance genotyping. Predictive factors of poor virological evolution in salvage treatments

Objetivos. Describir la utilización de los tests de resistencia genotípica (TRG) por fracaso virológico en la práctica clínica y la evolución clínica y virológica a largo plazo de los pacientes en los que se solicitaron. Establecer los factores predictivos de fracaso virológico con tratamientos antirretrovirales (TARV) de rescate. Métodos. Estudio observacional de los pacientes con infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) a los que se solicitó TRG por fracaso virológico (FV) en el período comprendido entre el 1/10/1999 y 31/12/2001. Se determinaron los factores predictivos de mala evolución virológica mediante un análisis de regresión logística. Resultados. En el período de estudio, 196 pacientes precisaron TRG por FV (15%) de los seguidos en unas consultas específicas. Los TRG se solicitaron mayoritariamente a pacientes extensamente pretratados, con una media de 5 años y una mediana de cinco combinaciones TARV. La mitad de los pacientes presentaban tres o más mutaciones asociadas a análogos de la timidina (TAM), alguna mutación asociada a análogos no nucleósidos (ANNTI) y cinco o más mutaciones asociadas a inhibidores de proteasas (IP). En 143 (74%) se realizó un cambio de TARV en base al TRG recibido. En el análisis por intención de tratar, el porcentaje de pacientes con carga viral (CV) plasmática 400 cop./ml a los 12 meses, fueron tener una CV > 30.000 cop./ml odds ratio (OR) 6 (1,8-19,5) y haber acumulado tres o más TAM OR 4,4 (1,3-15) al iniciar el TARV de rescate. Conclusión. A pesar de que los TRG se solicitan en la práctica clínica en pacientes en multifracaso, al instaurar TARV de rescate se consiguen mantener la CV plasmática indetectables en el 40% de los pacientes en seguimiento a los 18 meses y con una respuesta inmunológica mantenida. Los factores que mejor predicen la evolución virológica son la CV plasmática y el número de TAMbasales (AU)

Objectives. To describe the use of genotype resistance testing (GRT) for virological failure in clinical practice, and the long-term clinical and virological evolution in patients for whom it is requested. To identify the predictive factors of virological failure in patients with antiretroviral (ARV) salvage therapy. Methods. Observational study in HIV-infected patients for whom GRT was requested for virological failure (VF) in the period of 1 October 1999 to 31 December 2001. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the predictive factors of virological progression. Results. Over the period studied, 196 patients required GRT for VF (15%) among those monitored in specific units. GRT was mainly requested for patients who had been extensively pretreated for a mean of 5 years and with a median of 5 ARV combinations. Half the patients presented 3 or more mutations associated with thymidine analogs (TAMs), mutations associated with non-nucleoside analogs (NNRTIs), and 5 or more mutations associated with protease inhibitors (PIs). In 143 (74%) patients, the RTV regimen was changed on the basis of GRT results. In the intent-to-treat analysis, the percentage of patients with plasma VL 400 cop/mL) at 12 months were plasma VL > 30,000 cop/mL (OR 6, 1.8-19.5) and accumulation of 3 or more TAMs (OR 4.4, 1.3-15) at the start of ARV salvage therapy. Conclusion. Even though in clinical practice GRT is requested for patients with various treatment failures, when ART salvage treatment was started, plasma VL was undetectable and immunological response persisted in 40% of patients followed-up for 18 months. The factors best predicting virological evolution were VL and the number of baseline TAMs (AU)

Hernia diafragmática, diagnóstico prenatal y seguimiento / Diaphragmatic hernia, prenatal diagnosis and follow up

La hernia diafragmática congénita es un defecto del diafragma que permite el desplazamiento de los órganos abdominales hacia la cavidad torácica. A pesar de los avances en el manejo prenatal y postnatal, esta malformación se asocia a una elevada mortalidad. Se presenta una revisión de los casos clínicos con diagnóstico prenatal de hernia diafragmática ingresados al CERPO durante el período 2003-2005. Se analiza en cada caso la edad gestacional al diagnóstico, lado afectado, compromiso hepático, asociación con otras malformaciones y cromosomopatías, resultado perinatal, cirugía y evolución.

Sedative and anticonvulsant effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Equisetum arvense.

The hydroalcoholic extract of Equisetum arvense (HAE) tested at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg showed a significant activity on the open-field, enhanced the number of falls in the rota-rod reducing the time of permanence in the bar and increased the sleeping time (46% and 74%) in the barbiturate-induced sleeping time. In the pentylenetetrazole-seizure, it increased the first convulsion latency, diminished the severity of convulsions, reduced the percentage of animals which developed convulsion (50% and 25%) and protected animals from death. On the contrary, in the elevated plus maze, the doses 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg did not affect the evaluated parameters. Thus, HAE presented anticonvulsant and sedative effects. Phytochemical analysis detected the presence of tannins, saponins, sterols and flavonoids.

Ajoene and 5-fluorouracil in the topical treatment of Cladophialophora carrionii chromoblastomycosis in humans: a comparative open study.

Ajoene and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) are compounds that have shown in-vitro activity against Cladophialophora carrionii, an important etiologic agent of chromoblastomycosis. An open comparative trial was conducted to assess safety and effectiveness of topical ajoene and 5-FU in the treatment of localized chromoblastomycosis. Thirty-seven patients with a clinically and mycologically confirmed diagnosis were randomly distributed into two groups allocated to ajoene (0.5% gel; n = 19) or 5-FU (1% cream; n = 18). Topical treatment was applied to localized lesions (< or = 2.5-cm diameter) once a day, with occlusion, for 12-16 weeks. Complete clinical and mycological remission was achieved in 14/19 patients (74%) treated with ajoene and 14/18 patients (78%) treated with 5-FU. All 5-FU-treated patients developed a post-treatment scar at the site of the lesion, while ajoene-treated patients showed only a slight depigmentation of the skin. The differences observed in cure rate between ajoene and 5-FU are not statistically significant. Follow-up of all patients for 4 years revealed no relapses in the ajoene-treated group, while one patient in the 5-FU-treated group had a relapse 6 months after the end of therapy. This trial represents the first clinical use of ajoene in the control of a deep mycosis.

Eficacia analgésica de la electroterapia y técnicas afines: revisiones sistemáticas / Analgesic efficacy of electrotherapy and similar techniques. Systematic reviews

Hacemos una revisión bibliográfica de las revisiones sistemáticas y metaanálisis publicados que hacen referencia a la eficacia analgésica de la electroterapia. Resumimos estos trabajos y discutimos sus resultados y conclusiones.Aunque existen resultados positivos, la mayor parte de estas revisiones, salvo en determinados casos, no parecen confirmar la eficacia analgésica de la electroterapia y sus posibles beneficios parecen, en general, de escasa relevancia; dado que tampoco existe una definitiva evidencia de su ineficacia, son necesarios estudios más rigurosos para obtener conclusiones definitivas.Pensamos que este trabajo puede servir de ayuda en futuros trabajos de investigación sobre electroterapia y técnicas afines, al sintetizar la amplia información existente. (AU)

Rationale for treating community-acquired lower respiratory tract infections with amoxicillin/sulbactam combination through pharmacodynamic analysis in the setting of aminopenicillin-resistant organisms.

In order to establish a rationale for treating community-acquired lower respiratory tract infections, we assess here the pharmacodynamics of amoxicillin/sulbactam, 500mg/500mg, a formulation marketed in Argentina since 1988 and currently available in 17 countries, against the major pathogens, in comparison with that of a novel formulation (875mg/125mg, see J Chemother 2000; 12: 223-227). In time-kill studies, both bactericidal and inhibitory activity were seen in the 1.5- and 6-h sera, obtained from 12 volunteers after a single oral dose, against both a penicillin-susceptible and an -intermediate Streptococcus pneumoniae strain, as well as against Moraxella catarrhalis and a beta-lactamase-negative Haemophilus influenzae strain. Only the 1.5-h sera proved bactericidal against a penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae strain (MIC, 2 microg/ml) and a beta-lactamse-positive H. influenzae isolate. This study suggests that amoxicillin/sulbactam (500mg/500mg) is still a suitable option for treating community-acquired lower respiratory tract infections, allowing a b.i.d. dosing schedule. Caution should be taken with pneumonia caused by beta-lactamase-positive H. influenzae or penicillin-resistant (MIC > or =2 microg/ml) S. pneumoniae isolates. Either shorter dosing intervals (t.i.d.) or a higher amoxicillin content in the formulation (i.e. 875 mg) may be required in these situations.