ABSTRACT
Fetal lung interstitial tumor (FLIT) is a rare fetal malignancy that is typically diagnosed in the postnatal period, or, if recognized prenatally can mimic a benign lesion such as congenital pulmonary airway malformation. We present the earliest case of a FLIT tumor described by ultrasound and MRI at 26 weeks of gestation. Our case highlights features suggestive of FLIT including presentation later in gestation in combination with findings on fetal MRI such as a solid appearance with radiating curved bands of high signal within and along the periphery of the lesion (not as intensely high signal as the typical CPAM), possibly detailing a radiographic signature for these tumors. The role of betamethasone for these tumors is not known.
Subject(s)
Betamethasone/therapeutic use , Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of Lung, Congenital/diagnostic imaging , Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use , Lung Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Pregnancy, Twin , Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn/surgery , Adult , Cesarean Section, Repeat , Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of Lung, Congenital/pathology , Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of Lung, Congenital/surgery , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Gestational Age , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Lung Neoplasms/surgery , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Pregnancy , Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn/physiopathology , Thoracotomy , Treatment Outcome , Ultrasonography, PrenatalABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Stroke remains the leading cause of acquired disability. Health and social planning and management may vary and although prevention is crucial, having better treatments and strategies to reduce disability is needed. AIM: To determine the effect of an intensive program of thalassotherapy and aquatic therapy in stroke patients, valuing clinical parameters and functional validated scales. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental prospective study consisting of a specific program assessed pre- and post- 3 weeks treatment to 26 stroke patients with a mild-moderate disability. The outcomes measured were: Berg Balance scale, Timed Up and Go test, 10-meter walking test, 6-minute walking test and pain Visual Analogue Scale. RESULTS: After intervention, participants had a significant improvement in all outcomes measured. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that an intensive program of thalassotherapy and aquatic therapy could be useful during stroke rehabilitation to improve balance, gait and pain.
TITLE: Efectos de un programa intensivo de talasoterapia y terapia acuatica en pacientes con ictus. Estudio piloto.Introduccion. El ictus es la principal causa de discapacidad adquirida. Su planificacion y gestion (sanitaria y social) varia y, aunque la prevencion resulta crucial, no es menos importante disponer de mejores tratamientos y estrategias para reducir la discapacidad. Objetivo. Analizar la eficacia de un programa intensivo de talasoterapia y terapia acuatica en pacientes con ictus, valorando parametros clinicos y escalas funcionales validadas. Pacientes y metodos. Se realizo un estudio prospectivo cuasi experimental con 26 pacientes con discapacidad leve-moderada postictus. Los pacientes fueron evaluados con las siguientes escalas: equilibrio de Berg, equilibrio dinamico/Timed Up and Go, marcha de 10 metros, seis minutos de marcha y escala visual analogica del dolor, antes y despues de realizar tres semanas de tratamiento. Resultados. Finalizado el tratamiento programado, se obtuvieron diferencias significativas para todas las variables estudiadas. Conclusion. Un programa intensivo de talasoterapia y terapia acuatica contribuye a mejorar el equilibrio, la marcha y la percepcion del dolor en estos pacientes.
Subject(s)
Climatotherapy , Hydrotherapy , Stroke Rehabilitation/methods , Stroke/therapy , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pilot Projects , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
Fetus in fetu (FIF) is an extremely rare condition (1/500,000 live births) in which a fetiform structure is incorporated into the body of its twin. FIF can be a diagnostic dilemma due to its similarity to a teratoma, but identification of FIF is important for subsequent medical and surgical management. We compare two cases of fetal masses diagnosed on prenatal imaging that were later identified as FIF through further radiological, surgical, and pathologic evaluation. We use these cases to illustrate key pre- and postnatal features of FIF and highlight the benefits of prenatal detection and follow-up for postnatal management.
Subject(s)
Fetus/abnormalities , Pregnancy, Twin , Adult , Female , Fetus/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Pregnancy , Prenatal Diagnosis , Ultrasonography, PrenatalABSTRACT
Extensive cytogenetic analyses on a population of the leptodactylid frog Eleutherodactylus riveroi in northern Venezuela revealed the existence of multiple XXAA male/XYAA female/XAA(Y) female sex chromosomes. The XAA(Y) karyotype originated by a centric (Robertsonian) fusion between the original, free Y chromosome and an autosome. 46.2% of the male individuals in this population are carriers of this Y-autosome fusion. In male meiosis the XAA(Y) sex chromosomes pair in the expected trivalent configuration. In the same population 53.8% of the male animals still possess the original, free XY sex chromosomes. E. riveroi is only the second vertebrate species discovered in which a derived Y-autosome fusion coexists with the ancestral free XY sex chromosomes. The free XY sex chromosomes, as well as the multiple XA(Y) sex chromosomes are still in a very primitive (homomorphic) stage of differentiation. With no banding technique applied it is possible to distinguish the Y from the X. Various banding techniques and in situ hybridizations have been carried out to characterize the karyotypes. DNA flow cytometric measurements show that the genome size of E. riveroi resembles that of other Eleutherodactylus species. The cytogenetic data obtained in E. riveroi are compared with those of the sole other vertebrate known to possess the extremely rare, multiple XXAA male/XYAA female/XAA(Y) female sex chromosomes. Surprisingly enough, this vertebrate again is a frog belonging to the genus Eleutherodactylus [E. ((maussi) biporcatus] which lives exactly in the same habitat in northern Venezuela as does E. riveroi.
Subject(s)
Anura/genetics , Chromosome Banding/methods , Sex Chromosomes/genetics , Animals , Female , Genome , In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence , Karyotyping , Male , Meiosis , Translocation, Genetic , X Chromosome/genetics , Y Chromosome/geneticsABSTRACT
The karyotypes of four South American didelphid marsupials, representing diploid numbers of 2n = 14 and 18, have been analyzed by a variety of banding techniques. The 2n = 14 karyotypes display a high degree of homoeology, but there also exist distinct similarities between the 2n = 14 and 2n = 18 karyotypes. The interspecific differences found are due to centric fissions, pericentric inversions, and variations in the amount and composition of the constitutive heterochromatin. Contrary to the evolutionary conservation of the banding patterns in all autosomal arms, there are multiple differences in the number and chromosomal location of the nucleolus organizer regions. In species with X-linked nucleolus organizers, the 18S + 28S ribosomal RNA genes escape inactivation in female cells. Measurements on the X chromosomes of Marmosa fuscata and Micoureus demerarae unexpectedly reveal the lowest quantities of euchromatin so far determined in the X chromosomes of mammals: 1.5% and 1.8%, respectively, of their haploid female genomes. This is significantly less than the amount of euchromatin in the basic X chromosomes of other marsupials (3%) or eutherians (5%).
Subject(s)
Euchromatin/genetics , Marsupialia/genetics , X Chromosome/genetics , Animals , Chromosome Banding , Female , Karyotyping , Male , Opossums/genetics , Species SpecificityABSTRACT
A 15-year cytogenetic survey on one population of the leaf litter frog Eleutherodactylus maussi in northern Venezuela confirmed the existence of multiple XXAA male symbol /XAA(Y) female symbol sex chromosomes which originated by a centric (Robertsonian) fusion between the original Y chromosome and an autosome. 95% of the male individuals in this population are carriers of this Y-autosome fusion. In male meiosis the XAA(Y) sex chromosomes pair in the expected trivalent configuration. In the same population, 5% of the male animals still possess the original, free XY sex chromosomes. In a second population of E. maussi analyzed, all male specimens are characterized by these ancestral XY chromosomes which form normal bivalents in meiosis. E. maussi apparently represents the first vertebrate species discovered in which a derived Y-autosome fusion still coexists with the ancestral free XY sex chromosomes. The free XY sex chromosomes, as well as the multiple XA(Y) sex chromosomes are still in a very primitive (homomorphic) stage of differentiation. With no banding technique applied it is possible to distinguish the Y from the X. DNA flow cytometric measurements show that the genome of E. maussi is among the largest in the anuran family Leptodactylidae. The present study also supplies further data on differential chromosome banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization experiments in this amphibian species.
Subject(s)
Anura/genetics , Chromosome Banding/methods , Sex Chromosomes/genetics , Animals , Female , Flow Cytometry , Genome , In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence , Karyotyping , Male , Sex Determination Processes , Translocation, Genetic , X Chromosome/genetics , Y Chromosome/geneticsABSTRACT
A patient was referred with a high leukocyte count and diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Although practically asymptomatic since the time of diagnosis, he had a variable and inconsistent response to treatment. All of his bone marrow cells had a complex, three-way translocation, involving chromosomes 4, 9 and 22. Translocation of chromosome 4 to chromosome 9 was undetectable by routine cytogenetic techniques; however, by the fluorescence in situ hybridization technique, a three-way translocation was identified, 46,XY,t(4;9;22)(p16;q34;q11). Although, other chromosomes are frequently involved in complex or variant translocations with chromosome 9 and 22, participation of chromosome 4 is a very rare event. So far, two previous cases have been described in the literature with translocations involving chromosome 4p16. We present a third case of CML having similar break points whose clinical presentation is unusual.
Subject(s)
Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 4 , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9 , Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/genetics , Translocation, Genetic , Allopurinol/therapeutic use , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Bone Marrow/pathology , Busulfan/therapeutic use , Chromosome Banding , Chromosome Mapping , Humans , Hydroxyurea/therapeutic use , In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence , Karyotyping , Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy , Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/pathology , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Physical exercise causes a significant increase in the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias in athletes, basically when maximal capacity is approached and during the period of early recovery. In this study the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias consecutive to maximal exercise (sprint) was studied using racing greyhounds as a biomodel. METHODS: The study was done on 399 greyhounds taking part in programmed speed races at a greyhound track. For each animals two electrocardiograms where taken: the first before the race and the second between 90 and 150 seconds after finishing it. RESULTS: 112 cases of abnormal arrhythmias were found, 32 before racing, and 80 afterwards. Of these 80 post-effort cases, 80% did not present any abnormalities in cardiac rhythm before racing. Only cases of electrical alternans, electrical alternans + sinus tachycardia, ventricular extrasystoles, sinus tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia were due to non-random phenomena. CONCLUSIONS: Maximal physical exercise (sprint) provokes a significant increase (150%) in the incidence of abnormal cardiac arrhythmias during the period of early recovery: mainly electrical alternans, ventricular extrasystoles, sinus tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia. The class, sex, age, weight of greyhound and distance covered do not have a significant influence on the presentation of arrhythmias, except in cases of sinus tachycardia and distance.
Subject(s)
Arrhythmias, Cardiac/etiology , Running/physiology , Animals , Dogs , Electrocardiography , Female , Heart/physiology , Male , Time FactorsSubject(s)
Cryptorchidism/surgery , Testis/transplantation , Child , Humans , Male , Microsurgery , Testis/blood supply , Transplantation, AutologousABSTRACT
La hipertensión pulmonar es una enfermedad compleja, grave y de baja incidencia. Es un estado hemodinámicamente patológico con una presión de arteria pulmonar que supera los 25 mmHg. La presencia de hipertensión pulmonar en el puerperio es poco frecuente y conlleva un alto riesgo para la madre. Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 31 años en puerperio mediato patológico post parto eutócico con datos de bajo gasto cardiaco. El ecocardiograma demostró la presión de la arteria pulmonar que iguala a la sistémica. La angiotomografía helicoidal de tórax descarta tromboembolismo pulmonar, y se realiza diagnóstico de hipertensión de la arteria pulmonar de etiología desconocida
Pulmonary hypertension is a complex, serious and low incidence disease. It is a haemodynamically pathological state with a pulmonary artery pressure that exceeds 25 mmHg. The presence of pulmonary hypertension in the puerperium is rare, and carries a high risk to the mother. The case is presented of a 31 year-old female in the subacute postpartum period of a normal delivery with data of low cardiac output. The echocardiogram showed that the pressure of the pulmonary artery was equal to the systemic. A thoracic helical angio-tomography ruled out pulmonary thromboembolism, making a diagnosis of pulmonary artery hypertension of unknown aetiology
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Adult , Hypertension, Pulmonary/etiology , Postpartum Period , Pulmonary Embolism/diagnostic imaging , Hypertension/etiology , Pulmonary Embolism/complications , Radiography, Thoracic/methods , Cardiac OutputABSTRACT
To genetically characterize dengue 2 (DEN-2) viruses in Oaxaca, Mexico, the C protein, and a portion of the prM protein genes of 8 isolates from the 2001 DEN epidemic were sequenced. The sequences were compared to those of prototype DEN-2 viruses from various parts of the world. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that the 2001 isolates of DEN-2 were of the American/Asian genotype and were most similar to the Jamaica and Venezuelan isolates MARA3, LARD1996 and LARD1910. Molecular analyses confirmed the origin of the isolates. This study indicates that DEN-2 strains of American/Asian genotype probably from Southeast Asian are circulating in Oaxaca.
Subject(s)
Dengue Virus/genetics , Animals , Cell Line , Dengue/epidemiology , Dengue/virology , Dengue Virus/isolation & purification , Genotype , Humans , Mexico/epidemiology , Phylogeny , RNA, Viral/isolation & purification , Sequence Homology, Amino Acid , Viral Proteins/geneticsABSTRACT
Dental retention is a cause of irregularities in the dental eruption. The retention of upper central incisors, although it is not very frequent, presents peculiar diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. We present a case of retention of a upper central incisor, due to a total inversion of said incisor.
Subject(s)
Incisor/abnormalities , Tooth Eruption , Tooth, Unerupted , Child , Humans , Male , MaxillaABSTRACT
In this study we examine the epidemiology, evolution and treatment of our patients diagnosed and treated for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary glands, the result of which serves, with our experience, to clarity its irregular behavior and propose new guidelines for individualized therapy. We present a total of 13 cases which were diagnosed, treated and intervened by us during the period of 1982 and 1989.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic , Salivary Gland Neoplasms , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
The mitotic chromosomes of the pocket mouse Heteromys anomalus (Rodentia, Heteromyidae) from Venezuela were analyzed by means of conventional staining and various banding techniques. The karyotype of this species is distinguished by a Y chromosome with exceptional banding properties. The very large heterochromatic Y long arm shows a remarkable bright quinacrine fluorescence, but only moderate or dull fluorescence when labeled with other AT base pair-specific fluorochromes. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Subject(s)
Rodentia/genetics , Y Chromosome , Animals , MaleABSTRACT
A geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase (GGPPS) gene from Capsicum annuum (bell pepper) was cloned. The nucleotide sequence shows that this gene, like the capsanthin/capsorubin gene but unlike the phytoene synthase gene from C. annuum, is not interrupted by an intron. Southern blot analysis of C. annuum genomic DNA suggests the presence of a single gene highly similar to the cDNA and also of additional related sequences. The present data suggest that this cloned gene is functional.
Subject(s)
Capsicum/genetics , Dimethylallyltranstransferase/genetics , Genes, Plant/genetics , Plants, Medicinal , Capsicum/enzymology , Cloning, Molecular , DNA, Plant/analysis , Molecular Sequence Data , Restriction Mapping , Sequence Analysis, DNAABSTRACT
Structural evidence has accumulated suggesting that fusion and/or translocation factors are involved in plastid membrane biogenesis. To test this hypothesis, we have developed an in vitro system in which the extent of fusion and/or translocation is monitored by the conversion of the xanthophyll epoxide (antheraxanthin) into the red ketocarotenoid (capsanthin). Only chromoplast membrane vesicles from red pepper fruits (Capsicum annuum) contain the required enzyme. Vesicles prepared from the mutant yellow cultivar are devoid of this enzyme and accumulate antheraxanthin. The fusion and/or translocation activity is characterized by complementation due to the synthesis of capsanthin and the parallel decrease of antheraxanthin when the two types of vesicles are incubated together in the presence of plastid stroma. We show that the extent of conversion is dependent upon an ATP-requiring protein that is sensitive to N-ethylmaleimide. Further purification and immunological analysis have revealed that the active factor, designated plastid fusion and/or translocation factor (Pftf), resides in a protein of 72 kDa. cDNA cloning revealed that mature Pftf has significant homology to yeast and animal (NSF) or bacterial (Ftsh) proteins involved in vesicle fusion or membrane protein translocation.
Subject(s)
Membrane Proteins/genetics , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Plant Proteins/genetics , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Plastids/metabolism , Amino Acid Sequence , Base Sequence , Biological Transport , Capsicum , Cloning, Molecular , DNA, Complementary , Intracellular Membranes/metabolism , Membrane Proteins/chemistry , Membrane Proteins/physiology , Microscopy, Electron , Molecular Sequence Data , Plant Proteins/chemistry , Plant Proteins/physiology , Plants, Medicinal , Plastids/ultrastructure , Sequence Homology, Amino AcidABSTRACT
Plant cells synthesize a myriad of isoprenoid compounds in different subcellular compartments, which include the plastid, the mitochondria, and the endoplasmic reticulum cytosol. To start the study of the regulation of these parallel pathways, we used pepper (Capsicum annuum) fruit as a model. Using different isoprenoid biosynthetic gene probes from cloned cDNAs, we showed that only genes encoding the plastid enzymes (geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase, phytoene synthase, phytoene desaturase, and capasanthin-capsorubin synthase) are specifically triggered during the normal period of development, at the ripening stage. This pattern of expression can be mimicked and precociously induced by a simple wounding stress. Concerning the cytosol-located enzymes, we observed that the expression of the gene encoding farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase is constitutive, whereas that of farnesyl pyrophosphate cyclase (5-epi-aristolochene synthase) is undetectable during the normal development of the fruit. The expression of these later genes are, however, only selectively triggered after elicitor treatment. The results provide evidence for developmental control of isoprenoid biosynthesis occurring in plastids and that cytoplasmic isoprenoid biosynthesis is regulated, in part, by environmental signals.
Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Polyisoprenyl Phosphates/biosynthesis , Vegetables/genetics , Vegetables/metabolism , Amino Acid Sequence , Base Sequence , Cytosol/metabolism , DNA, Complementary/genetics , DNA, Plant/genetics , Dimethylallyltranstransferase/genetics , Enzymes/genetics , Enzymes/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Molecular Sequence Data , Plastids/metabolism , Sequence Homology, Amino Acid , Vegetables/growth & developmentABSTRACT
Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Mexico. We investigated the effects of omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids on the metabolic syndrome associated with cardiovascular disease in a high-sucrose-fed rat model. The metabolic syndrome-induced rats showed a significant increase in systolic blood pressure, serum insulin, nonfasting serum triglyceride and serum cholesterol levels. Experimental high-sucrose-fed animals received either a n-3 or n-6 enriched diet or a control diet during 6 weeks. Animals fed the n-3 enriched diet had a significant reduction in blood pressure and serum insulin and triglyceride levels. Serum triglyceride levels were also significantly reduced in the n-6-rich diet animals.