Arthropods of forensic importance on pig carrion in the Coahuilan semidesert, Mexico.

This is the first report of an ongoing research to establish a sarcosaprophagous arthropod database in the Coahuilan semidesert. Seven pigs (Sus scrofa L.) were used as human models to determine succession in an open urban area during the 2007 winter-spring period. Arthropods were collected manually and from pitfall traps. Carcass biomass loss, as well as arthropod colonization, was recorded during 71 days postmortem. Five decomposition stages were identified during which most abundant orders were found to be Diptera, Coleoptera, and Hymenoptera. Lucilia sericata (Meigen), Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart), Necrobia rufipes (DeGeer), Dermestes maculatus (DeGeer), Pheidole hyatti Emery, and Pogonomyrmex rugosus Emery stood out as dominant species.

Long term results of a phase II trial of induction chemotherapy with uracil-ftegafur (UFT), vinorelbine and cisplatin (UFTVP) followed by radiotherapy concomitant with UFT and carboplatin (RT/UFTJ) in non-resectable locally advanced (stage IV-B) squamous cell head and neck carcinoma and peripheral blood stem cell support (PBSCS) with febrile neutropenia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the response of advanced squamous cell head and neck carcinoma to a combination of induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy. METHODS: We present long-term results of a phase II trial of Induction Chemotherapy with UFT 200 mg/m(2) p.o. days 1 to 21, Vinorelbine 25 mg/m(2) i.v. days 1 and 8 and Cisplatin 100 mg/m(2) i.v. day 1 (UFTVP) each 21 days for 4 courses, followed by Radiotherapy concomitant with UFT 100 mg/m(2) p.o. daily and Carboplatin AUC = 0.5 i.v. weekly (RT/UFTJ) in patients (pts) with Non-Resectable Locally Advanced (Stage IV-B) Squamous Cell Head and Neck Carcinoma (IV-B-SCHNC). Primary endpoint was Complete Response to induction UFTVP and secondary endpoints were Disease Free Status Rate after locoregional treatment and long-term Overall Survival. Between 1994 and 1997, 32 pts were included. RESULTS: Complete Response to Induction UFTVP was 59% (95% CI: 48%-70%). Main toxicity of UFTVP was G 3,4 neutropenia (94% of pts; 25% developed febrile neutropenia and 1 of this pts dead). After Induction Chemotherapy with UFTVP, 30 pts received radiotherapy and 25 of them received concomitant Carboplatin and UFT (RT/UFTJ): main toxicity was mucositis (G3-4: 72%) and one patient died during RT/UFTJ because pneumonia. Twenty-five pts (78%) were alive and disease free at the end of the whole treatment. Actuarial 5 year Overall survival is 32%. CONCLUSION: Although toxicity is important, this approach has interesting activity and deserves further investigation.

Uso de injertos autólogos y homólogos en el dorso y punta nasal / Use of autologous and homologous grafts on the dorsum and nasal tip

La cirugía estética de la nariz, también conocida como rinoplastia, está orientada a mejorar la forma, el tamaño y a la apariencia de la nariz. El objetivo del otorrinolaringólogo es conseguir una nariz de aspecto natural que ofrezca un balance armónico con el resto de las estructuras faciales, conservando una función adecuado de la misma. En muchos casos en las rinoplastias se requiere el uso de algún tipo de injerto para mejorar la estructura de la nariz. Generalmente se busca el injerto adecuado, tratando de hallar métodos y materiales en lo posible similares a la estructura del dorso y punta nasal. Durante el año 2001 fueron intervenidos quirúrgicamente de septorrinoplastia un total de 50 pacientes, pertenecientes al Servicio de Otorrinolaringología del Hospital Nacional “Dos de Mayo” y a la Clínica Ricardo Palma; de este grupo de pacientes, cuatro requirieron el uso de injertos homólogos en el dorso nasal, y en los 46 pacientes restantes se utilizaron injertos autólogos en punta nasal. La técnica quirúrgica empleada fue la de Joseph para el abordaje del dorso nasal, y para la punta nasal utilizamos el delivering completo de los cartígalos laterales inferiores. En el caso de los injertos homólogos estos fueron conservados en una solución de cloruro de benzalconio, 20 días previos a la cirugía. Los injertos autólogos se obtuvieron del cartílago septal y concha auricular. Los resultados obtenidos han sido satisfactorios, en ningún caso hemos observado rechazo del injerto. Concluimos que las ventajas de la utilización de este tipo de injertos es que son fáciles de obtener, conservar, disminuyendo la posibilidad de rechazo versus injertos aloplásticos de mayor costo.