Niveles plasmáticos de troponina T y de la fracción aminoterminal del propéptido natriurético cerebral y su relación con mortalidad en COVID-19 / Troponin-T and n-terminal pro-brain type natriuretic peptide plasma levels and its relationship with mortality in COVID-19

Introducción: El compromiso cardiovascular en la enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) no necesariamente se presenta con los síntomas clásicos descriptos en la miocarditis. Es creciente la evidencia que demuestra compromiso cardiovascular subclínico en contexto de la intensa inflamación desatada, la tormenta de citocinas involucradas, el estado protrombótico basal y la disfunción endotelial consecuente. Nos propusimos analizar si la troponina T (TT) y la fracción amino-terminal del propéptido natriurético cerebral (NT-proBNP) determinada al momento de ingreso hospitalario se relacionan con la mortalidad durante la internación de estos pacientes. Material y métodos: Estudio analítico, observacional, de cohortes retrospectivas y corte transversal. Incluyó sujetos con COVID-19 internados por enfermedad moderada-severa, del 20 de marzo de 2020 al 15 de noviembre de 2020. Se analizaron las determinaciones de TT y NT-proBNP obtenidas en las primeras 24 horas de ingreso. Se consideró TT alterada si ≥ 0,014 ng/dL y NT-proBNP alterado si ≥ 300 pg/mL. Resultados: Se incluyeron 108 sujetos, 63,2% hombres, edad 51,5 años (59-43). El 28% ingreso a Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) y el 25% falleció. El grupo de pacientes con TT elevada presentó mayor mortalidad (OR = 3,1; IC 95% = 1,10-8,85; p = 0,028) al igual que el grupo con NT-proBNP elevado (OR = 3,47; IC 95% = 1,21-9,97; p = 0,017). Al análisis multivariado sólo NT-proBNP ≥300 pg/mL se mantuvo como factor de riesgo independiente. Conclusiones: Niveles de NT-proBNP ≥ 300 pg/mL al ingreso en pacientes con COVID-19 moderada-severa se relacionaron con una mayor mortalidad.(AU)

Introduction: Cardiovascular compromise in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) does not necessarily present with the classic symptoms described in myocarditis. There is growing evidence demonstrating subclinical cardiovascular compromise in the context of the intense inflammation unleashed, the cytokine storm involved, the baseline prothrombotic state, and the consequent endothelial dysfunction. We set out to analyse whether Troponin-T (TT) and the amino-terminal fraction of pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) determined at hospital admission, are related to mortality during the hospitalization of these patients. Material and methods: Analytical, observational, retrospective cohort and cross-sectional study. It included subjects with COVID-19 hospitalized for moderate-severe illness, from 20/03/20 to 15/11/20. The TT and NT-proBNP obtained in the first 24 hours from admission were analysed. Altered TT was considered if ≥.014 ng/dl and altered NT-proBNP if ≥300 pg/ml. Results: One hundred and eight subjects were included, 63.2% men, age 51.5 years (59-43), 28% were admitted to the Critical Unit and 25% died. The group with elevated TT presented higher mortality (OR = 3.1; 95%CI = 1.10-8.85; p = .02). The group with elevated NT-proBNP also show higher mortality (OR = 3.47; 95%CI = 1.21-9.97; p = .01). On multivariate analysis, only NT-proBNP ≥300 pg/ml remained an independent risk factor. Conclusions: NT-proBNP levels ≥300 pg/ml at admission in patients with moderate-severe COVID-19 were associated with higher mortality.(AU)

[Troponin-T and n-terminal pro-brain type natriuretic peptide plasma levels and its relationship with mortality in COVID-19]. / Niveles plasmáticos de troponina T y de la fracción aminoterminal del propéptido natriurético cerebral y su relación con mortalidad en COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular compromise in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) does not necessarily present with the classic symptoms described in myocarditis. There is growing evidence demonstrating subclinical cardiovascular compromise in the context of the intense inflammation unleashed, the cytokine storm involved, the baseline prothrombotic state, and the consequent endothelial dysfunction. We set out to analyse whether Troponin-T (TT) and the amino-terminal fraction of pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) determined at hospital admission, are related to mortality during the hospitalization of these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analytical, observational, retrospective cohort and cross-sectional study. It included subjects with COVID-19 hospitalized for moderate-severe illness, from 20/03/20 to 15/11/20. The TT and NT-proBNP obtained in the first 24 hours from admission were analysed. Altered TT was considered if ≥.014 ng/dl and altered NT-proBNP if ≥300 pg/ml. RESULTS: One hundred and eight subjects were included, 63.2% men, age 51.5 years (59-43), 28% were admitted to the Critical Unit and 25% died. The group with elevated TT presented higher mortality (OR = 3.1; 95%CI = 1.10-8.85; p = .02). The group with elevated NT-proBNP also show higher mortality (OR = 3.47; 95%CI = 1.21-9.97; p = .01). On multivariate analysis, only NT-proBNP ≥300 pg/ml remained an independent risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: NT-proBNP levels ≥300 pg/ml at admission in patients with moderate-severe COVID-19 were associated with higher mortality.

Management of adverse events from the treatment of encorafenib plus cetuximab for patients with BRAF V600E-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer: insights from the BEACON CRC study.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with a 5-year relative survival of 14% in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Patients with BRAF V600E mutations, which occur in ∼10%-15% of patients with mCRC, have a poorer prognosis compared with those with wild-type BRAF tumours. The combination of the BRAF inhibitor encorafenib with the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor cetuximab currently represents the only chemotherapy-free targeted therapy approved in the USA and Europe for previously treated patients with BRAF V600E-mutated mCRC. As a class, BRAF inhibitors are associated with dermatologic, gastrointestinal, and renal events, as well as pyrexia and secondary skin malignancies. Adverse event (AE) profiles of specific BRAF inhibitors vary, however, and are affected by the specific agents given in combination. In patients with mCRC, commonly reported AEs of cetuximab monotherapy include infusion reactions and dermatologic toxicities. Data from the phase III BEACON CRC study indicate that the combination of encorafenib with cetuximab has a distinct safety profile. Here we review the most frequently reported AEs that occurred with this combination in BEACON CRC and best practices for managing and mitigating AEs that require more than standard supportive care.

Experiencia de entrenadores deportivos y padres en el proceso de inclusión de niños y jóvenes con síndrome de Down en Puerto Rico / Experience of sports coaches and parents in the inclusion process of children and youth with Down syndrome in Puerto Rico

Introducción Los jóvenes con discapacidad suelen ser menos activos físicamente que los jóvenes sin discapacidad y existen barreras que limitan el nivel de actividad física en su diario vivir. El propósito de esta investigación cualitativa con diseño fenomenológico fue explorar y describir la experiencia de los padres y entrenadores de equipos deportivos en Puerto Rico, en el proceso de inclusión de niños y jóvenes con síndrome de Down. Método Los participantes fueron 3 entrenadores deportivos y 3 padres de niños y/o jóvenes con síndrome de Down, cuyos hijos fueran estudiantes de los entrenadores. Se llevaron a cabo entrevistas semiestructuradas en las que se encontró que la experiencia para los padres fue positiva en términos de los beneficios físicos y sociales que brinda el realizar actividad física junto con niños o jóvenes típicos. Resultados Pudieron ser identificados diferentes barreras y facilitadores para el proceso de inclusión y los entrenadores se consideran una herramienta clave en este proceso. Los fisioterapeutas fueron identificados como facilitadores de la inclusión, por su rol como promotores de salud, desarrollo y actividad física. Conclusiones Existe un espacio de oportunidad para la creación y promoción de más programas de deporte inclusivo, y se resaltó la importancia de que profesionales de la salud como los fisioterapeutas estén involucrados en la promoción de la inclusión y educación a los padres de niños o jóvenes con síndrome de Down sobre alternativas disponibles para que sus hijos estén físicamente activos (AU)

Introduction Children and young people with disabilities are usually less physically active than young people without disabilities with barriers that limit the levels of physical activity in their daily lives. The purpose of this qualitative research with phenomenological design was to explore and describe the experience of parents and coaches of sports teams in Puerto Rico, in the inclusion process of children and young people with Down syndrome. Method The participants were 3 sports coaches and 3 parents of children and/or young people with Down syndrome, whose children were students of the coaches. Semi-structured interviews were carried out in which it was found that the experience for the parents was positive in terms of the physical and social benefits provided by performing physical activity together with typical children or young people. Results Different barriers and facilitators were identified for the inclusion process and the sports coaches are considered a key tool in this process. Physiotherapists were identified as facilitators of inclusion, due to their role as promoters of health, development, and physical activity. Conclusions There is a window of opportunity for the creation and promotion of more inclusive sports programmes, and the importance is highlighted of health professionals such as physiotherapists being involved in promoting the inclusion and education of parents of children or young people with Down syndrome on available alternatives for their children to be physically active (AU)

Restricted dispersal in a sea of gene flow.

How far do marine larvae disperse in the ocean? Decades of population genetic studies have revealed generally low levels of genetic structure at large spatial scales (hundreds of kilometres). Yet this result, typically based on discrete sampling designs, does not necessarily imply extensive dispersal. Here, we adopt a continuous sampling strategy along 950 km of coast in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea to address this question in four species. In line with expectations, we observe weak genetic structure at a large spatial scale. Nevertheless, our continuous sampling strategy uncovers a pattern of isolation by distance at small spatial scales (few tens of kilometres) in two species. Individual-based simulations indicate that this signal is an expected signature of restricted dispersal. At the other extreme of the connectivity spectrum, two pairs of individuals that are closely related genetically were found more than 290 km apart, indicating long-distance dispersal. Such a combination of restricted dispersal with rare long-distance dispersal events is supported by a high-resolution biophysical model of larval dispersal in the study area, and we posit that it may be common in marine species. Our results bridge population genetic studies with direct dispersal studies and have implications for the design of marine reserve networks.

Parsonage-Turner posterior a vacunación antirrábica por mordedura de murciélago: comunicación de un caso / Parsonage-Turner after rabies vaccination due to bat bite: case report

Introducción:Paciente adulto masculino que consulta por mordedura de murciélago. Se realiza aplicación de vacuna antirrábica y toxoide tetánico, tras lo cual presenta alteraciones motoras, sensitivas y dolor de difícil manejo en el miembro superior derecho. Siendo un reto diagnóstico de manera inicial, posterior a estudios electrofisiológicos se consideró un síndrome de Parsonage-Turner. Este caso es relevante por la asociación de vacuna antirrábica no descrita en antecedentes de inmunización en revisiones previas.Caso clínico:Se le realizaron varias pruebas diagnósticas e imágenes como ecografías, resonancia magnética y estudios electrofisiológicos los cuales confirmaron el diagnóstico de neuritis braquial (síndrome de Parsonage-Turner). El paciente recibió intervenciones quirúrgicas con fascitomías y neurólisis, además de múltiples manejos farmacológicos para dolor, incluyendo opioides fuertes, neuromoduladores, antidepresivos y medicamentos por bomba intratecal, con disminución solo del 50 % de los síntomas de dolor y afectación a su calidad de vida.Conclusión:El caso nos muestra cómo el síndrome de Parsonage-Turner, una enfermedad neurológica con etiología desconocida, se puede cronificar en un síndrome doloroso al no tener un diagnóstico temprano o someter al paciente procedimientos no indicados. Este síndrome debe considerarse en la atención de urgencias y consulta externa por sus consecuencias a largo plazo y el difícil manejo de los síntomas crónicos. Hay una relación causal reportada en la literatura con el toxoide tetánico, pero este se aplicó previo a los síntomas; no hay referencias de inicio de síntomas posterior a la vacuna antirrábica, lo cual puede generar a futuro, una relación causal si se encontraran nuevos casos.(AU)

Introduction:Adult male patient who suffers a bat bite, after which rabies vaccine and tetanus toxoid are administered; later, he presents on the right upper limb severe motor, sensory and pain disorders. Initially a diagnostic challenge, after electrophysiological studies, Parsonage-Turner syndrome was considered. This case is relevant since the association between rabies vaccine and this syndrome has not been described.Clinical case:Several diagnostic tests and images were performed, including ultrasound, magnetic resonance and electrophysiological studies, which confirmed the diagnosis of brachial neuritis (Parsonage-Turner syndrome). Even though the patient received surgical interventions with fasciotomies and neurolysis as well as multiple pharmacological pain management with strong opioids, neuromodulators, antidepressants and intrathecal pump medications, there was a 50 % decrease in pain symptoms and an impairment of their quality of life.Conclusion:The case shows a Parsonage-Turner syndrome, a neurological disease with unknown etiology, with difficult diagnosis which can lead to chronic pain syndrome or unnecessary surgical procedures. This syndrome should be considered in emergency care and outpatient care due to its long-term consequences and the difficult management of chronic symptoms. There is a causal relationship reported in the literature with tetanus toxoid, but it was applied prior to symptoms; there are no reports of onset of symptoms after the rabies vaccine, which may generate a causal relationship in the future if new cases are found.(AU)

Subtropical goats ovulate in response to the male effect after a prolonged treatment of artificial long days to stimulate their milk yield.

The objectives of this study were to determine (i) if in subtropical goats that gave birth during mid-December, the exposition to an artificial long-day photoperiod consisting in only 14 hr of light per day can increase the milk yield and (ii) to test whether these females can respond to the male effect at the end of the prolonged photoperiodic treatment. In experiment 1, 17 lactating goats were maintained under natural short days (control group), while another 22 goats were maintained under artificial long days (treated group) consisting in 14 hr light and 10 hr darkness starting at day 10 of lactation. The continuous exposition to an artificial long-day photoperiod produced an increase in the milk yield level during the first 110 days of lactation (time × treatment interaction; p = .01), while none of the milk components were modified due to the photoperiodic treatment (p > .05). In experiment 2, all control and treated anovulatory goats were submitted to the male effect using photostimulated males. All females showed oestrous behaviour within the first 10 days that were in contact with males (100% in both groups; p > .05). Thus, the latency to onset of oestrus did not differ between females from control (58.2 ± 3.0 hr) and treated (62 ± 4.6 hr) groups. Male exposition provoked ovulation independently if females were previously under long days or natural photoperiod (96 vs 100%, respectively; p = .79). It was concluded that exposure to 14 hr of light per day in subtropical goats that gave birth in late autumn stimulates milk yield without preventing the ovulation in response to the male effect at the end of the prolonged photoperiodic treatment.

Physiological expression of pancreatic somatostatin receptors in 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC scintigraphy

Purpose. To describe the frequency of head and/or pancreas uncinate process uptake of 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC, to study its nature, and analyze its diagnostic value. Materials and methods. Retrospective evaluation of 47 consecutive 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC examinations was conducted. Head and/or pancreas uncinate process uptake was considered to be physiological in patients with normal CT at the same episode and in follow-up. It was analyzed if age or diabetes mellitus was justifying the existence or not of uptake. Results. 32.5% patients showed uptake; 73% of them were mild. 84.6% patients with uptake have no pathology and 4% had neuroendocrine pancreatic disease at CT. Neither the age nor the diabetes mellitus established differences in patients without lesion. Conclusions. Near one-third of patients show physiological uptake by head and/or pancreas uncinate process at 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC scintigraphy. It seems that neither the diabetes nor the ages are factors that determine this physiological uptake (AU)

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Physiological expression of pancreatic somatostatin receptors in 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC scintigraphy.

PURPOSE: To describe the frequency of head and/or pancreas uncinate process uptake of 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC, to study its nature, and analyze its diagnostic value. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of 47 consecutive 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC examinations was conducted. Head and/or pancreas uncinate process uptake was considered to be physiological in patients with normal CT at the same episode and in follow-up. It was analyzed if age or diabetes mellitus was justifying the existence or not of uptake. RESULTS: 32.5% patients showed uptake; 73% of them were mild. 84.6% patients with uptake have no pathology and 4% had neuroendocrine pancreatic disease at CT. Neither the age nor the diabetes mellitus established differences in patients without lesion. CONCLUSIONS: Near one-third of patients show physiological uptake by head and/or pancreas uncinate process at 99mTc-HYNIC-TOC scintigraphy. It seems that neither the diabetes nor the ages are factors that determine this physiological uptake.

Early ovarian follicular development in prepubertal Wistar rats acutely exposed to androgens.

Androgens may directly modulate early ovarian follicular development in preantral stages and androgen excess before puberty may disrupt this physiological process. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the dynamics of follicular morphology and circulating androgen and estradiol levels in prepubertal Wistar rats acutely exposed to androgens. Prepubertal female Wistar rats were distributed into three groups: control, equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) intervention and eCG plus dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) intervention (eCG+DHEA). Serum DHEA, testosterone and estradiol levels were determined, and ovarian morphology and morphometry were assessed. The eCG+DHEA group presented increased serum estradiol and testosterone levels as compared with the control group (P<0.01), and higher serum DHEA concentration v. the eCG-only and control groups (P<0.01). In addition, the eCG+DHEA group had a higher number of, and larger-sized, primary and secondary follicles as compared with the control group (P<0.05). The eCG group presented intermediate values for number and size of primary and secondary follicles, without significant differences as compared with the other two groups. The number of antral follicles was higher in the eCG+DHEA and eCG groups v. controls (P<0.05). The number of primordial, atretic and cystic follicles were similar in all groups. In conclusion, the present experimental model using an acute eCG+DHEA intervention was useful to investigate events involved in initial follicular development under hyperandrogenic conditions, and could provide a reliable tool to study defective follicular development with possible deleterious reproductive consequences later in life.

Hepatotoxicidad: patrón colestásico inducido por fármacos / Hepatotoxicity: A Drug-Induced Cholestatic Pattern

La enfermedad hepática inducida por fármacos (DILI) es una condición poco frecuente; sin embargo, explica el 40%-50% de las insuficiencias hepáticas agudas. Su patrón es colestásico en un 20%-40%, causado por la inhibición de los transportadores que regulan la síntesis biliar; esta reducción en la actividad es mediada directa o indirectamente por los medicamentos y sus metabolitos, por polimorfismos genéticos y otros factores de riesgo del paciente. Sus manifestaciones van desde las alteraciones bioquímicas en ausencia de síntomas, hasta la insuficiencia hepática aguda y el daño hepático crónico. Aunque no existe un examen o marcador que indique el diagnóstico absoluto de la enfermedad, se han desarrollado escalas y algoritmos que permiten valorar la probabilidad de DILI colestásica, y otras pruebas que por su complejidad y costo no son de uso rutinario. Por lo anterior, es principalmente un diagnóstico de exclusión basado en evidencia circunstancial. El patrón colestásico de DILI presenta una mejor tasa de supervivencia general pero un mayor riesgo de desarrollo de enfermedad hepática crónica. En la mayoría de los casos, el cuadro del paciente mejora con el retiro del medicamento responsable del daño; la hemodiálisis y el trasplante deben considerarse solo para casos selectos. No se ha probado la eficacia de otras terapias. En este artículo se profundizará en la fisiopatología, la presentación clínica, bioquímica e histopatológica, además del diagnóstico, manejo y pronóstico de este tipo de colestasis.

Although drug induced liver disease is a rare condition, it explains 40% to 50% of all cases of acute liver failure. In 20% to 40% of the cases, the pattern is cholestatic and is caused by inhibition of the transporters that regulate bile synthesis. This reduction in activity is directly or indirectly mediated by drugs and their metabolites and/or by genetic polymorphisms and other risk factors of the patient. Its manifestations range from biochemical alterations in the absence of symptoms to acute liver failure and chronic liver damage. Although there is no absolute test or marker for diagnosis of this disease, scales and algorithms have been developed to assess the likelihood of cholestatic drug induced liver disease. Other types of evidence are not routinely used because of their complexity and cost. Diagnosis is primarily based on exclusion using circumstantial evidence. Cholestatic drug induced liver disease has better overall survival rates than other patters, but there are higher risks of developing chronic liver disease. In most cases, the patient’s condition improves when the drug responsible for the damage is removed. Hemodialysis and transplantation should be considered only for selected cases. The effectiveness of other therapies is unproven. This article will delve into the pathophysiology, biochemistry, and histopathology and the clinical presentation of the disease and will discuss diagnosis, management and prognosis of this type of cholestasis.

Continuous light after a long-day treatment is equivalent to melatonin implants to stimulate testosterone secretion in Alpine male goats.

In rams, artificial long days followed by continuous light stimulate testosterone secretion during the non-breeding season. The objective of this study was to determine whether artificial long days followed by continuous light could stimulate testosterone secretion in Alpine bucks as well as in those exposed to long days followed by a melatonin treatment. All bucks were kept in shaded open pens. Control males were exposed to natural photoperiod conditions (n=5). Males of the two experimental groups were exposed to 2.5 months of long days from 1 December (n=5 each). On 16 February, one group of males was exposed to 24 h of light per day until 30 June; the other group was exposed to natural variations of photoperiod and received two s.c. melatonin implants. Testicular weight was determined every 2 weeks, and the plasma testosterone concentrations once a week. In the control and the two photoperiodic-treated groups, a treatment×time interaction was detected for testicular weight and plasma testosterone concentrations (P<0.001). In control bucks, testicular weight increased from January and peaked in June, whereas in both photoperiodic-treated groups, this variable increased from January, but peaked in April, when the values were higher than in controls (P<0.05). In the control group, plasma testosterone concentrations remained low from January to June, whereas in both photoperiodic-treated groups, this variable remained low from January to March; thereafter, these levels increased in both photoperiodic-treated groups, and were higher than controls in April and May (P<0.05). We conclude that continuous light after a long-day treatment stimulate testosterone secretion in Alpine male goats during the non-breeding season as well as the long days followed by a melatonin treatment. Therefore, continuous light could replace the implants of melatonin.

Leishmaniasis cutánea y anfotericina B liposomal: Reporte de caso / Cutaneous leishmaniasis and liposomal amphotericin B: Case report

La leishmaniasis cutánea es una zoonosis producida por diferentes especies del parásito del género Leishmania . Existen 2 tipos de leishmaniasis, la que se conoce como del nuevo mundo y la del viejo mundo, que son causadas por diferentes especies. La forma de leishmaniasis más común en nuestro medio es la cutánea, rara vez con compromiso sistémico aun en pacientes HIV positivos. El tratamiento consiste en Glucantime, alternativamente miltefosine, los cuales tienen una toxicidad signifi cativa y pueden fallar en un número sustancial de casos. La opción de tratamiento para estos pacientes es la anfotericina B, de las cuales la forma liposomal tiene menor toxicidad renal pero un alto costo y difi cultades para su disponibilidad. Se reporta el caso de un paciente con enfermedad renal crónica y leishmaniasis cutánea, en quien estaba contraindicado el Glucantime y presentó falla terapéutica con miltefosine. Recibió tratamiento con anfotericina B liposomal en una dosis única de 15 mg/kg con adecuada tolerancia, deterioro no signifi cativo de la función renal y resolución de las lesiones cutáneas hasta los 30 y 60 días de seguimiento.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a zoonosis caused by various species of Leishmania parasite. There are two types, known as New World and Old World leishmaniasis, which are caused by different species. The most common form of leishmaniasis in our area is mucocutaneous, which rarely has systemic involvement, even in HIV-positive patients. Glucantime is the first choice of therapy, or alternatively miltefosine, both of which have significant toxicity and can fail in a substantial number of cases. The alternative choice of treatment for these patients is amphotericin B, from which the liposomal form has less renal toxicity but a high cost and low availability. We report the case of a patient with chronic renal disease and cutaneous leishmaniasis, in whom Glucantime was contraindicated and therapeutic failure with miltefosine occurred. He was treated with liposomal amphotericin B in a single dose of 15mg/kg with adequate tolerance, no significant deterioration of renal function and resolution of skin lesions after 30 and 60 days of follow up.

Meningitis de Mollaret: reporte de caso / Mollaret´s meningitis: A case report

La meningitis de Mollaret es una enfermedad rara caracterizada por episodios recurrentes y autolimitados de meningitis linfocítica. Se presenta un caso de meningitis de Mollaret asociado a la infección por herpes simple tipo 2 en una mujer de 27 años con confirmación por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) del líquido cefalorraquídeo y se hace una revisión del tema.

Mollaret´s meningitis is a rare disease characterized by recurrent and self-limited episodes of lymphocytic meningitis. We present a case of a 27-year-old woman with Mollaret´s meningitis related to viral infection with herpes simplex virus type 2 confirmed by cerebrospinal fluid polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ).

Stimulation of reproductive activity in anovulatory Alpine goats exposed to bucks treated only with artificially long days.

Two experiments were conducted in a subtropical latitude to determine the response of Alpine male goats to a treatment with artificially long days (experiment 1), and the response of anovulatory lactating Alpine does exposed to males treated only with artificially long days (experiment 2). In experiment 1, one group of males was kept under natural photoperiod (n = 4) while another was exposed to 2.5 months of artificially long days (16 h of light/day) from 1 December (n = 4). Plasma testosterone concentrations were determined weekly. Intensity of odor of males was determined every 2 weeks. Sexual behavior of bucks was observed during 3 days about 90 days after the end of the long day treatment. A treatment-by-time interaction was detected for testosterone secretion (P < 0.001). In control males, low plasma concentrations of testosterone were observed from March to June. In contrast, in long-day treated males, high levels of testosterone were observed from March to June (P < 0.05). A treatment-by-time interaction was detected for the intensity of male odor (P < 0.01). The male odor was stronger in long-day treated bucks than in untreated ones from March to June (P < 0.05). The number of ano-genital sniffing, nudging and flehmen was greater in long-day treated males than in untreated ones when exposed to anestrous does (P < 0.05). In experiment 2, one group of males was left under natural photoperiod variations (n = 5) and the other (n = 5) was submitted to the same photoperiodic treatment described in experiment 1. On 3 May, three untreated and three long-day treated males were put in contact with anestrous Alpine does left under natural photoperiod. Fertility was higher in does exposed to light-treated males (36/45, 80%) than those in contact with untreated ones (3/45, 7%; P < 0.05). Prolificacy was similar (P > 0.05) in does exposed to treated (1.8 ± 0.1) and untreated males (1.7 ± 0.3). These results indicate that the sexual activity of Alpine male goats raised in subtropical latitudes can be induced using only artificially long days and that such males are effective in stimulating reproductive activity in anovulatory females in late spring.

Factores del pronóstico en periodoncia / Periodontal prognosis factors

La asignación del pronóstico se ha hecho durante muchísimo tiempo de manera subjetiva según la opinión del experto tratante; porque aunque los textos clásicos suelen nombrar un conjunto de variables que influencian el pronóstico, cada lector según su experiencia personal interpreta y le da valor diferente a cada una de ellas. En esta revisión se pretende mostrar la evidencia disponible que permite valorar de manera más objetiva el peso de cada variable a la hora de asignar el pronóstico. Las variables sistémicas como la diabetes poco controlada y el tabaquismo pesado, así como factores locales como los niveles de bacterias específicas y parámetros clínicos como sangrado al sondaje, profundidad sondeable, nivel de inserción, pérdida ósea e índice de placa tienen buen nivel de evidencia como predictores de la progresión de la enfermedad periodontal si se analizan combinadamente en un modelo multifactorial. Otros factores sistémicos, tales como el genotipo inmunológico de Interleukina 1, la osteoporosis y otros factores psicosociales como el estrés y el nivel socioeconómico y cultural son poco concluyentes y requiere el diseño de otros estudios.

Evaluación de los enfoques terapéuticos para las varias formas de enfermedad periodontal. Parte II: aspectos microbiológicos / Evaluation of the therapeutic approach for various types of periodontal disease. Part II: Microbiological aspects

Introducción: (ver parte I:) El estudio se inició con 69 pacientes, de los cuales terminaron 55. Métodos: se realizó evaluación al comienzo, a los 3, 6, 12 y 24 meses, de las características sociodemográficas (edad, género, tabaquismo y agrupación familiar) y de los parámetros clínicos (profundidad sondeable, nivel de inserción, sangrado superficial, sangrado al sondaje y microflora subgingival). Se tomaron muestras microbiológicas de 6 sitios al inicio, 12 y 18 meses. En el análisis estadístico se utilizó la prueba Chi cuadrado y la t-student para comparar los promedios en el tiempo, ambos con un nivel de significancia del 5 por ciento. Se realizó análisis de regresión logística para buscar variables predictoras de la respuesta al tratamiento. Los objetivos de la presente investigación fueron determinar la composición microbiana de las bolsas periodontales y evaluar la respuesta de los pacientes malos respondedores a una segunda terapia alternativa con antimicrobianos sistémicos, dos años después de aplicarla y compararla con la de los buenos respondedores. Resultados: tres meses después del tratamiento, los cambios (pérdida o ganancia) en el nivel de inserción (NI), permitieron clasificar a los pacientes en buenos respondedores (BR) a 57 (82,6 por ciento) y malos respondedores (MR) a 12 (17,4 por ciento). Las variables estudiadas no mostraron asociación individual o agrupada con el tipo de respuesta al tratamiento excepto el índice de placa supragingival ≥ 2 (P = 0,05). Conclusiones: el seguimiento a dos años, indica que la terapia alternativa fue beneficiosa para los MR que se comportaron durante este período de igual manera que los BR, ambos mostrando estabilidad en su NI. Las bacterias mas prevalentes fueron: Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. g.), Prevotella intermedia (P. i.), Porphyromonas sp (P.s p.) El 45 por ciento de los pacientes presentaron entéricos y los MR 78 por ciento.