Marcadores de selección en cerdos Pampa Rocha: comparación con razas autóctonas de España y Portugal / Selection markers in Pampa Rocha piqs: a comparison with autochthonous breeds of Spain and Portugal

RESUMEN Objetivo. El análisis de marcadores de selección permite obtener datos de la vida evolutiva de una raza o línea y permite también evaluar la conveniencia o no de su uso en programas de mejora genética. Hemos evaluado SNPs en cuatro genes (IGF2, MC4R, PRKAG3 y PEPCK-C), que tienen importantes efectos fenotípicos, en cerdos de la raza Pampa Rocha, una raza criolla, y hemos comparado sus frecuencias alélicas con cerdos de diversas razas autóctonas y líneas de España y Portugal no sometidas a selección así como con jabalíes y cerdos de la raza Piétrain. Materiales y métodos. Los SNPs fueron analizados mediante diversas técnicas de RT-PCR. Resultados. Los resultados de los análisis muestran una similitud de frecuencias alélicas entre los cerdos de la raza Pampa Rocha y los cerdos autóctonos de la península ibérica sobre todo en el gen IGF2 y, en menor medida en el gen PEPCK-C. Sin embargo difieren considerablemente en el caso del marcador MC4R y, también en menor medida, en PRKAG3. En el trabajo se discute el uso potencial de los resultados obtenidos para orientar la selección genética de cerdos de la raza Pampa Rocha. Conclusiones. Nuestros resultados demuestran la peculiaridad de la raza Pampa Rocha con respecto a los marcadores estudiados.

ABSTRACT Objective. The analysis of selection markers allows to obtain information about the evolutive story of a particular breed or line and allows also to evaluate the usefulness of those markers for breeding programs. We have analyzed SNPs in four genes of the creole pig breed Pampa Rocha and we have compared their allelic frequencies with the allelic frequencies of diverse autochthonous breeds of Spain and Portugal and also with Piétrain pigs and wild boars. Materials and methods. The SNPs were analyzed using diverse RT-PCR methods. Results. The results of the analysis show that Pampa Rocha pigs have similar allelic frequencies with the autochthonous breeds of Spain and Portugal especially in the case of IGF2 and also, but not so coincident, in the case of PEPCK-C. However, they differ considerably for MC4R, and also, but in a lower extent, for PRKAG3. We discuss in this work the usefulness of our results for breeding of Pampa Rocha pigs. Conclusions. Our results demonstrate the peculiarity of the Pampa Rocha breed regarding the markers studied.

Vendaje neuromuscular en músculo tibial anterior durante la marcha en niños con parálisis cerebral tipo hemiparesia espástica: estudio de casos / Kinesiotape in tibialis anterior muscle during gait in children with spastic hemiparetic cerebral palsy: case reports

Introduction: Kinesiotape (Kt) is a therapeutic technique producing somatosensory stimulation when placed on the skin, and has shown improvement in dynamic activities in neuropediatric field; however, there are limited studies on its effect during gait. Objective: To assess the effect of KT in children with spastic hemiparetic cerebral palsy (CP) during gait, when applied on tibialis anterior muscle of the affected side. Method: Study carried out with 9 children with spastic hemiparetic cerebral palsy and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) I & II, between 4 and 10 years old, male and female, at Instituto teletón Antofagasta. Gait was recorded in video in 3 instances: before Kt, immediately after application of Kt, and 5 days post application. Recordings were assessed using the Edinburgh Visual Gait Score (EVGS) and range of motion (RoM) of the ankle during gait. Results: None of the subjects showed significant improvement in RoM of the ankle during gait or in the EVGS. Conclusion: Kt did not change ROM of the ankle during gait in the studied cases, nor as an immediate effect or 5 days after application. only 2 out of 9 children showed a 1 point improvement during the swing phase during EVGS. It is suggested to consider other exclusion criteria and extend the duration of Kt therapy.

El vendaje neuromuscular (VN) es una herramienta terapéutica que estimula el nivel somatosensitivo al ubicarlo sobre la piel, que ha demostrado mejoras en actividades dinámicas en el ámbito neuroinfantil; sin embargo, existen escasos estudios sobre su efecto durante la marcha. Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto del VN sobre la marcha de niños con parálisis cerebral (PC) hemiparética espástica, aplicado en músculo tibial anterior del lado afectado. Método: Estudio de 9 niños con PC y Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) I y II tipo hemiparesia espástica entre 4 y 10 años de edad, de ambos sexos en el Instituto Teletón Antofagasta. Se filmó marcha en 3 instancias: antes del VN, inmediato con VN y a los 5 días post aplicación. Las grabaciones fueron valoradas con la Edinburgh Visual Gait Score (EVGS) y rango de movimiento (RoM) de tobillo durante la marcha. Resultados: Ninguno de los 9 niños presentó mejoría significativa en su ROM del tobillo durante la marcha ni en la EVGS. Conclusión: El vendaje neuromuscular no produjo cambios del RoM del tobillo durante la marcha en los casos presentados, ni como efecto inmediato ni a los 5 días post aplicación. Sólo 2 de 9 mejoraron en 1 punto durante la fase de balanceo en la EVGS. Se sugiere considerar otros criterios de exclusión y ampliar el tiempo de aplicación del VN.

The nutrition transition in the Venezuelan Amazonia: increased overweight and obesity with transculturation.

OBJECTIVES: Amerindians have a particularly high propensity to overweight and obesity as they change lifestyle and experience a nutrition transition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of transculturation on nutritional status in three Amazonian Amerindian villages. METHODS: Nutritional status was assessed in 232 volunteers: 65 Yanomami from an isolated village and 167 Guahibo subjects from villages with intermediate and high levels of transculturation. RESULTS: There was a significant pattern of decreasing stunting and increasing overweight and obesity across the gradient of transculturation. From the jungle Yanomami to the intermediate and transculturated Guahibo, stunting was respectively 72, 55, and 39%, and children /adult overweight was 0, 3/44, and 15/89%. These anthropometric-based patterns were confirmed by bioimpedance vector analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Transculturation in these Amerindian populations is associated with an increase in overweight and obesity coexisting with undernourished children.

[In vitro emergence of ertapenem resistance in Escherichia coli producing extended-spectrum ß-lactamase]. / Rápida adquisición de resistencia in vitro al ertapenem en Escherichia coli productora de betalactamasa de espectro extendido.

INTRODUCTION: The occurrence of community-associated infections due to extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli is increasing worldwide. These organisms are frequently resistant to many of the antimicrobial agents but remain susceptible to carbapenems. We investigated the in vitro emergence of carbapenem resistance in a collection of clinical isolates of ESBL -producing E. coli. MATERIAL AND METHODS: First and second-step resistant mutants were obtained from E. coli with ESBL. Aliquots of 50 µl containing > 109 CFU were applied to Mueller-Hinton plates containing meropenem, imipenem or ertapenem. MICs for native strains and mutants were determined using the epsilometric test (E-test). RESULTS: Resistant mutants were not selected with imipenem or meropenem. E. coli growth was observed on ertapenem (0.5 mg/L)-containing plates in 13 of 57 clinical isolates (22.8 %).The ertapenem MIC for these first-step mutants were ≥ 1 mg/L, remaining susceptible to imipenem and meropenem. The first-step mutants were used as native strains. Six second-step resistant mutants were selected with ertapenem. All were fully resistant (CMI ≥ 8 mg/L) to ertapenem, three were resistant to meropenem and one to imipenem. Four second-step resistant mutants were selected with meropenem. All were resistant to ertapenem, meropenem, and two of them were resistant to imipenem. CONCLUSIONS: Stable resistant mutants were easy to select with ertapenem among ESBL-producing E. coli. Two steps were necessary to select resistant mutants to meropenem or imipenem. The use of ertapenem in high-inoculum infections or in undrained focus of infection should be monitored to reduce the risk on selection of resistance.

Niño quemado gran secuelado. Perfil clínico y calidad de vida / Child burned great aftermath. Clinical profile and quality of life

Burns are an important cause of morbidity in children. The medical advances in acute trauma care have led to an increase in the number of children with extense area of burned skin, whose sequelaes are cause of complications along their growth. Objective. To characterize population with over 25% of sequelae burn skin at the COANIQUEM Rehabilitation Center, Santiago. Additionally to measure their quality of life and suggest interventions to improve medical attention. Methods. Quantitative, non experimental, descriptive, comparative study. Results. A sample of 59 children were identified as having post-traumatic burned on more than 25% of total body surface. 47% of them were men and 53% female. Most them (64%) were patients who lived outside the capital city, Santiago. 54% was burned during the ages between to 2 to 6 years old. 42% was burned with fire and 56% by scalding. Half the patients were admitted to rehabilitation before 2 month after injury. 64% has good adherence to treatment and a regular follow-up. A group of 29 KIDSCREEN-27 survey was analyzed. There were no significant differences between gender, age, residence or visibility scars. Conclusions. Epidemiology found in children with severe burn sequelae is consistent with findings from literature. Quality of life outcomes are similar to general population. The concept of pediatric major burn sequela is established for future research in this area. (AU)

Non-typhi Salmonella serovars found in Mexican zoo animals.

The aim of the present study was to determine the bacteriological prevalence of subclinical non-typhi Salmonella infections in zoo animals and to determine the most frequently isolated serovars of the bacteria. A total of 267 samples were analyzed, including fecal samples from zoo animals and rodents, insects (Musca domestica and Periplaneta americana) and samples of the zoo animal's food. Salmonella was detected in 11.6% of the samples analyzed. Characterization of the isolates was performed with serotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The following serovars were isolated: S. San Diego, S. Oranienburg, S. Weltevreden, S. Braenderup, S. Derby, S. 6,7, H:en x:- and S. 3,10, H:r:-. The isolates showed seven pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns with a Jaccard coefficient≥0.75 indicating a possible common origin. The prevalence of asymptomatic infections caused by Salmonella spp. in zoo animals was high. These findings demonstrate the diversity of Salmonella serovars in several captive wild animal species.

Prurito neuropático / Neuropathic pruritus

El prurito neuropático es una forma patológica de prurito, donde la curva estímulo-respuesta que rige la sensación normal se ha distorsionado y la sensación de prurito está fuera de proporción o incluso completamente independiente de los estímulos pruritogénicos. Al igual que el dolor neuropático, el prurito neuropático aún es poco conocido, a pesar de los avances en la comprensión de los mecanismos de éste. La causa del prurito neuropático puede ser extremadamente difícil de precisar. El tratamiento eficaz requiere de la identificación anatómica y etiológica del problema neurológico y la instauración de un tratamiento modificador de la enfermedad. En algunos casos, esto puede ser neuroquirúrgico. El prurito neuropático no suele responder a antihistamínicos, esteroides tópicos u otros medicamentos eficaces para tratar el prurito convencional. Por otra parte, al igual que otros síntomas neurológicos, el prurito puede indicar un problema neurológico potencialmente grave que puede necesitar tratamiento rehabilitador.

Neuropathic Pruritus is a pathological form of itching, where stimulus-response curve governing normal sensation, has been distorted and itching sensation is out of proportion or even completely independent pruritogenic stimuli. As neuropathic pain, neuropathic pruritus is still poorly understood, despite advances in understanding the mechanisms thereof. The cause of neuropathic itch can be extremely difficult to pinpoint. Effective treatment requires identification of anatomical and etiological neurological problem, and the establishment of a disease-modifying treatment. In some cases, this may be neurosurgical. The neuropathic pruritus not usually respond to antihistamines, topical steroids or other effective drugs to treat itching conventional. Moreover, like other neurological symptoms, pruritus may indicate a potentially serious neurological problem that may need rehabilitation treatment.

Estudio epidemiológico de melanoma maligno en la IV Región de Chile / Epidemiological study of malignant melanoma in IV Region of Chile

El objetivo del trabajo es analizar el perfil epidemiológico de presentación y desenlace del melanoma maligno en la IV Región, según nivel de Clark y estadio de la enfermedad. Se presentan 40 pacientes con melanoma primario diagnosticados en la IV Región entre 1997 y 2003. La incidencia fue de 0.99 por 100.000 habitantes/año. La media de edad fue de 64,2 años. Las localizaciones más frecuentes fueron: Miembro Inferior (37,5 por ciento) y Cabeza y Cuello (27,5 por ciento). Se presentaron 6 pacientes con profundidad Clark I (15 por ciento), 7 con Clark II (17,5 por ciento), 6 con Clark III (15 por ciento), 10 con Clark IV (25 por ciento) y 11 con Clark V (27,5 por ciento). Se identificaron 13 pacientes en estadio IA (32,5 por ciento); 5 en estadio IB (12,5 por ciento); 8 en estadio IIA (20 por ciento); 3 en estadio IIB (7,5 por ciento); 8 en estadio III (20 por ciento) y 3 pacientes en estadio IV (7,5 por ciento). La sobrevivencia actuarial a 5 años muestra 100 por ciento de sobrevida para Clark I y II, 66 por ciento para Clark III, 68 por ciento para Clark IV y 54 por ciento para Clark V. La sobrevivencia actuarial fue 100 por ciento para estadio I, 70 por ciento en estadio II, 40 por ciento en estadio III y 30 por ciento en estadio IV. La sobrevivencia de los pacientes sin ulceración del tumor fue del 89 por ciento, y con ulceración, 46 por ciento (p<0,05). La sobrevivencia sin linfonodos regionales metastáticos fue del 90 por ciento, y con linfonodos, 36 por ciento (p<0,05). Este estudio es el primer estudio epidemiológico de melanoma que se realiza en el área geográfica del norte chico de Chile

Effects of sevoflurane general anesthesia: immunological studies in mice.

Based on the immunomodulatory effects of anesthesia and surgery, a study was undertaken to assess the effect of sevoflurane anesthesia on the immune system in a murine model without surgery. Adult male mice were anesthetized with 3% sevoflurane (1.2 minimal alveolar concentration, MAC) in oxygen for 40 min, whereas nontreated animals served as controls. After sevoflurane anesthesia, peripheral blood leukocyte counts, the splenic composition and in vitro macrophage phagocytic activity and lymphoproliferative response were assessed. The in vivo specific immune response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC), a conventional T-dependent antigen was determined. In addition, liver, spleen, thymus and kidney histopathology and also hepatic and renal functions after anesthesia were studied. Sevoflurane diminished the number of peripheral blood lymphocytes and splenic B-cell counts, enhancing CD4+ lymphocytes in spleen. The in vitro functionality of macrophages and the mitogen-induced lymphoproliferative response were preserved, while the in vivo immune response to SRBC was enhanced in treated animals. Microscopic studies revealed conserved architecture of the spleen, thymus, lymph node, liver and kidney, and there were no differences in serum parameters of hepatic and renal functions between treated and control groups. Our results suggest that 3 days after the anesthetic exposure, animals treated with sevoflurane modulated their peripheral blood leukocyte counts, splenic lymphoid composition and the characteristics of the specific response to SRBC, while there was no evidence of hepatic or renal toxicity.

Free radical-induced protein degradation of erythrocyte membrane is influenced by the localization of radical generation.

We have investigated the role of the localization of free radical generation in erythrocyte membrane proteins degradation. The extracellular radical producer 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) hydrochloride induced a greater loss of band-3 protein in comparison with spectrin whereas the intracellular radical initiator cysteine induced the reverse effect. However, a large extent of main-chain fragmentation was observed for both proteins under the action of cysteine-derived radicals. The results show that the relative localization of the radical generation has an important influence on the degradation of specific proteins of the erythrocyte membrane.

Iliac nodal metastases from carcinoma of the penis treated surgically.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate survival in patients with metastatic iliac nodal involvement from carcinoma of the penis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients with metastases to the iliac nodes were selected from 68 with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis who had undergone amputation and bilateral ilio-inguinal lymphadenectomy. The 1978 Tumour-Nodes-Metastasis system was used for staging. Deep and superficial lymph nodes were removed during the inguinal procedure. Lymph nodes below the common iliac artery (external and obturator) were removed and histologically evaluated for the presence of metastases. RESULTS: The mean (median, range) follow-up was 55.5 (8. 8, 0.3-235) months, at the end of which five patients were free of cancer, seven had died from cancer or treatment-related complications and one was lost to follow-up. Four of the five survivors had metastases to only one iliac lymph node. CONCLUSION: Ilio-inguinal lymphadenectomy may have a significant role in increasing the survival of patients with metastases to only one iliac lymph node.

Retención placentaria: conceptos actualizados / placentaria Retention: updated concepts

La retención de placenta (RP) tiene una incidencia que varía de acuerdo al estudio y a la definición, y es de 2-3 por ciento de todos los partos vaginales y del 1.7-2 por ciento si solo se consideran las extraidas manualmente. El 5-7 por ciento de las hemorragias posparto resultan de ella. La mortalidad asociada a hemorragias posparto ha disminuido en la era actual con el advenimiento de diversos métodos para manejar el tercer estadío del trabajo de parto. Hoy por hoy, la incidencia de hemorragia posparto no supera el 7 por ciento. El manejo de la placenta en el tercer período del trabajo de parto es tema de discusión entre obstétras muy calificados. Ha habido a lo largo de la historia diversos métodos para extaer la placenta en el tiempo más prudencial...

Enfrentamiento de la obstrucción intestinal / Management of intestinal obstruction

Se presenta una revisión bibliográfica y casuística del cuadro de obstrucción intestinal, destacando el método de enfrentamiento de esta situación. Se consideran tres elementos fundamentales: establecer el nivel de obstrucción; determinar la viabilidad del asa comprometida y precisar el momento más oportuno de la cirugía, si ésta corresponde. Se enfatiza la importancia del base excess como predictor de viabilidad intestinal ante otros elementos clínicos y de laboratorio. Finalmente se proponen conductas específicas ante circunstancias particulares de obstrucción intestinal alta y baja

Tepezcohuité: una alternativa en el tratamiento de las úlceras neurotróficas de la lepra. A propósito de un caso

Se utiliza el "Aceite de Tepezcohuité" en el tratamiento de úlceras tróficas de larga duración en el pie de una enferma diagnosticada de lepra lepromatosa curada. Destacando la ausencia de sobreinfecciones durante la cicatrización de las mismas. Se aconseja su uso como alternativa terapéutica en países donde es común y fácil su obtención.

Prognostic factors in carcinoma of the penis: multivariate analysis of 145 patients treated with amputation and lymphadenectomy.

PURPOSE: The major issue in penile cancer is deciding who should or should not undergo lymph node dissection. Clinical and invasive methods are not reliable for staging. Clinical and pathological factors involved in lymph node metastases and prognosis were evaluated in 145 patients with penile carcinoma staged according to the 1978 TNM system, and treated with amputation and lymphadenectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical factors studied were patient age, race, disease evolution time, symptoms, and clinical T and N stages. Pathological factors of the primary tumor considered were tumor thickness, histological grade, lymphatic and venous embolization, infiltration of the corpora cavernosa, corpus spongiosum and urethra, mononuclear and eosinophilic infiltrates, and cell alterations suggestive of human papillomavirus. All slides were reviewed by 1 pathologist. The Cox regression hazards method for multifactorial analysis was used. RESULTS: Followup ranged from 0.7 to 453.2 months (mean 85.8, median 32.7). The 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates were 45.3 and 54.3%, respectively. Venous and lymphatic embolizations were the main factors affecting significantly the incidence of lymph node metastasis, which were the main risks factors for recurrence and death. Pathologically proved infiltration of the corpora cavernosa, urethra and adjacent structures, which corresponded to stages T2, T3 and T4 disease, respectively, of the current TNM classification, were not significant predictors for incidence of lymph node metastasis, disease-free and overall survival or risk factors for recurrence and death. CONCLUSIONS: Because venous and lymphatic embolizations were related to greatest risk of lymph node metastasis, we propose their evaluation in staging and therapeutic planning of patients with infiltrative tumors of the penis.

Lymphoproliferation assays in cattle naturally infected with bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) and bovine immunodeficiency-like virus (BIV).

Experiments were designed to evaluate the effect of BLV on mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from naturally infected cattle. BIV was also taken into consideration due to a recent report showing that in Costa Rica, most of the BLV-infected animals are also seropositive for BIV. The methodology was based on a non-radioactive technique to determine lymphoproliferation. A colorimetric assay using XTT (formazan salt) to measure cell multiplication was adapted for bovine PBMC. ELISA and Western blotting were used to determine the serologic status of the cattle. PCR was only available for BIV detection. Our results show clearly that, dually-infected cattle (BIV-BLV) have reduced lymphoproliferative responses to the mitogen Con A. Haematological abnormalities associated with viral infections were also observed, specially leukocytosis and lymphocytosis. Cows with lymphosarcomas are severely affected. The specific antibody response to different viral proteins could not be associated with the suppressive status of the animals. Due to the high rate of dual infections observed in Costa Rica, these results are not sufficient to clarify which virus is responsible for the suppressive activity, if one or both viruses are necessary, or if they act synergistically.

[Endoscopic cystolithotomy: hypogastric approach]. / Cistolitotomía endoscópica: acceso hipogástrico.

Vesical lithiasis is a relatively frequent problem, the solution of which has changed over the last few years driven by major technological evolution. Traditional open surgery has been outstaged by the new endoscopic techniques and extracorporeal lithotrity. Here, we present our endoscopic resolution protocol through a hypogastric puncture approach, using a conventional nephroscope, with or without the use of ultrasound. This technique has been applied to 39 patients obtaining a 97.4% success rate with minimal morbidity. This procedure is usually performed under local anaesthesia and ambulatory, using an urethrovesical catheter for 1 to 2 days. This approach offers certain advantages over the one through the urethra due to the difficulties of passage through the latter, and the inconvenience of working within a relatively narrow and rigid duct. It is faster and more efficient than extracorporeal lithotrity especially in the presence of very hard or very numerous calculi and, if necessary, can be complemented immediately with a prostate transurethral resection. In summary, this is a simple, efficient and safe technique, and it has become our choice therapy to resolve a vesical lithiatic condition in males.

Detection and isolation of bovine immunodeficiency-like virus (BIV) in dairy herds of Costa Rica.

Serological (Western blot) detection of bovine immunodeficiency-like virus (BIV) in Holstein dairy herds is reported in Costa Rica for the first time, as well as the isolation of the virus, from a seropositive bovine, by cocultivation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with embryonic rabbit epithelial (EREp) cells. The isolated strain, BIVCR1, reacted similarly in Western blot as the reference strain BIV R29 and is clearly distinguishable from bovine leukaemia virus (BLV). The data suggest an association between BIV infections and BLV infections, as it has been reported elsewhere. From these results it can be concluded that BIV is present in Costa Rica and it is suggested that these viral infections will probably follow the epidemiological parameters of BLV infections in Costa Rica, reaching high infection rates in dairy herds.