Auritidibacter ignavus: an underestimated pathogen?

Auritidibacter ignavus is an emerging diagnosed microorganism associated with fulminant otitis, mastoiditis and recurrent otitis. Here we describe a clinical case in a little girl in La Gomera Island together with images of the bacteriological culture and whole genome sequencing.

Imaging recommendations and algorithms for pediatric tuberculosis: part 2-extrathoracic tuberculosis.

Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment in recent years, tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health concern. Children are amongst the most vulnerable groups affected by this disease. Although TB primarily involves the lungs and mediastinal lymph nodes, it can affect virtually any organ system of the body. Along with clinical history combined with physical examination and laboratory tests, various medical imaging tools help establish the diagnosis. Medical imaging tests are also helpful for follow-up during therapy, to assess complications and exclude other underlying pathologies. This article aims to discuss the utility, strengths and limitations of medical imaging tools in the evaluation of suspected extrathoracic TB in the pediatric population. Imaging recommendations for the diagnosis will be presented along with practical and evidence-based imaging algorithms to serve as a guide for both radiologists and clinicians.

Imaging recommendations and algorithms for pediatric tuberculosis: part 1-thoracic tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health problem and is the second leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, behind the novel coronavirus disease of 2019. Children are amongst the most vulnerable groups affected by TB, and imaging manifestations are different in children when compared to adults. TB primarily involves the lungs and mediastinal lymph nodes. Clinical history, physical examination, laboratory examinations and various medical imaging tools are combined to establish the diagnosis. Even though chest radiography is the accepted initial radiological imaging modality for the evaluation of children with TB, this paper, the first of two parts, aims to discuss the advantages and limitations of the various medical imaging modalities and to provide recommendations on which is most appropriate for the initial diagnosis and assessment of possible complications of pulmonary TB in children. Practical, evidence-based imaging algorithms are also presented.

Efficacy and safety of dasatinib with trastuzumab and paclitaxel in first line HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer: results from the phase II GEICAM/2010-04 study.

BACKGROUND: An important proportion of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients do not respond to trastuzumab. The combination of dasatinib and trastuzumab has shown to be synergistic in preclinical models. METHODS: We conducted a phase II trial combining dasatinib 100 mg once daily with trastuzumab 2 mg/kg and paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 weekly. Primary objective was objective response rate (ORR) and secondary included safety, other efficacy parameters and pharmacodynamics in tumour tissue, blood samples and skin biopsies. RESULTS: From June 2013 to December 2015, 29 patients were included. Median number of cycles was 12 (1-49). Only 6 patients discontinued due to adverse events. ORR was 79.3% (95% CI 60.3-92), clinical benefit rate 82.8% (95% CI 64.2-94.2). Median time to progression 23.9 months (95% CI 14.9-not reached [NR]), median progression-free survival 23.9 months (95% CI 10.3-NR). No grade 4 toxicity was seen. Grade 3 toxicities included: ejection fraction decrease, neutropenia, hyponatremia, fatigue and sensory neuropathy and one left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Phosphorylated (p)-SRC was reduced in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Phosphorylated SRC, ERK and AKT were also reduced in epidermal keratinocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Dasatinib can be safely combined with trastuzumab and paclitaxel. The combination is active with an ORR of almost 80%. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01306942, EudraCT 2010-023304-27.

CK19 expression in breast tumours and lymph node metastasis after neoadjuvant therapy.

AIMS: Neoadjuvant therapy is used in many patients with breast cancer before surgery, with the aim of reducing the tumour size, allowing conservative resections. Sentinel node biopsy is a conservative procedure for handling the axilla in breast cancer; however, the use of this technique after neoadjuvant treatment is under discussion. For sentinel node assay, methods based on the detection of cytokeratin 19 (CK19) mRNA, such as one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA), are available. However, if systemic therapy could alter protein expression, then CK19 would not be a good target for analysing these nodes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of CK19 within different cancer types, and to compare its expression in breast tumours and axillary nodes before and after treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS: CK19 immunostaining was studied in 162 tumour and node samples before and after treatment. Statistical studies using the McNemar test and chi-square test were performed. CK19 expression was found in 155 cases. We compared CK19 expression in tumour and node biopsies before and after treatment, and we found a lack of significant CK19 expression changes. CONCLUSIONS: Our study has confirmed the preservation of CK19 protein expression in breast cancer cells after neoadjuvant therapy. On the basis of these results, quantification-based methods such as the OSNA CK19 assay, could be an accurate tool with which to analyse the sentinel nodes, regardless of whether they had been obtained before or after treatment.

VGLL1 expression is associated with a triple-negative basal-like phenotype in breast cancer.

Vestigial-like 1 (VGLL1) is a poorly characterized gene encoding a transcriptional co-activator structurally homologous to TAZ and YAP that modulates the Hippo pathway in Drosophila. In this study, we examined the expression of VGLL1 and its intronic miRNA, miR-934, in breast cancer. VGLL1 and miR-934 expression miRNA profiling was carried out on frozen samples of grade 3 invasive ductal carcinomas. VGLL1 protein was also examined in 433 sporadic and BRCA1-associated breast carcinomas on tissue microarrays. RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was used to confirm differences in VGLL1 and miR-934 expression in different breast cancer subtypes, and to correlate their expression with that of other genes and miRNAs. Of 28 miRNAs differentially expressed in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and ER-negative grade 3 breast carcinomas, miR-934 was most strongly upregulated in ER-negative carcinomas, and its expression was correlated with that of VGLL1. Nuclear VGLL1 expression was observed in 13% of sporadic breast carcinomas, and while VGLL1 was only occasionally found in luminal A (0.70%) and B (5.60%) carcinomas, it was often expressed in HER2-positive (17%), triple-negative (TN) breast carcinomas (>40%) and BRCA1-associated TN carcinomas (>50%). These findings were confirmed in the TCGA dataset, which revealed positive associations with luminal progenitor genes (GABRP, SLC6A14, FOXC1, PROM1, and BBOX1) and strong negative correlations with ER-associated genes (ESR1, C6ORF211, GATA3, and FOXA1). Moreover, VGLL1 expression was associated with reduced overall survival. In conclusion, VGLL1 and miR-934 are mainly expressed in sporadic and BRCA1-associated TN basal-like breast carcinomas, and their coordinated expression, at least partially mediated by the direct modulation of ESR1, might be involved in the maintenance of a luminal progenitor phenotype.

Identification of cellular and genetic drivers of breast cancer heterogeneity in genetically engineered mouse tumour models.

The heterogeneous nature of mammary tumours may arise from different initiating genetic lesions occurring in distinct cells of origin. Here, we generated mice in which Brca2, Pten and p53 were depleted in either basal mammary epithelial cells or luminal oestrogen receptor (ER)-negative cells. Basal cell-origin tumours displayed similar histological phenotypes, regardless of the depleted gene. In contrast, luminal ER-negative cells gave rise to diverse phenotypes, depending on the initiating lesions, including both ER-negative and, strikingly, ER-positive invasive ductal carcinomas. Molecular profiling demonstrated that luminal ER-negative cell-origin tumours resembled a range of the molecular subtypes of human breast cancer, including basal-like, luminal B and 'normal-like'. Furthermore, a subset of these tumours resembled the 'claudin-low' tumour subtype. These findings demonstrate that not only do mammary tumour phenotypes depend on the interactions between cell of origin and driver genetic aberrations, but also multiple mammary tumour subtypes, including both ER-positive and -negative disease, can originate from a single epithelial cell type. This is a fundamental advance in our understanding of tumour aetiology.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Pneumococcal Vaccination with the Pneumococcal Polysaccharide NTHi Protein D Conjugate Vaccine in the Philippines.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the cost-effectiveness of a universal mass vaccination (UMV) program with a 2 + 1 schedule of a 10-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae protein D conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV) against two strategies: 1) a no-vaccination strategy and 2) a pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine (PCV13) 2 + 1 strategy in the Philippines. METHODS: A published Markov cohort model was adapted to simulate the epidemiological and economic burden of pneumococcal diseases (meningitis, bacteremia, pneumonia, and acute otitis media) within a projected birth cohort in 2012 of 1,812,137 newborns over lifetime. Analyses were conducted at an annual discount rate of 5% from the perspective of the Philippine government. The current evaluation was updated with the best available local/regional clinical epidemiological data and published efficacy evidence. RESULTS: Compared with the no-vaccination strategy, the PHiD-CV 2 + 1 UMV program was projected to prevent 3,343 deaths due to invasive pneumococcal diseases and pneumonia and 326,862 cases of pneumococcal diseases, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of 50,913 pesos/quality-adjusted life-year gained, which was considered to be highly cost-effective according to the threshold recommended by the World Health Organization. In comparison with the PCV13 2 + 1 strategy, the PHiD-CV 2 + 1 strategy was estimated to have a substantial reduction in acute otitis media (127,680 cases) and therefore a cost saving of potential 92.5 million pesos assuming price parity between PHiD-CV and PCV13 (US $1 = 42.13 pesos in 2012). CONCLUSIONS: The PHiD-CV 2 + 1 UMV program is projected to be cost-effective, compared with no vaccination, and would provide substantial savings with higher quality-adjusted life-year gains as compared with the PCV13 2 + 1 strategy in the context of the Philippines.

Effectiveness of spirometry as a motivational tool for smoking cessation: a clinical trial, the ESPIMOAT study.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is the main preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in our region, it being the main causative agent of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. There still is no consensus on the use of spirometry as a strategy for smoking cessation, given that there is insufficient scientific evidence from high quality studies to recommend the use of this technique. METHODS/DESIGN: This is to be a randomized, multicentre, open-label clinical trial. A total of 444 smokers over 40 years of age will be recruited by 39 general practitioners from 22 health centers. Primary objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of spirometry together with information regarding the test for smoking cessation after 1 year in smokers over 40 years of age with a more than 10 pack-year history and no previous diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Groups of 45 patients who smoke will be randomly selected from the lists of the participating doctors. The names will be sent to the corresponding doctors who will contact candidate patients and assess whether they meet the selection criteria. Patients who meet these criteria will be randomly allocated to an intervention or control group. For patients in both groups, a nurse will conduct an interview and perform a spirometry test to measure forced vital capacity. Then, all patients will be referred for an appointment with their doctor for brief anti-smoking intervention, patients from the intervention group additionally being informed about the result of the spirometry test. After 1 year, smoking status will be assessed and, in those who report that they have quit smoking, abstinence will be confirmed by co-oximetry. Data will be analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis using the chi-squared test for outcomes and binary logistic regression if it is considered to be necessary to adjust for confounding variables. DISCUSSION: Performing a spirometry test and providing information on pulmonary function may increase awareness of the effect of smoking among smokers who are asymptomatic or have few symptoms and make them decide to quit. Specifically, in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease it might increase levels of motivation to quit smoking in early stages of the disease. If this strategy were to be effective, it could be included in the health promotion activities offered in primary care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01821885.

Validación de un modelo pronóstico de supervivencia basado en parámetros biológicos para pacientes con cáncer terminal atendidos en ámbito domiciliario / Validation of a survival prognostic score based on biological parameters in terminal cancer patients assisted by a Home Care Support Team

Introducción La atención domiciliaria es una modalidad asistencial cada vez más demandada por los pacientes en situación terminal. Conocer el tiempo de supervivencia permitiría a los equipos asistenciales elaborar planes de cuidados adecuados y afrontar mejor dilemas éticos. No existen suficientes herramientas predictivas de supervivencia en estos pacientes en su atención domiciliaria. Objetivo Comprobar la validez y aplicación de una herramienta pronóstica diseñada en medio hospitalario con parámetros biológicos para su aplicación en domicilio. Material y método Estudio analítico, observacional y prospectivo en pacientes oncológicos terminales atendidos por un Equipo de Soporte de Atención Domiciliaria desde 1/10/03 a 7/11/05. A quienes cumplieron criterios de inclusión, previo consentimiento informado, se les extrajo sangre para la determinación de unos parámetros analíticos. Se analizó el significado pronóstico de las variables obtenidas para supervivencia igual o inferior a 30 días. El modelo predictivo a validar está representado por una ecuación logística. Se (..) (AU)

Introduction Home care is a health care service that is in increasing demand for terminally ill patients. Knowing survival time would help health care teams to develop appropriate care plans, and to deal with ethical dilemmas. There are not sufficient predictive tools for survival prognosis in those patients. Objective To verify the validity and application of a prognostic tool designed for a hospital, with analytical parameters for its application in the home setting. Materials and methods Prospective, observational and analytical study on patients with terminal cancer cared by a home care support team from 10/1/03 to 7/11/05. A blood sample was taken for the analysis of laboratory tests on those patients with, inclusion criteria and prior informed consent. Prognostic significance of the variables obtained for a survival equal to or less than 30 days was analysed. The predictive model to validate was represented by a logistic equation. Its predictive capacity was analysed by calculating the ROC and its corresponding AUC with a 95% confidence interval (CI).ResultsThe model and the prognostic equation of Nabal and col. were applied in 80 patients. This collect information associated with cachexia-anorexia syndrome and the organs involved. Only leukocytes and neutrophils showed a statistically significant difference for survival equal to or less than 30 days. Conclusions The sample size was small due to the difficulty of working in the home. The results do not agree with other models, questioning the validity of this tool in our environment. More studies that adjust the methodology developed in the field of home care are required (AU)

Antiphospholipid antibodies investigation in Pneumocystis jirovecii carriers.

It is well documented that antiphospholipid antibodies are increased in patients with HIV-1 infection and these are most commonly seen in those with Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia. Therefore it has been proposed that this could be the cause of its presence. Recently, P. jirovecii subclinical infection has been described in non-immunodeficient patients. We report here our experience concerning the possible relationship between P. jirovecii infection in non-immunocompromized adults and the production of antiphospholipid antibodies. Circulating lupus anticoagulant and IgM anticardiolipin antibodies were negative in all patients. IgG anticardiolipin antibodies were positive in 2 out of 5 (40%) P. jirovecii carriers and 2 out of 10 (20%) subjects with no evidence of pulmonary infection by this microorganism (p=0.4).

Impact of public preventive programmes on oral quality of life of 11 to 12-yr-old school students.

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to analyze the impact of preventive programmes on oral quality of life in school students aged 11-12 yrs. STUDY DESIGN: In the school year 1996/97, a quasi-experimental study was initiated in Granada province with four groups of students aged 6-7 yrs: Sealant + Fluoride (sealants on first permanent molars applied in the health centre for a 3-yr active programme, and fluoride varnish applied every four months for 3 yrs, n=65), Sealant (only sealants, n=80), Fluoride (only fluoride varnish, n=107) and Control group (n=59). All students were examined every 6 months at school during the 3-yr active programme and received an oral health report after each examination. At 5.5 yrs (school year 2002/03), after 2.5 yrs with no programme, students were again examined and completed a questionnaire on oral quality of life scored from -6 (minimum) to +6 (maximum). RESULTS: Oral quality of life values (+/- standard deviation) were: 3.31+/-0.30 (Sealant + Fluoride), 3.11+/-0.27 (Sealant), 3.18+/-0.23 (Fluoride) and 2.95+/-0.32 (Control), with no statistically significant differences among them. CONCLUSIONS: Fissure sealant and fluoride varnish programmes had no significant influence on oral quality of life after a 5.5- yr follow-up (3 yrs of active programme plus 2.5 yrs of discontinuation).

Impact of public preventive programmes on oral quality of life of 11 to 12-yr-old school students

Objetivos: El objetivo es analizar el impacto de programas preventivos sobre la calidad de vida oral en escolares de 11- 12 años. Diseño del estudio: En el curso académico 1996/97 se inició un estudio quasiexperimental en la provincia de Granada con cuatro grupos de escolares de 6-7 años de edad: Sellador + Flúor (selladores en primeros molares permanentes aplicados en el centro de salud, durante 3 años de programa activo, y barniz de flúor aplicado cuatrimestralmente durante 3 años, n=65), Sellador (sólo selladores, n=80), Flúor (sólo barniz de flúor, n=107) y grupo Control (n=59). Todos los escolares fueron explorados cada 6 meses en los colegios durante los 3 años de programa activo, entregándoseles un informe de salud oral tras cada exploración. Tras un periodo de discontinuidad de 2.5 años, en el curso escolar 2002/03 (a los 5.5 años), los escolares fueron explorados, y se les pasó un cuestionario de calidad de vida oral, cuya puntuación va de -6 (mínima) a +6 (máxima). Resultados: Los valores de calidad de vida oral (± desviación estándar) fueron: 3.31±0.30 (Sellador + Flúor), 3.11±0.27 (Sellador), 3.18±0.23 (Flúor) y 2.95±0.32 (Control), sin diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ellos. Conclusiones: Los programas de Sellador de fisuras y Barniz de flúor no muestran influencia significativa sobre la calidad de vida oral a 5.5 años de seguimiento (3 años de programa activo y 2.5 años de discontinuidad)

Objectives: The objective was to analyze the impact of preventive programmes on oral quality of life in school students aged 11-12 yrs. Study design: In the school year 1996/97, a quasi-experimental study was initiated in Granada province with four groups of students aged 6-7 yrs: Sealant + Fluoride (sealants on first permanent molars applied in the health centre for a 3-yr active programme, and fluoride varnish applied every four months for 3 yrs, n=65), Sealant (only sealants, n=80), Fluoride (only fluoride varnish, n=107) and Control group (n=59). All students were examined every 6 months at school during the 3-yr active programme and received an oral health report after each examination. At 5.5 yrs (school year 2002/03), after 2.5 yrs with no programme, students were again examined and completed a questionnaire on oral quality of life scored from -6 (minimum) to +6 (maximum). Results: Oral quality of life values (± standard deviation) were: 3.31±0.30 (Sealant + Fluoride), 3.11±0.27 (Sealant), 3.18±0.23 (Fluoride) and 2.95±0.32 (Control), with no statistically significant differences among them. Conclusions: Fissure sealant and fluoride varnish programmes had no significant influence on oral quality of life after a 5.5- yr follow-up (3 yrs of active programme plus 2.5 yrs of discontinuation)

[Public school programme for fissure sealants and its effect on the private demand for restorative dentistry for temporary teeth]. / Programa escolar público de selladores de fisuras y su influencia sobre la demanda privada de odontología restauradora en dentición temporal.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the effect of a public school odontological programme of fissure sealants on the private demand for restorative dentistry for temporary teeth. DESIGN: A longitudinal, comparative study was conducted. It had 2 groups, control and sealant, with 3 years monitoring. SETTING: Santa Fe Health Area, concretely in the local districts (LD) of Santa Fe and Pinos Puente, Granada, Spain, starting in the school year 1996/1997. PARTICIPANTS: The sealant group was selected from the Santa Fe LD (which had a public programme of fissure sealants) (n=129); and the control group (n=120), from Pinos Puente LD. INTERVENTIONS: All the school students were examined (+ report issued) in the schools every 6 months for 3 years. The sealant group children received at the health centre fissure sealants in their first permanent molars. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The restorations performed in temporary teeth for both groups were analysed (x+/-EE) during the study at 12, 24, and 36 month follow-up. RESULTS. The sealant group had a significantly greater increase in restorative treatment for temporary teeth (P< .05) than the Control group at all monitoring points. CONCLUSIONS: A public programme of fissure sealants raised private restorative treatment for temporary teeth.

Atención en la agonía / Care at the very end of life

La mayoría de los pacientes en situación terminal pasan por una fase de deterioro que precede, en unos días, a su fallecimiento; se la denomina agonía. Al sufrimiento que conlleva la pérdida, se suma un número variable de síntomas, y ante la imposibilidad de utilizar la vía oral, es prioritario familiarizarse en el uso de la vía subcutánea. El material necesario, la técnica, qué fármacos utilizar y en qué dosis y su forma de administración deben formar parte de los conocimientos y habilidades del profesional de atención primaria. La familia, como principal proveedora de los cuidados domiciliarios, debe ser adiestrada y conocer las posibles complicaciones y cómo actuar frente a ellas. En ocasiones, ante síntomas de difícil control, se puede estar en la obligación de plantear una sedación terminal, que siempre debe contar con el consentimiento explícito o implícito del paciente y/o su familia (AU)

Most terminally-ill patients pass through a phase of deterioration that precedes, by a few days, their death. The suffering caused by the loss is compounded by a variable number of symptoms. Given the impossibility of using the oral route, health professionals must be familiar with the subcutaneous route. Primary care professionals should be well versed in the material necessary for subcutaneous administration, the technique, which drugs should be used and at what dose, and the forms of administration. The family, as the main provider of domiciliary care, should be trained in the use of the necessary techniques and be aware of the main complications and how to deal with them. Sometimes, when symptoms are difficult to control, the use of terminal sedation must be considered. The explicit or implicit consent of the patient and/or her or her family must be obtained (AU)

Programa escolar público de selladores de fisuras y su influencia sobre la demanda privada de odontología restauradora en dentición temporal / Public school programme for fissure sealants and its effect on the private demand for restorative dentistry for temporary teeth

Objetivo. Analizar la influencia de un programa escolar odontológico público de selladores de fisuras sobre la demanda privada de odontología restauradora en dentición temporal. Diseño. Se realiza un estudio longitudinal, comparativo, con 2 grupos de estudio: grupo sellador y grupo control, a 3 años de seguimiento. Emplazamiento. El estudio se lleva a cabo en el Distrito Sanitario Santa Fe, de Granada, concretamente en las zonas básicas (ZB) Santa Fe y Pinos Puente, y comienza en el curso escolar 1996-1997. Participantes. El grupo sellador se seleccionó de la ZB Santa Fe (con programa público de selladores de fisuras) (n = 129) y el grupo control (n = 120), de la ZB Pinos Puente. Intervenciones. Todos los escolares fueron explorados (con emisión de un informe) semestralmente en los colegios durante 3 años. Los escolares del grupo sellador recibieron selladores de fisuras en los primeros molares permanentes, aplicados en el centro de salud. Mediciones principales. Se analizan las restauraciones realizadas (media ± error estándar) durante el estudio a 12, 24 y 36 meses de seguimiento, en la dentición temporal, para los 2 grupos de estudio. Resultados. El grupo sellador presenta un incremento significativo de tratamiento restaurador en la dentición temporal (p < 0,05) frente al grupo control en cualquier período de seguimiento. Conclusiones. Un programa público de selladores de fisuras produce un incremento de tratamiento restaurador privado en dentición temporal

Objective. To analyse the effect of a public school odontological programme of fissure sealants on the private demand for restorative dentistry for temporary teeth. Design. A longitudinal, comparative study was conducted. It had 2 groups, control and sealant, with 3 years monitoring. Setting. Santa Fe Health Area, concretely in the local districts (LD) of Santa Fe and Pinos Puente, Granada, Spain, starting in the school year 1996/1997. Participants. The sealant group was selected from the Santa Fe LD (which had a public programme of fissure sealants) (n=129); and the control group (n=120), from Pinos Puente LD. Interventions. All the school students were examined (+ report issued) in the schools every 6 months for 3 years. The sealant group children received at the health centre fissure sealants in their first permanent molars. Main measurements. The restorations performed in temporary teeth for both groups were analysed (x­±EE) during the study at 12, 24, and 36 month follow-up. Results. The sealant group had a significantly greater increase in restorative treatment for temporary teeth (P<.05) than the Control group at all monitoring points. Conclusions. A public programme of fissure sealants raised private restorative treatment for temporary teeth

Effect of N-acetylcysteine on antioxidant status in glycerol-induced acute renal failure in rats.

Myoglobinuric acute renal failure has three pathogenic mechanisms: tubular obstruction, renal vasoconstriction, and oxidative stress. The latter is generated through the iron released from the group hemo of the myoglobin. Iron induces the formation of high-activity oxygen free radicals that increase oxidative stress and provoke lipid peroxidation and cellular death. This oxidative stress can be measured in several ways, both total or partially with the total antioxidant status or the intermediate enzymes. On the other hand, N-acetylcysteine is a demonstrated substance with antioxidant properties. The aim of the present work was to assess the effect of N-acetylcysteine on the oxidative stress in the glycerol-induced acute renal failure in rats model. We observed that the animals treated with N-acetylcysteine showed an improvement in the antioxidant activity given by an increase in the total antioxidant status and glutathione reductase levels in serum. This improvement was greater when treatment was administered before the induction of rhabdomyolysis. Nevertheless, the observed increase in antioxidant status was only statistically significant for glutathione reductase but not for total antioxidant status. Our results support an important role for N-acetylcysteine in the treatment of this form of acute renal failure, although we think that oxidative stress is not the main pathogenic mechanism of the tubular necrosis induced by rhabdomyolysis, tubular obstruction and renal vasoconstriction being still more important.

Evolution of total antioxidant status in a model of acute renal insufficiency in rats.

BACKGROUND: Accurate estimation of the Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) in the myoglobinuric acute renal failure (ARF) is necessary because its pathogenesis is believed to be mediated, at least in part, by the development of oxidative stress resulting from the generation of oxygen free radicals and reduced antioxidant defense system. The purpose of this study is to examine the TAS 24 and 72 h after glycerol injection in a model of myoglobinuric-ARF. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The study was conduced in 28 Sprague-Dawley rats. In group 1 (n = 7) rats were placed into individual metabolic cages and deprived of water during 24 h. afterwards an intramuscular injection of glycerol was administrated (50% vol/vol in sterile saline) 10 mg/100 g of body weight and 24 h later blood samples were collected for biochemical measurements (urea, creatinine, creatine-kinase, and TAS levels). In group 2 (n = 7), rats followed the same conditions than group 1 ones but blood samples were collected 72 h after glycerol injection. In groups 3 (n = 7) and 4 (n = 7) rats didn't receive glycerol injection, and blood samples were collected within 24 and 72 h respectively after they were placed into metabolic cages. RESULTS: In groups 1 and 2 we observed a renal function decrease, with higher serum levels of urea and creatinine in group 2 (urea levels: 269 +/- 16 mg/dL vs. 586 +/- 147 mg/dL; p < 0.001. Creatinine levels: 2.8 +/- 0.2 mg/dL vs. 5.8 +/- 0.7 mg/dL; p < 0.001). TAS levels in groups 2, 3, and 4 were similar, but in group 1 was significantly lower (group 1: 0.81 +/- 0.2 mmol/L; group 2: 1.3 +/- 0.1 mmol/L; group 3: 1.2 +/- 0.3 mmol/L, and group 4: 1.2 +/- 0.2 mmol/L; p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: In the model of glycerol induced myoglobinuric-ARF we observed a decrease of serum TAS level within 24 h with spontaneous recuperation 72 h after.

Influencia de programas públicos de salud oral en los esolares sobre la demanda privada de Odontología Restauradora / Influence of public oral health schoolchildren programmes on private restorative dentistry demand

lntroducción:(fundamento y objetivo): El objetivo es analizar la influencia de algunos programas públicos odontológicos sobre la demanda de odontología restauradora privada. Métodos: En el curso 96/97 se inició un ensayo de campo en Granada, con cuatro grupos ce escolares de 6-7 anos de edad Sellador (aplicados en el Centro de Salud, n=121), Sellador+Flúor (+ barniz de flúor en los colegios, n=119), Flúor (n=137) y Con-trol (n-95). Todos fueron explorados al inicio, y a los 6 meses. Se analiza el incremento de odontología restauradora privada, a través del índice cie restauración (dientes obturados del total de dientes cariados + obturados). Resultados y conclusiones El índice de restauración aumentó significativamente en los cuatro grupos. El incremento medio (- desviación estándar) de obturaciones 2s mayor en los grupos Sellador (0.54-1 1 57) y Sellador+Flúor (0.55+-1.27), que en los grupos Flúor (0.23 0.99) y Control (0.19ñ0 80), no habiendo diferencias significativas de incremento entre los grupos Sellador +Flúor y Sellador, ni entre Flúor y Control. Se concluye que un programa de selladores desde un centro de salud produce un incremento de la demanda de odontología restauradora, pero no un programa de flúor tópico profesional (barniz) realizado en el colegio (AU)