El canal incisivo: ¿maxilar o mandibular? Revisión narrativa / The incisive canal: a maxillary or mandibular structure? Narrative review

El canal incisivo es una estructura anatómica ósea que, según la terminología anatómica actual, se encuentra ubicada exclusivamente en la premaxila. Sin embargo, a continuación de los canales mandibulares, se desprenden hacia lateral los canales mentonianos (que contiene el paquete vasculonervioso del mismo nombre) y hacia anterior continua un paquete vasculonervioso, también denominado incisivo que inerva e irriga a dichos dientes mandibulares. Con el fin de aclarar lo previamente mencionado y distinguir ambas estructuras incisivas, se pretende agregar un sufijo (maxilar o mandibular) rectificando los nombres de dichos canales. Para lo anterior, se realizó una revisión de la bibliografía disponible en PubMed y Google Académico, con las palabras clave "CANAL INCISIVO" e "INCISIVE CANAL", utilizando como operador booleano la palabra OR. Los criterios de inclusión de los estudios fueron: 1) que se refieran a algún canal incisivo (ya sea maxilar o mandibular) 2) que estén disponibles para ser leídos a texto completo y 3) que su idioma sea inglés o español. De la totalidad de los artículos analizados, un 52 % hablaba exclusivamente del canal incisivo maxilar, un 43 % solo del canal incisivo mandibular y un 5 % sobre ambos. Concluyendo, podemos colegir que es de suma importancia que se regularice la nomenclatura de dichas estructuras anatómicas, debido a que, el hecho de reconocerla como tal permite garantizar su estudio y aporte desde toda la comunidad científica, sin importar la procedencia ni el idioma. Además, el canal incisivo mandibular está bien documentado, por lo que, al no ser reconocido en la terminología anatómica, se pierde la principal misión de la asociación internacional de asociaciones de anatomía (IFAA), la cual es unificar y organizar los nombres de las estructuras anatómicas existentes.

SUMMARY: The incisive canal is an anatomical bone structure that, according to current anatomical terminology, is located exclusively in the premaxilla. However, following the mandibular canals, the mental canals (containing the neurovascular bundle of the same name) branch off laterally and a neurovascular bundle continues anteriorly, also called the incisor, which innervates and irrigates said mandibular teeth. In order to clarify what was previously mentioned and to distinguish both incisive structures, it is intended to add a suffix (maxillary or mandibular) correcting the names of said canals. For the above, a review of the literature available in PubMed and Google Scholar was carried out, with the keywords "INCISIVE CANAL" and "INCISIVE CANAL", using the word OR as a boolean operator. The inclusion criteria of the studies were: 1) that they refer to an incisive canal (whether maxillary or mandibular) 2) that they be available to be read in full text and 3) that their language be English or Spanish. Of all the articles analyzed, 52% spoke exclusively about the maxillary incisive canal, 43% only about the mandibular incisive canal, and 5% about both. In conclusion, we can infer that it is of the utmost importance that the nomenclature of these anatomical structures be regularized, because the fact of recognizing it as such allows guaranteeing its study and contribution from the entire scientific community, regardless of origin or language. In addition, the mandibular incisive canal is well documented, therefore, by not being recognized in anatomical terminology, the main mission of the international association of anatomy associations (IFAA) is lost, which is to unify and organize the names of the anatomy. existing anatomical structures.

Register and clinical follow-up of patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome in Valencia. / Registro y seguimiento clínico de pacientes con síndrome de Peutz Jeghers en Valencia.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant inherited disease caused by a germline mutation of the STK11/LKB1 gene, located on chromosome 19p13.3. It is characterized by mucocutaneous hyperpigmentation, hamartomatous polyposis, and predisposition to cancer. The aim of the present study was to identify and register patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, describe the disease, and estimate its prevalence in Valencia (Spain). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A print-out of the clinical histories from 10 hospitals was obtained utilizing the ICD-9 code 759.6 from the Minimum Basic Data Set of Hospital Admissions of the Spanish Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs. RESULTS: From a total of 405 clinical histories found, 15 (9 males and 6 females) fit the diagnostic criteria of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Mean age at diagnosis was 13.8 years and mean age at death was 54.2 years. Four males died, all from cancer. The estimated disease prevalence was 0.4/100,000 inhabitants. All the patients presented with anemia and polyps in the small bowel (80% in the duodenum, 66.7% in the ileum, and 40% in the jejunum), 93.3% underwent urgent surgical intervention and presented with intestinal invagination, and 40% of the patients developed cancer at a mean age of 48.5 years. CONCLUSION: The present study is the first register of patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome in Valencia, Spain. The ICD-9 code is nonspecific for rare diseases. The duodenum was the most frequent location for polyps and the majority of cases presented with intestinal invagination, bowel obstruction, and urgent surgical intervention. A large percentage of patients presented with cancer. It would be of interest to review and evaluate the existing surveillance protocols in the Valencian Community.

Papel del médico de familia en el diagnóstico concomitante de mieloma y amiloidosis primaria en una misma paciente: caso clínico / Multiple myeloma associated with a secondary amyloidosis: report of one case

Multiple Myeloma is a myeloproliferative disorder of plasma cells, which may be complicated with secondary amyloidosis. We report a 48 year old woman consulting to primary care for weight loss and malaise. An initial laboratory study revealed a hypogammaglobulinemia with a monoclonal component and lambda light chains. These results motivated her derivation to hematology: her serum calcium was 11.8 mg/dl, immunofluorescence showed a monoclonal component of lambda chains and urine Bence-Jones protein was positive. A bone marrow biopsy confirmed plasma cell infiltration. A Congo-red stain of a rectal biopsy was positive. The patient was treated with thalidomide, bortezomid and dexamethasone.

[Multiple myeloma associated with a secondary amyloidosis. Report of one case]. / Papel del médico de familia en el diagnóstico concomitante de mieloma y amiloidosis primaria en una misma paciente. Caso clínico.

Multiple Myeloma is a myeloproliferative disorder of plasma cells, which may be complicated with secondary amyloidosis. We report a 48 year old woman consulting to primary care for weight loss and malaise. An initial laboratory study revealed a hypogammaglobulinemia with a monoclonal component and lambda light chains. These results motivated her derivation to hematology: her serum calcium was 11.8 mg/dl, immunofluorescence showed a monoclonal component of lambda chains and urine Bence-Jones protein was positive. A bone marrow biopsy confirmed plasma cell infiltration. A Congo-red stain of a rectal biopsy was positive. The patient was treated with thalidomide, bortezomid and dexamethasone.

Identification of genomic islands in Chilean Piscirickettsia salmonis strains and analysis of gene expression involved in virulence.

Piscirickettsia salmonis, an agent of Piscirickettsiosis, is the cause of major losses in the Chilean salmon industry. We identified, characterized and bioinformatically analysed genomic islands in field strains of P. Salmonis, using the bioinformatic software PIPS, that uses the characteristics of the islands of pathogenicity to identify them. We analysed nine partially sequenced genomes in different new field strains, and compared them with the LF-89 (Type strain) genome, selecting a genomic island present in all of them. We then evaluated the relative expression of three genes present in that island. From the obtained results, we conclude that the expression of the tcf gene is directly proportional to the cytopathogenicity in vitro of the bacteria; the product of the dnsa gene could contribute to its pathogenicity, but would be potentiated by one or more factors. The product of the gene liso is necessary for the virulence process and could have functions in early stages of infection. Regarding the strains, the IBM-040 strain showed a significant increase in the expression of all the genes in the study. Contrarily, LF-89 only presented a significant increase in expression of the gene liso, which correlates with the cytopathogenicity in vitro observed in the SHK-1 cells.

Search and analysis of genes involved in antibiotic resistance in Chilean strains of Piscirickettsia salmonis.

Piscirickettsia salmonis is the pathogen causing Piscirickettsiosis. For treatment, the industry mainly uses oxytetracycline and florfenicol, so it is essential to understand the degree of susceptibility of this pathogen to these drugs. But this is still unknown for a large number of P. salmonis strains, as are the molecular mechanisms responsible for greater or lesser susceptibility. However, genes that confer resistance to these antimicrobials have been reported and characterized for this and other bacterial species, among which are membrane proteins that take out the drug. Our results identified differences in the degree of susceptibility to both antibiotics among different Chilean isolated of these bacteria. We analysed 10 available genomes in our laboratory and identified ~140 genes likely to be involved in antibiotic resistance. We analysed six specific genes, which suggests that some of them would eventually be relevant in conferring resistance to both antibiotics, as they encode for specific transporter proteins, which increase the number of transcripts when grown in media with these antibiotics. Our results were corroborated with EtBr permeability analysis, which revealed that the LF-89 strain accumulates this compound and has a reduced capacity to expulse it compared with the field strains.

Characterization of aerosols and fibers emitted from composite materials combustion.

This work investigates the aerosols emitted during combustion of aircraft and naval structural composite materials (epoxy resin/carbon fibers and vinyl ester/glass fibers and carbon nanotubes). Combustion tests were performed at lab-scale using a modified cone calorimeter. The aerosols emitted have been characterized using various metrological devices devoted to the analysis of aerosols. The influence of the nature of polymer matrices, the incorporation of fibers and carbon nanotubes as well as glass reinforcements on the number concentration and the size distribution of airborne particles produced, was studied in the 5 nm-10 µm range. Incorporation of carbon fibers into epoxy resin significantly reduced the total particle number concentration. In addition, the interlaced orientation of carbon fibers limited the particles production compared to the composites with unidirectional one. The carbon nanotubes loading in vinyl ester resin composites influenced the total particles production during the flaming combustion with changes during kinetics emission. Predominant populations of airborne particles generated during combustion of all tested composites were characterized by a PN50 following by PN(100-500).

Evaluación durante 6 años de la dislipidemia en un centro de salud. Importancia de las acciones de mejora / A 6-year evaluation of dyslipidemia in a health center: Importance of improvement actions

Introducción. La dislipidemia, sobre todo el aumento del colesterol LDL, se ha demostrado como uno de los factores de riesgo más importantes en la génesis de la afectación coronaria. La prevalencia de las dislipidemias en España es alta. El objetivo del presente trabajo es valorar la evolución de los pacientes dislipidémicos de nuestro centro de salud durante 6 años y ver si se ha producido una mejora en el control de los mismos tras la presentación de la evaluación de los 3 primeros años y la actualización del protocolo de dislipidemias del centro de salud. Pacientes y método. Evaluación Periodo 1 (2006-2008): 267 pacientes dislipidémicos. Evaluación Periodo 2 (2009-2011): 222 pacientes, excluidos exitus y cambios de domicilio. Variables: edad, sexo, antecedentes personales de ECV, factores de riesgo vascular, lípidos, número de analíticas, tratamiento farmacológico, niveles de riesgo CV y porcentajes en objetivos de control. Resultados. Edad media 66,2 años (DE 13,4), mujeres 66,3%. Periodo 1-Periodo 2: colesterol total: 221,9-196,6 mg/dl (p = 0,000); colesterol LDL: 147,9-115,8 mg/dl (p = 0,000). En objetivos terapéuticos, pacientes riesgo alto: 14-50,5% (p = 0,024); riesgo medio: 35-68,1% (p = 0,038); riesgo bajo: 44-68,2% (p = NS). Tratamiento farmacológico 68-77% (p = 0,000). Modificación tratamiento: 30-43% (p = 0,001). Cumplimiento terapéutico: 75-86% (p = 0,003). Sin tratamiento riesgo alto: 15,4-16,3% (p = NS). Conclusiones. Se ha producido una mejoría significativa en el Periodo 2, sobre todo en los pacientes de riesgo alto, tras presentar los resultados de la evaluación del Periodo 1 y haber actualizado, en el centro de salud, el protocolo de dislipidemias. Hay pacientes con riesgo alto sin tratamiento hipolipidemiante que se deben detectar y revisar. (AU)

Introduction. Dyslipidemia, especially an increased LDL-cholesterol, has been shown to be one of the most important risk factors in the genesis of coronary involvement. The prevalence of dyslipidemias in Spain is high. The objective of this study is to assess the progress of dyslipidemic patients in our health center over a 6-year period, and see if there has been any improvement in its control after the presentation of the evaluation of the first 3 years, as well as an updated dyslipidemia protocol. Patients and methods. Assessment Period 1 (2006-2008): 267 patients with dyslipidemia. Assessment Period 2 (2009-2011): 222 patients, excluding exitus and address changes. Variables: age, sex, personal history of CVD, vascular risk factors, lipids, drug treatment, risk levels, and percentages of CV control objectives. Results. Mean age was 66.2 years (SD 13.4), 66.3% women. Period 1-Period 2: Total cholesterol: 221.9-196.6 mg/dl (P = .000); LDL-cholesterol: 147.9-115.8 mg/dl (P = .000). In high risk patients, therapeutic targets: 14-50.5% (P = .024); medium risk: 35-68.1% (P = .038); low risk: 44-68.2% (P = NS). Pharmacotherapy 68-77% (P = .000). Changing treatment: 30-43% (P = .001). Adherence: 75-86% (P = .003). Untreated high risk: 15.4-16.3% (P = NS). Conclusions. There was a significant improvement in Period 2, especially in high-risk patients, after presenting the results of the evaluation for Period 1 and with the updated dyslipidemia protocol. There are high risk patients without lipid-lowering treatment to be detected and reviewed (AU)

[A 6-year evaluation of dyslipidemia in a health center: Importance of improvement actions]. / Evaluación durante 6 años de la dislipidemia en un centro de salud. Importancia de las acciones de mejora.

INTRODUCTION: Dyslipidemia, especially an increased LDL-cholesterol, has been shown to be one of the most important risk factors in the genesis of coronary involvement. The prevalence of dyslipidemias in Spain is high. The objective of this study is to assess the progress of dyslipidemic patients in our health center over a 6-year period, and see if there has been any improvement in its control after the presentation of the evaluation of the first 3 years, as well as an updated dyslipidemia protocol. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Assessment Period 1 (2006-2008): 267 patients with dyslipidemia. Assessment Period 2 (2009-2011): 222 patients, excluding exitus and address changes. VARIABLES: age, sex, personal history of CVD, vascular risk factors, lipids, drug treatment, risk levels, and percentages of CV control objectives. RESULTS: Mean age was 66.2 years (SD 13.4), 66.3% women. Period 1-Period 2: Total cholesterol: 221.9-196.6 mg/dl (P=.000); LDL-cholesterol: 147.9-115.8 mg/dl (P=.000). In high risk patients, therapeutic targets: 14-50.5% (P=.024); medium risk: 35-68.1% (P=.038); low risk: 44-68.2% (P=NS). Pharmacotherapy 68-77% (P=.000). Changing treatment: 30-43% (P=.001). Adherence: 75-86% (P=.003). Untreated high risk: 15.4-16.3% (P=NS). CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant improvement in Period 2, especially in high-risk patients, after presenting the results of the evaluation for Period 1 and with the updated dyslipidemia protocol. There are high risk patients without lipid-lowering treatment to be detected and reviewed.

Construcción de significados de experiencia del cuerpo en personas con situación de discapacidad física adquirida / Construction of meaning on body experience with people in situation of acquired physical disability

En el contexto de los nuevos desarrollos teóricos y metodológicos en Terapia Ocupacional, surgen perspectivas cualitativas de investigación y una compresión social de la disciplina, desde esta perspectiva, nos hemos interrogado con respecto a la significación del cuerpo y la discapacidad. El estudio profundiza en el tema presentado, desde una óptica de los fundamentos y su expresión en la práctica de la Terapia Ocupacional (T.O.). En el análisis, observamos cómo se enuncian ideas que aluden a la unión entre lo objetivo y subjetivo, entendiendo lo objetivo como aspectos naturales, fisiológicos,anatómicos, y lo subjetivo como las ideas de unión mente-cuerpo, historia de vida y contexto sociocultural. Se propone una mirada del cuerpo como hecho subjetivo, sociohistórico, asumiendo que no tiene un punto de partida en una materialidad abstracta, separada del sujeto mismo. Al respecto, se plantea el siguiente objetivo de investigación: Explorar qué significados de experiencia de cuerpo construyen laspersonas en situación de discapacidad física adquirida. El método de investigación utilizado son Relatos de Vida para construir narraciones relacionadas a la experiencia subjetiva de cuerpo. En cuanto a las técnicas, se aplicaron entrevistas en profundidad, y el análisis y producción de datos se apoyó en la Teoría fundamentada. La muestra la constituyó un grupo de personas adultas con el diagnóstico de discapacidad física adquirida. Los principales resultados se relacionan con los puntos de inflexión que identificamos en los relatos de vida, y que a su vez son fundamentales en la construcción y significación de la experiencia de cuerpo.

In the context of new theoretical and methodological developments in Occupational Therapy, emerge new qualitative perspectives of research and a social understanding of the discipline, for this reason we have questioned regarding the signification of body and disability. The following study depths in the mentioned topic from the point of view of basis (paradigms, approachesand models) and its expression in Occupational Therapy (OT) practice. In this analysis, we observe how some ideas are alluded in the union between the objective and subjective, defined objective as natural, physiological, anatomical aspects, among others, and the subjective as the ideas of the mind-body union, history of live, social-cultural context, among others. The present study aims to propose a view of the body as a subjective fact, sociohistorical, assuming thatit does not have a starting point in an abstract substance, separated from the subject himself. Regarding to this, it is posed the following research objective: To explore which meanings of body experience build people suffering from acquired physical disability. The research method used was The Life Stories to build narratives related to the subjective experience of the body, In regard to the techniques, they were applied in-depth interviews, and data analysis and production was supported by the grounded theory. The sample comprised a group of adults diagnosedwith acquired physical disability.The main results are related to the turning points that we identified in the life stories, which at the same time are fundamental in the construction and significance of body experience.

Determination of zinc levels in waters from southeastern Spain by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry: relationship with industrial activity.

An efficient method for the determination of nanogram levels of zinc in waters (potable, irrigation, waste and sea waters) is described. Acidified water samples were analyzed by an accurately optimized time/temperature program for electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The samples were previously treated with a matrix modifier consisting of 0.1% Mg(NO3)2 in 0.5 M HNO3 and injected through a graphite tube with L'Vov platform. Sample recoveries, repeteability, and analyses of NIST reference material demonstrated the reliability and accuracy of this technique. Zinc concentrations ranged from 2.0 to 73.0 microg l(-1). No significant differences among the mean zinc levels determined in the four types of water considered from southeastern Spain were found. Zinc concentrations in waters from the zone were not affected by human and industrial activity.

Zinc levels in foods from southeastern Spain: relationship to daily dietary intake.

The zinc content of 300 food and 79 beverage samples was determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Sample recoveries, repeatability, and analyses of NIST and CBR-CEC reference materials demonstrated the reliability and accuracy of this technique. Mean zinc concentrations varied from 0.02 microg/ml in fresh water to 71.0 microg/g (fresh weight) in pork liver. The daily dietary intake of zinc for inhabitants of southeastern Spain was estimated to be 10.1 mg (5.5, 4.0, 0.5, and 0.1 mg Zn/day per person from foods of animal and vegetable origin, drinks, and other foods, respectively). Zinc levels found in high protein foods (meat, fish, milk products, eggs, dry fruits, cereals and legumes) were significantly higher than those found in food with a low protein content (vegetables, fruits and drinks) (p < 0.001). A significant linear correlation between zinc levels and the corresponding protein content of cereals, legumes and dry fruits was found (r = 0.754, p < 0.005). Zinc concentrations in milk samples were significantly modified by the thermal treatment (p < 0.001), and the skimming (p < 0.05) and calcium enrichment processes (p < 0.001). Shellfish zinc levels were also significantly higher than those measured in fish (p < 0.05). Mean zinc concentrations found in cheese were statistically higher than those determined in the remaining milk products (p < 0.001). Zinc levels measured in distilled beverages were also statistically lower than those found in fermented ones (p < 0.001).

Vendor differences in cocaine-induced behavioral activity and hormonal interactions in ovariectomized Fischer rats.

Contradictory effects of ovarian hormone on cocaine-induced behaviors have been reported in ovariectomized Fischer rats. To determine if these discrepancies are based on where the rats were purchased, Charles River Laboratories and Taconic Fischer rats were randomly assigned to either cocaine (15 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) or saline treatment; and one of four hormone-pretreatment subgroups: vehicle, estrogen, progesterone or estrogen + progesterone. Vendor differences were observed in cocaine-induced locomotor activities; overall, Taconic rats demonstrated less locomotor activity than Charles River rats. Furthermore, vendor differences in ambulatory activity were also observed after steroid replacement treatment. In Charles River rats, estrogen + progesterone co-administration suppressed cocaine-induced increases in ambulatory activity when compared to other hormone-treated groups given cocaine. In contrast, Taconic rats showed an increase in ambulations after this drug/hormone treatment. Vendor differences were also observed in steroid effects on cocaine-induced rearing activity, where estrogen + progesterone and cocaine caused an increase in rearing in Charles River rats, but not in Taconic rats. No differences between the vendors were observed in saline- or cocaine-treated animals' stereotypic activity. Vendor differences in cocaine-induced locomotor activity were not due to differences in cocaine metabolism, as no differences in plasma levels of benzoylecgonine were observed. Interestingly, Taconic animals had overall higher plasma levels of corticosterone than Charles River rats. Thus, intrinsic differences between different lines of Fischer rats may affect the outcome of ovarian hormone interactions in cocaine-induced behavioral alterations.

Application of chemometric techniques in obtaining macerates with phenolic compound content similar to that of wines from the Jerez-Shery region subjected to oxidative aging.

This paper studies and quantifies the final concentration of phenolic aldehydes and acids (determined by HPLC) in a series of sobretablas wine macerates prepared with American oak shavings subjected to an accelerated aging system developed by our research group and based on thermal processes traditionally used in cooperage. This experiment aims to considerably reduce and control the oxidative aging period of oloroso wines from the Jerez-Sherry region as occurs in the dynamic system of soleras and criaderas, with the consequent economic benefits. To standardize the process by controlling the production technique of the macerates, the results were subjected to surface response methodology as a means of optimizing the experiment. The proposed model was found to be suitable after evaluation of the factors affecting the final concentration. Of the factors studied, it was found to be essential to control the charring time and/or the interactions between temperature and charring time for 10 of the 11 phenolic compounds studied.

Serum zinc and copper concentrations and Cu/Zn ratios in patients with hepatopathies or diabetes.

The serum zinc and copper levels, as well as Zn/Cu ratios, were determined in 30 patients (18 with diabetes and 12 with hepatopathies) and compared to healthy-age matched controls by atomic absorption spectrometry. Serum Zn (0.946 +/- 0.302 mg/l) and Cu (0.952 +/- 0.355 mg/l) concentrations were not significantly different in patients with hepatopathies as compared to controls (p > 0.05). Serum Zn concentrations (0.778 +/- 0.164 mg/l) were significantly lower in diabetic patients than those determined in controls (p < 0.01). In contrast, Cu levels (0.987 +/- 0.305 mg/l) were not significantly different (p > 0.05) than in controls. Serum Cu/Zn ratios were not significantly different in patients with diabetes or hepatopathies than those measured in healthy controls (p > 0.05). In patients, no statistically significant differences were observed in the Zn, Cu and Cu/Zn with respect to sex (p > 0.05) or age (p > 0.05).

Serum zinc levels in healthy subjects from southeastern Spain.

The serum zinc (Zn) concentrations of 80 healthy subjects (48 male, 32 female) from southeastern Spain were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The samples were digested by heating in a 4:1 mixture of nitric and perchloric acids. The concentration of Zn was determined against a Contox Trace Metal Serum Control Panel A standard reference. Zn concentrations in the standard were found to be 2.332+/-0.489 mg/L, with a mean recovery of 102.7%. In the serum samples, the relative standard deviation was <6% for the range of concentrations determined: 0.420-1.540 mg/L for women (mean value 0.947+/-0.265 mg/L) and 0.490-1.480 mg/L for men (mean value 0.951+/-0.243 mg/L). In healthy subjects, no statistically significant differences were observed in the Zn levels with respect to their sex (p > 0.05) or the location where they lived (mountainous vs coastal zones). It is concluded that the dietary Zn intake and Zn status for healthy adults in this region of Spain are within normal values.

Zinc and copper concentrations in serum from Spanish women during pregnancy.

A cross-sectional study of serum zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) levels in 31 healthy pregnant women and 51 healthy, nonpregnant controls living in the Mediterranean area of Granada, Spain, was performed. The subjects were divided into two groups: Group A, consisted of pregnant women in three categories according to the trimester of pregnancy, and Group B consisted of nonpregnant women acting as controls. In pregnant women, serum Zn levels were found from 0.300-1.340 mg/L and serum Cu from 0.936-2.304 mg/L, whereas in the nonpregnant women group, the mean serum levels were 0.947+/-0.265 mg/L for Zn and 1.092+/-0.365 mg/L for Cu. Serum Zn progressively decreased with gestation. Mean Zn levels were 0.829+/-0.253, 0.846+/-0.329, and 0.620+/-0.142 mg/L, corresponding to the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy, respectively. Serum Zn concentrations were significantly lower in pregnant women as compared to controls: 0.712+/-0.236 mg/L vs 0.947+/-0.265 mg/L, respectively (p < 0.05). In contrast, Cu levels increased with period of gestation from 1.053+/-0.498 mg/L in the first trimester to 1.616+/-0.304 mg/L in the second and 1.689+/-0.344 mg/L in the third. Serum Cu levels in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those determined during the first trimester and for nonpregnant controls. Both Zn and Cu during pregnancy did not appear to be dependent on the subject's age (p > 0.05).

Diagnóstico prenatal de esquizencefalia: caso clínico / Prenatal diagnosis of schizencephalia: clinical case

Se presenta un caso clínico de diagnóstico antenatal de esquizencefalia. En evaluación ultrasonográfica a las 24 semanas se diagnostica esquizencefalia que se corrobora por resonancia nuclear magnética. Se resuelve el embarazo a las 38 semanas por cesárea electiva. El examen ultrasonográfico y la tomografía axial computarizada posnatal confirman el diagnóstico de esquizencefalia. El seguimiento del recién nacido hasta los 3 años muestra un síndrome convulsivo con espasticidad sin repercusión sobre su desarrollo intelectual

Serum copper and zinc concentrations in serum from patients with cancer and cardiovascular disease.

A single cross-sectional study for serum copper and zinc levels was evaluated in 20 patients with cancer (respiratory, digestive, haematological, gynaecological) and 21 patients with cardiopathy (acute myocardial infarction and ischemic cardiomyopathy). A control group of 84 healthy subjects was selected. The mean serum zinc levels in patients with gynaecological cancer and ischemic cardiomyopathy were significantly lower than the control group (P < 0.05). However, the mean serum copper level was not statistically different among patients with cancer (P < 0.05) and cardiomyopathy (P > 0.05) than the control group. Male patients did not have statistically different values for serum Cu (P > 0.05) and Zn (P < 0.05) than those found in female patients. Patients' age did not have any statistical influence (P > 0.05) on serum Cu and Zn levels.