Fasciola hepatica in Brazil: genetic diversity provides insights into its origin and geographic dispersion.

Fasciola hepatica is a trematode parasite that affects mammals, including humans. In Brazil, fascioliasis, a disease caused by the parasite, is of great importance. The disorder affects the welfare of the Brazilian population through impairing the agricultural production of cattle, where the disease causes weight loss as a result of liver damage. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity of F. hepatica throughout Southern Brazil to determine its geographic origin and estimate the colonization route of the parasite. To accomplish these aims, flukes were collected from slaughterhouses in three endemic areas of Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná states. DNA was isolated using the phenol-chloroform protocol from single flukes and two mitochondrial genes, cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and nicotinamide dehydrogenase subunit 1 (Nad1), were amplified and sequenced. Ten haplotypes of COI were found from 75 isolated parasites and the total haplotype and nucleotide diversity observed were 0.475 and 0.002, respectively. Using the Nad1 gene, we found 24 haplotypes from 79 samples, resulting in haplotype and nucleotide diversity values of 0.756 and 0.004, respectively. An analysis of molecular variance showed that 57.4% and 77.5% of variation was within populations (FST), while 9.0 and 36.8% of variation was among groups (FCT) when considering COI and Nad1 genes, respectively. For COI, the fixation index values of 0.425 and 0.368 were obtained for FST and FCT, respectively, while analysis of Nad1 0.225 and 0.089 index values were obtained for FST and FCT, respectively. We have determined that F. hepatica found in the two distinct areas originated from several geographical regions, since we found haplotypes that were shared with at least three different continents. These data are in accordance with the recent colonization of Brazil, and the recent import of cattle from South American, European and, possibly, some African countries. The observed FST and FCT values for COI and Nad1 genes of F. hepatica may be a result of limited movement of animals within states and support the lack of geographical structure of the parasite in Brazil, which are in agreement with the observed cattle production systems in this region.

Predictors and impact of myocardial injury after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: a multicenter registry

BACKGROUND:Cardiac biomarker release signifying myocardial injury post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is common, yet its clinical impact within a large TAVR cohort receiving differing types of valve and procedural approaches is unknown.OBJECTIVES:This study sought to determine the incidence, clinical impact, and factors associated with cardiac biomarker elevation post TAVR.METHODS:This multicenter study included 1,131 consecutive patients undergoing TAVR with balloon-expandable (58%) or self-expandable (42%) valves. Transfemoral and transapical (TA) approaches were selected in 73.1% and 20.3% of patients, respectively. Creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) measurements were obtained at baseline and at several time points within the initial 72 h post TAVR. Echocardiography was performed at baseline and at 6- to 12-month follow-up.RESULTS:Overall, 66% of the TAVR population demonstrated some degree of myocardial injury as determined by a rise in CK-MB levels (peak value: 1.6-fold [interquartile range (IQR): 0.9 to 2.8-fold]). A TA approach and major procedural complications were independently associated with higher peak of CK-MB levels (p < 0.01 for all), which translated into impaired systolic left ventricular function at 6 to 12 months post TAVR (p < 0.01). A greater rise in CK-MB levels independently associated with an increased 30-day, late (median of 21 [IQR: 8 to 36] months) overall and cardiovascular mortality (p < 0.001 for all)...

Isolation and pathogenicity of Toxoplasma gondii in naturally infected (rustic farm) pigs in southern Brazil.

This study reported a serological test for Toxoplasma gondii infection in 100 pigs from 58 rural farms in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Thirty-six pigs were seropositive (IFAT≥1:64). Bioassays were performed for all 36 seropositive pigs, and 17 isolates were obtained (47.2%). Seven of these isolates (41.2%) were highly pathogenic to mice, as clinical signs of acute infection were observed, and tachyzoites were found in the peritoneal exudates, livers, and lungs. The remaining 10 isolates were able to establish a chronic infection in mice, therefore, they were not highly virulent. The results of this study indicate that pork is a potential source of T. gondii transmission to humans.

Retrospective study assessing the role of MRI in the diagnostic procedures for early breast carcinoma: a correlation of new foci in the MRI with tumor pathological features.

BACKGROUND: Use of breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect breast cancer has generated significant debate. We analyze the role of breast MRI in the detection of additional disease and the need to perform additional biopsies in early breast carcinoma patients. In addition, we correlate the detection of new foci with tumor pathological features. METHODS: Early breast carcinoma patients that had undergone an MRI as well as a mammography as diagnostic procedures were included in the study. The following pathologic features were studied: carcinoma type, histological grade, estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), HER2 and Ki67. Univariate analysis was conducted to ascertain significant correlation among detection of new foci and each of the tumor pathological features. RESULTS: Data from 98 patients have been analyzed: median age 49 years (range 35-79); carcinoma type: (a) infiltrative ductal carcinoma (n = 73, 74 %), (b) infiltrative lobular cancer (n = 12, 12 %), (c) ductal carcinoma in situ (n = 6, 6 %); amplified HER2 (n = 18, 18 %); grade III (n = 33, 33 %); Ki67 ≥ 25 % (n = 33, 33.67 %); positive ER and PR (n = 79, 80 %); triple negative tumors (n = 8, 8 %). MRI detected additional disease in 38 cases (39.58 %), and 20 led to an additional biopsy (20.4 %). Thirty-eight patients (39 %) underwent mastectomy. We found a statistically significant correlation between new foci in MRI and high Ki67 ≥ 25 % (p < 0.005). No other statistically significant correlation was established. CONCLUSION: MRI detected additional disease in 39 % cases, requiring an additional biopsy 20 %. Tumors with high proliferative index were significantly correlated with the detection of new foci in MRI.

Comunicación especial: pene enterrado / Special communication: penis buried

En el pene oculto, embutido o enterrado es aquel falo de tamaño normal, oculto en la grasa prepubica debido a la falta de fijación de la piel del pene alcuerpo del mismo; la piel del prepucio es redundante y en muchos casos estrecha; lo que dificulta la exposición del glande.

Manejo de la patología hepatobiliar por radiología intervencional / Hepatobiliary pathology management for interventional radiology

Developing procedures that determine lower associated morbimortality has been medicine tendency of last years. There is possible with coming of better imaging techniques, together with appearance of better materials have permitted developing more complex procedures, which have been gradually replacing the traditional surgical resolution of many pathologies. Being one of the most important hepatobiliary pathology.

Incisión pre-escrotal: una alternativa quirúrgica para la corrección de los trastornos inguino-escrotales / Pre scrotal access: a surgical alternative for inguino-scrotal disorders correction

La incisión inguinal ha sido la vía de acceso para la mayoría de los trastornos inguino-escrotales. Presentamos nuestra experiencia con el uso de la incisión pre-escrotal para el abordaje quirúrgico de los trastornos que atañen el canal inguinal y los testículos. La incisión inguinal para el tratamiento quirúrgico de los trastornos inguino-escrotales ha sido el acceso clásico; los elementos del cordón inguinal pueden ser de fácil identificación y rápida corrección. Con el uso de esta técnica, en la corrección de los TNDPs hay necesidad de una segunda incisión para garantizar que los testículos alcancen el escroto.

Uretroplastía por la técnica de Snodgrass combinado con colgajo vascularizado de dartos en la reparación de hipospadias / Snodgrass urethroplasty technique with vascularized dartos flaps for Hypospadia´s repair

Objetivo: Mostrar en nuestra comunidad médica la utilidad y las ventajas de la técnica de Snodgrass combinada con colgajo vascularizado de dartos para corregir hipospadias. Material y métodos: De julio de 2001 a julio de 2004 se llevo a cabo en el Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica del Hospital Universitario Japonés un estudio prospectivo con el uso de la técnica de Snodgrass combinado con colgajo subcutáneo vascularizado de dartos para la corrección de hipospadias proximales y dístales. Se realizó en un total de 11 pacientes (8 hipospadias dístales y 3 proximales) con una media de edad de 2,5 años al momento de la cirugía. Se usó catéter de molde 10 o 12 Fr. en todos los casos durante un espacio de 7 días para las uretroplastías dístales y 10 días para las proximales. Resultados: De los 8 pacientes con hipospadia distal en ninguno se documentó la presencia de fístula uretrocutánea, hubo dos casos de dehicencia parcial de la sutura del glande y en un caso una estenosis de meato uretral. En las hipospadias proximales se documentaron 2 fístulas (de pequeño calibre) en el área de la anastomosis entre el meato uretral primitivo y la neouretra, ambas se corrigieron espontáneamente. Conclusión: Mostramos la experiencia del servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica del H.U.J. con la técnica Snodgrass combinado con colgajo vascularizado de dartos para la corrección hipospadias. Se presentó un bajo porcentaje de complicaciones, las mismas que tuvieron fácil resolución, no hubo repercusión ostensible en la morbidad de nuestros pacientes.

Objective: To show our experience and the utility of the Snodgrass technique with darto´s flap in the correction of Hypospadias. Methods: From July 2001 to July 2004, the paediatric surgical service of the Japanese University Hospital did a prospective study using the Snodgrass technique combined with dartos flap in the correction of distal and proximal hypospadias. We operated 11 patients (8 distal hipospadias and 3 proximal hipospadias); a medium age at the time of surgery was 2,5 years old. The neourethras was stented using catheter 10 or 12 Fr., 7 days for distal hipospadias and 10 days for proximal cases. Results: The patients with distal hipospadias nobody had urethrocutaneous fistula; two cases reported glandar dehiscence and another one meatal stenosis this required meatotomy. In patients with proximal hipospdias we have two cases with minor urethrocutaneous fistula, these resolved with observation and any surgical correction. Conclusion: We report the experience of the J.U.H. Paediatric Surgery Service with the Snodgrass technique and dartos flap for hypospadia´s repair. This technique shows to be a good alternative for hipospadias correction for the low incidence of complications and almost any morbidity of the patients.

Tumores adrenocorticales: a propósito de dos casos / Adrenocortical tumors: Report of two cases

Los tumores adrenocorticales son poco frecuentes en la población infantil. En esta comunicación se describen dos pacientes atendidos en el Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica del Hospital Universitario Japonés, de la ciudad de Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, presentando precozmente vello pubiano. La tomografía abdominal contrastada, reveló en ambos casos, tumor adrenocortical y el tratamiento efectuado fue la extirpación de la masa tumoral. Se confirmó el diagnóstico por Anatomía patológica concluyendo tratarse de un carcinoma adrenocortical y de otro adenoma adrenocortical.

The adrenocortical tumors are not very frequent in the infantile population. We describe two cases attended in the ward of Pediatric Surgery of the Hospital Universitario Japonés, at Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. The patients, a three years-old girl and a four years-old boy had a precocious pubic body hair. The CT revealed in both cases adrenocortical tumors, and they were treated with the extirpation of the tumoral mass. Their diagnosis were confirmed by pathological reports: an adrenocortical carcinoma in the girl and an adrenocortical adenoma in the boy.