La unión de Candida albicans y Malassezia spp. a células de piel promueve cambios de expresión en los genes responsables de la síntesis de las cadenas de heparán y condroitín sulfato / Adherence of Candida albicans and Malassezia Species to Skin Cells Induces Changes in the Expression of Genes Responsible for Heparan and Chondroitin Sulfate Chain Synthesis

Las micosis superficiales son patologías prevalentes en dermatología, causadas frecuentemente por hongos oportunistas de los géneros Candida y Malassezia. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar, mediante qRT-PCR, la existencia de alteraciones en la expresión génica de las enzimas biosintéticas de las cadenas de glicosaminoglicanos (GAGs) tras la adhesión de dichas levaduras a líneas celulares de piel. La interacción de C.albicans y Malassezia spp. produjo las siguientes modificaciones en genes implicados en la biosíntesis del heparán y condroitín sulfato: la subexpresión de CHPF en los queratinocitos y 4 subexpresiones (EXT1, EXT2, CHSY3 y CHPF) en los fibroblastos. Las enzimas implicadas en la modificación de las cadenas de dichos GAG se ven más alteradas en los fibroblastos, produciendo 13 subexpresiones y 2 sobreexpresiones (CHST15 y CHST7). Como consecuencia, la afinidad de las cadenas de GAGs por sus ligandos puede verse afectada, pudiendo alterar su papel como receptores de microorganismos, paso clave para el inicio de su proceso infeccioso (AU)

Superficial fungal infections are common in dermatology and are often caused by opportunistic species in the Candida and Malassezia genera. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in the expression of genes coding for enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) chains following the adherence of Candida and Malassezia yeasts to skin cell lines. Gene expression was analyzed using reverse transcriptase–quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays. Interactions between the yeasts and the skin cells induced the following changes in genes involved in the biosynthesis of heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate: downregulation of CHPF in keratinocytes and downregulation of EXT1, EXT2, CHSY3, and CHPF in fibroblasts. Adherence to fibroblasts had an even greater effect on GAG biosynthetic enzymes, inducing the downregulation of 13 genes and the upregulation of two (CHST15 and CHST7). Interactions between yeasts and skin cells might affect the binding affinity of GAG chains, possibly changing their ability to function as receptors for pathogens and interfering with a key stage at the start of infection (AU)

[Translated article] Adherence of Candida albicans and Malassezia Species to Skin Cells Induces Changes in the Expression of Genes Responsible for Heparan and Chondroitin Sulfate Chain Synthesis / La unión de Candida albicans y Malassezia spp. a células de piel promueve cambios de expresión en los genes responsables de la síntesis de las cadenas de heparán y condroitín sulfato

Superficial fungal infections are common in dermatology and are often caused by opportunistic species in the Candida and Malassezia genera. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in the expression of genes coding for enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) chains following the adherence of Candida and Malassezia yeasts to skin cell lines. Gene expression was analyzed using reverse transcriptase–quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays. Interactions between the yeasts and the skin cells induced the following changes in genes involved in the biosynthesis of heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate: downregulation of CHPF in keratinocytes and downregulation of EXT1, EXT2, CHSY3, and CHPF in fibroblasts. Adherence to fibroblasts had an even greater effect on GAG biosynthetic enzymes, inducing the downregulation of 13 genes and the upregulation of two (CHST15 and CHST7). Interactions between yeasts and skin cells might affect the binding affinity of GAG chains, possibly changing their ability to function as receptors for pathogens and interfering with a key stage at the start of infection (AU)

Las micosis superficiales son patologías prevalentes en dermatología, causadas frecuentemente por hongos oportunistas de los géneros Candida y Malassezia. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar, mediante qRT-PCR, la existencia de alteraciones en la expresión génica de las enzimas biosintéticas de las cadenas de glicosaminoglicanos (GAGs) tras la adhesión de dichas levaduras a líneas celulares de piel. La interacción de C.albicans y Malassezia spp. produjo las siguientes modificaciones en genes implicados en la biosíntesis del heparán y condroitín sulfato: la subexpresión de CHPF en los queratinocitos y 4 subexpresiones (EXT1, EXT2, CHSY3 y CHPF) en los fibroblastos. Las enzimas implicadas en la modificación de las cadenas de dichos GAG se ven más alteradas en los fibroblastos, produciendo 13 subexpresiones y 2 sobreexpresiones (CHST15 y CHST7). Como consecuencia, la afinidad de las cadenas de GAGs por sus ligandos puede verse afectada, pudiendo alterar su papel como receptores de microorganismos, paso clave para el inicio de su proceso infeccioso (AU)

Adherence of Candida albicans and Malassezia Species to Skin Cells Induces Changes in the Expression of Genes Responsible for Heparan and Chondroitin Sulfate Chain Synthesis. / La unión de Candida albicans y Malassezia spp. a células de piel promueve cambios de expresión en los genes responsables de la síntesis de las cadenas de heparán y condroitín sulfato.

Superficial fungal infections are common in dermatology and are often caused by opportunistic species in the Candida and Malassezia genera. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in the expression of genes coding for enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) chains following the adherence of Candida and Malassezia yeasts to skin cell lines. Gene expression was analyzed using reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays. Interactions between the yeasts and the skin cells induced the following changes in genes involved in the biosynthesis of heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate: downregulation of CHPF in keratinocytes and downregulation of EXT1, EXT2, CHSY3, and CHPF in fibroblasts. Adherence to fibroblasts had an even greater effect on GAG biosynthetic enzymes, inducing the downregulation of 13 genes and the upregulation of two (CHST15 and CHST7). Interactions between yeasts and skin cells might affect the binding affinity of GAG chains, possibly changing their ability to function as receptors for pathogens and interfering with a key stage at the start of infection.

Los glicosaminoglicanos se encuentran implicados en la adherencia de Candida albicans y Malassezia spp. a queratinocitos, pero no a fibroblastos dérmicos / Glycosaminoglycans Are Involved in the Adhesion of Candida albicans and Malassezia Species to Keratinocytes But Not to Dermal Fibroblasts

Antecedentes y objetivo Las micosis superficiales son algunas de las enfermedades más comunes en todo el mundo, siendo los agentes causales más frecuentes las levaduras de los géneros Malassezia y Candida, comensales habituales de la piel que pueden actuar como patógenos oportunistas. El objetivo de este trabajo es investigar si los glicosaminoglicanos (GAG) de las células epiteliales son utilizados por estos microrganismos como receptores de adhesión a las mismas. Materiales y métodos Se utilizaron cultivos de queratinocitos y fibroblastos dérmicos. La participación de los GAG en la adhesión de Candida albicans (C. albicans) y Malassezia spp. se estudió mediante inhibición específica de la síntesis de estas moléculas empleando rodamina B o genisteína. También se analizó mediante digestión enzimática in situ empleando liasas específicas. Resultados El tratamiento con rodamina B produjo una inhibición parcial de la adherencia de ambas especies fúngicas a queratinocitos, pero no a fibroblastos. La digestión selectiva del heparán sulfato produjo un aumento de la unión de Malassezia a los queratinocitos y de ambas especies a los fibroblastos. La digestión del condroitín sulfato redujo la unión de C. albicans en los queratinocitos, pero favoreció la unión de la forma filamentada de esta levadura en los fibroblastos. Conclusiones Los GAG de superficie celular de queratinocitos parecen estar implicados en la adherencia de Candida y Malasezzia a la superficie celular. En los fibroblastos, por el contrario, su eliminación favorece la adherencia, sugiriendo la implicación de otro tipo de receptores (AU)

Background and objective Superficial mycoses are some of the most common diseases worldwide. The usual culprits — yeasts belonging to the genera Malassezia and Candida — are commensal species in the skin that can cause opportunistic infections. We aimed to determine whether these yeasts use glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) as adhesion receptors to mediate binding to epithelial cells. Material and methods In keratinocyte and dermal fibroblast cultures, we used rhodamine B and genistein to inhibit GAG synthesis to study the role these molecules play in the adhesion of Candida albicans (C. albicans) and Malassezia species to cells. We also analyzed GAG involvement by means of enzyme digestion, using specific lyases. Results Rhodamine B partially inhibited the adhesion of both fungi to keratinocytes but not to fibroblasts. Selective digestion of heparan sulfate enhanced the binding of Malassezia species to keratinocytes and of both fungi to fibroblasts. Chondroitin sulfate digestion decreased C. albicans adhesion to keratinocytes, but increased the adhesion of the filamentous forms of this species to fibroblasts. Conclusions Cell surface GAGs appear to play a role in the adhesion of C albicans and Malasezzia species to keratinocytes. In contrast, their adhesion to fibroblasts appears to be enhanced by GAG inhibition, suggesting that some other type of receptor is the mediator (AU)

Glycosaminoglycans Are Involved in the Adhesion of Candida albicans and Malassezia Species to Keratinocytes But Not to Dermal Fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Superficial mycoses are some of the most common diseases worldwide. The usual culprits-yeasts belonging to the genera Malassezia and Candida-are commensal species in the skin that can cause opportunistic infections. We aimed to determine whether these yeasts use glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) as adhesion receptors to mediate binding to epithelial cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In keratinocyte and dermal fibroblast cultures, we used rhodamine B and genistein to inhibit GAG synthesis to study the role these molecules play in the adhesion of Candida albicans and Malassezia species to cells. We also analyzed GAG involvement by means of enzyme digestion, using specific lyases. RESULTS: Rhodamine B partially inhibited the adhesion of both fungi to keratinocytes but not to fibroblasts. Selective digestion of heparan sulfate enhanced the binding of Malassezia species to keratinocytes and of both fungi to fibroblasts. Chondroitin sulfate digestion decreased Calbicans adhesion to keratinocytes, but increased the adhesion of the filamentous forms of this species to fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS: Cell surface GAGs appear to play a role in the adhesion of Calbicans and Malasezzia species to keratinocytes. In contrast, their adhesion to fibroblasts appears to be enhanced by GAG inhibition, suggesting that some other type of receptor is the mediator.

Glycosaminoglycans Are Involved in the Adhesion of Candida albicans and Malassezia Species to Keratinocytes But Not to Dermal Fibroblasts. / Los glicosaminoglicanos se encuentran implicados en la adherencia de Candida albicans y Malassezia spp. a queratinocitos, pero no a fibroblastos dérmicos.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Superficial mycoses are some of the most common diseases worldwide. The usual culprits - yeasts belonging to the genera Malassezia and Candida - are commensal species in the skin that can cause opportunistic infections. We aimed to determine whether these yeasts use glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) as adhesion receptors to mediate binding to epithelial cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In keratinocyte and dermal fibroblast cultures, we used rhodamine B and genistein to inhibit GAG synthesis to study the role these molecules play in the adhesion of Candida albicans (C. albicans) and Malassezia species to cells. We also analyzed GAG involvement by means of enzyme digestion, using specific lyases. RESULTS: Rhodamine B partially inhibited the adhesion of both fungi to keratinocytes but not to fibroblasts. Selective digestion of heparan sulfate enhanced the binding of Malassezia species to keratinocytes and of both fungi to fibroblasts. Chondroitin sulfate digestion decreased C. albicans adhesion to keratinocytes, but increased the adhesion of the filamentous forms of this species to fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS: Cell surface GAGs appear to play a role in the adhesion of C albicans and Malasezzia species to keratinocytes. In contrast, their adhesion to fibroblasts appears to be enhanced by GAG inhibition, suggesting that some other type of receptor is the mediator.

Family history of ochronotic arthropathy.

Alkaptonuria is a rare autosomal-recessive disorder that produces accumulation of homogentisic acid in body fluids. The accumulation in collagen tissues, mainly in the joint cartilage, produces ochronotic arthropathy. We report two clinical cases of one brother and sister with alkaptonuria and ochronotic arthropathy diagnosed in old age. In the first case, the patient is diagnosed by musculoskeletal involvement with long-term low back pain with other associated manifestations that made this pathology suspected. In the second case, the patient comes due to osteoporosis and other associated fractures and with the family history and the rest of the clinic, the appropriate complementary tests were performed and the diagnosis is established. It is unknown if there is consanguinity in these patients between parents or ancestors. It is an infrequent pathology that is often diagnosed intraoperatively. Despite the poor efficacy of medical treatment, it would be advisable to make an early diagnosis to avoid accumulation of the pigment and accelerated joint destruction and deposition in other locations. Owing to its prevalence, it is difficult to find a significant number of patients to search for new treatments that are intended to correct the enzyme deficit and not only to modify the elimination.

Xeno-free approach for the expansion of human adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells for ocular therapies.

To restore corneal transparency and vision loss after an injury on the ocular surface, the use of human stem cells from different origins has been recently proposed. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) seem to be an appropriate adult source of autologous stem cells due to their accessibility, high proliferation rate, and multipotent capacity. In this work, we developed a simple culture system to prepare a graft based on a fibrin membrane seeded with human MSCs. A commercial kit, PRGF Endoret®, was used to prepare both, the growth factors used as culture media supplement and the fibrin membrane grafts. Adipose-derived MSCs (Ad-MSCs) were expanded, characterised by flow cytometry and their multilineage differentiation potential confirmed by inducing adipogenesis, osteogenesis and chondrogenesis. Ad-MSCs seeded on the fibrin membranes were grafted onto athymic mice showing good biocompatibility with no adverse reactions observed during the follow up period. These findings support the assumption that a system in which all the biological components (cells, grow factors and carrier) are autologous, could potentially be used for future ex vivo expansion of Ad-MSCs to treat ocular conditions such as an inflammatory milieu, traumatic scars and loss of the regenerative capacity of the corneal epithelium that compromise the quality of vision.

Crystalglobulinemia manifested as acute renal failure and thrombotic vasculopathy.

Crystalglobulinemia is an extremely rare pathology that is associated in most cases with plasma cell dyscrasia, mainly multiple myeloma. In most cases, it may be the manifestation of incipient gammopathy or it manifests shortly after diagnosis. We report a patient with ischemic lesions of thrombotic origin in lower limbs. Subsequently, renal involvement occurs, in view of this involvement, it is suspected that the patient may have an associated vasculitis. After performing the biopsy and with the subsequent diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance, the diagnosis is made. We review the most recent bibliography of patients who have been diagnosed with crystalglobulinemia associated with plasma dyscrasia focusing in those with thrombotic vasculopathy or acute renal failure. In our case, in addition to being associated with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance that is less frequent, the debut of the symptoms is years before the detection of the monoclonal peak. This could speak of patients with a low peak of monoclonal component (not detected by immunoelectrophoresis) who could have kidney and vascular damage.

Posoperatorio del donante vivo de riñón: diferencia con pacientes sometidos a nefroctomías laparoscópicas por otras causas / No disponible

Debido al incremento de la nefrectomía laparoscópica para trasplante renal de donantes vivos en nuestro hospital en los últimos años (en 2017, 332 trasplantes renales de donante vivo, de los que 47 se hicieron en Andalucía y 17 de ellos en nuestro centro), se ha realizado un estudio prospectivo en el cual se analizaron, con 6 variables, el impacto que tiene el posoperatorio de la nefrectomía laparoscópica en los donantes vivos con respecto al resto de pacientes que se someten al mismo procedimiento por otras causas en nuestra unidad. El objetivo principal del estudio es analizar las implicaciones y el impacto que tiene el posoperatorio de la nefrectomía laparoscópica en los diferentes procesos. Se parte de la hipótesis de que las implicaciones que tiene el donante vivo afectarán al desarrollo de su posoperatorio (mayor dolor, mayor estancia hospitalaria...), comparado con el resto de pacientes que se someten a la misma intervención por otros motivos. Se identificó en este estudio que este tipo de cirugía implica mayor estancia hospitalaria, con respecto a la misma cirugía por otros motivos, pero no existe un resultado en el número de pacientes estudiados de mayor dolor en estos pacientes con respecto a los otros citados. Mostraremos los cuidados enfermeros que seguimos en nuestra unidad con estos pacientes. Para ello tomaremos como referencia los patrones funcionales de Gordon, determinando los diagnósticos enfermeros, así como los criterios de resultados (NOC) y las intervenciones de enfermería (NIC)

Due to the increase of laparoscopic nephrectomy in live donors for renal transplantation during the last years in our hospital (in 2017, 332 live donor renal transplants, of these 47 were done in Andalusia, and 17 in our hospital). A prospective study was conducted to analyse 6 variables, the Impact of postoperative laparoscopic nephrectomy in live donors compared to those patients who underwent the same procedure for different reasons in our unit. The primary aim of the study is to examine the implications and impact of postoperative laparoscopic nephrectomy in different processes. It is assumed that the live donor's implications will affect the postoperative period (pain, length of hospital stay...), compared to the rest of the patients who undergo the same procedure for different reasons. A study identified that this type of surgery involves unnecessarily prolonged stay in hospital, with regards to the same surgery but for different reasons. However, there is no evidence of difference between the number of patients studied with severe pain and the aboye mentioned. We will show the nursing care that we follow with these patients in our unit. We will take as reference Gordon's functional health patterns, identifying nursing diagnosis as well as the nursing outcomes classification (NOC) and nursing interventions

Class I and Class II small leucine-rich proteoglycans in human cutaneous pacinian corpuscles.

Pacinian corpuscles are onion bulb-like multilayered mechanoreceptors that consist of a complicated structure of axon terminals, Schwann related cells (inner core), endoneural related cells (intermediate layer) and perineurial related cells (outer core-capsule). The cells forming those compartments are continuous and share the properties of that covering the nerve fibers. Small leucine-rich proteoglycans are major proteoglycans of the extracellular matrix and regulate collagen fibrillogenesis, cell signalling pathways and extracellular matrix assembly. Here we used immunohistochemistry to investigate the distribution of class I (biglycan, decorin, asporin, ECM2 and ECMX) and class II (fibromodulin, lumican, prolargin, keratocan and osteoadherin) small leucine-rich proteoglycans in human cutaneous Pacinian corpuscles. The distribution of these compounds was: the inner core express decorin, biglycan, lumican, fibromodulin, osteoadherin; the intermediate layer display immunoreactivity for osteoadherin; the outer core biglycan, decorin, lumican, fibromodulin and osteoadherin; and the capsule contains biglycan, decorin, fibromodulin, and lumican. Asporin, prolargin and keratocan were undetectable. These results complement our knowledge about the distribution of small leucine-rich proteoglycans in human Pacinian corpuscles, and help to understand the composition of the extracellular matrix in these sensory formations.

Widespread use of Lactobacillus OppA, a surface located protein, as an adhesin that recognises epithelial cell surface glycosaminoglycans.

Specific adherence is the first requisite that a microorganism has to fulfil to become established onto a mucosal surface. It was previously shown that the OppA surface protein of Lactobacillus salivarius Lv72 bound HeLa cell cultures through interaction with glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). To determine whether this is a peculiarity of that strain or whether it can be extended to other lactobacilli, 12 strains, belonging to six species, were confronted with HeLa-cell cultures in the presence of soluble GAGs. Interference was observed to six of them, heparan sulphate and chondroitin sulphate C being more interfering than chondroitin sulphate A or chondroitin sulphate B. Furthermore, inhibition of the biosynthesis of GAGs or their elimination from the cell surface with specific enzymes also resulted in reduced adherence. Analysis of the surface proteome of Lactobacillus crispatus Lv25 and of Lactobacillus reuteri RC14 revealed single proteins that immunoreacted with antibodies raised against OppA, the main adhesin of L. salivarius Lv72. Upon MALDI-TOF-TOF analysis, they were identified as OppA-like proteins, thus indicating that these proteins participate as adhesins in attachment of diverse lactobacilli to the surface of human epithelial cells.

Two alkaline motifs in the Lactobacillus salivarius Lv72 OppA surface are important to its adhesin function.

Glycosaminoglycans are involved in the attachment of Lactobacillus salivarius Lv72, a strain of vaginal origin, to HeLa cell cultures, indicating that they play a fundamental role in the attachment of mutualistic bacteria to the epithelium lining cavities where the normal microbiota thrives. The bacterial OppA protein has been proposed as an adhesin involved in this adherence since, once purified, it significantly interferes with attachment of the lactobacilli to HeLa cell cultures. In this article, the role of OppA is confirmed through the determination of its location at the cell surface and its ability to promote Lactobacillus casei and Lactococcus lactis adherence to eukaryotic cell cultures upon cloning and expression of oppA in these bacteria. The OppA sequence showed five potential domains for glycosaminoglycan-binding, and structural modelling of the protein showed that two of them were located in the vicinity of an OppA superficial groove whose width approached the diameter of the helical form of heparin in solution. Their involvement in the binding was demonstrated through substitution of critical basic amino acids by acidic ones, which resulted in loss of affinity for heparan sulphate and chondroitin sulphate depending on the domain mutated, suggesting that there might be a certain degree of specialisation. In addition, circular dichroism analysis showed that the spectrum changes induced by OppA-heparan sulphate binding were attenuated by the variant proteins, indicating that these motifs are the OppA recognition domains for the eukaryotic cell surface.

Herpes zóster en niños vacunados contra el virus varicela zóster: experiencia en nuestro hospital / Herpes Zoster in Children Vaccinated Against Varicella-Zoster Virus: Experience in our Hospital

No disponible

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) 2 and 4.2 are expressed in the retina of the adult zebrafish.

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are H(+)-gated, voltage-insensitive cation channels involved in synaptic transmission, mechanosensation and nociception. Different ASICs have been detected in the retina of mammals but it is not known whether they are expressed in adult zebrafish, a commonly used animal model to study the retina in both normal and pathological conditions. We study the expression and distribution of ASIC2 and ASIC4 in the retina of adult zebrafish and its regulation by light using PCR, in situ hybridization, western blot and immunohistochemistry. We detected mRNA encoding zASIC2 and zASIC4.2 but not zASIC4.1. ASIC2, at the mRNA or protein level, was detected in the outer nuclear layer, the outer plexiform layer, the inner plexiform layer, the retinal ganglion cell layer and the optic nerve. ASIC4 was expressed in the photoreceptors layer and to a lesser extent in the retinal ganglion cell layer. Furthermore, the expression of both ASIC2 and ASIC4.2 was down-regulated by light and darkness. These results are the first demonstration that ASIC2 and ASIC4 are expressed in the adult zebrafish retina and suggest that zebrafish could be used as a model organism for studying retinal pathologies involving ASICs.

Acid-sensing ion channel 2 (ASIC2) is selectively localized in the cilia of the non-sensory olfactory epithelium of adult zebrafish.

Ionic channels play key roles in the sensory cells, such as transducing specific stimuli into electrical signals. The acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC) family is voltage-insensitive, amiloride-sensitive, proton-gated cation channels involved in several sensory functions. ASIC2, in particular, has a dual function as mechano- and chemo-sensor. In this study, we explored the possible role of zebrafish ASIC2 in olfaction. RT-PCR, Western blot, chromogenic in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, as well as ultrastructural analysis, were performed on the olfactory rosette of adult zebrafish. ASIC2 mRNA and protein were detected in homogenates of olfactory rosettes. Specific ASIC2 hybridization was observed in the luminal pole of the non-sensory epithelium, especially in the cilia basal bodies, and immunoreactivity for ASIC2 was restricted to the cilia of the non-sensory cells where it was co-localized with the cilia marker tubulin. ASIC2 expression was always absent in the olfactory cells. These findings demonstrate for the first time the expression of ASIC2 in the olfactory epithelium of adult zebrafish and suggest that it is not involved in olfaction. Since the cilium sense and transduce mechanical and chemical stimuli, ASIC2 expression in this location might be related to detection of aquatic environment pH variations or to detection of water movement through the nasal cavity.

Causas infrecuentes de dolor torácico / Uncommon causes of chest pain

El dolor torácico, un motivo de consulta poco frecuente en pediatría, es causante de una gran preocupación tanto en el paciente como en su familia, al ser percibido como una patología cardiaca potencialmente letal. Si bien en la mayoría de los casos se trata de un proceso benigno, también puede ser reflejo de una enfermedad grave. Exponemos los casos de 6 niños que consultaron en el servicio de urgencias por precordalgia, y que fueron diagnosticados de hernia diafragmática postraumática, neumotórax espontáneo, rabdomiosarcoma, linfoma no hodgkiniano, ganglioneuroma y síndrome de Wolff-Parkinson-White(AU)

Chest pain constitutes a rare case in pediatrics and is a worrisome symptom for both patients and their families, who often fear a potentially lethal cardiac disease. Although in most cases it is a benign process, it can also be secondary to an underlying serious disease. We present 6 children who consulted in the Emergency Department because of chest pain, whose outright diagnoses were: post-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia, spontaneous pneumothorax, rhabdomyosarcoma, non-Hodgkin´s lymphoma, ganglioneuroma and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome(AU)

Blood biomarkers and contaminant levels in feathers and eggs to assess environmental hazards in heron nestlings from impacted sites in Ebro basin (NE Spain).

Blood biomarkers and levels of major pollutants in eggs and feathers were used to determine pollution effects in nestlings of the Purple Heron Ardea purpurea and the Little Egret Egretta garzetta, sampled on three Ebro River (NE Spain) areas: a reference site, a site affected by the effluents of a chlor-alkali industry and the river Delta. The two impacted heron populations showed mutually different pollutant and response patterns, suggesting different sources of contamination. In the population nesting near the chlor-alkali plant, elevated levels of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) in eggs, and mercury in feathers in A. purpurea chicks were related with reduced blood antioxidant defenses and increased levels of micronuclei. In Ebro Delta, high levels of plasmatic lactate dehydrogenase in A. purpurea chicks and high frequency of micronuclei in blood of both species were tentatively associated with intensive agricultural activities taking place in the area. These results provide the first evidence of a biological response in heron chicks to the release of pollutants at a chlor-alkali plant.