Immediate clinical and microbiological evaluation of the effectiveness of 0.5% versus 3% sodium hypochlorite in root canal treatment: A quasi-randomized controlled trial.

AIM: To test the hypothesis that in the daily routine of a specialist clinic in endodontics that irrigation during root canal preparation with 3.0% NaOCl will result in fewer postoperative samples with cultivable bacteria than irrigation with 0.5% buffered NaOCl but, at the same time, will not result in a higher frequency of postoperative pain nor swelling. METHODOLOGY: Two hundred ninety-eight patients were enrolled in the study and were randomly assigned into two groups - 0.5% NaOCl and 3% NaOCl. All endodontic diagnoses were included. Root canal treatment was performed, and bacterial sampling was carried out prior to root filling. The patients were requested to complete a form regarding pain and swelling seven days postoperatively. Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney U-test, Mantel-Haenszel chi-squared and the chi-squared test with a significance level of P < 0.05 were used for statistical analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for confounders. RESULTS: In the 0.5% NaOCl group, 18 (13.4%) of the root canal samples were positive; in the 3% NaOCl group, the corresponding number was 24 (18.6%). The mean difference of -5.2% (95% CI: -14.8 to 4.4) was not significant (P = 0.33). In the 0.5% NaOCl group, 57 (53.8%) patients reported some pain; in the 3% group, the corresponding number was 56 (53.3%). The mean difference of 0.4 (95% CI: -14.0 to 14.8) was not significant (P = 1.0). In the 0.5% NaOCl group, 5 (5.1%) patients reported swelling; in the 3% NaOCl group, the corresponding number was 18 (17.8%). The mean difference was 12.7 (95% CI: 3.1-22.4), which was significant (P = 0.0084). CONCLUSIONS: The difference in the concentration of NaOCl (0.5% vs 3%) had no significant impact on the number of positive cultures and did not influence either the frequency or the magnitude of postoperative pain. A significantly higher incidence of postoperative swelling was recorded for patients who received a greater concentration of NaOCl (3%).

Cuerpos de psammoma en mucosa gástrica tras manga gástrica: presentación de un caso clínico / Psammoma bodies in gastric mucosa after sleeve gastrectomy: a presentation of a case

Introducción: Los cuerpos de psammoma son calcificaciones bien circunscritas. Están descritas en una serie de neoplasmas. Caso clínico: Paciente mujer de 37 años de edad, con obesidad leve es sometida a gastrectomía tubular por obesidad, posterior a la evaluación por el equipo multidisciplinario. La biopsia postoperatoria informa de la presencia de cuerpos de psammoma en la mucosa gástrica. Discusión: Este es el primer caso publicado de cuerpos de psammoma en la mucosa gástrica tras manga gástrica. La paciente constituye un desafío en su seguimiento para detectar alteraciones en la mucosa gástrica.

Background: Psammoma bodies are a well circumscribed calcifications. They are described in some neplasms. Case report: Female 37 year-old patient with mild obesity, a sleeve gastrectomy was performed. The biopsy showed the presence of psammoma bodies in gastric mucosa. Discussion: This is the first case of psammoma bodies in gastric mucosa after a sleeve gastrectomy. This patient is a challenge to detect mucosa abnormalities in the future.

[Microbial flora isolated from patient's conjunctiva previous to cataract surgery]. / Microbiota conjuntival en el preoperatorio de pacientes que se someterán a cirugía de cataratas.

BACKGROUND: Endophtalmitis post cataract surgery is one of most feared and devastating complications resulting in serious consequences and an uncertain visual prognosis. Antimicrobial prophylaxis against endophtalmitis must be based on the best knowledge of conjuntival microbiota. OBJECTIVE: To establish microbiological basis for the best antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent endophthalmitis in cataract surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional, prospective study. A preoperative conjunctival sample was taken from the lower fornix of 118 pacients, sowing it immediately in culture media. Identification of growing colonies and susceptibility testing were performed by manual or automated methods. RESULTS: 106 (89.8%) of 118 preoperative cultures were positive. 159 bacteria were isolated in single or mixed flora, with 95% of Gram positive organisms. Staphylococci represented 76.1% of isolated bacteria, with 82.6% of coagulase-negative staphylococci (SCN) and 17.4% of Staphylococcus aureus. Forty two percent of SCN and 38% of S. aureus were methicillin resistan; both groups showed high susceptibility to tobramycin and fourth-generation fluoroquinolones. CONCLUSIONS: we recommend the use of topical tobramycin as pre-operative antimicrobial prophylaxis associated with povidone-iodine antisepsis. A fourth-generation quinolone is recommended when there is risk of infection.

Microbiota conjuntival en el preoperatorio de pacientes que se someterán a cirugía de cataratas / Microbial flora isolated from patient's conjunctiva previous to cataract surgery

Background. Endophtalmitis post cataract surgery is one of most feared and devastating complications resulting in serious consequences and an uncertain visual prognosis. Antimicrobial prophylaxis against endophtalmitis must be based on the best knowledge of conjuntival microbiota. Objective: To establish microbiological basis for the best antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent endophthalmitis in cataract surgery. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, prospective study. A preoperative conjunctival sample was taken from the lower fornix of 118 pacients, sowing it immediately in culture media. Identification of growing colonies and susceptibility testing were performed by manual or automated methods. Results: 106 (89.8%) of 118 preoperative cultures were positive. 159 bacteria were isolated in single or mixed flora, with 95% of Gram positive organisms. Staphylococci represented 76.1% of isolated bacteria, with 82.6% of coagulase-negative staphylococci (SCN) and 17.4% of Staphylococcus aureus. Forty two percent of SCN and 38% of S. aureus were methicillin resistan; both groups showed high susceptibility to tobramycin and fourth-generation fluoroquinolones. Conclusions: we recommend the use of topical tobramycin as pre-operative antimicrobial prophylaxis associated with povidone-iodine antisepsis. A fourth-generation quinolone is recommended when there is risk of infection.

Introducción: La endoftalmitis post-cirugía de cataratas es una de las complicaciones post-operatorias más temidas y devastadoras, pudiendo ocasionar secuelas graves, con un pronóstico visual incierto. La profilaxis antimicrobiana de esta complicación debe basarse en el conocimiento acabado de la microbiota presente en el territorio conjuntival. Objetivo: Establecer bases microbiológicas para una mejor profilaxis antimicrobiana de la endoftalmitis en cirugía de cataratas. Materiales y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, de corte transversal, prospectivo. A 118 pacientes se les tomó muestra conjuntival pre-operatoria del fondo de saco inferior, sembrándola de inmediato en medios de cultivo. Las colonias desarrolladas se identificaron por métodos manuales y método de microdilución y difusión en disco. Resultados: De 118 cultivos pre-operatorios, 106 (89,8%) desarrollaron colonias bacterianas. Se aislaron 159 bacterias conjuntivales como especie única o cultivo mixta, siendo 95% grampositivas. El género Staphylococcus representó 76,1% del total de bacterias aisladas, siendo 82,6% Staphylococcus coagulasa negativa (SCN) y 17,4% Staphylococcus aureus. El 42% de los SCN y 38% de S. aureus presentaron resistencia a meticilina, presentando ambos buena susceptibilidad a tobramicina y fluoroquinolonas de cuarta generación. Conclusiones: Considerando nuestros resultados, recomendaríamos a nuestros pacientes tobramicina tópica como antibioprofilaxis, asociada a povidona yodada como antiséptico. Una quinolona de cuarta generación podría usarse cuando existan factores de riesgo de infección.

Trastornos de personalidad, psicopatología y nivel de riesgo en una muestra chilena de hombres maltratadores: ocho tipos de maltratadores / Personality disorders and psychopathology in a sample of chilean men perpetrators: eight types of abusers

The article presents the main findings of Barría on the presence of personality disorders in a sample of Chilean men abusive with their intimate partner. 77.7 percent of offenders have some type of personality disorder, and 37 percent have 1 to 5 disorders. Another important finding is that the batterers have common features such as difficulty of expression of anger and its internal and external control; Fearful / disorganized and preoccupied styles of attachment, and misogynist and male chauvinist beliefs about women and violence. From the findings, a typological synthesis establishing eight (8) types of batterers is performed.

El artículo presenta los hallazgos principales de Barría¹ sobre la presencia de trastornos de personalidad en una muestra Chilena de Hombres maltratadores de su pareja íntima. El 77,7 por ciento de los maltratadores presenta algún tipo de trastorno de personalidad, y el 37 por ciento tiene de 1 a 5 trastornos. Otro hallazgo importante es que los maltratadores presentan rasgos comunes, tales como: dificultad de expresión de la ira y su control interno y externo; predominio de Estilos de apego temeroso/desorganizado y preocupado, y creencias machistas y misóginas en relación a la mujer y a la violencia. A partir de los hallazgos, se realiza una síntesis tipológica estableciendo ocho (8) tipologías de maltratadores.

Análisis de los pacientes con diabetes controlados a nivel primaria en el Servicio de Salud Concepción / Analysis of diabetic patients controlled at primary level in Concepcion Health Service

To evaluate diabetic patients in control in Concepcion Health Service, evaluating coverage, metabolic control and complications. Material: A retrospective analysis of the statistical record of 2011 (REM) using the CIE-10 classification was done. Estimation is performed with the National Health Survey of 2010. Results: 26,638 patients are controlled, achieving a 67.9 percent coverage (point estimate based on the National Health Survey of 2010), being lower in the group between 15 and 44 years old (34 percent). 38.4 percent had good metabolic control (HbA1C less than 7) and 20.8 percent poor control (HbA1C greater than 9). According to age, the group over 65 had better control and the group between 15 and 44 years worse control. The complication described was diabetic foot (51.9 percent), retinopathy (5 percent) and nephropathy (4.6 percent). Discussion: The prevalence of diabetes is increasing every year in Chile. There is acceptable coverage and early diagnosis, but still are poorly controlled cases and require a multifactorial management that begins with a self-care of their diabetes...

Reaginic antibodies from horses with recurrent airway obstruction produce mast cell stimulation.

Reaginic antibodies (IgE and some IgG subclasses) and mast cells play important roles in the induction of type I immediate hypersensitivity reactions. These antibodies bind through their Fc fragment to high affinity receptors (FcεRI) present in the membrane of mast cells and basophils. The cross-linking of the receptor initiates a coordinated sequence of biochemical and morphological events that results in exocytosis of secretory granules containing pre-formed inflammatory mediators, secretion of newly formed lipid mediators, and secretion of cytokines. Previously, several studies have investigated the role of reaginic antibodies in the pathogenesis of Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO). However, whereas the immunological aspects of RAO have been extensively studied, the precise sequence of events involved in the pathogenesis remains not completely understood, and the role of IgE in this disease remains controversial. Therefore, in this study, several bioassays were conducted to determine whether reaginic antibodies from RAO-affected horses have the ability to activate mast cells. These bioassays involved measuring degranulation of rat peritoneal mast cells, activation of NF-κB and morphological changes in basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-2H3) following incubation with horse serum from RAO-affected horses that were sensitive and insensitive to Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) or from unaffected horses. Our results show that reaginic antibodies from horses sensitive to A. fumigatus were able to degranulate rat peritoneal mast cells. In additon, there was an increase in the activity of the transcription factor NF-κB in RBL-2H3 cells, and morphological changes were observed in these cells once cross-linking was produced. These findings were not found in horses not sensitive to A. fumigatus and healthy horses. These bioassays demonstrate the ability of reaginic antibodies to stimulate mast cells and indicate that these antibodies could be involved in the immunological mechanisms leading to RAO.

Guía clínica: consenso para Chile en enfermedad de Fabry / Clinical guidelines: Chilean consensus in Fabry disease

Fabry's disease is an X-linked recessive inborn error of metabolism of glycosphingolipids, caused by the deficiency of the lisosomal enzyme alpha-galactosidase. It is a rare disease with an estimated incidence rate of approximately 1:80.000 to 1:117,000 births in the general population. Recently, the growing knowledge about this disease has permitted the development of enzyme replacement therapy, which has modified the prognosis and quality of life of these patients. In Chile, the real incidence is unknown, but the increase in the number of patients diagnosed during the last five years, mainly in the north of the country. This guide was prepared with the intention of establishing a consensus for the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of the patients with Fabry disease based on the present available scientific evidence.

La enfermedad de Fabry es un error innato del catabolismo de los glucoesfingolipidos, de herencia recesiva ligada al cromosoma X, causado por la deficiencia de la enzima lisosomal alfa-galactosidasa A (alfa-gal A). Es un defecto poco frecuente, con una incidencia estimada de 1:80.000 a 1:117.000, entre la población general. Recientemente, el creciente conocimiento acerca de esta enfermedad, ha permitido el desarrollo de la terapia de reemplazo enzimático, la cual ha modificado el pronóstico y calidad de vida de los pacientes. En Chile, se desconoce la incidencia real, pero el aumento del número de pacientes diagnosticados durante los últimos cinco años, principalmente en la zona norte del país, ha generado un mayor interés por esta enfermedad. Esta guía fue elaborada con la intención de establecer un consenso para el diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento de los pacientes con enfermedad de Fabry, basado en la evidencia científica, actualmente disponible.

[Cutaneous tuberculosis. Report of one case]. / Lupus vulgar: caso infrecuente de tuberculosis extrapulmonar.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is uncommonly located in the skin, corresponding to 1 to 2% of extrapulmonary forms. We report a 61-year-old woman, referred due to a two months history of erythematous plaques covered with honey-colored crusts in the left preauricular region and below the chin. The lesions were previously treated as pyoderma with poor response. She was otherwise healthy, without any other symptom. Skin biopsy showed exudative tuberculoid granulomas with caseation necrosis. Koch culture was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Complementary studies ruled out other foci. Lupus vulgaris was diagnosed and antituberculous therapy started, achieving regression of cutaneous lesions.

Lupus vulgar: caso infrecuente de tuberculosis extrapulmonar / Cutaneous tuberculosis: Report of one case

Background: Tuberculosis is uncommonly located in the skin, corresponding to 1 to 2% of extrapulmonary forms. We report a 61-year-old woman, referred due to a two months history of erythematous plaques covered with honey-colored crusts in the left preauricular region and below the chin. The lesions were previously treated as pyoderma with poor response. She was otherwise healthy, without any other symptom. Skin biopsy showed exudative tuberculoid granulomas with caseation necrosis. Koch culture was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Complementary studies ruled out other foci. Lupus vulgaris was diagnosed and antituberculous therapy started, achieving regression of cutaneous lesions.

Histología del anillo inguinal interno en pacientes con hernia inguinal indirecta: serie de casos observacional y descriptiva / Age associated changes in the histology of indirect inguinal hernia rings

Background: This study has the purpose to investigate the microscopic basic histological structure of the internal inguinal ring in patients operated on for primary indirect inguinal hernia. Patients and Methods: A sample of 72 consecutive male patients older than 15 years-of-age with unilateral inguinal hernia submitted to elective surgery was studied. The primary outcome measure was the histological findings of the internal inguinal ring. All samples were processed only by histochemical techniques. Patients were divided in 3 groups according to age. Group I: patients between 15 and 40 years-of-age. Group II: patients between 41 and 70 years-of-age. Group III: patients older than 71 years. Results: All samples from the internal inguinal ring were constituted by fibrous fascial tissue with elastic fibers which were thicker in younger patients and thinner in older patients. Adipose tissue between elastic fibers was absent in younger patients and was abundant in older patients. Vascular sclerosis was minimal in Group I, moderate in Group II, and important in Group III. Acute or chronic inflammatory cells were absent in all patients. Conclusions: The histological characteristics of the internal inguinal ring in patients with indirect inguinal hernia consist on reduced density and thickness of elastic fibers and increased adipose tissue between elastic fibers. Vascular sclerosis was more severe as the age of the patients increased. These histological changes were related to normal aging.

Introducción: El presente estudio tiene como objetivo investigar la estructura histológica básica del anillo inguinal interno en pacientes operados por hernia inguinal indirecta primaria. Pacientes y Métodos: Se estudió una muestra de 72 pacientes consecutivos mayores de 15 años de edad con hernia inguinal indirecta unilateral sometidos a cirugía electiva. El objetivo principal fue la histología básica del anillo inguinal interno. Las muestras fueron procesadas con técnicas histoquímicas. Los pacientes se dividieron en 3 grupos de acuerdo a la edad. Grupo I: pacientes entre 15 y 40 años de edad. Grupo II: pacientes entre 41 y 70 años. Grupo III: pacientes mayores de 71 años de edad. Resultados: Todas las muestras histológicas del anillo inguinal estuvieron constituidas por tejido fascial fibroso con fibras elásticas gruesas en pacientes jóvenes y delgadas en pacientes mayores. La esclerosis vascular fue mínima en el grupo I, moderada en el grupo II e importante en el grupo III. No se encontraron células inflamatorias agudas o crónicas. Conclusiones: Las características histológicas básicas del anillo inguinal interno consisten en fibras elásticas que disminuyen su densidad y se adelgazan con la edad y en un aumento simultáneo del tejido adiposo entre estas fibras. La esclerosis vascular se presenta y es más severa en la medida que la edad de los pacientes aumenta. Estos cambios histológicos se relacionan al envejecimiento normal.

Asociación de la colesterolosis vesicular con el índice de masa corporal y los niveles plasmáticos de colesterol / Association of gallbladder cholesterolosis to body mass index and levels of serum cholesterol

Background: The objective was to find an association between obesity, plasma cholesterol levels, and chelesterolosis of the gallbladder in patients submitted to elective cholecystectomy for gallstone disease. Patients and methods: A sample of 406 patients studied with total plasma cholesterol levels was submitted to cholecystectomy. According to biopsy results they were divided into two groups, 326 patients without cholesterolosis and 80 patients with cholesterolosis. Results: Cholesterol levels were higher in patients without cholesterolosis (209.4+- 53 vs 181.5 +- 37, p<0.0001). Most patients with cholesterolosis had a body mass index > 25kg/m2 compared to patients without cholesterolosis (59 percent vs 48 percent, p=0.036). A positive correlation between body mass index and hypercholesterolemia in patients with and without cholesterolosis was found. ROC curves analysis showed a positive association between hypercholesterolemia and choletithiasis (OR: 3.831; 95 percent CI: 2.260-5.004: area under ROC curve: 0.670), and negative with cholesterolosis (OR: 0.074; 95 percent CI: 0.026-0.394; area under ROC curve: 0.330). Conclusions: Most obese patients with cholesterolosis had normal values of cholesterol compared to eutrophic patients. Eutrophic patients without cholesterolosis had hypercholesterolemia, more frequently than obese patients. Consequently, obesity and hypercholesterolemia are independent, not related factors associated to the development of gallbladder cholesterolosis and gallstones.

Introducción: El objetivo del presente estudio fue encontrar una asociación entre obesidad, niveles plamáticos de colesterol y colesterolosis vesicular en pacientes operados electivamente por colelitiasis. Pacientes y Métodos: Se estudió una muestra de conveniencia de 406 pacientes consecutivos operados por colelitiasis, en los que se midieron niveles plasmáticos de colesterol. De acuerdo al resultado de la biopsia se dividieron en dos grupos: 326 pacientes sin colesterolosis y 80 pacientes con colesterolosis. Resultados: Los niveles de colesterol fueron mayores en pacientes sin colesterolosis (209,4 +- 53 vs 181,5 +- 37, p < 0,0001). La mayoría de los pacientes con colesterolosis tenía un índice de masa corporal > 325 kg/m2 comparados con los pacientes sin colesterolosis (59 percent vs 48 percent, p = 0,036). Se encontró una correlación positiva entre índice de masa corporal e hipercolesterolemia en pacientes con y sin colesterolosis. El análisis con curvas ROC demostró una asociación positiva de la hipercolesterolemia con colelitiasis (OR: 3,831; 95 por ciento IC: 2,260- 5,004: área bajo la curva: 0,670) y negativa con colesterolosis (OR: 0,074; 95 por ciento IC: 0,026- 0,394; área bajo la curva: 0,330). Conclusiones: La mayoría de los pacientes obesos con colesterolosis tuvieron niveles de colesterol normales comparados con pacientes eutróficos. Los pacientes eutróficos sin colesterolosis tuvieron hipercolesterolemia con mayor frecuencia que los pacientes obesos. Consecuentemente, la obesidad y la hipercolesterolemia son factores independeientes asociados al desarrollo de colelitiasis y colesterolosis vesicular.

Bioaccumulation and toxicity of gold nanoparticles after repeated administration in mice.

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) offer a great promise in biomedicine. Currently, there is no data available regarding the accumulation of nanoparticles in vivo after repeated administration. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioaccumulation and toxic effects of different doses (40, 200, and 400 microg/kg/day) of 12.5 nm GNPs upon intraperitoneal administration in mice every day for 8 days. The gold levels in blood did not increase with the dose administered, whereas in all the organs examined there was a proportional increase on gold, indicating efficient tissue uptake. Although brain was the organ containing the lowest quantity of injected GNPs, our data suggest that GNPs are able to cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the neural tissue. Importantly, no evidence of toxicity was observed in any of the diverse studies performed, including survival, behavior, animal weight, organ morphology, blood biochemistry and tissue histology. The results indicate that tissue accumulation pattern of GNPs depend on the doses administered and the accumulation of the particles does not produce sub-acute physiological damage.

Ulcera de Majorlin en cicatriz de quemadura: manejo quirúrgico / Majorlin's ulcer arising in burn scar: surgical management

We discuss the case of a 63-years-old woman presenting with Majorlin's ulcer over the popliteal area. This localization is the most frequent for this lesion. We review the diagnosis, epidemiology, and aggressive surgical treatment with wide excision of the ulcer and repair with fasciocutaneous flap.

Se presenta un caso de úlcera de Majorlin en la región poplítea de una paciente de 63 años de edad. Esta localización es la más frecuente de esta lesión. Se discute su diagnóstico, epidemiología, etiología y tratamiento agresivo con resección amplia de la ulcera y reparación con un colgajo fasciocutáneo.

Duplicación intestinal: diagnóstico y tratamiento de una condición inusual / Intestinal duplieation: diagnosis and treatment of an unusual condition

We report a 2.5 years old male presenting with abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting lasting 30 days. A CAT scan showed an intestinal duplication cyst. The patient was operated and a cystic lesion of 6 cm diameter was fond and excised along with five cm of terminal ileum. Intestinal transit was reconstituted with a terminal anastomosis between ileum and colon.

Reportamos el caso clínico de un paciente de 2 años y 6 meses de edad que fue intervenido quirúrgicamente por una duplicación intestinal del ileon terminal. Discutimos la presentación clínica, estudio radiológico, procedimiento quirúrgico y resultados del tratamiento. Revisamos la literatura actual pertinente haciendo énfasis en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de estas malformaciones por el potencial de malignidad que presentan en la vida adulta.

Evolución y factores de pronóstico en cáncer diferenciado de tiroides / Evolution and prognosis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma

Differentiated thyroid carcinoma has a good prognosis with a 90 percent survival at 10 years. Follicular carcinoma is more aggressive than papillary carcinoma Aim: To study the clinical presentation, evolution and prognosis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Material and Methods: The pathological registries of differentiated thyroid cancer processed in a pathology service of a general hospital, between 1984 and 2007, were searched. The clinical records of patients were reviewed. Results: One hundred six pathology registries were identified but only 89 patients had complete medical records. Seventy six patients aged 44 +/- 16 years had a papillary carcinoma and 13 patients aged 42 +/- 15 years had a follicular carcinoma. After a mean follow up of 53 months, 65 patients with papillary and 12 patients with follicular thyroid cancer were alive. Five patients with papillary carcinoma and one with follicular carcinoma had a local or distant relapse. Calculated actuarial survival at 10 years was 84 and 100 percent for papillary and follicular carcinoma, respectively. Ten year survival for stage I, II, III and IV tumors was 100, 92, 68 and 0 percent, respectively. Mortality was associated with the presence of distant metastases, a stage IV tumor, vascular or lymphatic tumor infiltration, tumor size, lymph node involvement, extra capsular invasion and a multi focal lesions. The relative risk for mortality increases between 2.7 and 9 times with the presence of lymph node infiltration and distant metastases. Conclusions: The prognosis of differentiated thyroid cancer is related to lymph node infiltration and the presence of distant metastases.

Los objetivos del presente estudio son identificar la forma de presentación clínica y evolución del cáncer diferenciado de tiroides (CDT); definir la curva de sobrevivencia para ambos tipos histológicos e identificar los factores clínicos e histológicos de mal pronóstico. Se presentan 89 pacientes portadores de cáncer diferenciado (papilar y folicular) de tiroides (75 CP Y 13 CF) tratados en los Hospitales de Coquimbo y La Serena, entre 1984 y 2007. La forma de presentación de ambos tumores fue similar. La mediana de seguimiento fue 53 meses. El 75 por ciento de los pacientes tuvo un seguimiento mínimo de 7 años y el 86,4 por ciento de los pacientes (64 cáncer papilar y 12 cáncer folicular) se encuentran vivos y libres de enfermedad; el intervalo libre de enfermedad fue de 52,7 meses con rango entre 3 meses y 16 años. La sobrevida actuarial a 10 a±os para cáncer papilar es 84 por ciento y, para cáncer folicular 100 por ciento. Por estadios, a los 10 años la sobrevida es de 100 por ciento en estadio I, 92 por ciento en estadio II, 68 por ciento en estadio III y 0 por ciento en estadio IV. El riesgo de muerte se asoció a la presencia de metástasis distantes, T4 e infiltración histológica vascular y/o linfática, p = 0,02. Otros factores no mostraron asociación: tamaño del tumor < T4, compromiso de linfonodos, invasión extracapsular y multifocalidad histológica. Sin embargo, el RR se incrementa 2,7 y 9 veces con invasión linfática o con presencia de metástasis, 1,6 veces con el aumento del tamaño tumoral, y 1,33 con multifocalidad neoplásica en la glándula. La presencia de metástasis linfáticas en cáncer papilar representa un RR de 1,22. Aunque el seguimiento de esta casuística es reducido (mediana 5 años), los resultados sugieren que el mal pronóstico se asocia fundamentalmente a compromiso linfático y metástasis a distancia y, por otra parte, a que el planteamiento terapéutico ha resultado efectivo para el control de la enfermedad en estadio I y II.

Hepatitis C virus quasispecies in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of treatment naïve chronically infected patients.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 45 treatment naïve, HIV-negative, chronically hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients were analyzed for the presence of HCV RNA. Viral RNA was detected in 73% of the studied patients. Single-strand conformation polymorphism assays and sequence analysis of the HCV 5'untranslated regions amplified from RNA recovered from both Plasma and PBMCs suggested virus compartmentalization in 57.6% of patients studied. In summary, our study presents evidence that HCV RNA can be found in PBMCs of treatment naïve chronically infected patients that are not immunocompromised or co-infected with the human immunodeficiency virus.

Un caso infrecuente de aneurisma ateroesclerótico de la arteria temporal superficial / Atherosclerotic aneurysm of the superficial temporal artery: report of one case

Introducción: Los aneurismas de la arteria temporal superficial (AATS) constituyen una rara condición infrecuentemente reportada, ya que se han publicado sólo 14 casos de AATS ateroescleróticos en la literatura mundial. Este hecho contrasta con los aproximadamente 400 casos de pseudoaneurismas traumáticos de arteria temporal superficial reportados tanto en publicaciones nacionales, como internacionales. Reporte de Caso: Paciente femenino de 66 años de edad con antecedente de hipertensión arterial en tratamiento hace 17 años. El motivo de consulta fue la presencia de una masa pulsátil indolora en la región temporal derecha de 14 meses de evolución. Se estudió con ecografía Doppler vascular, la cual describe un aneurisma fusiforme de 2 cm de diámetro y 3 cm de longitud de la arteria temporal superficial. La cirugía consiste en la disección simple del aneurisma y la resección completa de la lesión con ligadura de los extremos proximales y distales de la arteria comprometida. El estudio histopatológico informa compromiso de las tres capas de la pared vascular en el área del aneurisma; también se observa la presencia de vasos adventiciales ateroescleróticos y engrasamiento ateroesclerótico de la íntima. La tinción de Van Gieson para fibras elásticas demuestra la integridad de la lámina elástica interna arterial. Conclusiones: Aún cuando los aneurismas verdaderos de la arteria temporal superficial son muy raros, su diagnóstico, estudio y tratamiento son relativamente simples y se encuentran actualmente bien establecidos.

Superficial temporal artery aneurysms (STAA) are an uncommon condition. Only 14 atherosclerotic STAA had been reported. This contrasts with almost 400 cases of superficial temporal artery traumatic pseudoaneurysms reported. We report a 66 years old female with hypertension treated for 17 years. She consulted for a painless pulsatile mass on the right temporal region lasting 14 months. A Doppler vascular ultrasound, described a superficial temporal artery fusiform aneurysm of 2 cm diameter and 3 cm length. The surgical exploration revealed the presence of the aneurysm compromising the superficial temporal artery. Simple dissection and resection of the lesion, ligating all the involved vascular branches was performed. The histopathological study reported involvement of all three layers of the vascular wall over the aneurysmatic area, also reported the presence of atherosclerotic adventitial vessels and atherosclerotic thickening of the intima. The Van Gieson stain for elastic fibers demonstrated integrity of the internal elastic layer.

Beta-sheet breaker peptide prevents Abeta-induced spatial memory impairments with partial reduction of amyloid deposits.

Current evidence supports the notion that beta-amyloid deposits or Abeta intermediates may be responsible for the pathogenesis in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. In the present work, we have assessed the neuroprotective effect of the chronic intraperitoneal administration of a five-amino-acid beta-sheet breaker peptide (iAbeta5p) on the rat behavioral deficit induced by the intrahippocampal Abeta-fibrils injection. At 1 month after the injection, animals showed a partial reduction of the amyloid deposits formed and a decreased astrocytic response around the injection site. More importantly, we report that following the iAbeta5p treatment, hippocampal-dependent spatial learning paradigms, including the standard Morris water maze and a working memory analysis, showed a significant prevention from impairments induced by Abeta deposits in the dorsal hippocampus. Thus, it is possible that a noninvasive treatment such as the one presented here with beta-sheet breaker peptides may be used as a potential therapy for AD patients.