ihtObtura: A novel liquid embolic agent with post-embolization radiopacity loss, in endovascular treatment of brain arteriovenous malformations, dural arteriovenous fistulas, and tumors: CLARIDAD trial.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular embolization is frequently used for vascular lesions of the head and neck. Newer agents may help to enhance visualization and improve treatment outcomes. METHODS: The CLARIDAD clinical trial was a prospective, single center, first-in-man investigation of neurovascular embolization using the novel embolic agent ihtObtura for a broad indication, covering the need for a liquid embolic agent in head and neck procedures. The primary outcomes assessed were therapeutic efficacy to deliver ihtObtura to embolize the catheterized pedicle and associated angiographic vascularity, and subsequent loss of radiopacity. Safety endpoints included procedural adverse events, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, morbidity, and mortality. Radiologic and clinical follow-up evaluations were conducted at 30, 90, 180 days, and 1 year post-treatment. RESULTS: 65 consecutive patients (mean age 37.8 years, 50.8% women) were treated over 129 sessions. A total of 42 brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs; 90% grades III and IV), 8 dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs), and 15 hypervascular tumors were treated with ihtObtura using an average of 3.9 mL per session and 7.7 mL per patient. We achieved therapeutic effectiveness in 99% of catheterizations. Radiopacity loss was complete after 74.3% of the sessions at 30 days, 95.6% at 90 days, and 100% at the 1 year follow-up. Serious adverse events (mRS score >2) occurred in two patients (3.1%) with previously ruptured high grade AVMs leading to one death and one permanent disabling morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that ihtObtura was a novel, safe, and effective liquid embolic agent for the treatment of AVMs, DAVFs, and hypervascular tumors. Its key property of significant radiopacity loss contributes to improve anatomical understanding, particularly in staged procedures, as well as reduction in post-procedural imaging artifact. There may be additional benefits of eliminating tantalum from the embolic mixture in terms of lesion penetration.

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype, dementia, and memory performance among Caribbean Hispanic versus US populations.

INTRODUCTION: Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is considered the major susceptibility gene for developing Alzheimer's disease. However, the strength of this risk factor is not well established across diverse Hispanic populations. METHODS: We investigated the associations among APOE genotype, dementia prevalence, and memory performance (immediate and delayed recall scores) in Caribbean Hispanics (CH), African Americans (AA), Hispanic Americans (HA) and non-Hispanic White Americans (NHW). Multivariable logistic regressions and negative binomial regressions were used to examine these associations by subsample. RESULTS: Our final dataset included 13,516 participants (5198 men, 8318 women) across all subsamples, with a mean age of 74.8 years. Prevalence of APOE ε4 allele was similar in CHs, HAs, and NHWs (21.8%-25.4%), but was substantially higher in AAs (33.6%; P < 0.001). APOE ε4 carriers had higher dementia prevalence across all groups. DISCUSSION: APOE ε4 was similarly associated with increased relative risk of dementia and lower memory performance in all subsamples.

The OLGA-OLGIM staging and the interobserver agreement for gastritis and preneoplastic lesion screening: a cross-sectional study.

Stomach cancer (SC) incidence and mortality are relevant public health issues worldwide. In Colombia, screening for preneoplastic lesions (PNL) and the presence of H. pylori is not routinely performed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate OLGA-OLGIM staging and the interobserver agreement in gastritis and preneoplastic lesions in patients with gastroduodenal symptoms from Colombia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 272 patients with gastroduodenal symptoms. Gastric biopsies were taken following the Updated Sydney System with the OLGA-OLGIM classification, and the results were evaluated by two pathologists. Chronic gastritis and PNL were reported in 76% and 24% of the patients, respectively. Furthermore, 25% of the patients with PNL displayed gastric atrophy (GA) and 75% intestinal metaplasia (IM). Agreement in the histopathological reading for IM was good, whereas for OLGA was variable, and for the H. pylori quantity was poor. OLGA-OLGIM stages 0-II were the most frequent (96%), while stage III (4%) and SC (4%) were the least frequent. Age and coffee consumption were associated with a higher prevalence of PNL. This work determined that 4% of the population is at high risk of developing SC and would benefit from follow-up studies. Reinforcement of training programs to improve the agreement in histopathology readings is required.

Whole exome sequencing in a child with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, optic neuritis, and periodic fever syndrome: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis is generally preceded by an infection, and it is usually self-limiting and non-recurrent. However, when there are multiple attacks of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis followed by optic neuritis, it is defined as acute disseminated encephalomyelitis-optic neuritis. To the best of our knowledge, there are no previous reports of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and optic neuritis preceded by autoinflammation, triggered by periodic fever syndrome. We report on a case of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis with optic neuritis and periodic fever syndrome in a 12-year-old Ecuadorian Hispanic boy with several relapses over the past 10 years, always preceded by autoinflammatory manifestations and without evidence of infectious processes. Whole exome sequencing was performed, and although the results were not conclusive, we found variants in genes associated with both autoinflammatory (NLRP12) and neurological (POLR3A) phenotypes that could be related to the disease pathogenesis having a polygenic rather than monogenic trait. CONCLUSION: We propose that an autoinflammatory basis should be pursued in patients diagnosed as having acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and no record of infections. Also, we show that our patient had a good response after 1 year of treatment with low doses of intravenous immunoglobulin and colchicine.

Spontaneous Subdural Hematoma and Behavioral Changes Due to a Dural Arteriovenous Fistula. A Case Report and Literature Review.

Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) represent 10-15% of intracranial arteriovenous malformations. Of these, only 12-29% cause intracranial hemorrhage. The presentation of DAVF as a subdural hematoma (SDH) and intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH) is infrequent; additionally, behavioral changes are not common among these patients. We report, for the first time in our country, the case of a 23-year-old man with no history of head injury, in which a brain computed tomography (CT) scan revealed SDH and IPH with behavioral disturbances. The angiotomography showed ecstatic venous vessels, indicating the presence of a DAVF, which was later confirmed by cerebral angiography. Endovascular therapy, which followed the clinical diagnosis, resulted in satisfactory evolution two years after treatment. A review of the literature concerning cases with DAVF and behavioral disturbances is presented. DAVF may lead to cognitive impairment, behavioral changes, and dementia as a result of diffuse white matter and thalamus modifications related to venous ischemia, and it should be considered as a reversible cause of vascular dementia.

Trombolisis intrarterial en la oclusión de la arteria central de la retina / Intra-arterial thrombolysis in central retinal artery occlusion

La oclusión de la arteria central de la retina es considerada una urgencia oftalmológica con mal pronóstico visual, a pesar de los métodos convencionales de tratamiento. Los recientes avances en neurorradiología permiten realizar un cateterismo selectivo en la arteria oftálmica e inyectar un agente fibrinolítico cerca del lugar de la obstrucción. Esta intervención podría ser efectiva en ciertos tipos de oclusiones y se han obtenido resultados prometedores en pacientes con oclusiones de la arteria central de la retina. Se realizaron búsquedas en diferentes publicaciones relacionadas con la especialidad en los últimos 10 años en bases de datos de revistas líderes de Oftalmología, con el objetivo de mostrar la trombolisis intrarterial como opción de tratamiento para la oclusión de la arteria central de la retina. La baja incidencia de esta enfermedad, además de que los pacientes acuden a consulta con frecuencia fuera del periodo de ventana, son justificantes por las que no se recogen respuestas definitivas, lo que se suma a la heterogenicidad de tratamiento coadyuvante empleado en los diferentes centros y al uso de fibrinolíticos y de dosis variados. Se requieren ensayos clínicos aleatorizados que permitan determinar su superioridad frente a las medidas convencionales, el grado de beneficio en contraposición al riesgo de eventos adversos y el tipo de pacientes que son candidatos a esta medida terapéutica que se avecina de manera prometedora para mejorar el pronóstico visual de estos pacientes(AU)

The occlusion of the retina central artery is considered an ophthalmological emergency with poor visual prognosis, despite conventional treatment methods. Recent advances in neuroradiology allow a selective catheterization in the ophthalmic artery and inject a fibrinolytic agent near the site of the obstruction. This intervention could be effective in certain types of occlusions and promising results have been obtained in patients with Central Retina Artery occlusions. We searched different publications related to the specialty, using the database of leading journals of ophthalmology, in the last 10 years; with the objective of showing intra-arterial thrombolysis as an option of treatment for the Retinal Central Artery Occlusion. The low incidence of this disease, together with the fact that patients frequently visit outside the window period, are justifying why no definitive answers are collected, which adds to the heterogeneity of coadjutant treatment used in the different centers, controversial window period and use of fibrinolytics and varied doses. Randomized clinical trials are required to determine its superiority to conventional measures, the degree of benefit as opposed to the risk of adverse events and the type of patients that are candidates for this therapeutic approach that is promising to improve the visual prognosis of these patients(AU)

Trombolisis intrarterial en la oclusión de la arteria central de la retina / Intra-arterial thrombolysis in central retinal artery occlusion

La oclusión de la arteria central de la retina es considerada una urgencia oftalmológica con mal pronóstico visual, a pesar de los métodos convencionales de tratamiento. Los recientes avances en neurorradiología permiten realizar un cateterismo selectivo en la arteria oftálmica e inyectar un agente fibrinolítico cerca del lugar de la obstrucción. Esta intervención podría ser efectiva en ciertos tipos de oclusiones y se han obtenido resultados prometedores en pacientes con oclusiones de la arteria central de la retina. Se realizaron búsquedas en diferentes publicaciones relacionadas con la especialidad en los últimos 10 años en bases de datos de revistas líderes de Oftalmología, con el objetivo de mostrar la trombolisis intrarterial como opción de tratamiento para la oclusión de la arteria central de la retina. La baja incidencia de esta enfermedad, además de que los pacientes acuden a consulta con frecuencia fuera del periodo de ventana, son justificantes por las que no se recogen respuestas definitivas, lo que se suma a la heterogenicidad de tratamiento coadyuvante empleado en los diferentes centros y al uso de fibrinolíticos y de dosis variados. Se requieren ensayos clínicos aleatorizados que permitan determinar su superioridad frente a las medidas convencionales, el grado de beneficio en contraposición al riesgo de eventos adversos y el tipo de pacientes que son candidatos a esta medida terapéutica que se avecina de manera prometedora para mejorar el pronóstico visual de estos pacientes(AU)

The occlusion of the retina central artery is considered an ophthalmological emergency with poor visual prognosis, despite conventional treatment methods. Recent advances in neuroradiology allow a selective catheterization in the ophthalmic artery and inject a fibrinolytic agent near the site of the obstruction. This intervention could be effective in certain types of occlusions and promising results have been obtained in patients with Central Retina Artery occlusions. We searched different publications related to the specialty, using the database of leading journals of ophthalmology, in the last 10 years; with the objective of showing intra-arterial thrombolysis as an option of treatment for the Retinal Central Artery Occlusion. The low incidence of this disease, together with the fact that patients frequently visit outside the window period, are justifying why no definitive answers are collected, which adds to the heterogeneity of coadjutant treatment used in the different centers, controversial window period and use of fibrinolytics and varied doses. Randomized clinical trials are required to determine its superiority to conventional measures, the degree of benefit as opposed to the risk of adverse events and the type of patients that are candidates for this therapeutic approach that is promising to improve the visual prognosis of these patients(AU)

Relación médico paciente y la eSalud / Doctor-patient relationship and eHealth

Para lograr una excelencia en la atención médica, se debe establecer un principio inviolable, la relación médico-paciente, aspecto más sensible y humano de la medicina. La eSalud, también denominada Cibersalud, es la utilización de las tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones en el apoyo a la salud, incluida la asistencia médica. Se propone una reflexión alrededor de los conceptos de relación médico-paciente, tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones, eSalud y la relación entre estos. Incuestionables son los logros de la esalud (Cibersalud) y las tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones en las ciencias médicas. Este desarrollo impetuoso de la tecnología aplicada a la medicina, si no es controlado racionalmente por el hombre puede convertir la relación médico-paciente en una deshumanizada relación paciente-aparato. Se impone el deber impostergable para todo el personal de salud el cultivar y perfeccionar la relación médico-paciente, principio sagrado en el ejercicio medico(AU)

To achieve healthcare excellence, an inviolable principle should be established: Doctor-patient relationship is the most sensitive and humane aspect of medical practice. EHealth, also known as cyberhealth, is the use of information and communication technologies in support of health programs, including medical care. A discussion is provided about the concepts of doctor-patient relationship, information and communication technologies and eHealth, and about the links between them. EHealth (cyberhealth) and information and communication technologies have achieved undeniable progress in the field of medical sciences. However, such impetuous development of technology applied to medicine should be rationally controlled to prevent doctor-patient relationship from becoming a dehumanized patient-device relationship. Healthcare personnel have the unpostponable duty to cultivate and improve doctor-patient relationship, a sacred principle in medical practice(AU)

Relación médico paciente y la eSalud / Doctor-patient relationship and eHealth

Para lograr una excelencia en la atención médica, se debe establecer un principio inviolable, la relación médico-paciente, aspecto más sensible y humano de la medicina. La eSalud, también denominada Cibersalud, es la utilización de las tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones en el apoyo a la salud, incluida la asistencia médica. Se propone una reflexión alrededor de los conceptos de relación médico-paciente, tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones, eSalud y la relación entre estos. Incuestionables son los logros de la esalud (Cibersalud) y las tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones en las ciencias médicas. Este desarrollo impetuoso de la tecnología aplicada a la medicina, si no es controlado racionalmente por el hombre puede convertir la relación médico-paciente en una deshumanizada relación paciente-aparato. Se impone el deber impostergable para todo el personal de salud el cultivar y perfeccionar la relación médico-paciente, principio sagrado en el ejercicio medico

To achieve healthcare excellence, an inviolable principle should be established: Doctor-patient relationship is the most sensitive and humane aspect of medical practice. EHealth, also known as cyberhealth, is the use of information and communication technologies in support of health programs, including medical care. A discussion is provided about the concepts of doctor-patient relationship, information and communication technologies and eHealth, and about the links between them. EHealth (cyberhealth) and information and communication technologies have achieved undeniable progress in the field of medical sciences. However, such impetuous development of technology applied to medicine should be rationally controlled to prevent doctor-patient relationship from becoming a dehumanized patient-device relationship. Healthcare personnel have the unpostponable duty to cultivate and improve doctor-patient relationship, a sacred principle in medical practice

Feasibility of the superselective test with propofol for determining eloquent brain regions in the endovascular treatment of arteriovenous malformations.

The superselective test for determining eloquent brain areas, carried out prior to the embolization treatment for arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), is a tool contributing to increase the safety of endovascular procedures. Taking into account amobarbital unavailability, it was decided to carry out the present study to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of propofol as an alternative to amobarbital to perform this test. A group of 58 patients were treated in 91 embolization sessions for brain AVMs using endovascular surgery between February 2006 and February 2011. The superselective test was performed prior to embolization with Histoacryl, using the intra-arterial administration of 20 mg propofol through a microcatheter positioned near the AVM nidus. Ten (7.8%) of the 128 superselective tests were positive. Neurological deficits appeared immediately after propofol administration, lasted for one minute and disappeared after five minutes. Only one of the patients showing a negative test result developed neurological deficits after embolization, for 99.2% negative predictive vale. Despite their positive test results, six patients were embolized and five developed post-embolization neurological deficits, for 83.3% positive predictive value. The test showed 83.3% sensitivity and 99.2% specificity. The use of propofol to perform the superselective test during brain AVM embolization is a safe and effective alternative to amobarbital, and may predict the occurrence of post-embolization ischemic complications.

Tratamiento endovascular de malformaciones arteriovenosas intracerebrales con n-butil cianoacrilato. Métodos de trabajo y experiencia en 58 casos / Endovascular treatment of intracranial arteriovenous malformation with n-butyl cyanoacrylate. Working methods and experience in 58 cases

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVOS: Las malformaciones arteriovenosas (MAV) constituyen malformaciones vasculares del sistema nervioso central, responsables de una morbimortalidad significativa. La embolización con n-butil cianoacrilato es una modalidad de tratamiento bien establecida que se combina con la cirugía o la radiocirugía. Nuestro objetivo, en este trabajo, fue caracterizar la serie de MAV tratadas por vía endovascular con n-butil cianoacrilato en la población cubana y evaluar los resultados postembolización. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Un total de 58pacientes con MAV cerebrales fueron embolizados con n-butil cianoacrilato en la unidad de terapia endovascular del Centro de Investigaciones Médico Quirúrgicas (CIMEQ) en la Habana (Cuba) en el quinquenio comprendido entre febrero de 2006 y febrero de 2011. Se realizaron un total de 91sesiones que comprendieron embolizaciones intranidales y desvascularizaciones predominantemente parciales, de un 25-30% por sesión, y cierre de 123 pedículos arteriales. Se establecieron tiempos de seguridad para la inyección del n-butil cianoacrilato mediante el cálculo de su tiempo de polimerización, utilizando sistemáticamente la hipotensión postembolización y la realización de test superselectivo con propofol para la determinación de elocuencia cerebral. RESULTADOS: El 68,8% de los casos empezaron con manifestaciones hemorrágicas, el 24,1% con crisis epilépticas y el 1,7% con ictus isquémico. El 93,2% de las MAV fueron supratentoriales y el 6,8%, infratentoriales; según la clasificación de Spetzler y Martin, el 13,8% eran de grado ii, el 56,9% de grado III, el 22,4% de grado IV y el 6,8% de grado V. Se realizaron 128 tests superselectivos con propofol, 118 (92,2%) negativos y 10 (7,8%) positivos. Predominaron las desvascularizaciones parciales del 20-30%; en el 17,2% de los pacientes se logró oclusión total, y en el 27,5%, del 70-99%. Se establecieron tiempos de seguridad para la inyección de Histoacryl(R), y se estableció la utilización de la hipotensión posprocedimiento. Se registró una morbilidad del 17,2%, con un 6,9% de complicaciones hemorrágicas y una mortalidad del 3,4%. CONCLUSIONES: Las tasas de oclusión total y de morbimortalidad se encuentran en los rangos descritos internacionalmente. La implementación de cierres intranidales con desvascularizaciones del 20-30% por sesión y la utilización de la hipotensión posprocedimiento después de las complicaciones hemorrágicas descritas se tradujo en ausencia de complicaciones hemorrágicas

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) constitute malformative lesions of the central nervous system vasculature and cause significant morbidity and mortality. Endovascular embolization with n-butyl cyanoacrylate is a well established modality of AVM treatment, usually combined with surgery or radiosurgery. The purpose of this study was to characterise the AVMs that were treated endovascularly with n-butyl cyanoacrylate and to evaluate the post-embolization results in the Cuban population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February 2006 to February 2011, a group of 58 consecutive patients with brain AVMs were embolized using n-butyl cyanoacrylate in the endovascular therapy unit of the Medical Surgical Research Centre in Havana (Cuba). In all, 91sessions were carried out with intranidal embolization and mainly partial devascularization, 25-30% per session, and closing 123 arterial pedicles. Safety times for n-butyl cyanoacrylate injection were established by calculating the polymerisation times for different dilutions, using post-embolisation hypotension systematically, as well as a superselective test with propofol to determine cerebral eloquence. RESULTS: Haemorrhagic signs were the initial presentation in 68.8% of the patients, 24.1% presented with epileptic episodes and 1.7% with ischemic stroke. Of the AVMs, 93.2% were supratentorial; according to the Spetzler and Martin classification, 13.8% were grade II, 56.9% were grade III, 22.4% were grade IV and 6.8%, grade V. One hundred and twenty-eight selective tests with propofol were performed and 118 (92.2%) of those were negative. Partial devascularization (20-30%) prevailed; complete obliteration was achieved in 17.2% of the patients and 70%-99% in 27.5% of the patients. Safety times for n-butyl cyanoacrylate injection were established and the use of post-procedure hypotension was settled. Morbidity of 17.2%, with 6.9% haemorrhagic complications and mortality of 3.4% were registered in the whole series. CONCLUSIONS: The rates of total occlusion and of morbidity and mortality in the series are in the internationally described ranges. The implementation of intranidal closings with 20-30% devascularization per session and the use of post-embolization hypotension after the haemorrhage complications described resulted in the total absence of haemorrhagic complications

[Endovascular treatment of intracranial arteriovenous malformation with n-butyl cyanoacrylate. Working methods and experience in 58 cases]. / Tratamiento endovascular de malformaciones arteriovenosas intracerebrales con n-butil cianoacrilato. Métodos de trabajo y experiencia en 58 casos.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) constitute malformative lesions of the central nervous system vasculature and cause significant morbidity and mortality. Endovascular embolization with n-butyl cyanoacrylate is a well established modality of AVM treatment, usually combined with surgery or radiosurgery. The purpose of this study was to characterise the AVMs that were treated endovascularly with n-butyl cyanoacrylate and to evaluate the post-embolization results in the Cuban population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February 2006 to February 2011, a group of 58 consecutive patients with brain AVMs were embolized using n-butyl cyanoacrylate in the endovascular therapy unit of the Medical Surgical Research Centre in Havana (Cuba). In all, 91sessions were carried out with intranidal embolization and mainly partial devascularization, 25-30% per session, and closing 123 arterial pedicles. Safety times for n-butyl cyanoacrylate injection were established by calculating the polymerisation times for different dilutions, using post-embolisation hypotension systematically, as well as a superselective test with propofol to determine cerebral eloquence. RESULTS: Haemorrhagic signs were the initial presentation in 68.8% of the patients, 24.1% presented with epileptic episodes and 1.7% with ischemic stroke. Of the AVMs, 93.2% were supratentorial; according to the Spetzler and Martin classification, 13.8% were grade II, 56.9% were grade III, 22.4% were grade IV and 6.8%, grade V. One hundred and twenty-eight selective tests with propofol were performed and 118 (92.2%) of those were negative. Partial devascularization (20-30%) prevailed; complete obliteration was achieved in 17.2% of the patients and 70%-99% in 27.5% of the patients. Safety times for n-butyl cyanoacrylate injection were established and the use of post-procedure hypotension was settled. Morbidity of 17.2%, with 6.9% haemorrhagic complications and mortality of 3.4% were registered in the whole series. CONCLUSIONS: The rates of total occlusion and of morbidity and mortality in the series are in the internationally described ranges. The implementation of intranidal closings with 20-30% devascularization per session and the use of post-embolization hypotension after the haemorrhage complications described resulted in the total absence of haemorrhagic complications.

Enfermedad de moyamoya, macrocefalia y déficit intelectual en un adolescente / Moyamoya disease, macrocephaly and intellectual impairment in an adolescent

El patrón moyamoya se caracteriza por un estrechamiento crónico progresivo de la porción terminal de la arteria carótida interna o sus principales ramas terminales principalmente. Los niños con moyamoya típicamente se presentan con ictus arteriales isquémicos, o con accidentes isquémicos transitorios. Se presenta el caso clínico de un adolescente, con déficit intelectual y macrocránea, con evidencia en los estudios de resonancia magnética nuclear cerebral de infartos arteriales isquémicos a repetición, e imágenes sugestivas de moyamoya, y se comprueba el patrón moyamoya por angiografía de sustracción digital. Comprobado el diagnóstico de enfermedad de moyamoya, el objetivo con este enfermo fue tratar de mejorar la irrigación cerebral, planteando la necesidad de someter al paciente a cirugía de revascularización, y, mientras esto no fuera posible, usar aspirina como antiagregante plaquetario, en un intento de impedir o disminuir el riesgo de nuevos infartos cerebrales o de accidentes transitorios isquémicos a repetición(AU)

The moyamoya pattern is characterized by chronic progressive narrowing of the terminal portion of the internal carotid artery or of its main terminal branches. Children suffering moyamoya disease regularly present with ischemic arterial ictus or transient ischemic strokes. Here is the case of an adolescent with intellectual impairment and macrocrania. The magnetic resonance imaging study of his brain showed repeated ischemic arterial infarctions and images suggestive of moyamoya disease, the pattern of which was later confirmed by digital subtraction angiography. The first objective was to intend to improve his cerebral irrigation by performing a revascularization surgery, but as long as this action was not accomplished, then taking aspirin as anti-platelet aggregation drug could prevent or reduce the risk of new cerebral infarctions or of repeated transient ischemic strokes(AU)

Enfermedad de moyamoya, macrocefalia y déficit intelectual en un adolescente / Moyamoya disease, macrocephaly and intellectual impairment in an adolescent

El patrón moyamoya se caracteriza por un estrechamiento crónico progresivo de la porción terminal de la arteria carótida interna o sus principales ramas terminales principalmente. Los niños con moyamoya típicamente se presentan con ictus arteriales isquémicos, o con accidentes isquémicos transitorios. Se presenta el caso clínico de un adolescente, con déficit intelectual y macrocránea, con evidencia en los estudios de resonancia magnética nuclear cerebral de infartos arteriales isquémicos a repetición, e imágenes sugestivas de moyamoya, y se comprueba el patrón moyamoya por angiografía de sustracción digital. Comprobado el diagnóstico de enfermedad de moyamoya, el objetivo con este enfermo fue tratar de mejorar la irrigación cerebral, planteando la necesidad de someter al paciente a cirugía de revascularización, y, mientras esto no fuera posible, usar aspirina como antiagregante plaquetario, en un intento de impedir o disminuir el riesgo de nuevos infartos cerebrales o de accidentes transitorios isquémicos a repetición.

The moyamoya pattern is characterized by chronic progressive narrowing of the terminal portion of the internal carotid artery or of its main terminal branches. Children suffering moyamoya disease regularly present with ischemic arterial ictus or transient ischemic strokes. Here is the case of an adolescent with intellectual impairment and macrocrania. The magnetic resonance imaging study of his brain showed repeated ischemic arterial infarctions and images suggestive of moyamoya disease, the pattern of which was later confirmed by digital subtraction angiography. The first objective was to intend to improve his cerebral irrigation by performing a revascularization surgery, but as long as this action was not accomplished, then taking aspirin as anti-platelet aggregation drug could prevent or reduce the risk of new cerebral infarctions or of repeated transient ischemic strokes.

Dementia and Other Chronic Diseases in Older Adults in Havana and Matanzas: The 10/66 Study in Cuba

INTRODUCTION Chronic non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, except in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nonetheless, one of these conditions, dementia, is the major contributor to disability-adjusted life years in people aged ≥60 years. Few epidemiological studies exist of the prevalence and impact of dementia and selected chronic diseases in older adults in Latin America.OBJECTIVE Describe prevalence of dementia, other chronic vascular diseases and cardiovascular risk factors, as well as resulting disabilities and care needs generated in adults aged ≥65 years in Havana City and Matanzas provinces, Cuba. METHODS The 10/66 study is a prospective longitudinal study involving a cohort of 3015 adults aged ≥65 years in municipalities of Havana City and Matanzas provinces, divided into two phases: a cross-sectional door-to-door study conducted in 2003–2006, and a follow-up and assessment phase in 2007–2010. This article reports findings from the first phase. Hypertension diagnosis was based on criteria from the International Society for Hypertension; diabetes mellitus on American Diabetes Association criteria; stroke according to WHO definitions; and dementia according to criteria of the American Psychiatric Society's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV and the 10/66 International Dementia Research Group. Ischemic heart disease was defined by self-report of previous physician diagnosis. Study variables included age, sex, educational level, substance use (alcohol, tobacco) and dietary habits. A structured physical and neurological exam, including blood pressure measurement, was performed on all participants. Laboratory tests included complete blood count, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol and lipoprotein fractions, triglycerides and apolipoprotein E genotype. Prevalence and standardized morbidity ratios (crude and adjusted) were calculated for chronic diseases studied with 95% confidence intervals, using a Poisson...(AU)

Presentación de un caso clínico de atrofia multisistémica y actualización de criterios diagnósticos / Multisystem atrophy and diagnostic criteria updating: A clinical case presentation

La atrofia multisistémica constituye un trastorno neurodegenerativo esporádico de etiología no precisada que se caracteriza por parkinsonismo, trastornos cerebelosos, disfunción autonómica y piramidalismo; los hallazgos patológicos comprenden pérdida celular y gliosis en las neuronas estriatonígricas, olivopontocerebelosas y autonómicas; y la presencia de inclusiones intracitoplasmáticas oligodendrogliales y neuronales, ubiquitina, tau y alfasinucleína positivas. Afecta tanto a hombres como a mujeres, con inicio en la sexta década de la vida como promedio y una prevalencia de 4/100 000. Se presentaron los últimos criterios diagnósticos de atrofia multisistémica y el caso clínico de un paciente de 65 años con un cuadro progresivo, de 4 años de evolución, ataxia cerebelosa progresiva, síndrome rígido acinético, disfunción autonómica, signos piramidales y mala respuesta a la levodopa, con imégenes de resonancia magnética que muestran atrofia de vermis, hemisferios cerebelosos, tallo cerebral (puente) e hipointensidad de ambas regiones putaminales en t2. Se concluyó el caso con el diagnóstico de atrofia multisistémica tipo C(AU)

The multisystem atrophy is a sporadic neurodegenerative disorder of unknown origin characterized by parkinsonism, cerebellar disorders, autonomic dysfunction and pyramidal disease, provoked by a cellular loss and gliosis in the nigrostriatal, olivopontocerebellar and autonomic neurons and the presence of oligodendroglia and neuronal intracytoplasmic positive inclusions, ubiquitin, tau and alpha-sinuclein affecting men and women starting as average during the sixth decade of life and a prevalence of 4/100 000. The last diagnostic criteria of multisystem atrophy were showed as well as the clinical case of a patient aged 65 with a progressive picture of 4 years of evolution, progressive cerebellar ataxia, a rigid akinetic syndrome autonomic dysfunction, pyramidal signs and a poor response to levodopa with magnetic resonance images showing vermis atrophy, cerebellar hemispheres, cerebral stem (bridge) and hipointensity of both putamen regions in T2. We conclude that case was diagnosed with type C multisystem atrophy(AU)

Presentación de un caso clínico de atrofia multisistémica y actualización de criterios diagnósticos / Multisystem atrophy and diagnostic criteria updating: A clinical case presentation

La atrofia multisistémica constituye un trastorno neurodegenerativo esporádico de etiología no precisada que se caracteriza por parkinsonismo, trastornos cerebelosos, disfunción autonómica y piramidalismo; los hallazgos patológicos comprenden pérdida celular y gliosis en las neuronas estriatonígricas, olivopontocerebelosas y autonómicas; y la presencia de inclusiones intracitoplasmáticas oligodendrogliales y neuronales, ubiquitina, tau y alfasinucleína positivas. Afecta tanto a hombres como a mujeres, con inicio en la sexta década de la vida como promedio y una prevalencia de 4/100 000. Se presentaron los últimos criterios diagnósticos de atrofia multisistémica y el caso clínico de un paciente de 65 años con un cuadro progresivo, de 4 años de evolución, ataxia cerebelosa progresiva, síndrome rígido acinético, disfunción autonómica, signos piramidales y mala respuesta a la levodopa, con imágenes de resonancia magnética que muestran atrofia de vermis, hemisferios cerebelosos, tallo cerebral (puente) e hipointensidad de ambas regiones putaminales en t2. Se concluyó el caso con el diagnóstico de atrofia multisistémica tipo C

The multisystem atrophy is a sporadic neurodegenerative disorder of unknown origin characterized by parkinsonism, cerebellar disorders, autonomic dysfunction and pyramidal disease, provoked by a cellular loss and gliosis in the nigrostriatal, olivopontocerebellar and autonomic neurons and the presence of oligodendroglia and neuronal intracytoplasmic positive inclusions, ubiquitin, tau and alpha-sinuclein affecting men and women starting as average during the sixth decade of life and a prevalence of 4/100 000. The last diagnostic criteria of multisystem atrophy were showed as well as the clinical case of a patient aged 65 with a progressive picture of 4 years of evolution, progressive cerebellar ataxia, a rigid akinetic syndrome autonomic dysfunction, pyramidal signs and a poor response to levodopa with magnetic resonance images showing vermis atrophy, cerebellar hemispheres, cerebral stem (bridge) and hipointensity of both putamen regions in T2. We conclude that case was diagnosed with type C multisystem atrophy

Prevalence of Stroke and Associated Risk Factors in Older Adults in Havana City and Matanzas Provinces, Cuba (10/66 Population-Based Study)

Introduction: Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is the third cause of death and second cause of disability and dementia in adults aged ≥65 years worldwide. The few epidemiological studies of stroke in Latin America generally report lower prevalence and different patterns than developed countries. Objective: Estimate the prevalence of stroke and associated risk factors in adults aged ≥65 years in Havana City and Matanzas provinces, Cuba. Methods: Single phase, cross-sectional, door-to-door study of 3015 adults aged ≥65 years in selected municipalities of Havana City and Matanzas provinces. Variables studied were age, sex, educational level, and self-report and description of chronic disease (stroke, heart attack, angina, and diabetes mellitus), substance use (alcohol, tobacco), and dietary habits. Respondents were given a structured physical and neurological exam, and blood pressure was measured. Laboratory tests comprised complete blood count, fasting glucose, total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides, and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype. Diagnosis of stroke was based on the World Health Organization's definition. Stroke prevalence ratios (crude and adjusted), with 95 percent confidence intervals (CI), were calculated for the variables studied using a Poisson regression model. Risk association was analyzed using multiple logistic regression for dichotomous responses. Results: Assessments were made of 2944 older adults (97,6 percent response rate). Prevalence of stroke was 7,8 percent (95 percent CI 6,9–8,8), and was higher in men. The risk profile for this population group included history of hypertension (OR 2,8; 95 percent CI 2,0–4,0), low HDL cholesterol (OR 2,6; 95 percent CI 1.7–3.9), male sex (OR 1,7; 95 percent CI 1,2–2,5), anemia (OR 1,6; 95 percent CI 1,1–2,5), history of ischemic heart disease (OR 1,5; 95 percent CI 1,0–2,3), carrier of one or two apolipoprotein E4 genotype (APOE ε4) alleles (OR 1.4; 95 percent CI 1,0–2,0), and advanced age...(AU)

Comparison of developmental and stress-induced nodule senescence in Medicago truncatula.

Mature indeterminate Medicago truncatula nodules are zonated with an apical meristem, an infection zone, a fixation zone with nitrogen-fixing bacteroids, and a "developmental" senescence zone that follows nodule growth with a conical front originating in the center of the fixation zone. In nitrogen-fixing cells, senescence is initiated coincidently with the expression of a family of conserved cysteine proteases that might be involved in the degradation of symbiotic structures. Environmental stress, such as prolonged dark treatment, interferes with nodule functioning and triggers a fast and global nodule senescence. Developmental and dark stress-induced senescence have several different structural and expression features, suggesting at least partly divergent underlying molecular mechanisms.

Cura bioquímica en pacientes con adenomas de la hipófisis productores de hormona de crecimiento con tratamiento quirúrgico y radioterapéutico: experiencia de 7 años / Biochemical cure in patients with growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma treated with surgery and radiotherapy: 7 years experience

Introducción: Los adenomas de la hipófisis representan el 10 al 25 por ciento de las neoplasias intracraneales. La acromegalia es definida como el crecimiento anormal y exagerado de las extremidades, producido por la sobresecreción de hormona de crecimiento. Es una enfermedad rara con una prevalencia de 60 por millón y una incidencia de 3-4 nuevos casos por millón por año. Métodos: Se incluyeron 59 pacientes con diagnóstico de acromegalia, en el periodo de 2000-2007. Evaluamos la respuesta endocrinológica al tratamiento, basado en el análisis clínico, de imagen y bioquímica de GH e IGF-1. Resultados: Los resultados revelaron reducción de GH y de IGF-1, 67 por ciento con niveles por debajo de 2.5ng/ml de GH, 58 por ciento con niveles de IGF-1 por debajo de 250 ng/ml. 15 pacientes (25 por ciento) presentaron criterios clínicos y bioquímicos de cura, 7 (46 por ciento) posterior al procedimiento quirúrgico, 4 (27 por ciento) posterior a cirugía y radioterapia, 3 (20 por ciento) cirugía más radiocirugía, y un paciente (7 por ciento) requirió los tres procedimientos. 23 pacientes (39 por ciento), no presentaron niveles significativos de reducción y fueron considerados no curados. Conclusiones: Estos resultados sugieren que la acromegalia continua siendo una enfermedad que requiere un tratamiento multimodal, sospecha clínica y búsqueda acuciosa para un diagnóstico temprano, a fin de obtener mejores resultados en estos pacientes. La cirugía continúa siendo el tratamiento primario de la acromegalia secundaria a adenomas de la hipófisis productores de GH. En pacientes con lesiones extensas o invasión se cuenta con nuevas terapias como la radiocirugía y continúan desarrollándose tratamientos médicos con excelentes resultados adyuvantes en el tratamiento.

Introduction: Pituitary adenomas account for the 10-25 percent of intracranial tumors. Acromegaly is defined as abnormal and excessive growth of the extremities, caused by growth hormone oversecretion. It is a rare disease with a prevalence of 60 per million and an incidence of 3-4 new cases per million per year. Methods: We included 59 patients diagnosed with acromegaly, in the period 2000-2007. Endocrinology assess, response to treatment based on clinical analysis, imaging and biochemical GH and IGF-1. Results: The results showed reduction of GH and IGF-1, 67 percent with levels below 2.5ng/ml of GH, 58 percent with IGF-1 levels below 250 ng/ml. 15 patients (25 percent) had clinical and biochemical criteria for cure, 7 (46 percent) after the surgical procedure, 4 (27 percent) after surgery and radiotherapy, 3 (20 percent) surgery over radiosurgery, and one patient (7 percent) required three procedures. 23 patients (39 percent) showed no significant levels of reduction and were considered not cured. Conclusions: These results suggest that the acromegaly remains a disease that requires a multimodal treatment, clinical suspicion and thorough search for an early diagnosis in order to obtain better results in these patients. Surgery remains the primary treatment of acromegaly secondary to pituitary adenomas producing GH. In patients with extensive lesions or invasion we have new therapies such as radiosurgery and continue to develop medical treatments with excellent results in the adjuvant treatment.