Colgajo perforante en hélice basado en arteria peronea para reconstrucción distal de extremidad inferior / Peroneal artery propeller perforator flap for distal lower limb reconstruction

Introduction: propeller flaps are local pedicle flaps, based on a perforator vessel, which acts as the pivot point for the skin island that can be rotated up to 180°. These flaps can be performed wherever a perforator vessel of adequate size is encountered, expanding the reconstructive options for lower limb defects. Clinical case: we present a case of reconstruction of soft-tissue defect of the leg using a peroneal artery propeller perforator flap. A review of the main advantages of this technique for reconstruction of lower limb defects is also presented.

Introducción: el colgajo en hélice (propellerflap) corresponde a un tipo de colgajo local pediculado, basado en vasos perforantes, que actúan como punto pivote sobre el cual se rota la isla cutánea hasta en 180°. Este tipo de colgajo puede ser efectuado en cualquier sitio donde exista un vaso perforante de calibre adecuado, ampliando las alternativas de cobertura para defectos de extremidad inferior. Caso clínico: presentamos un caso de cobertura de defecto de partes blandas secundario a aplastamiento de tobillo, utilizando un colgajo en hélice basado en perforante de arteria peronea. Se discuten las principales consideraciones respecto al uso de esta técnica en reconstrucción de extremidad inferior.

Hernioplastia inguinal con técnica prolene hernia system: evaluación de los resultados a largo plazo / Long term results of inguinal hernia repair with prolene hernia system technique

Introducción: En múltiples trabajos se han evaluado los resultados a corto y mediano plazo de la reparación de la hernia inguinal con la técnica prolene hernia system PHS). Sin embargo, en pocos estudios se han reportado resultados a largo plazo. Objetivos: Evaluar los resultados a largo plazo de la reparación de la hernia inguinal con la técnica PHS. Material y método: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo de 62 enfermos operados con la técnica PHS entre 2001 y 2002. Las complicaciones inmediatas y el dolor fueron evaluadas en todos los enfermos. Se completaron 4 años de seguimiento en 53 pacientes que se analizan en este trabajo (90,1 por ciento). Se evaluó la recurrencia hemiaria, la presencia de dolor crónico (en reposo y en actividad), el rechazo de la malla y la satisfacción con la operación. Resultados: El grupo está formado por 50 hombres (94 por ciento) y 3 mujeres (6 por ciento), con una edad de 53,2 + 8,5 años. En 52 enfermos (98 por ciento) la hernia inguinal fue asintomática. Se repararon 58 hernias en 53 enfermos. Dos enfermos (2,5 por ciento) presentaron complicaciones inmediatas. En el seguimiento a largo plazo, no se ha observado recurrencia, dolor crónico, rechazo de la malla y todos los enfermos están satisfechos con los resultados obtenidos. Conclusiones: La hernioplastia inguinal con técnica PHS presenta buenos resultados en el seguimiento a largo plazo, sin recidiva ni dolor crónico. Los pacientes se encuentran satisfechos con los resultados obtenidos.

Background: Short and mid-term results of inguinal hernia repair with Prolene Hernia System (PHS) have been evaluated. However, few studies have reported long-term recurrence rates. Aim: To evaluate long-term outcomes among patients who underwent inguinal hernia repair with Prolene Hernia System technique. Material and Methods: A prospective study of 62 patients operated with PHS from 2001 to 2002. Pain and immediate complications were evaluated in all patients. Four years follow-up was completed in 53 (90.1 percent) patients, who are the analyzed group. The evaluated issues were hernia recurrence, chronic pain (at rest and in activity), alteration in sexual behavior, mesh rejection and overall satisfaction with the procedure. Results: Fifty men (94 percent) and three women (6 percent), aged 53.2 + 8.5 years were analyzed. In 52 patients (98 percent), inguinal hernia was symptomatic. Fifty eight hernias were repaired on the 53 patients. On immediate follow-up, postoperative complications were observed in two patients (2.5 percent). In long-term follow-up, no patient had hernia recurrence, chronic pain or alterations in sexual behavior. Conclusions: Inguinal hernia repair with PHS has satisfactory long term outcomes.

Selenium in bovine plasma, soil and forage measured by neutron activation analysis

A deficiência de selênio já foi identificada pela medição da atividade da enzima glutationa de peroxidase no sangue de animais (vacas) criados em certas regiões do Pampa Umido, mais especificamente na cidade de Nueve de Julio (Buenos Aires - Argentina). Em trabalho anterior, a análise de ativação neutrônica confirmou esses baixos níveis de selênio em uma determinada fazenda de cria para gado de corte. Neste trabalho, foram analisados os níveis de selênio no solo, na forragem e no plasma dos animais do mesmo estabelecimento. A população analisada (n=60) apresentou níveis de selênio abaixo do normal (30,1 ± 4,6æg/ml). De maneira semelhante, a concentração de selênio da forragem consumida - matéria seca igual a 30 por cento - proveniente de uma área de baixada do piquete, assim como o feno de palha de trigo (MS=91 por cento) utilizado como suplemento, foi muito baixa (<0,05æg/gMS). A concentração de selênio no solo foi maior (entre 3,4 e 3,9æg/g MS) do que o intervalo normal (entre 0,02 e 2,50 æg/g MS) em todas as frações analisadas. Desse modo, confirma-se que a deficiência de selênio nos animais analisados é atribuída por uma determinação direta do mineral, ou seja, os resultados indicam que pode existir relação entre a baixa concentração de selênio na forragem e no suplemento, e sua deficiência nos animais.

Association between the NOS3 (-786 T/C) and the ACE (I/D) DNA genotypes and early coronary artery disease.

DNA polymorphisms at the endothelium constitutive nitric oxide synthase gene (NOS3) have been linked to the risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD). In vitro, a polymorphism in the 5' region of the NOS3 gene (-786 T/C) influences promoter activity. This polymorphism has been associated with coronary spasms among Japanese. The genetic variation at the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is associated with plasma ACE activities and has also been linked with susceptibility to cardiovascular disease. Our objective was to determine if DNA polymorphisms in the NOS3 and ACE genes were associated with early CAD. We analyzed the -786 T/C polymorphism in the 5' flanking region and the 27-bp repeat polymorphism in NOS3 intron 4, as well as the ACE-I/D polymorphism. A total of 170 male smokers (CAD patients) younger than 50 years and 300 male smokers (healthy controls) were genotyped. Frequencies were compared by the chi(2) test, and odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were also calculated. Only the -786 T/C polymorphism in the 5' flanking region of the NOS3 gene was significantly associated with early CAD in our population. The frequency of the CC genotype was significantly increased (P = 0.039) in patients compared to controls (OR = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.01, 2.72). We found a synergistic effect between the NOS3-CC and the ACE-DD genotypes in the risk of developing early CAD. The frequency of CC + DD was significantly increased among patients (P = 0.002). Thus, those with a NOS3-CC and an ACE-DD genotype would have a significantly increased risk of suffering an early episode of coronary artery disease (OR = 2.82; 95% CI = 1.40, 5.70). Although based on a limited number of patients, our work suggests that individuals who are NOS3-CC + ACE-DD are at a higher risk for early CAD, probably as a consequence of increased endothelial dysfunction.

Synergistic effect between apolipoprotein E and angiotensinogen gene polymorphisms in the risk for early myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Several studies based on different populations worldwide have described an association between cardiovascular diseases and genetic variations in the apolipoprotein E (A:POE), angiotensinogen (A:GT), angiotensin receptor type 1 (A:T1R), and angiotensin-converting enzyme (A:CE) genes. In addition, there is growing evidence of an interaction between hypercholesterolemia and the renin-angiotensin system in the risk for hypertension and atherosclerosis. METHODS: To determine whether the DNA polymorphisms in A:POE (epsilon2, epsilon3, and epsilon4 alleles), A:GT (M235T), A:T1R (1166 A:/C:), and ACE (I:/D:) are associated with early onset of myocardial infarction (MI), we genotyped 220 patients and 200 controls <55 years of age. Patients and controls were males from the same homogeneous Caucasian population. Data concerning hypertension, diabetes, and tobacco consumption were recorded. The lipid profiles of patients and controls were also determined. RESULTS: APOE, ACE, AGT, and AT1R allele and genotype frequencies did not differ between patients and controls. None of these polymorphisms was related to the biochemical values in patients or controls. The frequency of individuals who were both APOE epsilon4 allele carriers and AGT-TT homozygotes was significantly higher in patients than in controls (11% vs 3.5%; P: = 0.0037). In patients, the frequency of epsilon4 carriers was significantly higher (P: <0.00001) in those who were AGT-TT (46%) than those who were AGT-MT/MM (14%). Mean cholesterol was significantly higher in AGT-TT + APOE epsilon34/44 patients than in the TM/MM + epsilon34/44 or TT + epsilon23/33 genotypes (P: = 0. 029). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest a synergistic effect between the APOE and AGT polymorphisms and early MI. The increased risk could be mediated in part through higher cholesterol concentrations among individuals who are AGT-TT + APOE epsilon4 allele carriers.

Apolipoprotein A1 gene polymorphisms and risk of early coronary disease.

Genetic studies have identified polymorphisms at the apolipoprotein (Apo) A1 gene associated with HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein levels, and a relationship between the severity of coronary artery disease and polymorphisms at the 5'-end of Apo A1 has been also reported. This study was designed to examine the relationship between polymorphism at the Apo A1 gene and the risk of early coronary artery disease. Furthermore, the association of the polymorphism with the classical risk factors was analyzed. A total of 176 male patients (mean age 43 +/- 5 years) diagnosed as having unstable angina (53 cases) or myocardial infarction (123 cases) were prospectively evaluated. Data referring to hypertension, diabetes and tobacco consumption were recorded. The levels of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, Apo A1 and B and triglycerides were determined. DNA was obtained from the 176 patients and from 200 controls. In order to determine the Apo A1 genotypes at two polymorphic sites (G/A at -75 bp, and C/T at +83 bp), DNA was PCR amplified and digested with MspI. The frequency of carriers of the rare allele at the -75 bp site (M1-) was 0.34 in cases and 0.24 in controls (p < 0.05). The frequencies of the M1- allele among patients with angina and myocardial infarction were 0.43 (p = 0.009, angina vs. controls) and 0.30, respectively. No significant association between this polymorphism and other cardiovascular risk factors was found. No difference in the frequencies for carriers of the rare allele at the +83-bp polymorphism (M2) was observed among patients with angina (0.08 vs. 0.07) or myocardial infarction (0.04 vs. 0.07), and no association between this polymorphism and tobacco, hypertension and diabetes was noted. Patients carrying the rare M2- allele had a lower concentration of total cholesterol compared to those without this allele (183 +/- 29 vs. 223 +/- 54, p < 0.04) and HDL cholesterol was also lower among patients carrying the M2- (26 +/- 4 vs. 33 +/- 9, p < 0.02). In our community male patients with a diagnosis of coronary artery disease and age less than 50 years showed a higher frequency of the M1- allele at the -75-bp site of the Apo A1 gene. There was a significant increase in the frequency of the M1- allele in patients with unstable angina and no association with risk factors. In the +83-bp polymorphism there was no difference in the allelelic frequencies or the risk factors, except for the HDL cholesterol and total cholesterol where the patients with the allele M2- had lower levels than those homozygous for the M2+.

Immune complex-mediated haemolytic anaemia and Evans syndrome induced by diclofenac.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sodium diclofenac is one of the most widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Cases of acute haemolytic anaemia have been ascribed to the drug. We describe such a case, mediated by immune complexes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Standard serologic tests were carried out for blood grouping and the detection and identification of red cell allo- and autoantibodies. Drug-anti-drug complexes were detected with an ex-vivo method. RESULTS: Warm IgG drug-independent red cell and platelet autoantibodies were detected in the serum. At first, the patient was diagnosed as having the Evans syndrome, and corticosteroids were administered. Later, because of the severity of the anaemia, the possibility of an immune complex mechanism was considered. This was confirmed by the detection of diclofenac-dependent antibodies that reacted with RBC only in the presence of urine from a volunteer receiving diclofenac as a source of ex-vivo antigen. The antibodies neither reacted with an in-vitro solution of the drug nor with the volunteer's serum. Diclofenac and corticosteroids were stopped, and the clinical condition of the patient completely normalised within 15 days. CONCLUSIONS: We describe a patient with acute haemolytic anaemia caused by diclofenac through an immune complex mechanism.