Functional diversity of phytochrome family in the control of light and gibberellin-mediated germination in Arabidopsis.

In several species, seed germination is regulated by light in a way that restricts seedling emergence to the environmental conditions that are likely to be favourable for the success of the new individual, and therefore, this behaviour is recognized to have adaptive value. The phytochromes are one of the most relevant photoreceptors involved in light perception by plants. We explored the redundancy and diversity functions of the phytochrome family in the control of seed responsiveness to light and gibberellins (GA) by using a set of phytochrome mutants of Arabidopsis. Our data show that, in addition to the well-known role of phyB in the promotion of germination in response to high red to far-red ratios (R/FR), phyE and phyD stimulate germination at very low R/FR ratios, probably by promoting the action of phyA. Further, we show that phyC regulates negatively the seed responsiveness to light, unravelling unexpected functions for phyC in seed germination. Finally, we find that seed responsiveness to GA is mainly controlled by phyB, with phyC, phyD and phyE having relevant roles when acting in a phyB-deficient background. Our results indicate that phytochromes have multiple and complex roles during germination depending on the active photoreceptor background.

[Endoscopic treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome]. / Tratamiento endoscópico del síndrome de túnel del carpo.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome is possible with an open or an endoscopic approach. However, indications and results are still under discussion. This study reports the results in a group of patients using the double-port endoscopic technique. METHODS: A group of patients who underwent endoscopic surgery at an orthopedic hospital were assessed; their symptoms and postoperative satisfaction were reported. Results were considered as excellent when symptoms subsided completely and as poor if symptoms persisted. RESULTS: Results were excellent or good in 60% of cases; results were fair or poor in the remaining 40%. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic treatment is only one more alternative for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. It is necessary to determine in which cases it is best indicated to properly select patients and get better results.

Genetic risk factors for inflammatory bowel disease in a North-eastern Mexican population.

The purpose of this study was to assess the role of Helicobacter pylori and several genetic polymorphisms in relation to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We studied 44 unrelated patients with IBD and 75 subjects with no history of IBD as controls. Using pyrosequencing technology, we identified gene polymorphisms in IL-10, TNF-A, ILB-31, and TLR4. H. pylori status was determined by serology. Individuals homozygous for IL10-592 A or IL10-1082 A genotypes show significantly lower occurrence of IBD (P=0.03 and P<0.01, respectively). Individuals heterozygous at IL10-1082 have significantly increased occurrence of IBD, both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease (P<0.01). There was no difference in the prevalence of H. pylori infection between cases and controls. This study provides evidence that variation in IL10 is correlated with IBD occurrence in this Mexican population.

Evaluation of immune responses raised against Tc13 antigens of Trypanosoma cruzi in the outcome of murine experimental infection.

We have previously reported that genetic immunization with Tc13Tul antigen of Trypanosoma cruzi, the aetiological agent of Chagas' disease, triggers harmful effects and non-protective immune responses. In order to confirm the role of Tc13 antigens during T. cruzi infection, herein we studied the humoral and cellular immune responses to the Tc13Tul molecule and its EPKSA C-terminal portion in BALB/c T. cruzi-infected mice or mice immunized with recombinant Tc13Tul. Analysis of the antibody response showed that B-cell epitopes that stimulate a sustained IgM production along the infection and high levels of IgG in the acute phase are mainly located at the Tc13 N- and C-terminal domains, respectively. DTH assays showed that T-cell epitopes are mainly at the Tc13 N-terminal segment and that they do not elicit an efficient memory response. Recombinant Tc13Tul did not induce IFN-gamma secretion in either infected or immunized mice. However, a putative CD8+Tc13Tul-derived peptide was found to elicit IFN-gamma production in chronically infected animals. Immunization with recombinant Tc13Tul did not induce pathology in tissues and neither did it protect against the infection. Our results show that in the outcome of T. cruzi infection the Tc13 family protein mainly triggers non-protective immune responses.

[Vasovagal syncope. Management with propanthelin bromide]. / Síncope vagotónico. Manejo con bromuro de propantelina.

OBJECTIVE: To study propanthelin bromide efficacy in preventing vasovagal syncope relapse. SETTING: HGZ No. 3 IMSS, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México, from 1992 to 1995. PATIENTS: 10 patients with vasovagal syncope were selected from 41 syncope patients. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal. MEASURES: clinical charts, neurologic and cardiologic evaluation, electrocardiogram, electroencephalogram, C.A.T., Holter, stress test and chest X rays were made. In 10 patients, 15 to 30 mg of propanthelin bromide thrice a day were administered, 12 month survey on was made measured. RESULTS: Of the 10 patients, 7 were women mean age 18 years. In 9 of them no recurrence was evident abandoned 1 treatment, 4 had side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Propanthelin bromide decreases vasovagal syncope episodes with few side effects.

Legrado endometrial en pacientes con preeclampsia eclampsia, Hospital Ginceo Obstétrico Isidro Ayora

El desarrollo de pre-eclampsia y/o eclampsia en mujeres grávidas es una complicación frecuente en la pobación de gestantes ecuatorianas. pese a los avances realizados en el estudio de su fisiotalogía, no resulta fácil prevenir su aparición. La gravedad del cuadro clínico es difícil de evaluar y persisten presentar mayores complicaciones y su tratamiento actual es conservador, esperando que con el tiempo mejore la sintomatología y que no se presenten complicaciones. Frente a esta realidad, nosotros hemos evaluado el efecto del legrado de la cavidad uterina posterior al parto, con la finalidad de evaluar su efectividad en la evolución favorable de este tipo de pacientes. Para el efecto, mediante un estudio aleatorio, comparativo, hemos estudiado 48 pacientes divididas en dos grupos: 24 pacientes del Grupo Problema (sometidas a legrado) y 24 pacientes del grupo control (no sometidas a legrado). Las pacientes fueron evaluadas clínica y obstétricamente, y su seguimiento incluyó exámenes clínicos y de laboratorio. En todos los casos se midió la tensión arterial, pulso, frecuencia respiratoria, reflejos osteotendinosos, presencia de edema, proteinuria, diurésis y se efectuaron contajes plaquetarios. El análisis de los resultados se realizaron utilizando pruebas estadísticas descriptivas e inferenciales, y se obtuvieron los siguientes resultados: los dos grupos seon homógeneos y no presentan diferencias significativas al momento de la captación de las pacientes. Los niveles de la tensión arterial distólica de las pacientes sometidas a legrado son significativamente menores, frente al grupo de pacientes sometidas al mismo (p<0.05). Igualmente, el número de plaquetas se recuper significativamente a partir de las 48 horas en el grupo de pacientes legradas, frente a las cunatías menores de plaquetas en las pacintes no sometidas al legrado (p<0.05)

Insuficiencia renal crónica, hemodialisis y complicaciones / Insufficiency renal chronic, hemodialisis and complication

Analiza el estudio realizado en el Servicio de Nefrología del Hospital Dr. Teodoro Maldonado Carbo, durante 1995, analiza 67 pacientes con insuficiencia renal crónica, que concurrieron para efectuarse hemodiálisis, observándose que el 100xciento desarrolló complicaciones a dicha terapia. El 75xciento fueron de sexo masculino y la mayor cantidad de casos 18 (27xciento) estaba en edades entre los 31 y 40 años. $3 de los 67 pacientes (64xciento) eran procedentes de la Provicnia del Guayas, 22 pacientes (33xciento) inició su sintomatología entre los 21 a 30 años, y la hemodiálisis cuando cursaban 51 años o más, con una PA diastólica entre 85 y 100mmHg (78xciento). Durante la terapéutica fallecieron 10 pacientes entre los 3 a5 años de iniciada su enfermedad (40xciento), en su mayoría (60xciento) de más de 51 años; la complicación más frecuente fue calambres (44xciento), y se confirmó la rareza de la embolia gaseosa...

A randomized study of mitoxantrone plus cytarabine versus daunomycin plus cytarabine in the treatment of previously untreated adult patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.

Between May 1985 and November 1988, 143 adult patients with previously untreated acute nonlymphocytic leukemia were randomized to receive mitoxantrone and cytarabine (MTT+Ara-C) or daunomycin and cytarabine (DNM+Ara-C) in order to compare the efficacy and acute and chronic toxicities. Therapy consisted of 3 days of MTT 12 mg/m2/i.v. or DNM 45 mg/m2/i.v.; both groups received Ara-C 100 mg/m2 daily by continuous infusion (CI) for 7 days. Those who failed to achieve a complete remission after one induction course received a second induction course for 2 and 5 days at the same doses. All the patients who achieved complete remission received two consolidations of 2 days of MTT or DNM and 5 days of Ara-C in CI at the same dose as for induction. Of the 72 patients on MTT+Ara-C, 38 (53%) achieved complete remission, compared with 29 (43%) of 67 treated with DNM+Ara-C. Three and 5 patients had partial remission, 7 and 18 failed to respond, 24 and 15 died in the first 21 days of induction, of those treated with MTT+Ara-C or DNM+Ara-C, respectively (p = 0.34). Median duration of complete remission and survival was 185 and 103 days or 165 and 160 days, respectively (p = 0.85). More early deaths were observed with MTT+Ara-C due to greater myelosuppression, and a higher incidence of failure with DNM+Ara-C. No significant differences between treatment groups were observed in 21 categories of adverse events. The results demonstrate similar incidence of complete response, length of duration of complete remission, overall survival, and toxicity with MTT+Ara-C and DNM+Ara-C.