The Role of Pseudo-Orthocaspase (SyOC) of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 in Attenuating the Effect of Oxidative Stress.

Caspases are proteases, best known for their involvement in the execution of apoptosis-a subtype of programmed cell death, which occurs only in animals. These proteases are composed of two structural building blocks: a proteolytically active p20 domain and a regulatory p10 domain. Although structural homologs appear in representatives of all other organisms, their functional homology, i.e., cell death depending on their proteolytical activity, is still much disputed. Additionally, pseudo-caspases and pseudo-metacaspases, in which the catalytic histidine-cysteine dyad is substituted with non-proteolytic amino acid residues, were shown to be involved in cell death programs. Here, we present the involvement of a pseudo-orthocaspase (SyOC), a prokaryotic caspase-homolog lacking the p10 domain, in oxidative stress in the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. To study the in vivo impact of this pseudo-protease during oxidative stress its gene expression during exposure to H2O2 was monitored by RT-qPCR. Furthermore, a knock-out mutant lacking the pseudo-orthocaspase gene was designed, and its survival and growth rates were compared to wild type cells as well as its proteome. Deletion of SyOC led to cells with a higher tolerance toward oxidative stress, suggesting that this protein may be involved in a pro-death pathway.

Type III Secretion-Dependent and -Independent Phenotypes Caused by Ralstonia solanacearum in Arabidopsis Roots.

The causal agent of bacterial wilt, Ralstonia solanacearum, is a soilborne pathogen that invades plants through their roots, traversing many tissue layers until it reaches the xylem, where it multiplies and causes plant collapse. The effects of R. solanacearum infection are devastating, and no effective approach to fight the disease is so far available. The early steps of infection, essential for colonization, as well as the early plant defense responses remain mostly unknown. Here, we have set up a simple, in vitro Arabidopsis thaliana-R. solanacearum pathosystem that has allowed us to identify three clear root phenotypes specifically associated to the early stages of infection: root-growth inhibition, root-hair formation, and root-tip cell death. Using this method, we have been able to differentiate, on Arabidopsis plants, the phenotypes caused by mutants in the key bacterial virulence regulators hrpB and hrpG, which remained indistinguishable using the classical soil-drench inoculation pathogenicity assays. In addition, we have revealed the previously unknown involvement of auxins in the root rearrangements caused by R. solanacearum infection. Our system provides an easy-to-use, high-throughput tool to study R. solanacearum aggressiveness. Furthermore, the observed phenotypes may allow the identification of bacterial virulence determinants and could even be used to screen for novel forms of early plant resistance to bacterial wilt.

Dying two deaths - programmed cell death regulation in development and disease.

Programmed cell death (PCD) is a fundamental cellular process that has adopted a plethora of vital functions in multicellular organisms. In plants, PCD processes are elicited as an inherent part of regular development in specific cell types or tissues, but can also be triggered by biotic and abiotic stresses. Although over the last years we have seen progress in our understanding of the molecular regulation of different plant PCD processes, it is still unclear whether a common core machinery exists that controls cell death in development and disease. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the field, comparing some aspects of the molecular regulation controlling developmental and pathogen-triggered PCD in plants.

Detection and Quantification of Protein Aggregates in Plants.

Plants are constantly exposed to a complex and changing environment that challenges their cellular homeostasis. Stress responses triggered as a consequence of unfavorable conditions result in increased protein aggregate formation at the cellular level. When the formation of misfolded proteins surpasses the capacity of the cell to remove them, insoluble protein aggregates accumulate. In the animal field, an enormous effort is being placed to uncover the mechanisms regulating aggregate formation because of its implications in many important human diseases. Because of its importance for cellular functionality and fitness, it is equally important to expand plant research in this field. Here, we describe a cell fractionation-based method to obtain very pure insoluble protein aggregate fractions that can be subsequently semiquantified using image analysis. This method can be used as a first step to evaluate whether a particular condition results in an alteration of protein aggregate formation levels.

Use it and lose it: lipofuscin accumulation in the midbrain of a coral reef fish.

Lipofuscin, an autofluorescent biomarker of physiological wear-and-tear, was concentrated in those areas of a fish's midbrain responsible for visual performance, suggesting a potentially strong link between physiological specialization, ecological adaptation and senescence.

Tratamiento ortopédico de las malformaciones craneales posturales / Orthopedic treatment of the postural cranial malformations

Introducción: En 1992, la Academia Americana de Pediatría recomendó que los bebés durmieran boca arriba o de lado para reducir el riesgo de síndrome de muerte súbita del lactante. Desde entonces, la incidencia de las malformaciones craneales posturales ha aumentado de forma considerable y, con ello, sus consecuencias estéticas e incluso psicológicas. Gran parte de los niños afectados precisarán tratamiento ortopédico de su deformidad mediante ortesis craneal. Realizamos un estudio sobre la eficacia, las indicaciones y el resultado de dichas ortesis según la experiencia y el protocolo de tratamiento en la unidad de malformaciones craneales de nuestro hospital. Material y métodos: Analizamos los niños tratados por malformaciones craneales posturales durante 5 años. Recogemos los datos clínicos que nos han resultado más importantes para el diagnóstico diferencial con las sinostosis y la necesidad de pruebas complementarias. Valoramos la morfología de la lesión, su gravedad, los factores etiológicos asociados, la edad del niño en el momento del diagnóstico, la duración del tratamiento postural u ortésico y la eficacia de éste según nuestro registro fotográfico, así como la opinión subjetiva de los padres. Realizamos una revisión bibliográfica al respecto (AU)

Resultados: Hemos registrado un total de 105 niños con malformaciones craneales posturales, la gran mayoría con plagiocefalia. Entre los factores asociados podemos indicar que 12 pacientes estuvieron ingresados durante largo tiempo en la unidad de neonatos, 16 con una desproporción materno fetal, 8 niños padecían tortícolis congénita y, curiosamente, 12 niños eran de procedencia china por adopción, 8 con antecedente departo instrumental. La media de edad en el momento del diagnóstico en nuestra consulta fue de 6,3 meses, la misma media de edad en que se indicó una ortesis, ya que en general los pacientes acuden con un diagnóstico demasiado tardío como para poder instaurar el tratamiento postural, y sólo 16 niños acudieron o fueron diagnosticados antes de los 3 meses de edad. La ortesis se mantuvo durante una media de 4,5 meses. El porcentaje de malformación facial apreciable subjetivamente fue del 28%. El porcentaje de niños diagnosticados en nuestra consulta que no precisaron ortesis dentro del mismo tipo de deformidad fue nulo, dado el mencionado diagnóstico tardío. Ninguna malformación postural precisó cirugía. Se realizó una radiografía craneal al 20% de los niños, todas ellas solicitadas por médicos no especialistas. La cuantificación subjetiva de la mejoría fue mayor en los niños diagnosticados precozmente. El tiempo medio de resolución fue de 4,5 meses. Conclusiones: Las malformaciones craneales, dada su elevada incidencia actual, precisan un adecuado conocimiento, protocolo de tratamiento y diagnóstico precoz, ya que éste facilita la probabilidad de éxito con un tratamiento sencillo y corto; provocan una no despreciable incidencia de deformidad facial. El desconocimiento de esta patología conlleva la realización de pruebas complementarias innecesarias (AU)

Introduction: In 1992, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended for babies to sleep face up or sideways to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, since then, the incidence of cranial malformations has increased considerably and thus its esthetic and psychological consequences. Many affected children require orthopedic treatment of their cranial deformities through an orthosis helmet. We make a study of effectiveness, indications and results of these orthosis according to our experience and our treatment protocol in the unit of cranial malformations of our hospital. Material and methods: We studied children treated for postural cranial malformations during 5 years. We analyze the most important clinical data for differential diagnosis with synostosis and the need of additional studies. We appreciate themorphology of the lesion, severity, the associated etiological factors, child’s age at diagnosis, duration of conservative or orthotic treatment and their effectiveness in our photographic files and in the subjective opinion of the parents. We have made a bibliographic review on this matter (AU)

Results: We have registered a total of 105 children with positional cranial malformations, most of them with morphologically with plagiocephaly. The associated factors were: 12 patients stayed long time in our newborn unit, 16 had maternal fetal disproportion, 8 children suffered from congenital torticollis, oddly 12 children whom were adopted had a Chinese origin, 8 had history of instrumental delivery. The average age of diagnosis in our department was of 6.3 months, same mean age in which an orthosis was indicated, because they generally arrive with a late diagnosis to be able to establish the positional therapy, only 16 children attended or were diagnosed at ages younger than 3 months. The orthosis helmet was kept for an average of 4.5 months. The percentage of subjective facial malformation was of 28%. The number of children diagnosed in our department who did not require helmets within the same type of deformity was of zero because of such a late diagnosis. None of them needed surgery, skull radiography was performed in 20% of the children, all of them requested by a non-specialist doctors. The quantification of subjective improvement was greater in children with an early diagnosis. The mean time of resolution was of 4.5 months. Conclusions: Positional cranial malformations, because of their high incidence require a complete knowledge, treatment protocol and early diagnosis, as this provides higher probability of successful, simple a short treatment. They cause a non negligible incidence of facial deformity. The ignorance of this condition causes the consumption of unnecessary tests (AU)

[Quality of life in children operated on for anal atresia]. / Calidad de vida en los pacientes intervenidos de atresia de ano.

INTRODUCTION: Most children with anorectal malformations have some type of intestinal dysfunction. A correct follow up in this aspect after surgery affects their quality of life. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We gathered a sample of 20 children that were lost in their follow up after posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP). We got contact with them and they were interviewed and examined in our department. RESULTS: We collected 12 girls and 8 boys. Age range was between 3 and 14 years. 70% had good prognosis for continence (low fistula) and 30% poor prognosis (high fistula). 35% suffered from postoperative complications being the most frequent prolapse especially in high atresias. 85% had good rectal sensitivity, 15% had poor sensitivity that was directly related to incontinence. Anal tone was decreased in our exploration in 35% of patients which was not directly related to their continence. 65% suffered constipation with or without fecaloma. 5% of cases had intestinal hipermotility. The total incidence of fecal loose was 40%. More than a half (62,5%) kept on loosing stool despite treating their constipation or hipermotility, so we consider them true incontinents (no voluntary bowel movements). 67% of children with high fistula were true incontinents, just 7% of those with low fistula. Subjective quality of life in patients with soling was 6.4. In clean patients it was 9.3. Objective quality of life (Score/13) in dirty patients was 6.6. In Clean patients: 11.9. After our bowel management protocol we got 100% of patients clean during school time, thereby improving their quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Incontinence determines the long-term quality of life in our patients in addition to the psycho-social consequences. They are clearly more frequent in patients with high fistula. Much assume incontinence as an unavoidable part of their disease so do not always demand treatment if they are not followed by a surgeon.

Transferability, amplification quality, and genome specificity of microsatellites in Brassica carinata and related species.

No information is available on the transferability and amplification quality of microsatellite (SSR) markers of the public domain in Brassica carinata A. Braun. The objective of the presented research was to study the amplification of a set of 73 SSRs from B. nigra (L.) Koch and B. napus L. in B. carinata, and to compare the results with those obtained in the amplification of the same markers in other Brassica species of the U triangle. This set of SSRs from B. nigra (B genome) and B. napus (AC genome) allows the identification of the 3 basic genomes of the Brassica species tested. 94.3% of the SSR markers from B. nigra and 97.4% of those from B. napus amplified SSR-specific products in B. carinata. Very high-quality amplification with a strong signal and easy scoring in B. carinata was recorded for 52.8% of the specific loci from B. nigra SSRs and 59.3% of the specific loci from B. napus SSRs, compared to 66.7% in B. nigra and 62.8% in B. napus. Genome specificity and amplification quality of B. nigra and B. napus SSR markers in the 6 species under study is reported. High-quality transferable SSR markers provide an efficient and cost-effective platform to advance in molecular research in B. carinata.

Toracoscopia en niños con empiema pleural en fase II. ¿Lavado y desbridamiento de tabiques de fibrina o decorticación? / Thorascoscopy in children with pleural empyema in 2nd stage, breaking and washing fibrinous loculations or decortication?

Introducción: Ante el aumento de incidencia de derrames pleurales paraneumónicos complicados en niños, ha aumentado considerablemente el número de toracoscopias realizadas, ya sea para el lavado y el desbridamiento de los tabiques de fibrina para liberar el líquido acumulado, o completando la intervención con decorticación completa de la fibrina aún no organizada adherida a la pared pulmonar. Material y métodos: Estudiamos una muestra de 31 niños tratados toracoscópicamente por un derrame pleural complicado en fase II. Estudiamos diversas variables: edad, tiempo de clínica y de tratamiento antibiótico preoperatorios, composición del líquido pleural, germen, opción quirúrgica, tiempo operatorio, días con drenaje pleural mayor de 20 mL/día o fiebre y complicaciones. Resultados: De 31 toracoscopias, el 52% son descorticaciones pulmonares y el 48% desbridamientos y lavados. Mediante el test de la t de Student comprobamos que el tiempo de drenaje pleural en los pacientes con desbridamiento simple es estadísticamente superior, al igual que los días de fiebre (sin diferencias significativas), y se requieren más fibrinolíticos y reintervención. No observamos una mayor incidencia de fuga aérea en la decorticación, aunque sí de íleo paralítico posquirúrgico. Conclusiones: La decorticación pulmonar en los derrames pleurales complicados en fase II conlleva un menor tiempo de drenaje torácico y clínica febril. En manos entrenadas no aumenta el tiempo operatorio ni el número de complicaciones graves (AU)

Introduction: Before the increase of incidence of complicated pleural parapneumonic effusion in children, has increased the number of Video Assisted Thoracoscopy (VATS) considerably. Whether it is for the washing or breaking of the nasal bone fibrin to liberate the accumulated liquid, or complete the intervention with complete decortication of a non-organized fibrin wall attached to the lung. Material and methods: We study a sample of 31 children whounder went VATS for complicated pleural effusion in 2nd stage. We study: age, clinical time and pre-surgical symptoms and antibiotics, composition of the pleural liquid, infectious agent, surgical option, operative time, days with fever and pleural drainage more than 20 cc/day or fever and complications. Results: From 31 VATS, 52 % were pulmonary decortications and 48 % debridement and wash. Using the t-student we get statistically significative difference in time of pleural drainage, longer in patients with simple debridement, as in days with fever, not being this difference significant. There is more need of fibrinolysis and reintervention in this group. We do not see more incidence of air leak in the decortication group, but there is more post surgery paralytic ileus. Conclusions: Lung decortication in pleural complicated effusions2nd stage entails less time with thoracic drainage and fever. In trained hands it does not increase neither the operative time nor the number of serious complications (AU)

Calidad de vida en los pacientes intervenidos de atresia de ano / Quality of life in children operated on for anal atresia

Introducción. El utrículo prostático consiste en una regresión incompleta de las estructuras Müllerianas. Puede presentar varios signos y síntomas, como incontinencia e infecciones del tracto urinario. Presentamos nuestra experiencia personal en la extirpación laparoscópica de lutrículo prostático en pacientes con sintomatología de ITU e incontinencia. Material y Métodos. La cirugía consiste en una cistouretroscopia y canalización del utrículo con colocación de sonda de Fogarty nº4 o del cistoscopio en el interior, si este atraviesa el orificio. Esta maniobra ayuda a la localización. La laparoscopia se lleva a cabo con un trocar de 10 mm y dos de 5 mm. Gracias a la tras iluminación, la localización es más sencilla. La resección se realiza con electrocoagulación y extirpación tras puntos transfixivos. Resultados. Se operaron cinco varones con una media de edad de7 (2-11) años. En todos la laparoscopia fue satisfactoria excepto en uno, que necesitó la reconversión a cirugía abierta. La media de duración fue de 110 (90-210) min. Conclusión. La exéresis laparoscópica del utrículo prostático es una vía segura y sencilla de tratamiento. La iluminación directa con el cistoscopio ayuda a la visualización y disección del mismo (AU)

Introduction. The prostatic utricle is an embryological remnantfrom Müllerian duct tissue. Most prostatic utricles are asympomatic, but they may manifest as a urinary tract infection or an incontinence. Material and method. Surgery consists in a cysto-urethroscopy and cannulation of the prostatic utricle with a ureteral catheter (Fogarty ner 4) and the cystoscopy left in situ to facilitate identification and mobilization. A 10 mm port through a umbilical incision and two more5 mm working ports were inserted. After mobilization, the ureteral defect was closed by an absorbable suture and ultrasonic coagulation. Results. Five boys with symptomatic prostatic utricles underwent surgery at a mean (range) age of 7 (2-11) years. The laparoscopic escisión was successful in all but one due to a bleeding. The mean (range) operative duration was 165 (120-240) min. Conclusion. Laparoscopic escision under cystoscopic guidance offers a good surgical view and allowing easy dissection (AU)

[Correction of lop ear using minimally invasive approach]. / Corrección de las orejas procidentes mediante un abordaje mínimamente invasivo.

INTRODUCTION: Helix valgus or procident ears is a common problem that affects about 5% of the population. The folds of the antehelix and the overdevelopment of the concha are the most commonly found anatomic alterations of the ear pavilion. In children this pathology usually causes anxiety and an emotional trauma that may interfere in their normal development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There are a few tipes of techniques to correct helix valgus. We present the application of the technique in our service. We conduct the otoplastia with an outer puntiform technique which allows us to cut the cartilage partially from the outside. Next we fold from the rear the antehelix and hide the concha. RESULTS: We analysed 7 years of the application of this technique and we now present 87 otoplastias conducted to 44 children. The 97% of them were bilateral. No precocious complications have been observed after the surgery. All cases except for one of them have been bilateral. All the patients were satisfied with the aesthetic results. None of them showed relapse. In one case there was a hypertrophic scar that required cutting and in 2 of the cases there was a slight hypercorrection. CONCLUSIONS: Procident ears may occasion a psychological trauma in children. We believe that this technique, which is minimally invasive, provides very satisfactory aesthetic results, the puntiform scar being hardly noticed fifteen days before surgery. The patients need to stay in hospital for a short period, 24-48 hours, and complications are very rare, recidiva has not been described. We strongly recommend this technique for the correction of procident ears.

[Non-palpable testes: laparoscopic or inguinal approach?]. / Testes no palpables: abordaje laparoscópico o inguinal?

INTRODUCTION: Twenty per cent of the operated patients suffering from cryptorchidisim show no palpable testis in the physical check-up. The use of a non-palpable testis in the initial stages is considered to be controversial when deciding between a laparascopic or an inguinal approach. Our aim is to compare the results obtained with these two approaches and evaluate which one of them would be the most relevant as an initial option. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined the patients who have been subjected to surgical intervention for non-palpable testis in the last three years. We had a sample of 53 patients. Bilateral non-palpable testes were disregarded. In the case of 35 patients the initial approach was through the groins while in 18 of them the approach was laparascopic. Relevant data were recorded, such as the age of the patient, right or left side, surgical findings, need for a laparascopic or groin approach and associated hernia. RESULTS: The average age of the patients at the time of the surgical treatment was 3.7 years R (1-13 years). 42% of the testes were on the right side and 58% on the left. In an initial stage the inguinal approach was used with 35 patients, 2 of these requiring laparascopic exploration due to a non-concluding check-up; it was concluded that they were 2 cases of anorchia. An initial laparoscopic approach was used with 18 patients. Internal vessels in the canal were found which required an inguinal approach. In 12 patients normal or atrophic testes were observed. Testicular descent was achieved through the groin in 10 of them while in the remaining 2 a combined approach was adopted. CONCLUSIONS: 80% of the patients subjected to a first laparoscopic approach needed a groin approach later on. 11% of the patients subjected to a first inguinal approach required laparascopic examination. In view of the results obtained, we conclude that inguinal exploration diminishes the need for second procedures.

[Therapeutic approach of enuresis based on the differentiation of the enuretic syndrome and monosymptomatic enuresis]. / Enfoque terapéutico de la enuresis basándose en la diferenciación del síndrome enurético y la enuresis monosintomática.

INTRODUCTION: Enuresis affects 15% of the children under 5. Possible etiopatogeny explaining the mechanism of production of nocturnal enuresis has been described, resulting in different terapeutical approaches; however, we cannot speak up to now of general guidelines for its treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: On the basis of 544 children who were treated in our hospital in the last 12 years, we analysed a sample of 124 patients corresponding to the last two years. We now present the therapeutical protocol used and analyse the results. In the initial therapeutical approach a distinction is made between monosymptomatic enuresis and eneuretic syndrome. RESULTS: We studied a total of 120 patients (89 boys and 31 girls). 63% of them showed monosymptomatic enuresis while 37% suffered from enuretic syndrome. In the case of 15% of them, this was associated with heavy sleep and difficulties to wake up. 92% was the general percentage of recovery. In the patients suffering from nonosymptomatic eneuresis, the problem was solved with desmopressin in 87% of them (demospressin on its own in 65% or in combination with oxibutine in the remaining 35%). In the group of enereutic symdrome, the problem was solved with oxibutine in 71% (on its own in 40% or in combination with desmopressin in 54%. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment and solution of enuresis improve the child's self-esteem and the anxiety caused in the family. A good medical history with a clear distinction between enuretic syndrome and monosyntomatic enuresis leads us to a suitable therapeutical approach for every patient, allowing us to find earlier the right treatment for every individual.

Corrección de las orejas procidentes mediante un abordaje mínimamente invasivo / Correction of lop ear using minimally invasive approach

Introducción. El hélix valgus u orejas procidentes es un problema común que afecta a un 5% de la población. Las alteraciones anatómicas del pabellón que más frecuentemente se encuentran son el defecto en el desarrollo de los pliegues de antehélix y el sobre desarrollo dela concha. Esta patología en los niños suele causar ansiedad y un trauma emocional que puede interferir en su desarrollo. Material y métodos. Existen múltiples técnicas descritas para la corrección del hélix valgus. Describimos la técnica realizada en nuestro servicio durante los últimos siete años analizando los resultados. Realizamos la otoplastia mediante un abordaje anterior puntiforme que nos permite realizar de una manera poco agresiva varios cortes parciales del cartílago por vía anterior. Por vía posterior realizamos la (..) (AU)

Introduction. Helix valgus or procident ears is a common problem that affects about 5% of the population. The folds of the antehelix and the overdevelopment of the concha are the most commonly found anatomic alterations of the ear pavilion. In children this pathology usually causes anxiety and an emotional trauma that may interfere in their normal development. Materials and methods. There are a few tipes of techniques to correct helix valgus. We present the application of the technique in our (..) (AU)

Testes no palpables: ¿abordaje laparoscópico o inguinal? / Non-Palpable testes: Laparoscopic or inguinal approach?

Introducción: El 20% de los pacientes intervenidos por criptorquidia presentan teste no palpable en la exploración física. El manejo inicial de estos pacientes sigue siendo controvertido. Nuestro objetivo es comparar el abordaje inguinal y el laparoscópico y valorar cuál de ellos es el más resolutivo como opción inicial. Material y métodos: Revisamos los pacientes intervenidos por teste no palpable unilateral en los últimos tres años en nuestro servicio. Tras descartar los testes no palpables bilaterales entramos en el estudio53 pacientes. En 35 el abordaje inicial realizado fue por vía inguinal y en 18 laparoscópico. Los datos recogidos para el estudio son la edad del paciente en el momento de la intervención, lado del teste no palpable, hallazgos quirúrgicos, necesidad de abordaje combinado laparoscópico o inguinaly presencia o no de hernia asociada. Resultados: La edad media de los pacientes en el momento de la intervención quirúrgica fue de 3,7 años (R: 1-13 años). El 42% de los testes no palpables correspondían al lado derecho y el 58% al izquierdo. El 65 % de los pacientes se abordaron inicialmente por vía inquinal. En tan sólo el 11% debido a una exploración no concluyente se necesitó realizar una exploración laparoscópica que concluyó en todos los casos anorquia. En el 33% el abordaje inicial fue laparoscópico. En (..) (AU)

Introduction: Twenty per cent of the operated patients suffering from cryptorchidisim show no palpable testis in the physical check-up. The use of a non-palpable testis in the initial stages is considered to be controversial when deciding between a laparascopic or an inguinal approach. Our aim is to compare the results obtained with these two approaches and evaluate which one of them would be the most relevant as an initial option. Materials and methods: We examined the patients who have been subjected to surgical intervention for non-palpable testis in the last three years. We had a sample of 53 patients. Bilateral non-palpable testes were disregarded. In the case of 35patients the initial approach was through the groins while in 18 of them the approach was laparascopic. Relevant data were recorded, such as the age of the patient, right or left side, surgical findings, need for alaparascopic or groin approach and associated hernia. Results: The average age of the patients at the time of the surgical treatment was 3.7 years R ( 1-13 years). 42% of the testes were on the right side and 58% on the left. In an initial stage the inguinal approach was used with 35 patients, 2 of these requiring laparascopic exploration due to a non-concluding check-up; it was concluded that they were 2 cases of anorchia. An initial laparoscopic approach (..) (AU)

[25 years experience in cerebrospinal shunt. Are new systems better?]. / 25 años de experiencia en válvulas de derivación ventrículo-peritoneal. Son mejores los nuevos sistemas?

INTRODUCTION: Since the introduction of the first ventricular shunt in 1949, the cerebrospinal shunts are the most used choice for the management of hydrocephalus in children. With the technological advance, systems have been developing increasingly sophisticated. Our aim is to study the incidence of complications after the implantation of these shunts and the variables associated to it. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We perform a retrospective study between 1981 and 2006, gathering the patients between 0 and 15 years treated at our Hospital for the placement of a cerebrospinal shunt or as consequence of a problem of the device. We analyze the tipe of shunt (Hakim, Pudentz, Delta, Orbis-Sigma, Strata, Codman), etiology of hydrocephalus, age, immediate and late complications, permanence of the system, changes of the system and cerebrospinal fluid. The qualitative data were analyze by c2 test. We also estimate survival of shunts with Kaplan-Meier stimator and make a multivariant Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 75 patients. The main etiology for hydrocephalous was myelomeningocele, followed by congenital and posthemorrhagic. Most of the patients presented complications of the system in the follow-up. They were adjusted for age, sex, etiology, shunt and surgeon. The variable that had an independent effect for predicting the presence of a complication was the type of shunt, being the most ancient systems those with major survival. The most frequent complication in the immediate period (< 3 month) was the obstruction and infection of the proximal catheter or shunt. Distal catheter disconnection or break prevailed in the late one. We got few functional complications, these were not related with the type of shunt. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, the shunts with the less short-term probability of complication (< 3 months) have been old simple systems like Hakim and Pudentz. The functional complications, that are those which presumably should be reduced by the new programmable systems, don,t seem do it, neither mean longer survival of the system.

25 años de experiencia en válvulas de derivación ventrículo-peritoneal. ¿Son mejores los nuevos sistemas? / 25 years experience in cerebrospinal shunt. Are new systems better?

Introducción. Desde la introducción del primer shunt ventricular en 1949, las válvulas de derivación ventrículo-peritoneal constituyen la forma de derivación más utilizada en niños y adultos con hidrocefalia. Con el avance tecnológico se han ido desarrollando sistemas cada vez más sofisticados. Nuestro objetivo es determinar la incidencia de complicaciones tras la implantación de válvulas ventrículo-peritoneales y las variables asociadas a las mismas. Material y métodos. Realizamos un estudio retrospectivo entre1981 y 2006, recogiendo a los pacientes entre 0 y 15 años ingresados en nuestro Hospital para colocación de válvula de derivación o como consecuencia de un problema del dispositivo. Realizamos una recogida de datos incluyendo tipo de válvula (Hakim®, Pudenz®, Delta®, Orbis-Sigma®, Strata®, Codman®), causas de la hidrocefalia, edad, complicaciones inmediatas y tardías, durabilidad de los sistemas, recambios,análisis de LCR. La asociación de variables cualitativas se realizó por medio del estadístico Chi cuadrado. Se hizo a su vez un análisis de supervivencia con la metología Kaplan-Marie y un análisis multivariado de regresión de Cox. Realizamos además una revisión bibliográfica al respecto. Resultados. Se recogieron 75 pacientes. La causa más frecuente de hidrocefalia ha sido la espina bífida, seguida de malformaciones congénitas y hemorragia intraventricular. La mayoría presentan complicaciones en el seguimiento. Ajustando por edad y por tipo de válvula la variable que tiene un efecto independiente para predecir la presencia de una complicación es el tipo de válvula, siendo los sistemas más antiguos los de mayor supervivencia. El sexo y la edad no modifican dicha probabilidad. La complicación más frecuente fue de tipo obstructivo e infeccioso en el período precoz y desconexión-rotura del catéter distal en el tardío. Las complicaciones funcionales fueron escasas y no dependieron del tipo de válvula. Conclusiones. Las válvulas con menos probabilidad a corto plazo de presentar complicaciones (< de 3 meses) han resultado ser los antiguos sistemas Hakim® y Pudenz®. Las complicaciones funcionales, que son las que presumiblemente evitarían los nuevos sistemas, no parecen mejorar con ellos y no conllevan una mayor supervivencia del sistema (AU)

Introduction. Since the introduction of the first ventricular shunt in 1949, the cerebrospinal shunts are the most used choice for the management of hydrocephalus in children. With the technological advance, systems have been developing increasingly sophisticated. Our aim is to study the incidence of complications after the implantation of these shunts and the variables associated to it. Material and methods. We perform a retrospective study between1981 and 2006, gathering the patients between 0 and 15 years treated at our Hospital for the placement of a cerebrospinal shunt or as consequence of a problem of the device. We analyze the type of shunt (Hakim®,Pudentz®, Delta®, Orbis-Sigma®, Strata®, Codman®), etiology of hydrocephalus, age, immediate and late complications, permanence of the system, changes of the system and cerebrospinal fluid. The qualitative data were analyze by c2 test. We also estimate survival of shunts with Kaplan-Meier stimator and make a multivariant Cox regression analysis. Results. A total of 75 patients. The main etiology for hydrocephalous was myelomeningocele, followed by congenital and posthemorrhagic. Most of the patients presented complications of the system in the follow-up. They were adjusted for age, sex, etiology, shunt and surgeon. The variable that had an independent effect for predicting the presence of a complication was the type of shunt, being the most ancient systems those with major survival. The most frequent complication in the immediate period (< 3 month) was the obstruction and infection of the proximal catheter or shunt. Distal catheter disconnection or break prevailed in the late one. We got few functional complications, these were not related with the type of shunt. Conclusions. In our experience, the shunts with the less short-term probability of complication (< 3 months) have been old simple systems like Hakim® and Pudentz® The functional complications, that are those which presumably should be reduced by the new programmable systems, don’t seem do it, neither mean longer survival of the system (AU)

Discapacidad en el usuario que acudió al servicio de fisiatría del Hospital Eugenio Espejo 2006 / Disability in the user who came to serve the fisiatría Hospital Eugenio Espejo 2006

Caracterizar la distribución de las discapacidades de los pacientes que acudieron al Servicio de Fisiatría del Hospital Eugenio Espejo durante el período enero - diciembre del 2006. Describe the distribution that the patients who came to the Physical Medicine Service of Hospital Eugenio Espejo since January - December 2006. Estudio descriptivo en el que se aplicó el sistema de evaluación de discapacidad establecido por el Consejo Nacional de Discapacidades (CONADIS) a todos los pacientes que acudieron durante este período, y se registró en una base de datos que contenían variables de estudio. El 59 por ciento fueron de sexo masculino y 41 por ciento del sexo femenino, mayores de 20 años, la discapacidad física es mayoritaria en el sexo masculino y la discapacidad psíquica representa una minoría en los dos sexos, encontrando que la causa principal de discapacidad física es la amputación de miembros inferiores. El grado de discapacidad moderado fue el más frecuente y más en hombres que en mujeres, siendo el 88 por ciento de personas discapacitadas procedentes de Pichincha. Por los resultados obtenidos en nuestro estudio concluimos que es alta la frecuencia de discapacidad moderada por lo cual recomendamos realizar labores de prevención, diagnóstico y tratamiento e incorporar a la persona discapacitada en medida de sus limitaciones a la sociedad.

First Report of Rust Caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi on Soybean in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Nigeria (1) and Uganda (3) are the closest countries to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where soybean rust caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi has been reported. In February 2007, during a disease survey in DRC, soybean (Glycine max) leaves with rust symptoms (tan, angular lesions with erumpent sori exuding urediniospores) were observed in 10 fields in the following areas in Bas Congo Province: Bangu, Kimpese, Kolo-Fuma, Lukala, Mbanza-Ngungu, Mpalukide, Mvuazi, and Ntemo. Rust incidence in these fields ranged from 85 to 100%, while severity ranged between 3 and 35% of the leaf area on infected plants. Urediniospores were hyaline, minutely echinulate, and 23 to 31 × 16 to 20 µm. Within a week of collection, infected leaf samples were sent to the USDA-ARS Foreign Disease-Weed Science Research Unit (FDWSRU) for pathogen identification. DNA was extracted from sections of leaves containing sori with the Qiagen DNeasy Plant Mini kit (Valencia, CA), and all 10 field samples amplified in a real-time fluorescent PCR with the P. pachyrhizi-specific primers Ppm1 and Ppa2 (2). Infected leaves of cultivar Vuangi collected from one field each in the INERA Research Station, Kimpese-Crawford, and Kimpese-Ceco were separately washed in sterile water to collect urediniospores that were used to separately inoculate three detached leaves of susceptible cultivar TGx 1485-1D (4). Lesions on inoculated leaves developed 5 days after inoculation (DAI), and pustules (110 to 130 µm) formed 7 DAI and erupted 2 days later exuding columns of urediniospores similar in size to the initially collected isolates. Inoculation of another set of detached leaves with a spore suspension (1 × 106 spores per ml) from the first set of detached leaves resulted in typical rust symptoms. Seedlings of cultivar Williams also showed typical rust symptoms when inoculated separately with urediniospores collected from nine fields (i.e., all except Kimpese-Ceco, which was infective in the detached leaf assay). Inoculation and incubation were carried out at the FDWSRU Plant Pathogen Containment Facility at Fort Detrick as described earlier (2). The PCR assay, morphological characters of the isolates, and pathogenicity tests demonstrate that P. pachyrhizi occurs in DRC. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. pachyrhizi infecting soybean in DRC. References: (1) O. A. Akinsanmi et al. Plant Dis. 85:97, 2001. (2) R. D. Frederick et al. Phytopathology 92:217, 2002. (3) E. Kawuki et al. J. Phytopathol. 151:7, 2003. (4) M. Twizeyimana et al. Online publication. http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/ infocenter/topic/soybeanrust/2006/posters/41.asp. Plant Management Network, 2006.