Embryo production in middle-aged and mature Bos taurus × Bos indicus cows induced to multiple ovulation in a tropical environment.

The objective of the study was to evaluate embryo production in middle-aged and mature Bos taurus × Bos indicus cows induced to multiple ovulation (MO) in a tropical environment. Twenty-eight cows were assigned into two groups: (1) middle-aged cows = 4-6 years old (n = 13), and (2) mature cows = 8-12 years old (n = 15). All donors received the same MO protocol with follicle-stimulating hormone in decreasing dose during 4 days and two artificial insemination services. Total numbers of corpora lutea at embryo collection, structures collected, and viable embryos obtained, as well as recovery rate, were higher in middle-aged cows compared with mature cows (P < 0.05). A total number of degenerate embryos and unfertilized oocytes, as well as viability rate, were similar in both groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the mature cows responded to the MO treatment, but the average of viable embryos recovered per donor was lower than in middle-aged cows. Therefore, the inclusion of cows ≥ 8 years old as donors in MO programs in tropical environments should be avoided.

Epidemiology of foreign bodies injuries in Ecuador: a first look based on a single centre experience.

OBJECTIVE: The analysis of foreign bodies (FB) injuries in the upper aero-digestive tract is not available for Ecuador and in this context, the present article represent the is the first presenting to the international community the basic epidemiological data on the Ecuador's experience on foreign bodies juries. METHODS: Data on 258 cases were gleaned using Susy Safe database, choosing the cases coming from Ecuador's institutions, namely Francisco De Icaza Bustamante Children Hospital, in Guayaquil (Ecuador) which collects data on children injuries due to foreign bodies with the aid of a standardized case report forms. RESULTS: Patients showed a female:male ratio of 1:1.2. Fifty-three percent of the children were younger than 2 years of age, with a mean age of 3.22 years. The most frequent location of retrieval was the oesophagus (37.98%) followed by the ears (34.88%). Coins were the most frequent cause of accident (37.21%). Seeds and grain were the most frequent food FBs and they were seen in 13.95% of cases. Adult presence was recorded in 113 cases. There was indeed a significant correlation between the presence of an adult and the activity that the children were doing when the incident occurred. CONCLUSIONS: This first breach into the analysis of injuries in Ecuador gives the confirmation that the results coming from country's data agreed with the general Susy Safe ones. Similar preventive strategies are therefore highly recommended, stressing that primary prevention has the main role in children's protection.

Effect of social isolation on 24-h pattern of stress hormones and leptin in rats.

This work analyzes the effect of social isolation of growing male rats on 24-h changes of plasma prolactin, growth hormone, ACTH and leptin, and on plasma and adrenal corticosterone concentrations. At 35 days of life, rats were either individually caged or kept in groups (6-8 animals per cage) under a 12:12 h light/dark schedule (lights on at 08:00 h). A significant arrest of body weight gain regardless of unchanged daily food intake was found in isolated rats after 2 weeks of isolation. On the 4th week, rats were killed at 6 time intervals during a 24-h cycle, beginning at 09:00 h. In isolated rats the 24-h pattern of all parameters tested became distorted, as assessed by Cosinor analysis. When analyzed as a main factor in a factorial analysis of variance, isolation decreased plasma prolactin and growth hormone, increased plasma leptin and corticosterone while decreased adrenal corticosterone. Plasma corticosterone levels correlated significantly with plasma ACTH and with adrenal corticosterone levels in group-caged rats only. These changes can be attributed to an effect of mild stress on the endogenous clock that modulates the circadian hormone release.

d24-hour changes in circulating prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and testosterone in male rats subjected to social isolation.

BACKGROUND: This work analyzes the effect of social isolation (a mild stressor) on the 24-h variation of pituitary-testicular function in young Wistar rats, assessed by measuring circulating levels of prolactin, FSH, LH and testosterone. METHODS: Animals were either individually caged or kept in groups (4-5 animals per cage) under a 12:12 h light-dark cycle (lights on at 0800 h) for 30 days starting on day 35 of life. Rats were killed at 4-h intervals during a 24-h cycle, beginning at 0900 h. RESULTS: Isolation brought about a decrease in prolactin, LH and testosterone secretion and an increase of FSH secretion. In isolated rats the 24-h secretory pattern of prolactin and testosterone became modified, i.e., the maximum in prolactin seen in control animals at the beginning of the activity span was no longer detected, whereas the maximum in circulating testosterone taking place at 1700 h in controls was phase-delayed to 2100 h in isolated rats. CONCLUSION: Social isolation affects the 24-h variation of pituitary-testicular function in young rats. Secretion of prolactin, LH and testosterone decreases, and secretion of FSH increases, in isolated rats. The maximum in prolactin seen in group-caged rats at the beginning of the activity span is not observed in isolated rats. The maximum in circulating testosterone taking place at the second part of the rest span in controls is phase-delayed to the light-dark transition in isolated rats.

Nighttime changes in norepinephrine and melatonin content and serotonin turnover in pineal glands of young and old rats injected with Freund's adjuvant.

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to search for changes in rat pineal function attributed to age and immunization with Freund's adjuvant. METHODS: Young (2 months) and old (18-20 months) Wistar rats were injected s.c. with Freund's adjuvant or its vehicle. Eighteen days later, at the acute phase of arthritis, pineal concentration of serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), norepinephrine (NE) and melatonin was measured by high pressure liquid chromatography at 4 different time intervals throughout the nocturnal activity span. RESULTS: Old rats had the lowest pineal 5-HT and 5-HIAA content, the decrease in 5-HIAA exceeding that of 5-HT; consequently, old rats had the lowest 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio, an index of pineal 5-HT turnover. Although immunization did not affect globally pineal 5-HT or 5-HIAA levels, significant interactions "immunization x age" and "immunization x time" were found, i.e., immunization augmented pineal 5-HT content at the beginning of the activity span in young rats and at second half of the activity span in young and old rats, and increased pineal 5-HIAA concentration in young rats at the second part of the activity span only. Freund's adjuvant treatment increased pineal 5-HT turnover exclusively in old rats, an effect mainly seen during the second part of the activity span. Old rats exhibited the lowest pineal NE and melatonin levels, immunization further depressing them. CONCLUSION: The effect of immunization with Freund's adjuvant on a number of pineal pre- and postsynaptic parameters are age-dependent.

Insuficiencia renal aguda intrahospitalaria / intrahospitable acute renal Insufficiency

La insuficiencia renal aguda, es una entidad patológica frecuente en nuestro medio y más aún en el área hospitalaria, donde el médico debe enfrentar situaciones graves, pero en su mayoría reversibles, generalmente asociada a yatrogenia, por lo cual nos proponemos determinar las principales causas. Estudiamos todos los casos de insuficiencia renal aguda ocurridos en el Hospital Pablo Arturo Suárez, en las áreas clínicas y quirúrgicas, excepto en Ginecobstetricia, en un período de seis meses, 35 pacientes (2.33 por ciento) presentaron elevación de la creatinina sérica con valores mayores del 50 por ciento del valor basal. Se analizó su etiología, factores desencadenantes, patologías preexistentes y tiempo de evolución. Se presentó con más frecuencia en mayores de 60 años, con una edad media de presentación de 62.9. Entre las causas que adquieren mayor importancia se encuentran las de tipo hemodinámico...

Tratamiento endoscópico en pacientes con cuerpos extraños localizados en laringe, tráquea, bronquios y esófago: presentación de 158 casos / Endoscopy treatment in patients with foreing bodies localizated in larynge, trachea, bronchial and esophagus: report of 158 cases

Se presentan 158 casos de cuerpos extraños localizados en Laringe, Tráquea, Bronquios y Esófago, siendo una patología frecuente de la emergencia hospitalaria, vistos y tratados por el autor de enero de 1986 a diciembre de 1990. Efectuándose el diagnóstico por la Historia Clínica, complementándose mediante estudio radiológico, el mismo no fue eficaz en 18 casos Por endoscopia rígida bajo anestesia general fueron extraídos 28 casos de la vía aérea (Laringe 8, Tráquea 3, Bronquios 17) y de Esófago 128 casos (Esófago cervical 99, tercio medio de esófago 21 y tercio inferior 8). Un caso (Laringe) se extrajo por vía externa y otro (Esófago se llevó a hasta estómago, para extraerlo por Gastrotomía. No presentaron complicación alguna después del procedimiento endoscópico a pesar de que algunos casos concurrieron semanas después para su atención y 2 casos después de haber aspirado (1) o ingerido (1) el cuerpo extraño 9 meses después

Dolor lumbar crónico: utilización de antidepresivos tricíclicos / Chronic back pain: use of tricyclic antidepressives

Mediante un diseño intrasujeto secuencial de comparación entre grupos, se evaluó la efectividad del tratamiento con Amitriptilina, antidepresivo tricíclico de elevado poder serotoninérgico, a dosis de 25-75 mgs/día, por seis semanas, efectuándose cuatro mediciones de dolor (escala visual análoga)pretest y tres controles durante el tratamiento (2,4 y 6 semanas); en una población de 65 pacientes referidos de los servicios de Medicina Física y Rehabilitación de los Hospitales Militares Dr. Carlos Arvelo y Vicente Salias, y del Centro de Especialidades Médicas de la Guardia Nacional; todos portadores de dolor lumbar crónico sin etiología orgánica aparente, en los que habían fracasado los tratamientos convencionales. Los resultados arrojaron evidencia estadísticamente significativa en cuanto a la efectividad de la amitriptilina para disminuir en forma gradual y constante el dolor en pacientes aquejados de lumbalgia crónica sin etiología orgánica aparente y sin síndromes depresivos concomitantes

Bases conceptuales de la nueva salud internacional / Conceptual basis of the new international health

La salud internacional ha adquirido mayor importancia debido a la creciente complejidad de las relaciones internacionales y su impacto en la salud y los sistemas de salud, así como a las implicaciones de ésta en dichas relaciones. A partir de las interacciones entre las relaciones internacionales y la salud se fundamenta la necesidad de desarrollar y consolidar una tradición académica e intelectual que dé sustento a la generación de conocimiento y guíe sus aplicaciones prácticas. La salud internacional está experimentando cambios conceptuales y estratégicos que deben tomarse en cuenta para lograr la integralidad y consistencia en el alcance, enfoque y énfasis de los programas educativos, los proyectos de investigación y las acciones de salud tanto nacionales como binacionales y multinacionales. En este artículo se identifican los cambios conceptuales y estratégicos, se proponen definiciones básicas, el universo de trabajo y la base disciplinaria de la nueva salud internacional. En concreto, se propone la transición hacia un nuevo concepto y una nueva práctica de la salud internacional

International health is becoming an important field of study and practice due mainly to the increasing complexity of international relationships which imply both changes in the epidemiologic profile of the population, and transformations of health care delivery systems. At the same time, the character of health problems does not recognize the geographical boundaries of nations; instead it may open or reinforce new areas of cooperation or conflict in the international arena. The many interactions between international relations and health impose the need to build and consolidate an academic and intellectual tradition of international health, which supports its efforts to generate knowledge and leads its practical applications. International health is experiencing important conceptual and strategic changes which have to be taken into account if educational programs, research projects, and national, binational and multinational health actions are to be comprehensive in their approach, scope, and focus. This article identifies those conceptual and strategic changes, proposes basic definitions, the universe for action, and the disciplinary base of the new international health. In short, the article proposes the transition to wards a new international health concept and practice.

Educación, investigación y acción en salud internacional: la Unidad de Estudios Internacionalees en Salud Pública, México / Education, research and action in international health: the Unit for International Studies in Public Health, Mexico

La internacionalización de las causas, condiciones y respuestas de salud requieren de la consolidación de una vigorosa tradición académica y pragmática de la salud internacional. La Unidad de Estudios Internacionales en Salud Pública constituye un esfuerzo interinstitucional para la formación de recursos humanos, la investigación, la asesoría y la práctica en las necesidades y acciones de salud que trascienden las fronteras nacionales y afectan a dos o más países. Los objetivos de la Unidad son, por un lado, impulsar el desarrollo conceptual y la consolidación académica de la salud internacional como campo de la salud pública y, por el otro, fomentar la cooperación técnica internacional entre las instituciones nacionales que la conforman y las universidades extranjeras, gobiernos de países en desarrollo y desarrollados, y organismos internacionales. Las estrategias de la Unidad son: colaboración interinstitucional, colaboración intrainstitucional, consolidación de equipos multidisciplinarios, integración investigación-docencia-servicio y captación de recursos externos. El funcionamiento de la Unidad se basa en un programa académico y en uno de cooperación técnica internacional

The internationalization of health causes, conditions, and responses require the consolidation of a vigorous academic and pragmatic tradition of international health. The Unit for International Studies in Public Health constitutes an interinstitutional effort for the training of human resources, research, consulting and practice in health needs and actions that go beyond national borders and that affect two or more countries. The main objectives of the Unit are, on the one hand, to develop a conceptual framework and consolidate international health as a field of public health anti, on the other, to foster international technical cooperation among the national institutions that conform the Unit and foreign universities, governments of developing and developed countries, and international organizations. The strategies of the Unit are: interinstitutional and intrainstitutional collaboration, consolidation of multidisciplinary teams, integration of research-teaching-service, and external resources fundraising. The functioning of the Unit is based on an academic program and on an international technical cooperation program.

Adenocarcinoma del riñón: revisión de 32 casos de biopsia renal en los últimos 24 años en el Hospital Doutor Rafael A. Calderón Guardia / Renal adenocarcinoma: review of 32 cases of renal biopsy in the last 24 years at the Hospital Dr. Rafael Calderón Guardia

El presente es un estudio de 32 pacientes con adenocarcinoma del riñón, diagnósticados por biopsia en el hospital Dr. R.A. CALDERON GUARDIA, durante los últimos 24 años. Se analiza la incidencia según sexo, grupo etario, localización del tumor, signos y síntomas al momento del diagnóstico y también las principales alteraciones en los exámenes de laboratorio

Carcinoma prostático / Prostatic carcinoma

Un estudio del material de biopsias prostáticas recibido durante el año 1982 permite decir que en el 81% de los casos aparece hiperplasia epitelial, preferentemente en las de la 8ava década de la vida. Entre las hiperplasias epiteliales hay un 16.9% con focos de adenosis que a nuestro juicio significan displasia que debe vigilarse por considerar que podrían tener mayor tendencia a la aparición de carcinoma. Se señala que la hiperplasia estromal es un problema menos claro que el de la hiperplasia epitelial aunque ambos procesos suelen estar juntos en un 50%. En el total de las biopsias se encontró 17 casos de carcinoma (18.8%), la gran mayoría en la sétima década de la vida, y se establece con las reservas del caso, una clasificación por tipos histológicos. Sugerimos que se haga un esfuerzo para seguir la evolución futura de los distintos casos de hiperplasia y carcinoma a fin de determinar la severidad del proceso evolutivo según el tipo histológico del tumor y su asociación o no con heperplasia epitelial y/o estromal