The impacts of seasonal variation and climate on food utilization in a population of critically endangered cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) in Colombia: A 22-year longitudinal study.

To examine how precipitation patterns and climate change impact feeding choices made by a population of critically endangered cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus), we examined 22 years of feeding data (1999-2020) from 21 groups collected at Parque Natural Regional Bosque Seco El Ceibal Mono Tití in Santa Catalina, Colombia. We describe the diet and examine the role of seasonal rainfall and annual variation in rainfall on diet. Rainfall is highly seasonal (mean annual rainfall 1562 mm [range 940-2680 mm]) with a dry, early rainy, and late rainy season in each year. Over 80 species of plants formed part of the fruit, nectar, and exudate components of the diet. Fruits, although available year-round, were more commonly available and consumed during the late rainy seasons (August-November). Exudates were consumed more frequently in the dry season (December-March) and invertebrate consumption was stable across the year. Nectar feeding from a single species (Combretum fruticosum) peaked in November. Rainfall varied over the years, with 13 years exceeding the 99% confidence intervals for mean rainfall. Ten of these extreme years (both drought and extremely wet) occurred in the last 11 years. Fruit consumption did not vary between extreme and average years, but cotton-top tamarins consumed more invertebrates and exudates in wet years. Presently, cotton-top tamarins appear to be able to cope with these extreme variations in rainfall due to their highly varied diet. However, the forests that these primates depend upon for survival are threatened by human exploitation making it critically important to maintain a generalist feeding strategy for survival as many fruiting trees that compose a large proportion of the diet are removed. As conservation efforts continue, plant species consumed by cotton-top tamarins provide useful data when selecting species for habitat restoration programs.

Higroma quístico y la importancia de su diagnóstico prenatal: a propósito de un caso / Cystic hygroma and the importance of the prenatal diagnosis: about a case

RESUMEN El higroma quístico es la malformación del sistema linfático que más frecuentemente se observa en el período prenatal y que se ubica principalmente en el cuello y/o la nuca. Su tasa de detección ha aumentado desde la implementación de la translucencia nucal fetal (TN) en el primer trimestre de embarazo, y su presencia se ha relacionado con anomalías congénitas, aneuploidías, pérdida del embarazo y trastornos en el desarrollo. El objetivo de la presentación de este caso es resaltar la importancia del diagnóstico antenatal del higroma quístico, con el fin de realizar una intervención precoz y evitar la muerte fetal. Se recibe para estudio anatomopatológico, feto de sexo indeterminado producto del primer embarazo de una madre de 19 años de edad sin previos controles prenatales, con presencia de una gran masa quística que se extiende desde el rostro hasta la nuca. Mediante el estudio histológico se confirma el diagnóstico de higroma quístico. Al carecer de análisis de cariotipo no fue posible establecer la preexistencia de alguna anomalía genética. El también conocido como linfangioma quístico, es un tumor vascular benigno cuyo diagnóstico antenatal mediante la ultrasonografía resulta fundamental en la evolución y pronóstico de la enfermedad. Desafortunadamente en nuestro caso, la falta de controles prenatales y la ausencia de estudios ultrasonográficos que permitieran conocer las características de este linfangioma, pudo impactar significativamente en el desenlace fatal.

ABSTRACT The cystic hygroma is the malformation of the lymphatic system that is most frequently observed in the prenatal period and is located mainly in the neck and/or the nape of the neck. Its detection rate has increased since the implementation of fetal nuchal translucency (NT) in the first trimester of pregnancy and its presence has been associated with congenital abnormalities, aneuploidies, pregnancy loss, and developmental disorders. The aim of this case is to highlight the importance of antenatal diagnosis of cystic hygroma in order to perform early intervention and avoid fetal death. It is received, for anatomopathological study, a fetus of undetermined sex product of the first pregnancy of a 19 year-old mother without previous prenatal controls, with the presence of a large cystic mass that extends from the face to the neck. The histological study confirms the diagnosis of cystic hygroma. As there was no karyotype analysis, it was not possible to establish the preexistence of any genetic abnormality. Also known as cystic lymphangioma, is a benign vascular tumor whose antenatal diagnosis by ultrasonography is essential in the evolution and prognosis of the disease. Unfortunately in our case, the lack of prenatal controls and the absence of ultrasonographic studies that would allow knowing the characteristics of this lymphangioma, could significantly impact in the fatal outcome.

[Evaluation of the educational intervention in orthopaedic and traumatology residents for the taking, measurement and preparations of the hamstring graft]. / Evaluación de la intervención educativa en residentes de ortopedia y traumatología para la toma, medición y preparación del injerto de isquiotibiales.

INTRODUCTION: The education process is understood as an activity focused on developing competencies through the use of educational tools and strategies that can be evaluated. The training of the residents in traumatology and orthopedics requires you to acquire knowledge and develop skills that will affect the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of the patient. Therefore, what will be the evaluation of the educational intervention on the theoretical and practical knowledge in this group of physicians on the technique of taking, measuring and preparation of hamstring graft for the reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament? MATERIAL Y METHODS: A prospective, quasi-experimental study was conducted to evaluate the impact of educational intervention in 23 Traumatology and orthopaedic residents on the use of hamstring in the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction through theoretical sessions and Practice on cadaverous knees with preand post-intervention evaluations. RESULTS: The correlation between the pre and post evaluation educational intervention, both theoretical and practical, was statistically significant (p = 0.004 and p = 0.4, respectively). CONCLUSION: The statistically significant correlation between preand post-educational intervention evaluations speaks of the value of learning strategies, in the case of this study, the intervention through a theoretical and practical session by a simulated patient promotes knowledge acquisition and development of skills.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El proceso de educación se entiende como una actividad enfocada a desarrollar competencias mediante el empleo de herramientas y estrategias educativas que pueden ser sometidas a evaluación. La formación del médico residente de Traumatología y Ortopedia le exige adquirir conocimientos y desarrollar destrezas que repercutirán en el diagnóstico, tratamiento y pronóstico del paciente. Por lo tanto, ¿cuál será la evaluación de la intervención educativa sobre los conocimientos teóricos y prácticos en residentes de la especialidad de traumatología y ortopedia sobre la técnica de toma, medición y preparación de injerto de isquiotibiales para la reconstrucción de ligamento cruzado anterior? MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, cuasiexperimental para evaluar el impacto de la intervención educativa en 23 residentes de Traumatología y Ortopedia sobre el uso de isquiotibiales en la reconstrucción de ligamento cruzado anterior mediante sesiones teórica y práctica en rodillas cadavéricas con evaluaciones pre- y postintervención. RESULTADOS: La correlación entre la evaluación pre- y postintervención educativa, tanto teórica como práctica, fue estadísticamente significativa (p = 0.004 y p = 0.4, respectivamente). CONCLUSIONES: La correlación estadísticamente significativa entre evaluaciones pre- y postintervención educativa refiere el valor de las estrategias de aprendizaje, en el caso de este estudio, la intervención a través de una sesión teórica y práctica mediante un paciente simulado (práctica necroquirúrgica) promueve la adquisición de conocimientos y el desarrollo de habilidades y destrezas.

Personas enfermas al final de la vida: vivencias en la accesibilidad a recursos sociosanitarios / Sick persons at the end of their lives: Experiences related to their accessibility to social-sanitary resources / Pessoas doentes no final da vida: vivencias na acessibilidade a recursos sociosanitários

Objetivo: Identificar cuáles han sido las principales limitaciones y dificultades en el acceso a los recursos sociosanitarios que han vivido las personas al final de la vida, a través de las vivencias y las percepciones de los cuidadores de estos enfermos. Método: Estudio cualitativo multicéntrico con enfoque fenomenológico, mediante 5 grupos de discusión y 41 entrevistas en profundidad, en Andalucía, España. La selección de los participantes se realizó intencionadamente entre los cuidadores que habían sufrido la muerte de su familiar, entre 2 meses y 2 años después del fallecimiento. Se optó por el método de Giorgi para el análisis de la información, y como soporte informático utilizamos Atlas ti 6.0. Resultados: Se han obtenido una serie de categorías relacionadas con distintos niveles de asistencia sanitaria: el sufrimiento en los servicios de urgencias, la necesidad de intimidad, la sensación de soledad y la vivencia en el domicilio. Conclusiones: Los cuidadores han descrito una serie de obstáculos de acceso a los distintos recursos sociosanitarios, entre los que destacan la existencia de protocolos muy generales de atención que no tenían en cuenta el proceso de enfermedad de su familiar y la necesidad de una habitación individualizada, durante el ingreso hospitalario. En el domicilio se sienten protegidos por los profesionales de atención primaria, pero presentan dificultades de acceso a apoyo psicológico y a las unidades de cuidados paliativos. Por tanto, es prioritario que desde el sistema sanitario se puedan fomentar los aspectos asistenciales esenciales en la atención a estos enfermos y favorecer una muerte con dignidad.

Objective: From the perspective of their health providers, to identify the main limitations and difficulties which persons at the end of their lives have experienced in relation to their accessibility to social-sanitary resources. Method: This is a phenomenological-focused qualitative and multi-centric study which conducted 5 discussion groups and 41 in-depth interviews in Andalucia, Spain. The participant selection was limited to those health providers who had suffered the death of a family member within the past two years. The Giorgi method was chosen to analyze and back-up the data. Atlas ti 6.0 was also used. Results: From the analysis, several sanitary-assistance-level categories arose including: the suffering at the urgency services, the need of intimacy, the feelings of loneliness, and the life at home. Conclusions: The care providers described a series of barriers to the access to social-sanitary resources highlighting the very general attention protocols which did not integrally consider the illness process of the beloved, and the need to an individualized room while admission at the hospital. Although while at home, these persons feel protected under the attention of the primary care professionals, they have difficulties to having access to psychological support at the palliative care units. Therefore, it is a priority that, from the sanitary system, the essential assisting attention can be warranted, thus supporting these sick persons to go through death in dignity.

Objetivo: Identificar quais têm sido as principais limitações e dificuldades no acesso aos recursos sociosanitários que viveram as pessoas no final da vida, através das vivencias e as percepções dos cuidadores destes doentes. Método: Estudo qualitativo multicêntrico com abordagem fenomenológica, mediante 5 grupos de discussão e 41 entrevistas a profundidade, em Andaluzia, Espanha. A seleção dos participantes realizou-se intencionadamente entre aqueles cuidadores que sofreram a morte de seu familiar, entre dois meses e dois anos depois da morte. Optou-se pelo método de Giorgi par análise da informação e como suporte informático, utilizamos Atlas ti 6.0. Resultados: Obtiveram-se uma série de categorias relacionadas, com diferentes níveis de assistência sanitária: o sofrimento nos serviços de pronto socorro, a necessidade de intimidade, a sensação de solidão e a vivencia no domicílio. Conclusões: Os cuidadores, descreveram uma série de obstáculos de acesso aos diferentes recursos sociosanitários nos quais salienta, a existência de protocolos muito gerais de atenção que não tinham em conta o processo de doença de seu familiar e a necessidade de um quarto individualizado, durante o ingresso hospitalar. No domicilio sentem-se protegidos pelos profissionais de atenção primaria, mas, apresentam dificuldades de acesso ao apoio psicológico e às unidades de cuidados paliativos. Portanto, é prioritário que desde o sistema sanitário se possam promover aqueles aspectos assistenciais essenciais na atenção destes doentes e favorecer uma morte com dignidade.

Botryosphaeriaceae Species Associated With Cankers and Dieback Symptoms of Acacia mangium and Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis in Venezuela.

Several species in the Botryosphaeriaceae family cause wood stain, cankers, and dieback of trunks and branches in a wide range of forest tree species. The aim of this study was to characterize the botryosphaeriaceous fungi associated with decline symptoms observed in Acacia mangium and Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis, two economically important forest tree species grown in commercial plantations in Venezuela. Fungi isolated from symptomatic samples collected from both hosts in commercial sites were identified based on their morphology and DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) and part of the ß-tubulin and translation elongation factor 1-α genes. Lasiodiplodia theobromae and L. venezuelensis were routinely isolated from A. mangium and P. caribaea var. hondurensis. Additionally, the novel species Diplodia guayanensis was isolated and characterized from symptomatic and asymptomatic tissues of A. mangium. Multigene phylogenetic analyses along with restriction fragment length polymorphism studies further supported the identification of these species. A pathogenicity study was conducted under natural conditions and 12 weeks after inoculation all Botryosphaeriaceae spp. were shown to be highly virulent on A. mangium. Contrary, no lesions were observed in the wood of P. caribaea var. hondurensis when inoculated with L. theobromae and L. venezuelensis. However, both species were consistently reisolated from the asymptomatic tissue beyond the inoculation point. This study contributes to a better understand the role that species in the Botryosphaeriaceae play on disease symptoms and dieback of A. mangium and P. caribaea var. hondurensis from plantations in eastern Venezuela.

The prevalence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations among young Mexican women with triple-negative breast cancer.

Various guidelines recommend that women with triple-negative breast cancer should be tested for BRCA1 mutations, but the prevalence of mutations may vary with ethnic group and with geographic region, and the optimal cutoff age for testing has not been established. We estimated the frequencies of BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA) mutations among 190 women with triple-negative breast cancer, unselected for family history, diagnosed at age 50 or less at a single hospital in Mexico City. Patients were screened for 115 recurrent BRCA mutations, which have been reported previously in women of Hispanic origin, including a common large rearrangement Mexican founder mutation (BRCA1 ex9-12del). A BRCA mutation was detected in 44 of 190 patients with triple-negative breast cancer (23 %). Forty-three mutations were found in BRCA1 and one mutation was found in BRCA2. Seven different mutations accounted for 39 patients (89 % of the total mutations). The Mexican founder mutation (BRCA1 ex9-12del) was found 18 times and accounted for 41 % of all mutations detected. There is a high prevalence of BRCA1 mutations among young triple-negative breast cancer patients in Mexico. Women with triple-negative breast cancer in Mexico should be screened for mutations in BRCA1.

Overweight and obesity as poor prognostic factors in locally advanced breast cancer patients.

Obesity and overweight are established risk factors for the development of breast cancer. They are also associated with poor prognosis for higher risk of disease recurrence and lower overall survival (OS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of overweight and obesity in OS in patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. This is a retrospective analysis that included 819 patients diagnosed with LABC between January 2004 and December 2008. The patients were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAT) based on anthracyclines, taxanes, or both, followed by surgery. For comparison, patients were divided into the normal weight (NW) group or the overweight/obesity (OW/OB) group. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 74 %. General characteristics of the patients, including age, tumor size, clinical stage, nuclear grade, hormone receptors, and HER2 expression, were similar between both groups. At a median follow-up of 28 months, we found a statistically significant difference in OS between the two groups, achieving a 91.5 % in NW patients versus 85.9 % in the OW/OB group (P = 0.050). Cox multivariate analysis demonstrated that obesity was an independent factor for poor prognosis, with a hazard ratio of 1.79 (95 % CI (Confidence Interval) 1.09-2.96; P = 0.022). This is the first Mexican study that confirms the role of OW/OB as a risk factor for poor outcome among patients with LABC. Obesity in our country is a public health problem and requires strong preventive intervention strategies for its control, especially among patients diagnosed with breast cancer.

First Report of Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae Causing Trunk Cankers in Acacia mangium in Venezuela.

In May 2010, canker and wood stain symptoms in trunks and stems of 125 Acacia mangium were observed during a survey conducted in the Uverito plantations, Monagas State, Venezuela. Cankers were 20 to 65 cm long and were brownish on the margins and dark brown in the center. Many of the cankers had swollen margins and in some cases a black exudate could be seen leaking from the most severe cankers. Small pieces (4 to 5 mm) of necrotic tissues from the cankers were surface sterilized for 1 min in 1.5% NaOCl, washed twice with sterile distilled water, and plated onto potato dextrose agar amended with 0.01% tetracycline hydrochloride (PDA-tet). Plates were incubated at 25°C under near-UV light. Colonies developed from symptomatic tissue and formed a compact mycelium, which was initially white, but became dark gray with age. Based on colony morphology, isolates were tentatively identified as a member of the Botryosphaeriaceae family. Pycnidia were produced on sterilized pine needles on 2% water agar after 5 weeks of incubation at 25°C under continuous near-UV light. Conidia were ellipsoidal, initially hyaline, unicellular, becoming dark brown, and developing a thick wall, a central septum, and longitudinal striations with age. Conidia measured 26 to 31 µm long and 11 to 16 µm wide (n = 60). The conidial morphology matched that of Lasiodiplodia, a member of the Botryosphaeriaceae family (1). Primers ITS4/ITS5, Bt2a/Bt2b, and EF1-688F/EF1-1251R (2) were used to amplify and subsequently sequence the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region and parts of the beta-tubulin (BT) and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1-α) gene regions, respectively. The putative Lasiodiplodia isolates had 98 to 99% homology with Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae isolate CBS 116459 for all three loci (EF622077, EF622057, and EU673111) (1). Based on morphological characters and DNA sequencing, the canker isolates from Venezuela (CBS129752 and UCD-A1) were then identified as L. pseudotheobromae (1) and sequences were deposited in GenBank (Accession Nos. JX545091 to JX545092, JX545111 to JX545112, and JX545131 to JX545132). Pathogenicity tests were performed by inoculating 2-year-old A. mangium tree trunks with isolates CBS129752 and UCD-A1. Twenty trees per isolate were inoculated by placing a mycelium plug from the growing margin of 8-day-old colonies upside down directly into a fresh wound made with a 5-mm cork borer. Wounds were sealed with Parafilm. Ten control trees were inoculated with non-colonized PDA plugs. After 12 weeks, all inoculated seedlings showed bark swelling around the inoculation points and a brown necrosis of the wood could be observed when removing the bark. Average length necrosis above and below the point inoculation was 27.2 cm; additionally, a black exudate was observed when the outer bark was removed from inoculation points. L. pseudotheobromae was successfully reisolated from the necrotic tissue observed in symptomatic plants. No symptoms were observed in the control plants and L. pseudotheobromae was not isolated from the controls. L. pseudotheobromae has been reported in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, where it occurs on forest and fruit trees (1). This study shows L. pseudotheobromae to be highly virulent on A. mangium and, to our knowledge, this is the first report of L. pseudotheobromae on this host in Venezuela. References: (1) A. Alves et al. Fungal Diversity 28:1, 2008. (2) J. R. Úrbez-Torres et al. Plant Dis. 90:1490, 2006.

Aislamiento de cepas invasivas de Neisseria meningitidis serogrupos B y Y en la ciudad de Cumaná, años 2009-2010 / Isolation of invasive strains of neisseria meningitides, serogroups B and Y, in Cumana, 2009-2010

Neisseria meningitidis es agente causal de meningitis y meningococcemia. Se realizó la presente investigación a fin de analizar fenotípicamente las cepas invasivas de N. meningitidis aisladas en Cumaná, estado Sucre. Se incluyó el total de cepas identificadas como N. meningitidis en el laboratorio de bacteriología del Hospital Universitario “Antonio Patricio de Alcalá”, durante los años 2009-2010; provenientes de muestras de líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) y sangre (hemocultivos). A cada aislamiento se le determinó la susceptibilidad antimicrobiana y el serogrupo respectivo. Durante el período en estudio se analizaron 10 cepas, de las cuales 5 provenían de LCR. El ensayo de susceptibilidad antimicrobiana reveló que las cepas presentaban sensibilidad a penicilina, cefotaxima, meropenem, rifampicina, ciprofloxacina y cloranfenicol siendo sólo resistentes al trimetoprim/ sulfametoxazol. El serogrupo más frecuente fue el B (8 cepas), aislándose un caso de serogrupo Y. Respecto al grupo etario de los pacientes, de las 10 cepas, 8 provenían de pacientes pediátricos. Este es el primer estudio con cepas de N. meningitidis aisladas en Cumaná, por lo que se hace imprescindible el análisis permanente de las cepas aisladas en la zona, con fines de monitoreo, principalmente, de la susceptibilidad antimicrobiana y los serogrupos circulantes.

Neisseria meningitidis is the causal agent for meningitis and meningococcemia. This research was performed to phenotypically analyze invasive strains of N. meningitidis isolated in Cumana, State of Sucre. The study included all strains identified as N. meningitidis isolated in the bacteriology laboratory at the University Hospital “Antonio Patricio de Alcalá,” during the years 2009-2010, coming from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples and blood cultures. For each isolate, the antimicrobial susceptibility and respective serogroup were determined. During the period of study, 10 strains were analyzed, of which 5 came from CSF. The antimicrobial susceptibility test revealed that the strains showed sensitivity to penicillin, cefotaxime, meropenem, rifampicin, ciprofloxacin and chloramphenicol; they were resistant only to trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole. Serogroup B was the most frequent (8 strains); one case of serogroup Y was isolated. Regarding the patient’s ages, of the 10 strains, 8 were found in pediatric patients. This is the first study about strains of N. meningitidis isolated in Cumaná, so it is essential that permanent research regarding the strains isolated in the area is carried out for monitoring purposes, mainly in terms of antimicrobial susceptibility and the circulating serogroups.

Litter size and infant survivorship in wild groups of cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) in Colombia.

Cotton-top tamains (Saguinus oedipus) are a critically endangered primate found only in Colombia. Efforts to conserve this species are centered on developing effective management plans that integrate biological information regarding population dynamics and factors that influence their survival. This study documented infants born to wild cotton-top tamarin females from 1994-2008 at two distinct field sites in northern Colombia. Our studies have shown that wild cotton-top tamarins typically give birth to one litter each year and infant survival to 6 months of age was greater in the wild than has been reported in captive colonies. However, similar to reports from captive colonies, litter size of wild cotton-top tamarins ranges from 1-3 infants, with twin litters most common. Here we report the first occurrence of triplet litters in nearly 20 years of observing wild cotton-top tamarin groups. Over the first 3 months of life, wild-born infants exhibited highest mortality during the first week of life, similar to reports from captive colonies. Infant survival in the wild also increases with successive litters as it does in captivity. However, inter-birth interval, group size, and the number of adult males in the group did not appear to influence infant survival in the wild. The value of such long-term data from field studies aids in the information that can be used to model future population trends and develop effective conservation plans for this critically endangered primate.

Secretory carcinoma of the breast containing the ETV6-NTRK3 fusion gene in a male: case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Secretory carcinoma (SC) of the breast is a rare and indolent tumor. Although originally described in children, it is now known to occur in adults of both sexes. Recently, the tumor was associated with the ETV6-NTRK3 gene translocation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 52-year-old male was diagnosed with secretory breast carcinoma and underwent a modified radical mastectomy. At 18 months the tumor recurred at the chest wall and the patient developed lung metastases. He was treated concurrently with radiation and chemotherapy without response. His tumor showed the ETV6-NTRK3 translocation as demonstrated by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). CONCLUSION: SC is a rare slow-growing tumor best treated surgically. There are insufficient data to support the use of adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy. Its association with the ETV6-NTRK3 fusion gene gives some clues for the better understanding of this neoplasm and eventually, the development of specific therapies.

Sistemas de ingreso a la carrera de kinesiología como predictores del rendimiento académico / Admission systems to the physical therapy study program like predictorsof academic performance

En el presente estudio se busca determinar a la capacidad predictiva de la Prueba de Aptitud Académica (PAA) y de Programa Académico de Bachillerato (PAB) de la Universidad de Chile, en relación al rendimiento académico durante la carrera de Kinesiología de la misma universidad. Para este fin se analizaron 120 estudiantes que ingresaron por ambas vías en los años 96, 97, 98 y 99 y que ingresaron hasta el año 2003. Los resultados indican que los estudiantes ingresados por PAA tienen un mejor rendimiento académico que los ingresados vía PAB, además se encontró una correlación significativa entre la PAA y el rendimiento académico, no siendo de la misma forma para el PAB.

Effect of fluorogestone acetate on embryo recovery and quality in eCG-superovulated goats with premature luteal regression.

The objective of this study was to evaluate if treatment of eCG-superovulated goats with fluorogestone acetate (FGA) would increase the number and quality of embryos recovered. Goats (n = 25) were given an intravaginal sponge containing 45 mg FGA for 12 days, with 1000 IU eCG and 7.5mg of Luprostiol (a PGF(2 alpha) analog) given -48 and 0 h relative to sponge removal. Goats were mated by natural service every 12h during estrus and surgical embryo collection was done 6 days after the last mating. There were two treatment groups; those in the FGA group (n = 13) had a FGA sponge from 8h after mating to embryo collection, whereas goats in the control group (n = 12) did not receive any post-mating treatment. Premature luteal regression occurred in 61.5% (8/13) and 83.3% (10/12) of the goats in the FGA and the control groups, respectively (P > 0.05). Corpus luteum life span averaged 4 days in goats with premature luteolysis. The mean (+/- S.E.) number of transferable embryos was 5.7 +/- 1.6 in the FGA group and 0.1 +/- 0.1 in the control group (P < 0.05). Within the FGA group, the embryo recovery rate was similar in goats with premature luteal regression compared to those with normal luteal function, although non-transferable embryos were only found in goats with premature luteal regression. In conclusion, post-breeding treatment with FGA increased embryonic survival in eCG-superovulated goats, even though it did not prevent premature luteal regression.

Enfermedad de Kikuchi-Fujimoto / Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease

Se presenta el caso clínico de una paciente de 12 años con el diagnóstico de enfermedad de Kikuchi-Fujimoto que evolucionó con fiebre dos meses previos acompañado de adenopatías cervicales bilaterales, baja de peso de 5 kilos y compromiso del estado general. Sin respuesta a tratamiento antibiótico, se descartaron causas habituales de fiebre. La biopsia ganglionar mostró necrosis difusa, abundantes inmunoblastos, hitiocitos, restos celulares necróticos y ausencia de neutrófilos. Evolucionó en forma favorable con caída de la fiebre a los 3 meses desde el inicio del cuadro y regresión de las adenopatías. Se destaca la importancia del diagnóstico diferencial de adenopatías cervicales persistentes acompañado de síndrome febril prolongado

Nutrition and cataract in low-income Mexicans: experience in an Eye camp.

Surgical Eye-camps for cataract treatment of low-income adult Mexicans have been undertaken over the last 10 years. Despite the high prevalence of cataracts among these subjects, no assessment of their nutritional or health status has ever been made. We compare the results obtained for 81 adults (44 men and 37 women) who received treatment in May 1997 with those for a "control" group of age and sex-matched but affluent individuals in Mexico City. alpha-Tocopherol and beta-carotene were assessed and analysed by HPLC and colorimetric procedures, respectively. The plasma tocopherol to cholesterol ratio did not reveal deficiencies of this vitamin, and only 5 patients (2 men and 3 women) had low beta-carotene plasma levels. The patients had high BMI values, with 32% of men and 30% of women overweight, and 2% and 14%, respectively, obese, with higher glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride values reflecting enhanced insulin resistance and lipid abnormalities. The alkaline phosphatase values were elevated suggesting that many of these blind patients are osteomalacic because they now remain indoors. Although it has been suggested that an adequate intake of carotenes and tocopherol are associated with absence of cataract, this appears not to be the case in our study population. Surveys in Mexico have revealed, however, a highly prevalent deficiency of other vitamins such as niacin and riboflavin, both of which have been proved to be protective against cataract. It appears that nutritional deficiencies, obesity, incipient diabetes and lipid disorders co-exist in modern Mexico. We have identified a need for research to aid the design of preventive nutritional approaches at the population level that could be applied in parallel with ongoing surgical treatment.

Herbal therapies in rheumatology: the persistence of ancient medical practices.

OBJECTIVE: To determine how frequently herbal remedies are employed as alternative therapies in rheumatic diseases, and the historical justification for their use. METHODS: We conducted a survey in 250 outpatients in the rheumatology clinic of a teaching hospital in México. We registered general demographic information and the previous use of herbal remedies for rheumatic conditions, how effective they were, and the presence of adverse effects during their use. We identified the herbs employed, and cross-checked them with medical texts from the 16th through the 18th centuries on the use of herbal remedies. RESULTS: Of 250 surveyed patients, 126 (51%) had used herbal remedies for their rheumatic conditions. 63% of all users reported them to be effective for the purpose they had been prescribed. 12% reported adverse effects, none of them life-threatening. Being a user had no relation with the patients' formal education. Three patients did not answer the survey. We were able to identify 67 plants. One third of these are either prescribed for rheumatic conditions in the consulted bibliography, or else were used for the same purpose by ancient Mexican cultures. CONCLUSION: Herbal remedies are frequently used for rheumatic conditions. Some of them have an historical antecedent for their use in rheumatic conditions. They deserve a cautious evaluation as adjunctive therapies in rheumatic diseases.

Development and application of reflexodent in the quantitative functional evaluation of chewing control in patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction and a control group.

BACKGROUND: There has been controversy with respect to the diagnostic value of the inhibitory masseteric reflex in temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD) because the whole reflex response was not considered. The purpose of this study was to characterize the reflex changes that occur in patients with different levels of TMJD and in a control group. METHODS: Eighty-nine patients (ages 31.14 +/- 12.74 years) divided into three groups were studied and compared. The control group was without TMJD (n = 30), with moderate symptoms (n = 30), and with severe symptoms (n = 29). Using an instrument and a software program developed by our group (Reflexodent), the masseteric inhibitory reflex was studied. The electromyography record (EMG) was captured with surface electrodes and the inhibitory reflex was produced by tapping the chin. The EMG signal was processed, filtered, and averaged with the Reflexodent. Twenty series of records were applied to each patient. The faulty inhibitory area, the area's relation (potentiation/inhibition) regarding the values of healthy subjects previously characterized, and the bilateral symmetry were measured. RESULTS: Discriminate analysis showed a statistically significant correlation between clinical groups and electromyographic findings. Statistical function explained 91.8% of the discrimination among groups (canonical correlation = 0.918, chi(2) = 164.435, p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The study of whole inhibitory masseteric reflex and the Reflexodent technique are useful as a diagnostic tool to evaluate TMJ illness in the dental clinic.

Interaction of alpha-melanotropin (alpha-MSH) and noradrenaline in the median eminence in the control of female sexual behavior.

In the present study, we examined the effects of the injection of alpha-melanotropin (alpha-MSH), noradrenaline (NA), and dopamine in the median eminence of ovariectomized-adrenalectomized rats on female sexual behavior. The animals were primed with l0 microg of estradiol benzoate, and 52-54 h later they were injected into the median eminence with either 1 microl of artificial cerebrospinal fluid, 1 microg/rat alpha-MSH, 200 ng/rat NA, 200 ng or 2 microg/rat dopamine, in 1 microl of artificial cerebrospinal fluid. Both alpha-MSH and NA significantly stimulated sexual behavior. This effect was antagonized by two beta-adrenergic antagonists: propranolol (500 ng/rat) and metoprolol (400 ng/rat) applied 15 min before the alpha-MSH or NA. The alpha-adrenergic antagonist prazosine (500 ng/rat) was ineffective in reducing the effect of alpha-MSH. The vehicle and dopamine at both doses had no effect on sexual activity. These results indicate that alpha-MSH and NA in the median eminence stimulate female sexual behavior and that NA mediates the action of alpha-MSH via beta-receptors.

Adjuvant high-dose chemotherapy supported by peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for high-risk cervical carcinoma.

Cervical carcinoma is a common disease for which the prognosis has not been substantially improved with standard locoregional treatments. Three stage IB patients with untreated cervical carcinoma were treated with high-dose chemotherapy and refrigerated peripheral blood stem cell support using the ICE program (Ifosfamide 10 g/m2 plus mesna at 100% of the ifosfamide dose; Carboplatin at 1.5 g/m2 and Etoposide 2.1 g/m2). Patients received the treatment in an adjuvant setting after radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymph-node dissection and postoperative cisplatin-based standard-dose chemotherapy. All patients underwent postoperative radiotherapy. The treatment was well-tolerated, all patients had rapid hematologic recovery, and the most frequent complications were grade 3 mucositis and neutropenic fever. The three patients are disease-free at 58, 60, and 63 months of follow-up. Our results show that adjuvant high-dose chemotherapy could be effective to reduce the likelihood of relapse in high-risk patients. High-dose chemotherapy deserves a formal evaluation in high-risk cervical cancer.

The inter-relationship between gonadal steroids and POMC peptides, beta-endorphin and alpha-MSH, in the control of sexual behavior in the female rat.

Estradiol benzoate (10 microg EB) given to ovariectomized-adrenalectomized rats induced sexual receptivity in half the animals and increased alpha-MSH in the preoptic area, ventromedial nucleus (VMN) and arcuate nucleus (ARC), in all the animals, although levels were significantly higher in the VMN and ARC of the receptive (R) subgroup. EB also raised levels of beta-endorphin in the VMN and ARC in the R rats only. POMC expression was not altered. EB did not affect alphaMSH in extra-hypothalamic areas, but addition of progesterone, raised levels in the septum, amygdala, hippocampus and caudate putamen. Only in the VMN, ARC and septum were the steroid-induced increases correlated with onset of sexual behavior.