Glycyrrhizinic Acid as an Antiviral and Anticancer Agent in the Treatment of Human Papillomavirus.

Human papillomavirus (HPV), like any other virus, needs to penetrate the host cell and make use of its machinery to replicate. From there, HPV infection can be asymptomatic or lead to benign and premalignant lesions or even different types of cancer. HPV oncogenesis is due to the ability of the viral oncoproteins E6 and E7 to alter the control mechanisms for the growth and proliferation of host cell. Therefore, the use of agents with the ability to control these processes is essential in the search for effective treatments against HPV infections. Glycyrrhizinic acid (Gly), the active ingredient in liquorice, has been shown in numerous preclinical studies to have an antiviral and anticancer activity, reducing the expression of E6 and E7 and inducing apoptosis in cervical cancer cells. In addition, it also has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory or re-epithelializing properties that can be useful in HPV infections. This review includes the different antiviral and anticancer mechanisms described for Gly, as well as the clinical studies carried out that position it as a potential therapeutic strategy against HPV both through its topical application and by oral administration.

Produzindo pesquisa, formação, saúde e educação na integração ensino, serviço e comunidade / Producción de investigación, formación, salud y educación en la integración enseñanza servicio y comunidad / Producing research, training, health, and education in the teaching-service-community integration

Trata-se de relato de experiência sobre o desenvolvimento de pesquisas, produção de conhecimento e formação na interface universidade e serviços de saúde, a partir do programa Pró-Ensino na Saúde (Capes Edital no 24/2010). Apresenta a educação problematizadora, a formação interprofissional, a educação permanente de professores e profissionais de saúde e as Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais como mobilizadoras da formação profissional comprometida com o desenvolvimento do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), especificamente na valorização da integração universidade pública com serviços de saúde. As pesquisas desenvolvidas abordaram diferentes dimensões do ensino na Atenção Primária à Saúde, envolvendo práticas pedagógicas, formação e desenvolvimento docente, atuação do profissional de saúde como professor, inovações pedagógicas e questões relacionadas à prática do trabalho em saúde. Na riqueza e diversidade dos estudos, aponta-se fragilidade na relação orgânica entre universidade e atenção primária e observam-se inovações que caminham para a ruptura do ensino instituído.(AU)

Se trata del relato de una experiencia sobre el desarrollo de investigaciones, producción de conocimiento y formación en la interfaz universitaria y servicios de salud, a partir del programa Pro-Enseñanza en la Salud (Capes Pliego de Condiciones nº24/2010). Presenta la educación problematizadora, la formación interprofesional, la educación permanente de profesores y profesionales de salud y las Directrices Curriculares Nacionales como movilizadoras para la formación profesional comprometida con el desarrollo del Sistema Brasileño de Salud, específicamente en la valorización de la integración universidad pública con servicios de salud. Las investigaciones desarrolladas abordaron diferentes dimensiones de la enseñanza en la Atención Primaria a la Salud envolviendo prácticas pedagógicas, formación y desarrollo docente, actuación del profesional de salud como profesor, innovaciones pedagógicas y cuestiones relacionadas con la práctica del trabajo en salud. En la riqueza y en la diversidad de los estudios se señala la fragilidad en la relación orgánica entre universidad/atención primaria y se observan innovaciones que caminan hacia la ruptura de la enseñanza instituida.(AU)

Natural history of histologically moderate cervical dysplasia in adolescent and young women.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent women are a special age group affected by human papilloma virus (HPV). Most guidelines recommend surgical treatment for high-grade cytological lesions. However, some reports have attempted to demonstrate that the immune system is fully capable of clearing the virus without using conization. Our aim in this study was to describe the outcome of women <25 years old with high-grade cytology pap smears and no histologically confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasm [CIN] III. METHODS: This prospective cohort study, carried out at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital 12 de Octubre, included 29 women aged 25 years or younger with high-grade cytological lesions recruited in screening programs and were followed up at 15 months. This study describes the clinical course of the women, and we determined the percentage of cytological, histological, and microbiological lesions produced by HPV that were cleared without surgical treatment in these women during their follow-up. RESULTS: During follow-up, 63% of high-grade cytological lesions and all high-grade histological lesions were cleared. HPV was eliminated from 23% of patients with one HPV serotype and 27% with multiple HPV serotypes without any treatment. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that there is no need to use surgical treatment to clear high-grade cytological and cervical lesions in adolescent women, thus preventing damage to their reproductive future.

[Characterization of paracetamol overdose: report of a poison information center in Chile]. / Caracterización de la ingestión por sobredosis de paracetamol: reporte de un centro de información toxicológica Chileno.

BACKGROUND: Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is an analgesic and antipyretic drug widely used across the world. Its ingestion is one of the most common causes of drug overdose. In the United States is the first cause of acute hepatitis in adults. AIM: To describe the epidemiological profile of paracetamol overdose in Chile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross sectional retrospective study that included all the phone call inquiries received at the Poison Control Center of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile (CITUC) during 2009. RESULTS: Nine hundred fifty nine inquiries involving acute paracetamol exposures were received. Women represented a 63.1% of the cases. Half of the cases were suicide attempts, of which 74.8% were women. Accidental exposures occurred mainly in children. In 29.3% of the patients, the exposure was considered to involve a hepatotoxic dose. Women had 2.7 times the risk of men to ingest a toxic dose of paracetamol with suicidal purpose (Odds ratio (OR) = 2.7; 95% confidence interval (Cl): 2.1-3.6; p < 0.001). Adolescents had 3.4 times the risk of the general consultants (OR: 3.4; 95% Cl: 2.4-4.7; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Paracetamol overdose is common in Chile. Authorities should carry out preventive measures. Antidotes and the capacity to measure plasma levels of paracetamol should be available in healthcare centers.

Caracterización de la ingestión por sobredosis de paracetamol: Reporte de un centro de información toxicológica chileno / Characterization of paracetamol overdose: Report of a poison information center in Chile

Background: Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is an analgesic and antipyretic drug widely used across the world. Its ingestion is one of the most common causes of drug overdose. In the United States is the first cause of acute hepatitis in adults. Aim: To describe the epidemiological profile of paracetamol overdose in Chile. Material and Methods: Cross sectional retrospective study that included all the phone call inquiries received at the Poison Control Center of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile (CITUC) during 2009. Results: Nine hundred fifty nine inquiries involving acute paracetamol exposures were received. Women represented a 63.1% of the cases. Half of the cases were suicide attempts, of which 74.8% were women. Accidental exposures occurred mainly in children. In 29.3% of the patients, the exposure was considered to involve a hepatotoxic dose. Women had 2.7 times the risk of men to ingest a toxic dose of paracetamol with suicidal purpose (Odds ratio (OR) = 2.7; 95% confidence interval (Cl): 2.1-3.6; p < 0.001). Adolescents had 3.4 times the risk of the general consultants (OR: 3.4; 95% Cl: 2.4-4.7; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Paracetamol overdose is common in Chile. Authorities should carry out preventive measures. Antidotes and the capacity to measure plasma levels of paracetamol should be available in healthcare centers.

[The relevance of environmental health and the scope of pediatric environmental health specialty units]. / La importancia de la salud ambiental y el alcance de las unidades de pediatría ambiental.

In the last decades there has been an important decrease in infant mobidity and mortality, but these achievements are not equally distributed across the whole population. Children are one of the most susceptible groups due to their unique vulnerabilities to environmental factors. Unhealthy environments, indoor pollution, poor drainage, inadequate waste disposal, and many others, are significant environmental risk factors to children. Currently, Chile is experiencing an advanced demographical transition, a situation that requires a precise approach to guarantee that the population has an adequate health status. It is important to take care of children, since their present health status will condition their health as adults. Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units are structures specialized in pediatric conditions related to the environment, formed by an interdisciplinary and highly specialized team. These centers provide assistance, information and treatment, promote research, educate health care providers or the public, and report problems to authorities. Health authorities should emphasize the importance of having a safe environment for children and encourage efforts to reduce exposure to environmental hazards promoting healthy behaviors, education and awareness at all levels of society .

La importancia de la salud ambiental y el alcance de las unidades de pediatría ambiental / The relevance of environmental health and the scope of pediatric environmental health specialty units

In the last decades there has been an important decrease in infant mobidity and mortality, but these achievements are not equally distributed across thewhole population. Children are one of the most susceptible groups due to their unique vulnerabilities to environmental factors. Unhealthy environments, indoor pollution, poor drainage, inadequate waste disposal, and many others, are significant environmental risk factors to children. Currently, Chile is experiencing an advanced demographical transition, asituation that requires a precise approach to guarantee that the population has an adequate health status. It is important to take care of children, since their present health status will condition their health as adults. Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units are structures specialized in pediatric conditions related to the environment, formed by aninterdisciplinary and highly specialized team. These centers provide assistance, information and treatment, promote research, educate health care providers or the public, and report problems to authorities. Health authorities should emphasize the importance of having a safe environment for children and encourage efforts to reduce exposure to environmental hazards promoting healthy behaviors, education and awareness at all levels of society.

Epidemiología de las intoxicaciones: análisis de las llamadas efectuadas durante el año 2007 al Centro de Información Toxicológica (CITUC) de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile / Epidemiology of intoxications: analysis of calls made during 2007 to the Toxicology Information Center (CITUC) of the Catholic University of Chile

Objetivo: Describir y caracterizar la epidemiología de las consultas por intoxicaciones al Centro de Información Toxicológica de la Universidad Católica (CITUC) y conocer las variaciones epidemiológicas producidas entre los años 2004 y 2007. Método: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, observacional y descriptivo de las llamadas registradas por el Centro durante el periodo del año 2007. Se analizaron las siguientes variables: número total de llamadas, lugar de las llamadas, circunstancias de la exposición, tipo y números de agentes involucrados, vías de exposición, tiempo desde la exposición, características demográficas y las indicaciones y tratamientos recomendados. Resultados: Se registraron 30.171 llamadas. El 45 por ciento de las consultas provenían del hogar y el 52,5 por ciento de las instalaciones de salud. El 67,2 por ciento de las consultas fueron exposiciones accidentales y el 29,2 por ciento fueron intencionales. Los Medicamentos se presentaron en un 57,1 por ciento de las llamadas, seguidos por los Productos de uso doméstico (16,5 por ciento), Productos de uso industrial (4,7 por ciento), y Pesticidas (5,8 por ciento). La ingestión fue la vía de exposición que se predominó en un 76,6 por ciento del total de casos. El 23,3 por ciento del total de las llamadas, se realizaron dentro de la primera hora post-exposición. Las intoxicaciones en niños menores de 14 años correspondieron al 50 por ciento de las llamadas. Respecto al año 2004 aumentó la proporción de llamadas procedentes del hogar y el porcentaje de intoxicaciones intencionales. Conclusiones: Los medicamentos constituyen el principal agente de intoxicación. La principal vía de exposición es la ingesta y el principal grupo de población afectado son los niños menores de 14 años. Estos son indicadores evidentes y claros de la necesidad imperante de desarrollar campañas publicitarias preventivas e informativas, avaladas por el Ministerio de Salud, respecto al correcto almacenamiento...

Objective: To describe the epidemiological features of the intoxication cases reported to CITUC and the variations produced between 2004 and 2007. Method: A retrospective and descriptive study of the calls registered at the Center during 2007. The following data were analyzed: number and place of the calls; circunstances of exposure; type and number of agents involved; routes of exposure; time since exposure; sex and age of the subjects, and treatment and advice offered. Findings: 30.171 calls were received, 45 percent from the home and 52,5 percent from Health Care Service; 67,2 percent were accidents and 29,2 percent were intentional exposures. The agents were: medicines (57,1 percent); cleaning products (16,5 percent) pesticides (5,8 percent); other chemical and industrial products (4,7 percent). The exposure route was oral in 76,6 percent of cases; 48 percent of calls occurred within one hour of exposure. Children under six were the main group involved. Conclusion: The evidence substantiates a need for prevention campaigns, sponsored by the Health Ministry, about the correct storage of medicines and the appropiate management of poisoning at home. Child-resistant containers and education are two essential elements for prevention of pediatric intoxications.

Tóxicos al alcance de los niños / Household hazardous

Existen productos frecuentes de uso doméstico y plantas ornamentales en nuestros jardines con gran poder toxigénico que son importantes de conocer.