Clinical and pathologic characteristics of gastric adenocarcinoma associated with Epstein-Barr virus in a region with a high incidence of gastric cancer in Colombia.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is an etiologic factor in EBV-associated gastric carcinoma (EBVaGC). The aim of our study was to describe the clinical and histopathologic characteristics of EBV infection in intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma samples. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Of 180 paraffin-embedded gastrectomy samples, 28 were studied. Chromogenic in situ hybridization was performed to detect EBV. Sociodemographic and histopathologic data were obtained from the patients' clinical histories. RESULTS: A total of 21.4% of the samples were positive for EBV. The predominant morphologic characteristic was the lace pattern, with dense inflammatory infiltration. Fifty percent of the EBVaGC+ patients were men, and the median age of the positive patients was 59 years (range: 50-75); 77.2% of the EBVaGC- patients were men, and the median age of the negative patients was 66 years (range: 34-89). Helicobacter pylori infection was associated with 10.7% of the EBVaGC+ patients and 53.6% of the EBVaGC- patients. In the EBVaGC+ patients, the cardia was the most frequent tumor location (17.9%), 7.1% had histologic grades 2 and 3, and 17.9% presented with Borrmann classification type III. In the EBVaGC- patients, the cardia and fundus were the most frequent tumor locations (71.4%), 35.7% had histologic grade 2, and 39.3% and 21.4% presented with Borrmann classification type III and IV, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present study describes the clinical and histopathologic characteristics associated with EBVaGC positivity. Those data may aid in the selection of cases that are candidates for analysis through molecular methods aimed at identifying EBV infection in intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma.

Análisis de los resultados y los factores adversos de la reparación artroscópica de las lesiones del subescapular de origen degenerativo / Analysis of the results and adverse factors of arthroscopic repair of degenerative subscapular lesions

Objetivo: Realizar una revisión de roturas del subescapular (SBE) de origen degenerativo tras su reparación por artroscopia y evaluar si los resultados son equiparables en términos de dolor y función a los de pacientes más jóvenes con roturas traumáticas. Material y método: Se han revisado de forma retrospectiva los datos de 80 roturas de SBE de las 660 roturas de manguito rotador intervenidas por el mismo equipo de cirujanos desde junio de 2008 hasta junio de 2018. Se recogieron los datos clínicos de los pacientes intervenidos: edad, género, lateralidad, demora de intervención, patologías asociadas, localización del dolor, valor de la escala visual analógica (EVA) y del test de Constant-Murley (TCM); se han recogido también los datos quirúrgicos: tipo y tamaño de lesión, lesión asociada del bíceps y gesto quirúrgico asociado, estenosis coracoidea y gesto quirúrgico asociado y número y tipo de anclajes empleados. Se realizó estudio estadístico con prueba de regresión lineal múltiple, pruebas paramétricas (t de Student o ANOVA) y pruebas no paramétricas. Resultados: De 80 pacientes, 36 fueron mujeres (45%) y 44, hombres (55%); media de edad de 61años (rango 47 a 81); demora media de la cirugía de 3,5meses (rango 1 a 6); hombro derecho afecto en 46 casos (57,5%), el izquierdo en 34 (42,5%); 22 (27,5%) fueron lesiones aisladas, 58 (72,5%), asociadas a rotura del supraespinoso (SPE). La mejoría media fue de 5,0 puntos en términos de la EVA y de 39,9 puntos de media en el TCM. Índice de nueva rotura, 1,25%. Factores adversos: tamaño de la rotura, demora de intervención, mujeres. Los pacientes con rotura tipo I-B tienen mejor resultado total en el TCM que los tipos I-A y III. A mayor demora se observan peores resultados, tanto de la EVA como del TCM. Las mujeres presentan resultados peores y estadísticamente significativos tanto en la EVA (p=0,00) como en el TCM (p=0,01).(AU)

Objective: To carry out a review of degenerative subscapularis ruptures (SSC) after their arthroscopic repair and to evaluate whether the results are comparable in terms of pain and function to those of younger patients with traumatic ruptures. Methods: The data of 80 SSC tears of the 660 rotator cuff tears operated on by the same team of surgeons from June 2008 to June 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical data of the surgical indications were collected: age, gender, laterality, intervention delay, associated pathologies, location of pain, value of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Constant-Murley test (CMT); surgical data were also collected: type and size of lesion, associated biceps injury and associated surgical procedure, coracoid stenosis and associated surgical procedure, number and type of anchors used. A statistical study was performed with multiple linear regression test, parametric tests (Student's t or ANOVA) and non-parametric tests. Results: Of 80 patients, 36 were women (45%) and 44, men (55%); mean age 61years (range 47 to 81); mean delay of surgery 3.5months (range 1 to 6); right shoulder affected in 46 cases (57.5%), left in 34 (42.5%); 22 (27.5%) were isolated lesions, 58 (72.5%) were associated with supraspinatus rupture (SE). The mean improvement was 5.0 points in terms of the VAS and 39.9 points on average in the CMT. New breakage rate, 1.25%. Adverse factors: size of the tear, delay in intervention, women. Patients with type I-B rupture have a better overall result in the CMT than types I-A and III. The longer the delay, the worse results are observed, both for the VAS and the CMT. Women present worse and statistically significant results both in the VAS (P=.00) and in the CMT (P=.01). Conclusions: Excellent and good results have been obtained in this group of patients, but there are adverse factors such as the size of the tear, the duration of the symptoms and the association of other pathologies, especially in women.(AU)

[Translated article] Analysis of the results and adverse factors of arthroscopic repair of degenerative subscapular lesions / Análisis de los resultados y los factores adversos de la reparación artroscópica de las lesiones del subescapular de origen degenerative

Objetivo: Realizar una revisión de roturas del subescapular (SBE) de origen degenerativo tras su reparación por artroscopia y evaluar si los resultados son equiparables en términos de dolor y función a los de pacientes más jóvenes con roturas traumáticas. Material y método: Se han revisado de forma retrospectiva los datos de 80 roturas de SBE de las 660 roturas de manguito rotador intervenidas por el mismo equipo de cirujanos desde junio de 2008 hasta junio de 2018. Se recogieron los datos clínicos de los pacientes intervenidos: edad, género, lateralidad, demora de intervención, patologías asociadas, localización del dolor, valor de la escala visual analógica (EVA) y del test de Constant-Murley (TCM); se han recogido también los datos quirúrgicos: tipo y tamaño de lesión, lesión asociada del bíceps y gesto quirúrgico asociado, estenosis coracoidea y gesto quirúrgico asociado y número y tipo de anclajes empleados. Se realizó estudio estadístico con prueba de regresión lineal múltiple, pruebas paramétricas (t de Student o ANOVA) y pruebas no paramétricas. Resultados: De 80 pacientes, 36 fueron mujeres (45%) y 44, hombres (55%); media de edad de 61años (rango 47 a 81); demora media de la cirugía de 3,5meses (rango 1 a 6); hombro derecho afecto en 46 casos (57,5%), el izquierdo en 34 (42,5%); 22 (27,5%) fueron lesiones aisladas, 58 (72,5%), asociadas a rotura del supraespinoso (SPE). La mejoría media fue de 5,0 puntos en términos de la EVA y de 39,9 puntos de media en el TCM. Índice de nueva rotura, 1,25%. Factores adversos: tamaño de la rotura, demora de intervención, mujeres. Los pacientes con rotura tipo I-B tienen mejor resultado total en el TCM que los tipos I-A y III. A mayor demora se observan peores resultados, tanto de la EVA como del TCM. Las mujeres presentan resultados peores y estadísticamente significativos tanto en la EVA (p=0,00) como en el TCM (p=0,01).(AU)

Objective: To carry out a review of degenerative subscapularis ruptures (SSC) after their arthroscopic repair and to evaluate whether the results are comparable in terms of pain and function to those of younger patients with traumatic ruptures. Methods: The data of 80 SSC tears of the 660 rotator cuff tears operated on by the same team of surgeons from June 2008 to June 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical data of the surgical indications were collected: age, gender, laterality, intervention delay, associated pathologies, location of pain, value of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Constant-Murley test (CMT); surgical data were also collected: type and size of lesion, associated biceps injury and associated surgical procedure, coracoid stenosis and associated surgical procedure, number and type of anchors used. A statistical study was performed with multiple linear regression test, parametric tests (Student's t or ANOVA) and non-parametric tests. Results: Of 80 patients, 36 were women (45%) and 44, men (55%); mean age 61years (range 47 to 81); mean delay of surgery 3.5months (range 1 to 6); right shoulder affected in 46 cases (57.5%), left in 34 (42.5%); 22 (27.5%) were isolated lesions, 58 (72.5%) were associated with supraspinatus rupture (SE). The mean improvement was 5.0 points in terms of the VAS and 39.9 points on average in the CMT. New breakage rate, 1.25%. Adverse factors: size of the tear, delay in intervention, women. Patients with type I-B rupture have a better overall result in the CMT than types I-A and III. The longer the delay, the worse results are observed, both for the VAS and the CMT. Women present worse and statistically significant results both in the VAS (P=.00) and in the CMT (P=.01). Conclusions: Excellent and good results have been obtained in this group of patients, but there are adverse factors such as the size of the tear, the duration of the symptoms and the association of other pathologies, especially in women.(AU)

[Translated article] Analysis of the results and adverse factors of arthroscopic repair of degenerative subscapular lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To carry out a review of degenerative subscapularis ruptures (SSC) after their arthroscopic repair and to evaluate whether the results are comparable in terms of pain and function to those of younger patients with traumatic ruptures. METHODS: The data of 80 SSC tears of the 660 rotator cuff tears operated on by the same team of surgeons from June 2008 to June 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical data of the surgical indications were collected: age, gender, laterality, intervention delay, associated pathologies, location of pain, value of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Constant-Murley test (CMT); surgical data were also collected: type and size of lesion, associated biceps injury and associated surgical procedure, coracoid stenosis and associated surgical procedure, number and type of anchors used. A statistical study was performed with multiple linear regression test, parametric tests (Student's t or ANOVA) and non-parametric tests. RESULTS: Of 80 patients, 36 were women (45%) and 44, men (55%); mean age 61 years (range 47-81); mean delay of surgery 3.5 months (range 1-6); right shoulder affected in 46 cases (57.5%), left in 34 (42.5%); 22 (27.5%) were isolated lesions, 58 (72.5%) were associated with supraspinatus rupture (SE). The mean improvement was 5.0 points in terms of the VAS and 39.9 points on average in the CMT. New breakage rate, 1.25%. Adverse factors: size of the tear, delay in intervention, women. Patients with type I-B rupture have a better overall result in the CMT than types I-A and III. The longer the delay, the worse results are observed, both for the VAS and the CMT. Women present worse and statistically significant results both in the VAS (p 0.00) and in the CMT (p 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Excellent and good results have been obtained in this group of patients, but there are adverse factors such as the size of the tear, the duration of the symptoms and the association of other pathologies, especially in women.

Analysis of the results and adverse factors of arthroscopic repair of degenerative subscapular lesions. / Análisis de los resultados y los factores adversos de la reparación artroscópica de las lesiones del subescapular de origen degenerativo.

OBJECTIVE: To carry out a review of degenerative subscapularis ruptures (SSC) after their arthroscopic repair and to evaluate whether the results are comparable in terms of pain and function to those of younger patients with traumatic ruptures. METHODS: The data of 80 SSC tears of the 660 rotator cuff tears operated on by the same team of surgeons from June 2008 to June 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical data of the surgical indications were collected: age, gender, laterality, intervention delay, associated pathologies, location of pain, value of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Constant-Murley test (CMT); surgical data were also collected: type and size of lesion, associated biceps injury and associated surgical procedure, coracoid stenosis and associated surgical procedure, number and type of anchors used. A statistical study was performed with multiple linear regression test, parametric tests (Student's t or ANOVA) and non-parametric tests. RESULTS: Of 80 patients, 36 were women (45%) and 44, men (55%); mean age 61years (range 47 to 81); mean delay of surgery 3.5months (range 1 to 6); right shoulder affected in 46 cases (57.5%), left in 34 (42.5%); 22 (27.5%) were isolated lesions, 58 (72.5%) were associated with supraspinatus rupture (SE). The mean improvement was 5.0 points in terms of the VAS and 39.9 points on average in the CMT. New breakage rate, 1.25%. Adverse factors: size of the tear, delay in intervention, women. Patients with type I-B rupture have a better overall result in the CMT than types I-A and III. The longer the delay, the worse results are observed, both for the VAS and the CMT. Women present worse and statistically significant results both in the VAS (P=.00) and in the CMT (P=.01). CONCLUSIONS: Excellent and good results have been obtained in this group of patients, but there are adverse factors such as the size of the tear, the duration of the symptoms and the association of other pathologies, especially in women.

Utility of capsule endoscopy in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a complication of hematopoietic cell transplantation, and the small bowel is one of the main targets in the gastrointestinal tract. Capsule endoscopy is a safe procedure and can be useful in the diagnosis of GvHD. The aim of the present study was to compare the diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy with the histopathologic findings in GvHD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective diagnostic test study included all the patients with suspected GvHD that underwent gastroscopy and colonoscopy, with histopathologic evaluation of the biopsies taken, and capsule endoscopy, within the time frame of July 2015 and July 2019. Capsule endoscopy findings were compared with the histopathologic diagnosis, considered the gold standard. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients with GvHD (7 [33%] women; 37 ± 11.9 years of age) were included, 20 (95%) of whom had acute GvHD. The median gastric transit time of the capsule was 55 minutes (20-113) and the median small bowel transit time was 261 minutes (238-434). The entire small bowel was visualized through capsule endoscopy in 17 cases (80.95%). The histopathologic findings and capsule endoscopy findings resulted in the diagnosis of GvHD in 17 and 16 cases, respectively. There was agreement between the histopathologic and capsule endoscopy findings in 18 cases (15 positive and 3 negative). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy were 88%, 75%, 94%, 60%, and 85%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Capsule endoscopy is a safe tool for the diagnosis of GvHD, with high sensitivity and positive predictive value, as well as moderate agreement with histopathologic findings.

BDNF and AMPA receptors in the cNTS modulate the hyperglycemic reflex after local carotid body NaCN stimulation.

The application of sodium cyanide (NaCN) to the carotid body receptors (CBR) (CBR stimulation) induces rapid blood hyperglycemia and an increase in brain glucose retention. The commissural nucleus tractus solitarius (cNTS) is an essential relay nucleus in this hyperglycemic reflex; it receives glutamatergic afferents (that also release brain derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF) from the nodose-petrosal ganglia that relays CBR information. Previous work showed that AMPA in NTS blocks hyperglycemia and brain glucose retention after CBR stimulation. In contrast, BDNF, which attenuates glutamatergic AMPA currents in NTS, enhances these glycemic responses. Here we investigated the combined effects of BDNF and AMPA (and their antagonists) in NTS on the glycemic responses to CBR stimulation. Microinjections of BDNF plus AMPA into the cNTS before CBR stimulation in anesthetized rats, induced blood hyperglycemia and an increase in brain arteriovenous (a-v) of blood glucose concentration difference, which we infer is due to increased brain glucose retention. By contrast, the microinjection of the TrkB antagonist K252a plus AMPA abolished the glycemic responses to CBR stimulation similar to what is observed after AMPA pretreatments. In BDNF plus AMPA microinjections preceding CBR stimulation, the number of c-fos immunoreactive cNTS neurons increased. In contrast, in the rats microinjected with K252a plus AMPA in NTS, before CBR stimulation, c-fos expression in cNTS decreased. The expression of AMPA receptors GluR2/3 did not change in any of the studied groups. These results indicate that BDNF in cNTS plays a key role in the modulation of the hyperglycemic reflex initiated by CBR stimulation.

Glutamatergic Receptor Activation in the Commisural Nucleus Tractus Solitarii (cNTS) Mediates Brain Glucose Retention (BGR) Response to Anoxic Carotid Chemoreceptor (CChr) Stimulation in Rats.

Glutamate, released from central terminals of glossopharyngeal nerve, is a major excitatory neurotransmitter of commissural nucleus tractus solitarii (cNTS) afferent terminals, and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been shown to attenuate glutamatergic AMPA currents in NTS neurons. To test the hypothesis that AMPA contributes to glucose regulation in vivo modulating the hyperglycemic reflex with brain glucose retention (BGR), we microinjected AMPA and NBQX (AMPA antagonist) into the cNTS before carotid chemoreceptor stimulation in anesthetized normal Wistar rats, while hyperglycemic reflex an brain glucose retention (BGR) were analyzed. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, GluR2/3 receptor and c-Fos protein expressions in cNTS neurons were determined. We showed that AMPA in the cNTS before CChr stimulation inhibited BGR observed in aCSF group. In contrast, NBQX in similar conditions, did not modify the effects on glucose variables observed in aCSF control group. These experiments suggest that glutamatergic pathways, via AMPA receptors, in the cNTS may play a role in glucose homeostasis.

Cm38: a new antimicrobial peptide active against Klebsiella pneumoniae is homologous to Cn11.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent a large and ubiquitous group of peptides. The current crisis in antibiotic therapy has led to an intensified search for new antimicrobial agents. In this regard, scorpion venom constitutes a rich source of biologically active peptides including AMPs. In the present study, the purification of a novel peptide with antimicrobial activity against the Gram-negative bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae is described. This antimicrobial peptide, named Cm38, was purified from Centruroides margaritatus scorpion venom using a two-step chromatographic strategy using C8 and C18 columns. This toxin inhibits the proliferation of the Gram-negative bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae with a Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 64 µM. An analysis of the N-terminal sequence of Cm38 revealed a close structural relationship to Cn11, a Na+-channel modulator toxin previously isolated from Centruroides noxius scorpion venom. Therefore, to test Cm38 for effects on ion channels, we measured its effects on action potential firing in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons. Cm38 depolarized and increased action potential firing in a subset of neurons tested. The present work reports a new peptide related to Cn11 with antimicrobial properties that is also active in neurons.

A fast, convenient and rugged procedure for characterizing the selectivity of alkyl-silica columns.

Previous work has shown that the selectivity of reversed-phase columns for HPLC can be described by means of five column parameters: H (hydrophobicity), S* (steric resistance), A (hydrogen-bond acidity), B (hydrogen-bond basicity) and C (cation-exchange capacity). Values of H, S*, etc. can be determined by carrying out retention measurements for 18 test solutes under standardized conditions. The reproducibility of the latter procedure has been evaluated by comparison testing in four different laboratories and found acceptable. An alternative 10-solute test procedure which is more reproducible and convenient (but somewhat less accurate), requires only 2-3 h per column.

[The treatment of children with difficult to control epilepsy]. / Tratamiento de los niños con epilepsia de difícil control.

A survey is conducted of the way difficult-to-control epileptic seizures are currently managed in paediatric practice. We also highlight the alternative means of therapy available, such as epilepsy surgery, a ketogenic diet, the use of hormones, steroids, gamma globulin and the stimulation of the vagal nerve, together with their indications, their efficiency in the different types of epilepsy and their contraindications. Mention is also made of the new antiepileptic drugs that have appeared since the nineties, as well as the reappearance of others that had fallen into disuse.

Tratamiento de los niños con epilepsia de difícil control / The treatment of children with difficult-to-control epilepsy

Se revisa la forma en que se manejan en la actualidad las crisis epilépticas de difícil control en pediatría, y se hace hincapié en las medidas alternativas de tratamiento, como son la cirugía de la epilepsia, la dieta cetogénica, el uso de hormonas, esteroides y gammaglobulina, y la estimulación del nervio vago, con sus indicaciones, su eficacia en los diferentes tipos de epilepsia y sus contraindicaciones. Se mencionan las indicaciones de los nuevos fármacos antiepilépticos que han aparecido a partir de los años noventa y la reaparición de otros que ya estaban en desuso (AU)

A survey is conducted of the way difficult-to-control epileptic seizures are currently managed in paediatric practice. We also highlight the alternative means of therapy available, such as epilepsy surgery, a ketogenic diet, the use of hormones, steroids, gamma globulin and the stimulation of the vagal nerve, together with their indications, their efficiency in the different types of epilepsy and their contraindications. Mention is also made of the new antiepileptic drugs that have appeared since the nineties, as well as the reappearance of others that had fallen into disuse (AU)

Maternal bone lead contribution to blood lead during and after pregnancy.

We examined bone lead contribution to blood lead in a group of 311 immigrant women, 99% from Latin America, during the third trimester of pregnancy and 1 to 2 months after delivery. We measured in vivo tibia and calcaneus (heel) bone lead concentration in the postdelivery period with K shell X-ray fluorescence. Prenatal and postnatal geometric mean (range) blood lead level was 2.2 microg/dL (0.4 to 38.7) and 2.8 microg/dL (0.4 to 25.4), reflecting low current exposure. Postnatal blood lead level was significantly higher than prenatal (P<0.0001). Mean (range) tibia and calcaneus lead concentration was 6.7 microg/g (-33.7 to 62.2) and 8.4 microg/g (- 30.1 to 66.4), reflecting varying but elevated past lead exposure. Mean calcaneus lead concentration was significantly higher than mean tibia lead concentration (P = 0.055). Variance-weighted multiple regression and structural equation models showed that both calcaneus and tibia lead were directly associated with prenatal blood lead but only calcaneus lead was associated with postnatal blood lead. Increasing natural log years in the United States independently predicted decreasing calcaneus and third-trimester blood lead. The data suggest that while some exogenous lead sources and modulators of blood lead level, such as use of lead-glazed pottery and calcium in the diet, control lead exposure during and after pregnancy, endogenous lead sources from past exposure before immigration continue to influence blood lead levels in this sample.

Maternal blood lead level during pregnancy in South Central Los Angeles.

Twenty-five years of public health efforts produced a striking reduction in lead exposure; the blood lead average in the United States has decreased to less than 20% of levels measured in the 1970s. However, poor minority groups that live in large urban centers are still at high risk for elevated lead levels. In this study, our data showed that pregnant immigrants (n = 1,428) who live in South Central Los Angeles--one of the most economically depressed regions of California--have significantly higher (p < .0001) blood lead levels (geometric mean = 2.3 microg/dl [0.11 micromol/l]) than 504 pregnant nonimmigrants (geometric mean = 1.9 microg/dl [0.09 micromol/l]). The most important factors associated with lower blood lead levels in both groups were younger age; more-recent date of blood sampling (i.e., decreasing secular trend); and blood sampling in mid-autumn, instead of mid-spring (i.e., seasonal trend). Blood lead levels of immigrants were strongly dependent on time elapsed since immigration to the United States; each natural log increase in years of residence was associated with an approximately 19% decrease in blood lead levels. Although blood lead means for both groups were almost the same as the estimated national average, 25 of the 30 cases of elevated blood lead (i.e., > or = 10 microg/dl [0.48 micromol/l) occurred in the immigrant group. The odds ratio (95% confidence intervals within parentheses) for having elevated blood lead levels (a) was 9.3 (1.9, 45.8) if the immigrant engaged in pica; (b) was 3.8 (1.4, 10.5) if the immigrant had low dietary calcium intake during pregnancy; and (c) was .65 (.43, .98) for every natural log unit increase of years of residence in the United States. The control of pica and dietary calcium intake may offer a means of reducing lead exposure in immigrants.

Blood lead level and blood pressure during pregnancy in South Central Los Angeles.

In many studies in which the relationship between blood pressure and blood lead level has been examined, investigators have found significant--but small--associations. There was only one previous report of a significant association of blood lead with blood pressure in pregnant women. We measured blood lead level and sitting blood pressure of 1,627 women in their third trimester of pregnancy. We eliminated subjects with known causes of hypertension. Most women (98.4%) were normotensive. We controlled for body mass index, age, and stress--among other factors--and constructed multiple-regression models of lead association with diastolic and systolic blood pressures. Immigrants (73% of total) had significantly higher blood lead levels and different blood pressures than nonimmigrants, suggesting that analysis be stratified by "immigrant, nonimmigrant" status. Positive relationships between blood lead level and blood pressure were found only for immigrants (p < or = .001). From the 5th to 95th blood-lead percentiles (0.9-6.2 microg/dl) in immigrants, systolic blood pressure increased 2.8 mm Hg, and diastolic blood pressure increased 2.4 mm Hg. Higher prior lead exposure of immigrants (97.7% from Latin countries) than nonimmigrants might explain the differential effect of these low levels of blood lead on blood pressure in nonimmigrants. Perhaps some immigrants are at higher risk than nonimmigrants for lead-associated elevated blood pressure during pregnancy, despite blood lead levels within the currently considered acceptable range.

[Clinical findings in active cerebral neurocysticercosis in pediatrics]. / Manifestaciones clínicas de la neurocisticercosis cerebral activa en pediatría.

OBJECTIVE: We describe our experience in the study of active cerebral cysticercosis in paediatrics over a period of 6 years, involving a total of 85 cases, which were studied from the clinical, immunological and radiological points of view. The aim of this communication is to present the clinical characteristics of the disorder and its course when symptomatic treatment is given. DEVELOPMENT: The commonest age of presentation was school age. However, we had a large number of children under 4 years old. This shows that there is considerable endemicity in a group in which the disorder is considered to be less frequent. There were slightly more females than males, which is in accordance with another Mexican series. The predominant socio-economic level was poor (59%). The patients come from urban areas more and more frequently. The commonest signs were: convulsive crises, intracranial hypertension and headache without intracranial hypertension. The commonest type of crisis was partial, in its different forms. CONCLUSIONS: The course was mild and satisfactory in 90% of the patients. The good clinical progress was independent of the use of antiparasitic treatment.

Enuresis funcional. Manejo psicomotor de los esfínteres vesicales / Functional enuresis

La enuresis es un problema cotidiano de salud en un número importante de niños mayores de 3 años de edad, aunque su frecuencia y prevalencia reales se desconozcan en nuestro país. Su importancia se incrementa debido a la gran vinculación que tiene con los padres de familia y, además, porque su manejo es aún tema de controversia. En la presente revisión bibliográfica se describen los principales aspectos clínicos de esta anomalía; se incluye un cuadro de facíl manejo sobre el criterio diagnóstico en la enuresis funcional, y se hace énfasis en la vigilancia que debe ejercer el médico cuando instituye tratamiento farmacológico. En especial, se destaca la trascendencia que ofrece educar al paciente y a sus padres o cuidadores, a través de instituir, a la brevedad posible, la práctica cotidiana del manejo de los esfínteres vesicales al aportador al niño cantidades generosas de líquidos durante el día. Insistiéndole en la necesidad imperiosa que existe en su caso, de que concientice las sensaciones de la necesidad de miccionar y la conveniencia de controlar los esfinteres mencionados

Trichinella spiralis infection in pigs in eastern Bolivia.

Trichinellosis in pigs in Bolivia was first documented in 1993 following a small abattoir survey in a rural community in the Bolivian Altiplano. The present study investigated the presence of antibodies to Trichinella spiralis in pigs in the 2 largest departments in terms of pig production in Bolivia. Three geographically separate abattoir surveys were conducted to cover the major production areas in the Departments of Santa Cruz and Chuquisaca. Sera were tested using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Of the 1,327 sera analysed from the 3 areas, 13.4% overall tested positive. Results from the 3 individual surveys varied from 10.2% seropositivity to 17.1 per cent. However, within each of the 3 sample areas, highly significant variation in seropositivity was encountered, with those areas with the most extensive production systems having the highest percentage of positive sera. Such variation is probably due to differences in nutrition with foraging and household waste being important components of pig diets in extensive production systems. The results of this study were similar to those obtained from the previous survey in the Altiplano and indicate that trichinellosis is present throughout Bolivia and is a potentially important public health problem.

Is the Reaction Catalyzed by 3-Hydroxy-3-Methylglutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase a Rate-Limiting Step for Isoprenoid Biosynthesis in Plants?

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) catalyzes the irreversible conversion of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A to mevalonate and is considered a key regulatory step controlling isoprenoid metabolism in mammals and fungi. The rate-limiting nature of this enzyme for isoprenoid biosynthesis in plants remains controversial. To investigate whether HMGR activity could be limiting in plants, we introduced a constitutively expressing hamster HMGR gene into tabacco (Nicotiana tabaccum L.) plants to obtain unregulated HMGR activity. The impact of the resulting enzyme activity on the biosynthesis and accumulation of particular isoprenoids was evaluated. Expression of the hamster HMGR gene led to a 3- to 6-fold increase in the total HMGR enzyme activity. Total sterol accumulation was consequently increased 3- to 10-fold, whereas end-product sterols such as sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol were increased only 2-fold. The level of cycloartenol, a sterol biosynthetic intermediate, was increased more than 100-fold. Although the synthesis of total sterols appears to be limited normally by HMGR activity, these results indicate that the activity of one or more later enzyme(s) in the pathway must also be involved in determining the relative accumulation of end-product sterols. The levels of other isoprenoids such as carotenoids, phytol chain of chlorophyll, and sesquiterpene phytoalexins were relatively unaltered in the transgenic plants. It appears from these results that compartmentation, channeling, or other rate-determining enzymes operate to control the accumulation of these other isoprenoid end products.

[Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome. Presentation of a case]. / Síndrome catastrófico antifosfolípido. Presentación de un caso.

The case of a 35 years old female patient is here reported. Her previous medical records included repeated miscarriages and ischaemic ulcers in the right leg. She developed thrombosis at the left common femoral artery with serum antiphospholipid antibodies. The patient was treated with anticoagulants and two months later developed multiorganic failure. She was successfully managed with plasmapheresis, high dose prednisone, and anticoagulants. The clinical picture was considered to be a catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome.