Cáncer de vesícula en colecistectomías de la región de Tarapacá. Análisis según pertenencia étnica / Prevalence of gallbladder cancer in a Northern Chilean region

BACKGROUND: Gallbladder Cancer (GBC) prevalence varies among countries, associated with different geographical and genetic factors. The Mapuche ethnicity (Ethnia mostly located between the VIII and X Chilean regions) stands out in Chile due to its high GBC prevalence. Aim: To estimate the GBC prevalence in patients undergoing cholecystectomy at a public hospital in the Northern region of Chile (Tarapaca), where other ethnical groups are common. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pathological reports of 3270 patients (72% women) who underwent cholecystectomy between January 2016 and December 2019 were revised. Subsequently, the accreditation of ethnic belonging for each patient to one of the ten native communities in Chile was requested to the National Corporation for Native Communities Development (CONADI). RESULTS: According to the analysis of pathological reports, the global GBC prevalence was 0.3 %. The prevalence in Aymaras was 0.4% and 0% in Mapuches. The distribution of ethnic origins among analyzed patients was Aymara in 14.3, Mapuche in 2.7%, Diaguita in 1.7%, Quechua in 1.3%, Atacameña in 0.2%, and Colla in 0.2%. No specific ethnic origin was found in 79% of patients. Conclusions: There was a low GBC prevalence rate in Northern Chile and among the Aymara population.

Atención de las necesidades espirituales y religiosas de pacientes por personal de salud: un modelo basado en el acompañamiento espiritual / Attention to the spiritual and religious needs of patients by health personnel: a model based on spiritual accompaniment

Resumen Los aspectos espirituales y religiosos han retomado su importancia en la atención de salud, en la búsqueda de una atención integral, digna y más humana, teniendo en cuenta además, los múltiples beneficios clínicos asociados. Sin embargo, el cuidado de las necesidades espirituales y religiosas, históricamente asumidas por capellanes religiosos y guías espirituales, actualmente, en forma paulatina, son considerados parte de las obligaciones de los equipos de salud, no sin la reticencia de los mismos y sin una manera clara de cómo hacerlo. El objetivo del presente trabajo es presentar la importancia de la atención de las necesidades espirituales y religiosas en el cuidado de salud y un modelo de atención basado en el acompañamiento espiritual.

In the search for comprehensive, dignified and more humane care, the spiritual and religious aspects have regained their importance in health care. Furthermore, the múltiple associated clinical benefits must also be taken into account. However, the care of spiritual and religious needs, historically undertaken by religious chaplains and spiritual guides, have gradually become considered part of the obligations of the health teams, in spite of their reluctance and without a clear way on how to do it. The objective of this work is to present the importance of attending to the spiritual and religious needs in health care and a care model based on spiritual accompaniment.

Procuramiento y uso de aloinjertos cutáneos de piel total criopreservados obtenidos de pacientes sometidas a abdominoplastía / Procurement and use of cryopreserved whole skin cutaneous allografts obtained from patients undergoing abdominoplasty

Resumen Introducción: Los aloinjerto cutáneos (AC) son excelentes sustitutos cutáneos temporales, sin embargo, la donación y procura de piel cadavérica, fuente habitual de AC, es baja. Objetivo: Evaluar la factibilidad de utilizar la piel proveniente de abdominoplastías como fuente de AC y su eficacia clínica. Materiales y Método: Entre el 17 de agosto de 2020 al 28 de febrero de 2021 se analizó una cohorte prospectiva de 14 pacientes femeninas sometidas a abdominoplastía por motivos estéticos, que aceptaron donar la piel del colgajo cutáneo abdominal redundante, la cual fue criopreservada. Se utilizaron los AC de piel total criopreservados (ACPTC) en 10 pacientes con diagnósticos de: pie diabético (4), laparostomía contenida (2) herida compleja extremidad inferior (2), sarcoma de cuero cabelludo recidivado (1) y melanoma (1). Resultados: Se obtuvieron 14 colgajos de piel total, los cuales fueron procesados obteniendo una superficie promedio de 302 cm2 y 8,3 láminas de distintos tamaños de utilidad clínica por paciente. En todos los pacientes en que se utilizó ACPTC hubo un prendimiento inicial del AC para posteriormente, en promedio 21 días, presentar una escara necrótica que al ser retirada presentaba un tejido vital adherido al receptor rico en fibroblastos, siendo algunos pacientes auto injertados y otros manejados con cicatrización por segunda intención como tratamiento definitivo. Discusión: Los ACPTC proporcionan una cobertura intermedia, pues una parte se integra en forma definitiva, actuando como un andamiaje biológico para la formación de una interfase sobre la cual se puede autoinjertar o dejar evolucionar con cicatrización por segunda intención y una parte es rechazada. Conclusión: La procura de piel de donante vivo, en pacientes sometidos a cirugías de contorno corporal es un proceso factible, fuente de ACPTC, los cuales permiten una nueva cobertura intermedia con múltiples aplicaciones clínicas.

Introduction: Skin allografts (SA) are outstanding temporary skin substitutes; however, cadaveric skin donation and procurement, a common source of SA, remains low. Aim: To evaluate the feasibility and clinical efficacy of using skin from abdominoplasties as a source of SA. Materials and Method: A prospective cohort was analyzed from August 17th, 2020 and February 28th, 2021, with 14 female patients submitted to abdominoplasty surgeries for aesthetic motives, who authorized skin donation from the redundant abdominal flap which was posteriorly cryopreserved. Cryopreserved total skin allografts (CTSA) was used in 10 patients with the following diagnoses: diabetic foot (4), contained laparostomy (2) complex wound of the lower limb (2), relapsing sarcoma of the scalp (1), and melanoma (1). Results: 14 CTSA were obtained, which were processed, obtaining an average area of 302 cm2 and 8.3 sheets of different sizes and clinical applications from each patient. In all patients who received CTSA, an initial attachment was observed, followed by the appearance of a necrotic scar in an average of21 days. The peeling of the latter revealed a vital tissue tightly adhered to the receptor and rich in fibroblasts. Some of the patients received autografts, and others were managed with secondary intention scarring as a definite treatment. Discussion: CTSA provide an intermediate coverage since one part is definitely adhered to, acting as a biologic scaffolding for the formation of an interface that can be autografted or left for a secondary intention scarring, and the host rejects the other portion. Conclusión: skin procurement from a living donor in patients submitted to body contour surgeries is a feasible process and significant source of CTSA, which permits a new intermediate coverage with multiple clinical uses.

[Prevalence of gallbladder cancer in a Northern Chilean region]. / Cáncer de vesícula en colecistectomías de la región de Tarapacá. Análisis según pertenencia étnica.

BACKGROUND: Gallbladder Cancer (GBC) prevalence varies among countries, associated with different geographical and genetic factors. The Mapuche ethnicity (Ethnia mostly located between the VIII and X Chilean regions) stands out in Chile due to its high GBC prevalence. AIM: To estimate the GBC prevalence in patients undergoing cholecystectomy at a public hospital in the Northern region of Chile (Tarapaca), where other ethnical groups are common. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pathological reports of 3270 patients (72% women) who underwent cholecystectomy between January 2016 and December 2019 were revised. Subsequently, the accreditation of ethnic belonging for each patient to one of the ten native communities in Chile was requested to the National Corporation for Native Communities Development (CONADI). RESULTS: According to the analysis of pathological reports, the global GBC prevalence was 0.3 %. The prevalence in Aymaras was 0.4% and 0% in Mapuches. The distribution of ethnic origins among analyzed patients was Aymara in 14.3, Mapuche in 2.7%, Diaguita in 1.7%, Quechua in 1.3%, Atacameña in 0.2%, and Colla in 0.2%. No specific ethnic origin was found in 79% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: There was a low GBC prevalence rate in Northern Chile and among the Aymara population.

Renoprotective effect of N-acetylcysteine depends upon the severity of the ischemia reperfusion injury.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in seriously ill patients, while renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is the most frequent event in this oxidative renal injury. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a small molecule containing a thiol group that has antioxidant properties, promoting detoxification and acting directly as a free radical scavenger. In this study, the protective effect of NAC was investigated in short-term (30 min) and long-term (45 min) ischemic AKI. This was achieved via clamping of the renal artery for 30 or 45 min in Wistar rats to induce I/R injury. AKI worsened with a longer period of ischemia (45 compared to 30 min) due to probable irreversible damage. Preconditioning with NAC in short-term ischemia improved renal blood flow and increased creatinine clearance by reducing oxidative metabolites and increasing antioxidant capacity. Otherwise, NAC did not change these parameters in the long-term ischemia. Therefore, this study demonstrated that the period of ischemia determines the severity of the AKI, and NAC presented antioxidant effects in short-term ischemia but not in long-term ischemia, confirming that there is a possible therapeutic window for its renoprotective effect.

Renoprotective effect of N-acetylcysteine depends upon the severity of the ischemia reperfusion injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in seriously ill patients, while renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is the most frequent event in this oxidative renal injury. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a small molecule containing a thiol group that has antioxidant properties, promoting detoxification and acting directly as a free radical scavenger. In this study, the protective effect of NAC was investigated in short-term (30 min) and long-term (45 min) ischemic AKI. This was achieved via clamping of the renal artery for 30 or 45 min in Wistar rats to induce I/R injury. AKI worsened with a longer period of ischemia (45 compared to 30 min) due to probable irreversible damage. Preconditioning with NAC in short-term ischemia improved renal blood flow and increased creatinine clearance by reducing oxidative metabolites and increasing antioxidant capacity. Otherwise, NAC did not change these parameters in the long-term ischemia. Therefore, this study demonstrated that the period of ischemia determines the severity of the AKI, and NAC presented antioxidant effects in short-term ischemia but not in long-term ischemia, confirming that there is a possible therapeutic window for its renoprotective effect.

Prevalencia de colecistolitiasis y cáncer de vesícula en una población rural aymara de Chile

Background: The prevalence of cholelithiasis and gallbladder cancer may be different across ethnic groups. Aim: To study the prevalence of cholelithiasis and gallbladder cancer among Aymara individuals. Material and Methods: An abdominal ultrasound was carried out in a sample of 182 Aymara women aged 46 ± 16 years and 76 Aymara men aged 55 ± 16 years. In addition, the histopathological reports of both patients with a history of previous cholecystectomy and those operated after the study were reviewed. Results: Ultrasound was normal in 150 participants (58%), 76 had cholelithiasis (30%) and 32 (12%) had a history of cholecystectomy. Pathological reports of the excised gallbladder were available for 106 cases and showed a chronic cholecystitis in 98% of cases. Gallbladder cancer was not reported. Conclusions: There is a 42% prevalence of cholelithiasis and no gallbladder cancer in this sample of Aymara population.

Biomechanical and biochemical investigation of erythrocytes in late stage human leptospirosis.

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira, which can cause lipid changes in the erythrocyte membrane. Optical tweezers were used to characterize rheological changes in erythrocytes from patients with leptospirosis in the late stage. Biochemical methods were also used for quantification of plasma lipid, erythrocyte membrane lipid, and evaluation of liver function. Our data showed that the mean elastic constant of erythrocytes from patients with leptospirosis was around 67% higher than the control (healthy individuals), indicating that patient's erythrocytes were less elastic. In individuals with leptospirosis, several alterations in relation to control were observed in the plasma lipids, however, in the erythrocyte membrane, only phosphatidylcholine showed a significant difference compared to control, increasing around 41%. With respect to the evaluation of liver function of individuals with leptospirosis, there was a significant increase in levels of alanine transaminase (154%) and aspartate transaminase (150%), whereas albumin was 43.8% lower than control (P<0.01). The lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase fractional activity was 3.6 times lower in individuals with leptospirosis than in the healthy individuals (P<0.01). The decrease of the erythrocyte elasticity may be related to the changes of erythrocyte membrane phospholipids composition caused by disturbances that occur during human leptospirosis, with phosphatidylcholine being a strong candidate in the erythrocyte rheological changes.

Recombinant micro-exon gene 3 (MEG-3) antigens from Schistosoma mansoni failed to induce protection against infection but show potential for serological diagnosis.

Sequence databases on Schistosoma mansoni have revealed micro-exon gene (MEGs) families. Many of these genes are highly expressed in parasite life cycle stages associated with the mammalian host infection and appear to be involved in immune evasion by schistosomes. So, we believe that MEG-coding proteins would make potential candidates for vaccine development or diagnosis for schistosomiasis. Here, we study MEG-3.2 and MEG-3.4, members of the MEG-3 family. Recombinant (r) proteins were produced and formulated with Freund's adjuvant for vaccination of mice. Immunization with recombinant MEG-3.2 or MEG-3.4 formulation generated high levels of IgG1 antibodies. Additionally, vaccination also induced a mixed Th1/Th2/Th17-type of response, since IFN-γ, IL-5 and IL-17 cytokines were detected in the supernatant of spleen cell cultures; however it failed to induce reduction in parasitic worm burden. Finally, the recombinant proteins were evaluated in a serological assay using human samples. Schistosome-infected individuals showed higher levels of both IgG and IgM against rMEG-3.2 compared to non-infected individuals, while only IgM anti-rMEG-3.4 antibodies were elevated in infected patients. Therefore, between both studied molecules, MEG-3.2 protein is the antigen that shows potential to compose a serological diagnosis test for schistosomiasis.

Effect of Structural Variation of Dead Trunks on Passalid (Coleoptera: Passalidae) Assemblages in Central Amazonian Campinaranas.

The present study investigated the occurrence of passalids in dead trunks with structural variations. Trunks were found in areas of white sand forests, locally known as Campinarana, in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. The collections were extended from May to December 2009. The mean diameter of the trunks and their stage of decomposition were classified, and the species of Passalidae were classified according to the location of their galleries. We used multiple generalized models to investigate the relationship between abundance and permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) to investigate the relationships between predictors and passalid composition. A total of 361 passalids belonging to 13 species were collected from 11 tree species, of which Aldina heterophylla represented the highest proportion of logs (55%). Only the diameter of the trunk was related to the abundance of species, with trunks of larger diameters presented more individuals. The passalid composition was correlated with the diameter and decomposition of the trunks of all species of trees and only with the diameter of the trunks of A. heterophylla. Most of the species collected in Campinaranas construct their galleries in two or more regions of the trunk. The region that supported a greater number of colonies was the sapwood, followed by the inner bark and the soil-stem interface. The general habit of passalids found may be advantageous, probably to compensate for the low dispersion and isolation in areas with low availability of resources, such as Campinaranas forests in the Amazon.

[Prevalence of cholelithiasis and gallbladder cancer among Aymara individuals]. / Prevalencia de colecistolitiasis y cáncer de vesícula en una población rural aymara de Chile.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of cholelithiasis and gallbladder cancer may be different across ethnic groups. AIM: To study the prevalence of cholelithiasis and gallbladder cancer among Aymara individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An abdominal ultrasound was carried out in a sample of 182 Aymara women aged 46 ± 16 years and 76 Aymara men aged 55 ± 16 years. In addition, the histopathological reports of both patients with a history of previous cholecystectomy and those operated after the study were reviewed. RESULTS: Ultrasound was normal in 150 participants (58%), 76 had cholelithiasis (30%) and 32 (12%) had a history of cholecystectomy. Pathological reports of the excised gallbladder were available for 106 cases and showed a chronic cholecystitis in 98% of cases. Gallbladder cancer was not reported. CONCLUSIONS: There is a 42% prevalence of cholelithiasis and no gallbladder cancer in this sample of Aymara population.

Biomechanical and biochemical investigation of erythrocytes in late stage human leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira, which can cause lipid changes in the erythrocyte membrane. Optical tweezers were used to characterize rheological changes in erythrocytes from patients with leptospirosis in the late stage. Biochemical methods were also used for quantification of plasma lipid, erythrocyte membrane lipid, and evaluation of liver function. Our data showed that the mean elastic constant of erythrocytes from patients with leptospirosis was around 67% higher than the control (healthy individuals), indicating that patient's erythrocytes were less elastic. In individuals with leptospirosis, several alterations in relation to control were observed in the plasma lipids, however, in the erythrocyte membrane, only phosphatidylcholine showed a significant difference compared to control, increasing around 41%. With respect to the evaluation of liver function of individuals with leptospirosis, there was a significant increase in levels of alanine transaminase (154%) and aspartate transaminase (150%), whereas albumin was 43.8% lower than control (P<0.01). The lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase fractional activity was 3.6 times lower in individuals with leptospirosis than in the healthy individuals (P<0.01). The decrease of the erythrocyte elasticity may be related to the changes of erythrocyte membrane phospholipids composition caused by disturbances that occur during human leptospirosis, with phosphatidylcholine being a strong candidate in the erythrocyte rheological changes.

Passalidae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeoidea) from the West-Most Brazilian Amazon Region: Checklist, New Records, and Identification Key.

We present a list of Passalidae species found in the westmost Brazilian Amazon region, which is considered to be a diversity-rich area due to being a tectonic and geographic transition zone in relation to Brazilian Amazon lowlands and the Andean range. The specimens acquired in field collections and museums were analyzed. Their geographical distributions were estimated based on data from labeled specimens and the literature. Twenty-nine species belonging to two subfamilies, six genera, and four subgenera were listed. Among them, 20, 1, and 2 showed to be new records for the region, Brazilian Amazon, and Brazil, respectively. An identification key is provided for the species being listed.

Combined effects of ovariectomy and streptozotocin-induced diabetes in the articular cartilage of rats.

AIM: To evaluate the combined effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetes (Di) and ovariectomy in the articular cartilage of rats. METHODS: Forty adult female Wistar rats were ovariectomized (OVX) or sham-operated. After recovery from surgery, the animals were assigned randomly into four groups: OVX control (OVX-C); OVX treated with 10 µg/kg/day of 17ß-estradiol (OVX-E); sham-operated subjected to Di (Sham-Di); and OVX subjected to Di (OVX-Di). After 60 days of treatment, the animals were euthanized and the distal femurs with articular cartilage were processed for paraffin-embedding. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histomorphometry, Picro-Sirius Red for collagen, or Alcian Blue for glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content. To detect apoptosis, sections were stained with an antibody to cleaved caspase-3 (casp-3). RESULTS: Articular cartilage thickness and GAG content were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the OVX-Di group, which also showed a higher number of casp-3-positive chondrocytes than the other groups. Interestingly, the higher percentage (p < 0.05) of mature collagen fibers was seen in the OVX-Di group, may be as a result of a reduced extracellular matrix remodeling of the articular cartilage. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the combination of ovariectomy and streptozotocin-induced diabetes produces more deleterious effects in articular cartilage of rats than either condition alone.

Endothelin-1 receptor antagonists protect the kidney against the nephrotoxicity induced by cyclosporine-A in normotensive and hypertensive rats

Cyclosporin-A (CsA) is an immunosuppressant associated with acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. Nephrotoxicity associated with CsA involves the increase in afferent and efferent arteriole resistance, decreased renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Endothelin-1 (ET-1) receptor blockade with bosentan (BOS) and macitentan (MAC) antagonists on altered renal function induced by CsA in normotensive and hypertensive animals. Wistar and genetically hypertensive rats (SHR) were separated into control group, CsA group that received intraperitoneal injections of CsA (40 mg/kg) for 15 days, CsA+BOS and CsA+MAC that received CsA and BOS (5 mg/kg) or MAC (25 mg/kg) by gavage for 15 days. Plasma creatinine and urea, mean arterial pressure (MAP), RBF and renal vascular resistance (RVR), and immunohistochemistry for ET-1 in the kidney cortex were measured. CsA decreased renal function, as shown by increased creatinine and urea. There was a decrease in RBF and an increase in MAP and RVR in normotensive and hypertensive animals. These effects were partially reversed by ET-1 antagonists, especially in SHR where increased ET-1 production was observed in the kidney. Most MAC effects were similar to BOS, but BOS seemed to be better at reversing cyclosporine-induced changes in renal function in hypertensive animals. The results of this work suggested the direct participation of ET-1 in renal hemodynamics changes induced by cyclosporin in normotensive and hypertensive rats. The antagonists of ET-1 MAC and BOS reversed part of these effects.