[Vesical schistosomiasis: an uncommon cause of bladder wall thickening]. / La esquistosomiasis vesical: una causa poco frecuente de engrosamiento de la pared vesical.

Schistosomiasis is typically a tropical disease; however, given the large influx of immigrants to our country and the boom in tourism to exotic locations, schistosomiasis should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of certain clinical entities. The flatworm Schistosoma haematobium can cause a large variety of lesions in the urinary tract. The most common sites of involvement are the bladder and the lower third of the ureters, where it can cause lesions ranging from lithiasis and ureteral stenosis to the formation of masses inside the bladder. Ultrasonography is the imaging technique of choice for evaluating these alterations in the bladder; in addition to being fast, noninvasive, and painless, it is very useful for monitoring the response to antihelmintic treatment. We believe that it is essential to know the alterations in the urinary tract caused by this trematode, as this infectious disease that can be cured with Praziquantel might be confused with tumor diseases, such as vesical masses.

La esquistosomiasis vesical: una causa poco frecuente de engrosamiento de la pared vesical / Vesical schistosomiasis: an uncommon cause of bladder wall thickening

La esquistosomiasis es una enfermedad típicamente tropical, pero dada la gran afluencia de inmigrantes a nuestro país y el auge del turismo exótico a este tipo de lugares, debemos tenerla en cuenta en el diagnóstico diferencial de ciertas entidades clínicas. Dentro del tracto urinario, el Schistosoma haematobium puede ocasionar una gran variedad de lesiones, siendo los lugares más afectados la vejiga y el tercio inferior de los uréteres. En estos lugares puede originar desde la formación de litiasis y estenosis ureterales hasta el desarrollo de masas intravesicales. En la vejiga, la técnica radiológica de elección para evaluar las alteraciones es la ecografía ya que, además de ser una técnica rápida, inocua e indolora, es muy útil para monitorizar la respuesta al tratamiento antihelmíntico. Creemos que es fundamental conocer las alteraciones causadas por este trematodo en el tracto urinario, ya que es posible confundir esta entidad infecciosa, curable con praziquantel, con la existencia de una patología tumoral, como en el caso de las masas vesicales (AU)

Schistosomiasis is typically a tropical disease; however, given the large influx of immigrants to our country and the boom in tourism to exotic locations, schistosomiasis should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of certain clinical entities. The flatworm Schistosoma haematobium can cause a large variety of lesions in the urinary tract. The most common sites of involvement are the bladder and the lower third of the ureters, where it can cause lesions ranging from lithiasis and ureteral stenosis to the formation of masses inside the bladder. Ultrasonography is the imaging technique of choice for evaluating these alterations in the bladder; in addition to being fast, noninvasive, and painless, it is very useful for monitoring the response to antihelmintic treatment. We believe that it is essential to know the alterations in the urinary tract caused by this trematode, as this infectious disease that can be cured with Praziquantel might be confused with tumor diseases, such as vesical masses (AU)

[Neonatal hearing loss screening: our results three years after starting the program]. / Despistaje de la hipoacusia neonatal: resultados después de 3 años de iniciar nuestro programa.

Since the 90s there increasing interest in early detection of neonatal hearing loss due to the feasibility of universal neonatal screening as well as to the possibility of early intervention. This has led to set up neonatal screening programs based upon otoacoustic emissions and to a great increase in the number of publications in the field. Our hospital started a neonatal hearing loss screening program using otoacoustic emission in March 2000. We used a Capella Cochlear Emissions (MADSEN electronics) equipment. Until May 2003 we have performed the test in 6372 children with a median age of 71 days. In our study, the sensibility of the test was 90.9% and the specificity 99.7%. Our results are similar to those reported in the literature although the age of the children was higher and we have found an incidence of hearing loss lower than other studies.

Despistaje de la hipoacusia neonatal: resultados después de 3 años de iniciar nuestro programa / Neonatal hearing loss screening: our results three years after the program

Desde los años 90 hay un gran interés en la detección precoz de la hipoacusia, tanto por la posibilidad real de hacer un despistaje universal, como por la posibilidad de una intervención temprana. Ello ha provocado la instauración de programas de detección precoz de la hipoacusia basados fundamentalmente en el empleo de otoemisiones acústicas, además de un gran aumento de la literatura científica en este campo. Nuestro hospital inició el programa de detección universal de la hipoacusia neonatal mediante otoemisiones acústicas evocadas por clic en marzo de 2000, utilizando un equipo Capella Cochlear Emissions (MADSEN Electronics). Hasta mayo de 2003 hemos realizado la prueba en 6372 niños de una edad media de 71 días. En nuestro estudio la sensibilidad fue del 90,9% y la especificidad del 99,7%. Nuestros resultados son similares a los de la literatura, si bien la edad media de los niños estudiados es netamente superior y hemos encontrado una incidencia de hipoacusia inferior a otros estudios

Abstract: Since the 90s there increasing interest in early detection of neonatal hearing loss due to the feasibility of universal neonatal screening as well as to the possibility of early intervention. This has led to set up neonatal screening programs based upon otoacoustic emissions and to a great increase in the number of publications in the field. Our hospital started a neonatal hearing loss screening program using otoacoustic emission in March 2000. We used a Capella Cochlear Emissions (MADSEN electronics) equipment. Until May 2003 we have performed the test in 6372 children with a median age of 71 days. In our study, the sensibility of the test was 90.9% and the specificity 99.7%. Our results are similar to those reported in the literature although the age of the children was higher and we have found an incidence of hearing loss lower than other studies

[Xanthogranulomatous cystitis: report of a case]. / Cistitis xantogranulomatosa: presentación de un caso.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of xanthogranulomatous cystitis, a rare disease especially in the western countries (12 of the 16 cases reported were Japanese and Korean). METHODS: A case of xanthogranulomatous cystitis in a 34-year-old female is presented. Patient evaluation included histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical studies. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: The lesion was localized to the bladder dome, anatomically related with the urachus. It consisted of collections of histiocytes with lymphoplasmocytic infiltrate. The adhesions observed in the omentum in this case indicate a possible relationship with a previous inflammatory process. Surgery is advocated in most of the cases with good results.

Effects of parenteral nutrition supplemented with glutamine or glutamine dipeptides on liver antioxidant and detoxication systems in rats.

Our aim was to determine the effects of glutamine or alanyl glutamine parenteral supplementation on the liver oxidant/antioxidant balance and on cytochrome-P450-mediated detoxication in rats. Animals were infused for 5 d with standard total parenteral nutrition (TPN), glutamine-enriched TPN, or alanyl glutamine-enriched TPN. The hepatic concentration of glutathione was reduced, and the levels of thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were increased in animals receiving standard TPN. Both glutamine and alanyl glutamine supplementation normalized glutathione, but thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substance concentration was only decreased by ananyl glutamine. This effect was parallel to a partial recovery of the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Cytochrome-P450 liver content, cytochrome-P450-dependent monooxygenases, and antipyrine clearance were not modified by glutamine or alanyl glutamine. Our data suggest a better protection against free radicals by alanyl glutamine supplementation and an absence of effects of both glutamine and alanyl glutamine on liver oxidative metabolism.

[Rheumatic manifestations associated with infection by the hepatitis C virus]. / Manifestaciones reumáticas asociadas a la infección por el virus de la hepatitis C.

The development in the past few years of laboratory test for hepatitis C virus allow us to associate it with a broad range of autoimmune manifestations such as cryoglobulinemia and Sjögren syndrome. As in other virus' infections, rheumatic manifestations have been described during VHC infection, but there are no large studies enough to know their true frequency and characteristic. The three reported patients in this issue presented and HCV related arthropathy once clinical picture, laboratory test and following, allowed us to exclude other diagnostics. Clinical manifestations ranged from arthralgias and intermittent arthritis to symmetric polyarthritis without any kind of join damage.

Pectin feeding influences fecal bile acid excretion, hepatic bile acid and cholesterol synthesis and serum cholesterol in rats.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of pectin on cholesterol and bile acid metabolism and to elucidate the mechanisms involved in its hypolipidemic effect in rats. The key regulatory enzymes in cholesterol and bile acid metabolism, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) and cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase, were determined. Circulating, hepatic, and biliary lipid concentrations and fecal bile acid excretion were also measured. Male Wistar rats were fed a fiber-free or a pectin-supplemented (7 g/100 g) diet for 4 wk. Bile flow and the biliary secretion of both bile acids and cholesterol were not significantly different than controls in pectin-fed rats. The addition of pectin to the diet resulted in lower serum and liver cholesterol concentrations (-27 and -17%, respectively). Fecal bile acid excretion (+168%) and the hepatic activity of cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase (+70%) were significantly higher in pectin-fed animals. HMG-CoA reductase activity was also significantly greater (+11%) in the presence of dietary pectin. Results of our study indicate that pectin, by enhancing fecal bile acid excretion, may cause increased hepatic synthesis of bile acids and liver depletion of cholesterol in rats, which results in a higher rate of cholesterol synthesis and reduced serum cholesterol concentrations.

[Amino acid pattern variation in animals after the administration of hypocaloric peripheral parenteral nutrition]. / Variación del patrón de aminoácidos en animales tras la administración de nutrición parenteral periférica hipocalórica.

The pattern of intracellular aminoacids may be reproduced individually and is different for each illness. This study seeks to measure alterations in this pattern in rats after the administration of hypocaloric peripheral parenteral nutrition (HPPN), group B, for five days, by comparing them with rats subjected to conventional fluidtherapy, group A, for the same period. HPPN tolerance was good in all cases. Our results show a higher tendency to glyconeogenesis in group A, measured by a reduction in the glycogenic aminoacids especially alanine. An increase in branched aminoacids was observed in group A due to an increase in proteolisis. The animals in group B showed a lesser reduction in the intracellular aminoacids necessary for glyconeogenesis, especially glycine. HPPN, was found, to alter the aminoacids pattern in fasting rats. The results might be corroborated in humans studies.

[Hepatic metabolism of cholesterol]. / Metabolismo hepático del colesterol.

Cholesterol is an essential component of all tissues, as it is a part of the structure of cell membranes, and it is an immediate precursor of a series of essential substances such as vitamins, steroid hormones, and bile acids. Under physiologic conditions, the intake and output of cholesterol in the organism is coordinated and balanced with the aim of guaranteeing the availability of adequate amounts of cholesterol to satisfy the needs of the different tissues (fig. 1). Under pathological conditions there is an imbalance between these mechanism, which leads to an increase in the circulating levels of cholesterol, leading to pathological processes such as hyperlipemias, atherosclerosis and bile stones. The liver plays a central role in the regulation of the homeostasis of cholesterol. The molecule enters the liver in the form of chylomicrons and low density lipoproteins (LDL), through lipoprotein receptors, and this is also the most important organ for the de novo biosynthesis of cholesterol from acetyl coenzyme A, by means of a cascade enzyme reaction in which the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3 methyl glutaryl CoA reductase (HMG-CoA) is the key of the entire process. Cholesterol is found in the liver in the form of cholesterol esters or as free cholesterol. The two most effective ways of eliminating body cholesterol are found in the liver, with the degradation of the compound to bile acids and the biliary secretion of cholesterol. The conversion to bile acids takes place through a series of enzymatic steps in which the formation of 7-alpha-hydroxycholesterol by the enzyme cholesterol 7-alpha-hydroxylase is the key of the process. The biliary secretion of cholesterol is 600 mg/day. Both the abundance and the universality of cholesterol in living things as its clinical implications emphasize the importance and interest of this compound.

[Inflammatory aorto-iliac aneurysm. A cause of extrinsic ureteral obstruction]. / Aneurismas aorto-ilíacos inflamatorios. Una causa de obstrucción ureteral extrínseca.

OBJECTIVE: A ureteral pathology arising from inflammatory aneurysm of the abdominal aorta is described. METHODS/RESULTS: A case of inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm causing entrapment of both ureters, destruction of a renal unit and ureterohydronephrosis of the contralateral kidney is described. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of inflammatory aneurysm of the abdominal aorta is by surgical repair with a prosthesis. Endourological urinary drainage is warranted prior to surgical repair, but ureterolysis to preserve renal function is unnecessary.

[Postoperative fusiform cell nodule. Relationship with other benign fibrous proliferations]. / Nódulo de células fusiformes postquirúrgico. Relación con otras proliferaciones fibrosas benignas.

We report on a patient who developed postoperative spindle cell nodule one month following TURP for prostatic adenocarcinoma. The foregoing was compared with other benign fibrous lesions from our records: one case of nodular fasciitis and one case of proliferative myositis. Although they were all well-defined and clinically distinct disease entities, a very close relationship concerning their origin was demonstrated histologically and immunohistochemically.