Biotinidase knockout mice show cellular energy deficit and altered carbon metabolism gene expression similar to that of nutritional biotin deprivation: clues for the pathogenesis in the human inherited disorder.

Biotin is the prosthetic group of carboxylases that have important roles in the metabolism of glucose, fatty acids and amino acids. Biotinidase has a key role in the reutilization of the biotin, catalyzing the hydrolysis of biocytin (ε-N-biotinyl-l-lysine) and biocytin-containing peptides derived from carboxylase turnover, thus contributing substantially to the bioavailability of this vitamin. Deficient activity of biotinidase causes late-onset multiple carboxylase in humans, whose pathogenic mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we show that a knock-out biotinidase-deficient mouse from a C57BL/6 background that was fed a low biotin diet develops severe ATP deficit with activation of the energy sensor adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), inhibition of the signaling protein mTOR, driver of protein synthesis and growth, and affecting the expression of central-carbon metabolism genes. In addition, sensitivity to insulin is augmented. These changes are similar to those observed in nutritionally biotin-starved rats. These findings further our understanding of the pathogenesis of human biotinidase deficiency.

Resistencia compresiva vidrio ionómero Ionofil Molar® y Vitremer® según tiempo de exposición en saliva artificial / Compressive strength of glass ionomer Ionofil Molar® and Vitremer® according to exposure time in artificial saliva

Objetivo: El conocimiento sobre las propiedades mecánicas de los materiales dentales es fundamental para una correcta indicación y funcionamiento en la cavidad oral, permitiéndole al profesional optar por el que presente mejor comportamiento durante la masticación. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la resistencia a la compresión de Ionofil Molar® y Vitremer®, según tiempo de exposición en saliva artificial. Materiales y Métodos: Se prepararon 5 muestras para cada material evaluadas a los tiempos 0, 168 y 504 horas en saliva artificial a 37° C, según las especificaciones propuestas por la norma ANSI/ADA n°66. La resistencia a la compresión se determinó sometiendo las muestras a cargas en un equipo de ensayo de fuerzas Instron® a una velocidad de carga de 1 mm/min. Se realizó una prueba de homogeneidad de varianzas, la normalidad se determinó mediante Kolmogorov-Smirnov, y posteriormente un ANOVA. Se realizó el test de Tukey para determinar si existió diferencia significativa entre variables. Resultados: La resistencia compresiva de Vitremer no presentó diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el tiempo (p=0.282), a diferencia de Ionofil Molar, que sí presentó diferencias entre los distintos tiempos (p=0.011). Además en las muestras sin sumergir, no hubo diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre materiales (p=0.091), en cambio sí existió diferencia al cabo de una y tres semanas de exposición (p=0). Conclusión: El vidrio ionómero Vitremer presenta mayor resistencia compresiva a lo largo del tiempo, sin presentar alteraciones significativas en el tiempo al ser inmerso en saliva, a diferencia del Ionofil Molar que disminuyó significativamente su resistencia en las mismas condiciones.

Objective: Understanding the mechanical properties of dental materials is essential for proper indication and a correct functioning in the oral cavity, as it allows the dentist to choose the material that presents better performance during mastication. The aim of this study was to evaluate the compressive strength of Ionofil Molar and Vitremer, according to the exposure time in artificial saliva. Materials: 5 samples were prepared for each material evaluated at 0, 168 and 504 hours in artificial saliva at 37º Celsius, according to the specifications suggested by ANSI/ADA specification No 66. The compressive strength was determined by subjecting the samples to an Instron strength-testing machine at a load speed of 1 mm/min. A test of homogeneity of variance was conducted; normality was determined by Kolmogorov-Smirnov, and ANOVA. Tukey’s test was performed to determine if significant differences existed between variables. Results: Vitremer compressive strength did not show statistically significant differences over time (p=0.282), unlike Ionofil Molar, which did present differences between times (p=0.011). Besides, there were no statistically significant differences in the samples without submerging (p=0.091), unlike after one to three weeks of exposure, were a difference did exist (p=0). Conclusion: Vitremer has greater compressive strength over time, without showing significant changes in time after being immersed in saliva, unlike Ionofil Molar, whose resistance decreased significantly under the same conditions.

Short-term neurophysiologic consequences of intrapartum asphyxia in piglets born by spontaneous parturition.

Piglets appear to be neurologically sensitive to intrapartum asphyxia. Our aim was to investigate the short-term neurophysiologic consequences of intrapartum asphyxia in piglets. We studied 10 piglets suffering intrapartum asphyxia and 10 control piglets. Glucose and blood gas levels, tympanic membrane temperature, and body weight were measured within the first 2 min after birth. Animals were followed up for a 5-day period. As surrogated markers of piglets' neurological function, a viability score and the time elapsed from birth to the first contact with the maternal udder were recorded. In the control group, temperature and blood pH levels at birth were significantly higher (p < or = .001), whereas calcium, lactate and PCO2 levels were statistically lower (p < or = .05) than in the piglets experiencing intrapartum asphyxia. Lower temperature and blood pH levels as well as higher blood PCO2 and lactate levels were observed in piglets with lower viability scores and in piglets with prolonged times until first udder contact. At the end of the study, asphyxiated piglets weighed on average 200 g less (p = .023) than control piglets. In conclusion, intrapartum asphyxia in spontaneously born piglets was associated with signs of acute neurological dysfunction and lower weight gain, supporting the hypothesis that they may be used as a naturalistic model for the study of asphyxia in newborns.

A systematic review of experimental and clinical studies of sildenafil citrate for intrauterine growth restriction and pre-term labour.

Sildenafil could be an alternative in the treatment of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and premature delivery. In order to systematically review the reproductive-related effects of sildenafil, a search was made on PubMed and the Science Citation Index for studies evaluating the effects of sildenafil on uterine vessels or myometrium either in vitro or in experimental animal models as well as for any clinical trial or case reporting the outcome of pregnant women treated with sildenafil. The information was obtained from: three in vitro studies, five studies performed in experimental animal models, four studies on women with fertility and sterility disorders receiving 100 mg/day of sildenafil intravaginally, and two case reports of pregnant women who received sildenafil for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. Incubation with sildenafil of different in vitro preparations resulted in vasodilator and uterine relaxant effects. No evidence of teratogenicity was observed in the studies performed in mice, rats and dogs. Sildenafil increased fetal weight in rats. In women, contradictory results on uterine blood flow and endometrial development were reported after the intravaginal administration of sildenafil. No adverse fetal outcomes were reported in the two pregnant women with pulmonary hypertension receiving sildenafil late in their pregnancy. In conclusion, there is still limited information about the efficacy of sildenafil for the treatment of IUGR and premature delivery. However, studies in experimental animal models and two human case reports have reported no deleterious effects on the mother or offspring.

Rabies DNA vaccination by the intranasal route in dogs.

A DNA vaccine, using a pCl-neo plasmid encoding the glycoprotein gene of a Mexican isolate of rabies virus, was developed to induce long-lasting protective immunity against rabies virus in dogs. The aim of this work was to evaluate the intranasal (IN) vaccination route in mice and dogs. Mice and dogs were immunized via the intramuscular (IM) and IN routes. Mice received 50 microg of DNA vaccine, a booster on day 30, using the same doses and routes, and on day 90 they were challenged. Dogs received 100 microg of DNA vaccine, with a booster on day 180, and immune responses were studied on day 210. Virus-neutralizing antibodies were detected in blood sera (up to 0.5 IU) in animals immunized via the IN route and when the animals were submitted to a booster, the levels of neutralizing antibodies increased. Animals vaccinated via the IM route presented higher neutralizing antibody titres than those vaccinated IN. Control groups lacked anti-rabies antibodies. On day 90, mice were challenged. From these, a 100 % of the IM vaccinated mice, and an 80 % of the IN vaccinated mice survived the challenge. No animals from the control group survived. Dogs revealed significant virus-neutralizing antibody titres (up to 0.5 IU) on day 30 and, after booster, on day 210 neutralizing antibody titre was higher than 1.8 IU. The main advantage of using DNA vaccines over traditional live ones is that there is no contamination with viruses that could be disseminated in the environment and reproduced in susceptible animals. This study demonstrated that pGQH was succesful when administrated via the IN route. IN vaccination seems attractive due to its easy application and mucosal protection. This form of vaccination could also be advantageous in domestic animal vaccination campaigns, for it is less stressful than the parenteral route (no painful shots).

[Identification of quality problems in the clinical information to hospital emergency department patients]. / Identificación de problemas de calidad en la información clínica a usuarios de un servicio de Urgencias hospitalario.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the comprehension level of the information provided to patients and relatives attending an emergency department and to know their satisfaction degree. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was designed. The selection of study patients was made by means of a simple randomized sampling and the total of patients was 213. At discharge, these patients and their relatives answered a written, anonymous questionnaire. To evaluate the comprehension of the information provided, the questionnaire responses were checked against the clinical records. RESULTS: The self-identification of the health care providers, information on the estimated length of stay at the ED, the explanation of complementary tests and their results significantly determined the satisfaction score on the provided information, which for the patients was 6.3 on a 10-point scale. The percentages of patients who were knowledgeable of the performed tests, diagnosis, and administered treatment were 61.5%, 50.7%, and 35.2%, respectively. Understanding the diagnosis and the administered treatment differed according to age (p < 0.001) and the assimilation of the information on recommendations at patients's discharge differed according to the education level (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The self-identification of health care personnel would allow for a better bi-directional information flow. Given the socio-cultural characteristics of our population, the information provided should be clear and concise. The transmission of information to most emergency department users would be best achieved with previous information of the workflow at the emergency department in the form of booklets at the entrance, and also establishing protocols for the informed consent on different diagnostic and treatment techniques inherent to emergency care.

Identificación de problemas de calidad en la información clínica a usuarios de un servicio de Urgencias hospitalario / Identification of quality problems in the clinical information to hospital emergency department patients

Objetivos. Valorar el nivel de asimilación de la información facilitada a los pacientes y familiares en el servicio de Urgencias y conocer el grado de satisfacción. Métodos. Se diseñó un estudio descriptivo transversal. La selección de los sujetos a estudio se realizó mediante un muestreo aleatorio simple, obteniéndose una muestra de 213 pacientes. En el momento del alta estos pacientes con sus acompañantes contestaron una encuesta escrita y anónima. Para valorar la comprensión de la información se contrastaron las respuestas del cuestionario con la historia clínica. Resultados. La presentación del médico, la información sobre el tiempo de estancia aproximado en Urgencias, la explicación de las pruebas complementarias a realizar y de los resultados de las mismas determinó significativamente la puntuación de satisfacción sobre la información ofrecida, que para los pacientes fue de 6,3 puntos sobre 10. El porcentaje de pacientes que tenía conocimiento puntual de las pruebas realizadas fue del 61,5 por ciento, del diagnóstico el 50,7 por ciento y del tratamiento administrado el 35,2 por ciento. La comprensión del diagnóstico y del tratamiento administrado fue diferente según la edad (p < 0,001), y la asimilación de la información sobre las recomendaciones al alta fue diferente según el nivel de estudios (p < 0,05).Conclusiones. La identificación del personal sanitario permitiría un mejor flujo bidireccional de la información. Dadas las características socioculturales de nuestro medio, la información debe ser clara y concisa. Para que la información se transmitiera a la mayoría de los usuarios del servicio de Urgencias sería útil la información previa sobre el funcionamiento del servicio en forma de folletos en la entrada y establecer protocolos para el consentimiento informado sobre diversas técnicas diagnósticas y de tratamiento propias de la Medicina de urgencias (AU)

Elaboración y puesta en marcha del programa de calidad del hospital / Elaboration and start up of the Hospital’s quality program

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[Bilio-enteric convergent diversion with an antireflux mechanism. An experimental study]. / Derivación bilioentérica convergente con mecanismo antirreflujo. Estudio experimental.

A new biliary-enteric derivation was used in one group of mongrel puppies to avoid reflux and its complications. A Y-en-Roux derivation in one pared group of puppies was used also. There was a substantial complications decrease in the first puppies, but do not stop at all contamination in the bile duct tree and liver.

[Behavior of the section and arterial suture site in growing subjects]. / Comportamiento del sitio de sección y sutura arterial en sujetos en crecimiento.

In order to investigate the possible unwanted late effects of vessel cicatrization during growth, especially after the section and terminal-terminal arterial anastomosis, a study was carried out in 28 piglets using three different surgical anastomosis techniques as well as three different types of sutures. Results show that the smaller the diameter of the vessel and when for its surgical correction suture techniques using separate and combined stitches are used, in addition to non absorbent material, a greater amount of suppression is seen at the site of anastomosis during arterial growth. Less suture material is recommended (of lesser thickness) as well as continuous suture techniques as the diameter of the vessels to be sutured decrease.

[Neurosensory defects secondary to neonatal hyperbilirubinemia]. / Defectos neurosensoriales secundarios a hiperbilirrubinemia neonatal.

Effects to medium and long term of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (BI less than or equal to 16.8 mg%) on acoustic and visual sensorial systems have been studied on two groups: a) group I, 20 jaundiced term and 5 jaundiced preterm newborns, 21 of term treated with phototherapy, b) group II, 15 term and 10 preterm newborns. At the age of 9-10 years the following data were analyzed: Anthropometrics, psychometrics, audiologic and ophthalmologic. Statistic analysis of results obtained on the differences that have been studied do not show statistic differences between problem and control series (p greater than 0.05) except for audiological parameters. A higher incidence of hypoacusia was found in group I (p less than 0.05). It is concluded that neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (BI less than or equal to 16.8 mg%) has not any side-effects at medium and long term on the visual area, but it produces hypoacusia.