The controlling nutritional status score: A promising tool for nutritional screening and predicting severity in ulcerative colitis patients. / La escala control nutricional (CONUT): una herramienta prometedora para el cribado nutricional y como predictor de severidad en la colitis ulcerosa crónica idiopática.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: The controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score has previously been shown to be useful for nutritional assessment and the prediction of several inflammatory and neoplastic diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential use of the CONUT score as a method for nutritional screening and predicting severity in ulcerative colitis (UC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 60 patients diagnosed with UC. Demographic, clinical, and biochemical patient characteristics were collected from their clinical records, and disease severity was assessed using the Truelove and Witts scale (TWS). The risks for malnutrition were evaluated through the nutritional risk index and the CONUT score. RESULTS: More than 90% of the UC patients presented with malnutrition risk, according to the scores analyzed. Patients with a high (>6points) CONUT score presented with moderate-to-severe activity on the TWS. A higher CONUT score was also associated with an increase in C-reactive protein (CRP) (P=.002) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (P=.009). The data analysis was performed utilizing the SPSS version 19 program. CONCLUSIONS: The CONUT score could be a promising tool for evaluating nutritional status in UC patients and predicting UC severity.

Hemoglobin (Hb) Val de Marne (Hb Footscray) in Brazil: the first case report.

Hemoglobin (Hb) variants involving alpha-chains are less common in the global population than Hb variants resulting from beta-chain alterations. Generally, alpha-chain Hb variants are caused by point mutations affecting alpha-1 and/or alpha-2 genes of the alpha-globin cluster (HBA1 and HBA2). In Brazil, the most prevalent alpha-chain Hb variant is Hb Hasharon. In this study, we present the first case of an Hb Val de Marne variant in the Americas, specifically in Brazil.

Cow, sheep and llama manure at psychrophilic anaerobic co-digestion with low cost tubular digesters in cold climate and high altitude.

The aim of this research is to evaluate the co-digestion of cow and llama manure combined with sheep manure, in psychrophilic conditions and real field low cost tubular digesters adapted to cold climate. Four digesters were monitored in cold climate conditions; one fed with cow manure, a second one with llama manure, the third one with co-digestion of cow-sheep manure and the fourth one was fed with llama-sheep manure. The slurry had a mean temperature of 16.6 °C, the organic load rate was 0.44 kgvs m(-3) d(-1) and the hydraulic retention time was 80 days. After one hundred days biogas production was stable, as was the methane content and the pH of the effluent. The co-digestion of cow-sheep manure results in a biogas production increase of 100% compared to the mono-digestion of cow manure, while co-digestion of llama-sheep manure results in a decrease of 50% in biogas production with respect to mono-digestion of llama manure.

Are veterinary students in favour of xenotransplantation? Comparative opinion study in a Brazilian and a Spanish university.

BACKGROUND: The shortage of organs has made it necessary to search for new alternatives such as xenotransplantation. However, the use of animal organs could be opposed by society and the personnel involved in its implementation. This study aimed to analyze the attitude of veterinary degree students in a Brazilian university towards xenotransplantation, to determine factors that affect its acceptance, and to compare the attitudes among a control group of veterinary degree students in a Spanish university. METHODS: Of the 422 students registered for a veterinary course from 2010 to 2011, 374 were surveyed with a questionnaire completion rate of 89%. Attitudes were evaluated using a validated questionnaire that was self-administered administered anonymously. The process was coordinated by an independent health care worker. We applied the student t and the chi-squared-tests for statistical analysis. RESULTS: If xenotransplantation was confirmed as a clinical reality, 90% (n = 338) of Brazilian students would accept the use of a xenotransplanted organ; 94% (n = 350), tissue; and 97% (n = 360), cell xenotransplantation. Attitudes toward xenotransplantation were not determined by the academic year, any psychosocial variable, or attitudes toward deceased human organ donation (P = .167). However, the attitudes would be affected by a belief that the transplanted animal organ would not change anything (P = .001). Interaction with other people was also related to more favorable attitudes (P = .015). Subjects who expressed a more favorable attitude tended to more readily accept cell (P = .000) or tissue xenotransplantation (P = .000). In Spain (control group), the results were similar: 91% (n = 436) would accept a xenotransplantation; 95% (n = 457) tissue; and 97% (n = 467), cell xenotransplantation. Also, this attitude was not affected by the academic year, any psychosocial variable, or attitude toward organ donation (P = .779). CONCLUSION: Both Brazilian and Spanish veterinary students had favorable attitudes toward xenotransplantation.

Influence of class I and II HLA alleles on inhibitor development in severe haemophilia A patients from the south of Brazil.

Congenital haemophilia A is a chromosome-linked recessive disorder caused by the deficiency or reduction of factor VIII (FVIII) pro-coagulant activity. During treatment, some patients develop alloantibodies (FVIII inhibitors) that neutralize the action of exogenously administered FVIII. Currently, the presence of these inhibitors is the most serious adverse event found in replacement therapy. Some studies have suggested that genetic factors influence the development of the FVIII coagulation inhibitors. To identify the class I and II alleles that may be influencing the formation of inhibitors in severe haemophilic patients. Genotyping of the class I (HLA-A, -B and -C) and class II (HLA-DRB1, -DQA1 and -DQB1) alleles of 122 patients with severe haemophilia A, including 36 who had developed antibodies to factor VIII, was performed. After the comparison of the group without inhibitors and the group with inhibitors, HLA-C*16 [Odds ratio (OR) = 7.73; P = 0.0092] and HLA-DRB1*14 (OR = 4.52; P = 0.0174) were found to be positively associated with the formation of the inhibitors. These results confirm that HLA alleles are involved in inhibitor production and could be used as a tool for recognition of groups at high risk of possible inhibitor development in Southern Brazilian haemophilic patients.

[Neurocysticercosis in Murcia (Spain)]. / La neurocisticercosis en Murcia.

INTRODUCTION: Neurocysticercosis (NC) is the most prevalent parasitic infection in the CNS. Its frequency in our environment has increased with migratory movements. The clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with NC attended in a third level hospital in an area with a high prevalence of immigrant have been analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was done of the patients registered by the Coding Service of Virgen de la Arrixaca Hospital (January 2996 to December 2009), analyzing all the clinical histories of patients discharged with the primary or secondary diagnosis of neurocysticercosis. The most relevant epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic data were analyzed. RESULTS: 35 patients were included in the study. Of these, 24 were men, all coming from Latin America. The most prevalent onset was seizure episode (27 patients). The number of cases per year began to increase after 2002. Although only 21 of the cases had criteria to begin medical treatment with albendazole, it had been prescribed to 29 patients. CONCLUSION: In Murcia, NC is mainly an imported disease. An increase in the annual incidence has been observed since 2002, parallel to the rise in the number of immigrants. Approximately 25% of the patients received treatment in spite of not having antiparasitic treatment indication.

[Anal intraepithelial neoplasia (NIA) and infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) in anoreceptive patients]. / La neoplasia intraepitelial anal y la infección por virus del papiloma humano en pacientes anorreceptivos.

BACKGROUND: An association between human papilloma virus (HPV) infection and progression to anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN) and epidermoid cancer has been established. OBJECTIVE: To know the prevalence of low and high grade AIN, as well as HPV infection in an anoreceptive patients group, infected or not, by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patients with anoreceptive sexual relations were considered in this study. Patients who accepted anal citology and high definition anoscopy and biopsies with a follow-up not minor of 3 months were included. RESULTS: Forty-four patients were included: 40 male (90.9%) with average age of 31 years. Anal cytology showed inflammatory alterations in 21 patients (28%), low grade intraepithelial lesion in 23 (52%); there were not patients with high grade epithelial lesion. According to the high definition anoscopy, there were low grade intraepithelial lesion in 42 patients (95%) and high grade in 2 (5%). Biopsy showed low grade intraepithelial in 26 patients (59%), high grade in 4 (9%) and inflammatory alterations in 14 (32%). The prevalence of AIN and HPV infection was 68% in both diseases. The HIV infection was associated with the presence of high grade AIN (p=0.002, OR 47.7) CONCLUSIONS: There is a high prevalence of AIN and HPV infection between patients with anoreceptive sexual relations. The HIV infection is a risk factor for the development of high grade AIN.

[Epidemiological characteristics of colorectal cancer in the General Hospital of Mexico. A 20 years analysis: 1988-2007]. / Comportamiento epidemiológico del cáncer de colon y recto en el Hospital General de México. Análisis de 20 años: 1988-2007.

INTRODUCTION: Distribution of colon and rectal tumors has been studied by many authors, which have considered that distal colon and rectum are more affected. However, its frequency and distribution have changed in recent years. OBJECTIVE: A descriptive analysis of colorectal cancer in the General Hospital of Mexico during the last 20 years (1988-2007). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a transversal comparative study between decades from the database of the Pathology Service of the General Hospital of Mexico, of cases of cancer diagnosed from January 1988 to December 2007. Variables included age, gender, anatomic site of the tumor,grade of differentiation, stadification and type of surgery. RESULTS: There were 222 cases from 1988 to 1997 and 400 cases from 1998 to 2007. 115 (52%) were female in the firs decade and 210 (53%) in the second. We found a prevalence of 71 cases (32%) for the proximal colon, 24 (11%) for the distal colon and 127 (57%) for the rectum in the first decade; in second decade there were 182 (45%) cases for the proximal colon, 50 (13%) for the distal colon and 168 (42%) for the rectum. CONCLUSIONS: The number of colorectal cancerduring the last decade almost doubled in our hospital (80%); we also found an increase in the number of proximal tumors and a decreasein the number of rectal tumors.

[The psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the stroke-adapted 30-item Sickness Impact Profile (SIP30-AI)]. / Propiedades métricas de la versión española del perfil de las consecuencias de la enfermedad de 30 ítems adaptado al ictus (SIP30-AI).

AIM: To assess the psychometric attributes of the stroke-adapted 30-item version of the Sickness Impact Profile, Spanish version (SA-SIP30), in stroke survivors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 79 patients were evaluated (mean age: 68.1 years) by means of the modified Rankin Scale (m-RS), Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS), Barthel Index (BI), and the modified 23-item Beck-Hamilton's Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Health-related quality of life was evaluated using the MOS-Short Form 36 (SF-36) and the SA-SIP30. RESULTS: SA-SIP30 mean score was 36.8. SA-SIP30 floor and ceiling effects were 3.8% and 0%. Regarding SA-SIP30 categories, floor effect ranged from 15.2% (social interaction) to 49.4% (alertness behavior), whereas ceiling effect ranged from 2.5% (social interaction) to 26.6% (household management). A floor effect was observed in seven SA-SIP30 categories. The internal consistency of SA-SIP30 (Cronbach's alpha = 0.87), physical (Cronbach's alpha = 0.89) and psychosocial (Cronbach's alpha = 0.75) dimensions were satisfactory. Standard error of measurement (SEM) values for each SA-SIP30 category ranged from 15.9 (household management) to 26.3 (ambulation). SEM values for overall SA-SIP30, physical and psychosocial dimensions were 8, 10 and 17.3, respectively. Corrected item-category correlations ranged from 0.17 (item 28) to 0.83 (item 23). A significant correlation (Spearman's correlation coefficient; p < 0.0001) between SA-SIP30 scores and BI (-0.71), m-RS (0.68), SSS (-0.67), HDRS (0.52), SF-36 physical (-0.67) and mental components (-0.51) was found. SA-SIP30 mean score significantly increased as m-RS increased (discriminative validity; Kruskal-Wallis, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The Spanish-version of the SA-SIP30 has satisfactory internal consistency, convergent validity and discriminative validity in stroke patients.

Anticoagulant and antithrombotic activities of a chemically sulfated galactoglucomannan obtained from the lichen Cladonia ibitipocae.

A galactoglucomannan (GGM), isolated from the lichen Cladonia ibitipocae, consisted of a (1-->6)-linked main chain of alpha-mannopyranose units, substituted by alpha- and beta-D-galacto (alpha- and beta-D-Galp)-, beta-D-gluco (beta-D-Glcp)- and alpha-D-mannopyranosyl (alpha-D-Manp) groups, and was sulfated giving a sulfated polysaccharide (GGM-SO4) with 42.2% sulfate corresponding to a degree of substitution of 1.29. NMR studies indicated that after sulfation, the OH-6 groups of galactopyranosyl and mannopyranosyl units were preferentially substituted. GGM-SO4 was investigated in terms of its in vitro anticoagulant and in vivo antithrombotic properties. Those of the former were evaluated by its activated partial thromboplastin (APTT) and thrombin time (TT), using pooled normal human plasma, and compared with that of 140 USP units mg(-1) for a porcine intestinal mucosa heparin. Anticoagulant activity was detected in GGM-SO4, but not in GGM. The in vivo antithrombotic properties of GGM-SO4 were evaluated using a stasis thrombosis model in Wistar rats, intravenous administration of 2 mg kg(-1) body weight totally inhibiting thrombus formation. It caused dose-dependent increases in tail transection bleeding time. The results obtained showed that this sulfated polysaccharides is a promising anticoagulant and antithrombotic agent.

[Electoral demography. The demographic dimension of a political process]. / Demografia electoral. La dimension demografica de un proceso politico.

PIP: A complete and reliable knowledge of the potential voters is indispensable for holding elections in a democratic society. In 1990 a new Federal Code of Electoral Institutions and Procedures (COFIRE) was approved in Mexico. A new list of potential voters was to be created based on the 1990 census and without reference to the old list. The planning and implementation of the 1991 electoral rolls required great efficiency in order to complete the work in time for elections, while assuring its validity and legitimacy through a clear and participatory process in which all political parties played a permanent role. COFIRE designated July 1991 as the date for completion, allowing just 10 months for the entire process from planning to completion. The 1991 work represented a political process as much as a technical challenge. A working group from the political parties provided advice on all aspects of the work, from defining the social communications campaign to cartographic review and organization of field work. Although the list potential voters not intended for demographic purposes, its validity, coverage, and variety of information make it a rich source of sociodemographic information. An estimated 95% of individuals included in the 1990 census were included in the lists of prospective voters. Of these, 39,500,000 citizens, or 86% of the census population, actually registered as of the deadline on May 31. The final coverage by states varied from a low of 79.3% in Guerrero to a high of 91.0% in the Federal District.^ieng