Phagocytotic activity and gene expression of leukocytes isolated from Astyanax lacustris.

The constant intensification of aquaculture has considerable increased the stress levels of farmed fish and, consequently, the number and intensity of diseases outbreaks. Thus, studies on fish immune response, especially regarding the interaction of fish leukocytes with potential pathogens and xenobiotics are of great importance in order to develop new prophylactic and curative strategies. We isolated leukocytes from the head kidney of Astyanax lacustris-an important Neotropical fish species for aquaculture and a potential model for Neotropical aquaculture research-using a Percoll centrifugation protocol. The isolated leukocytes were incubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the expression of genes IL-1ß, IL-8, LysC, and LysG were measured. We assessed the phagocytotic activity of leukocytes using Congo red-dyed yeast, a novel and cost-effective protocol that has been developed in this study. The isolated leukocytes responded to LPS induction, exhibiting strong IL-1ß and IL-8 upregulation, two of the most important pro-inflammatory interleukins for vertebrates immune reponse. The optimal concentration of yeast for the phagocytic assay was 106 cells mL-1, resulting in acceptable phagocytic capacity (PC) but without excess of yeasts during the counting process, ensuring a high precision and accuracy of the method. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to investigate the in vitro gene expression and phagocytic activity of leukocytes isolated from A. lacustris. Our findings will serve as a reference for future studies on the immunology and toxicology of Neotropical fish.

Applications of a Novel Microangioscope for Neuroendovascular Intervention.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Visualization in neuroendovascular intervention currently relies on biplanar fluoroscopy and contrast administration. With the advent of endoscopy, direct visualization of the intracranial intravascular space has become possible with microangioscopes. We analyzed the efficacy of our novel microangioscope to enable direct observation and inspection of the cerebrovasculature, complementary to a standard fluoroscopic technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Iterations of microangioscopes were systematically evaluated for use in neurodiagnostics and neurointerventions in both live animal and human cadaveric models. Imaging quality, trackability, and navigability were assessed. Diagnostic procedures assessed included clot identification and differentiation, plaque identification, inspection for vessel wall injury, and assessment of stent apposition. Interventions performed included angioscope-assisted stent-retriever thrombectomy, clot aspiration, and coil embolization. RESULTS: The microangioscope was found helpful in both diagnosis and interventions by independent evaluators. Mean ratings of the imaging quality on a 5-point scale ranged from 3.0 (clot identification) to 4.7 (Pipeline follow-up). Mean ratings for clinical utility ranged from 3.0 (aspiration thrombectomy) to 4.7 (aneurysm treatment by coil embolization and WEB device). CONCLUSIONS: This fiber optic microangioscope can safely navigate and visualize the intravascular space in human cadaveric and in vivo animal models with satisfactory resolution. It has potential value in diagnostic and neurointerventional applications.

Elevada incidencia de pitiriasis versicolor en trasplantados renales / High incidence of pityriasis versicolor in renal transplant recipients

Las micosis cutáneas constituyen una patología relativamente frecuente en los pacientes sometidos a algún tipo de trasplante.Se presentan los resultados de un estudio realizado sobre la incidencia de pitiriasis versicolor en pacientes trasplantados renales en el Hospital La Paz, en un seguimiento llevado a cabo durante año y medio.Como principales características encontradas, destacamos elevada incidencia (58 por ciento), superior a la de otras series publicadas, tendencia a la afectación cutánea extensa, presencia de localizaciones atípicas, buena respuesta al tratamiento tópico convencional y ausencia de recidivas tras tratamiento profiláctico. (AU)

[Aspergillosis in pulmonary transplantation]. / Aspergilosis en el trasplante pulmonar.

BACKGROUND: Fungal infections are a frequent cause of morbidity an mortality in transplant recipients. Aspergillus spp. is an ubiquitous fungus capable of producing diverse clinical entities with varying severity. OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence and severity of Aspergillus spp. infections in lung transplantation, analysing the different clinical presentations and response to antifungal drugs. METHODS: A review was made of the clinical histories of all patients undergoing lung transplantation who developed positive Aspergillus spp. cultures in our centre between June 1991 and December 1996. RESULTS: Eleven of 49 transplanted patients (22%) developed Aspergillus spp. infections. Four patients presented invasive aspergillosis forms and 7 tracheobronchitis. In spite of antifungal treatment 3 patients (30%) died of invasive aspergillosis as a direct consequence of the infection. Of the 7 patients with tracheobronchitis, 2 were ulcerative and 1 pseudomembranous, all responded to antifungal treatment. Three patients (10.3%) developed Aspergillus spp. infections despite prophylaxis with itraconazole. CONCLUSION: Invasive aspergillosis in the immediate posttransplant period was mortal despite treatment. As opposed, aspergillar tracheobronchitis have been overcome using combined treatments of liposomal or lipidic amphotericin, itraconazole and nebulised amphotericin.

Mondor's disease.

BACKGROUND: Mondor's disease is a rare entity characterized by thrombophlebitis of the subcutaneous veins of the anterolateral thoraco-abdominal wall. The most common clinical manifestations are a painful subcutaneous cord, sensation of tension, and skin retraction. This condition is usually a benign and self-limited process, although it has been associated with breast cancer. METHODS: We describe four new cases, two men and two women, and comment on the clinical signs and possible etiopathogenic features. General physical examination, radiologic and ecographic studies, laboratory analysis including tumor markers, and exhaustive coagulation study were carried out on all patients. RESULTS: No cases were associated with malignant disease and/or hypercoagulability stage. With conservative treatment, the evolution proved favorable in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Mondor's disease is usually a benign and self-limited process, but we recommend laboratory studies and physical examination, including mammography in women, in order to rule out the presence of systemic disorders, especially breast cancer.

Nonscarring alopecia associated with solitary circumscribed neuroma.

We report an unusual case of nonscarring alopecia clinically resembling patchy alopecia areata around central solitary circumscribed neuroma. Prompt and spontaneous complete hair regrowth was observed after removal of the tumor. Further knowledge of growth factor and receptor interaction in regulating the hair follicle cycle, as well as on the production of growth factors and cytokines by tumor cells and/or cells within the tumor microenvironment may contribute to better understand the pathologic mechanisms underlying certain curious phenomena such as peritumoral nonscarring alopecia.

[Thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease). Study of 41 cases]. / Tromboangitis obliterante (enfermedad de Buerger). Estudio de 41 casos.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to know the prevalence, clinical and immunological characteristics and evolution of thromboangiitis obliterans. METHODS: Between 1982-1990 41 cases of thromboangiitis obliterans were diagnosed from among 373,899 patients registered (11/100,000) according to the clinical and arteriographic criteria. Of these 41 cases 40 were males with mean age 36 +/- 7 years (mean +/- SD) with only two cases being over 45 years of age. In 40 cases was followed for 44 +/- 29 months (mean +/- SD). RESULTS: All the patients had ischemia of the lower limbs, 34% of the upper limbs, 39% superficial thrombophlebitis, 53% Raynaud's phenomenon, 5% mesenteric ischemia, and 7% myocardial infarction. In 30 symptomatic patients anticardiolipin antibodies were determined and one patient was positive for IgG antibodies. In the 23 patients in whom HLA and anticollagen antibody studies were performed a significant increase was found in HLA-B35, HLA-B40 and type VI denaturalized anticollagen antibodies compared to controls. In general the evolution was progressive when the patients continued smoking and favorable when tobacco was given up except in 2 cases who stopped smoking and in whom the disease progressed and death occurred. The total number of patients who died during follow up was 3 (7%), 2 due to mesenteric ischemia and the third during i.v. infusion of PGE1. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that thromboangiitis obliterans is a rare disease in Spain. The involvement of visceral arteries is not very infrequent with worse prognosis when the mesenteric arteries are involved. There is a significant increase of determined HLA antigens and anticollagen antibodies in the patients with thromboangiitis obliterans.

[Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: new diagnostic and therapeutic perspectives]. / Fibrosis pulmonar idiopática: nuevas perspectivas diagnósticas y terapéuticas.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a disease of unknown etiology affecting alveolo-interstitial structures. It is clinically characterized by progressive dyspnea and dry cough. In the physical exploration, crakles at the pulmonary bases and acropachies are usually detected. Its diagnosis has been a major clinical problem. Currently, a definitive diagnosis can be established with high resolution computerized axial tomography, bronchoalveolar lavage and open pulmonary biopsy. The next clinical problem is the assessment of activity, since it allows to differentiate subsidiary patients for receiving treatment. The description of new therapeutical alternatives has brought new perspectives in the management of these patients. Corticotherapy associated to immunosuppressors has allowed to reduce side effects and to obtain dramatic improvements. Lung transplantation, currently under study, will be the therapy of the future.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the aorta complicated by anuria.

Tumors of the aorta have been reported infrequently in the literature. We report a case of a 63-year-old woman diagnosed with malignant aortic fibrous histiocytoma (also known as fibroxanthosarcoma). She was referred to us with suspected occlusion of the right renal artery in a single functioning kidney, with a clinical picture of anuria during the previous 48 hours. We also review 31 previously published cases in the literature.

Direct surgery on the aorto-iliac area. Prostheses--endarterectomy?

Of the 365 surgical techniques performed on the aorto-iliac area in 354 patients, 448 extremities were revascularized by means of the insertion of a prosthesis as a by-pass, and 165 by thromboendarterectomy (TEA), either global or ilio-femoral. The patency rate at five years was 83% for prostheses, and 72% for TEAs, studied as a whole, or 75% for global TEAs, and 60% for ilio-femoral, once they had been individually analysed. The analysis of these results proves that the patency of the ravascularized aorto-iliac area depends more on the associated pathology in the femoro-popliteal distal area, than on the surgical technique that has been applied. There are no significant differences in relation to the early patency or mortality between the three groups, although as regards age, younger patients with fewer risk factors were selected for global TEA operations.

Embolization of the mesenteric arteries: surgical treatment in twenty-three consecutive cases.

Twenty-three patients with acute embolization of the superior mesenteric artery are presented. Twenty-one of them presented with sudden abdominal pain but no other remarkable physical findings. One had diffuse abdominal pain while one did not have any abdominal pain. Twenty-two patients underwent direct surgical revascularization and one patient refused operation. The total mortality in this series was 27%. Eighteen patients underwent revascularization without resection and 15 of them (83%) survived. Early diagnosis is the key to improved results in acute mesenteric ischemia. It relies on the aggressive utilization of arteriography to identify patients with superior mesenteric artery embolization before intestinal infarction takes place.