Selfing rate estimation in sugarcane under unfavorable natural conditions of crossing by using microsatellite markers.

The self-fertilization or selfing rate estimation using microsatellite markers and its impact on survival and selection rate were evaluated in families derived from polycrosses that involved parents that were widely used in sugarcane breeding in Brazil. These factors were evaluated under unfavorable natural conditions of flowering and crossing. After the germination test, the viable progeny were taken to the field for survival rate evaluation (4, 6, and 10 months) and phenotypic selection at plant cane. The selfing rate estimate based on microsatellite markers present in the progeny and absent in their female parent was 98.5 and 0% for the polycross families derived from IACSP95-5000 and SP89-1115, respectively. The survival and selection rates in the last 2 evaluations were higher for the SP89-1115 outcrossed family than the IACSP95-5000 selfed family. The IACSP95-5000 cultivar excelled either as pollen donor with fertilization capability or viable seed production even under unfavorable natural conditions of crossing. The environment influence (temperature and humidity) had an important role during the polycross.

Morfeas hemicorporales: estudio de siete casos / Hemycorporal morphea: study of seven cases

Introducción: las morfeas hemicorporales son aquellas que tienen un neto predominio hemicorporal y se extienden a más de dos regiones anatómicas al menos. Son enfermedades extremadamente infrecuentes. Sus vínculos con la hemiatrofia facial y la morfea lineal no están completamente explicadas. Objetivos: caracterizar las morfeas hemicorporales para poder reconocerlas inicialmente e intentar frenar su curso evolutivo irreversible. Materiales y métodos: se analizan 7 casos con diagnóstico de morfeas hemicorporal (6 mujeres y un hombre) entre 6 y 45 años de edad, que consultaron entre el 2000 û 2009 en la División Dermatología consignando: 1- presencia de esclerosis y/o atrofia, 2- edad de consulta e inicio, 3- sitio de inicio, 4- compromiso contralateral, 5- presencia de contracturas, distonía o mioclonías, 6- alteración de función visual, ojo seco, 7- hallazgos de laboratorio, 8- examen neurológico, resultados de RMN y análisis bioquímico del LCR de acuerdo a los síntomas en cada caso. Resultados: cinco casos comenzaron en los miembros inferiores o superiores (tres concomitantes con otra región). Tres se iniciaron en la extremidad cefálica o el tronco (todo sincrónicos con inicio en miembros). La extensión en días o meses fue una característica. La esclerosis predominó en la mayoría y en uno sólo se observó atrofia. Lesiones contralaterales se observaron en dos casos. Uno se desarrolló en una esclerodermia sistémica, otro (con niveles moderados de anticuerpos anticardiolipina en una de tres determinaciones) presentó una úlcera maleolar. Todos refirieron distonía, contracturas o dolor local. En el laboratorio se hallaron hiperglobulinemia, FR, ACL y FAN positivos en títulos altos, complemento disminuido en dos. Sólo uno fue positivo para Scl70. Los exámenes complementarios demostraron anomalías locales en la RMN de miembros afectados, áreas de demielización múltiples con bandas oligoclonales en LCR en otro. El ojo seco se asoció en tres pacientes.(AU)

Morfeas hemicorporales: estudio de siete casos / Hemycorporal morphea: study of seven cases

Introducción: las morfeas hemicorporales son aquellas que tienen un neto predominio hemicorporal y se extienden a más de dos regiones anatómicas al menos. Son enfermedades extremadamente infrecuentes. Sus vínculos con la hemiatrofia facial y la morfea lineal no están completamente explicadas. Objetivos: caracterizar las morfeas hemicorporales para poder reconocerlas inicialmente e intentar frenar su curso evolutivo irreversible. Materiales y métodos: se analizan 7 casos con diagnóstico de morfeas hemicorporal (6 mujeres y un hombre) entre 6 y 45 años de edad, que consultaron entre el 2000 – 2009 en la División Dermatología consignando: 1- presencia de esclerosis y/o atrofia, 2- edad de consulta e inicio, 3- sitio de inicio, 4- compromiso contralateral, 5- presencia de contracturas, distonía o mioclonías, 6- alteración de función visual, ojo seco, 7- hallazgos de laboratorio, 8- examen neurológico, resultados de RMN y análisis bioquímico del LCR de acuerdo a los síntomas en cada caso. Resultados: cinco casos comenzaron en los miembros inferiores o superiores (tres concomitantes con otra región). Tres se iniciaron en la extremidad cefálica o el tronco (todo sincrónicos con inicio en miembros). La extensión en días o meses fue una característica. La esclerosis predominó en la mayoría y en uno sólo se observó atrofia. Lesiones contralaterales se observaron en dos casos. Uno se desarrolló en una esclerodermia sistémica, otro (con niveles moderados de anticuerpos anticardiolipina en una de tres determinaciones) presentó una úlcera maleolar. Todos refirieron distonía, contracturas o dolor local. En el laboratorio se hallaron hiperglobulinemia, FR, ACL y FAN positivos en títulos altos, complemento disminuido en dos. Sólo uno fue positivo para Scl70. Los exámenes complementarios demostraron anomalías locales en la RMN de miembros afectados, áreas de demielización múltiples con bandas oligoclonales en LCR en otro. El ojo seco se asoció en tres pacientes.

Espiroadenoma ecrino de presentación inusual en párpado / Eccrine spiradenoma of inusual presentation on the eyelid

Reportamos el caso de un espiroadenoma ecrino en una paciente de 90 años de edad, que empezó un año antes de la consulta con una lesión en el párpado. Se trata de un tumor benigno de la glándulas sudoríparas que es raro en el párpado. Al principio pensamos en otro tumor, como el carcinoma sebáceo, por su rápido crecimiento. La posibilidad de un tumor de glándulas sudoríparas debiera considerarse en el diagnóstico de tumores palpebrales.

We report a case of an eccrine spiradenoma in a 90 years old woman, who began a year before with the lesion on the eyelid. It is a begin sweat gland tumor, that is rare on the eyelid. At the beginning we thougth in an other tumor, like sebaceous carcinoma for its quick growth. The possibility of sweat gland tumor should be kept in mind in the diagnosis of eyelid tumours.

Mastocitoma solitario: Presentación de un caso en el adulto / Solitary mastocytoma: Presentation in an adult

El objetivo de esta publicación es mostrar un caso de mastocitoma solitario en la vejez, debido a la rareza de su aparición en tal etapa. Sus diagnósticos diferenciales y la involución total de la lesión con el uso de apósitos hidrocoloides, son comentados.

We present a case of a solitary mastocytoma in a man 86 years old who developped the lesion on the inferior lip. The interest of the case is the rarity of the presentation in an adult, which presents others differential diagnostics, and the success of the treatment with hidrocolloid dressings.

A forever healing: the lived experience of venous ulcer disease.

A phenomenological study was conducted to determine the lived experience of healing a venous ulcer for patients in an ambulatory surgical clinic. In addition to seven tape-recorded, transcribed interviews, weekly participant observations were made for 1 year. Interviews and field notes were transcribed and analyzed for themes by using van Manen's approach. Four major themes emerged from the analysis: (1) "A forever healing process" refers to the extended time over which healing occurs. (2) "Limits and accommodations" refers to the patterns of limitation related to mobility and activity restrictions due to pain and disfigurement. (3) "Powerlessness" describes the resignation about the inevitability of wound recurrence. (4) "Who cares?" refers to variation among the patients in assuming responsibly for managing their ulcer. Understanding the lived experience of venous leg ulcer disease allows care providers to provide empathic care. Patients can be encouraged to be active members of the treatment team and to assume responsibility for care and lifestyle choices.

On the pathogenetic mechanism of hypercalciuria in genetically hypertensive rats of the Milan strain.

The aim of this study was to investigate the pathogenesis of hypercalciuria in the Milan strain of genetically hypertensive rats. Dietary calcium intake and urinary and fecal calcium output were measured simultaneously with indices of sodium and phosphate homeostasis in male rats of the Milan hypertensive and normotensive strains. In addition, urinary calcium and creatinine excretion rates, calcium, phosphate and creatinine serum concentrations, and bone calcium content were also measured in these rats after an overnight fast. Under fed steady-state conditions dietary calcium, sodium, and phosphate intakes, were similar in the two groups of rats, but hypertensive rats had twofold higher urinary calcium excretion and normal urinary excretion of sodium and phosphate. Fecal calcium output was slightly but significantly higher in the adult hypertensive rats while fecal sodium and phosphate excretion was normal. Because of increased urinary and fecal calcium loss, net calcium balance was significantly less positive in hypertensive than in control rats. Under fasting conditions hypertensive rats were confirmed to have hypercalciuria despite normal serum calcium concentrations and normal creatinine clearance. In accordance with balance data and fasting hypercalciuria, bone calcium content was found to be significantly reduced in hypertensive rats. These findings confirm that hypercalciuria in the Milan hypertensive rats is explained by an altered renal calcium handling; it is also associated with a slightly increased fecal calcium output and, therefore, with a less positive calcium balance and reduced bone calcium content.

[Incidence of orodental trauma in sports: soccer, water polo and cycling]. / Incidenza dei traumatismi oro-dentari nella pratica sportiva: calcio, pallanuoto, ciclismo.

The Authors analyze the incidence of the oral-dental traumas during the practise of three different sports: soccer, water polo and cycling, underlining the importance of the use of mouthguard as a specific oral protection.

Mastectomized woman's acquired knowledge about and attitude towards breast reconstruction. A prospective survey on 100 cases.

A prospective, study was carried out on 100 mastectomized women. Each patient was given a questionnaire concerning her awareness of the diagnosis, reaction to the operation, relationship with her own body, cosmetic solution chosen, feminine ideal, sources of information about breast reconstruction, acquired knowledge about it, attitude and motivation towards a possible plastic operation. This survey underlines that the relationship between the doctor and the neoplastic patient is hindered by the patient's lack of knowledge about her disease and about the possibility of rehabilitation by means of reconstructive surgery. 42% of the patients actually ignored the reason for their mutilation, and 53% of the women interviewed were shown not to be sufficiently informed about the possibility of plastic surgery, even though this kind of information has been recognised by many authors as fundamental for the patient's physical, psychological and esthetic welfare. 59% reported to have been informed by sources other than physicians although they are the most qualified. However 82% of all women showed a positive attitude towards the possibility of breast reconstruction: the mutilation experienced seemed to be such a strong motivation that factors such as sociocultural background and acquired knowledge about reconstruction itself were apparently unimportant.

[Evaluation of pharmacologic treatment associated with motor-activation therapy in the prevention of senile impairment]. / Valutazione di un trattamento farmacologico associato a terapia di attivazione motoria nella prevenzione del decadimento senile.

The study was designed to assess any changes in certain aspects of aging produced by combined drug (buflomedil) and motor activation therapy (MAT). The study was conducted on 3 selected groups of 10 women aged 60-74 years with initial signs of mental and physical senile impairment as revealed by appropriate psychometric and laboratories tests. The 3 groups (I: control, II: MAT, III: buflomedil + MAT) were given a series of cognitive, behavioural, affective and cardiovascular tests before and after the 6-month study. The results showed a deterioration in the parameters considered among the control group and a significant improvement especially in cardiovascular, affective and behavioural parameters as well as certain cognitive aspects (attention, mental state) in the group treated with MAT only. The combination of MAT and buflomedil had a positive influence on all parameters considered. In particular it acted extensively on the cognitive parameters. It is therefore concluded that the combination of MAT and drug treatment is a valid system for the prevention of senile impairment since it acts on the main biological, psychological and social aspects of the elderly patient.

Espiroadenoma ecrino. / Ecrine spirodenoma

Se comunica una paciente de 46 anos con lesion tumoral localizada en region preauricular izquierda, multilobulada, movil, rojo-violacea, duro elastica indolora; con cuadro histopatologico de espiroadenoma ecrino. Se realiza revision bibliografica, haciendo hincapie en la patogenia y pasando revista a los diagnosticos diferenciales clinicos e histopatologicos

Espiroadenoma ecrino. / Ecrine spirodenoma

Se comunica una paciente de 46 anos con lesion tumoral localizada en region preauricular izquierda, multilobulada, movil, rojo-violacea, duro elastica indolora; con cuadro histopatologico de espiroadenoma ecrino. Se realiza revision bibliografica, haciendo hincapie en la patogenia y pasando revista a los diagnosticos diferenciales clinicos e histopatologicos

Calcium localization within live oat leaves using a semiconductor detector assembly.

Pathways of movement of foliar-applied (45)Ca in young oat leaves are localized by means of in-vivo ß spectrometry with a semiconductor detector assembly. The shift of the maximum energy of the observed spectra to the lower-energy region, which is a function of the thickness of the tissue layer between an internal (45)Ca source and the detector, is the most reliable and easily interpretable parameter for (45)Ca localization. Transport of foliar-applied Ca occurs in the vascular bundles. The major part of the transported Ca moves out of the conducting tissue and accumulates in the mesophyll and epidermis cells. The passage from the transport to the accumulation phase is a rapid process. These results are compared with those obtained by histoautoradiography.