Disfagia orofaríngea y malformaciones anatómicas / Oropharyngeal dysphagia and anatomical malformations

Introducción: La disfagia orofaríngea o dificultad para la deglución puede ser causada por anomalías anatómicas, incluyendo malformaciones óseas cervicales. La evaluación integral y el tratamiento individualizado, que pueden involucrar a varios especialistas, son cruciales para prevenir complicaciones y mejorar la calidad de vida del paciente y su familia. Se presenta un caso clínico que ilustra la relación entre la disfagia orofaríngea y sus complicaciones en un paciente con malformaciones anatómicas craneocervicales y pulmonares. Caso clínico. Niña de 3 años con antecedentes médicos complejos incluyendo malformación congénita ósea cervical que presenta, a raíz de última intervención quirúrgica a ese nivel, episodios recurrentes de neumonía. Dados los antecedentes, se piensa como primera posibilidad diagnóstica etiología aspirativa, constatándose en el estudio disfagia a líquidos, compensable con adaptación de la dieta. A pesar del adecuado tratamiento de la disfagia, la persistencia de los episodios siempre en la misma localización hace replantearse la etiología. La TAC torácica reveló a ese nivel una malformación pulmonar, sometiéndose de forma exitosa a una lobectomía toracoscópica. Actualmente no ha vuelto a presentar neumonías de repetición y gracias al tratamiento por parte de logopeda ha presentado mejoría progresiva de su disfagia. Conclusiones. La disfagia orofaríngea es un síntoma infradiagnosticado. Es imprescindible que se empiece a codificar en informes y registros. Existen herramientas de cribado que nos facilitan su diagnóstico en cualquier nivel asistencial que deberían ser usadas sobre todo en población de riesgo. Requiere reevaluación periódica por ser un síntoma dinámico.(AU)

Introduction: Oropharyngeal dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, may be due to anatomic abnormality, including cervical malformations. A comprehensive assessment and an individualized care, which may include multiple specialists, are crucial in preventing complications and improving the quality of life for both the patient and family. A clinical case is presented that illustrates the relationship between oropharyngeal dysphagia and its complications in a patient with craniocervical and pulmonary malformations. Case report. 3-year-old girl with a complex medical history including congenital cervical bone malformation, who presents with recurrent episodes of pneumonia following her last surgical intervention at that level. Given her medical history, aspirational etiology is considered as first diagnostic possibility with studies confirming dysphagia to liquids, compensable with dietary adaptation. Despite adequate treatment of dysphagia the persistence of episodes, always in the same location, makes us reconsider the etiology. The chest CT revealed a pulmonary malformation at that level and the patient underwent a successful thoracoscopic lobectomy. Currently, she has not had recurrent pneumonia and, thanks to treatment by a speech therapist, she has shown progressive improvement in her dysphagia. Conclusions. Oropharyngeal dysphagia is an underdiagnosed symptom. It is essential we begin to codify it in reports and records. There are screening tools to facilitate the diagnosis at any level of health care that should be used especially in at risk population. It requires periodic reevaluation as it is a dynamic symptom.(AU)

Electrocardiograma y evaluación predeportiva en el niño que practica deporte / Electrocardiogram and pre-sports evaluation in the child who practices sports

Introducción: existe consenso en la necesidad de realizar un cribado predeportivo, aunque con enormes diferencias en cuanto a protocolos. El objetivo de nuestro estudio es conocer el estado de los reconocimientos predeportivos en niños, conocer la prevalencia de anomalías cardiovasculares y valorar la utilidad del electrocardiograma (ECG). Pacientes y métodos: estudio descriptivo transversal. Durante dos años se realizó el reconocimiento médico propuesto por la Guía Clínica de Evaluación Cardiovascular previa a la práctica deportiva en Pediatría en las revisiones de niños mayores de seis años, incluyendo anamnesis, exploración física y electrocardiograma. Resultados: se incluyeron 691 niños. El 62,5% realizaba deporte extraescolar con una mediana de 3 horas por semana (2-4,5). El 52,2% de los niños estaban federados. Existen diferencias en las horas de práctica deportiva y la edad entre niños federados y no federados (p <0,001). En los federados se realizó reconocimiento en el 68,1% y un ECG en el 19%, existiendo diferencias significativas entre los distintos tipos de deportes (p <0,001). El 13% de los niños estudiados presentaban antecedentes familiares de cardiopatía. El 3,5% de los ECG realizados fueron patológicos precisando valoración por Cardiología Pediátrica. El 6,6% de los niños con antecedentes familiares de cardiopatía y el 3% de los niños sin antecedentes necesitaron seguimiento cardiológico. Conclusiones: en la mayoría de los reconocimientos deportivos de nuestro medio no se incluye ECG. Investigar en profundidad los antecedentes familiares de cardiopatía es importante (AU)

Introduction: there is consensus on the need to perform pre-sport screening, although with enormous differences in terms of protocols. The objective of our study is to know the status of pre-sport screenings in children, to know the prevalence of cardiovascular abnormalities and to assess the usefulness of the electrocardiogram (ECG).Patients and methods: descriptive cross-sectional study. For two years, the medical screening proposed by the Clinical Guide for Cardiovascular Evaluation prior to sports practice in pediatrics was carried out in the check-ups of children older than 6 years, including anamnesis, physical examination and electrocardiogram.Results: 691 children were included. 62.5% did extracurricular sports with a median of 3 hours per week (2-4.5). 52.2% of the children were federated. There are differences in the hours of sports practice and age between federated and non-federated children (p <0.001). In federated, recognition was performed in 68.1% and ECG in 19%, with significant differences between the different types of sports (p <0.001). 13% of the children studied had a family history of heart disease. 3.5% of the ECGs performed were pathological, requiring evaluation by pediatric cardiology. 6.6% of the children with a family history of heart disease and 3% of the children without a history required cardiac follow-up.Conclusions: ECG is not included in most of the sports examinations in our environment. Investigating family history of heart disease is important. (AU)

Extracellular histones reduce survival and angiogenic responses of late outgrowth progenitor and mature endothelial cells.

UNLABELLED: ESSENTIALS: Extracellular histones are highly augmented in sites of neovessel formation, such as regeneration tissues. We studied histone effect on survival and angiogenic activity of mature and progenitor endothelial cells. Extracellular histones trigger apoptosis and pyroptosis and reduce angiogenesis in vivo and in vitro. Histone blockade can be useful as a therapeutic strategy to improve angiogenesis and tissue regeneration. BACKGROUND: Extracellular histones are highly augmented in sites of neovessel formation, like regeneration tissues. Their cytotoxic effect has been studied in endothelial cells, although the mechanism involved and their action on endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) remain unknown. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of histones on ECFC survival and angiogenic functions and compare it with mature endothelial cells. METHODS AND RESULTS: Nuclear morphology analysis showed that each human recombinant histone triggered both apoptotic-like and necrotic-like cell deaths in both mature and progenitor endothelial cells. While H1 and H2A exerted a weak toxicity, H2B, H3 and H4 were the most powerful. The percentage of apoptosis correlated with the percentage of ECFCs exhibiting caspase-3 activation and was zeroed by the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. Necrotic-like cell death was also suppressed by this compound and the caspase-1 inhibitor Ac-YVAD-CMK, indicating that histones triggered ECFC pyroptosis. All histones, at non-cytotoxic concentrations, reduced migration and H2B, H3 and H4 induced cell cycle arrest and impaired tubulogenesis via p38 activation. Neutrophil-derived histones exerted similar effects. In vivo blood vessel formation in the quail chorioallantoic membrane was also reduced by H2B, H3 and H4. Their cytotoxic and antiangiogenic effects were suppressed by unfractioned and low-molecular-weight heparins and the combination of TLR2 and TLR4 blocking antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: Histones trigger both apoptosis and pyroptosis of ECFCs and inhibit their angiogenic functions. Their cytotoxic and antiangiogenic effects are similar in mature endothelial cells and disappear after heparin addition or TLR2/TLR4 blockade, suggesting both as therapeutic strategies to improve tissue regeneration.

Stimulation of PAR-1 or PAR-4 promotes similar pattern of VEGF and endostatin release and pro-angiogenic responses mediated by human platelets.

BACKGROUND: Platelets mediate angiogenesis through the secretion of several factors, including the pro-angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the anti-angiogenic endostatin. Although previous findings indicated that these molecules are packed into different alpha-granules and selectively released by specific stimulation of protease-activated receptor (PAR)-1 or PAR-4, recent evidences are against this hypothesis. OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the controversies about the VEGF and endostatin release and the overall angiogenic effect of PARs-stimulated platelets. METHODS: VEGF and endostatin were quantified by enzyme linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Endothelial proliferation (pNPP assay), wound healing (scratch assay) and tubule formation (matrigel) of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) were determined using supernatants from PAR-1- or PAR-4-stimulated platelets. RESULTS: Activation of washed platelets (WPs) by PAR-1- or PAR-4-activating peptide (AP) promoted the VEGF and endostatin secretion in a concentration-dependent manner, being PAR-1-AP more potent than PAR-4-AP. The release of both molecules was abrogated by pre-incubation of platelets with PAR antagonists. Activation of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with either PAR-1-AP or PAR-4-AP induced a significant VEGF secretion. Quantification of platelet-endostatin secretion was not possible in PRP due to the high levels of plasmatic endostatin vs. platelet content. Releasates from PAR-1- or PAR-4-activated WPs promoted similar pattern of angiogenic responses of HMEC-1 or EPC. Moreover, proliferation of HMEC-1 mediated by PAR-stimulated PRP releasates was delayed and significantly lower compared with that induced by PAR-stimulated WPs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are in contrast with the previously described differential release of VEGF and endostatin induced by the selective PAR-1 or PAR-4 stimulation, and support the notion that while circulating endostatin accounts for the maintenance of a systemic anti-angiogenic state, locally, the release of platelet alpha-granule content promotes angiogenesis.

Platelets interact with Coxsackieviruses B and have a critical role in the pathogenesis of virus-induced myocarditis.

BACKGROUND: To further understand the role of platelets in the pathogenesis of viral infections we explored platelet interaction with Coxsackieviruses B (CVB) 1 and 3. CVB is a group of viruses that cause the majority of human enterovirus-related viral myocarditis; their receptor (CAR) is expressed on the platelet surface and there is a well-characterized CVB3-induced myocarditis murine model. METHODS: Human platelets were infected with CVB1 and 3 and viruses were detected in pellets and in supernatants. C57BL/6J mice with or without platelet depletion were inoculated with CVB3 and peripheral blood and heart samples collected at different times post-infection. RESULTS: CVB1 and 3 RNA and a capsid protein were detected in infected platelets. Despite the fact that titration assays in Vero cells showed increasing infectivity titers over time, supernatants and pellets from infected platelets showed similar levels, suggesting that platelets were not susceptible to a replicative infectivity cycle. CVB binding was CAR-independent and resulted in P-selectin and phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure. CVB3-infected mice showed a rapid thrombocytopenia that correlated with an increase in platelet PS exposure and platelet-leukocyte aggregates without modification of platelet P-selectin expression or von Willebrand factor levels. Mortality, viremia, heart viral titers and myocarditis were significantly higher in platelet-depleted than normal animals. Type I IFN levels were not changed but IgG levels were lower in infected and platelet-depleted mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our data reveal that platelets play a critical role in host survival and immune response against CVB3 infection.

Tumor-induced senescent T cells promote the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and angiogenic factors by human monocytes/macrophages through a mechanism that involves Tim-3 and CD40L.

Solid tumors are infiltrated by immune cells where macrophages and senescent T cells are highly represented. Within the tumor microenvironment, a cross-talk between the infiltrating cells may occur conditioning the characteristic of the in situ immune response. Our previous work showed that tumors induce senescence of T cells, which are powerful suppressors of lympho-proliferation. In this study, we report that Tumor-Induced Senescent (TIS)-T cells may also modulate monocyte activation. To gain insight into this interaction, CD4+ or CD8+TIS-T or control-T cells were co-incubated with autologous monocytes under inflammatory conditions. After co-culture with CD4+ or CD8+TIS-T cells, CD14+ monocytes/macrophages (Mo/Ma) exhibit a higher expression of CD16+ cells and a reduced expression of CD206. These Mo/Ma produce nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species; however, TIS-T cells do not modify phagocyte capacity of Mo/Ma. TIS-T modulated-Mo/Ma show a higher production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-1ß and IL-6) and angiogenic factors (MMP-9, VEGF-A and IL-8) and a lower IL-10 and IP-10 secretion than monocytes co-cultured with controls. The mediator(s) present in the supernatant of TIS-T cell/monocyte-macrophage co-cultures promote(s) tubulogenesis and tumor-cell survival. Monocyte-modulation induced by TIS-T cells requires cell-to-cell contact. Although CD4+ shows different behavior from CD8+TIS-T cells, blocking mAbs against T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin protein 3 and CD40 ligand reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines and angiogenic factors production, indicating that these molecules are involved in monocyte/macrophage modulation by TIS-T cells. Our results revealed a novel role for TIS-T cells in human monocyte/macrophage modulation, which may have deleterious consequences for tumor progression. This modulation should be considered to best tailor the immunotherapy against cancer.

Fulminant and fatal encephalitis caused by Acanthamoeba in a kidney transplant recipient: case report and literature review.

Acanthamoeba is the most common cause of granulomatous amebic encephalitis, a typically fatal condition that is classically described as indolent and slowly progressive. We report a case of Acanthamoeba encephalitis in a kidney transplant recipient that progressed to death within 3 days of symptom onset and was diagnosed at autopsy. We also review clinical characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of all published cases of Acanthamoeba encephalitis in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Ten cases were identified, and the infection was fatal in 9 of these cases. In 6 patients, Acanthamoeba presented in a fulminant manner and death occurred within 2 weeks after the onset of neurologic symptoms. These acute presentations are likely related to immunodeficiencies associated with solid organ transplantation that result in an inability to control Acanthamoeba proliferation. Skin lesions may predate neurologic involvement and provide an opportunity for early diagnosis and treatment. Acanthamoeba is an under-recognized cause of encephalitis in SOT recipients and often presents in a fulminant manner in this population. Increased awareness of this disease and its clinical manifestations is essential to attain an early diagnosis and provide the best chance of cure.

Hepatitis por citomegalovirus. Importancia del momento de contagio / Cytomegalovirus induced hepatitis. Importance of when the infection is acquired

Introducción. El citomegalovirus (CMV) es la causa más frecuente de infección congénita en nuestro medio, así como de morbimortalidad perinatal.Caso clínico. Lactante de 55 días que ingresa por ictericia de una semana de evolución, sin acolia ni coluria. Sin procesos infecciosos intercurrentes. Como antecedentes, procede de un embarazo gemelar de 36 semanas con bajo peso al nacimiento. A la exploración destaca coloración pálido-ictérica de piel, con esplenomegalia de 3-5 cm, de consistencia media, sin hepatomegalia. En las pruebas complementarias se objetiva una hepatitis colestásica con serologías positivas para citomegalovirus (IgM). Tras descartar la atresia de vías biliares y confirmar la etiología infecciosa, mediante PCR en plasma y orina, se inicia tratamiento con Ganciclovir intravenoso. Se recupera sangre desecada de las pruebas metabólicas para identificar el origen congénito o adquirido de la infección. Ante la buena evolución de la paciente y la negatividad de la PCR en sangre desecada, se retira el tratamiento 6 semanas después del inicio. Como efecto secundario a la medicación, se objetiva leucopenia leve que responde adecuadamente al tratamiento. Conclusiones. Ante una infección por citomegalovirus, es fundamental identificar el momento de contagio, de cara a establecer el pronóstico a largo plazo. Se sabe que el mayor riesgo de secuelas se asocia con las infecciones congénitas, siendo las que afectan al neurodesarrollo las más frecuentes. A pesar de demostrar el origen infeccioso de la clínica de nuestra paciente, se debe descartar la atresia de vías biliares, dadas las asociaciones existentes entre esta entidad y las infecciones virales (AU)

Introduction. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common cause of congenital infection in our media, being responsible of a high rate of perinatal morbility and mortality as well. Case report. A fifty-five day old child presented to the hospital with a jaundice noted one week ago. No acolia, coluria or infections were noted at that time. The patient was born at a gestational age of 36 weeks and the weight at birth was below 10 th percentile. The physical exam at admission revealed a pale-icteric skin and 3-5 cm esplenomegaly without hepatomegaly. The laboratory tests showed a cholestatic hepatitis with positive serology for CMV (IgM). After extrahepatic billiary atresia was ruled out and the PCR for CMV, in urine and serum, confirmed the infectious etiology, we started the treatment with intravenous Ganciclovir. The dried blood of metabolic tests was recovered in order to identify the congenital or acquired origin of the infection. Due to the clinical response and the negative result of the dried blood CMV PCR, we finished the treatment 6 weeks later. As side effect, we observed a mild leukopenia which had a good response to the treatment. Conclusions. In CMV infection is essential to identify the transmission´s time in order to establish the long-term prognosis. It is well known that the higher risk to develop sequels is joined to congenital infections;. being those that affect neurodevelopment the most frequent. Despite the infectious origin of our patient´s symptoms, extrahepatic biliary atresia must be ruled out because of the association with viral infections (AU)

Cancer survival in Costa Rica, 1995-2000.

The Costa Rica national tumour registry was founded in 1976 and nationwide data collection commenced in 1980. Cancer registration is predominantly done by passive methods. The registry contributed data on survival for invasive cancers of breast and cervix and in situ cancer of the cervix registered during 1995-2000. Followup has been carried out predominantly by passive methods, with median follow-up ranging from 31-47 months. The proportion of cases with histological confirmation of cancer diagnosis was 92% for invasive cancers and almost 100% for in-situ cancer of the cervix; death certificates only (DCOs) comprised 3%, and 78-86% of total cases registered were included for survival analysis. The one-, three- and five-year relative survival were 93%, 77% and 68%, respectively for breast cancer; the corresponding figures for invasive cervix cancer were 83%, 61% and 54%, respectively. The five-year relative survival for in-situ cervix cancer was 99%. A decreasing survival with increasing age group at diagnosis was noted for in-situ cancer of the cervix, while it fluctuated for invasive breast and cervix cancers. A decreasing survival with increasing clinical extent of disease was noted for invasive breast and cervix cancers.

Effects of source of gossypol and supplemental iron on plasma gossypol in Holstein steers.

Four experiments were conducted to evaluate factors influencing concentrations of plasma total gossypol (TG) in 30 Holstein steers fed cottonseed products. At the end of each 28-d experiment, steers were weighed and blood samples were collected and analyzed for plasma TG concentrations. During the entire study, steers did not show any overt signs of gossypol toxicity. In the 28 d before experiment 1, 30 steers with a body weight (BW) of 273 kg were fed a standardization diet with 15.0% Upland whole cottonseed (WCS) that resulted in a mean intake of 9.08 g/d of TG per steer/d and a plasma TG of 1.66 microg/mL. In experiment 1, 30 steers were fed 1 of 5 diets with 15.0% Upland WCS, but different levels of supplemental Fe [0, 150, 300, 450, and 600 mg/kg of diet dry matter (DM)]. Average daily gain was not affected by level of Fe in the diet, but DM intake, plasma TG, and plasma TG response decreased linearly as Fe in diets increased. In experiment 2, steers were fed diets with 15.0% Upland cottonseed as whole, cracked, roasted, cracked-roasted, or extruded. Analysis of the seed revealed that roasting or extrusion markedly reduced free gossypol (FG) content. Minor effects on animal performance were observed, but plasma TG decreased with roasting or extrusion of seeds, with the greatest reduction when the seed was cracked and then roasted. In experiment 3, steers were fed 2 levels of WCS (7.0 or 14.0% of DM) with 3 levels of cottonseed meal (2.8, 5.5, or 8.5% of DM) in the diet. Animal performance was not altered by diet, but plasma gossypol concentrations and responses were greater in steers fed diets with more WCS, because of the greater FG intake. In experiment 4, 24 steers were fed diets with 15.0% cottonseed (Upland or Pima) either as whole or cracked. Pima cottonseed increased TG and FG intakes, which resulted in greater plasma TG concentration and response. Animal response to processing of cottonseed tended to differ according to type of cottonseed. However, feeding Pima and cracking of cottonseed increased gossypol availability and plasma TG concentrations.

Relationship between radiation injury and Alzheimer-related neurodegenerative changes.

The relationship between radiation injury and other neurodegenerative changes such as the formation of neuritic or diffuse plaques and tangles have received little attention in the literature. In the current study, archival tissue was examined from 485 patients with the diagnosis of either a primary or metastatic brain tumor, who had received radiation therapy between the initial and subsequent pathological study (either surgical or autopsy). Of those cases, 20 were identified that also contained cerebral cortex in both specimens. Sections were stained with the modified Bielschowsky technique and immunohistochemical preparations for beta-amyloid. Contrary to previous reports, the present study did not identify neurodegenerative changes typical of Alzheimer's disease as a consequence of radiation therapy.

Low-grade glial tumor with features of astroblastoma in a dog.

A 12-year-old, neutered, male Belgian Malinois/Great Dane cross dog presented with a 5-month history of weakness and lack of endurance followed by acute onset of rear limb ataxia. At autopsy, a 9 x 16 mm, multilobular, firm, white to tan, expansile mass was found in the cerebellum. Mild dilatation of the lateral ventricles was also noted. Histologically, there was a well-demarcated glial neoplasm composed of medium-sized astrocytic elements that had homogeneous cytoplasm, sometimes with globular eosinophilic inclusions, irregular peripherally located nuclei with a single nucleolus, and short cytoplasmic processes. Prominent perivascular pseudorosettes with cellular processes in contact with blood vessels were present. Some blood vessels exhibited hyalinized walls. Mitotic figures were not observed. Immunohistochemically, neoplastic cells expressed glial fibrillary acidic protein and vimentin. These features are consistent with an astroblastoma. This is the first clinicopathologic correlation and detailed description of a low-grade glial tumor with features of astroblastoma in a dog.

The effects of varying gossypol intake from whole cottonseed and cottonseed meal on lactation and blood parameters in lactating dairy cows.

Effects of varying amounts of gossypol from whole Upland cottonseed (WCS) and cottonseed meal (CSM) were evaluated in 40 midlactation Holstein cows. After 14 d of pretreatment, cows were assigned to 1 of the 5 treatments for 84 d: control (no gossypol), 931 mg/kg total gossypol (TG) and 850 mg/kg free gossypol (FG) from WCS (moderate TG and high FG); 924 mg/kg TG and 91 mg/kg FG from CSM (moderate TG and low FG), 945 mg/kg TG and 479 mg/kg FG with equal amounts of TG from WCS and CSM (moderate TG and FG), or 1894 mg/kg TG and 960 mg/kg FG with equal amounts of TG from WCS and CSM (high TG and FG). Concentrations of plasma gossypol (PG) and its isomers were directly proportional to FG intake. Concentrations of PG reached a plateau after 28 d on treatment, and they were highest in cows receiving a diet with high TG and FG. Erythrocyte fragility differed among treatments and increased with increasing FG intake. Plasma gossypol returned to negligible concentrations 28 d after withdrawal of cottonseed products from the high TG and FG diet. Serum vitamin A was similar among treatments, but vitamin E increased with increasing FG intake. Serum enzymes were generally unaffected by treatments, but urea N increased in diets higher in TG and FG. Intake of dry matter was higher for the diet high in TG and FG than for the control diet, but was similar for other treatments. Cows receiving the high TG and FG diet produced more milk and 3.5% fat-corrected milk, with no changes in milk composition. Feeding a diet containing 1894 mg/kg TG and 960 mg/kg FG for 84 d increased PG concentrations and erythrocyte fragility and resulted in minor changes in blood metabolites and enzymes, but no detrimental effect on lactation performance was observed. Indicators of liver, kidney, and muscle cell viability suggest that the higher amounts of gossypol consumed in this study had only minor effects on those tissues in lactating dairy cows.

Epidemiología de las intoxicaciones en Chile: una década de registros / Epidemiology of intoxications in Chile: ten years of registry

Background: The existence of Poison Centers for management and prevention of intoxications has been endorsed by the international experience. In Chile, the Toxicological Information Center at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile has been active since 1992, receiving about 130.000 calls until 2002. Aim: To analyze the statistical data gathered throughout the first ten years of our Research Center. To delineate the epidemiological pattern of intoxications in Chile. Material and methods: Retrospective study in which records from calls for toxicological information received during the 1992-2002 period reviewed. Analyzed data were total calls per year, place of call, exposure circumstances, age, sex, route of exposure and involved agents. Results: 96,468 calls analyzed. The main exposure circumstance was ½unintentional¼ (78.6 per cent), followed by ½intentional¼ (16.9 per cent). Intoxications in children under 5 years old motivated 50 per cent of calls. According to route of exposure, ingestions involved 75,992 calls (78.8 per cent). Medications were the most common substances, accounting for 49.2 per cent of calls, followed by cleaning products (12.1 percent), pesticides (11.3 per cent), industrial and chemical products (10.5 per cent) and cosmetics (2.7 per cent). Medications acting on the CNS were the most recurrent, with 19,096 reports. Conclusions: The epidemiological pattern for intoxications in Chile is very similar to that reported in developed and other Latin American countries. Children under 5 years old, are a high risk group for intoxications. It is imperative to improve the recording and follow-up of patients that call to the Center, to improve epidemiological data of intoxications in Chile.

Intoxicación por cloroquina / Chloroquine poisoning

Desde el punto de vista toxicológico, la cloroquina es probablemente, el mes peligroso agente antimicrobiano disponible en la actualidad. Utilizada como droga primaria en el tratamiento y profilaxis de la malaria, y como agente antirreumßtico e inmunosupresor, posee un estrecho margen terapeutico lo que la transforma en una droga de alto riesgo de intoxicaciones. Su uso se ha extendido dado el aumento de viajes a países endÚmicos para la malaria, aumentando el riesgo de sobredosis intencionales y no intencionales. Por ello es importante disponer de información actualizada del tratamiento de esta intoxicación.

Alpha-internexin expression in medulloblastomas and atypical teratoid-rhabdoid tumors.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether medulloblastomas and atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors express alpha-internexin, an intermediate filament protein that is expressed in normal neurons undergoing maturation and differentiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 28 medulloblastomas and 5 atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors were examined for the immunohistochemical expression of alpha-internexin, as well as the neuronal markers peripherin and synaptophysin, and glial fibrillary acidic protein. RESULTS: Overall, 21 of 28 medulloblastomas (75%) expressed alpha-internexin. More specifically, alpha-internexin expression was observed in 6 of 10 (60%) classic medulloblastomas, 12 of 14 (86%) desmoplastic medulloblastomas, 2 of 3 (67%) nodular medulloblastomas, and in one medullomyoblastoma. Similarly, 4 of 5 (80%) atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors expressed alpha-internexin. The extent of staining for alpha-internexin tended to be less than that of synaptophysin for both medulloblastomas (75% vs 93%) and atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (80% vs 100%). In contrast to alpha-internexin, peripherin was expressed in only 4 medulloblastomas and one atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Alpha-internexin is expressed in the majority of medulloblastomas and atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors, indicating that these primitive tumors usually exhibit neuronal differentiation.

The effects of feeding varying amounts of gossypol from whole cottonseed and cottonseed meal in lactating dairy cows.

Effects of feeding varying amounts of total gossypol from whole cottonseed and cottonseed meal were evaluated in 30 lactating Holstein cows. After a 14-d pretreatment period, cows were assigned for 42 d to one of five treatments: control (diet A); 1040 mg/kg of total gossypol, and 989 mg/kg of free gossypol from whole cottonseed (diet B); 900 mg/kg of total gossypol and 64 mg/kg of free gossypol from cottonseed meal (diet C); 960 mg/kg of total gossypol and 531 mg/kg of free gossypol with equal amounts of total gossypol from whole cottonseed and cottonseed meal (diet D); or 1922 mg/kg of total gossypol and 1050 mg/kg of free gossypol with equal amounts of total gossypol from whole cottonseed and cottonseed meal (diet E). Concentrations of plasma gossypol and its isomers were directly proportional to free gossypol intake. Plasma gossypol concentrations plateaued after 35 d on treatment, and they were highest in cows receiving diet E. At 42 d on treatment, erythrocyte fragility was higher in the cows receiving the diet E, but it did not differ among other treatments. Dry matter intakes were similar for all groups. Cows receiving diet E produced more milk and 3.5% fat-corrected milk, but milk protein content decreased. Feeding diets containing 1900 mg/kg of total gossypol and 1050 mg/kg of free gossypol for 42 d resulted in increased plasma gossypol concentrations and erythrocyte fragility, but no detrimental impact on lactation performance were observed.

Split biceps femoris tendon reconstruction for proximal tibiofibular joint instability.

Recurrent instability of the proximal tibiofibular joint is an infrequently diagnosed abnormality. We present a new technique for reconstructing the joint using a split biceps femoris tendon passed through a bone tunnel in both the proximal tibial metaphysis and fibular head. The case report is also presented. The procedure offers an anatomic reconstruction and firm stabilization. It allows normal motion of the proximal tibiofibular joint and preserves the normal mechanics of the ankle. This procedure is an excellent alternative to resection of the fibular head, transarticular arthrodesis, or pseudoarthrosis focus at the fibular head.

Central neurocytomas express photoreceptor differentiation.

BACKGROUND: Central neurocytomas are composed of mature neuronal elements, frequently arranged in rosettes similar to those present in pineocytomas. This suggests the possibility of similar patterns of differentiation, including photoreceptor differentiation. The authors analyzed the immunoreactivity of central neurocytomas for retinal S-antigen, neuronal, glial, and neuroendocrine markers. METHODS: Thirty-three central neurocytomas were analyzed with reference to their clinicopathologic characteristics, immunoreactivity, and the possibility that anaplastic histologic features correlated with aggressive clinical behavior. RESULTS: There were 18 male and 15 female patients. The median age at diagnosis was 30 years (range, 3-69 years). All of the tumors with specified location were related to the ventricles. Thirty-two tumors were diagnosed at surgery and 1 at autopsy. Histologic features included mineralization (20 of 33), foci of necrosis (4 of 33), chronic inflammation (4 of 33), ganglion cell differentiation (1 of 33), and lipomatous differentiation (1 of 33). None of the lesions had significant nuclear pleomorphism, mitotic activity, or vascular endothelial proliferation. Immunohistochemistry included expression of synaptophysin (33 of 33), neuron specific enolase (31 of 33), S-100 protein (25 of 33), retinal S-antigen (14 of 24), somatostatin (8 of 27), glial fibrillary acidic protein (4 of 33), neurofilament protein (3 of 22), and leucine enkephalin (1 of 27). At follow-up, 15 of 23 patients were alive an average of 8.1 years (range, 0.91-35.9 years) after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Central neurocytomas behave as slowly growing neoplasms that remain confined within one or several supratentorial ventricles and are associated with long survival after surgical excision. Malignant forms with aggressive clinical behavior were not found. The neoplastic cells can express photoreceptor differentiation possibly relating central neurocytomas to pineocytomas. Adipocyte differentiation may be present, and the possibility of a relation between the central neurocytoma and cerebellar liponeurocytoma should be entertained.