Morphometric variants of the paranasal sinuses in a Mexican population: expected changes according to age and gender.

BACKGROUND: There are developmental variations in the paranasal sinuses. Our objective was to determine their dimensions and volume stratified by age and sex and define the expected growth pattern. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective, observational study was performed including computed tomography (CT) of patients between 1 and 20 years of age. The volumes of the frontal, sphenoid, and maxillary sinuses were obtained. RESULTS: A total of 210 CT were included with a mean age of 10 ± 6.1 years, 106 (50.5%) were female. Groups were categorised in ranges of 5 years. Spearman correlation coefficients between the right and left sides were 0.843, 0.711, 0.916 for the frontal, sphenoid and maxillary sinuses. Post-hoc for the categorical age groups demonstrated statistically significant differences with values of p < 0.01, except between age groups 11-15 against ≥ 16 years of age (p = 0.8). Gender-related differences were evident with a higher air volume in girls in the 5-10-year-old group, while boys predominated in the rest of the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography is ideal for pre-surgical sinus assessment. The maximum volume of paranasal sinuses is reached at the age of 15. There is a clear volumetric difference between age and gender groups. There is a direct relationship between a volume and its contralateral counterpart.

Transcriptional activity and splicing factors are preserved during physiological apoptosis.

Apoptosis is the best-known programmed cell death that maintains tissue homeostasis in eukaryotic cells. The morphological characteristics include nuclear and cytoplasmic contraction and cytoplasmic blebbing, its biochemical hallmarks include caspase protease activity and DNA fragmentation. In rat ovaries, cell death is a normal process that occurs throughout the organism's life. Granulosa cells, the more abundant cell type forming the ovarian follicles, are eliminated via different routes of cell death. Most granulosa cells are eliminated through apoptotic cell death. In this work, we analyzed the behavior of nuclear components throughout the apoptotic process and determined how they are regionalized and conserved during follicular atresia in rat ovaries. Apoptosis was detected based on caspase-3 activity and DNA fragmentation using the TUNEL technique. We identified the transcription markers H3ac and RNA Pol II, and splicing factor SC35 by immunodetection. The nucleolar components were analyzed via light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy through immunodetection of the proteins nucleolin and nucleophosmin-1. The nuclear ultrastructure was analyzed using standard contrast and preferential ribonucleoprotein contrast. Our results demonstrate that during the progression of apoptosis, chromatin is remodeled to constitute apoptotic bodies; transcription and spliceosome elements are reorganized along with the nucleolar components. Additionally, the splicing and transcription factors are segregated into specific territories inside the apoptotic bodies, suggesting that transcriptional elements are reorganized during the apoptotic process. Our results indicate that apoptotic bodies not only are compacted, and chromatin degraded but all the nuclear components are progressively reorganized during cell elimination; moreover, the transcriptional components are preserved.

Histological reinterpretation of paraphysis cerebri in Ambystoma mexicanum.

Intraventricular and extraventricular choroid plexuses are neuroepithelial folds which arise from the roof of the diencephalon. We describe the circumventricular structure of the diencephalon roof (paraphysis cerebri) during the various development stages of Ambystoma mexicanum. The parasagittal sections of the larvae epithalamus exhibit the presence, in addition to the epiphysis, of two dorsal primordia in nearby areas, which appear to be extraventricular saccular evaginations of different origin that give rise to two structures we define as the anterior extraventricular choroid plexus (AEP) and posterior extraventricular choroid plexus (PEP). During larvae development, the primordia arise perpendicular to each other, grow and show luminal folds and invaginations. Later, the two extraventricular evaginations, which are separate units, become interrelated. As the PEP grows, it covers the AEP dorsally, but it is difficult to define the borders of these organs. AEP is formed by alveolar-acinar epithelial aggregates with evidence of secretion-like content. PEP structure is like a choroid plexus, but its position is extraventricular and dorsal to the AEP. The PEP is always between the AEP and the meninges and can be small or large in size. This means that in A. mexicanum, the paraphysis cerebri is made up of two adjacent organs, which arise almost simultaneously from two different primordia (the AEP and the PEP) and as the posterior one grows, it overlaps the anterior one and masks itself. In conclusion, we suggest that AEP and PEP are homologous to paraphysis cerebri and the dorsal sac, respectively.

[Thoracic insufficiency syndrome]. / Síndrome de insuficiencia torácica.

The compendium of disorders that affect the normal growth or function of the thorax will cause Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome (TIS). TIS is defined as the inability of the chest to sustain normal breathing and/or lung growth. The etiology of the syndrome may be secondary to spinal deformities, global deformities of the chest, neuromuscular dysfunction or the combination of any these. Its manifestation is based on a history that highlights respiratory symptoms, a physical examination that demonstrates chest deformity, abnormal radiographic findings and/or computed tomography of the chest, accompanied by alterations in lung function or other studies of respiratory function. This syndrome must be treated with haste since it progressively worsens with the aggravation of the underlying condition(s) which is unfavorable to the irreversible physiological changes of the lung that occur during development, and are directly related to the respiratory insufficiencies. The vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) was developed as a treatment procedure that aims to restore the volume and function of the thorax with the purpose of enabling thoracic growth during the development of the child or adolescent. The treatment targets the components of the rib cage as a unit, in order to prevent or treat respiratory insufficiencies. Its indications include children with early development scoliosis who are prone to develop SIT. The proposed procedure entails a high incidence of complications and conflicting results that limit its efficacy as a treatment, which is why it is a subject of great controversy in the medical literature.

Los procesos que afecten el crecimiento normal o la función del tórax causarán el síndrome de insuficiencia torácica (SIT). Éste se define como la incapacidad del tórax de sostener una respiración normal y/o crecimiento pulmonar. La etiología del síndrome puede ser secundaria a deformidades de la columna, deformidades globales del tórax, disfunción neuromuscular o la combinación de éstas. Su manifestación se basa en un historial que resalta síntomas respiratorios, un examen físico que demuestra deformidad del tórax, hallazgos anormales radiográficos y/o tomografía computarizada del pecho, acompañados de alteración en la función pulmonar o de otros estudios de la función respiratoria. Este síndrome debe ser tratado con premura debido a que progresivamente empeora con el agravamiento de la condición subyacente, lo que resulta irreversiblemente desfavorable en los cambios fisiológicos del pulmón y se relaciona con insuficiencia respiratoria durante el desarrollo. El tratamiento expansor de costilla conocido en inglés como vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) propone restaurar el volumen y la función torácica con el propósito de permitir el crecimiento del tórax a través del desarrollo del paciente. El tratamiento se dirige a los componentes de la caja torácica como una unidad, con el fin de prevenir o tratar la insuficiencia respiratoria. Sus indicaciones incluyen niños con escoliosis de desarrollo temprano que sean propensos a desarrollar el SIT. El procedimiento propuesto conlleva una alta incidencia de complicaciones y resultados conflictivos que limitan su eficacia como tratamiento, por lo que es un tema de gran controversia en la literatura médica.

Gene expression changes by high-polyphenols cocoa powder intake: a randomized crossover clinical study.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of the intake of a single dose of high-polyphenols cocoa on gene expression in peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and analyze conjugated (-)-epicatechin metabolites in plasma, which may be related with an antioxidant response in healthy human. METHODS: A randomized, controlled, double-blind, cross-over, clinical trial in healthy young adults who consumed a single dose of high-polyphenols cocoa powder and maltodextrins as control, with a one-week washout period. Analysis of circulating metabolites, plasma antioxidant capacity and gene expression changes in PBMCs were performed under fasting conditions and 2-h after treatment using microarray in a subsample. Pathway analysis was conducted using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). RESULTS: Twenty healthy participants (9 F) were included in the study. A significant increase in circulating (-)-epicatechin metabolites was found after cocoa intake in all participants without related changes in antioxidant capacity of plasma. The metabolites profile slightly varied across subjects. Treatments triggered different transcriptional changes in PBMC. A group of 98 genes showed changes in expression after cocoa treatment, while only 18 were modified by control. Differentially expressed genes included inflammatory cytokines and other molecules involved in redox balance. Gene and network analysis after cocoa intake converged in functions annotated as decreased production of reactive oxygen species (p = 9.58E-04), decreased leukocyte activation (p = 4E-03) and calcium mobilization (p = 2.51E-05). CONCLUSIONS: No association was found between conjugated metabolites in plasma and antioxidant capacity. Changes in PBMCs gene expression suggest anti-inflammatory effects.

Effect of stirring on growth and cellulolytic enzymes production by Trichoderma harzianum in a novel bench-scale solid-state fermentation bioreactor.

A novel bench-scale stirred bioreactor for solid-state fermentation was used to determine the effect of the stirring rate on growth and enzymes production by Trichoderma harzianum PBLA. Lab-scale static tubular bioreactors were first used to assess the effect of bioreactor diameter on heat accumulation, growth, and production of cellulases and xylanases. The increased diameters (1.8-4.2 cm) led to increases in temperature up to 36 °C (at a rate of 1.08 °C/cm), which negatively affected the growth and enzyme production. Afterward, in the bench-scale bioreactor operated at rates up to 3.0 rpm, maximum xylanases production (107 ±â€¯0.3 U/g dm) was attained at rates of 0.5 and 1.0 rpm, reaching a maximum of 34 ±â€¯0.3 °C. Cellulases production was reduced (up to 79%) due to stirring. Therefore, the production of xylanases by T. harzianum can be performed in this cross-flow stirred SSF bioreactor at rates up to 1.0 rpm, avoiding heat accumulation and damage on metabolic activity.

Semantic verbal fluency in elderly Mexican adults: Reference values.

INTRODUCTION: The semantic verbal fluency test (SVF) is sensitive to detecting cognitive decline. It is fast and easy to use in any cultural context; therefore, it is included in most of the neuropsychological assessment protocols. OBJECTIVE: To estimate normative values for the SVF test (animals), in an elderly population aged 65 years and over. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 1233 subjects who were healthy, cognitively preserved, residents of two areas (rural and urban) of Mexico were assessed. A neurological and neuropsychological exploration battery was applied, including SVF. RESULTS: The age average was 73+6 and schooling was 4.0+3.9 years, with 59% women. The average of the words generated in the SVF test was 14+5, and a correlation of 0.16 of these scores with age, education, and gender was found (p<.001), this allowed the estimation of the percentiles in accordance with these variables. CONCLUSIONS: The most important contribution provided by this study was that the data analysis enabled normative values to be obtained for an elderly Mexican population aged 65 years and over. It was also confirmed, as other neuropsychological assessment studies have done, that the SVF test is influenced by socio-demographic variables, such as age and education, aspects to be considered at the time of obtaining normative values. Finally, it was noted that the average scores obtained were lower than other published reference values, due to the low educational level of our sample.

Densidad asimétrica neuronal inter-hemisférica de la corteza insular en ratones FMR1 knock-out / Interhemispheric neural density asymmetry of insular cortex in FMR1 knock-out mice

El síndrome X frágil en los seres humanos es causado por una mutación en el gen FMR1 y se asocia con grave retraso mental, hiperactividad y ansiedad. Hemos comparado ratones FMR1-KO con ratones Control en la densidad neuronal de la corteza insular, área del cerebro asociada con el procesamiento del dolor y manejo de la ansiedad. Los ratones también fueron sometidos a una prueba de aprendizaje espacial en un entorno de ansiedad. Los resultados muestran asimetría significativa entre la densidad neuronal entre ínsula izquierda y derecha en KO en comparación con ratones de tipo Control. En cuanto al comportamiento, a pesar de los ratones KO no mostraron marcados déficits en la realización de tareas mostraron una velocidad superior a la de sus homólogos de tipo Control. Por otra parte, la asimetría de densidad insular se correlaciona con una mayor velocidad a nivel individual. Estos resultados sugieren que la asimetría de la densidad neuronal insular en FMR1 ratones KO se puede considerar como un correlato anatómico de las anormalidades de comportamiento observados.

Fragile X syndrome in humans is caused by a mutation in the FMR1 gene and it is associated with severe mental retardation, hyperactivity and anxiety. Here we compare FMR1 Knock-Out mice, a model of Fragile-X syndrome, and wild-type mice with respect to the neuronal density of the insular cortex, a brain area associated with pain processing and anxiety management. Mice were also subjected to a spatial learning test in an anxiogenic environment. Results show significant asymmetry between neuronal density between left and right insula in knock out as compared to wild type mice. Behaviorally, although knock-out mice did not show deficits in task completion they explored the maze at a higher velocity than their wild-type counterparts. Furthermore, insular density asymmetry correlated with higher velocity during one of the spatial navigation tasks at the individual mouse level. These results suggest that insular neuronal density asymmetry in FMR1 Knot-Out mice may be considered as an anatomical correlate of the observed behavioral abnormalities.

Herd- and cow-level risk factors associated with subclinical mastitis in dairy farms from the High Plains of the northern Antioquia, Colombia.

Mastitis is the main disease entity affecting dairy farms in the Colombian High Plains of northern Antioquia, Colombia. However, no previous epidemiologic studies have determined the characteristics that increase the risk of infection in this region, where manual milking is still the prevailing system of milking. A 24-mo longitudinal study was designed to identify the predominant mastitis pathogens and important herd- and cow-level risk factors. Monthly visits were made to 37 commercial dairy farms to collect herd- and cow-level data and milk samples. Herd size varied from 6 to 136 cows (mean 37.0, median 29). Herd-level factors included type of milking system (manual or mechanical) and a range of management practices recommended by the National Mastitis Council (Madison, WI) to prevent mastitis. Individual cow-level risk factors included parity, stage of lactation, breed, udder hygiene, and lameness. A logistic regression analysis was used to investigate associations between herd- and cow-level risk factors with the presence of subclinical mastitis and infection caused by Streptococcus agalactiae at the quarter level. A quarter was considered to have subclinical mastitis if it had a positive California Mastitis Test and was subsequently confirmed to have a somatic cell count of ≥200,000 cells/mL. Any cow with one or more quarters with subclinical mastitis was considered to have subclinical mastitis at the cow level. Using 17,622 cow observations, the mean prevalence of subclinical mastitis at the cow level was 37.2% (95% confidence interval: 31.2, 43.3) for the first month and did not substantially change throughout the study. The predominant microorganisms isolated from quarters meeting the subclinical mastitis definition were contagious pathogens, including Strep. agalactiae (34.4%), Corynebacterium spp. (13.2%), and Staphylococcus aureus (8.0%). Significant variables associated with subclinical mastitis risk at the quarter level included being a purebred Holstein cow, higher parity, and increased months in milk. Variables that were protective for mastitis risk included being a crossbreed cow and adequate premilking udder hygiene. Significant variables associated with Strep. agalactiae infection were higher parity, increased months in milk, and manual milking. Variables that were protective were postmilking teat dipping and adequate cleaning of the udder. The results highlight the importance of hygiene practices in contagious mastitis control in manually milked herds.

Validation of a methodology for inpatient pharmacotherapy follow-up / Validación de una metodología para el seguimiento farmacoterapéutico en paciente hospitalizado

Background: Pharmacotherapy follow-up is a practice in which the pharmacist assumes responsibilityfor the patient’s drug-related Problems. Its goal is to achieve positive clinical outcomes. Methods toperform pharmacotherapy follow-up have centered principally on ambulatory patients. Objective: Thepurpose of this study is to propose and validate a methodology for inpatient pharmacotherapy follow-up.Methods: A systematic review was performed. This consisted in a comprehensive search of databasescontaining studies published in English or Spanish during 1998 - 2008, and that sought to improve thetransfer of accurate information about Pharmacotherapy follow-up in inpatients. The key terms used toconduct the search were identified in consultation with clinical experts and included: Pharmacotherapyfollow-up methods, pharmacotherapy follow-up, drug therapy problems, and validation. A comparativetable was elaborated to differentiate and evaluate the advantages of each of the proposed methodologies.The information gathered allowed to propose a sequence of general steps for inpatient Pharmacotherapyfollow-up. To validate the methodology, a descriptive study was carried out with 32 randomly selectedpatients and was independently followed up by two pharmacists to assess the reproducibility of the process.Results: Pharmaceutical Care Practice: The Clinician’s Guide, proposed by Cipolle & Strand. AppliedTherapeutics: The Clinical Use of Drugs, the DÁDER method, and the IASER program, were selected.79 drug therapy problems (DTPs) were identified and resolved, where errors in necessity of medicationhad the highest incidence (46.6%), followed by effectiveness (24.5%) and safety (28.9%). The degree ofagreement among researchers in the identification and resolution of DTPs was quantified using the kappacoefficient, showing a high concordance (90% CI)...

Hidatidosis cardiaca: caso clínico / Cardiac hydatidosis: Report of one case

Background: Hydatidosis is an endemic zoonosis in Chile. We report a 48-year-old former slaughterman, with a previous history of pulmonary hydatidosis, who presented a stroke without associated cardiovascular symptoms. An echocardiogram revealed a tumor mass with cystic features in the left ventricle. The patient was operated and the cyst was successfully excised. During the follow up, the patient remains asymptomatic.

Caracterización de quesillo colombiano por espectrocolorimetría / Characterization of colombian quesillo cheese by spectrocolorimetry

Rationale: The colour of food is one of the major attributes which affect a consumer’s perception of its quality, and it is also a powerful tool for quality control and marketing. The Quesillo cheese is a typical Colombian cheese. The observed colour in Quesillo cheese is a composite of many contributing factors. Objectives: The objective of the current work was to characterize the colour of Quesillo cheese using parameters L*, a* and b* of the CIE (Commission Internationale d'Eclairage) system by spectrocolorimetry. Methods: The collection of data with colorimeters was used for the instrumental characterization of colour in Quesillo cheese. Colour parameters L*, a* and b* were measured in triplicate using CIE-LAB space for fourteen commercial Quesillo cheese and seven manufactured cheeses. Using the mean values of colour in the analysed cheeses, parameters of chroma metric (C*), hue (H*), colour differences (ΔE), whiteness index (WI) and yellowness indix (YI) were determined. Results: The general mean values obtained were, L*= 78.13, a*= -0.96, b* = 22.95, C*= 22.97 and H*= 92.38°. These can be estimated as the reference values for Quesillo cheese, which could be used in quality control in the manufacturing process. Different factors are discussed that can change or influence the colour in the final product. Conclusions: The colour variations of this type of cheese are principally due to the initial composition of milk, composition of acid whey and manufacturing technology.

Frecuencia de la mutación 35delG del gen GJB2 (conexina 26) en una muestra de escolares sordos de Santiago / Frequency of the 35delG mutation of GJB2 (connexin 26) in a sample of deafschool children in Santiago

Introducción: Se estima que 1 de cada 1.000 niños presenta hipoacusia severa al nacimiento o en los primeros meses de vida y el 50 por ciento de las hipoacusias congénitas se relacionan con el gen de la conexina 26 (GJB2). En poblaciones caucásicas la variante patogénica 35delG del gen GJB2, que es la más frecuente, se encuentra en 30 por ciento de los pacientes con hipoacusia congénita no sindrómica. En Chile, la frecuencia de esta variante en escolares sordos no está descrita. Objetivos: Estimar la frecuencia de la mutación 35delG del gen GJB2 en niños con sordera congénita no sindrómica y no atribuible a causas ambientales conocidas, de colegios especiales de Santiago. Correlacionar la presencia de 35delG con los antecedentes clínicos de estos niños. Material y método: Se determinó la presencia de la mutación 35delG mediante PCR alelo específico y secuenciación automatizada en 81 escolares. Se buscó asociar la presencia de 35delG y los antecedentes clínicos de los niños mediante la prueba exacta de Fisher. Resultados: En el grupo estudiado, el 11,25 por ciento de los casos presentaron la variante 35delG, siendo ésta más frecuente en los casos en que había antecedentes familiares de sordera. En 8 casos se encontró una variante considerada no patogénica V27I. Conclusión: La frecuencia de la mutación 35delG fue inferior a lo esperado, probablemente debido al método de selección de los niños a estudiar (aquellos cuyos padres no referían causa conocida de sordera, lo cual no fue refrendado por exámenes de laboratorio que permitieran descartar enfermedades infecciosas u otras condiciones causantes de sordera).

Introduction: Congenital hearing loss occurs in 1 in 1000 live births and 50 percent of these cases are related with mutations in the connexin26 gene (GJB2). The 35delG variant is the most common of the known pathogenic alleles in Caucasian populations, reaching a frequency of 30 percent among the non syndromic congenital deaf people. The frequency of this variant has not been described in Chilean deaf children. Aim: To estimate the frequency of the 35delG GJB2 gene mutation in children with non syndromic congenital hearing loss of unknown etiology from deaf schools in Santiago, and to evaluate the association between clinical features of these children and the presence of the 35delG allele. Material and method: The presence of the 35delG mutation was studied by allele specific PCR and automatical sequencing in 81 children. The association between clinical issues and genotypes was explored by Fisher exact test. Results: We found the 35delG variant in 11,25 percent of the children, this mutation was more frequent in familial cases than sporadic cases of deafness. We also found the V27I non pathogenic variant in 8 cases. Conclusion: The frequency of the 35delG mutation was lower than the expected, probably due to the criterion used to select the school children to be studied.

Asistencia circulatoria mecánica / Mechanical circulatory support

La insuficiencia cardiaca constituye una verdadera epidemia a nivel mundial, y Chile no es la excepción. Como respuesta, la medicina ha ido ofreciendo un número cada vez mayor de alternativas para enfrentarla, con mejoras significativas en el tratamiento farmacológico, dispositivos de resincronización cardiaca y diferentes alternativas quirúrgicas, todo lo cual ha mejorado la sintomatología y ha prolongado parcialmente la supervivencia de esta patología en las fases iniciales. Sin embargo en las fases más avanzadas de esta enfermedad, sólo el trasplante cardiaco y actualmente la asistencia circulatoria, han demostrado una mejoría significativa de la supervivencia de este complejo grupo de pacientes. En esta revisión, intentamos revisar en profundidad los aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos y terapéuticos en el enfrentamiento de esta patología, haciendo hincapié en diferentes aspectos quirúrgicos y en la indicación y manejo de la asistencia circulatoria mecánica, aspectos que son fundamentales a la hora de usar en forma segura esta nueva tecnología.

Heart failure is an epidemic worldwide disease, affecting mainly developed countries. In response, medicine has been offering an increasing number of treatment alternatives with significant improvements in drug therapy, cardiac resynchronization devices and surgical alternatives, all of which have improved symptoms and prolonged survival in the early stages of this pathology. However, in final stages, only heart transplantation has shown significant improvement in survival, and in the last years, Mechanical Circulatory Assistance has shown good results in this complex group of patients. In this article we review epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of Mechanical Circulatory Support, emphasizing on indications and contraindications, management, quality assurance and education of this therapeutic alternative for heart failure.

Cultivos celulares como alternativa para el aislamiento y la producción de biológicos contra el Virus de Influenza / Cell culture as an alternative for isolation and production of biologics against influenza virus

El virus de influenza ha sido reconocido como un importante patógeno en poblaciones humanas y animales, ya que es el principal causante de enfermedades respiratorias. Muchas vacunas y aislamientos de virus de influenza humana y animal son realizadas actualmente en huevos embrionados, siendo este el método usado tradicionalmente por décadas. Sin embargo, se han encontrado inconvenientes en la elaboración de vacunas ya que el proceso de fabricación es de capacidad limitada (se requiere aproximadamente un huevo para generar una dosis vacunal) y alta demanda tiempo, disminuyendo su habilidad para generar biológicos rápidamente en el caso de una pandemia. El empleo de líneas celulares continuas para la producción de vacunas virales nace como alternativa que ofrece diversas ventajas: (i) oportunidad de emplear células completamente caracterizadas y estandarizadas, (ii) producción y planeación permanente de vacunas y (iii) los biológicos pueden ser producidos de forma más rápida. El objetivo de esta revisión es analizar las diferentes alternativas empleadas en el cultivo y/o aislamiento de virus de influenza, enfatizando en el uso de cultivos celulares como sustrato para el aislamiento y la producciónc de biológicos destinados a la salud humana y animal.

Pediococcus acidilactici isolated from the rumen of lambs with rumen acidosis, 16S rRNA identification and sensibility to monensin and lasalocid.

A lactic-acid producing bacterium was isolated from the rumen of lambs with rumen acidosis. The cells were gram-positive, nonmotile, nonsporing, catalase negative spherical, 1.5-2.0 µm in diameter, and occur in pairs and tetrads. Analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA indicated that the rumen bacterium was a strain of Pediococcus acidilactici with 99% of nucleotide homology. This bacterium was sensible to monensin and lasalocid at the unique dose tested of 300 ppm. The concentration of lactic acid and DM degradation decreased (P<0.05) when monensin or lasalocid were added to the culture media after 24, 48 and 72 h of incubation. In contrast, total VFA concentration and pH were higher (P<0.05) in the culture media added with the ionophores. Up to now S. bovis is considered the main ruminal bacterium related with rumen acidosis, but the importance of P. acidilactici should be also reconsidered in experimental studies focused on the control rumen acidosis.

Síndrome de Rapunzel (tricobezoar gástrico con extensión a duodeno y yeyuno): a propósito de un caso / Rapunzel syndrome (gastric trichobezoar extending into duodenum and jejunum): report of a case

El síndrome de Rapunzel, corresponde a un raro fenómeno con pocos casos comunicados y descritos en la literatura mundial. Así pues, compartimos un nuevo caso. Se trata de paciente femenino de 6 años de edad, que consulta por presentar desde hace 2 meses crisis de epigastralgia, vómitos a repetición y pérdida de peso. Su sintomatología ha empeorado en la última semana y refiere sensación de masa en epigastrio. Como antecedente importante tricofagia de dos años de evolución. Al examen se palpa masa epigástrica alargada. Al ecosonograma abdominal se aprecia en epigastrio, en la zona que corresponde a la cámara gástrica, una línea hiperecogénica, curvilínea, discretamente heterogénea, que produce sombra acústica completa, sugestivo de masa ecogénica de más de 5 cm de longitud . La radiología de estómago muestra una imagen de defecto que se extiende desde el cuerpo hasta la región antropilórica, de 6 x 4 cms. La Videogastroscopia muestra una concreción de pelos (tricobezoar), que se extiende a través del píloro. El 26-02-2009 es intervenida quirúrgicamente, se realiza gastrostomía con extracción de tricobezoar que se extiende a través del duodeno hasta el yeyuno. En ocasiones el tricobezoar se extiende más allá del estómago, alcanzando duodeno, yeyuno, ileon, e incluso colon, dándosele entonces, el nombre de Síndrome de Rapunzel...

The Rapunzel syndrome is a rare condition with few cases reported and described in the literature. Thus, WE SHARE a new case. Is a 6 years old female patient who went to consult because she had had from 2 months ago epigastralgia`s crisis, vomits and regurgitation, and lost of weight. Her symptomatology has gotten worst in the last week and refers a sensation of a mass in the epigastrium. As an important background she had had trichophagia of two years evolution. An elongated epigastric mass is felt on examination. The abdominal echosonogram shows a hyperechoic curvilinear line, discretely heterogeneous, in the epigastrium, specifically, in the gastric zone, which produces a complete acoustic shadow allusive of echogenic mass of more than 5 cm. of length. The stomach radiography shows a defect image of 6 x 4 cm. that extends from the body to the antro-pyloric region. The video-gastroscopy reveals a hair concretion (trichophagia) that extends through the pylorus. On February 26, 2009 the patient underwent surgical intervention, a gastrostomy with extraction of the trichobezoar that expands through the duodenum to the jejunum. In occasions the trichobezoar extends beyond the stomach reaching to the duodenum, jejunum, ileum and even colon, that's when it's called Rapunzel Syndrome...

Pharmacokinetic behavior in sheep and cattle of 5-chloro-2-(methylthio)-6-(1-naphthyloxy)-1H-benzimidazole, a new fasciolicide agent.

The physicochemical properties, pK(a), Log P and solubility of compound alpha, (5-chloro-2-(methylthio)-6-(1-naphthyloxy)-1H-benzimidazole), a new fasciolicide agent, were characterized using conventional methods. Also, its pharmacokinetics was evaluated in sheep and cattle. In both species an oral dose of 12 mg/kg was administered. Blood samples were collected during 144 h and analyzed by using an HPLC assay. Results showed that compound alpha is a weak base with a pK(a) value of 2.87 and log P of 1.44. The solubility was very low in aqueous solvents. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that in both species compound alpha could not be detected at any sampling time. The mean half-life (t(1/2)) values of alpha sulphoxide in sheep and cattle were 19.86 and 29.87 h, while the half-life values of alpha sulphone were 19.43 and 46.32 h respectively. C(max) values of alpha sulphoxide did not differ between species while alpha sulphone values were higher in cattle. Plasma protein binding of alpha sulphoxide was between 82% and 86%. These results, combined with the previous efficacy studies, suggest that compound alpha could be a promising fasciolicide agent.