Tatuaje de amalgama: Pigmentación exógena más común de la cavidad oral / Amalgam tattoo: Most common exogenous pigmentation of the oral cavity

Resumen El propósito de este estudio es analizar las características clínicas de la pigmentación de amalgama en la cavidad oral, comúnmente, denominada también tatuaje de amalgama, el objetivo es aumentar el conocimiento de esta entidad patológica y diferenciarla de otras lesiones de mayor importancia clínica.

Abstract The purpose of this study is to analyze the clinical characteristics of amalgam pigmentation in the oral cavity, commonly known as amalgam tattoo, in order to increase the knowledge of this pathological entity and to differentiate it from other important lesions.

Caracterización de la población con obstrucción de poros faciales a quienes se les aplico laserterapia en la Unidad de Dermatología UNIMEL / Characterization of the population with facial pore obstruction to whom laser therapy was applied at the UNIMEL Dermatology Unit / Caracterização da população com obstrução dos poros faciais a quem foi aplicada terapia a laser no Serviço de Dermatologia da UNIMEL

INTRODUCCIÓN: el poro es un orificio de excreción que se encuentra en la epidermis de la piel, en donde pueden producirse problemas de eliminación deficiente del sebo en personas que presentan exceso de grasas. OBJETIVO: analizar las características y tratamiento laser aplicado a la población con obstrucción de poros faciales que acuden a la consulta de la Unidad de Dermatología UNIMEL. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: estudio descriptivo, de campo, prospectivo y transversal, la población fue de 653 pacientes de ambos sexos que acudieron a la consulta de dermatología y recibieron laserterapia por presentar obstrucción de poros faciales. Se aplicó estadística descriptiva para la representación de datos. El instrumento utilizado fue una lista de registro. RESULTADOS: los pacientes presentaron una edad promedio de 37 años, se aplicaron diferentes tratamientos según los criterios diagnósticos, se les realizó el procedimiento de fotona Black peel en un 0,15%, Vela de Nova en un 5,05% y Qs Quimioespectra a un 94,79% que representan un total de 619 personas. CONCLUSIÓN: el mayor grupo de pacientes que asistió a tratamiento se ubicó entre los 31 a 40 años de edad, un alto porcentaje mujeres afectadas por secuelas de daño facial producido por obstrucción de los poros y acumulación de sebo, un grupo importante 48,8% presenta acné posterior a los 18 años de edad.

INTRODUCTION: the pore is an excretion hole found in the epidermis of the skin, where problems of poor sebum removal can occur in people with excess fat; irregular synthesis occurs in the production of sebum increases its production with occlusion of the pores by dead cells. OBJECTIVE: to analyze the characteristics and laser treatment applied to the population with facial pore obstruction that come to the UNIMEL Dermatology Unit consultation. METHODS: a descriptive, field, prospective and cross-sectional study, the study population was 653 patients of both sexes who attended the dermatology consultation and received laser therapy for presenting facial pore obstruction. Descriptive statistics were applied for data representation. The instrument used was a registration list. RESULTS: the patients had an average age of 37 years, different treatments were applied according to the diagnostic criteria, and the photone Black peel procedure was performed in 0.15%, Nova candle in 5.05% and Qs Chemospectra at 94.79% representing a total of 619 people. CONCLUSION: the largest group of patients who attended treatment was between 31 to 40 years of age, a high percentage of women affected by sequelae of facial damage caused by pore obstruction and sebum accumulation, an important group 48.8% you have acne after 18 years of age.

INTRODUÇÃO: o poro é um orifício de excreção que se encontra na epiderme da pele, onde podem ocorrer problemas com a má remoção de sebo em pessoas com excesso de gordura. OBJETIVO: analisar as características e o tratamento a laser aplicado à população com obstrução de poro facial que frequenta a consulta do Serviço de Dermatologia da UNIMEL MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: estudo descritivo, de campo, prospectivo e transversal, a população foi de 653 pacientes de ambos os sexos que compareceu à consulta de dermatologia e recebeu terapia a laser devido à obstrução dos poros faciais. Estatísticas descritivas foram aplicadas para representar os dados. O instrumento utilizado foi uma lista de registro. RESULTADOS: os pacientes tinham idade média de 37 anos, diferentes tratamentos foram aplicados de acordo com os critérios diagnósticos, o procedimento de fotone Black peel foi realizado em 0,15%, Vela de Nova em 5,05% e Qs Chemospectra em 94,79% representando um total de 619 pessoas. CONCLUSÃO: o maior grupo de pacientes que frequentou o tratamento teve entre 31 e 40 anos de idade, elevado percentual de mulheres acometidas por sequelas de lesões faciais causadas por obstrução de poros e acúmulo de sebo, importante grupo 48,8% tem acne após 18 anos de idade.

Uso de enzimas como tratamiento dermatológico regenerador de las líneas de expresión / Use of enzymes as a regenerative dermatological treatment of expression lines / Uso de enzimas como tratamento dermatológico regenerativo de linhas de expressão

INTRODUCCIÓN: el tratamiento con enzimas es una alternativa estética mínimamente invasiva para mejorar la apariencia facial y disminuir las líneas de expresión. OBJETIVO: Determinar el uso de las enzimas hialuronidasa, colagenasa y lipasa como tratamiento enzimático dermatológico para las líneas de expresión facial. MATERIALES Y MÉTODO: estudio de campo, prospectivo, población 457 pacientes que acudieron a la consulta dermatológica entre los años 2013 y 2018 para tratamiento con enzimas. El instrumento de recolección de datos fue la hoja de registro y la fuente documental las historias clínicas. El método estadístico fue descriptivo, la información se presenta en tablas y gráficos. RESULTADOS: la edad promedio de los pacientes fue de 45,2 ± 10,1 años, 40,9% recibió 2 kits de enzimas con los 3 componentes básicos de colagenasa, hialuronidasas y lipasas. Se encontró diferencia significativa en la relación de atención entre hombres y mujeres, de 1:14, es decir las mujeres acudieron más a la consulta solicitando la colocación de este tratamiento. CONCLUSIÓN: el tratamiento con enzimas aporta beneficios al incrementar la permeabilidad dérmica, aumenta el flujo sanguíneo y el drenaje linfático, disminuye los tabiques fibrosos de la celulitis, la flacidez, adiposidades, y rejuvenece el aspecto general. Por lo que se plantea como un tratamiento efectivo para disminuir las líneas de expresión.

INTRODUCTION: enzyme treatment represents a minimally invasive aesthetic alternative to improve facial appearance and decrease expression lines. OBJECTIVE: to determine the use of the enzymes hyaluronidase, collagenase and lipase as a dermatological enzyme treatment as a regenerative treatment for expression lines. METHODS: a prospective field study was conducted of a population made up of 457 patients who attended the UNIMEL dermatological consultation between 2013 and 2018 to be treated with enzymes. The data collection instrument was the record sheet and the documentary source was the medical records. The statistical method was descriptive, the information is presented in tables and graphs. RESULTS: the average age was 45.2 ± 10.1 years of age, to whom a majority of 40.9% were applied 2 kits of enzymes with the 3 basic components of collagenase, hyaluronidases and lipases to act synergistically each other enhancing functions and revitalizing the cells of the face. A significant difference was found in the care ratio between men and women, 1:14, that is, the women attended the consultation more requesting the placement of this treatment. CONCLUSION: the use of enzymes provides great benefits to increase skin permeability, increases lymphatic drainage, reduces fibrous septa of cellulite, sagging and fat, increases blood flow and rejuvenates the general appearance. So, it is proposed as an effective treatment to reduce expression lines

INTRODUÇÃO: o tratamento enzimático é uma alternativa estética minimamente invasiva para melhorar a aparência facial e diminuir as linhas de expressão. OBJETIVO: determinar o uso das enzimas hialuronidase, colagenase e lipase como tratamento enzimático dermatológico para linhas de expressão facial. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: estudo de campo em perspectiva, população de 457 pacientes que compareceram à consulta dermatológica entre 2013 e 2018 para tratamento enzimático. O instrumento de coleta de dados foi a folha de registros e a fonte documental foram os registros médicos. O método estatístico foi descritivo, as informações são apresentadas em tabelas e gráficos. RESULTADOS: a idade média dos pacientes foi de 45,2 ± 10,1 anos, 40,9% receberam 2 kits de enzimas com os 3 componentes básicos de colagenase, hialuronidases e lipases. Foi encontrada diferença significativa de 1:14 na relação de atenção entre homens e mulheres, ou seja, as mulheres compareceram mais frequentemente as consultas para a colocação desse tratamento do que aos homes. CONCLUSÃO: o tratamento enzimático oferece benefícios ao aumentar a permeabilidade dérmica, aumenta o fluxo sanguíneo e a drenagem linfática, reduz os septos fibrosos da celulite, flacidez, adiposidade e rejuvenesce a aparência geral. Por isso, é proposto como um tratamento eficaz para diminuir as linhas de expressão.

Low intensity sonosynthesis of iron carbide@iron oxide core-shell nanoparticles.

Here we demonstrate a simple method for the organic sonosynthesis of stable Iron Carbide@Iron Oxide core-shell nanoparticles (ICIONPs) stabilized by oleic acid surface modification. This robust synthesis route is based on the sonochemistry reaction of organometallic precursor like Fe(CO)5 in octanol using low intensity ultrasonic bath. As obtained, nanoparticles diameter sizes were measured around 6.38 nm ±â€¯1.34 with a hydrodynamic diameter around 25 nm and an estimated polydispersity of 0.27. Core-Shell structure of nanoparticles was confirmed using HR-TEM and XPS characterization tools in which a core made up of iron carbide (Fe3C) and a shell of magnetite (γ-Fe2O3) was found. The overall nanoparticle presented ferromagnetic behavior at 4 K by SQUID. With these characteristics, the ICIONPs can be potentially used in various applications such as theranostic agent due to their properties obtained from the iron oxides and iron carbide phases.

Ivabradina en el manejo de la falla cardiaca aguda por miocarditis / Ivabradine in acute heart failure due to myocarditis

Resumen Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 47 años de edad, remitida a nuestra institución por cuadro de la falla cardiaca aguda secundaria a la miocarditis viral, en quien se utilizó la ivabradina como terapia coadyuvante para el control de la frecuencia cardiaca en el contexto del choque cardiogénico.

Abstract The case of a 47 year-old female patient is presented. She was referred to our institution due to acute heart failure secondary to viral myocarditis, where ivabradine was used as an adjuvant therapy for controlling the heart rate in the context of a cardiogenic shock.

Diagnosis of acute follicular conjunctivitis: A 5-year retrospective analysis in a referral center.

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed using the medical records in a referral center in Mexico over a period of 5 years, in order to determine the frequency of acute follicular conjunctivitis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A total of 859,986 ophthalmology consultations were given, from which 8,930 were diagnosed with acute follicular conjunctivitis (1.03% of the total). The number of patients diagnosed range between 100 and 200 in the majority of months. In August 2012 an increase was observed with 308 cases, and then decreasing after two months. This study did not demonstrate a highest frequency by month, with exception of year 2012 that showed a peak incidence in the third trimester.

First Report on the Occurrence of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 5 in Chilean Grapevines.

Grapevine leafroll is one of the most widespread and economically damaging viral diseases of grapevines. At least eight distinct Grapevine leafroll-associated viruses (GLRaVs), all members of the Closteroviridae family, have been associated with this disease (4). GLRaV-5 was recently reported in vineyards from Argentina (2). To determine if GLRaV-5 was present in Chilean grapevines, in addition to the previously reported GLRaV-1, -2, -3, -4, -7, and -9 (1), 45 dormant cane samples from 12 different cultivars were collected from different geographic regions of Chile and screened by reverse transcription-PCR. Two of the forty-five samples (cvs. Sauvignon Blanc and Superior) collected from the III (700 km north of Santiago) and VI (150 km south of Santiago) regions of Chile, respectively, were found to be infected with GLRaV-5 using two different pairs of virus-specific primers. The first pair of primers, LR5-1F: 5'-CCCGTGATACAAGGTAGGACA-3' and LR5-1R: 5'-CAGACTTCACCTCCTGTTAC-3' (3), was used to amplify a 690-bp fragment corresponding to a partial region of the coat protein gene. The sequences obtained from the two positive samples (GenBank Accession Nos. HM214148 and HM214149) shared 97 and 94% of nucleotide identities, respectively, with the corresponding fragment of a reference GLRaV-5 isolate (GenBank Accession No. EU815935). Both samples shared 99% of amino acid identity with the same reference isolate. A second pair of primers, LR5upF: 5'-CTCTGCTTTTCTGCTGGCA-3' and LR5doR: 5'-TATCTTTTATCTCCCGATAAACGAG-3' (4) that amplified a 160-bp fragment of the HSP70h gene was also used. The positive Chilean samples (GenBank Accession Nos. HM214150 and HM214151) shared in both cases 98% nucleotide and 98% amino acid identities with the corresponding fragment of a reference GLRaV-5 isolate (Accession No. AF039552). The two GLRaV-5-positive plants were additionally infected with other viruses previously reported in Chile (1). The cv. Sauvignon Blanc sample was also infected with GLRaV-2, Grapevine fleck virus, and Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus. The cv. Superior sample was also infected with GLRaV-3, GLRaV-4, and Grapevine virus A. References: (1) E. A. Engel et al. J. Virol. Methods 163:445, 2010. (2) S. Gomez et al. Virus Genes 38:184, 2009. (3) X. Good and J. Monis. Phytopathology 91:274, 2001. (4) V. I. Maliogka et al. J. Virol. Methods 154:41, 2008.

First Report of Grapevine Syrah virus-1 in Chilean Grapevines.

At least 58 viruses have been reported to infect grapevines, causing economic damage globally. Our lab has reported previously the presence of more than 10 viral species in Chilean grapevines (2,3). Grapevine Syrah virus-1 (GSyV-1) is a novel marafivirus recently described in California vineyards (1). Grapevine virus Q (GVQ) was described shortly after GSyV-1 and both genomes share more than 99% nucleotide identity (4). Since GSyV-1 and GVQ correspond to the same viral species, the name GSyV-1 will be used in the current note to avoid confusion. Forty dormant cane samples from 12 different cultivars were collected from different regions of Chile and screened by reverse transcription-PCR. One of the 40 samples (cv. Syrah) collected from the VI region of Chile was found to be infected with GSyV-1 using two different pairs of GSyV-1-specific primers. The first pair of primers GSyV-1Det-F: 5'-CAAGCCATCCGTGCATCTGG -3' and GSyV-1Det-R: 5'-GCCGATTTGGAACCCGATGG -3' (1), was used to amplify a 297-bp fragment corresponding to a partial region of the putative methyltransferase gene. The sequence (GenBank Accession No. GU566025) shared 87% nucleotide and 100% amino acid identities with the corresponding fragment of a Californian GSyV-1 isolate (GenBank Accession No. FJ436028). Since there are no commercial antibodies available for GSyV-1 detection, a second pair of primers, GVQCP-F: 5'-TCCCAGCTTCAGGGTGAATT -3' and GVQCP-R: 5'-GCATTGCTGCGCATTGGAGG -3' (4), that amplified a 720-bp fragment of the putative coat protein gene was also used. The sequence of 720 bp from the Chilean sample (GenBank Accession No. GU566024) shared 92% nucleotide and 98% amino acid identities with the corresponding fragment of a Californian GSyV-1 isolate (GenBank Accession No. FJ436028). The GSyV-1-positive sample was also infected with Grapevine fleck virus and Grapevine rupestris stem pitting-associated virus that have been reported previously in Chile. To our knowledge, this is the first report of GSyV-1 in Chile. Further studies will help to establish the incidence and effects of this virus in Chilean grapevines. References: (1) M. Al Rwahnih et al. Virology 387:395, 2009. (2) E. Engel et al. J. Virol. Methods. 163:445, 2010. (3) P. F. Escobar et al. Plant Dis. 92:1474, 2008. (4) S. Sabanadzovic et al. Virology 394:1, 2009.

Valoración de las pruebas diagnósticas para tuberculosis bovina en un rebaño bovino ubicado en zona de alta incidencia del estado Zulia Venezuela / Valuation of diagnostic tests for bovine tuberculosis in cattle herd located in a high incidence area of Zulia state Venezuela

Las pruebas de tuberculina son las de uso generalizado para el diagnóstico y el control de la tuberculosis (TBC) en el hombre y en los animales. Se caracteriza por una compleja mezcla de antígenos de mycobacterias capaces de inducir reacciones de hipersensibilidad en animales infectados, incluso con mycobacterias diferentes al Mycobacterium bovis, por efectos de reactividad cruzada. La preparación del derivado protéico purificado (PPD), es similar a la de la tuberculina, a diferencia de la concentración de proteínas, las cuales se separan por precipitación con agentes químicos y no por calor, aumentando su especificidad. Los primeros resultados obtenidos con las pruebas serológicas para el diagnóstico de tuberculosis bovina muestran que existe una gran reactividad antigénica cruzada entre las especies de mycobacterias, por lo que se requiere de antígenos más específicos. Se implementó un ELISA-TBC para la detección de anticuerpos anti M. bovis. El ensayo inmunoenzimático para el IFN-y bovino cuando se utilizó conjuntamente con el sistema de cultivo de sangre completa resultó en un ensayo in vitro rápido y sensible para detectar la reactividad de la inmunidad mediada por células al M. bovis en el ganado infectado. A partir de estas pruebas se compararon los resultados obtenidos para establecer la sensibilidad y especificidad utilizando como prueba oro, los datos obtenidos en el cultivo bacteriológico y la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR). Los animales reaccionantes a la tuberculina incluyeron animales positivos a PPD-B y PPD-A, así como animales negativos a cultivo bacteriológico y PCR. Los PPD-B positivos, no son en su totalidad, los mismos reaccionantes al IFN-y o al ELISA-TBC. Aún cuando su sensibilidad es baja, muestra mayor especificidad y concordancia que el resto de las pruebas utilizadas.

The tuberculin tests are widely used for diagnosis and control of tuberculosis (TB) in humans and animals. It is characterized by a complex mixture of mycobacteria antigens able to induce hypersensitivity reactions even in animals infected with mycobacteria other than M. bovis, for purposes of cross-reactivity. The preparation of purified protein derivative (PPD) is similar to the tuberculin, unlike the concentration of proteins which are separated by precipitation with chemical agents and not by increasing its specific heat. The first results obtained with the serological tests for diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis show that there is a great antigenic cross-reactivity between mycobacterias species so it requires more specific antigens. It implemented a cattle IFN-g test and ELISA-TBC to detect anti M. bovis activity. The immunoassay test for IFN-g used in conjunction with the cropping system of whole blood resulted in an essay in vitro rapid and sensitive to detect the reactivity of the cell-mediated immunity to M. bovis in livestock infected. Comparative test of the tuberculina, test of Gamma Interferon (INF-y) and a test ELISA-TBC, soon was taken to slaughter house to take linfoides weave samples and nodules, to which the test of chain reaction of Polimerasa was applied to them, to bacteriological culture and (PCR), for the identification from the pathogen. From these tests the patterns of immune response settled down and the obtained results of the different tests were compared to establish sensitivity and specificity using with t gold standard, the data collected in culture and PCR. The results were analyzed using the statistical method of analysis of variance for nonparametric tests. The PPD B-positive, are not the same reacting to IFN-y or at ELISA-TBC. Although its sensitivity is low, it shows greater specificity and consistency as the rest of the tests used.

Caracterización de la respuesta inmunitaria de bovinos infectados con Mycobacterium bovis en condiciones de campo en el municipio Colón estado Zulia Venezuela / Characterization of the immune response of bovines with Mycobacterim bovis field infection in an area with high incidence of bovine tuberculosis in Venezuela

La tuberculosis bovina es una enfermedad crónica, zoonótica, infecciosa y contagiosa teniendo como agente causal al Mycobacterium bovis inductor de una respuesta inmunitaria diversa. Esta abarca, desde una respuesta celular capaz de controlar la infección, pasando por una potente, más no eficiente respuesta humoral, hasta un estado de no respuesta o anergia, coadyuvante de la diseminación de la micobacteria. En este estudio se evaluaron animales seleccionados por el Instituto Nacional de Salud Agrícola Integral (INSAI), como reactores a la prueba simple de la Tuberculina en una finca con antecedentes de tuberculosis por más de 20 años. A estos animales se le aplicaron las siguientes pruebas: Comparativa del PPD (PPD-B y PPD-A), prueba de Interferón Gamma (INFy) y un ensayo inmunoenzimático para TBC (ELISA-TBC), seguidamente se realizó la inspección post morten en el frigorífico donde se evaluaron y clasificaron las lesiones macroscópicas compatibles con tuberculosis. Los tejidos seleccionados fueron utilizados para estudios bacteriológicos, extracción de ADN y posterior amplificación secuencia específica con cebadores y oligonucleótidos IS6110 específicos para el complejo M. tuberculosis, aplicando la prueba de Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa (PCR-SSP) para la identificación definitiva del patógeno. El resultado de estas pruebas permitió observar diferentes patrones de respuesta inmunitaria: celular (PPD+/IFN-y-, PPD+/IFNy+, PPD-/IFNy+), mixto (PPD+ o IFN-y+/ELISA-TBC+) y humoral (ELISA-TBC+). Igualmente se detectaron animales anérgicos, negativos a todas las pruebas inmunológicas, positivos en bacteriología y PCR-SSP. Se pudo establecer la progresión de la enfermedad a partir de la severidad de las lesiones y la edad de los animales. Estos patrones pueden aparecer al inicio de la infección o ser el resultado de la progresión crónica de la enfermedad. Estas diferentes respuestas inmunitarias pueden explicar la permanencia de la infección...

The bovine tuberculosis is a chronic, zoonótic infectious disease and contagious having as causal agent to the Mycobacterium bovis inductive of a diverse immune response. This sandal, from an answer cellular, able to control the infection, happening through powerful, but a nonefficient one, humoral response to a state of not response or anergia, facilitating the dissemination of mycobacteria. In this study animals selected by the Venezuelan National Institute of Integral Agricultural Health (INSAI), like reactors to the simple test of the Tuberculina in a property with antecedents of tuberculosis by but of 20 years. To these animals the following tests were applied: Comparative of the tuberculina (PPD-B and PPD-A), test for Gamma Interferon (INF-y) and a Immun-enzimatic Test for TBC (ELISA-TBC), next was made the inspection post morten in the refrigerator where the compatible macrocospic injuries with tuberculosis were evaluated and classified. The selected weaves were used for bacteriological studies, DNA extraction and later amplification specific sequence with specific boots IS6110 for tuberculoso complex M., applying the test of Chain Reaction of Polimerasa (PCR-SSP) for the definitive identification of the pathogen. The result of these tests allowed to observe different patterns from immune response: cellular (PPD+, PPD+ - INF-y + or INF-y +), mixed (PPD+ and/or INF-y, ELISA-TBC+) and humoral (ELISA-TBC). Also anérgics animals detected themselves, negatives to all the immunological tests, positive in bacteriology and PCR-SSP. It was possible to be established the progression of the disease from the severity of the injuries and the age of the animals. These different immune responses may explain the persistence of infection in farm notwithstanding the implementation of the resolution of official control and eradication of Bovine Tuberculosis in the region.

Tuberculosis pleural: Utilidad de la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa en muestras de tejido / Pleural tuberculosis: use of the polymerase chain reaction in tissue samples

El diagnóstico etiológico del derrame pleural tuberculoso, es difícil. La clínica y los ensayos paraclínicos suelen ser inespecíficos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la sensibilidad y especificidad de la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa en tejido pleural para el diagnóstico de tuberculosis en comparación con el cultivo e histopatología, en pacientes con derrame pleural que ingresaron al servicio de Medicina Interna del Hospital “Dr. Domingo Luciani”, Caracas, Venezuela, entre abril de 2005 y agosto de 2006. Se estudiaron 52 pacientes, M/F (30 (57,7 por ciento)/22 (42,3 por ciento), con una edad promedio de 39 años. El valor de sospecha clínica fue del 69,2 por ciento. El cultivo resultó positivo en 6 casos (11,5 por ciento) y se identificaron lesiones granulomatosas tuberculoides en 40,4 por ciento. La reacción en cadena de la polimerasa mostró una sensibilidad del 50 por ciento y especificidad del 61 por ciento. Se concluyó que es una prueba eficaz para el diagnóstico de tuberculosis pleural

The diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion is difficult. The clinical trials and paraclinical essays are often nonspecific. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the polymerase chain reaction in pleural tissue for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in comparison with the culture and histopathological studies in patients with pleural effusion admited to the service of Internal Medicine Hospital Dr. Domingo Luciani, Caracas, Venezuela, between April 2005 and August 2006. We studied 52 patients, M/F (30 (57.7 percent)/22 (42.3 percent), with an average age of 39 years. The value of clinical suspicion was 69.2 percent. The culture was positive in 6 cases (11.5 percent) and tuberculoides granulomatous lesions were identified in 40.4 percent. Polymerase chain reaction showed a sensitivity of 50 percent and specificity of 61 percent. It was concluded that it is an effective test for the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis

Postura craneocervical en pacientes infantiles después de la terapia con mentonera: un estudio piloto / Craneocervical posture in children after treatment with chincap: a pilot study

Introducción: el propósito del presente estudio fue describir los cambios en la postura craneocervical en unapoblación infantil con clase II esquelética por prognatismo mandibular, luego de la utilización de mentonera con placa de acetato inferior para levantar la mordida. Métodos: la muestra consistió de once niños (siete niñas y cuatro niños). A cada niño le fueron tomadas tres radiografías cefálicas laterales en posición natural de cabeza (mirando de frente a un espejo), con ligero contacto oclusal. La primera radiografía (T1) fue tomada antes de iniciar la utilización de la mentonera, la segunda (T2), cuatro meses después de su uso y la tercera (T3), cuatro meses después de retirada. Para el análisis se emplearon medidas lineales y angulares, se realizó análisis descriptivo de las variables y se utilizaron las pruebas de normalidad (Shapiro-Wilk) y Friedman. Resultados: el análisis estadístico no mostró diferencias significativas en ninguna de las variables analizadas, y en ninguno de los momentos evaluados. Conclusión: a pesar de la gran variabilidad individual en la postura craneal, cervical y craneocervical de los niños evaluados, en general no se observaron en esta muestra cambios significativos en la columna cervical, luego del tratamiento con mentonera y placa de acetato inferior que levantaba la mordida.

Introduction: the aim of this study was to describe the changes in the craniocervical posture in children with skeletal class II malocclusion (prognathic mandible) after wearing chincap with lower occlusal bite plane. Methods: the sample consisted of eleven children (7 girls and 4 boys). Three lateral cephalic radiographs were taken for each child with the head in natural position (“mirror position”), with light occlusal contact. The first radiograph (T1) was taken before wearing the chincap, the second (T2) was taken four months after wearing the appliance and the third (T3) was taken four months after removing the chincap. Specific angular and linear dimensions were used, the comparison within the group was performed using Descriptive Analysis and the Normality (Shapiro-Wilk) y Friedman Signed Rank Test. Results: statistical analysis didn’t show significant changes in any of the angular and linear measurements analyzed nor at any of the times studied. Conclusion: even though there is a great individual variability in the cranial, cervical and craniocervical posture of the tested children, in general, there were nostatistical significant changes in cervical posture after treatment with chincap and lower occlusal bite plane.

Effect of boldo (Peumus boldus Molina) infusion on lipoperoxidation induced by cisplatin in mice liver.

Peumus boldus Molina (Monimiaceae), commonly referred to as 'boldo', is used in traditional Chilean medicine to treat hepatic and gastrointestinal diseases. Its leaves are rich in antioxidant compounds, principally alkaloids and flavonoids. This study evaluates the protective effect of a complete boldo leaf infusion on lipoperoxidation (MDA determination at 532 nm) induced by cisplatin in mice liver. To determine if the observed effect can be explained by the action of boldine or catechin, each compound was studied separately. The mice were divided into 8 groups (n = 6): (I) not treated; (II) treated with cisplatin 6 mg/Kg b.w.; (III) treated with boldo leaf infusion 5%; (IV) pretreated with boldo leaf infusion 5% and treated with cisplatin 6 mg/Kg b.w.; (V) treated with boldine 50 mg/Kg b.w.; (VI) pretreated with boldine 50 mg/Kg b.w. and treated with cisplatin 6 mg/kg.b.w.; (VII) treated with catechin; and (VIII) pretreated with catechin 50 mg/Kg b.w. and treated with cisplatin 6 mg/Kg b.w. As expected, the treatment with cisplatin significantly increased (p < 0.01) lipoperoxidation in comparison with the non-treated group. Pretreatment with boldo leaf infusion significantly diminished (p < 0.05) the lipoperoxidation induced by cisplatin with respect to the animals not pretreated with the infusion. The pretreatments with boldine and catechin significantly diminished (p < 0.05) the lipoperoxidation induced by cisplatin with respect to the group treated only with cisplatin. The results suggest that the boldo infusion is acting as a protector with respect to the oxidative hepatic damage caused by cisplatin, and that this protective ability would be due to the presence in the infusion of the natural antioxidants boldine and principally catechin. These findings suggest the potential use of the infusion as a chemoprotector.

Very low hepatitis C antibody levels predict false-positive results and avoid supplemental testing.

BACKGROUND: False-positive results for hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) occur with unacceptable frequency in low-prevalence populations. The purpose of the study was to determine whether signal-to-cutoff (S/CO) ratios of anti-HCV assay-reactive samples could be used to discriminate false-positive from true-positive anti-HCV results and avoid the need for supplemental testing. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Using receiver-operating characteristic curve, the cutoff point that identifies the major proportion (>/=95%) of false-positive results, with a minor proportion (<5%) of true-positive anti-HCV results, was determined. An anti-HCV assay (VITROS, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics) was used to detect the antibodies. The third-generation recombinant immunoblot assay and HCV RNA tests were performed on all included donors. Third-generation RIBA is the gold standard for identifying false-positive antibody results. RESULTS: A total of 649 anti-HCV-positive blood donors were identified. A S/CO ratio of less than 4.5, defining very low levels in this value, was the optimal cutoff point to identify false-positive results; 315 of 322 samples with very low levels were false-positive anti-HCV results (97.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 95.8%-99.0%) and 7 were true-positive (2.2%; 95% CI, 1.0%-4.3%). Viremia was detected in none of them. A direct relationship was observed between positive supplemental testing and increased antibody levels in the other 327 samples. CONCLUSION: The high prediction rate of false-positive anti-HCV results using very low levels by the Ortho VITROS anti-HCV assay safely avoids the need for supplemental testing.

Determinación Microbiológica y Molecular de Listeria sp. y Listeria monocytogenes en Cerdas a nivel de una planta beneficiadora en EUA

Con el objeto de comparar la técnica de PCR múltiple con el método microbiológico comercial para la determinación de la presencia de Listeria spp. y Listeria monocytogenes en alimentos, se llevó a cabo un muestreo en una planta procesadora de cerdas de descarte ubicada en Estados Unidos de Norteamérica (EUA). A 160 cerdas sacrificadas, se le tomaron muestras de ganglios sub-ilíacos, ganglios ileocecales, contenido cecal e hisopado de la superficie de las canales. Adicionalmente se tomaron muestras del ambiente de la planta y de cortes de carne. Un total de 708 muestras se procesaron con ambas técnicas. Mediante técnicas microbiológicas, el 5,2% resultaron positivas a Listeria spp. y el 0,14% a L. monocytogenes. Mediante la técnica de PCR 4,1% resultaron positivas a Listeria spp. y 0,85% positivas a L. monocytogenes. No se observó diferencias significativas (P > o = 0,05) entre estos valores. Se determinó una incidencia del 1,9% de Listeria spp. en los hisopados de la superficie de las canales de las cerdas evaluadas. Por otro lado, se identificó L. monocytogenes, en el 5% de las muestras de cortes de carne. En relación a los ganglios, los sub-ilíacos presentaron 6,3% de incidencia a Listeria spp. y de 1,3% a L. monocytogenes no encontrándose en ganglios ileocecales. Para el contenido cecal la incidencia a Listeria spp. fue de 19% y para L. monocytogenes fue de 2,5%. En el ambiente el 4,2% de las muestras resultaron positivas a Listeria spp. y ninguna a L. monocytogenes. Al comparar los resultados logrados entre ambas técnicas no hubo diferencia significativa entre los valores obtenidos con las muestras de los hisopados de las canales y la de los ganglios ileocecales. Si hubo diferencia significativa entre los resultados de contenido cecal P = 0,0168 < 0,05 y de los ganglios sub-ilíacos P = 0,0038 < 0,05. La utilización de la técnica de PCR múltiple, permitió que los resultados se obtuvieran en 8 h, luego del segundo período de enriquecimiento de cada muestra, y con el método microbiológico convencional el procedimiento tomó 8 días. La incorporación de la metodología molecular en el proceso de verificación del status microbiológico en la industria de alimentos, resulta una mejora para la efectividad y la dinámica en los sistemas de seguridad alimentaria.

Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes presence in a cull sows processor plant in USA, was evaluated by and PCR multiplex method. 160 cull sows were surveyed after slaughter. Samples were collected from sub-iliac node, iliocecal node, cecal content and carcass swabs. Additionally samples were taken from environment plant and from raw meat ready to be processed. A total of 708 samples were processed. Using traditional microbiology method were found 5.2% of samples positive to Listeria spp. and 0.14% to L. monocytogenes. With PCR multiplex 4.1% were positive to Listeria spp. and 0.85% to L. monocytogenes. There was not significant difference (P > or = 0.05) in the results obtained with PCR multiplex and traditional microbiology procedures. In relation with the raw material that leaves the slaughter area to be processed inside the same plant, Listeria spp. was observed in 1.9% swabs carcass, and 5% of raw sow meat sampled. Listeria spp. was identified in 6.3% and L. monocytogenes in 1.3% of subiliac nodes. It was not any iliocecal node positive to Listeria. Samples supposedly related with the infection source in the process plant, cecal content sample were 19% positive to Listeria spp. and 2.5% to L. monocytogenes. Environmental samples were 4.2% positive to Listeria spp. There were not differences between the conventional microbiology procedure and PCR multiplex technique for this pathogen when carcass swabs and ilicecal node were evaluated with both techniques. Differences were observed between the samples from cecal content and sub-iliac node P = 0.0168 < 0.05 and P = 0.0038 < 0.05 respectively. With the PCR multiplex technique, results were obtained in 8 hours after the second enrichment culture period of the each sample. With traditional microbiological it took 8 days. The incorporation of molecular methodology in the verification process for microbiological controls in the food industry, would allow an important improvement of the effectiveness and dynamics in the food safety systems implanted at the food industries.

Anti-genotoxic effect of Aloysia triphylla infusion against acrylamide-induced DNA damage as shown by the comet assay technique.

Aloysia triphylla a perennial, bushy plant originally from South America has long been used in traditional medicine. Its aqueous extract contains considerable amounts of polyphenolic compounds, namely flavonoids and phenolic acids. In view of the interest in natural phenolic compounds as antioxidant in preventive medicine, this study was undertaken to investigate the chemoprotective effects of cedron leaves infusion against the genetic damage induced by acrylamide (AA) by using the alkaline version of the comet assay technique. Mice were separated in nine groups (eight animals each): (I) untreated, (II) negative control, (III) treated with infusion of cedron leaves 5%, 20 days twice a day, (IV) treated with AA (5 mg/kg b.w.), (V) treated with AA (20 mg/kg b.w.), (VI) treated with AA (30 mg/kg b.w.), (VII) treated with AA (50 mg/kg b.w.), (VIII) pretreated with infusion and treated with AA (50 mg/kg b.w.) and (IX) positive control (cyclophosphamide, 20 mg/kg b.w.). Three hundred blast cells were digitally evaluated per animal from three different slides (100 each). Media of tail moment (TM) values were analyzed by ANOVA test. No statistical differences (p>0.05) were found between untreated animals, negative control and infusion-treated mice. A single dose of AA-induced genetic damage as revealed by a statistically significant increase in TM values (p<0.01). Pretreatment with infusion prior to AA injection significantly reduces the capacity of AA to induce genetic damage. In these conditions, tail moments values did not differ from data obtained in negative control (p>0.05) and exhibit statistical differences from animals treated only with AA (p<0.01). Cell viability was at least 90% in all cases as measured by the trypan blue exclusion method. The ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) method reveals that the plasma of infusion-treated mice has a significantly higher antioxidant capacity than plasma from controls (p<0.01). The results suggest that the infusion could exerts an in vivo chemo protective action, probably due to its scavenging potency towards free radicals.

Formación y evolución del espacio nacional

Étnia, calse y región son tres elementos constantes de nuestra nación. Es imposible comprender los procesos en curso si no se comprende no sólo la multiplicidad del fenómeno nacional, sino también su laberíntica evolutiva histórica.