In vitro exposure of porcine spermatozoa to methylparaben, and propylparaben, alone or in combination adversely affects sperm quality.

Parabens (PBs) are widely used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries as preservatives of products. Because of its great use, humans and other organisms are highly exposed daily. However, little is known about the effect of PBs on male infertility. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of methylparaben (MePB) and propylparaben (PrPB), alone or in combination, on the physiological characteristics of pig in vitro exposed sperm to different concentrations (0, 200, 500, and 700 µM) for viability, motility, and acrosome integrity evaluation and (0, 200, 500, 700, 1000, and 2000 µM) for DNA fragmentation index evaluation, after 4 h of exposure. The results showed that sperm viability decreased after exposure to MePB from the concentration of 500 µM. In the PrPB and mixture groups, viability decreased at all concentrations except for the control. The decrease in viability of sperm exposed to PrPB was greater than that of the mixture and MePB groups. Sperm motility decreased in all the experimental groups exposed to PBs, at all concentrations, except for the control group. Acrosome integrity was not decreased in the MePB group; however, in the PrPB group, it decreased at a concentration of 200 µM and in the mixture at 500 µM. All groups exhibited DNA damage at different concentrations, except for the control group. Additionally, the effect of PBs on sperm quality was concentration-dependent. The results demonstrated that MePB and PrPB alone or in combination can have adverse effects on sperm quality parameters. MePB had lower toxicity than did both PrPB and the mixture. The mixture did not have an additive effect on any of the parameters evaluated. This could partially explain the link between PB exposure and infertility.

Effect of perfluorodecanoic acid on pig oocyte viability, intracellular calcium levels and gap junction intercellular communication during oocyte maturation in vitro.

Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) is a synthetic perfluorinated compound, which has been reported to exert adverse effects on somatic cells. However, its effects on germ cells have not been studied to date. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of PFDA on the viability, intracellular calcium levels and gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) during porcine oocyte maturation in vitro. PFDA negatively impacted oocyte viability (medium lethal concentration, LC50 = 7.8 µM) and maturation (medium inhibition of maturation, IM50 = 3.8 µM). Oocytes exposed to 3.8 µM PFDA showed higher levels of intracellular calcium relative to control oocytes. In addition, GJIC among the cumulus cells and the oocyte was disrupted. The effects of PFDA on oocyte calcium homeostasis and intercellular communication seem to be responsible for the inhibition of oocyte maturation and oocyte death. In addition, since the deleterious effects of PFDA on oocyte viability, maturation and GJIC are significantly stronger than the previously reported effects of another widely used perfluorinated compound (Perfluorooctane sulfonate) in the same model, the use of PFDA in consumer products is questioned.

Effect of perfluorooctane sulfonate on viability, maturation and gap junctional intercellular communication of porcine oocytes in vitro.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a broadly used man-made surfactant whose long half-life has led to bioaccumulation. This perfluorinated compound is ubiquitous in human body fluids. PFOS concentrations as high as 26µM in plasma have been reported in occupationally exposed populations, and high levels of PFOS in human follicular fluid have been associated with subfertility. However, the effect of PFOS on the maturation of oocytes in mammals has not been reported to date. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of PFOS during oocyte maturation. Results indicate that PFOS inhibits oocyte viability (Lethal Concentration50=32µM) and maturation (inhibition of maturation50=22µM) at physiologically relevant concentrations. In order to evaluate the mechanisms of oocyte maturation inhibition by PFOS, gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) between oocytes and granulosa cells was assessed. GJIC between granulosa cells and the oocyte was significantly affected during the first 8h of maturation. However, the inhibitory effect of PFOS on GJIC was not due to an alteration on the expression of connexin genes Cx43, Cx45 and Cx60. These findings suggest that occupationally exposed populations could be at risk, and that PFOS might affect oocyte maturation by interfering the GJIC in the cumulus-oocyte complexes during the first hours of maturation.

[Risk factors for ventricular peritoneal shunt infection in pediatric patients from the hospital Carlos Van Buren]. / Factores de riesgo de infección de derivativa ventrículo peritoneal en pacientes pediátricos del Hospital Carlos Van Buren.

Hydrocephalus is a common problem in Neurosurgery and Neurology. The usual treatment is the installation of a Ventricular Peritoneal Shunt (VPS). Infection is the most frequent and serious complication. With the aim to identify risk factors associated with infection in the post surgery of VPS in pediatric patients from Carlos Van Buren Hospital a case control study between 1998-2008 was done. Cases were patients with VPS infection reported to the Department of Nosocomial Infections. Results in contingency tables were analyzed to determine Odds Ratio. 264 surgical procedures were studied in 207 patients with 53 infections reported in 26 patients. Significant risk factors were: history of prior ventriculitis, VPS dysfunction and prior external ventricular shunt, concurrent infections at the time of surgery and a neurosurgeon without the specialty of pediatric neurosurgery. We concluded that antibiotic prophylaxis was not an important factor in preventing infection and the neurosurgeon experience is relevant to the development of VPS infections.

Factores de riesgo de infección de derivativa ventrículo peritoneal en pacientes pediátricos del Hospital Carlos Van Buren / Risk factors for ventricular peritoneal shunt infection in pediatric patients from the hospital Carlos Van Buren

Hydrocephalus is a common problem in Neurosurgery and Neurology. The usual treatment is the installation of a Ventricular Peritoneal Shunt (VPS). Infection is the most frequent and serious complication. With the aim to identify risk factors associated with infection in the post surgery of VPS in pediatric patients from Carlos Van Buren Hospital a case control study between 1998-2008 was done. Cases were patients with VPS infection reported to the Department of Nosocomial Infections. Results in contingency tables were analyzed to determine Odds Ratio. 264 surgical procedures were studied in 207 patients with 53 infections reported in 26 patients. Significant risk factors were: history of prior ventriculitis, VPS dysfunction and prior external ventricular shunt, concurrent infections at the time of surgery and a neurosurgeon without the specialty of pediatric neurosurgery. We concluded that antibiotic prophylaxis was not an important factor in preventing infection and the neurosurgeon experience is relevant to the development of VPS infections.

La hidrocefalia es un problema común en neurocirugía y neurología. Su tratamiento habitual es la instalación de una válvula derivativa ventrículo peritoneal (DVP) cuya complicación más grave y frecuente es la infección. Con el propósito de identificar los factores de riesgo de infección post-operatoria en pacientes con DVP del Hospital Carlos Van Buren (HCVB), se realizó un estudio caso-control en la población pediátrica con DVP instalada entre 1998 y 2008. Los casos fueron pacientes con una infección de DVP notificada en el Departamento de Infecciones Intrahospitalarias (IIH), y controles los que no presentaron infección. Se analizaron los resultados en tablas de contingencia para determinar los Odds Ratio correspondientes. Se estudiaron 264 procedimientos quirúrgicos, 207 pacientes y 53 infecciones notificadas en 26 enfermos. Los factores de riesgo significativos fueron el antecedente de ventriculitis previa, disfunción de DVP previa, derivativa ventricular externa previas, infecciones concomitantes al momento de la cirugía, y que el neurocirujano no tuviera la especialidad en neurocirugía pediátrica. Se concluyó que la profilaxis antimicrobiana no fue un factor importante en la prevención de infecciones y que la experiencia del neurocirujano es relevante en el desarrollo de infecciones de DVP.

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome associated with PML in AIDS: a treatable disorder.

An HIV-1-infected patient with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy presented clinical deterioration and contrast-enhancing lesions on brain nuclear MR after the initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Brain biopsy identified an inflammatory reaction compatible with immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. Treatment with corticosteroids and transient suppression of HAART led to marked neurologic improvement.

Hematomas intracerebrales no traumáticos: factores pronósticos / No traumatic intracerebral hematomas: pronostic factors

Los eventos hemorrágicos cerebrales de origen no traumático tienen un alto impacto medico y social. Para el medico de urgencia no existen muchas herramientas pronosticas en las primeras horas para predecir la mortalidad, necesidad de cirugía y grado de discapacidad en caso de sobrevida. Nosotros presentamos una estudio de cohorte prospectivo de 44 pacientes ingresados al Hospital van Buren de Valparaíso de hematoma intracerebral. Las localizaciones de las lesiones, fueron en 21 casos ubicadas en regiones profundas, en 19 pacientes se trato de hematomas lobares, 3 fueron cerebelosos y uno en protuberancia. El volumen calculado de las lesiones fue como promedio de 43, 2 cc, los varones alcanzaron mayores volúmenes con un promedio de 57cc +/-56cc contra 32cc +/-28cc diferencia significativa entre ambos grupos p < 0.05 Se intervinieron 11 pacientes, Los volúmenes de la lesión no fueron criterios en la indicación quirúrgica. El análisis de t-student demostró que los factores determinantes para realizar la cirugía fueron; desviación de línea media y la inundación ventricular (p<0.05). Fallecieron 10 de 44 pacientes estudiados. Las variables predictivas de muerte fueron el Glasgow de ingreso <8, volumen >55 cc y efecto de masa con desplazamiento de la línea media (p<0.05). En cuanto resultados malos en la calidad de sobrevida (GOS 1, 2 y 3), se pudo predecir estadísticamente (p<0.05) con un Glasgow menor a 8 al ingreso, volumen > 55 cc, efecto de masa y desviación de línea media y lesiones de tronco cerebral. El postular una Malformación vascular resultó un factor protector.

Acción de la furnidipina tópica sobre arterias cerebrales humanas / Action of topic furnidipine over human brain arteries

Se evaluó la acción de un nuevo calcio antagonista, la furnidipina por vía tópica sobre arterias cerebrales de distinto diámetro de 15 pacientes neuroquirúrgicos. Se demostró un efecto mas notorio del fármaco, vasodilatando arterias de menos de 200 u de diámetro y preferentemente de arterias de menos de 100 u de diámetro. Se postula que este fármaco mejora las vías de circulación colateral a nivel de la microcirculación cerebral