Field trials evaluating the efficacy of porcine epidemic diarrhea vaccine, RNA (Harrisvaccine) in the Philippines.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is a devastating enteric disease causing economic losses in many countries including the Philippines. To control PED, apart from oral administration of minced intestinal materials, there are still no effective control methods. The ability of porcine epidemic diarrhea vaccine RNA particle platform (PED-RP) to induce antibody in colostrum and milk samples was investigated in two pig herds with a differing PED status in the Philippines. Herd-A was naïve but herd-B was endemically infected with PED. Sera, colostrum, and milk samples were collected prior to and following vaccination, and assayed for the presence of antibody by viral neutralization (VN) and IgG and IgA levels by ELISA spike protein. The results from both herds, compared to the non-vaccinated control group, demonstrated significantly increased VN titers and IgG and IgA levels in colostrum and milk samples of sows at 0, 7, 14, and 21 days post parturition. Additionally, piglets from vaccinated sows had VN titers, and IgG and IgA levels are significantly higher than those from non-vaccinated sows. In conclusion, the results of the study demonstrate that PED-RP can be used to induce a satisfactory antibody response in colostrum and milk, as measured by VN titers and IgG and IgA levels.

Influencia auditiva de la pared posterosuperior del conducto auditivo externo, en la hipoacusia de conducción postimpanomastoidectomía / Hearing influence of the posterior ear canal wall, in the conductive hearing loss after tympanomastoidectomy

RESUMEN Introducción: El tratamiento de la otitis media crónica (OMC) colesteatomatosa es quirúrgico, cuyo objetivo es erradicar la enfermedad, evitar complicaciones y prevenir recurrencias. El gold standard es la timpanomastoidectomía con canal wall down (TCWD). Estudios en cadáver han definido que TCWD disminuye la audición 1-5 dB en frecuencias <1.000 Hz y 0-10 dB entre 1.000 y 3.000 Hz. De aquí nuestro interés por definir la influencia acústica de la pared posterosuperior del conducto auditivo externo (CAE). Objetivo: Determinar en cuantos decibeles se corrige la audición al reconstituir pared posterior del CAE pos-TCWD. Material y método: Trabajo experimental. A pacientes pos-TCWD se reconstituye de manera transitoria la pared posterior del CAE, realizándose audiometría pre y posprocedimiento. Resultados: 23 pacientes (25 oídos), promedio 48,8 años (18-72 años). En 96% existió una diferencia favorable al reconstruir la pared posterior, presentando una mejoría auditiva entre 1,2 y 10,6 dB (4,2 ± 2,8 dB). En frecuencias <1.000 Hz la mejoría fue de 6,0 dB (p <0,001), entre 1.000-3.000 Hz fue 2,6 dB (p <0,001) y >3.000 Hz no hubo diferencia. Considerando PTP de vía aérea la mejoría fue 4,6 dB (p <0,001). Conclusión: Nuestro estudio demuestra que existe mejoría auditiva en la gran mayoría de oídos evaluados al reconstituir la pared posterosuperior del CAE, alcanzando 6 dB en frecuencias <1.000 Hz y 2,6 dB en frecuencias medias. Si consideramos los PTP de vía aérea la mejoría es de 4,6 dB en presencia de pared posterior.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Cholesteatomas treatment is surgical and the goals are complete resection of it, to prevent complications and recurrences. The gold standard operative technique is canal wall down tympanomastoidectomy (CWDT), which reduces the recurrence rate lower than 2%. Studies on human temporal bones have defined that CWDT causes a decrease of 1 to 5 dB at frequencies below 1000 Hz and 0 to 10 dB between 1000 and 3000 Hz. Aim: To determine how many decibels the hearing is improved by reconstituting the posterior wall of the ear canal (EC) in patients after CWDT. Material and method: Experimental study. In patients after CWDT, the posterior wall of EC was reconstructed temporarily. Audiometry was performed before and after the procedure. Results: 23 patients were enrolled (25 ears evaluated). Average age 48.8 years (range 18 to 72 years). In 96% of the ears there was a difference after the procedure with a hearing improvement of 4.2 ± 2.8dB. In frequencies below 1000 Hz, hearing improvement was 6.0 dB (p<0.001), between 1000-3000 Hz, the improvement was 2.6 dB (p<0.001) and >3000 Hz there was no difference. When considering the airway-conduction pure tone average (PTA), the difference was a 4.6 dB improvement (p<0.001). Conclusions: Our study shows that there is a hearing improvement in the vast majority of ears that were evaluated by reconstituting the posterior wall of the EC, reaching a gain of 6 dB at frequencies <1000 Hz and 2,6 dB at mid frequencies. Considering the airway PTA, the improvement is 4.6 dB in the presence of posterior canal wall.

Different Lineage of Porcine Deltacoronavirus in Thailand, Vietnam and Lao PDR in 2015.

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) was detected by RT-PCR in 12 of 97 (12.4%) intestinal samples collected during 2015 from piglets with diarrhoea in Thailand, Vietnam and Lao PDR. Spike, membrane and nucleocapsid genes were characterized, and phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that PDCoV isolates from Thai and Lao PDR form a novel cluster, separated from US and China isolates, but relatively were more closely related to China PDCoV than US isolates. Vietnam PDCoVs, however, were grouped together with US PDCoV. The analyses of amino acid changes suggested that they were from different lineage.

A high-performance wave guide cryogenic thermal break.

We describe a high-performance wave guide cryogenic thermal break. This has been constructed both for Ka band, using WR28 wave guide, and Q band, using WR22 wave guide. The mechanical structure consists of a hexapod (Stewart platform) made from pultruded carbon fibre tubing. We present a tentative examination of the cryogenic Young's modulus of this material. The thermal conductivity is measured at temperatures above the range explored by Runyan and Jones, resulting in predicted conductive loads through our thermal breaks of 3.7 mW to 3 K and 17 µK to 1 K.

UK national guidelines on the management of syphilis 2015.

These guidelines are an update for 2015 of the 2008 UK guidelines for the management of syphilis. The writing group have piloted the new BASHH guideline methodology, notably using the GRADE system for assessing evidence and making recommendations. We have made significant changes to the recommendations for screening infants born to mothers with positive syphilis serology and to facilitate accurate and timely communication between the teams caring for mother and baby we have developed a birth plan. Procaine penicillin is now an alternative, not preferred treatment, for all stages of syphilis except neurosyphilis, but the length of treatment for this is shortened. Other changes are summarised at the start of the guideline.

Schwannoma del nervio facial y sus ramas en el oído medio: reporte de 3 casos y revisión de literatura / Schwannoma of the facial nerve and its branches in the middle ear: a report of 3 cases and literature review

El schwannoma del nervio facial (SNF) es un tumor infrecuente, sin embargo es el tumor más frecuente del nervio facial. Son tumores benignos de crecimiento lento que producen sintomatología otológica no específica y pueden asociar parálisis facial. No existen exámenes preoperatorios que nos permitan diagnosticar con certeza el SNF. El estudio de elección se realiza con TC de alta resolución y RM con gadolinio. El diagnóstico definitivo es histopatológico pero se puede hacer diagnóstico presuntivo si la clínica, imágenes y hallazgo intraoperatorios son concordantes. El objetivo del tratamiento debe intentar preservar la función del nervio facial por el mayor tiempo posible. En casos de pacientes asintomáticos, o sin compromiso del nervio facial, se prefiere la observación. Se presentan en este artículo casos de schwannomas del facial intratimpánico y de cuerda del tímpano.

The facial nerve schwannoma (SNF) is a rare tumor, however it is the most common tumor of the facial nerve. They are slow-growing benign tumors that produce non-specific otologic symptoms and may be associated facial paralysis. There are no preoperative tests that allow us to accurately diagnose the SNF. The study of choice is made with high resolution CT and MRI with gadolinium. Definitive diagnosis is histopathological but the physician may make a presumptive diagnosis if clinical images and intraoperative findings are consistent. The goal of treatment should try to preserve facial nerve function for as long as possible. In cases of asymptomatic patients, without facial nerve involvement, observation is prefered. Cases of schwannomas of intratympanic facial and chorda tympani are presented in this article.

Adenoma carcinoide de oído medio / Middle ear carcinoid adenoma

Las neoplasias primarias de oído medio son poco frecuentes y más aún lo es el adenoma de oído medio. Se plantea que el tumor se origina de células pluripotenciales endodérmicas indiferenciadas que están presentes en la mucosa. El adenoma carcinoide está compuesto por dos tipos de células: exocrinas y neuroendocrinas, estas últimas son capaces de liberar granulaciones y neuropéptidos que se detectan en la inmunohistoquímica. La mayoría se presentan con síntomas vagos de la esfera otológica, siendo raras las manifestaciones sistémicas de síndrome carcinoide. No existe examen físico característico ni patrón imagenológico. Se debe hacer diagnóstico diferencial con colesteatoma y otros tumores de oído medio. El diagnóstico definitivo es anatomopatológico y el tratamiento de elección es quirúrgico dado el potencial destructivo local. Se presentan en este artículo dos casos de adenoma carcinoide de oído medio.

Primary neoplasms of the middle ear are rare and even more so is the middle ear adenoma. It is stated that the tumor originates from undifferentiated endodermal stem cells that are present in the mucosa. Carcinoid adenoma is compromised of two cell types; exocrine and neuroendocrine cells, the latter are able to release neuropeptides and granulations that can be detected in immunohistochemistry. Most cases present with vague symptoms of the otologic sphere, being less common the systemic manifestations of carcinoid syndrome. There is no physical examination or characteristic imaging pattern. Differential diagnosis must be done with cholesteatoma and other middle ear tumors. The definitive diagnosis is anatomopathological and the treatment of choice is surgery given the local destructive potencial. Two cases of middle ear carcinoid adenoma are presented in this article.

Use of non-echo-planar diffusion-weighted MR imaging for the detection of cholesteatomas in high-risk tympanic retraction pockets.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Non-echo-planar DWI MR imaging (including the HASTE sequence) has been shown to be highly sensitive and specific for large cholesteatomas. The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of HASTE DWI for the detection of incipient cholesteatoma in high-risk retraction pockets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study of 16 patients who underwent MR imaging with HASTE DWI before surgery. Surgeons were not informed of the results, and intraoperative findings were compared against the radiologic diagnosis. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated. RESULTS: Among the 16 retraction pockets, 10 cholesteatomas were diagnosed intraoperatively (62.5%). HASTE showed 90% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value, and 85.7% negative predictive value in this group of patients. We found only 1 false-negative finding in an infected cholesteatoma. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate a high correlation between HASTE and surgical findings, suggesting that this technique could be useful for the early detection of primary acquired cholesteatomas arising from retraction pockets and could help to avoid unnecessary surgery.

Neumoencéfalo otológico espontáneo, revisión bibliográfica a partir de un caso clínico / Spontaneous otogenic pneumocephalus. Literature review from a clinical case

El neumoencéfalo espontáneo de origen otológico es una patología potencialmente mortal, infrecuente y escasamente reportada en la literatura. Resulta interesante conocer su presentación clínica y manejo. Para el diagnóstico es importante tener la sospecha clínica y el estudio de imágenes con tomografía computarizada (TC) habitualmente muestra la dehiscencia en el hueso temporal. El tratamiento debe tener un enfoque multidisciplinario. La decisión de tratamiento conservador y quirúrgico va estar determinado por la gravedad del paciente y características del defecto.

Pneumocephalus otic spontaneous origin is a potentially fatal disease, infrequent and rarely reported in the literature. It is interesting to know its clinical presentation and management. To diagnose it is important to clinical suspicion and imaging study with CT usually shows dehiscence of the temporal bone. Treatment should be a multidisciplinary approach. The decision of conservative and surgical treatment will be determined by the severity of the patient and defect characteristics.

Cirugía del colesteatoma y audición / Cholesteatoma surgery and audition

Introducción: El colesteatoma es una entidad clínica que se presenta principalmente en edades medias de la vida. El tratamiento definitivo es quirúrgico, el cual apunta a erradicar la enfermedad, mientras que mantener o mejorar la audición es un objetivo secundario. Existen diversas técnicas quirúrgicas siendo la aticoantromastoidectomía con o sin preservación de la pared posterosuperior del conducto auditivo externo la más utilizada. Objetivos: Caracterizar a la población sometida a tratamiento quirúrgico del colesteatoma en el Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile y determinar los cambios auditivos posoperatorios. Material y método: Se realiza un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo en donde se analizan los procedimientos quirúrgicos entre los años 2007y 2012. Se registran y analizan datos individuales, valores audiométricos pre y posoperatorios y tipo de cirugía realizada. Resultados: Se incluyen 143 pacientes con promedio de edad de 41 años, siendo el 56% de sexo masculino. El 54,5% fueron aticoantromastoidectomía; 21,6% aticoantrostomía; 16,7% aticoantromastoidectomía más timpanoplastía IIIA y 6,7% aticoantromastoidectomía más timpanoplastía IIIB. Los umbrales auditivos se mantuvieron en la aticoantrostomía, en la aticoantromastoidectomía y en la aticoantromastoidectomía con timpanoplastía tipo IIIB, mientras que la audición mejoró significativamente en las aticoantromastoidectomía con timpanoplastía tipo IIIA. Conclusión: La técnica mayormente utilizada en el Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile para el manejo del colesteatoma es la aticoantromastoidectomía con o sin preservación de la pared posterosuperior del conducto auditivo. Aquellos pacientes a los que se les asocia una timpanoplastía tipo IIIA presentan una mejoría auditiva significativa.

Introduction: The cholesteatoma is a clinical entity that presents mostly in middle ages. The definitive treatment is surgery; which aims to eradicate the disease, while maintaining or improving hearing thresholds is a secondary goal. Several surgical techniques have been described, being the tympanomastoidectomy with or without preservation of the postero-superior wall of the external auditory canal the most commonly used. Aim: To characterize the population that underwent surgical treatment forcholesteatoma in the Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile and to determine the post-surgical hearing thresholds changes. Methods: Retrospective and descriptive study of the surgical procedures carried out between the years 2007 and 2012. Individual data, pre and post-surgical treatment audiometric values and types of surgery are registered and analyzed. Results: 143 patients were included with a 41 year age average, 56% were males. 54,4% of surgeries were tympanomastoidectomy; 21,6% atticotomy; 16,7% tympanomastoidectomy with type IIIA tympanoplasty and 6,7% tympanomastoidectomy with type IIIB tympanoplasty. Hearing thresholds were maintained in atticotomy, tympanomastoidectomy and tympanomastoidectomy with type IIIB tympanoplasty, while hearing thresholds improved in the tympanomastoidectomy with type IIIA tympanoplasty reconstruction. Conclusion: The most used technique for cholesteatoma treatment in the Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile was tympanomastoidectomy with or without preservation of the posterosuperior wall of the external ear canal. Patients who had a type IIIA tympanoplastyimproved their hearing thresholds.

Keratosis obturans y colesteatoma del conducto auditivo externo: caso clínico y revisión de la literatura / Keratosis obturans and external auditory canal cholesteatoma: case report and review of the literature

La keratosis obturans y el colesteatoma del conducto auditivo externo son dos condiciones caracterizadas por la acumulación patológica de material queratinizado en el oído externo. El primero se presenta con un crecimiento circunferencial que ocluye y remodela el conducto, usualmente sin erosionarlo, mientras que el segundo se caracteriza por erosionar un área del conducto, con necrosis y secuestro óseo. El diagnóstico diferencial entre estas dos entidades es importante, ya que difieren en la presentación clínica, el comportamiento biológico y las complicaciones asociadas. Esto puede verse reflejado en cambios en el manejo terapéutico de estos pacientes.

Keratosis obturans and external auditory canal cholesteatoma are two conditions characterized by the pathological accumulation of keratinized debris in the external ear. The former shows a circumferential growth that occludes and remodels the canal, usually without erosion, whereas the latter is characterized by erosion of part of the canal, with necrosis and bone sequestration. Establishing a differential diagnosis between both diseases is important, because they differ in clinical presentation, biological behavior and associated complications. This can be reflected in the therapeutic management of these patients.

The cannabinoid Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) ameliorates insulin sensitivity in two mouse models of obesity.

BACKGROUND: Cannabinoid type-1 (CB1) receptor inverse agonists improve type 2 diabetes and dyslipidaemia but were discontinued due to adverse psychiatric effects. Δ(9)-Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) is a neutral CB1 antagonist producing hypophagia and body weight reduction in lean mice. We investigated its effects in dietary-induced (DIO) and genetically (ob/ob) obese mice. METHODS: We performed two dose-ranging studies in DIO mice; study 1: 0.3, 1, 2.5, 5 and 12.5 mg kg(-1), oral twice daily for 30 days and study 2: 0.1, 0.5, 2.5 and 12.5 mg kg(-1), oral, once daily for 45 days. One pilot (study 3: 0.3 and 3 mg kg(-1), oral, once daily) and one full dose-ranging (study 4: 0.1, 0.5, 2.5 and 12.5 mg kg(-1), oral, once daily) studies in ob/ob mice for 30 days. The CB1 inverse agonist, AM251, oral, 10 mg kg(-1) once daily or 5 mg kg(-1) twice daily was used as the positive control. Cumulative food and water intake, body weight gain, energy expenditure, glucose and insulin levels (fasting or during oral glucose tolerance tests), plasma high-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol, and liver triglycerides were measured. HL-5 hepatocytes or C2C12 myotubes made insulin-resistant with chronic insulin or palmitic acid were treated with 0, 1, 3 and 10 µM THCV or AM251. RESULTS: THCV did not significantly affect food intake or body weight gain in any of the studies, but produced an early and transient increase in energy expenditure. It dose-dependently reduced glucose intolerance in ob/ob mice and improved glucose tolerance and increased insulin sensitivity in DIO mice, without consistently affecting plasma lipids. THCV also restored insulin signalling in insulin-resistant hepatocytes and myotubes. CONCLUSIONS: THCV is a new potential treatment against obesity-associated glucose intolerance with pharmacology different from that of CB1 inverse agonists/antagonists.

A phase I study to assess the effect of food on the single dose bioavailability of the THC/CBD oromucosal spray.

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of food on the single-dose bioavailability of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)/cannabidiol (CBD) spray, an endocannabinoid system modulator, when administered to healthy male subjects. METHODS: Twelve subjects took part in this fed-fasted cross-over study and received a single dose of THC/CBD spray (4 sprays = 10.8 mg THC + 10 mg CBD) in the fasted then fed state (or vice versa) with a 3-day wash-out period between treatments. Plasma samples were collected at designated time-points for analysis of CBD, THC, and its active metabolite, 11-hydroxy delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-THC). RESULTS: Statistically significant increases in the mean area under the curve (AUC) and mean maximum plasma drug concentration (Cmax) were observed in subjects during fed conditions. Mean AUC and Cmax were one to three-fold higher for THC and 11-OH-THC, and five and three-fold higher for CBD respectively during fed conditions. A large inter-subject variability in exposure from the same dose was observed, particularly for THC. The Cmax for THC in fed versus fasted subjects was higher in 7 subjects (4.80-14.91 ng/ml) and lower in 5 subjects (2.81-3.51 ng/ml) compared with the mean Cmax of 3.98 ng/ml (range 0.97-9.34 ng/ml) observed in the fasted state. Increases in mean AUC(0-t), AUC(0-inf), and Cmax for THC, CBD, and 11-OH-THC in the fed state were within the range of inter-subject variability, which was considerable. Food also appeared to delay the time to peak concentration (Tmax) of all analytes by approximately 2-2.5 h. Only mild adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The THC/CBD spray was well tolerated in male subjects at a single dose of four sprays. The large inter-subject variability in exposure suggests that the changes observed are unlikely to be clinically relevant.

Cannabidiolic acid prevents vomiting in Suncus murinus and nausea-induced behaviour in rats by enhancing 5-HT1A receptor activation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To evaluate the ability of cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) to reduce nausea and vomiting and enhance 5-HT(1A) receptor activation in animal models. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: We investigated the effect of CBDA on (i) lithium chloride (LiCl)-induced conditioned gaping to a flavour (nausea-induced behaviour) or a context (model of anticipatory nausea) in rats; (ii) saccharin palatability in rats; (iii) motion-, LiCl- or cisplatin-induced vomiting in house musk shrews (Suncus murinus); and (iv) rat brainstem 5-HT(1A) receptor activation by 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) and mouse whole brain CB(1) receptor activation by CP55940, using [³5S]GTPγS-binding assays. KEY RESULTS: In shrews, CBDA (0.1 and/or 0.5 mg·kg⁻¹ i.p.) reduced toxin- and motion-induced vomiting, and increased the onset latency of the first motion-induced emetic episode. In rats, CBDA (0.01 and 0.1 mg·kg⁻¹ i.p.) suppressed LiCl- and context-induced conditioned gaping, effects that were blocked by the 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist, WAY100635 (0.1 mg·kg⁻¹ i.p.), and, at 0.01 mg·kg⁻¹ i.p., enhanced saccharin palatability. CBDA-induced suppression of LiCl-induced conditioned gaping was unaffected by the CB1 receptor antagonist, SR141716A (1 mg·kg⁻¹ i.p.). In vitro, CBDA (0.1-100 nM) increased the E(max) of 8-OH-DPAT. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Compared with cannabidiol, CBDA displays significantly greater potency at inhibiting vomiting in shrews and nausea in rats, and at enhancing 5-HT(1A) receptor activation, an action that accounts for its ability to attenuate conditioned gaping in rats. Consequently, CBDA shows promise as a treatment for nausea and vomiting, including anticipatory nausea for which no specific therapy is currently available.

A phase I study to assess the single and multiple dose pharmacokinetics of THC/CBD oromucosal spray.

PURPOSE: A Phase I study to assess the single and multipledose pharmacokinetics (PKs) and safety and tolerability of oromucosally administered Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)/cannabidiol (CBD) spray, an endocannabinoid system modulator, in healthy male subjects. METHODS: Subjects received either single doses of THC/CBD spray as multiple sprays [2 (5.4 mg THC and 5.0 mg CBD), 4 (10.8 mg THC and 10.0 mg CBD) or 8 (21.6 mg THC and 20.0 mg CBD) daily sprays] or multiple doses of THC/CBD spray (2, 4 or 8 sprays once daily) for nine consecutive days, following fasting for a minimum of 10 h overnight prior to each dosing. Plasma samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for CBD, THC, and its primary metabolite 11-hydroxy-THC, and various PK parameters were investigated. RESULTS: Δ(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol and CBD were rapidly absorbed following single-dose administration. With increasing single and multiple doses of THC/CBD spray, the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) increased for all analytes. There was evidence of dose-proportionality in the single but not the multiple dosing data sets. The bioavailability of THC was greater than CBD at single and multiple doses, and there was no evidence of accumulation for any analyte with multiple dosing. Inter-subject variability ranged from moderate to high for all PK parameters in this study. The time to peak plasma concentration (Tmax) was longest for all analytes in the eight spray group, but was similar in the two and four spray groups. THC/CBD spray was well-tolerated in this study and no serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The mean Cmax values (<12 ng/mL) recorded in this study were well below those reported in patients who smoked/inhaled cannabis, which is reassuring since elevated Cmax values are linked to significant psychoactivity. There was also no evidence of accumulation on repeated dosing.

Estudio epidemiológico descriptivo de pacientes presentados al Comité de Oído del Servicio de ORL del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile entre los años 2004 y 2011 / Descriptive epidemiological study of patients presented at Ear committee of the ORL Department of the Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile between the years 2004 and 2011

Introducción: En el Servicio de Otorrinolaringología del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile, existe una instancia de revisión semanal de los casos que generan más discusión diagnóstica en patología de oído y del sistema vestibular, que denominamos Comité de Oído. Objetivos: En este trabajo se pretende describir las características epidemiológicas de los pacientes evaluados en este comité. Material y método: Se realizó un estudio de tipo retrospectivo donde se revisaron los registros del libro del Comité de Oído entre los años 2004 y 2011. Resultados: Se obtuvo un total de 1.081 diagnósticos realizados en el Comité de Oído. El promedio de edad de los pacientes fue de 39,9 años, siendo el 57% de sexo femenino. La patología de oído medio fue la más frecuente representando el 71%% del total de las consultas. El diagnóstico individual más frecuente fue la otitis media crónica colesteatomatosa en el 19,3% de los casos. Conclusión: Estos resultados nos permiten conocer las características de los pacientes con patologías de oído y sistema vestibular que generan más controversia en nuestro servicio.

Introduction: At the Otolaryngology Department of the Hospital Clinico de la Universidad de Chile, there is a committee of weekly meeting that reviews cases that generate the most controversy in ear and vestibular system pathology. Aim: This paper aims to describe the epidemiological characteristics of patients evaluated at this committee. Material and method: We performed a retrospective study that reviewed the records of the ear committee between the years 2004 and 2011. Results: A total of 1081 diagnostics were made at the committee. The average age was 39.9 years, and 57% were female patients. Middle ear pathology was the most frequent, accounting for 71%% of all diagnostics. The most frequent individual diagnostic was cholesteatomatous chronic otitis media in 19.3(0)% of cases. Conclusion: These results allow us to know epidemiological characteristics of patients with ear and vestibular system diseases, and those cases that generate the most controversy in our service.

Tumor híbrido parotídeo / Parotid hybrid tumor

Los tumores de glándulas salivales representan el 3%-10% de las neoplasias de cabeza y cuello. La localización más común es en la glándula parótida, representando el 50%-85% de los casos, siendo 20%-30% de ellos malignos. Los siguientes son indicadores de malignidad: Crecimiento acelerado, masa dolorosa, parálisis facial asociada y linfoadenopatía. La mayoría de las neoplasias de parótida derivan de un único tipo histológico, pero eventualmente puede ocurrir el desarrollo de más de un tipo en la misma glándula. Este trabajo presenta un caso de una neoplasia en parótida con dos tipos histológicos diferentes, con una presentación clínica atípica. El paciente se presentó inicialmente con otalgia y otorrea, al examen destacaba un tumor en el canal auditorio externo. El estudio complementario evidenció una neoplasia de parótida y se realizó resección total de la glándula. La biopsia informó un carcinoma adenoideo-quístico con áreas basaloideas diferenciadas. Se administró radioquimioterapia adyuvante, y el control imagenológico con PET-TC mostró la ausencia de recurrencias o diseminación del tumor.

Tumors of the salivary glands represent 33%-10% of head and neck neoplasms. The most common location is the parotid gland, accounting for 50%-85% of the cases, with 20%-30% of them being malignant. The following are known to be indicative of a malignant tumor: fast growing, painless mass, associated facial paralysis and lymphadenopathy. Most parotid neoplasm derive from a single histological type but eventually the development of more than one type on the same gland can occur. This paper presents a case of a parotid neoplasm with two different histological tumors, with uncharacteristic clinical presentation. The patient presented initially with ear pain and otorrhoea, in the clinical examination highlighted an external auditory canal tumor. The complementary study revealed a parotid neoplasm and a total resection of the gland was performed. The biopsy revealed an adenoid-cystic carcinoma with differentiated basaloid areas. Adjuvant radio-chemotherapy was administered, and the imaging control with PET-CT showed no evidence of recurrence or dissemination of the tumor.

Cannabidivarin is anticonvulsant in mouse and rat.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Phytocannabinoids in Cannabis sativa have diverse pharmacological targets extending beyond cannabinoid receptors and several exert notable anticonvulsant effects. For the first time, we investigated the anticonvulsant profile of the phytocannabinoid cannabidivarin (CBDV) in vitro and in in vivo seizure models. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: The effect of CBDV (1-100 µM) on epileptiform local field potentials (LFPs) induced in rat hippocampal brain slices by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) application or Mg(2+) -free conditions was assessed by in vitro multi-electrode array recordings. Additionally, the anticonvulsant profile of CBDV (50-200 mg·kg(-1) ) in vivo was investigated in four rodent seizure models: maximal electroshock (mES) and audiogenic seizures in mice, and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and pilocarpine-induced seizures in rats. The effects of CBDV in combination with commonly used antiepileptic drugs on rat seizures were investigated. Finally, the motor side effect profile of CBDV was investigated using static beam and grip strength assays. KEY RESULTS: CBDV significantly attenuated status epilepticus-like epileptiform LFPs induced by 4-AP and Mg(2+) -free conditions. CBDV had significant anticonvulsant effects on the mES (≥100 mg·kg(-1) ), audiogenic (≥50 mg·kg(-1) ) and PTZ-induced seizures (≥100 mg·kg(-1) ). CBDV (200 mg·kg(-1) ) alone had no effect against pilocarpine-induced seizures, but significantly attenuated these seizures when administered with valproate or phenobarbital at this dose. CBDV had no effect on motor function. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: These results indicate that CBDV is an effective anticonvulsant in a broad range of seizure models. Also it did not significantly affect normal motor function and, therefore, merits further investigation as a novel anti-epileptic in chronic epilepsy models. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed section on Cannabinoids. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2012.167.issue-8.

Evaluation of the Effects of Sativex (THC BDS: CBD BDS) on Inhibition of Spasticity in a Chronic Relapsing Experimental Allergic Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis: A Model of Multiple Sclerosis.

This study investigated the antispasticity potential of Sativex in mice. Chronic relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis was induced in adult ABH mice resulting in hind limb spasticity development. Vehicle, Sativex, and baclofen (as a positive control) were injected intravenously and the "stiffness" of limbs assessed by the resistance force against hind limb flexion. Vehicle alone caused no significant change in spasticity. Baclofen (5 mg/kg) induced approximately a 40% peak reduction in spasticity. Sativex dose dependently reduced spasticity; 5 mg/kg THC + 5 mg/kg CBD induced approximately a 20% peak reduction; 10 mg/kg THC + 10 mg/kg CBD produced approximately a 40% peak reduction in spasticity. Sativex has the potential to reduce spasticity in an experimental mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Baclofen reduced spasticity and served as a positive control. Sativex (10 mg/kg) was just as effective as baclofen, providing supportive evidence for Sativex use in the treatment of spasticity in MS.

Otoesclerosis: Aspectos histopatológicos y resultados auditivos de la estapedostomía / Otosclerosis: Histopathological features and stapedostomy hearing results

Introducción: La otoesclerosis es una enfermedad que produce hipoacusia de conducción que histopatológicamente corresponde a un proceso focal de remodelación ósea denominado otoespongiosis. Varios estudios describen el inicio y las características de este proceso, pero no existen trabajos que correlacionen el grado de afección histológica con el nivel de deterioro auditivo. Objetivo: Correlacionar observaciones anatomopatológicas con variables clínicas, intraoperatorias, audiométricas y evaluar el resultado de la estapedostomía. Material y método: Estudio retrospectivo incluyendo los pacientes sometidos a estapedostomía entre 1995 y 2011, con estudio histopatológico de estribo y evaluación audiométrica pre y posquirúrgica. Estadísticamente, se hizo análisis univariado de variables categóricas y continuas, para luego ajustar modelo logístico para identificar predictores de éxito quirúrgico. Para la tabulación de datos, obtención de resultados y análisis se utilizó el software estadístico Stata® 12 (StataCorp. 2011. College Station, TX: StataCorp LP). Resultados: Se reclutaron 204 estapedostomías, sólo el 24,51% tuvo estribos anormales. El aspecto macroscópico de la platina no tuvo relación con el resultado microscópico (p =0,476), no se encontró asociación estadística entre umbrales audiométricos prequirúrgicos aéreos (p =0,291) y óseos (p =0,824) con el grado de severidad histopatológica. La mejoría vía aérea posquirúrgica (p =0,326) y cierre del gap aéreo-óseo (p =0,23) no se correlacionó con el grado histológico. Conclusión: El impacto primario de la estapedostomía fue significativo en el mejoramiento del nivel de audición del paciente. El estudio rutinario anatomopatológico de estribo en estapedostomía carece de valor pronóstico a diferencia de otros factores analizados en este estudio.

Introduction: Otosclerosis causes conductive hearing loss that histologically corresponds to a bone remodeling process called otoespongiosis. Although multiple pathological studies describing onset and the characteristics of this process, there are no articles in literature that correlate histological disease with hearing impairment and surgical outcomes. Aim: Correlate pathological disease with clinical, intraoperative and audiometric variables and evaluate the stapedostomy outcome. Material and method: Retrospective study including patients undergoing stapedostomy between 1995 and 2011, with histopathologic evaluation of stapes bone and pre and postoperative audiometric evaluation. Statistically, univariate analysis for categorical and continuous variables was used, then a logistic model to identify predictors of surgical success was adjusted. For data tabulation and analysis Stata®12 (StataCorp. 2011. College Station, TX: StataCorp LP) statistical software was used. Results: 204 stapedectomies were assessed, 24.51%% with abnormal stapes bones, the gross appearance of the stage was not related to the microscopic result (p =0.476), no association between pre-surgical air audiometric thresholds (p =0.291) and bone (p =0.824) with histopathologic severity was found. The improved postoperative airway threshold (p =0.326) and air-bone gap closure (p =0.23) did not correlate with histology. Conclusion: Stapedostomy primary outcome, ie, improvement in hearing thresholds, as well as the air-bone gap, were significant. Routine pathological stapes bone study had no prognostic value in contrast to other factors analyzed in this study.