Sustainable use of giant reed to produce industrialized enzymes.

The giant reed (Arundo donax) is a fast-growing plant adapted to different climatic and soil conditions; although its origin is Asian, the species has spread throughout the world. During its development, it consumes three times more water than typical native vegetation and is responsible for changing the landscape of riparian areas; the high biomass productivity and the annual harvest period make this crop an alternative to produce and/or extract industrial bioproducts. The main objective of this research was to evaluate the feasibility of using giant reed in a bioprocess that produces enzymes by a solid-state fermentation experiment, four fungal species were tested (Aspergillus niger GH1, Aspergillus niger PSH, Trichoderma harzianum, and Rhizopus oryzae); enzyme activities were performed using reported methodologies varying only reaction volumes. The A. niger GH1 and PSH strains were the best adapted to the plant material, A. niger GH1 was capable to produce 4 of the 5 evaluated enzymes (cellulase-endoglucanase (174.39 ± 19.62 U/L), xylanase (1313.31 ± 39.25 U/L), invertase (642.22 ± 23.55 U/L), and polyphenol oxidase (6094.01 ± 306.54) while A. niger PSH was able to produce 3 of the 5 evaluated enzymes (cellulase-endoglucanase (147.09 ± 13.88 U/L), xylanase (1307.76 ± 31.40 U/L), and invertase (603.92 ± 3.14 U/L).

Disfunción endotelial. Mecanismos e implicancias en Covid-19 / Endothelial dysfunction. Mechanisms and implications on Covid-19

Endothelium is the inner layer of vessels that separates circulating blood from the rest of the body tissues. Since its discovery, it has been involved in various functions, both systemic and organ specific. Currently, endothelial damage and failure in its functions is considered a key element in pathophysiology of various clinical scenarios, among which we may find COVID-19.Hence, it has been a target in development of strategies that seek to maintain, enhance or repair its function. The purpose of the following review is to describe what an endothelial function is about, its relation with current medical practice, and its implications in the SARS- CoV-2 pandemic. (AU)

Improving the screening of tuberculosis in patient admitted in a secondary care hospital of La Habana.

INTRODUCTION: The reduction of tuberculosis reported in admitted patients in a community hospital in La Habana (Cuba) was identified as a quality gap and priority for action. The objective was to increase by 50% the number of bacilloscopies and smear-positive tuberculosis confirmed by December 2017. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A quality improvement initiative was conducted from January 2017 to December 2017 in a 300-bed secondary care teaching hospital. The improvement project was addressed to patients admitted with respiratory infections (upper or lower). The baseline was considered the period from January to December 2016. The intervention period was from January 2017 to June 2018. The intervention includes training activities for medical staff, monthly monitoring of bacilloscopies performed and feedback and analysis with leaders and departments. RESULTS: During the baseline period seven patients were confirmed with pulmonary tuberculosis and 160 bacilloscopies were performed (mean 40 bacilloscopies/quarter). During the intervention period were confirmed 22 cases of tuberculosis and 577 bacilloscopies were performed (mean 96 bacilloscopies/quarter). CONCLUSIONS: The number of bacilloscopies and sputum smear tuberculosis was successfully increased in admitted patients using the staff education, monitoring, and feedback as intervention measures. The next steps of the project will be focused in achieve the sustainability of the intervention, evaluation of educational needs of medical staff and design training activities accordingly and, screening of latent tuberculosis infections using of tuberculin skin test in selected high risk admitted patients.

Autoconfianza de los estudiantes de medicina en su interpretación correcta de un electrocardiograma / Self-confidence of medical students in their correct interpretation of an electrocardiogram

Myocardial infarction is a highly prevalent condition. Its early recognition could have a high impact on prognosis. A quick and accurate interpretation of the electrocardiogram (EKG) is crucial to improve the diagnostic and therapeutic processes. Nevertheless, medical literature shows lack of competencies for autonomous and reliable EKG interpretation on both medical students and general practitioners, in many countries. The aim of the present study is to assess the level of self-confidence that medical students from the University of Chile have in their own skills to interpreter EKG rapidly and correctly. With that purpose, an online survey was designed and applied to all medical students from third to 7th year (final). resUlts:From a total of 1.000 surveys sent, only 206 were completely answered and returned. 77.2 percent of these students show very limited self-confidence in their own skills and competences to reliably interpret an EKG without anybody else’s help. On the other hand, only 20.9percent of them declare to have a high level of self-confidence in this area. We did not find statistically significant differences associated with: gender, educational level, previous academic performance, or campus. conclusions: Most of our medical students have a low self-confidence level regarding their own capabilities for correctly and quickly “read” an EKG. These findings suggest the need for redesigning the educational strategies currently being used for this purpose, in the undergraduate Cardiology Program, incorporating new teaching methodologies to achieve the desirable competences needed for correct EKGs’ reading.

A novel flow injection chemiluminescence determination of Cr(VI) with Dichlorotris(1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II).

A selective novel reverse flow injection system with chemiluminescence detection (rFI-CL) for the determination of Cr(VI) in presence of Cr(III) with Dichlorotris (1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II), (Ru(phen)(3)Cl(2)), is described in this work. This new method is based on the oxidation capacity of Cr(VI) in H(2)SO(4) media. First, the Ruthenium(II) complex is oxidized to Ruthenium(III) complex by Cr(VI) and afterwards it is reduced to the excited state of the Ruthenium(II) complex by a sodium oxalate solution, emitting light inside the detector. The intensity of chemiluminescence (CL) is proportional to the concentration of Cr(VI) and, under optimum conditions, it can be determined over the range of 3-300 µg L(-1) with a detection limit of 0.9 µg L(-1). The RSD was 8.4% and 1.5% at 5 and 50 µg L(-1), respectively. For the rFI-CL method various analytical parameters were optimized: flow rate (1 mL min(-1)), H(2)SO(4) carrier concentration (20% w/V), Ru(phen)(3)Cl(2) concentration (5mM) and sodium oxalate concentration (0.1M). The effect of Cr(III), Fe(III), Al(III), Cd(II), Zn(II), Hg(II), Pb(II), Ca(II) and Mg(II), was studied. The method is highly sensitive and selective, allowing a fast, on-line determination of Cr(VI) in the presence of Cr(III). Finally, the method was tested in four different water samples (tap, reservoir, well and mineral), with good recovery percentage.

Plicatura gástrica laparoscópica, un nuevo procedimiento bariátrico: a propósito de un caso clínico / Laparoscopic gastric plication, a new bariatric procedure: report of one case

Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for morbid obesity. Various techniques have been developed with different outcomes and complications. A new technique with promising results recently described in the literature: the gastric plication, which would not have the complications of using mechanical suture and would imply a reduction of costs. We report the first case in Chile under this technique.

La cirugía bariátrica es un tratamiento efectivo para la obesidad mórbida. Diversas técnicas se han desarrollado con diferentes resultados y complicaciones. Una nueva técnica con resultados prometedores se ha descrito recientemente en la literatura: la plicatura gástrica, la cual no tendría las complicaciones del uso de sutura mecánica e implicaría una reducción de los costos. Presentamos el caso clínico del primer paciente en Chile sometido a esta técnica.

Aplicación de la teledermatología asincrónica en usuarios de la comuna de Yerbas Buenas, Región del Maule, Chile / Effectiveness of asynchronous teledermatology in users of the rural health center in Chile

La teledermatología (TD) revoluciona la atención en dermatología, facilitando su acceso a regiones remotas. La TD asincrónica (TDA), utilizada para el diagnóstico dermatológico a través del envío de información mediante e-mail, ha sido implementada en forma limitada en Chile. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la efectividad y la satisfacción usuaria (SU) de la TDA en un centro de salud rural de Chile. Se diseño un sistema de teleconsultas, capacitando a los médicos generales en patología dermatológica más frecuente y se realizó contrarreferencia. Se analizaron 172 teleconsultas. Las patologías más frecuentes fueron: acné (11,1 por ciento), onicomicosis (8,7 por ciento), psoriasis (4,1 por ciento), dermatitis de contacto (4,1 por ciento) y verrugas (4,1 por ciento), Se encontró alta concordancia diagnóstica (CD) entre médicos generales y especialista (88,3 por ciento). La SU general alcanzó un 97 por ciento y se logró la resolución del 99,4 por ciento de las teleconsultas. La TDA permite proporcionar atención dermatológica a distancia, lo que permitiría favorecer a diversas localidades rurales de Chile.

Teledermatology (TD) revolutionizes the delivery of dermatology services by facilitating the access to specialist services at a distance. Asynchronous TD (ATD) is used for skin diseases diagnosis by sending information and images through e-mail. Its implementation in Chile has been limited. The purpose of this study was to analize the effectiveness and the user satisfaction (US) of the application of ATD in a rural helath center in Chile. A teleconsultation system was designed, primary care general practitioners were trained in dermatological diagnosis and implementation of the cross-refertence was developed. We assessed 172 teleconsultations. The most frequent pathologies were acne (11,1 percent), onychomycosis (8,7 percent), psoriasis (4,1 percent), contact dermatitis (4,1 percent) and warts (4,1 percent). The diagnosis concordance (DC) was 88,3 percent and the general US reached 97 percent. Diagnostic and therapeutic resolution was achieved in 99,4 percent of the teleconsultations. ATD was able to provide a distant dermatological assistance, helping several rural areas of Chile.

Prevalencia de patologías cutáneas en el adulto mayor de 80 años: análisis de dos comunas del sector Norte de Santiago, Chile / Prevalence of skin diseases in elderly population from two counties in the north area of Santiago, Chile

Los problemas de salud en los adultos mayores son una preocupación a nivel mundial. Sin embargo, existen muy pocos estudios de la prevalencia de patologías cutáneas en la población geriátrica. El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar la prevalencia de patologías cutáneas en la población geriátrica mayor de 80 años en dos comunas del Área Norte de Santiago, Chile. Una muestra representativa de casos de las dos comunas fue seleccionada para el análisis, con un sistema de muestreo por conglomerado estratificado. Ochenta y cuatro adultos mayores de 80 años fueron entrevistados y su Piel fue examinada. Se realizó el test de chi cuadrado para el análisis estadístico. La edad promedio de la muestra fue de 86,6 años con un 68% de mujeres (87,05 :+ 4,76) y 32% de varones (85,55 :+ 4(52). En el examen físico, todos los individuos examinados tenían a lo menos tres patologías cutáneas por persona, con un promedio de 7,25 +1 1,26 patologías cutáneas por adulto mayor. Las patologías cutáneas más comunes en los adultos mayores fueron lentigos (78%), xerosis (73%), queratosis seborreicas (71%), patologías por fotodaño (71%), puntos rubí (62%), onicomicosis (42%). Dentro de los tumores de Piel se observaron 6 keratosis actínicas, 3 carcinomas baso celulares, 1 carcinoma espinocelular; 1 melanoma maligno. Las patologías cutáneas clasificadas por grupo de patologías más frecuentes fueron: tumores benignos (89%), patologías asociadas a la exposición solar (85%), xerosis (73%), patologías del pie (71%) y enfermedad varicosa (45%). No se observaron diferencias significativas entre varones y mujeres en cuanto a las patologías. Este estudio contribuye a la identificación de problemas de Piel de la población geriátrica de nuestro país y enfatiza la importancia de realizar campañas de educación en salud en población geriátrica en Chile.

Geriatric health care has become a worldwide concem, but relatively few studies are available about geriatric skin diseases. The purpose of this study was to analyze the prevalence of skin diseases in over-80 population from two counties in the north area of Santiago, Chile. A representative sample of houses with over 80 people were selected to participate in the study according to a stratified random sampling design 84 individuals were interviewed and their skin was examined by a dermatology resident. A Chi square test was performed for the statistical analysis. The average age of the sample was 86.6, 68% females (87.05 + 4.76) and 32% males (85.55 :+ 4.52). The physical examination of all individuals showed at least three skin disorders per individual, with an average of 7.25 :+ / .26 skin disorders per person. The most common cutaneous disorders were lentigos (78%), xerosis (73%), seborrheic keratosis (71%), photodamage (71%), angiomas (62%), onychomycosis (42%). A prevalence of 6% of skin cancer tumors was found (6 actinic keratosis, 3 basal cell carcinoma/squamous cell carcinoma/malignant melanoma). The most frequent group of skin disorders were benign tumours (89%), skin disorders associated to UV exposure (85%), xerosis (73%), feet disorders (71%) and varicose disease (45%). No statistical differences between gender were found. This study contributes to the identification of skin problems of elderly people in our country and emphasizes the importance of health education in the geriatric population in Chile.

Síndrome metabólico en pacientes psoriáticos en el Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile / Metabolic syndrome in psoriasis patients

Introducción: La psoriasis ha sido relacionada al aumento en el riesgo cardiovascular (CV). El Síndrome metabólico sería más prevalente en psoriáticos; sin embargo, se desconoce la realidad local. Objetivo: Determinar la presencia de Síndrome metabólico en pacientes con psoriasis leve a moderada en el Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile. Pacientes y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo en 214 psoriáticos adultos. Se definió Síndrome metabólico según criterios A TP III. Los resultados se compararon con estadísticas nacionales de prevalencia de Síndrome metabólico de lo OMS y publicaciones afines. Resultados: El Síndrome metabólico fue encontrado en el 71% de los psoriáticos examinados versus el 22,6% de población general. Los psoriáticos tuvieron una alta prevalencia de obesidad (70,6% vs 21,9%), hipercolesterolemia (239 mg/dL vs 186 mg/dL), hipertrigliceridemia (197 mg/dL) y aumento de la circunferencia abdominal (92 cm), además de alzas moderadas de la presión arterial y glicemia. Tabaquismo (40,2%) más prevalente que en la población general y sedentarismo (90,2%) con cifra similar a la población general. Conclusión: Los pacientes psoriáticos tienen una alta frecuencia de Síndrome metabólico. Este trabajo coincide con los datos publicados a nivel internacional.

Introduction: Psoriasis has been linked to on increase in cardiovascular risk (CV). Metabolic syndrome is more prevalent in psoriatic, however data on Chilean psoriasis patients hove not been reported. Objective: Study the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with mild to moderate psoriasis attendees at Hospital Clínico of Universidad de Chile. Patients and methods: Descriptive study in 2 I 4 consecutive psoriasis patients. Metabolic syndrome was determined according to A TP III criteria. Data was compared with WHO notional statistics on prevalence of metabolic syndrome and related articles. Results: 71% of psoriasis patients had metabolic syndrome in comparison with 22.6% of general population. 70.6% were obese in contrast to 21,9% of the general population. The mean cholesterol level was 239 mg/dL vs. 186 mg/dL patients had elevated triglycerides (197 mg/dL) and increase of abdominal circumference (92 cm). Blood pressure, fasting blood sugar were moderately elevated. Smoking present in 40.2% was more frequent than in general population, and sedentarism (90.2%) was equally frequent. Conclusions: Psoriasis patients have a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome. This data is concurrent with results in international trials.

Asociación inversa entre enfermedad de Alzheimer y cáncer / Inverse relationship between Alzheimer's disease and cancer

The increase in life expectancy is accompanied by a concomitant increase in the prevalence of age related disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and various types of cancers. We here report epidemiologic findings suggesting thatthe development of the Alzheimer and a history of cancer are inversely related. The inverse relationship was found when all cancer types were analyzed and also when skin cancers (bothmelanomas and those with good prognosis, that constitute 50% of all cancers) were analyzed separately. In addition, in a population study we found that this inverse relationship was found with dementia of the Alzheimer type and mixed dementia, but not with vascular dementia, suggesting that the association is only with degenerative diseases. We discuss possible explanations for this inverse relationship, among them, the possibility that a common biological mechanism might be regulated in opposite directions in neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.

[Intraoperative hemodynamic monitoring using transesophageal echocardiography in orthopedic surgery]. / Alta utilidad de monitorización hemodinámica con ecocardiografía transesofágica intraoperatoria en cirugía ortopédica.

BACKGROUND: Orthopedic surgery is commonly performed in elderly patients with higher cardiovascular surgical risk. Hemodynamic monitoring in these patients may prevent perioperative complications. AIM: To assess the usefulness of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for intraoperative cardiovascular monitoring during orthopedic surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients older than 65 years subjected to orthopedic surgery using general anesthesia and with a high cardiovascular risk were studied. Intraoperative TEE was performed to assess intravascular volume, myocardial contractility and the presence of myocardial ischemia. RESULTS: Fifty three patients aged 72+/-5 years were studied. Hemodynamic stability was detected in 68% of patients, mainly reflected as episodes of hypovolemia. Myocardial ischemia was detected in two patients and embolic episodes in six (11%). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative TEE was useful for the hemodynamic evaluation of patients with high cardiovascular risk.

Factors that predict survival in patients with cirrhosis considered for liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: To identify prognostic factors for survival at 6 and 12 months in patients evaluated for liver transplantation using Child-Pugh (CP) classification and the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score. METHODS: We evaluated 144 patients with cirrhosis who were candidates for liver transplantation. We excluded patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, recent liver recipients, and patients who died because of factors unrelated to liver disease. The studied variables were age and sex; prothrombin time; platelet count; albumin, cholesterol, bilirubin, creatinine, and serum sodium concentrations; CP classification and MELD score; and the presence of ascites, encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and previous variceal bleeding. Data were processed using statistical software (SPSS version 13.0). RESULTS: Of the 144 patients, 27 (18.7%) did not survive because of complications of liver disease. Univariate analysis showed the most significant factors to be sex, prothrombin time, bilirubin and albumin levels; ascites, encephalopathy, CP classification, and MELD score. At Cox regression analysis, only CP classification proved to be a valid predictor of survival in our cohort. The lowest survival according to CP classification at 6 and 12 months corresponded to stage C and to MELD scores higher than 15. CONCLUSIONS: Child-Pugh classification is an independent prognostic factor for recipient survival. Stage C in the CP classification and a MELD score higher than 15 were strongly related to worse survival. Both scores must be taken into consideration for adequate evaluation of liver transplantation for candidates.

Alta utilidad de monitorización hemodinámica con ecocardiografía transesofágica intraoperatoria en cirugía ortopédica / Intraoperative hemodynamic monitoring using transesophageal echocardiography in orthopedic surgery

Background: Orthopedic surgery is commonly performed in elderly patients with higher cardiovascular surgical risk. Hemodynamic monitoring in these patients may prevent perioperative complications. Aim: To assess the usefulness of transesophageal echocargiography (TEE) for intraoperative cardiovascular monitoring during orthopedic surgery. Material and methods: Patients older than 65 years subjected to orthopedic surgery using general anesthesia and with a high cardiovascular risk were studied. Intraoperative TEE was performed to assess intravascular volume, myocardial contractility and the presence of myocardial ischemia. Results: Fifty three patients aged 72±5 years were studied. Hemodynamic stability was detected in 68 percent of patients, mainly reflected as episodes of hypovolemia. Myocardial ischemia was detected in two patients and embolic episodes in six (11 percent). Conclusions: Intraoperative TEE was useful for the hemodynamic evaluation of patients with high cardiovascular risk.

Aspectos teóricos en torno a la gestión del conocimiento en la medicina basada en evidencias / Theoretical aspects of knowledge management in evidence-based medicine

Se precisa el peso de los conceptos datos, información y conocimiento como nociones de alcance primordial en el contexto de las tendencias que se imponen en la aplicación de modernos procedimientos en la práctica médica. Se revela la esencia del nuevo paradigma en la asistencia sanitaria, conocido desde el punto de vista conceptual como medicina basada en evidencias, y se enuncian los retos que debe enfrentar el profesional de la información como gestor de esta y de conocimiento, al efecto de su acertada aplicación por parte del profesional de la salud. Se identifican los pasos necesarios para realizar una eficaz gestión del conocimiento y lograr su socialización en este ámbito, así como ciertas particularidades de los sistemas de salud que facilitan dicho proceso. Por último se pasa revista a la medicina basada en evidencias como expresión de la gestión del conocimiento en el área de la salud, donde se demuestra su correspondencia con las exigencias actuales, resultantes del desarrollo actual en materia informacional(AU)

The importance of data, information and knowledge concepts is defined as notions of fundamental scope in the context of the tendencies imposed in the application of modern procedures in medical practice. The essence of the new paradigm in the health care is revealed, known from the conceptual point of view as evidence based medicine, and the challenges faced by the information professional as information and knowledge manager are dealt with, so that the health professional may apply them appropriately. The necessary steps to carry out an efficient knowledge management and to attain its socialization in this setting are identified as well as certain particularities of the health system that facilitate such process. Finally, a review is made of evidence based medicine as an expression of knowledge management in the health field, where its correspondence with the current demands, resulting from the present development in the informational sphere, was proved(AU)

Aspectos teóricos en torno a la gestión del conocimiento en la medicina basada en evidencias / Theoretical aspects of knowledge management in evidence-based medicine

Se precisa el peso de los conceptos datos, información y conocimiento como nociones de alcance primordial en el contexto de las tendencias que se imponen en la aplicación de modernos procedimientos en la práctica médica. Se revela la esencia del nuevo paradigma en la asistencia sanitaria, conocido desde el punto de vista conceptual como medicina basada en evidencias, y se enuncian los retos que debe enfrentar el profesional de la información como gestor de esta y de conocimiento, al efecto de su acertada aplicación por parte del profesional de la salud. Se identifican los pasos necesarios para realizar una eficaz gestión del conocimiento y lograr su socialización en este ámbito, así como ciertas particularidades de los sistemas de salud que facilitan dicho proceso. Por último se pasa revista a la medicina basada en evidencias como expresión de la gestión del conocimiento en el área de la salud, donde se demuestra su correspondencia con las exigencias actuales, resultantes del desarrollo actual en materia informacional.

The importance of data, information and knowledge concepts is defined as notions of fundamental scope in the context of the tendencies imposed in the application of modern procedures in medical practice. The essence of the new paradigm in the health care is revealed, known from the conceptual point of view as evidence based medicine, and the challenges faced by the information professional as information and knowledge manager are dealt with, so that the health professional may apply them appropriately. The necessary steps to carry out an efficient knowledge management and to attain its socialization in this setting are identified as well as certain particularities of the health system that facilitate such process. Finally, a review is made of evidence based medicine as an expression of knowledge management in the health field, where its correspondence with the current demands, resulting from the present development in the informational sphere, was proved.

Estudio de enfermedad celíaca en pacientes con psoriasis / Frequency of celiac disease among patients with psoriasis

Background: A possible relationship has been reported between psoriasis and celiac disease, with common pathogenic mechanisms that may need further investigation. Aim: To investigate the presence of clinical and serological markers for celiac disease in a group of Chilean psoriatic patients. Material and methods: We included 80 psoriatic patients (42 males) aged 16 to 79 years, whose serum was tested for antitransglutaminase antibodies (ATGA) and antiendomysial antibodies (AEMA). Patients with weakly positive AEMA tests were also tested for antigliadin antibodies (AGA). Results: In six patients (7.5 percent), AEMA and AGA were positive and one patient was positive for ATGA. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and duodenal biopsy was offered to these six patients and five accepted the procedure. Only one had a pathological diagnosis of celiac disease. Conclusions: Only one of 80 patients with psoriasis had celiac disease (1.2 percent). Other four patients with positive serologic markers had a normal duodenal biopsy. This group of patients may have latent celiac disease and they should be followed up.

Trans-platinum(II) complexes with cyclohexylamine as expectator ligand induce necrosis in tumour cells by inhibiting DNA synthesis and RNA transcription.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced removal of cisplatin-DNA adducts has been reported as one of main causes of cell resistance to cisplatin. This particular resistance mechanism may be circumvented by platinum complexes that bind differently to DNA. One line of work is focussed on trans platinum complexes, some of which exhibit antitumour activity similar to or even higher than that of their cis counterparts. METHODS: We synthesised new trans platinum complexes, trans-[PtCl2(cyclohexylamine)(dimethylamine)] and trans-[PtCl2(OH)2(cyclohexylamine)(dimethylamine)], previously evaluated as cytotoxic agents towards different cancer and normal cell lines. These trans platinum compounds were highly effective against a panel of tumoral cell lines either sensitive to or with acquired resistance to cisplatin. RESULTS: In the present work we examined the mechanisms induced by these compounds to cause tumour cells toxicity. We have found that these compounds induced a complete blockade at the S phase of the cell cycle inhibiting total mRNA transcription and precluding p53 activation. CONCLUSION: In contrast to other DNA-damaging agents, these compounds do not induce senescence-associated permanent arrest. Furthermore, only a small percentage of these cells enter into apoptosis, with most of the population dying by a necrosis-like mechanism.

[Frequency of celiac disease among patients with psoriasis]. / Estudio de enfermedad celíaca en pacientes con psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: A possible relationship has been reported between psoriasis and celiac disease, with common pathogenic mechanisms that may need further investigation. AIM: To investigate the presence of clinical and serological markers for celiac disease in a group of Chilean psoriatic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included 80 psoriatic patients (42 males) aged 16 to 79 years, whose serum was tested for antitransglutaminase antibodies (ATGA) and antiendomysial antibodies (AEMA). Patients with weakly positive AEMA tests were also tested for antigliadin antibodies (AGA). RESULTS: In six patients (7.5%), AEMA and AGA were positive and one patient was positive for ATGA. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and duodenal biopsy was offered to these six patients and five accepted the procedure. Only one had a pathological diagnosis of celiac disease. CONCLUSIONS: Only one of 80 patients with psoriasis had celiac disease (1.2%). Other four patients with positive serologic markers had a normal duodenal biopsy. This group of patients may have latent celiac disease and they should be followed up.