Identification of the novel HLA-DRB1 allele, DRB1*14:183, in a Colombian umbilical cord blood bank donor.

HLA-DRB1*14:183 has two nucleotide changes from HLA-DRB1-13:44, D to E and F to Y.

Opthalmological sequelae due to paintball injuries: Case studies. / Secuelas oftalmológicas por traumatismo con paintball: estudio de casos.

OBJECTIVE: Describe the ophthalmological sequelae of patients diagnosed with blunt eye injury by paintball. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were a total 14 cases with a diagnosis of blunt trauma by paintball were treated at the ophthalmology emergency department of the Barraquer Clinic in Bogotá, Colombia. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmological examination with their respective controls according to their outcome. RESULTS: The frequency of eye trauma by paintball was 3.01%. Fourteen eyes were evaluated, age range from 9 to 49 years. Cases were unilateral, 1 woman and 13 men, initial visual acuity less than 20/30 in 12 eyes. Only 5 eyes progressed satisfactorily, and 3 were surgically intervened. The cases that did not show any improvement in visual acuity were related to posterior pole problems, with the most frequent being macular alterations, choroidal rupture, choroidal detachment, retinal tear, and retinal folds. In 3eyes, clinical improvement of visual acuity was evidenced secondary to haemorrhagic processes that resolved with medical treatment. One of them underwent surgical treatment of the lens with an intraocular lens implant. In 2eyes, the visual recovery was very satisfactory and 100% in another. CONCLUSION: Paintball has increased as a sport and recreational activity, where paint projectiles are fired with compressed air weapons. It carries risks of suffering various trauma that can lead to catastrophic episodes, in terms of visual health, and repercussions on the quality of life of those affected.

Refractory ventricular fibrillation during flight / Fibrilación ventricular refractaria en vuelo.

We report the case of a patient who presented an out-of-hospital cardiorespiratory arrest while being transported by the Helicopter Emergency Service, refractory to standard, electrical and medical treatment. The patient recovered spontaneous circulation after 58 minutes with heart arrest and 31 delivered shocks. The reanimation manoeuvres were monitored with capnography (titrated over 20 mmHg EtCO2). Upon arrival at the hospital, the patient went directly to the haemodynamic laboratory where a percutaneous coronary intervention was performed, with a stent in the right coronary artery. The patient was discharged after 8 days without any neurological handicap (cerebral performance category 1).

Fibrilación ventricular refractaria en vuelo / Refractory ventricular fibrillation during flight

Presentamos el caso de un paciente que sufrió una parada cardiorrespiratoria extrahospitalaria en helicóptero sanitario, refractaria a tratamiento médico y eléctrico convencional. El paciente recuperó la circulación espontánea tras 58 minutos en paro cardiaco y 31 descargas eléctricas, estando monitorizado en todo momento de la reanimación cardiopulmonar con capnografía (valores > 20 mm/Hg). A su llegada al hospital, se le realizó una angioplastia primaria, colocándosele un stent en la arteria coronaria derecha. El paciente fue dado de alta hospitalaria, sin secuelas neurológicas (categoría de función cerebral 1) (AU)

We report the case of a patient who presented an out-of-hospital cardiorespiratory arrest while being transported by the Helicopter Emergency Service, refractory to standard, electrical and medical treatment. The patient recovered spontaneous circulation after 58 minutes with heart arrest and 31 delivered shocks. The reanimation manoeuvres were monitored with capnography (titrated over 20 mmHg EtCO2). Upon arrival at the hospital, the patient went directly to the haemodynamic laboratory where a percutaneous coronary intervention was performed, with a stent in the right coronary artery. The patient was discharged after 8 days without any neurological handicap (cerebral performance category 1) (AU)

Nuevo caso de ausencia de N20 en la evaluación precoz de anoxoisquemia cerebral mediante potenciales evocados somatosensoriales / A new case of the absence of N20 at early cerebral anoxia-ischemia evaluation by somatosensory evoked potentials

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In vitro evaluation of the amebicidal activity of Buddleia cordata (Loganiaceae, H.B.K.) on several strains of Acanthamoeba.

Infectious diseases produced by free-living amoebae from the genus Acanthamoeba have been recently recognized. The need for antiamebic compounds is urgent as the occurrence of these diseases is being registered more frequently since the late sixties. We screened the aqueous and methanolic extract of a plant used by folk medicine (Buddleia cordata) against eye and skin inflammation for antiamebic activity. We tested the extracts on 29 strains of free-living amoebae, with the result that they were amebostatic for 14 and 15 strains, respectively. We obtained linarin and vanillic acid from the extracts, but only linarin was amebostatic to all the strains and vanillic acid had no activity. However, acetyl vanillic acid had similar effects on amoebae to linarin. Threshold values of these two active compounds ranged from 31.25 microg/ml to 4 mg/ml and from 31.25 microg/ml to 8 mg/ml for linarin and acetyl vanillic acid, respectively. These differences in threshold values were observed even on several strains belonging to the same species (as in the case of A. castellanii and A. polyphaga) indicating the need of susceptibility testing for each clinical isolate of free-living amoebae.

Mode of action of Buddleja cordata verbascoside against Staphylococcus aureus.

We evaluate the mode of action of verbascoside obtained from Buddleja cordata against Staphylococcus aureus by killing kinetics and incorporation of precursors methods. Verbascoside induced lethal effect on S. aureus, by affecting protein synthesis and inhibiting leucine incorporation.

Iodanthine, a pyrrolizidine alkaloid from senecio iodanthus and senecio bracteatus

A phytochemical study of Senecio iodanthus and Senecio bracteatus afforded the new pyrrolizidine alkaloid iodanthine (3) in addition to the four known alkaloids retroisosenine (1), bulgarsenine (2), mulgediifoliine (4), and (12S)-12-hydroxyretroisosenine (6). The structure and absolute stereochemistry of the new compound (3) were determined by its spectral properties and confirmed by an X-ray diffraction analysis.

Callosine, a 3-alkyl-substituted pyrrolizidine alkaloid from senecio callosus

Two collections of Senecio callosus from different regions of Mexico contained a structural diversity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which may contribute to the easy adaptation of this species. In addition to some known compounds, two new PAs (1 and 2) were isolated, and their structures were established by chemical transformations and spectroscopic studies.

Myopic astigmatism and simple myopia correction.

A new technique for the treatment of myopic astigmatism and simple myopia correction is described. The technique is based on bioengineering concepts previously studied by the authors that accurately and mathematically describe the transformation of an ellipsoidal surface (astigmatic eye) into a spheroidal one (nonastigmatic eye) by means of minimal cuts (keratotomies). The surgical procedure is described using selected cases to illustrate the alternatives the model can handle. The model itself is not presented because the calculations were done by computer.

Our experience in intraocular foreign-body removal.

Foreign bodies embedded in the retina and choroid that cannot be extracted by a magnet and require vitreous surgery for their removal comprise a separate group. A retrospective review of 40 consecutive cases (between 1977-1990) showed that this type of trauma frequently accompanied extensive ocular damage, including corneal and or scleral perforation, disruption of the lens, significant vitreous hemorrhage, retinal and choroid hemorrhage, and retinal detachment. Intraoperative and late complications occurred frequently, making the visual and structural outcomes of such eyes uncertain; therefore, another alternative must be sought that might improve the prognosis of these eyes. In this review, we emphasize (1) the time elapsed between the accident and the removal of the foreign body and (2) the final visual acuity and the time before the surgery.

Our experience in the removal of intravitreal and subretinal cysticerci.

Ocular cysticercosis is a rather infrequent entity even in developing countries. Several treatments have been proposed depending on the location of the organism within the eye. Three cases are described, emphasizing treatment of a subretinal cysticercus with sclerotomy instead of photocoagulation.

Treating the complications of diabetic retinopathy with pars plana vitrectomy.

The results of 150 cases of pars plana vitrectomy performed at the Clínica Barraquer, Bogotá, Colombia were studied as a treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Factors considered in this study were age, indication for surgery, type of surgery, insulin dependence, risk of complication, and postoperative treatment.

Mechanical behavior of the sclera.

Induced deformations, similar to the posterior pole deformations due to advanced myopia, were studied in a series of 30 rabbits. The induced deformations were produced by means of a specially designed cup. An analysis of the applicability of the shell theory is made, and it is concluded that the thin shell theory is applicable to the mechanical study of the eyes. The basic experiment consisted of introducing a controlled deformation at different pressure levels; a wide range of types of increments and times of substained deformations were studied. It is concluded that the scleral tissue is an elastic material and has a fairly high 'Creep' rate. The material properties indicate that the eye can reaccommodate induced pressure, and thus glaucoma and myopia could be present without external indications of 'high pressure' in the eye.

Mathematical model of geometry of the eye.

A computer program was written in order to construct a geometric model of the human eye, having as a base some subroutines from the SAP IV program designed by the University of California. It was written in Fortran. In order to generate the proposed geometry, it was necessary to divide the eye into three zones, each one corresponding to a plane geometric figure, since the human eye does not correspond to any one shape. When the three zones are joined together, they form an eyeball.

Retinal detachment surgery with the OPMI-6 surgical microscope.

Various aspects of retinal detachment surgery using the OPMI-6 surgical microscope as a visual aid are discussed. The following point is made: Provided that subretinal fluid has been drained prior to retinal detachment surgery, holes or tears in the retina will be clearly visible through the OPMI-6, eliminating the need for a posterior mirror lens as a supplemental visual aid.

Corneal curvature modification by scleral surgery: preliminary results.

The preliminary results of a scleral technique designed to correct mixed and myopic compound astigmatism are given, and the mathematical basis of this technique is explained. The amount of scleral resection per diopter of astigmatism is indicated. This procedure steepens the flattest meridian and flattens the meridian localized at 90 degrees from the first one.