Tendinitis calcificante del longísimo del cuello / Acute calcific tendinitis of the longus colli muscles

RESUMEN La tendinitis calcificante prevertebral es una patología benigna y poco frecuente, con una incidencia anual de 0,5 casos por cada 100.000 habitantes. Se presenta un caso de una paciente de 52 años que consultó por cervicalgia, odinofagia y disfonía de 5 días de evolución. Tras una exploración otorrinolaringológica completa se sospechó ocupación del espacio retrofaríngeo, confirmada con pruebas de imagen. Ante estos hallazgos y con la sospecha de absceso retrofaríngeo, se decidió ingreso hospitalario para tratamiento intravenoso. Por discordancia entre la clínica, la TC y los hallazgos analíticos, se solicitó RM cervical, cuya imagen hizo sospechar una tendinitis aguda calcificante del longísimo del cuello. En este trabajo se ha realizado una revisión de la sintomatología, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de esta entidad. Consideramos importante sospecharla dentro del diagnóstico diferencial de la ocupación del espacio retrofaríngeo para evitar realizar procedimientos innecesarios.

ABSTRACT Prevertebral calcific tendinitis is a benign and infrequent pathology, with an annual incidence of 0.5 cases per 100,000 habitants. We report the case of a 52-year-old woman that presented with a 5-day history of cervicalgia, odynophagia and dysphonia. Otolaryngological examination and radiological images showed occupation of the retropharyngeal space. The patient was admitted to the hospital for intravenous treatment. A cervical MRI was requested, suggesting an acute calcific tendinitis of the longus colli muscles. The authors provide a discussion of the clinical findings, diagnosis and treatment of this condition. We consider it to be an important differential diagnosis of a retropharyngeal space occupation, in order to avoid unnecessary procedures.

[Cannabidiol: its use in refractory epilepsies]. / Cannabidiol: uso en epilepsias refractarias.

INTRODUCTION: Some epileptic syndromes are characterised by seizures that are difficult to control and are associated to delayed neuropsychomotor development, which results in a deterioration in the patient's quality of life as well as in that of his or her family. AIM: To evaluate the use of cannabidiol as adjuvant therapy in patients with refractory epilepsies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An observational study was conducted by means of a survey addressed to the patient's caregiver. Data collected included information about the patient and the caregiver, changes observed in the seizures, neuropsychological effects, side effects and the family's overall perception following the use of cannabidiol. RESULTS: The evaluation examined 15 patients with refractory epilepsies, who received cannabidiol over a period ranging from one month to one year. The frequency of seizures decreased in 40% of the patients, 60% of the patients were seen to have control over 50% of their seizures and in 27% of them the seizures disappeared completely. Neurocognitive changes were also reported: behaviour improved in 73%; 60% reported an improvement in language; in 50% sleep improved; 43% reported improvements in eating habits; and 100% said their mood had improved. The overall perception of the illness was that there had been improvements in 73% of respondents. The most common side effects were drowsiness and fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a possible beneficial effect of cannabidiol on the control of seizures and on the improvement of certain neurocognitive aspects in patients with refractory epilepsies.

TITLE: Cannabidiol: uso en epilepsias refractarias.Introduccion. Algunos sindromes epilepticos se caracterizan por crisis de dificil control y asocian un retraso en el desarrollo neuropsicomotor, lo que conlleva un deterioro en la calidad de vida del paciente y su familia. Objetivo. Evaluar el uso del cannabidiol como tratamiento adyuvante en pacientes con epilepsias refractarias. Pacientes y metodos. Se realizo un estudio observacional por medio de una encuesta dirigida a la persona cuidadora del paciente. Se valoro la informacion sobre el paciente y el cuidador, cambios observados sobre las crisis, efectos neuropsicologicos, efectos adversos y percepcion global de la familia tras el uso del cannabidiol. Resultados. Se evaluo a 15 pacientes con epilepsias refractarias, quienes recibieron cannabidiol durante un periodo de un mes a un año. En el 40% de los pacientes hubo una disminucion en la frecuencia de las crisis, en el 60% de los pacientes se observo un control de mas del 50% de las crisis y en el 27% las crisis desaparecieron totalmente. Tambien se comunicaron cambios neurocognitivos: en el 73% hubo una mejoria del comportamiento; el 60% notifico una mejoria en el lenguaje; el 50%, en el sueño; el 43%, en la alimentacion; y el 100%, en el estado de animo. La percepcion global sobre la enfermedad notifico una mejoria en el 73%. Los efectos adversos mas frecuentes fueron somnolencia y fatiga. Conclusiones. Estos resultados sugieren un posible efecto beneficioso del cannabidiol sobre el control de las crisis y en la mejoria de ciertos aspectos neurocognitivos en pacientes con epilepsias refractarias.

[Neuropsychological alterations are frequent in rolandic epilepsy and its atypical developments]. / Las alteraciones neuropsicologicas son frecuentes en la epilepsia rolandica y sus evoluciones atipicas.

INTRODUCTION: Rolandic epilepsy or benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes is called benign because its seizures are usually favourable and due to the spontaneous normalisation of the electroencephalogram on reaching puberty. Nevertheless, evidence has been found of the impact on cognitive development with the presence of heterogeneous cognitive deficits, especially related to persistent intercritical discharges during non-REM sleep. The aim of this study is to examine the epileptogenic networks involved in the neuropsychological disorders of this pathology. DEVELOPMENT: A common feature of the atypical developments is persistent epileptic activity during slow sleep, which plays an important role in the development of the neurocognitive deficits that are associated to this pathology. Factors such as the age at onset of the epilepsy, the onset of the atypical development, the location of the interictal discharges and the continuous epileptic activity during sleep that persists for more than two years can trigger changes in the functioning of the neurocognitive networks. This may result in deficits in the neuropsychological functions, which may even be irreversible. CONCLUSIONS: A close clinical and electroencephalographic follow-up is necessary. Moreover, formal neuropsychological studies must be conducted as of the onset of benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes. This is even more necessary in cases in which there is an obvious atypical development in order to detect and prevent the neuropsychological deficits before they establish themselves on a definitive basis.

TITLE: Las alteraciones neuropsicologicas son frecuentes en la epilepsia rolandica y sus evoluciones atipicas.Introduccion. La epilepsia rolandica o epilepsia benigna de la infancia con puntas centrotemporales se denomina benigna debido a lo favorables que suelen ser sus crisis y a la espontanea normalizacion del electroencefalograma al llegar a la pubertad, aunque se ha demostrado el impacto sobre el desarrollo cognitivo con la presencia de deficits cognitivos heterogeneos, relacionados especialmente con las descargas intercriticas persistentes durante el sueño no REM. El objetivo de este trabajo es estudiar las redes epileptogenas involucradas en los trastornos neuropsicologicos de esta patologia. Desarrollo. Las evoluciones atipicas tienen en comun una actividad epileptica persistente durante el sueño lento, que desempeña un papel importante en el desarrollo de los deficits neurocognitivos que se asocian a esta patologia. Factores como la edad de inicio de la epilepsia, el inicio de la evolucion atipica, la localizacion de las descargas interictales y la actividad epileptica continua durante el sueño que persista durante mas de dos años pueden provocar cambios en el funcionamiento de las redes neurocognitivas, con los consecuentes deficits en las funciones neuropsicologicas, que incluso pueden resultar irreversibles. Conclusiones. Es necesario un seguimiento cercano tanto clinico como electroencefalografico; ademas, deben realizarse estudios neuropsicologicos formales desde el inicio de la epilepsia benigna de la infancia con puntas centrotemporales y mas en los casos que es evidente una evolucion atipica para detectar y prevenir los deficits neuropsicologicos antes de que se instauren definitivamente.

Pseudonocardia hispaniensis sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from industrial wastewater activated sludge.

A novel actinomycete, designated PA3(T), was isolated from an oil refinery wastewater treatment plant, located in Palos de la Frontera, Huelva, Spain, and characterized taxonomically by using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate formed a distinct subclade in the Pseudonocardia tree together with Pseudonocardia asaccharolytica DSM 44247(T). The chemotaxonomic properties of the isolate, for example, the presence of MK-8 (H(4)) as the predominant menaquinone and iso-C(16:0) as the major fatty acid, are consistent with its classification in the genus Pseudonocardia. DNA:DNA pairing experiments between the isolate and the type strain of P. asaccharolytica DSM 44247(T) showed that they belonged to separate genomic species. The two strains were readily distinguished using a combination of phenotypic properties. Consequently, it is proposed that isolate PA3(T) represents a novel species for which the name Pseudonocardia hispaniensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PA3(T) (= CCM 8391(T) = CECT 8030(T)).

Bacteria involved in sulfur amendment oxidation and acidification processes of alkaline 'alperujo' compost.

Eight strains of sulfur oxidizing bacteria were isolated from alkaline 'alperujo' compost, seven being identified as Paracoccus thiocyanatus and one as Halothiobacillus neapolitanus. This was the first time that P. thiocyanatus was isolated from mature compost. Acidification capability of isolated strains was compared with type strains H. neapolitanus CIP104769, Thiobacillus denitrificans CIP104767 and Thiomonas intermedia CIP104401. Indigenous P. thiocyanatus strains were as much as or more efficient for acidifying compost than type strains. Sulfur oxidizing population naturally occurring in compost showed maximum acidification efficiency and no extra effect was found with the help of type strains. pH reduction caused by S○ was paralleled by a decrease in CaCO3 and an increase in CaSO4 and salinity levels. A remarkable increase in cultivable sulfur oxidizing bacteria population along with the acidification process was also recorded. Amended compost showed a range of chemical and biological characteristics suitable for use as container media constituent.

LNA probes in a real-time TaqMan PCR assay for genotyping of Giardia duodenalis in wastewaters.

AIMS: This study describes an approach for genotyping Giardia cysts obtained from wastewater treatment plants (WTPs) in Spain using real-time PCR (qPCR) in combination with immunomagnetic beads. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 50-cycle amplification of a 74-bp fragment of the Giardia beta-giardin gene was adopted from a previous qPCR method. Additionally, two locked nucleic acid (LNA) probes were designed (LNA P434 P1 for assemblage A and LNA P434 H3 for assemblage B). All 16 wastewater samples analysed were positive with the immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Assemblage A was detected in all WTP samples using primer-LNA probe P434 P1 set. Giardia duodenalis identification was confirmed by PCR-RFLP analysis and sequencing of the beta-giardin gene in the water samples found positive by IFA and qPCR. Among the 16 assemblage A isolates that were sequenced, two subtypes were identified; 11 corresponded to the A2 subgenotype, whereas three corresponded to the subgenotype A3. A mixture of subgenotypes was found in the remaining two isolates. CONCLUSIONS: The newly developed qPCR assays were able to discern G. duodenalis assemblages A and B in wastewater. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The real-time PCR assays provided a rapid method for detection and one-step genotyping of G. duodenalis from wastewater samples, and its application would contribute to understanding the distribution and abundance of G. duodenalis assemblages A and B in wastewater.

Room temperature vulcanizing silicone sheaths on a reusable support for progesterone delivery in estrous synchronization treatments in cattle.

High temperature vulcanizing silicone elastomers have been widely used in controlled delivery systems of steroid hormones with the aim of controlling estrous cycle in livestock. This paper reports experiments conducted to evaluate the possibility of using room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone elastomers for the intravaginal administration of progesterone to cattle. In vitro studies showed that RTV silicones and high-temperature vulcanizing silicone release progesterone at a similar rate. Y-shaped inserts made of different polymers were designed as supports of RTV silicone sheaths to test the in vivo release of progesterone. Field evaluation showed that RTV silicone sheaths containing 0.75 g of progesterone were at least as effective at estrous synchronization as commercially available intravaginal inserts.

Los repositorios institucionales: análisis de la situación internacional y principios generales para Cuba / Institutional repositories: analysis of the international situation and general principles for Cuba

El desarrollo y crecimiento de las estrategias que forman parte del llamado Movimiento de Acceso Abierto, representa un beneficio fundamental para la comunicación científica mundial. Los repositorios institucionales, que atesoran la producción científica de los miembros de una institución científica o académica, constituyen la vía más propicia para elevar la visibilidad y el impacto de la investigación. Por medio del análisis documental de la bibliografía nacional e internacional, las entrevistas realizadas a expertos y el análisis documental de repositorios institucionales de todo el mundo fue posible caracterizar esta clase de repositorios e identificar sus elementos más relevantes, debilidades y fortalezas en una muestra de aquellos que se encuentran activos. El análisis de estos aspectos fundamentales permitió proponer acciones para minimizar los riesgos asociados con la creación de repositorios en Cuba y enunciar algunos principios generales útiles para su construcción(AU)

The development and growth of the strategies of what is known as the Open Access Movement represent a fundamental benefit for the scientific communication worldwide. Institutional repositories, which treasure the scientific production of the members of a given scientific or academic institution, are the best way to elevate the visibility and impact of research. Through the documental analysis of national and international bibliography, interviews to experts and the documental analysis of institutional repositories all over the world, it was possible to characterize this kind of repositories and to identify their most important elements, weaknesses and strengths. The analysis of such basic aspects allowed us to propose actions to minimize the risk associated with the implementation of repositories in Cuba and to enunciate some general principles useful for their construction(AU)

Los repositorios institucionales: análisis de la situación internacional y principios generales para Cuba / Institutional repositories: analysis of the international situation and general principles for Cuba

El desarrollo y crecimiento de las estrategias que forman parte del llamado Movimiento de Acceso Abierto, representa un beneficio fundamental para la comunicación científica mundial. Los repositorios institucionales, que atesoran la producción científica de los miembros de una institución científica o académica, constituyen la vía más propicia para elevar la visibilidad y el impacto de la investigación. Por medio del análisis documental de la bibliografía nacional e internacional, las entrevistas realizadas a expertos y el análisis documental de repositorios institucionales de todo el mundo fue posible caracterizar esta clase de repositorios e identificar sus elementos más relevantes, debilidades y fortalezas en una muestra de aquellos que se encuentran activos. El análisis de estos aspectos fundamentales permitió proponer acciones para minimizar los riesgos asociados con la creación de repositorios en Cuba y enunciar algunos principios generales útiles para su construcción.

The development and growth of the strategies of what is known as the Open Access Movement represent a fundamental benefit for the scientific communication worldwide. Institutional repositories, which treasure the scientific production of the members of a given scientific or academic institution, are the best way to elevate the visibility and impact of research. Through the documental analysis of national and international bibliography, interviews to experts and the documental analysis of institutional repositories all over the world, it was possible to characterize this kind of repositories and to identify their most important elements, weaknesses and strengths. The analysis of such basic aspects allowed us to propose actions to minimize the risk associated with the implementation of repositories in Cuba and to enunciate some general principles useful for their construction.

Determinación de la concentración de esmolol en plasma por cromatografía gaseosa acoplada a un detector nitrogeno-fósforo / Determination of esmolol concentration in plasm by gas chromatography coupled to a nitrogen-phosphorus detector

Este artículo describe el desarrollo y validación de un método analítico alternativo para la cuantificación de esmolol, un b-bloqueador de acción ultra corta, en plasma humano, usando un cromatógrafo de gases acoplado a un detector de Nitrógeno - Fósforo. El procedimiento analítico es preciso y exacto. Con una precisión en el rango de: 4.1 por ciento al 19.7 por ciento, una exactitud en un rango de: 2.5 por cietno al 25.9 por ciento. La curva es lineal para concentraciones de concentraciones en el rango de 6,25-1000 ng/ml; con un coeficiente de correlación medio de 0.9995 cuando se usa como estándar interno propranolol. Los tiempos de retención para el esmolol y el propanolol son de 12.87 ± 0.04 min y 11.65 ± 0.05 min respectivamente. El procedimiento es simple y sensible ya que no requiere de reextracción o derivatización del esmolol y su límite de cuantificación es de 6.25 ng/mL. Por esto, permite medir concentraciones plasmáticas de esmolol en individuos a los que se les administren dosis bajas.

Level ground and uphill cycling ability in professional road cycling.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the physiological capacities and performance of professional road cyclists in relation to their morphotype-dependent speciality. METHODS: 24 world-class cyclists, classified as flat terrain (FT, N = 5), time trial (TT, N = 4), all terrain (AT, N = 6). and uphill (UH, N = 9) specialists, completed an incremental laboratory cycling test to assess maximal power output (Wmax), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), lactate threshold (LT), and onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA). RESULTS: UH had a higher frontal area (FA):body mass (BM) ratio (5.23 +/- 0.09 m2 x kg(-1) x 10(-3)) than FT and TT (P < 0.05). FT showed the highest absolute Wmax (481 +/- 18 W), and UH the highest Wmax relative to BM (6.47 +/- 0.33 W x kg(-1)). WLT and W(OBLA) values were significantly higher in FT (356 +/- 41 and 417 +/- 45 W) and TT (357 +/- 41 and 409 +/- 46 W) than in UH (308 +/- 46 and 356 +/- 41). Scaling of these values relative to FA and BM exponents 0.32 and 0.79 minimized group differences, but considerable differences among mean group values remained. FT and TT had the highest Wmax per FA unit (1300 +/- 62 and 1293 +/- 57 W x m2), whereas TT had the highest absolute W x kg(-0.32) and W x kg(-0.79), as well as W x kg(-0.32), W x kg(-0.79), and W x m2 at the LT and OBLA. CONCLUSIONS: i) Scaling of maximal and submaximal physiological values showed a performance advantage of TT over FT, AT, and UH in all cycling terrains and conditions; and ii) mass exponents of 0.32 and 1 were the most appropriate to evaluate level and uphill cycling ability, respectively, whereas absolute Wmax values are recommended for performance-prediction in short events on level terrain, and W(LT) and W(OBLA) in longer time trials and uphill cycling.

Validity of a velodrome test for competitive road cyclists.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of a velodrome field test consisting of repeated rides of 2,280 m, with an initial speed of 28 km.h-1 and increments of 1.5 km.h-1 interspersed with 1-min recovery periods until exhaustion. A group of 12 male competitive road cyclists performed maximal cycling tests under velodrome and laboratory conditions. Velodrome oxygen uptake (VO2) and power output were estimated using equations previously published. Physiological responses to the two tests were compared. Relationships between performance in the velodrome and physiological parameters measured in the laboratory were studied. Maximal power output, heart rate and VO2 were similar in the velodrome and the laboratory [372 (SD 50) vs 365 (SD 36) W, 195 (SD 8) vs 196 (SD 9) beats.min-1 and 4.49 (SD 0.56) vs 4.49 (SD 0.46) l.min-1, respectively], while maximal velodrome blood lactate concentration was significantly higher [13.5 (SD 2.1) vs 11.8 (SD 3.1) mmol.l-1]. Velodrome heart rate was higher at submaximal exercise intensities representing 40%, 50% and 60% of maximal aerobic power, and velodrome blood lactate concentration was also higher at 60%, 70% and 80% of maximal aerobic power. The laboratory parameter that showed the highest correlation with the maximal cycling speed in the velodrome was maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) expressed per unit of body mass (r = 0.93). In addition, the accuracy of different methods of estimation of the metabolic cost of cycling, rolling resistance, air resistance coefficients and VO2max were compared. Significant differences were found. In conclusion, the present results indicated the validity of a velodrome test used to estimate maximal aerobic parameters of competitive road cyclists, as long as the estimation is made using established equations. When road cyclists are tested in the laboratory, physiological values should be expressed per unit of body surface area or body mass, to predict more accurately the cyclist's performance level under specific field conditions.

Tratamiento del quemado, con rifamicina topica. / Treatment of the burned patient with topic rifamycin

Se presentan los resultados obtenidos en 25 pacientes quemados tratados con rifamicina spray siguiendo el metodo abierto poniendo atencion especial al proceso de epitelizacion. En promedio, la formacion de la escara se tomo 5 dias y se elimino en 13. El medicamento fue bien tolerado

Artritis reumatoide: Estudio inmunoelectroforético / Rheumatoid arthrtis. An immunoelectrophoretic study

Se realizó un estudio inmunoelectroforético en 20 pacientes que presentaban artritis reumatoide, y se encontró un aumento moderado de las IgG, IgA e IgM. Se evidenció en todos los pacientes en la corrida electroforética aumento de alfa 2 y positividad para la prueba del factor reumatoideo del 60 por ciento(AU)