Microscopic lesions and modulation of gene expression in cervical medulla during BoAHV-1and BoAHV-5 infection: A mini-review.

Bovine herpesvirus (BoAHV) types 1 and 5 are closely-related neurotropic alpha-herpesviruses. BoAHV-1 generally causes respiratory and genital disease but can occasionally cause encephalitis. BoAHV-5 is the causative agent of non suppurative meningoencephalitis in calves. During neuroinvasion, both viruses reach the central and peripheral nervous system. While brain alterations are well-described, the changes that occur in the medulla have not been fully detailed. In this work, we integrated and analyzed the virological findings, the microscopic lesions and the changes that occur in the expression of genes related to the innate immunity, cell cycle and apoptosis in the cervical medulla of calves experimentally-infected with BoAHV-1 and BoAHV-5. This will contribute to the understanding of the differential neuropathogenesis of these alpha-herpesviruses of cattle.

A giant exoplanet orbiting a very-low-mass star challenges planet formation models.

Surveys have shown that super-Earth and Neptune-mass exoplanets are more frequent than gas giants around low-mass stars, as predicted by the core accretion theory of planet formation. We report the discovery of a giant planet around the very-low-mass star GJ 3512, as determined by optical and near-infrared radial-velocity observations. The planet has a minimum mass of 0.46 Jupiter masses, very high for such a small host star, and an eccentric 204-day orbit. Dynamical models show that the high eccentricity is most likely due to planet-planet interactions. We use simulations to demonstrate that the GJ 3512 planetary system challenges generally accepted formation theories, and that it puts constraints on the planet accretion and migration rates. Disk instabilities may be more efficient in forming planets than previously thought.

Neuroimmunological interactions in stroke. / Interacciones neuroinmunológicas en el ictus.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in the world; its incidence is increasing due to increased life expectancy. However, treatment options for these patients are limited since no clinically effective drugs have been developed to date. DEVELOPMENT: According to clinical evidence, a number of neurochemical changes take place after stroke, including energy depletion, increased free radical synthesis, calcium accumulation, neurotransmitter imbalance, excitotoxicity, and, at a later stage, immune system activation leading to inflammation. Immune response has been shown to be a major factor in disease progression. The release of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF increase brain damage secondary to excitotoxicity and calcium accumulation, and promote free radical synthesis and cell death through various mechanisms. On the other hand, certain anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-10 and IL-4, have been shown to have a neuroprotective effect and even promote neurogenesis and synapse remodeling, which makes immune modulation a promising treatment approach. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the relationship between the immune system and the nervous system not only deepens our knowledge of stroke but also provides new diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic strategies that may increase the quality of life of stroke patients.

Estudio de caso. Terapia del movimiento inducido por restricción en parálisis cerebral infantil / Case report. Constraint-induced movement therapy in childhood cerebral palsy

Introducción. El caso trata de una niña de 30 meses de edad diagnosticada de parálisis cerebral con hemiparesia espástica. La intervención desde atención temprana se fundamenta en la aplicación de un protocolo modificado de terapia del movimiento inducido en entornos naturales (hogar y colegio). Objetivos. El objetivo es mejorar el desempeño ocupacional e incrementar el uso voluntario de la mano parética en actividades bimanuales, basándose en la estimulación neurológica implícita en el aprendizaje motor. Resultados. Mejora del desempeño en actividades de la vida diaria. Se registraron ganancias a nivel emocional y actitudinal. AHA incrementa 7 puntos. PDMS-2 suma 2 puntos en visual motora y 2 puntos en edad equivalente. A nivel funcional se alcanzan ganancias en 8 de los 10 objetivos (Goal Attainment Scale). Los resultados obtenidos invitan a seguir investigando el potencial de esta herramienta en entornos naturales (AU)

Introduction. We report the case of a 30-month-old girl with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Early Intervention was based on an eco-modified protocol of constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT). Objectives. The objectives were to improve occupational development and to increase spontaneous upper limb use during bimanual activities by means of neurological stimulation involved in the leaning of motor skills. Results. There was improvement in the development of activities of daily living, as well as emotional and attitudinal gains. An increment of 7 points was recorded in the assisting hand assessment (AHA). The Peabody developmental motor sclaes-2 (PDMS-2) increased 2 points in the visual motor (VM) subtest and another 2 points in equivalent age (EA). In functional goals, progress was achieved in 8 of the 10 objectives (Goal Attainment Scale). The results obtained encourage us to keep investigating the potential of this tool in natural environments (AU)

Sequential use with imiquimod and surgery in extramammary Paget's disease.

Extramammary Paget's disease is an uncommon intraepithelial adenocarcinoma which occurs in areas rich in apocrine glands. Although surgery is the treatment of choice, numerous noninvasive treatments have been tried. There are studies that have demonstrated the efficacy of imiquimod to treat Extramammary Paget's disease, but we found no mention in the literature of its use as neoadjuvant therapy previous to surgery excision. We present a case of a large plaque of extramammary Paget's disease successfully treated with imiquimod and minor surgery of the residual disease.

A Pluto-like radius and a high albedo for the dwarf planet Eris from an occultation.

The dwarf planet Eris is a trans-Neptunian object with an orbital eccentricity of 0.44, an inclination of 44 degrees and a surface composition very similar to that of Pluto. It resides at present at 95.7 astronomical units (1 AU is the Earth-Sun distance) from Earth, near its aphelion and more than three times farther than Pluto. Owing to this great distance, measuring its size or detecting a putative atmosphere is difficult. Here we report the observation of a multi-chord stellar occultation by Eris on 6 November 2010 UT. The event is consistent with a spherical shape for Eris, with radius 1,163 ± 6 kilometres, density 2.52 ± 0.05 grams per cm(3) and a high visible geometric albedo, Pv = 0.96(+0.09)(-0.04). No nitrogen, argon or methane atmospheres are detected with surface pressure larger than ∼1 nanobar, about 10,000 times more tenuous than Pluto's present atmosphere. As Pluto's radius is estimated to be between 1,150 and 1,200 kilometres, Eris appears as a Pluto twin, with a bright surface possibly caused by a collapsed atmosphere, owing to its cold environment. We anticipate that this atmosphere may periodically sublimate as Eris approaches its perihelion, at 37.8 astronomical units from the Sun.

Utilidad de las pruebas epicutáneas en el eczema de manos en niños: estudio comparativo con el eczema en la edad pediátrica y con el eczema de manos en adultos / Usefulness of Skin-Prick Tests in Children With Hand Eczema: Comparison With Their Use in Childhood and Adult Eczema

Introducción: El eczema de manos en la edad infantil no es infrecuente, pero raramente es estudiado mediante pruebas epicutáneas. Existen pocos trabajos que estudien la utilidad de las mismas en los niños, pero no existe ninguno que aborde su utilidad en el eczema de manos en la población infantil. Material y métodos: Realizamos un estudio retrospectivo con todos los niños (0-16 años) con eczema de manos estudiados en la Sección de Dermatología del Hospital General Universitario de Alicante con la batería estándar del GEIDAC durante los últimos 5 años. Comparamos los datos epidemiológicos y los resultados de las pruebas epicutáneas de este grupo con los obtenidos en la población infantil con eczema de cualquier localización y en los adultos con eczema de manos. Resultados: Estudiamos 1.695 pacientes, 141 (8,3%) niños y 1.553 (91,7%) adultos. 496/1.553 (31,9%) adultos y 32/141 (22,7%) niños presentaban eczema de manos. El 50% de los niños con eczema de manos, frente al 37,6% de los niños con eczema y el 50,6% de los adultos con eczema de manos presentaron algún alérgeno positivo en las pruebas epicutáneas. La relevancia presente de los alérgenos positivos encontrados en los niños con eczema de manos (76,2%) fue mayor que las obtenidas en los niños con eczema (61%) y los adultos con eczema de manos (43%). Los alérgenos más frecuentes en los niños con eczema de manos fueron el kathon CG y la mezcla de fragancias I, mientras que en los otros dos grupos fueron los metales. El diagnóstico final más frecuente en niños con eczema de manos fue el eczema de contacto alérgico (34,3%) por delante de la dermatitis atópica. Conclusión: Recomendamos la realización de pruebas epicutáneas a todo niño con eczema crónico de manos (AU)

Background: Hand eczema is not uncommon in children but it is rarely studied using skin-prick tests. Few reports have addressed their usefulness in children and none has specifically analyzed their use in children with hand eczema. Material and methods: We performed a retrospective study of all children up to 16years of age with hand eczema who were assessed in the Department of Dermatology at Hospital General Universitario in Alicante, Spain with the standard GEIDAC panel over a 5-year period. We compared the epidemiologic data and results of skin-prick tests in this group with those obtained in children with eczema at any site and in adults with hand eczema. Results: The study included a total of 1695 patients: 141 (8.3%) children and 1533 (91.7%) adults. Hand eczema was diagnosed in 496 (31.9%) adults and 32 (22.7%) children. Positive results were obtained in skin-prick tests in 50% of children with hand eczema compared with 37.6% of children with eczema at any site and 50.6% of adults with hand eczema. The current relevance of the positive allergens found in children with hand eczema (76.2%) was greater than that observed in children with eczema at any site (61%) or in adults with hand eczema (43%). The most common allergens in children with hand eczema were kathon CG and fragrance mix I, whereas in the other 2 groups metals were the most common. The most common final diagnosis in children with hand eczema was allergic contact dermatitis (34.3%), which proved to be more common than atopic dermatitis. Conclusions: We recommend the use of skin-prick tests in all children with chronic hand eczema (AU)

Severe sorafenib-induced hand-foot skin reaction.

Sorafenib is a new drug, multikinase inhibitor, which has been recently approved for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma. Up to 90 percent of patients receiving this drug have been reported to develop dermatological symptoms. Recently, it has been suggested that the appearance of skin toxicity during therapy may indicate antitumor activity. We report a new case of sorafenib-induced severe hand-foot skin reaction, which hindered the patient's normal life. The reaction was successfully treated with topical costicosteroids and discontinuation of sorafenib. However, the patient died one month later.

[Usefulness of skin-prick tests in children with hand eczema: comparison with their use in childhood and adult eczema]. / Utilidad de las pruebas epicutáneas en el eczema de manos en niños: estudio comparativo con el eczema en la edad pediátrica y con el eczema de manos en adultos.

BACKGROUND: Hand eczema is not uncommon in children but it is rarely studied using skin-prick tests. Few reports have addressed their usefulness in children and none has specifically analyzed their use in children with hand eczema. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of all children up to 16years of age with hand eczema who were assessed in the Department of Dermatology at Hospital General Universitario in Alicante, Spain with the standard GEIDAC panel over a 5-year period. We compared the epidemiologic data and results of skin-prick tests in this group with those obtained in children with eczema at any site and in adults with hand eczema. RESULTS: The study included a total of 1695 patients: 141 (8.3%) children and 1533 (91.7%) adults. Hand eczema was diagnosed in 496 (31.9%) adults and 32 (22.7%) children. Positive results were obtained in skin-prick tests in 50% of children with hand eczema compared with 37.6% of children with eczema at any site and 50.6% of adults with hand eczema. The current relevance of the positive allergens found in children with hand eczema (76.2%) was greater than that observed in children with eczema at any site (61%) or in adults with hand eczema (43%). The most common allergens in children with hand eczema were kathon CG and fragrance mix I, whereas in the other 2 groups metals were the most common. The most common final diagnosis in children with hand eczema was allergic contact dermatitis (34.3%), which proved to be more common than atopic dermatitis. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend the use of skin-prick tests in all children with chronic hand eczema.

El timerosal en la práctica pediátrica / Assisted reproductive techniques and child health

El mercurio no tiene ninguna función fisiológica en el cuerpo humano y está ampliamente distribuido en la naturaleza. Puede ser tóxico por inhalación, ingestión o contacto. El timerosal es una sal orgánica de mercurio usada como antiséptico y antifúngico desde 1928. Desde finales de la década de 1990, el mercurio empezó a ser retirado de los medicamentos y materiales de uso clínico. Se ha hecho un esfuerzo para eliminar el timerosal de las vacunas siguiendo el principio de precaución, pues no hay evidencias científicas que avalen un daño cerebral atribuible al timerosal. No se ha encontrado ninguna asociación entre su uso y el riesgo de desarrollar autismo. Actualmente, en los países de nuestro entorno solo se usa en muy pocas vacunas en envases multidosis, y todas las incluidas en los calendarios oficiales españoles, así como las de uso común en niños fuera de ellos (neumocócicas y rotavirus), están libres de timerosal. No obstante, la OMS ha reiterado que las vacunas que contienen timerosal pueden seguir utilizándose, especialmente en el Tercer Mundo donde, por necesidades logísticas, se utilizan envases multidosis, pues el riesgo ­real de enfermedad y muerte por enfermedades vacunables en quienes no se vacunan es muy superior al riesgo hipotético derivado del su uso. Como con cualquier otro medicamento, pueden presentarse reacciones de hipersensibilidad al timerosal, generalmente locales. Los esfuerzos investigadores sobre determinados problemas neurológicos como el autismo deberían encaminarse a buscar sus verdaderas causas en lugar de a sembrar dudas sobre la seguridad de las vacunas (AU)

Mercury has no physiological function in the human body and is widely distributed in nature. It may be toxic by inhalation, ingestion or contact. Thimerosal is an organic salt of mercury used as an antiseptic and antifungal since 1928. Since the late 1990s, mercury began to be withdrawn from drugs and materials for clinical use. An effort has been made to remove thimerosal from vaccines as a precautionary principle, since there is no scientific evidence to substantiate that brain damage can be attributable to thimerosal. No connection has been found between its use and the risk of developing autism. In the Western World it is only currently used in very few vaccines in multidose containers, whereas all those included in Spanish Schedules, as well as in those commonly used for children outside them (pneumococcal and rotavirus), are free from thimerosal. However, the WHO has reiterated that vaccines containing thimerosal may still be used, especially in the Third World where, for logistical needs, multidose containers are used, as the real risk of illness and death by vaccianble diseases in those who do not get vaccinated is much higher than the hypothetical risk arising from their use. As with any medicine, there may be hypersensitivity reactions to thimerosal, usually local. Research efforts should be directed towards finding the real causes of neurological problems like autism instead of throwing doubts about the safety of vaccines (AU)

p53 regulates the transcription of its Delta133p53 isoform through specific response elements contained within the TP53 P2 internal promoter.

The tumor suppressor p53 protein is activated by genotoxic stress and regulates genes involved in senescence, apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest. Nine p53 isoforms have been described that may modulate suppressive functions of the canonical p53 protein. Among them, Delta133p53 lacks the 132 proximal residues and has been shown to modulate p53-induced apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest. Delta133p53 is expressed from a specific mRNA, p53I4, driven by an alternative promoter P2 located between intron 1 and exon 5 of TP53 gene. Here, we report that the P2 promoter is regulated in a p53-dependent manner. Delta133p53 expression is increased in response to DNA damage by doxorubicin in p53 wild-type cell lines, but not in p53-mutated cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase assays using P2 promoter deletion constructs indicate that p53 binds functional response elements located within the P2 promoter. We also show that Delta133p53 does not bind specifically to p53 consensus DNA sequence in vitro, but competes with wild-type p53 in specific DNA-binding assays. Finally, we report that Delta133p53 counteracts p53-dependent growth suppression in clonogenic assays. These observations indicate that Delta133p53 is a novel target of p53 that may participate in a negative feedback loop controlling p53 function.

Tumores del estroma gastrointestinal. Estudio retrospectivo de 43 casos / No disponible

Introducción: los tumores del estroma gastrointestinal (GIST)son poco frecuentes, con una incidencia de 10 a 20 casos por millónde habitantes y año. Aparecen en todo el tubo digestivo, mesenterioo epiplón adyacente; siendo más frecuentes en el estómago(60-70%); también pueden aparecer en el intestino delgado(20-25%), colon y recto (5%) y esófago (< 5%). Su presentaciónvaría desde pequeños nódulos asintomáticos hasta formas másagresivas. Su clasificación se realiza actualmente con base a loscriterios de Fletcher.Objetivo: revisión y caracterización de los casos de GIST observadosen nuestro centro durante un periodo de 10 años.Métodos: estudio retrospectivo de pacientes diagnosticadoscon GIST (identificados por criterios inmunohistoquímicos) desdeenero de 1997 hasta diciembre de 2007 y clasificados por los criteriosde Fletcher.Resultados: se estudiaron 43 pacientes (24 hombres y 19mujeres), con una edad media de 62,7 años. La mayoría de losGIST encontrados se localizaban en el estómago (n = 20, 46,5%),intestino delgado (n = 18, 41,9%) y en 5 casos se detectaroncomo metástasis de un tumor oculto. Dieciocho casos fueron asintomáticos.Por los criterios de Fletcher 19 eran casos de alto riesgo,7 de riesgo intermedio, 12 de bajo riesgo y 5 de riesgoindeterminado. Diez pacientes fallecieron por progresión de la enfermedady 13 pacientes presentaron metástasis a distancia.Conclusiones: en nuestra serie, tal como en la literatura, se observaun predominio del sexo masculino y mayor frecuencia de localizacióngástrica. La supervivencia fue del 42% a los 5 años. La aplicaciónde los criterios de Fletcher fue consistente con la evolución

Background: gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare(10 to 20/million). They exist in the whole digestive system andits surroundings, and are most common in the stomach (70%), followedby the small intestine (20-25%), colon and rectum (5%),and esophagus (< 5%). Their clinical presentation varies fromsmall, incidentally found nodules to large and aggressive tumors.Nowadays GISTs are classified according to Fletcher’s classification.Objective: to review the features of our GIST population.Methods: a retrospective study of GIST patients identified byimmunohistochemical criteria, from 1997 to December 2007,and classified according to Fletcher’s criteria.Results: 43 patients were included (24 men, 19 women)with a mean age of 62.7 years. Gastric GISTs (20 cases,46.5%), small intestine GISTs (18 cases, 41.9%); in 5 casesmetastases of occult tumors were found. Eighteen cases had nosymptoms. Tumors were classified according to Fletcher’s criteriaas high-risk (n = 19), intermediate-risk (n = 7), low-risk (n = 12),and indeterminate-risk (n = 5). Death occurred in 10 patients,and 13 patients had metastatic disease.Conclusions: our results are in accordance with the world literature,in which a majority of cases are men with gastric tumors.The 5-year survival rate was 42%. Fletcher’s criteria were easilyapplicable criteria and could predict tumor behavior

[Gastrointestinal stromal tumors - a retrospective study of 43 cases]. / Tumores del estroma gastrointestinal. Estudio retrospectivo de 43 casos.

BACKGROUND: gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare (10 to 20/million). They exist in the whole digestive system and its surroundings, and are most common in the stomach (70%), followed by the small intestine (20-25%), colon and rectum (5%), and esophagus ( < 5%). Their clinical presentation varies from small, incidentally found nodules to large and aggressive tumors. Nowadays GISTs are classified according to Fletcher s classification. OBJECTIVE: to review the features of our GIST population. METHODS: a retrospective study of GIST patients identified by immunohistochemical criteria, from 1997 to December 2007, and classified according to Fletcher s criteria. RESULTS: 43 patients were included (24 men, 19 women) with a mean age of 62.7 years. Gastric GISTs (20 cases, 46.5%), small intestine GISTs (18 cases, 41.9%); in 5 cases metastases of occult tumors were found. Eighteen cases had no symptoms. Tumors were classified according to Fletcher s criteria as high-risk (n = 19), intermediate-risk (n = 7), low-risk (n = 12), and indeterminate-risk (n = 5). Death occurred in 10 patients, and 13 patients had metastatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: our results are in accordance with the world literature, in which a majority of cases are men with gastric tumors. The 5-year survival rate was 42%. Fletcher s criteria were easily applicable criteria and could predict tumor behavior.

La enfermedad meningocócica C en España. ¿Es necesario modificar la pauta de vacunación? / Meningococcal C disease in Spain. Is it necessary to change the vaccination schedule?

Se expone la trayectoria de la vacuna conjugada frente a Neisseria meningitidis serogrupo Cen España desde su introducción en el calendario, sus pautas de utilización y el seguimiento desu efectividad clínica. Se comenta la posibilidad de reducir el número de dosis en la pauta deprimovacunación en los lactantes, la conveniencia de una dosis de recuerdo en el segundo añode vida, en vista de la rápida disminución de la efectividad en los que recibieron la vacuna siendolactantes, las posibles actuaciones sobre la población adolescente y algunas estrategias devacunación futuras

Concise review regarding the evolution of the polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccineagainst serogroup C Neisseria meningitidis since its introduction in the immunization schedulein Spain, its administration guidelines and the follow up of its clinical effectiveness. Theauthor considers the possibility of reducing the number of vaccine doses for infants, the advisabilityof a booster shot in the second year of life, due to its reduced effectiveness in thosevaccinated as infants, possible interventions in the adolescent population and some immunizationschedules for the future

Endometrial cancer in polyps: a clinical study of 27 cases.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: To review risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, and histopathologic findings in 27 cases of endometrial cancer in polyps. METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective study of 204 consecutive patients with endometrial carcinoma who were diagnosed at our institution between June 1998 to June 2001. Endometrial cancer arising in polyps occurred in 27 patients (13.2%) and accounted for 1.8% of 1492 endometrial polyps diagnosed during this period. RESULTS: Patients had a mean age of 62 years. All except one woman were postmenopausal. Three breast cancer patients were currently given tamoxifen. Metrorrhagia was the presenting symptom in 74% of cases, although 22% of patients were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis. Ultrasonography performed in 22 patients showed images compatible with an endometrial polyp in 50% of cases, myoma in 5%, and inconclusive findings in 45%. The median endometrial thickness was 11 mm (range 4-33 mm). Diagnosis was made by aspiration-biopsy in 13 patients and by hysteroscopic endometrial sampling in 13 (in one patient endometrial carcinoma was incidentally found in the surgical specimen). All patients were in FIGO Stage IA. Endometrioid carcinoma was found in 81.5% of cases. Retroperitoneal metastases were not found in 25 patients undergoing pelvic lymphadenectomy, nor neoplastic growth in the specimens of six polypeptomies performed during hysteroscopy. All patients are free of relapse after a mean follow-up of 30 months. CONCLUSIONS: Postmenopausal women with endometrial polyps diagnosed by ultrasonography should undergo directed biopsies under hysteroscopic vision. The present series confirms the good prognosis of endometrial cancer in polyps.

Linfohistiocitosis hemofagocítica con afectación parenquimatosa del sistema nervioso central / Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis with parenchymatous affectation of the central nervous system

Los síndromes histiocíticos más frecuentes en la infancia se pueden agrupar en histiocitosis de Langerhans e histiocitosis de fagocitos mononucleares, de los cuales el más frecuente es la linfohistiocitosis hemofagocítica. Ésta agrupa formas familiares de herencia autosómica recesiva y formas esporádicas que pueden aparecer tras un proceso infeccioso o en neoplasias. La linfohistiocitosis hemofagocítica es un importante diagnóstico diferencial en niños con fiebre prolongada, pancitopenia y hepatolesplenomegalia. La afectación neurológica es frecuente en esta enfermedad. La gravedad de las lesiones des sistema nervioso central son variables: desde la mera infiltración histiocitaria hasta la necrosis y hemorragia paarenquimatosa. Presentamos el caso de una niña de seis meses de edad que falleció por las complicaciones neurológicas de esta enfermedad (AU)