Rat superior colliculus encodes the transition between static and dynamic vision modes.

The visual continuity illusion involves a shift in visual perception from static to dynamic vision modes when the stimuli arrive at high temporal frequency, and is critical for recognizing objects moving in the environment. However, how this illusion is encoded across the visual pathway remains poorly understood, with disparate frequency thresholds at retinal, cortical, and behavioural levels suggesting the involvement of other brain areas. Here, we employ a multimodal approach encompassing behaviour, whole-brain functional MRI, and electrophysiological measurements, for investigating the encoding of the continuity illusion in rats. Behavioural experiments report a frequency threshold of 18±2 Hz. Functional MRI reveal that superior colliculus signals transition from positive to negative at the behaviourally-driven threshold, unlike thalamic and cortical areas. Electrophysiological recordings indicate that these transitions are underpinned by neural activation/suppression. Lesions in the primary visual cortex reveal this effect to be intrinsic to the superior colliculus (under a cortical gain effect). Our findings highlight the superior colliculus' crucial involvement in encoding temporal frequency shifts, especially the change from static to dynamic vision modes.

Evaluation of the effect of triclosan coated sutures in the prevention of surgical site infections in a Spanish hospital setting: A prospective, observational study.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are one of the most frequently reported types of hospital-acquired infection and are associated with substantial clinical and economic burden. AIM: To assess the incidence of SSIs and analyze contributing risk factors in a real-world Spanish hospital setting before and after the implementation of triclosan-coated sutures (TCS). METHODS: A prospective, observational study was conducted at Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Enrolled patients underwent surgery in the following specialties: general surgery, urology, neurosurgery, gynaecology, and traumatology. The primary outcome of the study was SSI incidence, assessed at a 30-day follow-up. Secondary outcomes were length of hospital stay, and readmission, reintervention, and mortality rates, also at 30 days. FINDINGS: 5,081 patients were included in the study, of which 2,591 were treated using non-coated sutures (NCS) and 2,490 using TCS. After adjusting for potential confounders, TCS significantly reduced SSI rate by 36%, compared with NCS (odds ratio [OR]: 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.48-0.85; P<0.003). When stratified by wound classification, a statistically significant reduction in SSI incidence, in favour of TCS use, was observed for Class IV (dirty) wounds (35.6% versus 22.7% for NCS and TCS, respectively; OR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.31-0.90). CONCLUSION: The use of TCS reduced SSI risk when compared with NCS. This reduction was significant for Class IV wounds, providing evidence that supports the use of TCS for this type of wound.

The SCQ-SCORE: initial validation of a new scoring system for elective stone surgery prioritization in the COVID-19 era.

INTRODUCTION: Endourology waiting lists have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and prioritization strategies are needed. Some tiered classifications have been put forward aimed at prioritizing patients by using criteria related with clinical severity or social impact of stone disease, yet no quantitative system has been published to date. The objective of this study is to present a new quantitative scoring system for elective stone surgery prioritization and show its intra- and inter-rater reliability. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A scoring system coined 'SCQ-score' was set up, which consists of 9 variables: infection (ranges 0-3), obstruction (0-3), indwelling time (0-3), admissions (0-3), symptoms (0-2), ureteral location (0-1), solitary or suboptimal kidney (0-1), chronic kidney disease (0-1) and presence of percutaneous nephrostomy (0-1).The intra- and inter-rater reliability of the SCQ-score was prospectively validated in 60 consecutive patients on the waiting list, by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: The SCQ-score demonstrated having an excellent interobserver agreement (ICC >0.75) for the final score and its different domains. After 4 weeks, a second analysis was carried out to measure its intra-rater reliability, which was also excellent. On average, 134.9 ±50 seconds were required to complete the SCQ-score. CONCLUSIONS: The SCQ-score is a new quantitative system to help prioritize elective stone surgeries, which has been shown to be user-friendly and to have an excellent intra- and inter-rater reliability. Initially developed to help during the COVID-19 pandemic, its utility will probably remain of interest in the post-COVID-19 era to ensure a fairer access to stone surgery.

A rapid-onset diffusion functional MRI signal reflects neuromorphological coupling dynamics.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) has transformed our understanding of brain function in-vivo. However, the neurovascular coupling mechanisms underlying fMRI are somewhat "distant" from neural activity. Interestingly, evidence from Intrinsic Optical Signals (IOSs) indicates that neural activity is also coupled to (sub)cellular morphological modulations. Diffusion-weighted functional MRI (dfMRI) experiments have been previously proposed to probe such neuromorphological couplings, but the underlying mechanisms have remained highly contested. Here, we provide the first direct link between in vivo ultrafast dfMRI signals upon rat forepaw stimulation and IOSs in acute slices stimulated optogenetically. We reveal a hitherto unreported rapid onset (<100 ms) dfMRI signal component which (i) agrees with fast-rising IOSs dynamics; (ii) evidences a punctate quantitative correspondence to the stimulation period; and (iii) is rather insensitive to a vascular challenge. Our findings suggest that neuromorphological coupling can be detected via dfMRI signals, auguring well for future mapping of neural activity more directly compared with blood-oxygenation-level-dependent mechanisms.

Neuroplasticity-driven timing modulations revealed by ultrafast functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Detecting neuroplasticity in global brain circuits in vivo is key for understanding myriad processes such as memory, learning, and recovery from injury. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is instrumental for such in vivo mappings, yet it typically relies on mapping changes in spatial extent of activation or via signal amplitude modulations, whose interpretation can be highly ambiguous. Importantly, a central aspect of neuroplasticity involves modulation of neural activity timing properties. We thus hypothesized that this temporal dimension could serve as a new marker for neuroplasticity. To detect fMRI signals more associated with the underlying neural dynamics, we developed an ultrafast fMRI (ufMRI) approach facilitating high spatiotemporal sensitivity and resolution in distributed neural pathways. When neuroplasticity was induced in the mouse visual pathway via dark rearing, ufMRI indeed mapped temporal modulations in the entire visual pathway. Our findings therefore suggest a new dimension for exploring neuroplasticity in vivo.

An in vivo study of the orientation-dependent and independent components of transverse relaxation rates in white matter.

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) provides information that allows the estimation of white-matter (WM) fibre orientation and distribution, but it does not provide information about myelin density, fibre concentration or fibre size within each voxel. On the other hand, quantitative relaxation contrasts (like the apparent transverse relaxation, R2∗) offer iron and myelin-related contrast, but their dependence on the orientation of microstructure with respect to the applied magnetic field, B0 , is often neglected. The aim of this work was to combine the fibre orientation information retrieved from the DWI acquisition and the sensitivity to microstructural information from quantitative relaxation parameters. The in vivo measured quantitative transverse relaxation maps (R2 and R2∗) were decomposed into their orientation-dependent and independent components, using the DWI fibre orientation information as prior knowledge. The analysis focused on major WM fibre bundles such as the forceps major (FMj), forceps minor (FMn), cingulum (CG) and corticospinal tracts (CST). The orientation-dependent R2 parameters, despite their small size (0-1.5 Hz), showed higher variability across different fibre populations, while those derived from R2∗, although larger (3.1-4.5 Hz), were mostly bundle-independent. With this article, we have, for the first time, attempted the in vivo characterization of the orientation-(in)dependent components of the transverse relaxation rates and demonstrated that the orientation of WM fibres influences both R2 and R2∗ contrasts.

Influencia del tratamiento con extractos de plantas de Cuba sobre el tumor ascítico de Erlich / Influence of the treatment with Cuban plant extracts on the Erlich ascitic carcinoma

Introducción: hoy día los científicos recurren con mayor frecuencia a la naturaleza para desarrollar fármacos contra enfermedades como el cáncer. Los productos naturales son diversos en cuanto a su origen y estructuralmente complejos; pueden ser capaces a partir de un efecto indirecto de inhibir el desarrollo del tumor por medio de la estimulación de los mecanismos de defensa del organismo. Objetivo: evaluar la actividad antitumoral indirecta de extractos de plantas en el tumor ascítico de Erlich. Métodos: se seleccionaron 50 ratones de la línea NMRI, a los cuales se les hizo un pretratamiento por vía intraperitoneal con los extractos obtenidos de plantas durante 5 d; a las 48 h después del tratamiento se trasplantaron las células del tumor ascítico de Erlich. A otro grupo de animales utilizados como control se les realizó el pretratamiento con solución salina fisiológica 0,9 por cientoy a las 48 h se efectuó el trasplante con las mismas células tumorales. La actividad antitumoral se determinó comparando el grupo control con el tratado mediante los extractos, por rechazo al implante del tumor. Se consideró que el producto era activo si provocaba un valor igual o mayor que 60 % de inhibición del crecimiento tumoral de los animales tratados. Resultados: de los extractos evaluados, 5 mostraron en una de las dosis ensayadas un valor mayor que 60 por ciento de animales vivos, sin signos de presencia del tumor a los 30 d de observación. Esto demuestra que esos extractos son activos. Conclusiones: los 5 extractos podrían ser probables productos estimuladores de la respuesta inmune, lo que los hace candidatos a continuar las investigaciones(AU)

Introduction: at present, scientists are resorting more frequently to nature in order to develop drugs against various illnesses such as cancer. The origin of natural products is diverse and their structure is very complex with the capacity of inhibiting through indirect effect the development of tumors by stimulating the defense mechanisms of the body. Objective: to evaluate the indirect antitumor action of plant extracts in Erlich ascitic tumor cells. Methods: a group of 50 NMRI-line mice was interperitoneally pretreated with plant extracts during 5 days. After 48 hours, Erlich ascitic tumor cells were transplanted into the mice. Another control group of mice was pretreated with 0,9 percent physiological saline solution; at 48 hours they were also implanted the same tumor cells. The antitumor activity was determined by comparing the control group with the group of mice treated with extracts in terms of tumor implant rejection. The product was considered to be active if it caused 60 percent tumor growth inhibition or more. Results: of the evaluated extracts, 5 obtained more than 60 percent of survival in animals at one of the tested doses, with no signs of tumor after observation during 30 days. It proved that these extracts were active. Conclusions: it was proved that these 5 extracts could be potential products in stimulating immune response, so they should be further studied in the future(AU)

Influencia del tratamiento con extractos de plantas de Cuba sobre el tumor ascítico de Erlich / Influence of the treatment with Cuban plant extracts on the Erlich ascitic carcinoma

Introducción: hoy día los científicos recurren con mayor frecuencia a la naturaleza para desarrollar fármacos contra enfermedades como el cáncer. Los productos naturales son diversos en cuanto a su origen y estructuralmente complejos; pueden ser capaces a partir de un efecto indirecto de inhibir el desarrollo del tumor por medio de la estimulación de los mecanismos de defensa del organismo. Objetivo: evaluar la actividad antitumoral indirecta de extractos de plantas en el tumor ascítico de Erlich. Métodos: se seleccionaron 50 ratones de la línea NMRI, a los cuales se les hizo un pretratamiento por vía intraperitoneal con los extractos obtenidos de plantas durante 5 d; a las 48 h después del tratamiento se trasplantaron las células del tumor ascítico de Erlich. A otro grupo de animales utilizados como control se les realizó el pretratamiento con solución salina fisiológica 0,9 por cientoy a las 48 h se efectuó el trasplante con las mismas células tumorales. La actividad antitumoral se determinó comparando el grupo control con el tratado mediante los extractos, por rechazo al implante del tumor. Se consideró que el producto era activo si provocaba un valor igual o mayor que 60 % de inhibición del crecimiento tumoral de los animales tratados. Resultados: de los extractos evaluados, 5 mostraron en una de las dosis ensayadas un valor mayor que 60 por ciento de animales vivos, sin signos de presencia del tumor a los 30 d de observación. Esto demuestra que esos extractos son activos. Conclusiones: los 5 extractos podrían ser probables productos estimuladores de la respuesta inmune, lo que los hace candidatos a continuar las investigaciones

Introduction: at present, scientists are resorting more frequently to nature in order to develop drugs against various illnesses such as cancer. The origin of natural products is diverse and their structure is very complex with the capacity of inhibiting through indirect effect the development of tumors by stimulating the defense mechanisms of the body. Objective: to evaluate the indirect antitumor action of plant extracts in Erlich ascitic tumor cells. Methods: a group of 50 NMRI-line mice was interperitoneally pretreated with plant extracts during 5 days. After 48 hours, Erlich ascitic tumor cells were transplanted into the mice. Another control group of mice was pretreated with 0,9 percent physiological saline solution; at 48 hours they were also implanted the same tumor cells. The antitumor activity was determined by comparing the control group with the group of mice treated with extracts in terms of tumor implant rejection. The product was considered to be active if it caused 60 percent tumor growth inhibition or more. Results: of the evaluated extracts, 5 obtained more than 60 percent of survival in animals at one of the tested doses, with no signs of tumor after observation during 30 days. It proved that these extracts were active. Conclusions: it was proved that these 5 extracts could be potential products in stimulating immune response, so they should be further studied in the future

Side effects, complications and outcome of thoracoscopic sympathectomy for palmar and axillary hyperhidrosis in 406 patients.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic sympathectomy (TS) is the treatment of choice for severe primary hyperhidrosis. However, complications, side effects and satisfaction have not been well defined. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the complications, side effects, satisfaction degree and quality of life of patients after TS for primary upper limb hyperhidrosis. METHODS: One-year follow-up after 406 consecutive TS for primary upper limb hyperhidrosis. RESULTS: Bilateral TS was completed in all patients. Complications arose in 23 cases (5.6%), with pneumothorax being the most frequent. The success rate after discharge, 6 and 12 months was respectively, 100%, 98.1% and 96.5% for palmo-axillary hyperhidrosis; 100%, 99.3% and 97.8% for isolated palmar hyperhidrosis and 100%, 85.7% and 71.4% for isolated axillary hyperhidrosis. No persistence of hyperhidrosis was observed. Global recurrence was 3.7% (28.5% axillary hyperhidrosis group). Compensatory sweating (CS) appeared in 55% and was not related to the extension of the TS. Being female was a predisposing factor of CS (p<0.004). Excessive dryness appeared at 9% and was associated with extensive TS (P<0.001). Plantar hyperhidrosis improved at 33.6%, worsened at 10% and remained stable during the follow-up. Satisfaction degree decreased with the passage of time and was associated with recurrence. Quality of life was excellent at discharge, 6 and 12 month in 100%, 100% and 97%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pneumothorax is the most frequent complication of TS. CS is the main and undesirable side effect, appears with the passage of time, and is not related to the extension of TS. Being female is the only predictor factor of suffering CS. Plantar hyperhidrosis improves initially, although tends to reappear. Excessive dryness appears in extensive TS and does not improve over time. Postoperative satisfaction degree is high but decreases over time owing to the appearance of recurrence. Effectiveness and the absence of CS determine an excellent quality of life. Six percent of the patients regret the surgery because of severe CS. Informing patients of possible side effects before TS is essential.

[Indicators of severity in chest trauma]. / Indicadores de gravedad en los traumatismos torácicos.

OBJECTIVE: We undertook a review of patients with chest trauma attended between January 1992 and June 2005 in order to establish severity criteria in these cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During the study period, 1,772 cases (1,346 [76%] males) were treated, with ages ranging from 7 to 98 years (mean, 46.4 years). The Revised Trauma Score (RTS) was calculated and the following variables were also studied as potential indicators of severity: age, extent of the injury, number of rib fractures, presence of lung contusion, hemothorax, cardiorespiratory repercussions, and need for mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: At the time of admission, 84.4% of patients presented only symptoms related to the injury, with no general repercussions, and 66.7% had an RTS of 12. The number of rib fractures was a reliable indicator of severity, as was the presence of multiple injuries, lung contusion, need for mechanical ventilation, and cardiorespiratory repercussions. Neither age nor presence of hemothorax was found to be an indicator of severity. Pleural drainage was performed in 756 cases and was effective in 670 (88.6%). CONCLUSIONS: There are a number of indicators of severity in chest trauma, related more closely to the type and repercussions of the trauma than to the age of the patient. There is a high incidence of fluid or gas accumulation in the pleural space, though this can be easily managed by pleural drainage, which constitutes the main therapeutic procedure in chest trauma.

Indicadores de gravedad en los traumatismos torácicos / Indicators of severity in chest trauma

Objetivo: Revisamos la experiencia en traumatismos torácicos (TT) atendidos entre enero de 1992 y junio de 2005 con la intención de establecer criterios de gravedad en ellos. Pacientes y métodos: Durante dicho período se atendieron 1.772 casos con edades comprendidas entre los 7 y 98 años (1.346 varones; 76%) y con una media de edad de 46,4 años. Se aplicó la escala Revised Trauma Score (RTS) y se tuvieron en cuenta, como indicadores, la edad, el grado de traumatismo, el número de fracturas costales, la presencia de contusión pulmonar, hemotórax, la repercusión cardiorrespiratoria y la necesidad de ventilación mecánica. Resultados: En el momento del ingreso el 84,4% tenía únicamente síntomas relacionados con el traumatismo, sin repercusión general, y el 66,7% presentaba un índice RTS de 12. El número de fracturas costales fue un marcador eficaz de gravedad, al igual que la presencia de politraumatismo, contusión pulmonar, necesidad de ventilación mecánica y repercusión cardiorrespiratoria. La edad no se reveló como un índice de gravedad, y tampoco la presencia de hemotórax. En 756 ocasiones se realizó drenaje pleural, que fue resolutivo en 670 (88,6%). Conclusiones: Los TT tienen una serie de indicadores de gravedad, más relacionados con el tipo e impacto del traumatismo que con la edad del paciente. El síndrome de ocupación pleural es un problema de mucha incidencia, aunque de resolución fácil con un drenaje pleural. Éste constituye la principal arma terapéutica en los TT

Objective: We undertook a review of patients with chest trauma attended between January 1992 and June 2005 in order to establish severity criteria in these cases. Patients and methods: During the study period, 1772 cases (1346 [76%] males) were treated, with ages ranging from 7 to 98 years (mean, 46.4 years). The Revised Trauma Score (RTS) was calculated and the following variables were also studied as potential indicators of severity: age, extent of the injury, number of rib fractures, presence of lung contusion, hemothorax, cardiorespiratory repercussions, and need for mechanical ventilation. Results: At the time of admission, 84.4% of patients presented only symptoms related to the injury, with no general repercussions, and 66.7% had an RTS of 12. The number of rib fractures was a reliable indicator of severity, as was the presence of multiple injuries, lung contusion, need for mechanical ventilation, and cardiorespiratory repercussions. Neither age nor presence of hemothorax was found to be an indicator of severity. Pleural drainage was performed in 756 cases and was effective in 670 (88.6%). Conclusions: There are a number of indicators of severity in chest trauma, related more closely to the type and repercussions of the trauma than to the age of the patient. There is a high incidence of fluid or gas accumulation in the pleural space, though this can be easily managed by pleural drainage, which constitutes the main therapeutic procedure in chest trauma

Elastofibroma of the thoracic wall.

Soft tissue tumors of the chest wall are rare. Between 1998 and 2007 we treated eight cases of elastofibroma of the thoracic wall, an infrequent primary tumor of the chest. Seven females and one male between 44 and 62 years presented with dorsal subscapular tumors of months and even years of evolution. One case was a relapse from previous interventions and in three cases the tumor was bilateral. A surgical excision was performed in all cases, confirming the source of the tumor. There were no postoperative complications or relapses. We concluded that elastofibroma is a tumor that appears most frequently in middle aged women, and that diagnosis can be established through the use of imaging and fine needle aspiration biopsy. Given its benign character and slow growth, in cases where it is asymptomatic, its evolution can be controlled without surgical intervention.

Evaluación antitumoral y toxicológica de los extractos alcohólicos de Pedilanthus tithymaloides (L) Poit / Toxicity studies and an antitumoral evaluation of the alcoholic extracts for P. tithymaloides

Con el propósito de determinar la posible actividad contra carcinomas que se reporta para la especie P. tithymaloides por la Medicina tradicional, se realizó el estudio de toxicidad y la evaluación antitumoral de los extractos alcohólicos de hojas (IRH) y tallos (IRT) de P. tithymaloides (Itamo real) sobre el tumor ascítico de Ehrlich (TAE). Para ello se emplearon ratones NMRI (3 grupos a razón de 10 animales por grupos en cada experimento) administrándose en el estudio de toxicidad dosis única de 2000 mg/Kg. de ambos extractos por vía oral (vo), mientras que para la evaluación antitumoral, los animales fueron inicialmente inoculados con células tumorales experimentales (TAE) y tratados con IRT e IRH a concentraciones de (25, 50, 100) mg/Kg. por vía oral (vo), un control positivo con 5-flouracilo (20 mg/Kg.) intraperitoneal (iv) y un control negativo cloruro de sodio 0.9% (vo), evaluándose los signos toxicidad a través de Test de Irwin y determinándose el porcentaje de aumento de sobrevida (AS); los resultados fueron analizados por el método de Kapplan-Meler y se compararon las curvas de sobrevida para cada grupo, mediante el Test de Lomg-Rank con un porcentaje de 95 por ciento de confianza (p<0.05). Los resultados demostraron que en ninguno de los extractos existe actividad antitumoral en el modelo experimental empleado y que a las dosis de 50 mg/Kg. de peso se observó una ligera prolongación de la vida de los animales en comparación con el resto de las dosis y una menor sobrevida a las dosis de 100 mg/Kg. de peso s(AU)

With the aim to determine possible effect against carcinomas, in accordance with reports from traditional medicine for P. tithymaloides, toxicity studies and an antitumoral evaluation of the alcoholic extracts from leaves (IRH) and stalks (IRT), on Ehrlich ascistic tumor (TAE) were carried out. NMRI mices were used (3 groups of 10 animals in each experiment); Animals were given a dose of 2000 mg/Kg from each extract in toxicity studies. For antitumoral evaluations, experimimental tumoral cell (TAE) were given to the mice initially and then were treated with IRT and IRH at concentrations of 25 mg /Kg 50 mg/ Kg and 100 mg/ Kg p.o. Positive control animals received 5 fluoracile (20 mg/ Kg.) i.p. and negative controls were treated with saline solution of sodium chloride (0.9 percent NaCl) p.o. Toxicity signs were evaluated via an Irwin test. Survival increase percentages (AS) were also determined. Results were analyzed by the Kapplan- Meler statical method and the survival curves were compared for each group by the Long Rank test (p<0.05) . Result did not confirm presences of antitumoral activity in any of the extracts evaluated to experimental model carried out. For the 50 mg / Kg dose of IRH a slight increase of the animals lifespan as compared to the rest of the administered doses. There was a lower survival with 100mg/Kg of IRH(AU)

Evaluación antitumoral y toxicológica de los extractos alcohólicos de Pedilanthus tithymaloides (L) Poit / Toxicity studies and an antitumoral evaluation of the alcoholic extracts for P. tithymaloides

Con el propósito de determinar la posible actividad contra carcinomas que se reporta para la especie P. tithymaloides por la Medicina tradicional, se realizó el estudio de toxicidad y la evaluación antitumoral de los extractos alcohólicos de hojas (IRH) y tallos (IRT) de P. tithymaloides (Itamo real) sobre el tumor ascítico de Ehrlich (TAE). Para ello se emplearon ratones NMRI (3 grupos a razón de 10 animales por grupos en cada experimento) administrándose en el estudio de toxicidad dosis única de 2000 mg/Kg. de ambos extractos por vía oral (vo), mientras que para la evaluación antitumoral, los animales fueron inicialmente inoculados con células tumorales experimentales (TAE) y tratados con IRT e IRH a concentraciones de (25, 50, 100) mg/Kg. por vía oral (vo), un control positivo con 5-flouracilo (20 mg/Kg.) intraperitoneal (iv) y un control negativo cloruro de sodio 0.9 (vo), evaluándose los signos toxicidad a través de Test de Irwin y determinándose el porcentaje de aumento de sobrevida (AS); los resultados fueron analizados por el método de Kapplan-Meler y se compararon las curvas de sobrevida para cada grupo, mediante el Test de Lomg-Rank con un porcentaje de 95 por ciento de confianza (p<0.05). Los resultados demostraron que en ninguno de los extractos existe actividad antitumoral en el modelo experimental empleado y que a las dosis de 50 mg/Kg. de peso se observó una ligera prolongación de la vida de los animales en comparación con el resto de las dosis y una menor sobrevida a las dosis de 100 mg/Kg. de peso.

With the aim to determine possible effect against carcinomas, in accordance with reports from traditional medicine for P. tithymaloides, toxicity studies and an antitumoral evaluation of the alcoholic extracts from leaves (IRH) and stalks (IRT), on Ehrlich ascistic tumor (TAE) were carried out. NMRI mices were used (3 groups of 10 animals in each experiment); Animals were given a dose of 2000 mg/Kg from each extract in toxicity studies. For antitumoral evaluations, experimimental tumoral cell (TAE) were given to the mice initially and then were treated with IRT and IRH at concentrations of 25 mg /Kg 50 mg/ Kg and 100 mg/ Kg p.o. Positive control animals received 5 fluoracile (20 mg/ Kg.) i.p. and negative controls were treated with saline solution of sodium chloride (0.9 percent NaCl) p.o. Toxicity signs were evaluated via an Irwin test. Survival increase percentages (AS) were also determined. Results were analyzed by the Kapplan- Meler statical method and the survival curves were compared for each group by the Long Rank test (p<0.05) . Result did not confirm presences of antitumoral activity in any of the extracts evaluated to experimental model carried out. For the 50 mg / Kg dose of IRH a slight increase of the animals’ lifespan as compared to the rest of the administered doses. There was a lower survival with 100mg/Kg of IRH.

Dirofilariasis pulmonar. Una causa de nódulo pulmonar solitario / Pulmonary dirofilariasis. A cause of solitary pulmonary nodule

No disponible

Actividad antitumoral de una mezcla de polisacáridos obtenida de la especie Argemone mexicana L / Antitumoral activity of a mixture of polysaccharides obtained from Argemone mexicana L. species

En la actualidad, las plantas constituyen la principal fuente de obtención de la mayoría de los fármacos que pueden ser útiles para el tratamiento del cáncer. Se realizó la extracción de una mezcla de polisacáridos a partir de hojas de la planta Argemone mexicana L., conocida como Cardo Santo, colectada en el período de floración. Se empleó el método de incorporación de Timidina tritiada para determinar el efecto de la mezcla sobre la proliferación celular en líneas celulares humanas (H125 y U1906). La actividad antitumoral de este crudo de polisacáridos, administrado solo o combinado con 2 citóstaticos conocidos, se evaluó en ratones inoculados con células tumorales de Leucemia Linfocítica P-388 y Sarcoma 37 y su actividad antitumoral indirecta se valoró en el tumor ascítico de Ehrlich. En todos los casos se calculó el aumento del tiempo de sobrevida respecto al patrón de comparación positivo o negativo. La mezcla de polisacáridos provocó rechazo a la implantación del tumor de Ehrlich y su administración conjunta con el citóstatico 5 Fluoracilo produjo un incremento moderado de la actividad antitumoral en los ratones portadores del tumor Sarcoma 37. Estos resultados pudieran estar relacionados con el posible efecto estimulador de esta mezcla sobre el sistema inmune de los animales con tumor. Es necesario estudiar el efecto sobre el sistema inmune de la mezcla de polisacáridos obtenidos de la especie A. mexicana y la efectividad de su combinación con otros citostáticos, para determinar su posible uso como adyuvante de la quimioterapia para el tratamiento del cáncer(AU)

Actividad antitumoral de una mezcla de polisacáridos obtenida de la especie Argemone mexicana L / Antitumoral activity of a mixture of polysaccharides obtained from Argemone mexicana L. species

En la actualidad, las plantas constituyen la principal fuente de obtención de la mayoría de los fármacos que pueden ser útiles para el tratamiento del cáncer. Se realizó la extracción de una mezcla de polisacáridos a partir de hojas de la planta Argemone mexicana L., conocida como Cardo Santo, colectada en el período de floración. Se empleó el método de incorporación de Timidina tritiada para determinar el efecto de la mezcla sobre la proliferación celular en líneas celulares humanas (H125 y U1906). La actividad antitumoral de este crudo de polisacáridos, administrado solo o combinado con 2 citóstaticos conocidos, se evaluó en ratones inoculados con células tumorales de Leucemia Linfocítica P-388 y Sarcoma 37 y su actividad antitumoral indirecta se valoró en el tumor ascítico de Ehrlich. En todos los casos se calculó el aumento del tiempo de sobrevida respecto al patrón de comparación positivo o negativo. La mezcla de polisacáridos provocó rechazo a la implantación del tumor de Ehrlich y su administración conjunta con el citóstatico 5 Fluoracilo produjo un incremento moderado de la actividad antitumoral en los ratones portadores del tumor Sarcoma 37. Estos resultados pudieran estar relacionados con el posible efecto estimulador de esta mezcla sobre el sistema inmune de los animales con tumor. Es necesario estudiar el efecto sobre el sistema inmune de la mezcla de polisacáridos obtenidos de la especie A. mexicana y la efectividad de su combinación con otros citostáticos, para determinar su posible uso como adyuvante de la quimioterapia para el tratamiento del cáncer(AU)

Actividad antitumoral de una mezcla de polisacáridos obtenida de la especie Argemone mexicana L / Antitumoral activity of a mixture of polysaccharides obtained from Argemone mexicana L. species

En la actualidad, las plantas constituyen la principal fuente de obtención de la mayoría de los fármacos que pueden ser útiles para el tratamiento del cáncer. Se realizó la extracción de una mezcla de polisacáridos a partir de hojas de la planta Argemone mexicana L., conocida como Cardo Santo, colectada en el período de floración. Se empleó el método de incorporación de Timidina tritiada para determinar el efecto de la mezcla sobre la proliferación celular en líneas celulares humanas (H125 y U1906). La actividad antitumoral de este crudo de polisacáridos, administrado solo o combinado con 2 citóstaticos conocidos, se evaluó en ratones inoculados con células tumorales de Leucemia Linfocítica P-388 y Sarcoma 37 y su actividad antitumoral indirecta se valoró en el tumor ascítico de Ehrlich. En todos los casos se calculó el aumento del tiempo de sobrevida respecto al patrón de comparación positivo o negativo. La mezcla de polisacáridos provocó rechazo a la implantación del tumor de Ehrlich y su administración conjunta con el citóstatico 5 Fluoracilo produjo un incremento moderado de la actividad antitumoral en los ratones portadores del tumor Sarcoma 37. Estos resultados pudieran estar relacionados con el posible efecto estimulador de esta mezcla sobre el sistema inmune de los animales con tumor. Es necesario estudiar el efecto sobre el sistema inmune de la mezcla de polisacáridos obtenidos de la especie A. mexicana y la efectividad de su combinación con otros citostáticos, para determinar su posible uso como adyuvante de la quimioterapia para el tratamiento del cáncer

At present, plants are the main source of obtention of most of the drugs that may be useful for treating cancer. A mixture of polysaccharides was extracted from the leaves of Argemone mexicana L. plant, also known as Cardo Santo, collected in the flowering period. The method of incorporation of tritiated Thymidine was used to determine the effect of the mixture on the cellular proliferation in human cellular lines (H125 and U1906). The antitumoral activity of this crude of polysaccharides administered alone or combined with 2 known cytostatic agents was evaluated in mice inoculated with tumoral cells of lymphocytic leukemia P-388 and sarcoma 37 and their indirect antitumoral activity was assessed in Ehrlich's ascitic tumor. In all the cases, it was calculated the increase of survival time in relation to the positive or negative pattern of comparison. The mixture of polysaccharides caused a rejection to Elrich's tumor implantation, and its administration together with 5-Fluoracyl produced a moderate increase of the antitumoral activity in the mice carriers of the Sarcoma 37 tumor. These results may be related to the possible stimulating effect of this mixture on the immune system of the animals with tumor. It is necessary to study the effect of the mixture of polysaccharides obtained from A. Mexicana species on the immune system, and the effectivity of its mixture with other cytostatic agents to determine its possible use as a chemotherapy adjuvant for the treatment of cancer.

Actividad antitumoral de extractos de plantas de la flora cubana frente a la Leucemia Linfocítica P-388 / Anti-tumor action of Cuban plant extracts against lymphocytic leukemia P-388

La búsqueda de compuestos naturales con actividad antineoplásica es una de las prioridades actuales en la lucha contra el cáncer, en todos los países del mundo. El creciente empleo de la medicina verde en la prevención y cura de diferentes enfermedades ha llevado a la evaluación antitumoral de nuevos extractos de plantas, principalmente pertenecientes a la flora autóctona de cada país. En el presente trabajo se evaluó la actividad antitumoral de 27 extractos obtenidos de plantas de la flora cubana en el tumor señal murino Leucemia Linfocítica P-388 trasplantado en ratones B2D6F1. Los animales recibieron tratamiento durante 9 días por vía intraperitoneal. En todos los casos se determinó el aumento del tiempo de sobrevida respecto al grupo control negativo, después de 30 días de observación. De los productos estudiados se observó actividad antitumoral en 2 extractos frente a la Leucemia Linfocítica P-388, lo que las hace candidatas a ser estudiadas química y farmacológicamente con amplias perspectivas de convertirse en posibles productos para el tratamiento del cáncer(AU)