Infraclavicular anterior thoracic approach for access to the upper thoracic vertebrae: case report and description of a new surgical technique.

Patient with spondylodiscitis who presented kyphosis deformity with neurological compromise at the upper thoracic level, who was treated with a new right infraclavicular anterior thoracic approach, as a new alternative surgical technique. 72-year-old male with kyphosis deformity secondary to T2-T3 ASIA "C" spondylodiscitis, treated with C5 to T6 posterior cervicothoracic instrumentation and right infraclavicular transthoracic anterior approach utilizing an expandable cylinder. Within the literature review carried out in the search engines, no similar techniques to the one described in this article were found. Given the complexity of the surgical approach, this new technique is described as a new way for accessing the upper thoracic spine, demonstrating that the right infraclavicular anterior thoracic approach is a new alternative to access the upper thoracic spine from T1 to T4.

Paciente con espondilodiscitis que presentó deformidad cifótica con compromiso neurológico a nivel torácico superior, quien fue tratado con un nuevo abordaje torácico anterior infraclavicular derecho, como nueva técnica quirúrgica alternativa. Varón de 72 años con deformidad en cifosis secundaria a espondilodiscitis T2-T3 ASIA "C", tratado con instrumentación cervicotorácica posterior C5 a T6 y abordaje anterior transtorácico infraclavicular derecho con colocación de cilindro expandible. Dentro de la revisión bibliográfica realizada en los buscadores no se encontraron técnicas similares a la descrita en este artículo. Dada la complejidad del abordaje quirúrgico, esta nueva técnica se describe como una nueva forma de acceder a la columna torácica superior, demostrando que el abordaje torácico anterior infraclavicular derecho es una nueva alternativa para acceder a la columna torácica superior desde T1 a T4.

Esperanza de vida tras el reemplazo de válvula aórtica en pacientes jóvenes / Life expectancy after aortic valve replacement in young patients

Introducción y objetivos: Se desconoce si los pacientes jóvenes con estenosis aórtica grave tienen una esperanza de vida restaurada tras el reemplazo de la válvula aórtica (RVAo). Métodos: Se incluyó a todos los pacientes entre 50 y 65 años sometidos a RVAo en 27 centros españoles durante 18 años. Se comparó la supervivencia observada y la esperada a los 15 años de seguimiento. Se repitieron todos los análisis con los pacientes sin complicaciones durante el posoperatorio inmediato. Resultados: Se analizó a 5.084 pacientes. En la muestra total, la supervivencia observada a los 10 y los 15 años fue del 85,3% (IC95%, 84,1-86,4%) y el 73,7% (IC95%, 71,6-75,6%). Las supervivencias esperadas fueron del 90,1 y el 82,1%. La supervivencia relativa acumulada a 1, 5, 10 y 15 años de seguimiento fue del 97,4% (IC95%, 96,9-97,9%), el 96,5% (IC95%, 95,7-97,3%), el 94,7% (IC95%, 93,3-95,9%) y el 89,8% (IC95%, 87,3-92,1%). Para los pacientes sin complicaciones, la supervivencia relativa acumulada a 1, 5, 10 y 15 años fue del 100,3% (IC95%, 99,8-100,5%), el 98,9% (IC95% 97,6-99,9%), el 97,3% (IC95%, 94,9-99,4%) y el 91,9% (IC95%, 86,5-96,8%). Conclusiones:La esperanza de vida de los pacientes jóvenes con estenosis aórtica grave intervenidos para RVAo es menor que la de la población general. La esperanza de vida de los pacientes sin complicaciones durante el posoperatorio inmediato también está reducida. Por lo tanto, las características basales probablemente sean los principales factores que explican la reducción de la esperanza de vida (AU)

Introduction and objectives: In young patients with severe aortic stenosis, it is unknown whether their life expectancy restored after aortic valve replacement (AVR) is unknown. Methods: We analyzed all patients aged between 50 and 65 years who underwent isolated AVR in 27 Spanish centers during an 18-year period. We compared observed and expected survival at 15 years of follow-up. We repeated all analyses for patients without complications in the postoperative period. Results: A total of 5084 patients were analyzed. For the overall sample, observed survival at 10 and 15 years was 85.3% (95%CI, 84.1%-86.4%) and 73.7% (95%CI, 71.6%-75.6%), respectively. Expected survival was 90.1% and 82.1%. Cumulative relative survival for 1, 5, 10 and 15 years of follow-up was 97.4% (95%CI, 96.9%-97.9%), 96.5% (95%CI, 95.7%-97.3%), 94.7% (95%CI, 93.3%-95.9%), and 89.8% (95%CI, 87.3%-92.1%). For patients without complications, cumulative relative survival for 1, 5, 10 and 15 years was 100.3% (95%CI, 99.8%-100.5%), 98.9% (95%CI 97.6% -99.9%), 97.3% (95%CI, 94.9%-99.4%), and 91.9% (95%CI, 86.5%-96.8%). Conclusions: Life expectancy in young patients who have severe aortic stenosis and undergo AVR is lower than that of the general population. Life expectancy of individuals without complications during the postoperative period is also reduced. Therefore, baseline characteristics are likely the main factors that explain the reduction in life expectancy (AU)

[Comparison of treatment with plates for distal tibia fractures]. / Comparación del tratamiento con placas en fractura de tibia distal.

INTRODUCTION: Currently the surgical treatment of fractures of extraarticular distal tibia is controversial for the multiple techniques and materials of osteosynthesis, the Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Techniques (MIPO) allow us to preserve the periosteal circulation, crucial point in the natural processes of convalescence of the patient, so this technique takes relevance in our study. OBJECTIVE: To observe that this approach to fractures of the distal tibia has fewer complications and better functional result than fixation with open technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A longitudinal, ambispective and analytical study was conducted in the period from July 2018 to September 2019 in patients with closed fracture of the extraarticular distal tibia in patients over 18 years of age without previously diagnosed musculoskeletal comorbidities, the calculation was performed with the WinPEPI program (Programs for Epidemiologists for Windows) version 11.43 based on the study by Paul Toogooda et al (2018) with a confidence interval of 95% a minimum total of 20 patients for each group. Measures of central tendency, correlations between technique and variable were used. RESULTS: Two groups of 20 patients were analyzed comparing MIPO vs conventional technique in a period of 6 months postsurgical evaluating risk of infection, wound dehiscence, radiographic bone consolidation, joint functionality and demographic data; showing positive statistical superiority for MIPO technique. CONCLUSION: Relevant data were obtained in favor of MIPO with bone consolidation and higher functional score at six months.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Actualmente el tratamiento quirúrgico de fracturas de tibia distal extraarticular es controversial por las múltiples técnicas y materiales de osteosíntesis, las técnicas Mínimo Invasivo Percutánea (MIPO) nos permiten preservar la circulación perióstica, punto crucial en los procesos naturales de convalecencia del paciente, por ello esta técnica es de gran relevancia en nuestro estudio. OBJETIVO: Observar que este abordaje de fracturas de tibia distal tiene menos complicaciones y mejor resultado funcional que la fijación con técnica abierta. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio de tipo longitudinal, ambispectivo y analítico en el período de Julio de 2018 a Septiembre de 2019 en pacientes adultos con fractura cerrada de tibia distal extraarticular sin comorbilidades, el cálculo se realizó con el programa WinPEPI (Programs for Epidemiologists for Windows) versión 11.43 basado en el estudio de Paul Toogooda, con un intervalo de confianza de 95% se obtuvo un total mínimo de 20 pacientes por cada grupo. Se usaron medidas de tendencia central, correlaciones entre técnica y variable. RESULTADOS: Se analizaron dos grupos de 20 pacientes comparando la técnica MIPO vs. la convencional en un período de seis meses postquirúrgico evaluando riesgo de infección, dehiscencia de herida, consolidación ósea radiográfica, funcionalidad articular y datos demográficos, mostrando superioridad estadística positiva para la técnica MIPO. CONCLUSIONES: Se obtuvieron datos relevantes a favor de MIPO con consolidación ósea y mayor puntaje funcional articular a los seis meses.

Mediastinal lipoblastoma in paediatrics. / Lipoblastoma mediastínico en pediatría.

OBJECTIVE: To describe two cases of mediastinal lipoblastoma, an infrequent and little-known patho logy, which is extremely rare in the mediastinum, with no cases reported in our country. CLINICAL CASES: Two case reports. Both patients were boys younger than three years, in which a mediastinal mass was found incidentally on a chest x-ray. The study was complemented with a CT scan and with a thoracoscopic biopsy in one of the cases. Complete resection of the tumor was achieved in both patients through thoracotomy. One of the patients presented Claude Bernard Horner syndrome as a complication from surgery, which resolved spontaneously after two years and the second case had no complications. CONCLUSION: Mediastinal lipoblastoma is a very rare pathology. Descriptions found in existing literature are similar to the cases presented in this article. We can conclude that mediastinal lipoblastomas in pediatrics present a very similar pattern and presentation, having a good prognosis if complete resection is achieved. Also, it is essential to distinguish it from its differential diagnoses in order to rule out malignancy.

Lipoblastoma mediastínico en pediatría / Mediastinal lipoblastoma in paediatrics

Resumen: Objetivo: Describir dos casos de lipoblastoma mediastínico, patología de baja incidencia y poco conocida, siendo aún más infrecuente en mediastino, sin haber reportes descritos en nuestro país. Casos Clínicos: 2 pacientes, ambos de sexo masculino, menores de 3 años, en los que se encontró como ha llazgo incidental una masa mediastínica en una radiografía de tórax. El estudio se complementó con una tomografía computada y en uno de los pacientes con una biopsia toracoscópica. En ambos se logró ex tirpación completa de la lesión vía toracotomía, siendo apoyado vía toracoscópica previa a la extracción de la lesión en uno de ellos. Uno de los pacientes evolucionó con Síndrome de Claude Bernard Horner el cual resolvió de manera espontánea luego de dos años y el segundo caso no presentó complicaciones. Conclusiones: el lipoblastoma mediastínico es una patología muy poco frecuente, las descripciones de la literatura se asemejan a los casos expuestos en este artículo, concluyendo que presentan un patrón muy similar entre ellos. Teniendo un pronóstico favorable si se logra la resección completa y siendo fundamental diferenciarlo de sus diagnósticos diferenciales para descartar malignidad.

Abstract: Objective: To describe two cases of mediastinal lipoblastoma, an infrequent and little-known patho logy, which is extremely rare in the mediastinum, with no cases reported in our country. Clinical Cases: Two case reports. Both patients were boys younger than three years, in which a mediastinal mass was found incidentally on a chest x-ray. The study was complemented with a CT scan and with a thoracoscopic biopsy in one of the cases. Complete resection of the tumor was achieved in both patients through thoracotomy. One of the patients presented Claude Bernard Horner syndrome as a complication from surgery, which resolved spontaneously after two years and the second case had no complications. Conclusion: Mediastinal lipoblastoma is a very rare pathology. Descriptions found in existing literature are similar to the cases presented in this article. We can conclude that mediastinal lipoblastomas in pediatrics present a very similar pattern and presentation, having a good prognosis if complete resection is achieved. Also, it is essential to distinguish it from its differential diagnoses in order to rule out malignancy.

Superparamagnetic state in La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 thin films obtained by rf-sputtering.

A novel superparamagnetic state has been observed in high quality La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) thin films directly grown by rf-sputtering on SiOx/Si(100) substrates. The films are nanostructured without grain boundaries, constituted by locally epitaxial nanoregions grown layer-by-layer with out-of-plane (012) preferential orientation, induced by the constrain of the native silicon oxide. Low magnetic field ZFC-FC magnetization curves show a cross-over from superparamagnetic to ferromagnetic state dependent of the thickness. The thicker film (140 nm) exhibits typical ferromagnetic order. The thinner films (40 and 60 nm) exhibit superparamagnetic behavior attributed to interacting ferromagnetic monodomain nanoregions with critical size, random in-plane oriented, where the inter-monodomain boundaries with surface spin-glass structure regulate the blocking of magnetization depending on the magnetic field intensity. M(H) hysteresis loops showed noticeable coercive fields in all samples, larger than those reported for LSMO. Such properties of half-metal LSMO film foresee potential integration in new Si-technology nanodevices in Spintronics.

The Male Warrior Hypothesis: Testosterone-related Cooperation and Aggression in the Context of Intergroup Conflict.

The Male Warrior Hypothesis (MWH) establishes that men's psychology has been shaped by inter-group competition to acquire and protect reproductive resources. In this context, sex-specific selective pressures would have favored cooperation with the members of one's group in combination with hostility towards outsiders. We investigate the role of developmental testosterone, as measured indirectly through static markers of prenatal testosterone (2D:4D digit ratio) and pubertal testosterone (body musculature and facial masculinity), on both cooperation and aggressive behavior in the context of intergroup conflict among men. Supporting the MWH, our results show that the intergroup conflict scenario promotes cooperation within group members and aggression toward outgroup members. Regarding the hormonal underpinnings of this phenomenon, we find that body musculature is positively associated with aggression and cooperation, but only for cooperation when context (inter-group competition) is taken into account. Finally, we did not find evidence that the formidability of the group affected individual rates of aggression or cooperation, controlling for individual characteristics.

Presence of the p.L456V polymorphism in Cuban patients clinically diagnosed with Wilson's disease. / Polimorfismo p.L456V, presencia en pacientes cubanos con diagnóstico clínico presuntivo de la enfermedad de Wilson.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Wilson's disease is characterized by the accumulation of copper in different organs, mainly affecting the liver, brain, and cornea, and is caused by mutations in the ATP7B gene. More than 120 polymorphisms in the ATP7B gene have been reported in the medical literature. The aim of the present study was to identify the conformational changes in the exon 3 region of the ATP7B gene and detect the p.L456V polymorphism in Cuban patients clinically diagnosed with Wilson's disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted at the Centro Nacional de Genética Médica and the Instituto Nacional de Gastroenterología within the time frame of 2007-2012 and included 105 patients with a clinical diagnosis of Wilson's disease. DNA extraction was performed through the salting-out method and the fragment of interest was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction technique. The conformational shift changes in the exon 3 region and the presence of the p.L456V polymorphism were identified through the Single-Strand Conformation Polymorphism analysis. RESULTS: The so-called b and c conformational shift changes, corresponding to the p.L456V polymorphism in the heterozygous and homozygous states, respectively, were identified. The allelic frequency of the p.L456V polymorphism in the 105 Cuban patients that had a clinical diagnosis of Wilson's disease was 41% and liver-related symptoms were the most frequent in the patients with that polymorphism. CONCLUSION: The p.L456V polymorphism was identified in 64 Cuban patients clinically diagnosed with Wilson's disease, making future molecular study through indirect methods possible.

Cardioprotective strategies preserve the stability of respiratory chain supercomplexes and reduce oxidative stress in reperfused ischemic hearts.

Electron leakage from dysfunctional respiratory chain and consequent superoxide formation leads to mitochondrial and cell injury during ischemia and reperfusion (IR). In this work we evaluate if the supramolecular assembly of the respiratory complexes into supercomplexes (SCs) is associated with preserved energy efficiency and diminished oxidative stress in post-ischemic hearts treated with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and the cardioprotective maneuver of Postconditioning (PostC). Hemodynamic variables, infarct size, oxidative stress markers, oxygen consumption and the activity/stability of SCs were compared between groups. We found that mitochondrial oxygen consumption and the activity of respiratory complexes are preserved in mitochondria from reperfused hearts treated with both NAC and PostC. Both treatments contribute to recover the activity of individual complexes. NAC reduced oxidative stress and maintained SCs assemblies containing Complex I, Complex III, Complex IV and the adapter protein SCAFI more effectively than PostC. On the other hand, the activities of CI, CIII and CIV associated to SCs assemblies were preserved by this maneuver, suggesting that the activation of other cardioprotective mechanisms besides oxidative stress contention might participate in maintaining the activity of the mitochondrial respiratory complexes in such superstructures. We conclude that both the monomeric and the SCs assembly of the respiratory chain contribute to the in vivo functionality of the mitochondria. However, although the ROS-induced damage and the consequent increased production of ROS affect the assembly of SCs, other levels of regulation as those induced by PostC, might participate in maintaining the activity of the respiratory complexes in such superstructures.

Structure and piezo-ferroelectricity relationship study of (K0.5Na0.5)0.985La0.005NbO3 epitaxial films deposited on SrTiO3 by sputtering.

This work demonstrates that the rf-sputtering technique, combined with appropriate heat treatments, is potentially effective to develop new materials and devices based on oxide-interface and strain engineering. We report a study of the structural-physical properties relationship of high crystalline quality, highly oriented and epitaxial thin films of the lead-free (K0.5Na0.5)0.985La0.005NbO3 (KNNLa) compound which were successfully deposited on Nb-doped SrTiO3 substrates, with orientations [100] (NSTO100) and [110] (NSTO110). The crystalline growth and the local ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties were evaluated by piezoresponse force microscopy combined with transmission electron microscopy and texture analysis by X-ray diffraction. Conditioned by the STO surface parameters, in the KNNLa films on NSTO100 coexist a commensurate [001]-tetragonal phase and two incommensurate [010]-monoclinic phases; while on NSTO110 the KNNLa films grew only in an incommensurate [101]-monoclinic phase. Both samples show excellent out-of-plane polarization switching patterns consistent with 180° domains walls; while for KNNLa/NSTO100 ferroelectric domains grow with the polarization pointing down, for KNNLa/NSTO110 they prefer to grow with the polarization pointing up. Comparing with previous reports on epitaxial KNN films, we find our samples to be of very high quality regarding their crystalline growth with highly ordered ferroelectric domains arrangements and, consequently, great potential for domain engineering.

Autocorrelation z-scan technique for measuring the spatial and temporal distribution of femtosecond pulses in the focal region of lenses.

In this work we present an Autocorrelation z-scan technique to measure, simultaneously, the spatial and temporal distribution of femtosecond pulses near the focal region of lenses. A second-order collinear autocorrelator is implemented before the lens under test to estimate the pulse width. Signals are obtained by translating a Two Photon Absorption (TPA) sensor along the optical axis and by measuring the second-order autocorrelation trace at each position z. The DC signal, which is typically not considered important, is taken into account since we have found that this signal provides relevant information. Experimental results are presented for different lenses and input wavefronts.

Synthesis and Complete Antimicrobial Characterization of CEOBACTER, an Ag-Based Nanocomposite.

The antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is currently used as an alternative disinfectant with diverse applications, ranging from decontamination of aquatic environments to disinfection of medical devices and instrumentation. However, incorporation of AgNPs to the environment causes collateral damage that should be avoided. In this work, a novel Ag-based nanocomposite (CEOBACTER) was successfully synthetized. It showed excellent antimicrobial properties without the spread of AgNPs into the environment. The complete CEOBACTER antimicrobial characterization protocol is presented herein. It is straightforward and reproducible and could be considered for the systematic characterization of antimicrobial nanomaterials. CEOBACTER showed minimal bactericidal concentration of 3 µg/ml, bactericidal action time of 2 hours and re-use capacity of at least five times against E. coli cultures. The bactericidal mechanism is the release of Ag ions. CEOBACTER displays potent bactericidal properties, long lifetime, high stability and re-use capacity, and it does not dissolve in the solution. These characteristics point to its potential use as a bactericidal agent for decontamination of aqueous environments.

New complexes containing the internal alternative NADH dehydrogenase (Ndi1) in mitochondria of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Mitochondria of Saccharomyces cerevisiae lack the respiratory complex I, but contain three rotenone-insensitive NADH dehydrogenases distributed on both the external (Nde1 and Nde2) and internal (Ndi1) surfaces of the inner mitochondrial membrane. These enzymes catalyse the transfer of electrons from NADH to ubiquinone without the translocation of protons across the membrane. Due to the high resolution of the Blue Native PAGE (BN-PAGE) technique combined with digitonin solubilization, several bands with NADH dehydrogenase activity were observed on the gel. The use of specific S. cerevisiae single and double mutants of the external alternative elements (ΔNDE1, ΔNDE2, ΔNDE1/ΔNDE2) showed that the high and low molecular weight complexes contained the Ndi1. Some of the Ndi1 associations took place with complexes III and IV, suggesting the formation of respirasome-like structures. Complex II interacted with other proteins to form a high molecular weight supercomplex with a molecular mass around 600 kDa. We also found that the majority of the Ndi1 was in a dimeric form, which is in agreement with the recently reported three-dimensional structure of the protein.

Abordaje posteromedial y colocación de placa en fractura de meseta tibial con fragmento posterior / Posteromedial approach and plating for a tibial plateau fracture with a posterior fragment

Antecedentes: Las fracturas de meseta tibial representan 1% de todas las fracturas, de éste, 10% corresponde a la meseta medial. El espectro de lesiones va desde fracturas no desplazadas hasta fracturas devastadoras del platillo tibial completo que requieren manejo quirúrgico extenso. Literatura en cirugía ortopédica sugiere que los resultados funcionales y radiográficos positivos dependen del tipo de abordaje, la calidad de la reducción y el tipo de implante utilizado. Material y métodos: Reporte de casos ambispectivo; comprendió de siete pacientes con fractura de meseta tibial medial y fragmento posterior a los cuales se les colocó placa posterior luego del abordaje posteromedial en un período de tiempo entre Agosto 2012 y Agosto 2013. Se utilizó la clasificación de Khan para estadificar la fractura. Se evaluó el resultado funcional y radiográfico mediante escala de Rasmussen. Se realizó estadística de frecuencias y descriptiva. Resultados: Se midió el dolor utilizando la escala visual análoga (EVA), encontrando un mínimo de dos puntos y un máximo de cuatro puntos. La flexión osciló entre 40º y 110º con un déficit de extensión mínimo de 15º y máximo de 40º. La deformidad en varo se presentó en cuatro sujetos, la deformidad en valgo en tres. Conclusiones: El abordaje posteromedial y la colocación de placa posterior en fracturas de meseta tibial presentan arcos de movilidad adecuados para la función, así como un bajo grado de dolor. La angulación en varo se presenta en pacientes con fractura de ambos platillos tibiales.

Background: Tibial plateau fractures account for 1% of all fractures. Ten percent of them involve the medial plateau. The spectrum of lesions ranges from undisplaced fractures to devastating fractures involving the entire tibial plateau, which warrant extensive surgical management. The orthopedic surgery literature suggests that positive functional and radiographic results depend on the type of approach, the quality of reduction and the type of implant used. Material and methods: Ambispective case report: seven patients were enrolled, with fracture of the medial tibial plateau and a posterior fragment. A posterior plate was placed after a posteromedial approach, between August 2012 and August 2013. Fractures were staged according to the Khan classification. Functional and radiographic results were assessed using the Rasmussen scale. Frequency and descriptive statistics were used. Results: Pain was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS), with scores ranging from two to four. Flexion ranged between 40º and 110º, with a minimum extension deficit of 15º and a maximum of 40º. Four subjects had varus deformity, three had valgus deformity. Conclusions: The posteromedial approach and placement of a posterior plate for tibial plateau fractures results in ranges of motion that permit an appropriate function and involve mild pain. Varus angulation occurs in patients with bilateral tibial plateau fractures.

Vólvulo gástrico como causa de abdomen agudo quirúrgico en un preescolar / Gastric volvulus as a cause of acute abdomen in a pre-school child

Introducción. El vólvulo gástrico es una entidad rara en la población pediátrica. Caso Clínico. Reportamos aquí un caso en un paciente de 5 años de edad. Comentarios. Por su rareza, requiere de un alto grado de sospecha por parte del clínico, lo que hace que generalmente se diagnostique muy tardíamente, lo que incrementa la mortalidad

Introduction. Gastric volvulus is rare in the pediatric population. Case. We report here a case of a patient of 5 years of age. Comments. For its rarity, it requires a high degree of suspicion by the clinician, making it generally diagnosed very late which increases mortality

Escherichia coli-induced temporal and differential secretion of heat-shock protein 70 and interleukin-1ß by human fetal membranes in a two-compartment culture system.

INTRODUCTION: Escherichia coli is recognized as an etiological bacteria associated with chorioamnionitis and the preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes. This pathological condition induces pro-inflammatory cytokines and degradative metalloproteinases, which are considered biological markers secreted in an acute stage of infection. Heat-shock proteins (HSPs) are an important component of the innate immunity response and are found in different pathological conditions. They have not been previously measured in human fetal membranes in response to infectious conditions. We hypothesized that the choriodecidual tissue and amniotic epithelium secreted temporal and differential Hsp-60, Hsp-70, and interleukin (IL)-1ß mediated by E. coli infection. METHODS: Fetal membranes were mounted in a two-compartment culture system and infected with two passes of live E. coli at different doses (10², 104, 105, and 106 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL) and intervals of incubation (3, 6, and 24 h). The culture medium was collected, and Hsp-60, Hsp-70, and IL-1ß were assessed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. RESULTS: After 3 and 6 h of infection, E. coli induced an increase in Hsp-70 secretion in the choriodecidual tissue. However, after 24 h of incubation, Hsp-70 was downregulated and we observed an increase in IL-1ß secretion. By contrast, E. coli induced a lower Hsp-60 secretion in the amnion compared to Hsp-70. DISCUSSION: Human fetal membranes responded actively to E. coli infection, with an increase in Hsp-70 during the first hours of infection. After 24 h, there was an increase in the liberation of IL-1ß.

[Posteromedial approach and plating for a tibial plateau fracture with a posterior fragment]. / Abordaje posteromedial y colocación de placa en fractura de meseta tibial con fragmento posterior.

BACKGROUND: Tibial plateau fractures account for 1% of all fractures. Ten percent of them involve the medial plateau. The spectrum of lesions ranges from undisplaced fractures to devastating fractures involving the entire tibial plateau, which warrant extensive surgical management. The orthopedic surgery literature suggests that positive functional and radiographic results depend on the type of approach, the quality of reduction and the type of implant used. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ambispective case report: seven patients were enrolled, with fracture of the medial tibial plateau and a posterior fragment. A posterior plate was placed after a posteromedial approach, between August 2012 and August 2013. Fractures were staged according to the Khan classification. Functional and radiographic results were assessed using the Rasmussen scale. Frequency and descriptive statistics were used. RESULTS: Pain was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS), with scores ranging from two to four. Flexion ranged between 40° and 110°, with a minimum extension deficit of 15° and a maximum of 40°. Four subjects had varus deformity, three had valgus deformity. CONCLUSIONS: The posteromedial approach and placement of a posterior plate for tibial plateau fractures results in ranges of motion that permit an appropriate function and involve mild pain. Varus angulation occurs in patients with bilateral tibial plateau fractures.

[Gastric volvulus as a cause of acute abdomen in a pre-school child]. / Vólvulo gástrico como causa de abdomen agudo quirúrgico en un preescolar.

INTRODUCTION: Gastric volvulus is rare in the pediatric population. CLINICAL CASE: We report here a case of a patient of 5 years of age. COMMENTS: For its rarity, it requires a high degree of suspicion by the clinician, making it generally diagnosed very late which increases mortality.

INTRODUCCION: El vólvulo gástrico es una entidad rara en la población pediátrica. CASO CLINICO: Reportamos aquí un caso en un paciente de 5 años de edad. COMENTARIOS: Por su rareza, requiere de un alto grado de sospecha por parte del clínico, lo que hace que generalmente se diagnostique muy tardíamente, lo que incrementa la mortalidad.

Structure-based optical filtering by the silica microshell of the centric marine diatom Coscinodiscus wailesii.

Diatoms are a renewable (biologically reproducible) source of three-dimensional (3-D) nanostructured silica that could be attractive for a variety of photonic devices, owing to the wide range of quasi-periodic patterns of nano-to-microscale pores available on the silica microshells (frustules) of various diatom species. We have investigated the optical behavior of the silica frustule of a centric marine diatom, Coscinodiscus wailesii, using a coherent broadband (400-1700 nm) supercontinuum laser focused to a fine (20 µm diameter) spot. The C. wailesii frustule valve, which possessed a quasi-periodic hexagonal pore array, exhibited position-dependent optical diffraction. Changes in such diffraction behavior across the frustule were consistent with observed variations in the quasi-periodic pore pattern.

PKA tightly bound to human placental mitochondria participates in steroidogenesis and is not modified by cAMP.

INTRODUCTION: Protein phosphorylation plays an important role in the modulation of steroidogenesis and it depends on the activation of different signaling cascades. Previous data showed that PKA activity is related to steroidogenesis in mitochondria from syncytiotrophoblast of human placenta (HPM). PKA localization and contribution in progesterone synthesis and protein phosphorylation of HPM was assessed in this work. METHODS: Placental mitochondria and submitochondrial fractions were used. Catalytic and regulatory PKA subunits were identified by Western blot. PKA activity was determined by the incorporation of (32)P into proteins in the presence or absence of specific inhibitors. The effect of PKA activators and inhibitors on steroidogenesis and protein phosphorylation in HPM was tested by radioimmunoassay and autoradiography. RESULTS: The PKAα catalytic subunit was distributed in all the submitochondrial fractions whereas ßII regulatory subunit was the main isoform observed in both the outer and inner membranes of HPM. PKA located in the inner membrane showed the highest activity. Progesterone synthesis and mitochondrial protein phosphorylation are modified by inhibitors of PKA catalytic subunit but are neither sensitive to inhibitors of the regulatory subunit nor to activators of the holoenzyme. DISCUSSION: The lack of response in the presence of PKA activators and inhibitors of the regulatory subunit suggests that the activation of intramitochondrial PKA cannot be prevented or further activated. CONCLUSIONS: The phosphorylating activity of PKA inside HPM could be an important component of the steroidogenesis transduction cascade, probably exerting its effects by direct phosphorylation of its substrates or by modulating other kinases and phosphatases.