Anatomía Comparada del Bazo de la Rata Blanca (Rattus norvegicus albinus), Una Revisión de la Literatura / Comparative Anatomy of the Spleen of the White Rat, (Rattus norvegicus albinus) a Literature Review

El bazo es el órgano linfático intraperitoneal más grande del organismo, presentando dos funciones principales: defensiva, mediante respuesta inmunitaria y filtración sanguínea. El objetivo de la presente revisión, fue obtener información actualizada sobre la anatomía del bazo de la rata albina (Rattus norvegicus albinus) y comparativa con la anatomía del bazo humano, perro, gato y cerdo, al representar las principales especies de importancia en la medicina, medicina veterinaria y en las ciencias biomédicas. Se realizó una búsqueda de material bibliográfico actualizado en diferentes sitios web científicos. Es así como, se revisaron 71 fuentes bibliográficas, en su gran mayoría artículos científicos (31), libros de anatomía humana y veterinaria (17), artículos especializados (17) y tesis (6). En general existe consenso, sobre la descripción anatómica del bazo, el cual se sitúa en la región hipocondriaca izquierda del abdomen, entre el fondo del estómago y el diafragma, irrigado por la arteria y vena esplénica. Se evidenció que existen similitudes en aspectos macroscópicos, al comparar el bazo de la rata blanca, con el bazo de otras especies (funcionalidad, peso relativo, ubicación topográfica). En aspectos microscópicos, el bazo en humanos y otros mamíferos se compone de estroma, además de parénquima, constituido a su vez por pulpa blanca y roja. En particular, existen diferencias entre el bazo de rata, humano, gato, perro y cerdo, en formas, tamaños y aspectos microscópicos, relacionados con la microcirculación e inmunidad. Mientras que existen semejanzas en procesos patológicos y respuestas a tratamientos farmacológicos y clínicos. Por lo anteriormente expuesto, se concluye que la rata albina constituye un buen modelo biológico, específicamente en aspectos anatómicos microscópicos del bazo de tipo inmunológico. Mientras que el bazo de cerdo es mejor comparativamente, en estudios anatómicos macroscópicos de tipo quirúrgicos, resultando ambos extrapolables, especialmente a la medicina humana.

SUMMARY: The spleen is the largest intraperitoneal lymphatic organ of the body, presenting two main functions: defensive, through immune response and blood filtration. The objective of the present review was to obtain updated information on the anatomy of the spleen of the albino rat (Rattus norvegicus albinus) and to compare it with the anatomy of the human, dog, cat and pig spleen, representing the main species of importance in medicine, veterinary medicine and biomedical sciences. A search for updated bibliographic material was carried out in different scientific websites. Thus, 71 bibliographic sources were reviewed, mostly scientific articles (31), human and veterinary anatomy books (17), specialized articles (17) and theses (6). In general, there is consensus on the anatomical description of the spleen, which is located in the left hypochondriac region of the abdomen between the fundus of the stomach and the diaphragm, irrigated by the splenic artery and vein. It was evidenced that there are similarities in macroscopic aspects when comparing the spleen of the white rat with the spleen of other species (functionality, relative weight, topographic location). In microscopic aspects, the spleen in humans and other mammals is composed of stroma, in addition to parenchyma, constituted in turn by white and red pulp. In particular, there are differences between rat, human, cat, dog and pig spleens in shapes, sizes and microscopic aspects related to microcirculation and immunity. While there are similarities in pathological processes and responses to pharmacological and clinical treatments. For the above mentioned, it is concluded that the albino rat constitutes a good biological model, specifically in microscopic anatomical aspects of the spleen of immunological type. While the pig spleen is comparatively better in macroscopic anatomical studies of surgical type, both are extrapolable especially to human medicine.

Innovative multiple nanoemulsion (W/O/W) based on Chilean honeybee pollen improves their permeability, antioxidant and antibacterial activity.

Beehive derivatives, including honeybee pollen (HBP), have been extensively studied for their beneficial health properties and potential therapeutic use. Its high polyphenol content gives it excellent antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Today its use is limited due to poor organoleptic properties, low solubility, stability, and permeability under physiological conditions. A novel edible multiple W/O/W nanoemulsion (BP-MNE) to encapsulate the HBP extract was designed and optimized to overcome these limitations. The new BP-MNE has a small size (∼100 nm), a zeta potential greater than +30 mV, and efficiently encapsulated phenolic compounds (∼82%). BP-MNE stability was measured under simulated physiological conditions and storage conditions (4 months); in both cases, stability was promoted. The formulation's antioxidant and antibacterial (Streptococcus pyogenes) activity was analyzed, obtaining a higher effect than the non-encapsulated compounds in both cases. In vitro permeability was tested, observing a high permeability of the phenolic compounds when they are nanoencapsulated. With these results, we propose our BP-MNE as an innovative solution to encapsulate complex matrices, such as HBP extract, as a platform to develop functional foods.

Percepciones del paciente en realimentación tras cirugía colorrectal. Un estudio cualitativo

Introducción: El conocimiento obtenido a partir de las experiencias de los pacientes favorece una atención de calidad. El objetivo de este estudio cualitativo es conocer la percepción de los pacientes sobre su realimentación tras una cirugía colorrectal, y los factores condicionantes en relación con dicho proceso. Material y Método: En base a la directriz de Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research, se realiza un estudio cualitativo a partir de una entrevista de 8 preguntas de término abierto realizada a 20 pacientes seleccionados por un método de variación máxima de muestreo. Se realizó análisis temático. Resultados: Se identificaron cuatro dimensiones principales (con subtemas respectivos) que condicionan la alimentación en el postoperatorio: 1. propósitos del paciente tras la alimentación (búsqueda de alta, hidratación, búsqueda de salud, finalizar ayuno, deambulación); 2. propiedades y características de los alimentos (sazón, presentación, temperatura, porciones, consistencia, favoritos); 3. factores del paciente (físicos, psicológicos); y 4. relación equipo de salud-paciente (confianza, complacencia, información, agradecimiento). Conclusión: El proceso de ingesta de alimentos en este contexto está condicionado por las cuatro dimensiones mencionadas. Sería importante considerarlas al momento de crear y ejecutar pautas y guías de alimentación adaptadas a los pacientes.

Introduction: Knowledge obtained from the experiences of patients favors quality care. The aim of this study is to know the perception of patients regarding refeeding after colorectal surgery, and particular factors that condition postoperative intake from their perspective. Materials and Method: Based on the guideline of Standards for reporting qualitative Research, a qualitative study was constructed from an interview with 8 open-ended questions to 20 patients selected by a maximum sampling variation method. Thematic analysis was carried out. Results: Four main dimensions were identified that determine feeding in the postoperative period: 1. patient's goals after feeding (search for discharge, hydration, search for health, end fasting, ambulation); 2. properties and characteristics of food (seasoning, presentation, temperature, portions, consistency, favorites); 3 patient factors (physical, psychological); and 4. health team-patient relationship (trust, complacency, information, gratitude). Conclusion: The process of food intake in this context is conditioned by the four dimensions mentioned. It would be important to consider them when creating and executing feeding guidelines adapted to patients.

Resultados quirúrgicos a corto y mediano plazo por enfermedad de Crohn ileocecal / Short and medium term results of the surgical management of ileocecal Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND: The treatment of Crohn's disease (CD) is based on medical therapy and surgery is reserved for failure of medical management or complications. AIM: To evaluate endoscopic, clinical, and surgical recurrence of CD after surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a prospectively maintained database, consecutive patients older than 15 years subjected to an ileocecal resection for ileocolic disease from January 2011 to April 2021, were identified. The diagnosis of CD was confirmed with the pathologic report. Patients with less than one year of follow-up were excluded. Information was obtained retrospectively from the database and clinical records. RESULTS: Fourteen patients were identified. The mean age at the time of surgery was 38 years. Surgery was performed at a median of 41.5 months (0-300) after the diagnosis of CD, nine elective and five emergency procedures. In five patients there were four major and two minor postoperative complications, with no anastomotic leakage. Six patients had endoscopic recurrence and seven had clinical recurrence (50%) at a mean of 15 months, one of whom required a second operation. There was no mortality. CONCLUSIONS: After the surgical treatment of CD, the clinical and endoscopic recurrence rate continues to be high.

Presencia de las distintas áreas quirúrgicas en el Congreso Nacional de Cirugía. Análisis de los últimos 12 años

Introducción: Los trabajos científicos permiten divulgar, compartir y contrastar resultados a terceros. Una de las formas de ver la actividad investigativa de cada especialidad es a través de las presentaciones que realizan en reuniones científicas. Objetivo: Describir el número de presentaciones de las distintas especialidades o áreas quirúrgicas en Chile en el principal congreso realizado a nivel nacional y evaluar si el comportamiento fue distinto durante los años de pandemia por coronavirus. Material y Método: Estudio bibliométrico del Congreso Chileno de Cirugía entre los años 2010 y 2021 evaluando el número total de presentaciones por área quirúrgica, año de presentación y período categorizado en 2010 a 2019 y 2020 a 2021. Se realiza estadística descriptiva y análisis de asociación de medias de publicaciones por área y período. Resultados: Se identificaron 4.462 presentaciones, incluyendo resúmenes orales, póster, videos y jornada de residentes. La media total fue 371,8 trabajos anuales. Coloproctología y Cirugía Gastroesofágica aportaron un total de 616 (13,8%) y 598 (13,4%) respectivamente. La media de presentaciones anuales previo a la pandemia por coronavirus fue de 414, en contraste a los 160 trabajos anuales durante ella, existiendo una disminución significativa de medias de presentaciones por área de 27,6 (± 18,8) a 10,7 (± 8,69) (p < 0,001), sin diferencias sus porcentajes de participación respecto del total (p = 0,776). Conclusión: Coloproctología y Cirugía Gastroesofágica son las áreas quirúrgicas más representadas. Si bien en el período contemporáneo a la pandemia por coronavirus significó una disminución en las presentaciones, no se observó una modificación en el porcentaje de participación de algún área en particular.

Introduction: Scientific studies allow the disclosure, sharing and comparison of results with third parties. One of the ways to see the investigative activity of each medical specialty is through the presentations they make at scientific meetings. Aim: To describe the number of presentations of the different surgical specialties or areas in Chile in the main congress held at a national level and to assess whether the behavior was different during the years of the coronavirus pandemic. Material and Method: Bibliometric study of the Chilean Congress of Surgery between 2010 and 2021, evaluating the total number of presentations by surgical area, year of presentation and two categorized periods (2010 to 2019 and 2020 to 2021). Descriptive statistics and association analysis of publication means by area and period are performed. Results: 4,462 presentations were identified, including oral summaries, posters, videos, and residents' sessions, with a mean of 371.8 per year. Coloproctology and Gastroesophageal Surgery contributed a total of 616 (13.8%) and 598 (13.4%) respectively. The mean number of annual presentations prior to the coronavirus pandemic was 414, in contrast to the 160 annual works during it, with a significant decrease in the mean number of presentations per area from 27.6 (± 18.8) to 10.7 (± 8.69) (p < 0.001), without differences in their percentages of participation with respect to the total (p = 0.776). Conclusion: Coloproctology and Gastroesophageal Surgery are the most represented surgical areas. Although the contemporary period of the coronavirus pandemic meant a decrease in presentations, no change was observed in the percentage of participation in any particular area.

[Short and medium term results of the surgical management of ileocecal Crohn's disease]. / Resultados quirúrgicos a corto y mediano plazo por enfermedad de Crohn ileocecal.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of Crohn's disease (CD) is based on medical therapy and surgery is reserved for failure of medical management or complications. AIM: To evaluate endoscopic, clinical, and surgical recurrence of CD after surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a prospectively maintained database, consecutive patients older than 15 years subjected to an ileocecal resection for ileocolic disease from January 2011 to April 2021, were identified. The diagnosis of CD was confirmed with the pathologic report. Patients with less than one year of follow-up were excluded. Information was obtained retrospectively from the database and clinical records. RESULTS: Fourteen patients were identified. The mean age at the time of surgery was 38 years. Surgery was performed at a median of 41.5 months (0-300) after the diagnosis of CD, nine elective and five emergency procedures. In five patients there were four major and two minor postoperative complications, with no anastomotic leakage. Six patients had endoscopic recurrence and seven had clinical recurrence (50%) at a mean of 15 months, one of whom required a second operation. There was no mortality. CONCLUSIONS: After the surgical treatment of CD, the clinical and endoscopic recurrence rate continues to be high.

Sex differences in treatment strategy for coronary artery aneurysms: Insights from the international Coronary Artery Aneurysm Registry.

INTRODUCTION: Sex disparities exist in coronary artery disease (CAD) in terms of risk profile, clinical management and outcome. It is unclear if differences are also present in coronary aneurysms, a rare variant of CAD. METHODS: Patients were selected from the international Coronary Artery Aneurysm Registry (CAAR; ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02563626), and differences between groups were analysed according to sex. The CAAR database is a prospective multicentre registry of 1565 patients with coronary aneurysms (336 females). Kaplan-Meier method was used for event-free survival analysis for death, major adverse cardiac events (MACE: composite endpoint of death, heart failure and acute coronary syndrome) and bleeding. RESULTS: Female patients were older, were more often hypertensive and less frequently smoker. They were treated conservatively more often compared to male patients and received significantly less frequently aspirin (92% vs 88%, p = 0.002) or dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) (67% vs 58%, p = 0.001) at discharge. Median DAPT duration was also shorter (3 vs 9 months, p = 0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed no sex differences in death, MACE or bleeding during a median follow-up duration of 37 months, although male patients did experience acute coronary syndrome (ACS) more often during follow-up (15% vs 10%, p = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: These CAAR findings showed a comparable high-risk cardiovascular risk profile for both sexes. Female patients were treated conservatively more often and received DAPT less often at discharge, with a shorter DAPT duration. ACS was more prevalent among male patients; however, overall clinical outcome was not different between male and female patients during follow-up.

Análisis de alteraciones del discurso en estados mentales de alto riesgo de psicosis (EMAR): una revisión sistemática / Speech disturbances analysis in ultra-high risk of psychosis (UHR): a systematic review

INTRODUCCIÓN: La necesidad de intervenir precozmente en la psicosis ha llevado a la búsqueda de biomarcadores útiles en su predicción, donde el análisis del lenguaje hablado destaca por su fácil obtención y bajo coste económico. En esta revisión sistemática se analizan las principales alteraciones del lenguaje en pacientes con riesgo ultra alto de psicosis (UHR), evaluando su prevalencia y su relación con la transición a la psicosis. MÉTODOS: Se realizó una búsqueda en las bases de datos PubMed y Embase de estudios en inglés o español, así como en las listas de referencias de los artículos encontrados. RESULTADOS: De 140 artículos identificados, se incluyeron 15. Las variables del lenguaje analizadas fueron Cohesión Lingüística, Coherencia Semántica, Complejidad Sintáctica, Producción Metafórica, Prosodia Emocional y Trastorno del Pensamiento Formal (TFP). La prevalencia encontrada osciló entre el 21% y el 85% para las alteraciones incluidas en el TFP, sin que se hayan encontrado medidas de prevalencia para el resto de las variables. La precisión global para la transición de RH a psicosis osciló entre el 70% y el 100% en todos los estudios. CONCLUSIONES: Existe un amplio abanico de alteraciones del habla en los pacientes con RHU, donde la PTF es la más estudiada. La prevalencia de estas alteraciones parece ser alta, especialmente en lo que respecta a la PTF. El análisis de esas alteraciones del habla en pacientes con RHU aparece como una excelente herramienta para predecir la transición a la psicosis, particularmente a través de la transcripción de entrevistas y el uso de la Inteligencia Artificial.

INTRODUCTION: The need for early intervention in psychosis has led to the search for useful biomarkers in its prediction, where the analysis of spoken language stands out for its easy obtaining and low economic cost. In this systematic review, we analyze the main speech disturbances in patients at ultra-high risk for psychosis (UHR), evaluating their prevalence and their relationship with transition to psychosis. METHODS: A search was carried out in PubMed and Embase databases for studies in English or Spanish, as well as the reference lists of the articles found. RESULTS: Of 140 articles identified, 15 were included. The variables of the language analyzed were Linguistic Cohesion, Semantic Coherence, Syntactic Complexity, Metaphorical Production, Emotional Prosody and Formal Thought Disorder (TFP). The prevalence found ranged between 21% and 85% for disturbances included within the TFP, with no prevalence measures for the rest of the variables. The global accuracy for UHR transition to psychosis ranged from 70% to 100% across studies. CONCLUSION: There is a wide range of speech disorders in UHR patients, where the TFP is the most studied one. The prevalence of these alterations seems to be high, especially with regard to TFP. The analysis of those speech alterations in UHR patients appears as an excellent tool to predict transition to psychosis, particularly through interview transcription and the use of Artificial Intelligence.

Cirugía de revascularización miocárdica versus angioplastía en el tratamiento de la enfermedad coronaria de tres vasos y tronco de la coronaria izquierda / Coronary artery bypass grafting or percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with severe three vessel disease

Recent randomized controlled trials confirmed the beneficial outcomes with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) compared with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with severe three-vessel coronary artery and left main disease. An increased long-term survival after CABG is associated with a reduction in spontaneous myocardial infarction and repeat revascularization rates. While PCI treats only flow-limiting lesions, CABG treats the whole coronary artery, preventing events in the future. Due to different clinical and anatomic factors affecting the outcomes, the heart team should formulate treatment assignment recommendations.

[Coronary artery bypass grafting or percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with severe three vessel disease]. / Cirugía de revascularización miocárdica versus angioplastía en el tratamiento de la enfermedad coronaria de tres vasos y tronco de la coronaria izquierda.

Recent randomized controlled trials confirmed the beneficial outcomes with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) compared with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with severe three-vessel coronary artery and left main disease. An increased long-term survival after CABG is associated with a reduction in spontaneous myocardial infarction and repeat revascularization rates. While PCI treats only flow-limiting lesions, CABG treats the whole coronary artery, preventing events in the future. Due to different clinical and anatomic factors affecting the outcomes, the heart team should formulate treatment assignment recommendations.

Evaluation of pro- and anti-inflammatory interleukins in the mammary gland of goats experimentally infected with Staphylococcus chromogenes.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the relative gene expression levels of the cytokines IL- 1B, IL-8, IL-12, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-ß in somatic milk cells of French Alpine breed, anestrous goats that were experimentally infected in the left mammary gland with Staphylococcus chromogenes during the lactation peak. Milk samples were obtained from both glands for 21 consecutive days post infection. Total RNA was extracted, and real-time PCR was conducted using primers specific to each cytokine. The relative RNA expression of the evaluated cytokines was determined by the comparative method 2-ΔΔCT, using milk from the right gland of the goats as a reference (control) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as an endogenous control. According to the Wilcoxon test results, IL-1B and IL-12 expression levels showed significant differences compared to those in the control group (p⟨0.05) from 24 hours post infection until the end of lactation; on day three, IL1ß, IL8, IL12 and TGF-ß had a statistically significant change in expression with respect to those in the control group (p⟨0.05); closer to the end of the lactation period, there is no overexpression of the anti-inflammatory interleukins (IL-4 and TGF-ß) which may reflect the effort of the host immune system to eradicate the microorganism from the mammary gland.

Descripción anatómica de la musculatura intrínseca del miembro torácico de león (Panthera leo) / Anatomical description of the intrinsic muscle of thoracic limb of lion (Panthera leo)

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo el describir la musculatura intrínseca del miembro torácico del león africano (Panthera leo). Para tal efecto se utilizó un ejemplar hembra, donado por el Zoológico Metropolitano de Santiago-Chile, fijado y conservado. La disección se llevó a cabo, de proximal a distal, considerando las cuatro regiones topográficas de dicho miembro: Cintura Escapular, Brazo, Antebrazo y Mano. Se discuten y comparan los hallazgos anatómicos observados, con lo descrito para el gato doméstico y trabajos realizados por otros autores en Ocelote (Leopardus pardalis), Puma (Puma concolor) y en la propia especie en estudio. La finalidad del presente trabajo fue aportar al conocimiento de la anatomía de especies exóticas, con proyección médico quirúrgica.

The objective of this study was to describe the intrinsic muscles of the thoracic limb of the African lion (Panthera leo). For this purpose a fixed and preserved female specimen donated by the Metropolitan Zoo in Santiago, Chile, was used. The dissection was carried out, from proximal to distal, considering the four topographical regions of that limb: Scapular girdle, arm, forearm and hand. Anatomical findings observed are discusses and compared to those described for the domestic cat and works by other authors in ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), puma (Puma concolor) and the species under study. The purpose of this work was to contribute to the knowledge of the anatomy of this exotic species, with medical and surgical projections.

Resultados quirúrgicos a largo plazo en pacientes con epilepsia fármaco-resistente del lóbulo temporal sin anormalidades histológicas / Long-term surgical outcomes in patients with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy and no histological abnormalities

Introducción: Los reportes de los resultados quirúrgicos en los pacientes con epilepsia fármaco-resistente del lóbulo temporal sin anormalidades histológicas son escasos. Métodos: Fueron revisados retrospectivamente los datos de los pacientes con epilepsia del lóbulo temporal tratados con lobectomía temporal anterior con amígdalo-hipocampectomía que no presentaban alteraciones en los estudios histopatológicos. Fueron analizadas las variables: edad, género, edad al inicio de las crisis epilépticas, edad al momento de la cirugía, tiempo de evolución de la epilepsia desde el diagnóstico hasta la fecha de la cirugía, periodo de seguimiento y clasificación según la escala de Engel. Resultados: De una base de datos de 256 lobectomías temporales, fueron identificados 21 pacientes que cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. El promedio de edad a la cual se realizó el diagnóstico de epilepsia fue 8,3 años, al momento de la cirugía fue 28,6 años y de tiempo transcurrido desde el diagnóstico hasta la cirugía fue 20,2 años. Tras un seguimiento promedio de 6,5 años, el 90,5% obtuvo resultados favorables (clases i y ii ) y el 42,9% estaba libre de crisis (clase i A). Tras el análisis comparativo de las variables estudiadas, solo existieron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la edad de inicio de las crisis, siendo inferior en los pacientes que obtuvieron resultados favorables. Conclusión: Aunque en la gran mayoría de los pacientes los resultados quirúrgicos a largo plazo fueron favorables, la proporción de pacientes libres de crisis es inferior a la de los pacientes con epilepsia lesional y comparables con lo reportado previamente en la literatura (AU)

Introduction: Reports on surgical outcomes in patients with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy without histological abnormalities are scarce. Methods: Retrospective review of data from patients with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy and no histopathological alterations who underwent anterior mesial temporal lobectomy. We analysed the following variables: age, sex, age at seizure onset, age at surgery, time elapsed between diagnosis and the date of the surgery, follow-up time, and classification according to the Engel rating scale. Results: From a database of 256 temporal lobectomies, 21 were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. The average age upon diagnosis of epilepsy was 8.3 years and average age at time of surgery was 28.6 years. The mean time elapsed between diagnosis and surgery was 20.2 years. After a mean follow-up of 6.5 years, 90.5% of the patients showed favourable outcomes (classes i and ii ) and 42.9% were seizure-free (class IA). Comparative analysis of the variables revealed that average age at seizure onset was the only statistically significant difference between groups, with age at onset being lower in patients with favourable outcomes. Conclusion: Although long-term surgical outcomes were favourable for a large majority of patients, the percentage of seizure-free patients is lower than in patients with lesional epilepsy and comparable to that previously reported in the literature (AU)

Effect of androgen blockade on HER-2 and matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression on bone marrow micrometastasis and stromal cells in men with prostate cancer.

INTRODUCTION: HER-2 has been associated with castrate resistant prostate cancer and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in the dissemination and invasion of tumor cells as well as activating angiogenesis. We present an immunocytochemical study of the effect of androgen blockade on the expression of HER-2 and MMP-2 in bone marrow micrometastasis and the surrounding stromal cells in men with prostate cancer. METHODS AND PATIENTS: A cross-sectional study of men with prostate cancer. Touch preps were obtained from bone marrow biopsies of men with prostate cancer, before and after radical prostatectomy and during androgen blockade. Micrometastasis detected with anti-PSA immunocytochemistry underwent processing with anti-HER-2 and anti-MMP-2 immunocytochemistry. Patients were defined as HER-2 positive or negative, MMP-2 negative or an MMP-2 pattern described as border or central and stromal MMP-2 defined as positive or negative. The expression of the biomarkers was compared before and after primary treatment and during androgen blockade in relation to the serum PSA at the time of sampling and duration of androgen blockade. RESULTS: 191 men participated, 35 men before surgery and 43 after surgery; there were no significant differences in HER-2 expression between groups, there was no MMP-2 expression centrally or stromal expression of MMP-2. In men with androgen blockade, HER-2 expression was significantly higher; there was a trend for increasing HER-2 expression up to 5 years; central MMP-2 expression significantly increased after 3 years, while stromal MMP-2 significantly increased after 6 years. MMP-2 expression both in micrometastasis and stroma was significantly associated with HER-2 expression. Expression of MMP-2 at the border of the micrometastasis was not associated with HER-2 expression and occurred in the absence of androgen blockade. CONCLUSIONS: Androgen blockade decreases serum PSA by eliminating HER-2 negative prostate cancer cells. However, there is early selection of HER-2 positive cancer cells which leads to androgen independence and to increased expression of MMP-2 activity in the micrometastasis. The increased MMP-2 activity in the micrometastasis increases the expression of MMP-2 in the surrounding stromal cells and thus could promote angiogenesis and tumor growth resulting in macrometastatic androgen independent disease.

A performance analysis of the presence of malignant circulating prostate cells as a predictive factor for the detection of prostate cancer in the first, second and third prostate biopsy.

OBJECTIVES: Serum prostate specific antigen and digital rectal examination are the tests used as screening tests to detect prostate cancer. However, only approximately 30% of men with suspicion of cancer have it confirmed on prostate biopsy, and not all of these need treatment. Detection of circulating tumor cells in localized prostate cancer has given variable results, but it could be a useful complementary screening tool to detect prostate cancer in men with abnormal screening tests before the evaluation with prostate biopsy. This may be more so in subsequent biopsies where serum PSA has a decreased diagnostic yield. To evaluate the diagnostic yield of the detection of CPCs as a complementary PC screening test in a population fulfilling criteria for an initial, second and third prostate biopsy for suspicion of PC. METHODS: A prospective screening study of consecutive patients aged 45-80 years presenting to the urologist for PC screening. Inclusion criteria were PSA >4.0 ng/ml, PSA velocity >0.35 ng/ml/year and/or DRE suspicious for cancer. Patients fulfilling inclusion criteria had blood taken for CPC detection and then underwent 12-core transrectal prostate biopsy. Double immune-his-tochemical staining with anti-PSA and anti-P504S was used to detect CPCs. Both cytologist and pathologist were blinded to the results of the biopsy, CPC results and clinical details. The diagnostic yield of the presence or absence of CPC was evaluated; the prostate biopsy was classified as cancer or no-cancer. RESULTS: 282 men participated, 83 undergoing of these undergoing a second and 38 a third biopsy, with a mean age of 66.2 ± 8.9 years and a median serum PSA of 5.10 ng/ml, 5.45 ng/ml and 6.45 ng/ml for first, second and third biopsies. Cancer was detected in 33,6%, 10.8% and 29.0% of first, second and third biopsies respectively, CPCs were detected in 36.9%, 21.7% and 36.8% of the patients. Sensibility, specificity and negative predictive value were 86% ,91% and 94% for the first biopsy, 89%, 87% and 99% for the second and 100% , 89% and 100% for third biopsy respectively. All the CPC determinations were interpretable. There were 11 false negative cases, all with small low grade tumors. Of the 29 men with a false positive CPC, 8/10 had cancer detected in the subsequent biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: The use of CPC detection could be useful as a complementary prostate cancer screening test, especially for excluding cancer, and including patients with indications for repeat biopsies. Men with a false positive CPC detection had a high risk of detecting cancer in the succeeding biopsy.

Análisis del desempeño de la presencia de células prostáticas malignas circulantes como factor predictivo para la detección de cáncer de próstata en la primera, segunda y tercera biopsia prostática / A performance analysis of the presence of malignant circulating prostate cells as a predictive factor for the detection of prostate cancer in the first, second and third prostate biopsy

OBJETIVO: El PSA en conjunto con el tacto rectal son los exámenes más utilizados para el cribado de cáncer de próstata (CP), sin embargo, en solo el 30% de estos pacientes se confirma el diagnóstico. En el presente estudio evaluamos el rendimiento diagnóstico de la detección de células prostáticas circulantes malignas (mCPC) para la detección precoz del CP en pacientes que cumplen con los criterios para realización de una o más biopsias prostáticas. MÉTODO: Estudio prospectivo, ciego, con reclutamiento consecutivo de pacientes entre 45-80 años, con sospecha de CP. Criterios de inclusión: PSA sérico >4,0 ng/ml, elevación >0,75 ng/ml/año, tacto rectal sospechoso de cáncer. La detección de mCPC fue realizada por inmunohistoquímica con doble marcación hacia el PSA y P504S. Se evalúo el rendimiento diagnóstico de la presencia o ausencia de mCPC comparándolos con los resultados de la biopsia prostática, la cual se clasificó como cáncer o no cáncer. RESULTADOS: Participaron 282 hombres; 83 de los cuales fueron sometidos a una segunda biopsia y 38 a una tercera. La edad media fue 66.2 ± 8.9 años; una media de PSA de 5,10, 5,45 y 6,45 ng/dl para la primera, segunda y tercera biopsia respectivamente. Se diagnosticó CP en 33.6%, 10,8% y 29,0% y las mCPC se detectaron en 36,9%, 21,7% y 36,8% de la primera, segunda y tercera biopsia respectivamente. Con una sensibilidad, especificidad y valor predictivo negativo de 86.2%, 90.8% y 94.3% para la primera biopsia; 89%, 87% y 99% para la segunda y 100%, 89% y 100% para la tercera biopsia respectivamente. Ocurrieron 11 casos de falsos negativos, con un CP pequeño y de bajo grado. De los 29 pacientes con un falso positivo para CPC, 8/10 tuvieron un cáncer detectado en la siguiente biopsia. CONCLUSIÓN: El uso de la detección de mCPC puede ser un método útil como examen complementario a los actualmente en uso para la detección de cáncer prostático, y durante el seguimiento de pacientes con PSA persistentemente elevado para determinar la necesidad de una re biopsia. Las mCPCs tienen un especial valor por su alto valor predictivo negativo en pacientes con un PSA ≥4.0ng/ml (AU)

OBJECTIVES: Serum prostate specific antigen and digital rectal examination are the tests used as screening tests to detect prostate cancer. However, only approximately 30% of men with suspicion of cancer have it confirmed on prostate biopsy, and not all of these need treatment. Detection of circulating tumor cells in localized prostate cancer has given variable results, but it could be a useful complementary screening tool to detect prostate cancer in men with abnormal screening tests before the evaluation with prostate biopsy. This may be more so in subsequent biopsies where serum PSA has a decreased diagnostic yield. To evaluate the diagnostic yield of the detection of CPCs as a complementary PC screening test in a population fulfilling criteria for an initial, second and third prostate biopsy for suspicion of PC. METHODS: A prospective screening study of consecutive patients aged 45-80 years presenting to the urologist for PC screening. Inclusion criteria were PSA >4.0ng/ml, PSA velocity >0.35ng/ml/year and/or DRE suspicious for cancer. Patients fulfilling inclusion criteria had blood taken for CPC detection and then underwent 12-core transrectal prostate biopsy. Double immune-his-to chemical staining with anti-PSA and anti-P504S was used to detect CPCs. Both cytologist and pathologist were blinded to the results of the biopsy, CPC results and clinical details. The diagnostic yield of the presence or absence of CPC was evaluated; the prostate biopsy was classified as cancer or no-cancer. RESULTS: 282 men participated, 83 undergoing of these undergoing a second and 38 a third biopsy, with a mean age of 66.2 ± 8.9 years and a median serum PSA of 5.10ng/ml, 5.45ng/ml and 6.45ng/ml for first, second and third biopsies. Cancer was detected in 33,6%, 10.8% and 29.0% of first, second and third biopsies respectively, CPCs were detected in 36.9%, 21.7% and 36.8% of the patients. Sensibility, specificity and negative predictive value were 86%, 91% and 94% for the first biopsy, 89%, 87% and 99% for the second and 100%, 89% and 100% for third biopsy respectively. All the CPC determinations were interpretable. There were 11 false negative cases, all with small low grade tumors. Of the 29 men with a false positive CPC, 8/10 had cancer detected in the subsequent biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: The use of CPC detection could be useful as a complementary prostate cancer screening test, especially for excluding cancer, and including patients with indications for repeat biopsies. Men with a false positive CPC detection had a high risk of detecting cancer in the succeeding biopsy (AU)

Long-term surgical outcomes in patients with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy and no histological abnormalities.

INTRODUCTION: Reports on surgical outcomes in patients with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy without histological abnormalities are scarce. METHODS: Retrospective review of data from patients with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy and no histopathological alterations who underwent anterior mesial temporal lobectomy. We analysed the following variables: age, sex, age at seizure onset, age at surgery, time elapsed between diagnosis and the date of the surgery, follow-up time, and classification according to the Engel rating scale. RESULTS: From a database of 256 temporal lobectomies, 21 were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria. The average age upon diagnosis of epilepsy was 8.3 years and average age at time of surgery was 28.6 years. The mean time elapsed between diagnosis and surgery was 20.2 years. After a mean follow-up of 6.5 years, 90.5% of the patients showed favourable outcomes (classes i and ii) and 42.9% were seizure-free (class IA). Comparative analysis of the variables revealed that average age at seizure onset was the only statistically significant difference between groups, with age at onset being lower in patients with favourable outcomes. CONCLUSION: Although long-term surgical outcomes were favourable for a large majority of patients, the percentage of seizure-free patients is lower than in patients with lesional epilepsy and comparable to that previously reported in the literature.

Redefining micrometastasis in prostate cancer - a comparison of circulating prostate cells, bone marrow disseminated tumor cells and micrometastasis: Implications in determining local or systemic treatment for biochemical failure after radical prostatectomy.

The presence of cells positive for cytokeratins or prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in bone marrow aspirates (BMAs) has been used to indicate the presence of micrometastasis. The aim of this prospective study of prostate cancer patients was to determine the presence of prostate cells in blood and BMAs and to compare them with bone marrow biopsy touch prep samples. The results indicated that there was a satisfactory concordance between circulating prostate cells (CPCs) in blood and disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) in BMAs for all Gleason scores (κ>0.50). However, neither were concordant with the presence of prostate cells in bone marrow biopsies except for high-grade tumors, Gleason 8 and 9. Phenotypic characteristics of CPCs and DTCs were identical (κ>0.9) but were different than cells detected in bone marrow biopsies (κ<0.2). The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in bone marrow biopsies was positively associated with the Gleason score (trend Chi-squared <0.05) and may explain the differences between the presence of DTCs and the presence of prostate cells in bone marrow biopsies. If the presence of DTCs was used to indicate micrometastatic disease, 20% of patients would be misclassified compared to micrometastasis defined as patients with a positive biopsy. This may have clinical implications for patients with low-grade tumors.

Ligadura de la arteria coronaria descendente anterior izquierda en ratas: técnica quirúrgica / Ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery: surgical technique

Background: An experimental model for ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery (ADA) in rats has been commonly used in research into ischemic cardiopathy. However, this procedure is very difficult, with a high mortality rate. There is little information in the literature regarding its technical aspects. Our objective was to describe a surgical technique for ADA ligation in rats. Material and Method: Fifty-one Sprague-Dawley male rats weighting 230 +/- 20 gr were anaesthetized and connected to mechanical ventilation. Through a left-side thoracothomy we ligated the ADA 2 mm below the junction of the pulmonary artery and the left atrial appendage. The next day we performed transthoracic echocardiography to confirm our results. Results: The mortality rate was 7.8 percent (4 out of 51). The main cause of death was hemorrhage during surgery. The average time for the procedure was 45 +/- 5 min. We confirmed hypokinesia of the anterior lateral wall in 100 percent of the surviving rats. Discussion: This procedure was reproducible and safe, with less than 10 percent mortality.

Introducción: El modelo experimental de ligadura de la arteria coronaria descendente anterior izquierda (ADA) en ratas, ha sido de gran ayuda para el estudio de la cardiopatía isquémica. Sin embargo, es un procedimiento difícil de realizar y con alta mortalidad operatoria. Existe poca información de sus aspectos técnicos. El objetivo de nuestro trabajo fue describir en detalle la técnica quirúrgica de la ligadura de la ADA en ratas. Material y Método: Se utilizaron 51 ratas machos Sprague-Dawley 230 +/- 20 gr de peso anestesiadas y conectadas a ventilación mecánica. A través de una toracotomía izquierda se ligó la ADA, 2 mm debajo de la intersección entre la arteria pulmonar y la orejuela izquierda. Al día siguiente se realizó una ecocardiografía transtorácica para confirmar la presencia de hipocinesia. Resultados: La mortalidad operatoria fue de 7,8 por ciento (4 de 51). La principal causa de muerte fue la hemorragia en el intraoperatorio durante la curva de aprendizaje. El tiempo operatorio promedio fue de 45 +/- 5 min. Se confirmó la presencia de una hipocinesia de la pared anterolateral en el 100 por ciento de las ratas supervivientes. Discusión. Esta técnica es un procedimiento reproducible y seguro, con una mortalidad menor al 10 por ciento.

Reemplazo valvular aórtico con prótesis biológica en pacientes mayores de 70 años con estenosis aórtica / Aortic valve replacement with bioprosthesis in patients 70 years old or older with aortic stenosis

Background: Aortic valve stenosis is the most prevalent valvulopathy in the elderly, but it is frequently undertreated. Aim: To assess early and long term results of valve replacement with bioprostheses in patients 70 years old or older with aortic stenosis. Patients and Methods: A review of the database of the Cardiovascular Surgery Service of our hospital, for the period 1990-2007, identified 156 patients with aortic valve stenosis, aged 76.7 ± 4.5 years (67 percent males), that were subjected to an aortic valve replacement with bioprosthesis. Seventy eight (50 percent) were in functional class III-IV. Six patients had emergency surgery. In 67 patients (43 percent) coronary artery bypass graft were performed. Long term mortality was ascertained obtaining death records from Chilean death registry. Results: Operative mortality was 3.2 percent (5 patients). Four patients (2.6 percent) required a reoperation due to bleeding. The mean follow up was 66 ± 41 months. The survival rate at 1, 3 and 5years was 94 percent, 88 percent and 80 percent, respectively. Forty two patients (27 percent) were 80years old or older. In this sub-group, 1 patient (2.3 percent) died during the peri operative period and the estimated survival rate at 1, 3 and 5years was 97 percent, 92 percent, and 80 percent, respectively. Multivariate risk analysis, for the whole group, identified low ejection fraction and concomitant coronary artery bypass graft surgery as predictors of late mortality. Conclusions: Aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis with bioprostheses in patients 70 years old or older had low perioperative mortality and morbidity and a good long term survival.