Revisión sobre el uso de microRNA en la detección temprana de diabetes mellitus en caninos / Review on the use of microRNA in the early detection of diabetes mellitus in canines

Diabetes mellitus in canines corresponds to a pathology whose etiopathogenesis has not yet been fully understood, since it has a great similarity with human type 1 diabetes mellitus, but the same risk factors have not been found. New diagnostic methods have been investigated in recent years in diabetic murine models, among which microRNAs have been studied as early markers of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In canines a homology has been found between microRNAs 21, microRNA 34, microRNA 29, and microRNA 146a with those studied in human and murine diabetics. This would imply that the study of these microRNAs may have a great impact on the early detection of diabetes in canines and be a model for the study of new microRNAs that may be implicated in the development of diabetes in humans.

Estudio micológico de muestras de uñas en población pediátrica y adolescente. Experiencia de un año en el Laboratorio de Dermatología, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile / Mycological study of nail samples in the pediatric population and adolescent

Introducción: la onicomicosis en niños y adolescentes ha presentadoaumento en la prevalencia, siendo Trichophyton rubrum detectadocon mayor frecuencia en uñas de pies y Candida en uñas de manos.Hasta la fecha no existen estudios etiológicos de onicomicosis enpoblación pediátrica chilena. Objetivo: Determinar los agentes fúngicospresentes en uñas enfermas con sospecha de onicomicosis enniños y adolescentes estudiados en el Hospital Clínico Universidadde Chile. Pacientes y método: Estudio retrospectivo que analizó losregistros micológicos de muestras de uñas de pacientes entre 0 y 18años, estudiados en el Laboratorio del Departamento de Dermatologíadel Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile desde Enero hastaSeptiembre 2012. Todas las muestras fueron analizadas con microscopíadirecta mediante KOH 10% y cultivo de hongos en agar Sabouraud. Resultados: Se analizaron los registros de 100 pacientes, 58 de sexo masculino, con sospecha de onicomicosis. Del registro demuestras de uñas de pies (n=84), 41 presentaron micológico directopositivo para hongos filamentosos o levaduras, de los cuales 13 tuvieroncultivos de hongos positivo para T. rubrum y 2 para Candidasp. Del registro de muestras de uñas de manos (n=16), 10 tuvieronmicológico directo positivo para hongos filamentosos o levaduras, delos cuales se encontró positivo un cultivo de hongos para Candidasp...

Introduction: onychomycosis in children and adolescents haspresented increased prevalence. Trichophyton rubrum is detectedmore often in toenails and Candida sp in fingernails. Todate there are no studies of onychomycosis causative in Chileanpediatric population. Objective: To determine the fungalagents in diseased nails with suspected onychomycosis in childrenand adolescents studied at the University of Chile Clinical Hospital. Patients and method: Retrospective study analyzingmycological records of nail samples of patients between 0 and18 years old, studied at the Laboratory of the Department of Dermatology, Clinical Hospital University of Chile from Januaryto September 2012. All samples were analyzed by direct microscopywith KOH 10% and fungal culture on Sabouraud agar. Results: The records of 100 patients, 58 males, with suspectedonychomycosis were analyzed. Records toenail (n = 84),41 were positive in direct mycological test for filamentous fungior yeasts, of which 13 were positive fungal cultures for T. rubrumand 2 for Candida sp. The fingernails records (n = 16),10 were mycological direct test positive for filamentous fungior yeast, of which one fungal out culture for Candida sp waspositive...

Micosis superficiales / Superficial mycoses

Las micosis superficiales constituyen una patología prevalente en Dermatología. Son producidas por dos grandes grupos de hongos: las levaduras y los dermatofitos (tiñas). Las primeras ocurren por una alteración de la microbiota que lleva a una proliferación del hongo y las segundas son infecciones exógenas en que el contagio está dado por transmisión de un animal u otra persona. A las tiñas se les denomina por el nombre del área anatómica afectada. En el presente artículo, se entregan las herramientas para el manejo de estas patologías por parte del médico no especialista, se señalanlos aspectos más relevantes de la clínica y los medicamentos usados en los diferentes tratamientos orales y tópicos. Se sugieren también los criterios de derivación al especialista.

Superficial mycoses are a prevalent dermatological pathology. These are produced by two major groups of fungi, yeasts and dermatophytes (tinea infections or ringworm). The former occur by an alteration of the microbiota that leads to a proliferation of yeasts and the latter are exogenous infections transmitted by an animal or another person. Tinea infections are called by the name of the affected anatomicalarea. This paper provides tools to non-specialist physicians to manage these conditions, identifying the most relevant clinical aspects and oral and topical treatment options. It alsosuggests criteria for referral to a specialist.

[Comparison of doxorubicin-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) with conventional transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma]. / Quimioembolización del hepatocarcinoma: partículas cargadas frente a quimioembolización convencional.

OBJECTIVE: To compare conventional transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with doxorubicin-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, evaluating the tumor response, complications after treatment, and survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present 72 patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma treated consecutively between January 2000 and December 2009. We studied 25 patients treated with TACE (Group A) and 47 patients treated with DEB-TACE (Group B); adriamycin (doxorubicin) was the chemotherapy agent used in both groups. All patients had compensated cirrhosis of the liver classified on the Child-Pugh score. The results were analyzed according to the RECIST criteria. Statistical analyses consisted of ANOVA, chi-square tests, Student's t-tests, and Kaplan-Meier log-rank tests. RESULTS: Patient's age, tumor size, number of tumors, and hepatic reserve were similar in the two groups. The mean number of sessions per patient was 1.32 ± 0.67 in Group A versus 2.13 ± 0.95 in Group B. The mean dose of adriamycin per patient was 50.60 ± 29.95 mg in Group A and 231.91 ± 110.2mg in Group B. A complete response of the tumor to treatment was observed in 5.6% of the patients in Group A and in 13.9% of those in Group B. According to the RECIST criteria, no significant differences were found. DEB-TACE was better tolerated and had fewer immediate complications (p=0.001). No significant differences were found in the survival of patients in the two groups (Group A: mean 686.24 days, median 709 days; Group B: mean 765.32 days, median 672 days. CONCLUSION: In patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma, DEB-TACE is safe and better tolerated than conventional TACE; moreover, it seems to lead to greater necrosis of the tumors.

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors operated under high salinity conditions.

Considering the importance of stable and well-functioning granular sludge in anaerobic high-rate reactors, a series of experiments were conducted to determine the production and composition of EPS in high sodium concentration wastewaters pertaining to anaerobic granule properties. The UASB reactors were fed with either fully acidified substrate (FAS) consisting of an acetate medium (reactor R1) or partly acidified substrate (PAS) consisting of acetate, gelatine and starch medium (reactors R2, R3, and R4). For EPS extraction, the cation exchange resin (CER) method was used. Strength and particle size distribution were determined by assessing the formation of fines sludge under conditions of high shear rate and by laser diffraction, respectively. Batch tests were performed in 0.25L bottles to study Ca(2+) leaching from anaerobic granular sludge when incubated in 20g Na(+)/L in the absence of feeding for 30 days. Results show a steady increase in the bulk liquid Ca(2+) concentration during the incubation period. UASB reactor results show that the amounts of extracted proteins were higher from reactors R2 and R3, fed with PAS compared to the sludge samples from reactor R1, fed with FAS. Strikingly, the amount of extracted proteins also increased for all reactor sludges, irrespective of the Na(+) concentration applied in the feed, i.e. 10 or 20gNa(+)/L. PAS grown granular sludges showed an important increase in particle size during the operation of the UASB reactors. Results also show that, addition of 1gCa(2+)/L to the high salinity wastewater increases the granules' strength.

Evaluaciones psicométricas del programa de seguimiento de niños con fenilquetonuria e hipotiroidismo congénito

Este artículo pretende entregar información respecto a las características de las evaluaciones psicológicas que se realizan en el Programa de Seguimiento de los niños con Fenilquetonuria e Hipotiroidismo Congénito, en cuanto a periodicidad de los controles, tipo de instrumentos utilizados, ventajas y desventajas de ellos y entregar algunas observaciones a partir de la información que manejo y de la experiencia acumulada en más de doce años de participación en este programa.

Diagnóstico y seguimiento de 23 niños con acidurias orgánicas / Diagnosis and follow up of 23 children with organic acidurias

Background: Propionic aciduria (PA) and Methymalonic aciduria (MMA) result from an inherited abnormality of the enzymes propionyl CoA carboxylase and methylmalonyl CoA mutase respectively. This produces marked increases in the amino acids methionine, threonine, valine and isoleucine (MTVI). Their clinical presentation can be neonatal or late onset forms. Aim: To report 23 children with organic acidurias. Material and methods: Twenty three cases of organic acidurias diagnosed since 1980 (17 PA and 6 MMA) and followed at the Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, are reported. Results: The average age of diagnosis was 3.9 days for the neonatal form and 8.3 months for the late onset form. The most frequent symptoms were hypotonia, lethargy and vomiting. Neonatal PA had mean ammonemias of 1089ñ678.3 µg/dl. The figure for MMA was 933ñ801.9 µg/dl. Seven children were dialyzed and 30 percent died. 16 children are followed and 81.2 percent have normal weight for age. Seven children required gastrostomy because of anorexia and failure to thrive. The nutritional treatment is based on natural and artificial proteins without MTVI, with periodical controls, amino acid and ammonia quantification. Some patients were submitted to enzyme assays and molecular studies. Conclusions: An early diagnosis and a very strict follow up allows a normal development of children with organic aciduras. There is a relationship between prognosis and the presentation form, the nutritional status and the emergency treatment during acute episodes. The importance of the enzymatic and molecular studies is emphasized because they facilitate treatment, accurate diagnosis and allow an adequate genetic counseling

Efecto del tratamiento con fluconazol oral sobre el crecimiento ungueal en pacientes con onicomicosis / Effect of oral treatment with fluconazole over nail growth in patients with onicomicosis

En el tratamiento de la onimicosis, el crecimiento ungueal es importante para la respuesta clínica del paciente. Se realizó un estudio prospectivo en 15 pacientes con diagnóstico clínico y micológico de onicomicosis a los que se administro fluconazol por vía oral en dosis de 150 mg. tres veces por semana durante tres meses. Se les practicó mensualmente controles médicos y de laboratorio, y se les midió la velocidad y aceleración del crecimiento ungueal en los tres meses durante el tratamiento. En este estudio, la velocidad y la aceleración del crecimiento ungueal mostraron un incremento, durante y al final del tratamiento, en comparación a los meses previos al tratamiento

[Latex agglutination test in amebic liver abscess]. / Prueba de aglutinación del látex en absceso hepático amibiano.

Amebic hepatic abscesses are one of the most frequent and serious complications of intestinal amibiasis. Although many methods exists with which the diagnosis can be made, frequently problems do arise. Serologic reactions play an important role in the diagnosis of amebic hepatic abscess. Among the most useful of the serological tests, is that which evaluates agglutination with latex particles. Latex agglutination was positive in 98.5% of 200 cases of proved amebic hepatic abscess. The pros and cons of the utility of this test compared with other serological tests are discussed. It is concluded that or the especialist as well as the general practicioner latex agglutination can be extremely useful in the diagnosis of amebic hepatic abscess.