Association between nondipper behavior and serum calcium in hypertensive patients with mild-to-moderate chronic renal dysfunction.

A nondipping BP pattern has been shown to be predictive of end-organ damage, cardiovascular events, and mortality. The mechanisms of blunted nocturnal BP fall are multifactorial. We assessed whether total corrected serum calcium and ionic calcium (iCa) are associated with a blunted nocturnal BP fall in both treated and untreated hypertensive patients with stages 1-3 of the National Kidney Foundation Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (NKF KDOQI). Clinical data and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were obtained in a cohort of 231 essential hypertensive patients. Among the entire cohort, 107 were nondippers and 124 were dippers. Only in nondippers, we found significant correlations between iCa and 24-hour systolic blood pressure (SBP; r = 0.21, P < .03), diurnal SBP (r = 0.21, P < .03), and 24-hour pulse pressure (PP; r = 0.23, P < .02). The ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) was significantly related with 24-hour PP in both dippers and nondippers after adjusting for age. Both AASI and 24-hour PP were higher in nondippers than in dippers. In addition, in nondippers, the prevalence of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/minute/1.73 m2 was higher than in dippers (50% vs. 33.7%, P < .02). Logistic regression showed that patients with eGFR ≥ 60 mL/minute/1.73 m2 had lower risk of nondipper status than patients with eGFR < 60 mL/minute/1.73 m2 (odds ratio = 2.445; 95% confidence interval = 1.398-4.277, P < .002). In conclusion, serum iCa could participate in the pathogenesis of nondipping pattern. Increased large artery stiffness may be a mechanism of the deleterious influence of nondipping on cardiovascular outcome. Hypertensive subjects with stage 3 of NKF KDOQI had a greater loss of circadian BP rhythm than those in stages 1 and 2.

Gene expression profiling of the hedgehog signaling pathway in human meningiomas.

The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway has an important role during embryogenesis and in adult life, regulating proliferation, angiogenesis, matrix remodeling and stem-cell renewal. Deregulation of the Hh pathway is involved in tumor development, since mutations in several components of this pathway were found in patients with basal cell carcinoma, medulloblastoma and other tumors; however, the role of Hh in meningiomas has not been studied yet. Meningiomas represent 30% of primary cranial tumors, are mostly benign and prevail in the second half of life. Novel therapies for meningiomas such as targeted molecular agents could use Hh pathway components. To provide information concerning molecular alterations, by use of real-time RT-PCR, we studied expression at the mRNA level of 32 Hh pathway and target genes in 36 meningioma specimens of different grades. mRNA levels of 16 genes, involved mainly in Hh pathway activation and cell proliferation, increased in meningiomas in comparison with normal tissue, whereas those of 7 genes, mainly related to Hh pathway repression, decreased. The most significant changes occurred in signal transduction (SMO) and GLI-transcription factor genes, and the target FOXM1 mRNA attained the highest values; their over-expression was found in aggressive and in benign tumors. Some proliferation-related genes (SPP1, IGF2) were overexpressed in higher meningioma grades. A correlation in expression between genes with a similar function was also found. Our results show a marked activation of the Hh pathway in meningiomas, which may be important for their biological and clinical characterization and would be useful for gene therapy.

Primary care survey of awareness and control of hypertension: a hospital-based study.

The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to determine awareness degree, treatment status, and control of hypertension and its predictors in a consecutive group of attendees at a Buenos Aires University School Hospital primary care setting from April 2003 to May 2006. Results for 1733 hypertensive subjects, all of them white (578 men and 1155 women), were available for analyses. Mean age of hypertensive subjects was 66.61 +/- 12.34 years. Eighty-seven percent of hypertensive patients knew their diagnosis. Prevalence of hypertension was consistently higher in overweight-obese than in normal weight subjects (P < 0.001). Overall prevalence of hypertension treatment was 62%, and blood pressure (BP) control rate was 30%. Among knowledgeable treated hypertensive patients, 80.4% used only one antihypertensive drug, 17.6% used two, and 2% used three (P < 0.001). Only 8% of hypertensive patients carried out consensus-recommended dietarian guidelines. A prevention index performed with periodic general prevention measures during the past 5 years was calculated. Logistic regression model showed that independent variables more likely to be associated with poor BP control were being overweight (odds ratio [OR] 1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.057-2.208), obesity (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.307-3.286), and previous stroke (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.099-7.652). Conversely, the higher the prevention index, the less odds of uncontrolled BP (OR 0.841, 95% CI 0.725-0.975). These results highlight the consistency of general primary care prevention measures with achieving BP control. The poor control rates of BP found in patients who already suffered from stroke suggest that, after hospital discharge for that event, antihypertensive therapy was inadequate and document the challenge that these situations impose on primary care physicians.

Long-term effects of parathyroidectomy on hypertension prevalence and circadian blood pressure profile in primary hyperparathyroidism.

Our aims were to evaluate the prevalence and outcome of hypertension in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), previously and after follow-up of parathyroidectomy. A group of 46 consecutive patients with sporadic PHPT due to adenoma undergoing surgery were followed an average of 3.5 years (range 36 to 53 months). In 16 nonselected, consecutive parathyroidectomized patients, with normalized biochemical measurements, circadian rhythm of blood pressure was evaluated with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Prevalence of hypertension in PHPT was 54.35%, and there was no significant association of PTH, total and ionic calcium levels with SBP and DBP. During follow-up, none of the patients with presurgical hypertension became normotensive and five of the normotensive patients developed clinical hypertension. In ABPM, 6/11 hypertensive and 3/5 normotensive subjects showed nondipper behavior. Serum total calcium was significantly related to night-time systolic blood pressure (SBP) (r = 0.620, P < 0.02), and night-time diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (r = 0.758, P < 0.002). In dippers, creatinine clearance was significantly higher (91.3 +/- 18.5 vs. 64.3 +/- 11.5 ml/min, P < 0.01), while serum total calcium was lower (2.42 +/- 0.13 vs. 2.23 +/- 0.17 mmol/L, P < 0.04) than in nondippers. In conclusion, our results suggest that parathyroidectomy has little effect on hypertension prevalence. Renal impairment, a condition that did not improve after parathyroidectomy, may be a causal factor of hypertension in PHPT. Also, the high prevalence of nondipper behavior in hypertensive and normotensive subjects after parathyroidectomy, suggests that target organ risk persists. We hypothesized that slight elevations of serum total calcium even in the normal range could be involved in the alteration of the circadian rhythm of blood pressure.

Gene expression profiling of ErbB receptors and ligands in human meningiomas.

ErbB family receptors mediate major cellular functions implied in tumorigenesis, though their role in meningiomas was not thoroughly studied. Meningiomas represent 30% of primary cranial tumors, are mostly benign, and prevail in the second half of life. Tumor therapy requires information about molecular alterations, thus we studied expression of ErbB receptor and ligand genes by real-time RT-PCR in different meningioma grades. Receptors were overexpressed (ErbB1, ErbB2) or underexpressed (ErbB3, ErbB4). Ligands EGF, TGFA, AREG, DTR, BTD were underexpressed and the neuregulins were overexpressed or underexpressed. A strong ErbB1-ErbB2 correlation was found. These data might be useful for gene therapy.

[Stereotactic brain biopsy in the diagnosis of focal brain lesions in AIDS]. / La biopsia estereotáctica en el diagnóstico de las lesiones cerebrales focales en sida.

Focal brain lesions are frequent complications among HIV/AIDS patients. Between January 1999 and May 2007, 83 procedures of stereotactic brain biopsies in HIV/AIDS patients with focal cerebral lesions were carried out. The inclusion criteria were lack of response to current diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for brain lesions. All the samples underwent microscopic evaluation during surgery to assert valid material and delayed histopathological and microbiological examination. Forty one patient images demonstrated multiple brain lesions. Sixty two cases had supratentorial localization, 4 lesions were located beneath the tentorium and 17 showed both settings. Fifty one lesions presented peripheral enhancement after contrast computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A 100% of useful samples recovery was achieved. Progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy (PML) was the most frequent diagnosis (29%), followed by primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) (23%), and toxoplasmosis (15.7%). Statistically significant association was observed between histopathological diagnosis and lesion location and between those and peripheral ring enhancement images. The positive diagnostic rate of the invasive procedure was 90.3%. The morbidity/mortality rate was 2.4% in this series. In conclusion, the stereotactic brain biopsy ordered early during the patient's evolution showed a good performance in order to achieve a prompt and accurate diagnosis and to guide the therapeutic scheme in these AIDS patients with focal brain lesions.

Serum insulin, glucose and non esterified fatty acids after administration of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones in bitches.

This paper reports the effect of the simultaneous administration of follicle-stimulating (FSH) and luteinizing hormones (LH) on serum glucose, insulin and nonesterified fatty acid responses after glucose or insulin challenge. The animals were originally at anestrous. FSH (dose 2.5 U/kg body wt.) and LH (0.27 U/kg body wt.) were s.c. injected on days 1, 4, 8 and 11. Vaginal smears were obtained daily. Six untreated controls at anestrous and six treated bitches reaching proestrous were used. Glucose tolerance tests were done with a dose of 1 g of glucose per kg of body weight. Bovine insulin was administered at the dose of 0.25 U/kg body wt. During these tests, neither serum glucose and nonesterified fatty acids nor glucose distribution space and glucose clearance were affected by the treatment. The serum insulin response to hyperglycemia was greatly increased. The distribution space and clearance rate of this hormone were not affected by FSH + LH treatment. We conclude that, in the bitch, FSH + LH treatment, at doses that trigger "sex seasons", increases the serum insulin response to glucose load and produces a moderate resistance to the hypoglycemic, lipogenic and antilipolytic insulin actions. These phenomena are evident during hyperglycemia.

A comparison of body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio as indicators of hypertension risk in an urban Argentine population: a hospital-based study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To examine the relationship between 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and three commonest anthropometric measurements for obesity [body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and waist-hip ratio (WHR)] in patients with essential hypertension never treated or after a 3 week placebo period, living in Buenos Aires. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cross-sectional survey among outpatients at the Hypertension Program of Buenos Aires University Hospital de Clinicas. Three-hundred seventy-seven essential hypertensives, aged 18-86 years, of either sex, were consecutively recruited. All subjects underwent 24 h ABPM performed with a blood pressure (BP) device. The prevalence of overweight-obesity was 56.76% in women and 75.86% in men. High WHR prevalence in non-obese women was 4.5% and 4.1% in non-obese men while high values of WC were observed in 3.0% of non-obese women and in 0% of non-obese men. The two-way ANCOVA showed that in women with high values of WHR, 24 h DBP was higher in those with BMI<25 than in those with BMI> or =25. Those females with a BMI> or =25 had a higher prevalence of top tertile values of PP (> or =68 mmHg) (P<0.05) than non-obese females. Only in women was mean pulse pressure (PP) significantly correlated with age (r=0.38; P<0.0001), WC (r=0.22; P<0.005), WHR (r=0.21, P<0.008), and BMI (r=0.20; P<0.01) while in men there was no significant correlation between variables. Logistic regression showed that the odds of morning blood pressure surge (MBPS) increased with age, central obesity (represented by high WHR and dipper status), while the odds of higher mean PP increased with age and high WHR. CONCLUSION: These results indicated a high prevalence of overweight-obesity (more than 56% of women and 75% of men) in our hospital-based sample of essential hypertension and that the WHR offers additional information beyond BMI and WC to predict the hypertension risk according to the ABPM.

La biopsia estereotáctica en el diagnóstico de las lesiones cerebrales focales en sida / Stereotactic brain biopsy in the diagnosis of focal brain lesions in AIDS

Las lesiones cerebrales focales constituyen una complicación frecuente en los pacientes con infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (HIV) y síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida (sida). Durante el período comprendido entre enero de 1999 y mayo de 2007 se realizaron un total de 83 biopsias en pacientes con sida y lesiones cerebrales. Se incluyeron aquellos pacientes que no hubiesen respondido al algoritmo habitual de enfoque diagnóstico-terapéutico de estas lesiones. Todas las muestras obtenidas fueron sometidas a evaluación intraoperatoria para asegurar la obtención de material patológico y posterior análisis histopatológico y exámenes microbiológicos. De los 41 pacientes con lesiones cerebrales múltiples, 62 tenían localización supratentorial, en 4 eran infratentoriales y 17 mostraron ambas localizaciones. Cincuenta y un lesiones seleccionadas como blanco estereotáctico tuvieron refuerzo periférico del contraste. Se obtuvo material histopatológico en el 100% de los procedimientos. El diagnóstico más frecuente fue el de leucoencefalopatía multifocal progresiva (LEMP) con 24 casos (29%), seguido del linfoma primario del sistema nervioso central (LPSNC) con 19 diagnósticos (23%) y de toxoplasmosis en 13 pacientes (15.7%). Se comprobó una relación significativa entre los diagnósticos histopatológicos y la localización de las lesiones y entre los diagnósticos histopatológicos y el comportamiento de las imágenes luego de la administración de la sustancia de contraste. El rédito diagnóstico alcanzó el 90.3% (75 biopsias). La morbiletalidad en esta serie fue de 2.4%. La biopsia cerebral estereotáctica permitió alcanzar el diagnóstico etiológico y adecuar el enfoque terapéutico en la mayoría de los pacientes de esta serie.

Focal brain lesions are frequent complications among HIV/AIDS patients. Between January 1999 and May 2007, 83 procedures of stereotactic brain biopsies in HIV/AIDS patients with focal cerebral lesions were carried out. The inclusion criteria were lack of response to current diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for brain lesions. All the samples underwent microscopic evaluation during surgery to assert valid material and delayed histopathological and microbiological examination. Forty one patient images demonstrated multiple brain lesions. Sixty two cases had supratentorial localization, 4 lesions were located beneath the tentorium and 17 showed both settings. Fifty one lesions presented peripheral enhancement after contrast computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A 100% of useful samples recovery was achieved. Progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy (PML) was the most frequent diagnosis (29%), followed by primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) (23%), and toxoplasmosis (15.7%). Statistically significant association was observed between histopathological diagnosis and lesion location and between those and peripheral ring enhancement images. The positive diagnostic rate of the invasive procedure was 90.3%. The morbidity/mortality rate was 2.4% in this series. In conclusion, the stereotactic brain biopsy ordered early during the patient’s evolution showed a good performance in order to achieve a prompt and accurate diagnosis and to guide the therapeutic scheme in these AIDS patients with focal brain lesions.

Asociación entre el comportamiento non-dipper de la presión arterial y las fracciones del calcio sérico en pacientes hipertensos con disfunción renal crónica leve a moderada / Association between non-dipper blood pressure behavior and serum calcium fractions in hypertensive patients with mild to moderate chronic renal dysfunction

Objetivos: Determinar asociación entre calcio total sérico y calcio iónico, con las determinaciones del MAPA en pacientes hipertensos en estadios 1-3 de enfermedad renal crónica. Métodos: se incluyeron 231 pacientes hipertensos. Resultados: En non dippers la prevalencia de Clcr <60 mL/ min/1,73 m2 fue mayor que en dippers (p < 0,02). El análisis de covarianza mostró que en estadío 3 de K/DOQI el Cat fue menor en non-dippers que en dippers (9,03 ± 0,66 vs 9,41 ± 1 mg/dL, p<0,02). En non-dippers hubo correlaciones significativas entre Cai y PAS 24 hs (r = 0,21, p < 0,03), PAS diurna 24 hs.(r=0,21, p<0,03) y PP 24 hs (r = 0,23; P < 0,02). Los non dippers tuvieron una mayor prevalencia del tercilo mas elevado de PP 24 horas que dippers. Los pacientes con Clcr > 60 mL/min/1,73 m2 tienen menor riesgo de presentar comportamiento non dipper que pacientes con (Clcr<60 mL/min/1,73 m2 (OR 2,445, IC 95% 1,398-4,277, p < 0,002). Conclusiones: los hipertensos en estadio 3 de K/DOQI tienen una mayor alteración de ritmo circadiano de PA que aquéllos en estadías 1-2. La alta prevalencia de non dipper en estadio 3 K/ DOQI sugiere que aun en disfunción renal moderada este patrón circadiano es común. Se puede especular que el Cai tiene un rol en patogénesis de alteración en descenso fisiológico nocturno de PA. El aumento de rigidez arterial puede ser un mecanismo significativo por el que comportamiento non dipper ejerce su influencia deletérea sobre evolución cardiovascular y renal de pacientes con ERC.(AU)

Objectives: To determine the association between total serum calcium (tCa) and ionic calcium (tCa), with MAPA measurements in hypertensive patients with early renal failure. Methods: 231 hypertensive patients stages 1-3 of chronic kidney disease (CKD) were included. 24 Hr arterial pressure (AP) was determined by MAPA. Results: in non-dippers, the prevalence of Cr.Cl. <60 ml/mins/1.73 m2 was greater than in dippers (p<0.02). Covariance analysis showed that in stage 3 of K/DOQI, tCa was less in non-dippers than dippers (9.03 ± 0.66 vs. 9.41 ± 1 mg/dL, p<0.02). In non-dippers, there were significant correlations between iCa and 24 hr- systolic AP (SAP)(r = 0.21, p < 0.03), diurnal SAP (r=0.21, p<0.03) and 24hr-PP(r = 0.23; p < 0,02). Non- dippers showed a greater prevalence of the 24 Hr-PP in the highest tertile than dippers. Patients with Cr.Cl. 2::60 mL/min/1, 73 m2 have less propensity to present non-dipper patterns than patients with Clcr<60 mL/min/1, 73 m2 (OR 2.44, IC 95% 1.39-4.27, p < 0.002). Conclusions: Hypertensive patients in K/ DOQIs stage 3 present a greater alteration of APs circadian rhythm than those on stages 1-2. High prevalence of non-dippers in K/DOQIs stage 3 suggests that even in moderate renal dysfunction, this circadian pattern is common. We can speculate that iCa has a role in the pathogenesis of disturbances in the nocturnal physiological drop of AP. The Increase in arterial stiffness can be an irnportant mechanism by which the non-dipper pattern exerts its deleterious influence on cardiovascular and renal evolution of patients with CKD.(AU)

Asociación entre el comportamiento non-dipper de la presión arterial y las fracciones del calcio sérico en pacientes hipertensos con disfunción renal crónica leve a moderada / Association between non-dipper blood pressure behavior and serum calcium fractions in hypertensive patients with mild to moderate chronic renal dysfunction

Objetivos: Determinar asociación entre calcio total sérico y calcio iónico, con las determinaciones del MAPA en pacientes hipertensos en estadios 1-3 de enfermedad renal crónica. Métodos: se incluyeron 231 pacientes hipertensos. Resultados: En non dippers la prevalencia de Clcr <60 mL/ min/1,73 m2 fue mayor que en dippers (p < 0,02). El análisis de covarianza mostró que en estadío 3 de K/DOQI el Cat fue menor en non-dippers que en dippers (9,03 ± 0,66 vs 9,41 ± 1 mg/dL, p<0,02). En non-dippers hubo correlaciones significativas entre Cai y PAS 24 hs (r = 0,21, p < 0,03), PAS diurna 24 hs.(r=0,21, p<0,03) y PP 24 hs (r = 0,23; P < 0,02). Los non dippers tuvieron una mayor prevalencia del tercilo mas elevado de PP 24 horas que dippers. Los pacientes con Clcr > 60 mL/min/1,73 m2 tienen menor riesgo de presentar comportamiento non dipper que pacientes con (Clcr<60 mL/min/1,73 m2 (OR 2,445, IC 95% 1,398-4,277, p < 0,002). Conclusiones: los hipertensos en estadio 3 de K/DOQI tienen una mayor alteración de ritmo circadiano de PA que aquéllos en estadías 1-2. La alta prevalencia de non dipper en estadio 3 K/ DOQI sugiere que aun en disfunción renal moderada este patrón circadiano es común. Se puede especular que el Cai tiene un rol en patogénesis de alteración en descenso fisiológico nocturno de PA. El aumento de rigidez arterial puede ser un mecanismo significativo por el que comportamiento non dipper ejerce su influencia deletérea sobre evolución cardiovascular y renal de pacientes con ERC.

Objectives: To determine the association between total serum calcium (tCa) and ionic calcium (tCa), with MAPA measurements in hypertensive patients with early renal failure. Methods: 231 hypertensive patients stages 1-3 of chronic kidney disease (CKD) were included. 24 Hr arterial pressure (AP) was determined by MAPA. Results: in non-dippers, the prevalence of Cr.Cl. <60 ml/mins/1.73 m2 was greater than in dippers (p<0.02). Covariance analysis showed that in stage 3 of K/DOQI, tCa was less in non-dippers than dippers (9.03 ± 0.66 vs. 9.41 ± 1 mg/dL, p<0.02). In non-dippers, there were significant correlations between iCa and 24 hr- systolic AP (SAP)(r = 0.21, p < 0.03), diurnal SAP (r=0.21, p<0.03) and 24hr-PP(r = 0.23; p < 0,02). Non- dippers showed a greater prevalence of the 24 Hr-PP in the highest tertile than dippers. Patients with Cr.Cl. 2::60 mL/min/1, 73 m2 have less propensity to present non-dipper patterns than patients with Clcr<60 mL/min/1, 73 m2 (OR 2.44, IC 95% 1.39-4.27, p < 0.002). Conclusions: Hypertensive patients in K/ DOQI's stage 3 present a greater alteration of AP's circadian rhythm than those on stages 1-2. High prevalence of non-dippers in K/DOQI's stage 3 suggests that even in moderate renal dysfunction, this circadian pattern is common. We can speculate that iCa has a role in the pathogenesis of disturbances in the nocturnal physiological drop of AP. The Increase in arterial stiffness can be an irnportant mechanism by which the non-dipper pattern exerts its deleterious influence on cardiovascular and renal evolution of patients with CKD.

Serum insulin, glucose and non esterified fatty acids after administration of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones in bitches

This paper reports the effect of the simultaneous administration of follicle-stimulating (FSH) and luteinizing hormones (LH) on serum glucose, insulin and nonesterified fatty acid responses after glucose or insulin challenge. The animals were originally at anestrous. FSH (dose 2.5 U/kg body wt.) and LH (0.27 U/kg body wt.) were s.c. injected on days 1, 4, 8 and 11. Vaginal smears were obtained daily. Six untreated controls at anestrous and six treated bitches reaching proestrous were used. Glucose tolerance tests were done with a dose of 1 g of glucose per kg of body weight. Bovine insulin was administered at the dose of 0.25 U/kg body wt. During these tests, neither serum glucose and nonesterified fatty acids nor glucose distribution space and glucose clearance were affected by the treatment. The serum insulin response to hyperglycemia was greatly increased. The distribution space and clearance rate of this hormone were not affected by FSH + LH treatment. We conclude that, in the bitch, FSH + LH treatment, at doses that trigger "sex seasons", increases the serum insulin response to glucose load and produces a moderate resistance to the hypoglycemic, lipogenic and antilipolytic insulin actions. These phenomena are evident during hyperglycemia

Serum insulin, glucose and non esterified fatty acids after administration of follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones in bitches

This paper reports the effect of the simultaneous administration of follicle-stimulating (FSH) and luteinizing hormones (LH) on serum glucose, insulin and nonesterified fatty acid responses after glucose or insulin challenge. The animals were originally at anestrous. FSH (dose 2.5 U/kg body wt.) and LH (0.27 U/kg body wt.) were s.c. injected on days 1, 4, 8 and 11. Vaginal smears were obtained daily. Six untreated controls at anestrous and six treated bitches reaching proestrous were used. Glucose tolerance tests were done with a dose of 1 g of glucose per kg of body weight. Bovine insulin was administered at the dose of 0.25 U/kg body wt. During these tests, neither serum glucose and nonesterified fatty acids nor glucose distribution space and glucose clearance were affected by the treatment. The serum insulin response to hyperglycemia was greatly increased. The distribution space and clearance rate of this hormone were not affected by FSH + LH treatment. We conclude that, in the bitch, FSH + LH treatment, at doses that trigger "sex seasons", increases the serum insulin response to glucose load and produces a moderate resistance to the hypoglycemic, lipogenic and antilipolytic insulin actions. These phenomena are evident during hyperglycemia (AU)

Neuromanías bacterianas en pacientes con enfermedad HIV/SIDA: análisis epidemiológico, clínico, diagnóstico y evolutivo de 283 pacientes / Bacterial pneumonia in HIV/Aids patients: epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic evaluation and outcome of a 283 patients series

Introducción: La neumonía bacteriana (NB) es una de las infecciones oportunistas (IO) más frecuentes en pacientes infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) y Sida. Desde el advenimiento de la terapia antirretroviral de gran actividad (TARGA), la incidencia de la mayoría de las IO ha disminuido, aunque la NB representa, según frecuencia, la segunda enfermedad definidora de Sida en nuestro medio. Objetivos: Determinar la incidencia, patrones radiológicos, hallazgos microbiológicos, humorales y factores pronósticos de NB en una serie de pacientes con HIV/Sida. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes adultos con infección por HIV/Sida con diagnóstico de NB, desde el mes de mayo de 2003 a junio de 2006 en un hospital de enfermedades infecciosas de la ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Resultados: En el período considerado se identificaron 283 episodios de NB. Todos los pacientes eran de sexo masculino. La mediana de edad fue de 36 años y la mediana del recuento de linfocitos T CD4 + en el momento del diagnóstico de la NB, fue de 91 cél/μL. El diagnóstico microbiológico fue confirmado en 151 casos (54,9%). Los tres agentes etiológicos más frecuentes fueron: Streptococcus pneumoniae (77 casos), Haemophilus influenzae (21 casos) y Staphylococcus aureus resistente a meticilina (SARM - 18 casos). La mortalidad tuvo una asociación estadísticamente significativa con la infección por SARM, Pseudomonas aeruginosa y Acinetobacter baumannii y con la presencia de muy bajos recuentos linfocitarios CD4+ (< 200 cél/μL). Conclusiones: A pesar que la incidencia de IO ha descendido considerablemente en la era de la TARGA, la NB representa una importante causa de morbimortalidad. SARM y los bacilos intranosocomiales representan una gran proporción entre los agentes causales.

Effect of glucose infusion in dogs on blood sugar, insulinemia and serum free fatty acid responses

Se llevó a cabo un estudio dosis-respuesta a la glucosa en sangre venosa sistémica de perros machos normales. Dosis de glucosa: a) primodosis 700mg/Kg peso corp., e.v.; b) perfusión endovenosa: 20 (grupo I), 28 (grupo II), 44 (grupo III) y 100 (grupo IV) mg/Kg peso corp./min., durante 60 min. El período de recobramiento duró 60 min. adicionales. Se estudiaron las siguientes respuestas: glucemia, insulina sérica inmunorreactiva y ácidos grasos libres séricos. Hubo efecto significativos de la dosis de glucos infundida sobre las respuestas integradas (120 min.) de la glucemia y de la insulinemia. La repuesta integrada de los ácidos grasos libres séricos no fue influenciada por dicha dosis. Las respuesta integradas glucémicas en los grupos I, II y III coincidieron, mientras que la observada en IV fue mayor que ellas. La respuesta insulinémica integrada del grupo III fue más elevada que las de los grupos restantes; la respuesta fue II fue menos intensa que en el IV. En los grupos I y II hubo una correlación lineal inversa entre las respuestas glucémica e insulinémica integradas. Esta correlación desaparece cuando en el cálculo del coeficiente de correlación se incluyen los datos corrspondientes de los grupos III y IV. Hubo un efecto significativo de la dosis de glucosa infundida sobre el índice insulinogénico durante la prueba de glucos. Los índices insulinogénicos promedio de los grupos II y IV fueron más bajos que le del grupo III. Durante la infusión de glucosa, se apreció un pico de respuesta insulínica en el grupo I. Se halló una respuesta bifásica típica en los animales del grupo II. En los perros de los grupos III y IV, en cambio, se observó un pico único, muy alto y prolongado, de respuesta insulínica. Se discuten los resultados sobre la base del conocimiento actual de la dinámica de secreción bifásica de insulina in vitro

Effect of glucose infusion in dogs on blood sugar, insulinemia and serum free fatty acid responses

Se llevó a cabo un estudio dosis-respuesta a la glucosa en sangre venosa sistémica de perros machos normales. Dosis de glucosa: a) primodosis 700mg/Kg peso corp., e.v.; b) perfusión endovenosa: 20 (grupo I), 28 (grupo II), 44 (grupo III) y 100 (grupo IV) mg/Kg peso corp./min., durante 60 min. El período de recobramiento duró 60 min. adicionales. Se estudiaron las siguientes respuestas: glucemia, insulina sérica inmunorreactiva y ácidos grasos libres séricos. Hubo efecto significativos de la dosis de glucos infundida sobre las respuestas integradas (120 min.) de la glucemia y de la insulinemia. La repuesta integrada de los ácidos grasos libres séricos no fue influenciada por dicha dosis. Las respuesta integradas glucémicas en los grupos I, II y III coincidieron, mientras que la observada en IV fue mayor que ellas. La respuesta insulinémica integrada del grupo III fue más elevada que las de los grupos restantes; la respuesta fue II fue menos intensa que en el IV. En los grupos I y II hubo una correlación lineal inversa entre las respuestas glucémica e insulinémica integradas. Esta correlación desaparece cuando en el cálculo del coeficiente de correlación se incluyen los datos corrspondientes de los grupos III y IV. Hubo un efecto significativo de la dosis de glucosa infundida sobre el índice insulinogénico durante la prueba de glucos. Los índices insulinogénicos promedio de los grupos II y IV fueron más bajos que le del grupo III. Durante la infusión de glucosa, se apreció un pico de respuesta insulínica en el grupo I. Se halló una respuesta bifásica típica en los animales del grupo II. En los perros de los grupos III y IV, en cambio, se observó un pico único, muy alto y prolongado, de respuesta insulínica. Se discuten los resultados sobre la base del conocimiento actual de la dinámica de secreción bifásica de insulina in vitro (AU)

Seroepidemiología de los rotavirus humanos en una comunidad del partido de Avellaneda, Provincia de Buenos Aires / Seroepidemiology of human rotavirus in a community of the Avellaneda district, Province of Buenos Aires

El presente trabajo describe los resultados obtenidos durante un estudio prospectivo llevado a cabo en 49 familias del Partido de Avellaneda, tendiente a conocer la seroepidemiología de los rotavirus humanos en nuestro medio. Cada familia fue incorporada estado la madre embarazada y el recien nacido fue estudiado hasta los 2 años de vida. La mayoría de las infecciones observadas durante el primer año fueron primarias (0,64 infecciones por niño-año; el 91,3% en niños seronegativos; p < 0,005). Esto coindidió con el período de mayor suceptibilidad a la diarrea por rotavirus (0,25 casos por niño-año; p < 0,01). La incidencia de infecciones en toda la población fue 0,63 casos por persona-año, sin variaciones signficativas para cada grupo de edad. El 61,6% de ellas fueron reinfecciones y en su gran mayoría asintomáticas. Por último se demonstró una relación signficativa entre el nivel de IgG específica circulante y la protección contra la infección y la diarrea causada por los rotavirus, durante los períodos de 6 meses estudiados (p < 0,005 para la infección; p < 0,03 para la diarrea). Aunque se encontró un mayor porcentaje de personas con anticuerpos y mayores niveles a medida que aumentaba la edad (p < 0,005), la incidencia de infecciones por rotavirus no presentó variaciones significativas con la misma. De acuredo con la alta incidencia de reinfecciones encontrada y por haber hallado la total desaparición del nivel de anticuerpos en un 5% de las infecciones un año después, se postula que la protección asociada al nivel de anticuerpos circulantes disminuye rápidamente luego de los 6 meses

Fecal bile acid excretion profile in gallstone patients

Epidemiological studies have shown a positive association between choloesterol gallstones and colonic cancer. These two diseases may be somehow related with bile acids metabolic alterations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the profiles of fecal bile acid in gallstone patients, in order to estimate the quality and amount of fecal bile acids. A fecal bile acid profile of ten gallstone patients and ten controls was compared using high performance liquid chromatography. Total fecal bile acid excretion was significantly increased in gallstone patients compared with controls (692.7 mg/day (302.5-846.2) vs 165.7 mg/day (138.7-221.3), p<0.01) as was the excretion of secondary free bile acids 562.9 mg/day (253.3-704.9) vs 99.9 mg/day (88.9-154.2), p<0.01). Lithocholic and glycodeoxycholic and percentages have also been found to show differences with controls of 55.4 (47.4-73.9) vs 24.6 (22.1-38.4) (p<0.01) and 29.4 (3.3-41.7) vs 2.8 (1.0-3.8) (p<0.03), respectively but deoxycholic acid has not shown differences between the two groups. Moreover, the percentage of ursodeoxycholic acid diminished significantly in gallstone patients (1.5 (1.0-2.8) vs 8.6 (6.0-10.39) (p<0.001), and the decrease of chenodeoxycholic acid was also significant (20.0 (11.4-23.6) vs 8.9 (3.1-10.9) (p<0.03) along with a rise in the rations lithocholic/deoxycholic acids (1.8 (1.4-6.4) vs 0.9 (0.6-1.6) (p<0.05) and glycine/taurine of deoxycholic acid (7.3 (4.1-46.6) vs 0.2 (0.1-0.5) (p<0.01). In conclusion, we have observed a significant increase of total and secondary fecal bile acid excretion as well as a rise of LCA and GDCA percentages and a rise in the ratios of LCA/DCA and glycinet/taurine of DCA.

Fecal bile acid excretion profile in gallstone patients

Epidemiological studies have shown a positive association between choloesterol gallstones and colonic cancer. These two diseases may be somehow related with bile acids metabolic alterations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the profiles of fecal bile acid in gallstone patients, in order to estimate the quality and amount of fecal bile acids. A fecal bile acid profile of ten gallstone patients and ten controls was compared using high performance liquid chromatography. Total fecal bile acid excretion was significantly increased in gallstone patients compared with controls (692.7 mg/day (302.5-846.2) vs 165.7 mg/day (138.7-221.3), p<0.01) as was the excretion of secondary free bile acids 562.9 mg/day (253.3-704.9) vs 99.9 mg/day (88.9-154.2), p<0.01). Lithocholic and glycodeoxycholic and percentages have also been found to show differences with controls of 55.4 (47.4-73.9) vs 24.6 (22.1-38.4) (p<0.01) and 29.4 (3.3-41.7) vs 2.8 (1.0-3.8) (p<0.03), respectively but deoxycholic acid has not shown differences between the two groups. Moreover, the percentage of ursodeoxycholic acid diminished significantly in gallstone patients (1.5 (1.0-2.8) vs 8.6 (6.0-10.39) (p<0.001), and the decrease of chenodeoxycholic acid was also significant (20.0 (11.4-23.6) vs 8.9 (3.1-10.9) (p<0.03) along with a rise in the rations lithocholic/deoxycholic acids (1.8 (1.4-6.4) vs 0.9 (0.6-1.6) (p<0.05) and glycine/taurine of deoxycholic acid (7.3 (4.1-46.6) vs 0.2 (0.1-0.5) (p<0.01). In conclusion, we have observed a significant increase of total and secondary fecal bile acid excretion as well as a rise of LCA and GDCA percentages and a rise in the ratios of LCA/DCA and glycinet/taurine of DCA. (AU)

Seroepidemiología de los rotavirus humanos en una comunidad del partido de Avellaneda, Provincia de Buenos Aires / Seroepidemiology of human rotavirus in a community of the Avellaneda district, Province of Buenos Aires

El presente trabajo describe los resultados obtenidos durante un estudio prospectivo llevado a cabo en 49 familias del Partido de Avellaneda, tendiente a conocer la seroepidemiología de los rotavirus humanos en nuestro medio. Cada familia fue incorporada estado la madre embarazada y el recien nacido fue estudiado hasta los 2 años de vida. La mayoría de las infecciones observadas durante el primer año fueron primarias (0,64 infecciones por niño-año; el 91,3% en niños seronegativos; p < 0,005). Esto coindidió con el período de mayor suceptibilidad a la diarrea por rotavirus (0,25 casos por niño-año; p < 0,01). La incidencia de infecciones en toda la población fue 0,63 casos por persona-año, sin variaciones signficativas para cada grupo de edad. El 61,6% de ellas fueron reinfecciones y en su gran mayoría asintomáticas. Por último se demonstró una relación signficativa entre el nivel de IgG específica circulante y la protección contra la infección y la diarrea causada por los rotavirus, durante los períodos de 6 meses estudiados (p < 0,005 para la infección; p < 0,03 para la diarrea). Aunque se encontró un mayor porcentaje de personas con anticuerpos y mayores niveles a medida que aumentaba la edad (p < 0,005), la incidencia de infecciones por rotavirus no presentó variaciones significativas con la misma. De acuredo con la alta incidencia de reinfecciones encontrada y por haber hallado la total desaparición del nivel de anticuerpos en un 5% de las infecciones un año después, se postula que la protección asociada al nivel de anticuerpos circulantes disminuye rápidamente luego de los 6 meses (AU)