Buerger's disease (thromboangiitis obliterans)

Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) is a segmental, inflammatory, vasoocclusive disease that predominantly affects the small and medium-sized arteries and veins of the extremities. It most often occurs in young male smokers, especially those from Mediterranean and Asian countries. It is considered an autoimmune process related to the use of tobacco products. Clinically, it is characterized by the presence of painful, ischemic ulcers of the digits. Histopathological studies usually show an occlusive intraluminal thrombus with a predominantly acute inflammatory infiltrate. To make the diagnosis, it is important to exclude other causes of ischemia of the extremities, and different authors have proposed criteria to establish this diagnosis. Treatment is only effective if it is accompanied by abstention from tobacco. There are also different pharmacological and surgical strategies for its management.     

Alternative splicing of LYT1 transcripts in Trypanosoma cruzi

As a result of alternative trans splicing, three distinct LYT1 mRNAs are produced in Trypanosoma cruzi, two encoding the full-length LYT1 protein and the third encoding a truncated LYT1 protein lacking a possible signal sequence. Analysis of the three mRNAs in different developmental forms of the parasite revealed that the alternative processing events were regulated differently during the parasite life cycle.     

Scintigraphic follow-up of the effects of therapy with hydroxyurea on splenic function in patients with sickle cell disease

Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) may develop functional asplenia as a chronic complication, secondary to repeated episodes of polymerisation of haemoglobin S. It is known that increased plasma concentrations of fetal haemoglobin (HbF) reduce the polymerisation of haemoglobin S. Hydroxyurea is a chemotherapeutic agent capable of increasing HbF levels in the red blood cells and its use has recently been proposed in the treatment of SCD. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of long-term therapy with hydroxyurea on recovery of splenic function. Twenty-one patients (aged 3-22 years; 14 with SS haemoglobinopathy, 7 with Sbeta(0) haemoglobinopathy) were studied with liver/spleen scintigraphy before and after 6 and 12 months of treatment. All studies were submitted to visual inspection and semi-quantitative analyses using spleen/liver ratios. Imaging prior to treatment demonstrated functional asplenia in nine SS patients and one Sbeta(0) patient and impaired splenic function in five SS patients and six Sbeta(0) patients. After treatment, splenic function improved in ten patients, remained unchanged in eight and worsened in three. Using liver/spleen imaging, it was possible to demonstrate that hydroxyurea is capable of improving splenic function in some SCD patients. Improvement is not always possible and frequently does not lead to a normal splenic function even after 1 year of treatment.     

Family life strategies and their relation with malnutrition in children under 2 years old

OBJECTIVE: To identify the role of family life strategies on malnutrition in children aged 6-23 months of age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This case-control study was conducted in 1998 in the municipality of Teolocholco, State of Tlaxcala, Mexico, among families with children aged 6-23 months of age. The sample was conformed by 105 cases and 210 controls. Family life strategies were grouped into five types: family composition, means and distribution of family income, family and social networks, and life preservation strategies. Malnutrition was classified according to height for age. Data were analyzed using logistic regression to obtain odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Data were collected from 605 families, for a total of 445 controls and 160 cases. The predictive model included mother's schooling, overcrowding, time elapsed between childbirths, per capita monthly income, and time devoted to child-rearing activities. CONCLUSIONS: Family life strategies determine children's nutritional status; understanding the influence of the family on the children's health status is necessary to develop effective programs aimed at improving the nutritional status of children.     

The European Smoking Prevention Framework Approach (ESFA): short-term effects

The European Smoking Prevention Framework Approach (ESFA) resulted in a smoking prevention project for six European countries. It included activities on four levels: adolescents, schools, parents and out-of-school activities. Common goals and objectives were developed, but countries were also able to include additional objectives. National diversities required country-specific methods. The most important common element was a school-based programme consisting of at least five lessons paying attention to social influence processes and training in refusal skills. During the first year, significantly more smoking prevention activities were realized in experimental schools compared with control schools. Not all countries had the same number of lessons on resisting peer pressures. Significant cognitive changes were observed in Spain, resulting in more negative attitudes, increased self-efficacy levels and a more negative intention towards smoking in the experimental group. Counter-productive cognitive effects were observed in the UK. Significantly less onset of weekly smoking in experimental groups was found in Finland (4.7%) and Spain (3.1%). Counter-productive effects were observed in Denmark and the UK. In conclusion, while having common objectives, the ESFA approach allowed for a great deal of diversity. Fundamental research using dismantling designs is needed to be able to detect the most effective elements of smoking prevention programmes for different age groups. Attention to parenting styles and practices is also needed.     

Esclerosis múltiple: ventaja izquierda para la lateralidad auditiva en pruebas dicóticas de procesamiento auditivo central y relación de pruebas psicoacústicas con examen de discapacidad-EDEM

Objective

To evaluate the central auditory processing disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis, emphasizing auditory laterality by applying psychoacoustic tests and to identify their relationship with the Multiple Sclerosis Disability Scale (EDSS) functions.