Coexistencia de artritis séptica y microcristalina: un reto diagnóstico. A propósito de 25 casos

ObjectiveSeptic arthritis is a medical emergency and crystal-induced arthritis is a risk factor for its development. If both occur simultaneously, crystal-induced arthritis may mask the diagnosis of infection and delay antibiotic therapy.MethodRetrospective analysis of patients with coexistence of septic and crystal-induced arthritis. We included only patients with isolation of crystals in synovial fluid analysis and positive culture of synovial fluid and/or blood culture.ResultsA total of 25 patients (17 men and 8 women) with a mean age of 67 years. The most commonly affected joint was the knee. In synovial fluid cytological studies, the most frequently identified crystals were monosodium urate. Risk factors included diabetes and chronic renal failure. The most frequently isolated germs were methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (48%), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (12%) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (12%). In all, 36% of subjects required surgical drainage (excluding those caused by M. tuberculosis). Clinical outcome was favorable in 56%, although intercurrent complications were usual (40%). Mortality was 8%.ConclusionsCoexistence of septic and crystal-induced arthritis represents a diagnostic challenge and requires a high index of suspicion. Gout was the most prevalent crystal-induced arthritis. S. aureus was the most commonly causative pathogen, with a high rate of methicillin-resistant S. aureus infection. If treated early, the outcome is usually favorable, making synovial fluid microbiological study imperative.     

Multi-day radon signals with a radioactive decay limb -- occurrence and geophysical significance.

Multi-day signals, generally with duration of 2-10 days, are a prominent temporal variation type of radon (Rn) in geogas in the unsaturated zone. Rare multi-day Rn signals have been found which are characterized by: (a) a declining limb lasting up to 10 days which conforms to the radioactive decay of Rn, (b) recurs at the same location and (c) is recorded in diverse situations-volcanic and seismogenic. It suggested that a Rn blob is injected at a lower level on a steady upward flow of geogas whereby the rise and final fall of the signal are attributed to the edges of the blob while the central Rn-decay segment records the passing of the decaying blob itself. Rn-decay signals are a small subset of multi-day Rn signals which are considered as highly irregular and unusable for the understanding of geophysical processes. In difference, it is concluded that multi-day Rn signals are probably proxies of subtle geodynamic processes at upper crustal levels and are therefore significant for studying such processes.     

Photodynamic therapy in Argentina

The use of endogenous Protoporphyrin IX generated through the heme biosynthetic pathway after administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) has led to many applications in photodynamic therapy (PDT). In Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Centro de Investigaciones sobre Porfirinas y Porfirias (CIPYP), reported for the first time, in 1975, porphyrin synthesis from ALA in highly dividing plant tissues. Increased porphyrin synthesis in tumours as well as cell photosensitisation was reported soon after. Our group is also interested in studying the use of new synthetic lipophilic derivatives of ALA as well as ALA delivery in liposomes. We have elucidated the mechanism of ALA transport in mammalian and yeast cells. The interactions between ALA-PDT and nitric oxide were investigated in three murine adenocarcinoma cell lines. In the National University of Río Cuarto, Córdoba, a group is devoted to the synthesis of new porphyrin-derived photosensitisers to study their effects on photoinactivation of bacterial and mammalian cells death by PDT. At the Centre of Electron Microscopy of the Cordoba National University, a prototype of a 630 nm noncoherent light source was designed and constructed. Cost of the light source and scarce knowledge of the benefits of PDT by physicians limit the spread of the treatment throughout the country.     

Anton’s syndrome due to a giant anterior fossa meningioma. The problem of routine use of advanced diagnostic imaging in psychiatric care

Summary We present a case of blindness and Anton’s syndrome in a psychiatric patient with late diagnosis of a giant frontal meningioma. The criteria for advanced diagnostic imaging in the psychiatric population are discussed. We conclude that MR or CT scan is indicated in psychiatric in-patients who fail to improve with standard psychiatric treatment. This strategy should be submitted to a cost-benefit analysis.     

The Influence of Academic Support on Latino Adolescents’ Academic Motivation

Abstract: The current study examined the extent to which mothers, fathers, teachers, and teenage friends influenced Latino adolescents’ academic motivation. Using path analysis, separate models were tested for 154 Latino boys and 156 Latina girls. Findings indicated that mothers’ and teachers’ academic support were positively related to adolescent girls’ academic motivation, and fathers’ and teachers’ academic support were positively related to adolescent boys’ academic motivation. The salience of teachers’ support, possible reasons for gender differences, and implications for future research are discussed.     

Fixed exanthema from systemic tobramycin.

Eye drops contain several ophthalmic medications which can produce allergic reactions. We report the case of a patient with contact dermatitis from neomycin and a probable fixed exanthema after parenteral administration of tobramycin who tolerated topical tobramycin and other aminoglycosides.     

Meta-analysis of drop-out rates in randomised clinical trials, comparing typical and atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess antipsychotic medication in the treatment of schizophrenia, based on trial drop-out rates. METHOD: The studies included were randomised controlled trials that compared any of the four clinically best-established atypical antipsychotics (quetiapine, olanzapine, risperidone or clozapine) against either of two typical antipsychotics regarded as the gold standard (haloperidol or chlorpromazine). RESULTS: Meta-analysis indicated less risk of all-cause patient withdrawal from atypical medication trials where dosage was flexible, in both the short, relative risk (RR) 0.70 (95% CI 0.64-0.76), P<0.00001, and long term, RR 0.72 (0.65-0.80), P<0.00001. Similar results were observed for withdrawal due to adverse events, RR: 0.54 (0.41-0.72), P<0.0001. Nevertheless, the favourable effects of atypical medication disappeared in trials relying on fixed dosage. CONCLUSIONS: We detected a significant positive effect in terms of the outcome of treatment discontinuation for atypical versus typical medication, though only where the use of flexible rather than fixed doses (closer to an experimental control situation) was possible.     

Pseudoathetosis: report of three patients.

We report on 3 patients with pseudoathetosis, which are involuntary, slow, writhing movements due to loss of proprioception.     

Analysis of renal function in the immediate postoperative period after partial liver transplantation.

Although renal dysfunction is common after liver transplantation, postoperative renal function after split liver transplantation (SLT) has not been well studied. Renal function immediately after surgery was analyzed retrospectively in 16 patients that received a SLT (SLT group). The results were compared with corresponding data from 31 matched patients that received a full-size liver transplant (FSLT group) during the same period. Serum creatinine (SCr) was measured before surgery, and, after transplantation, daily during the first week and at days 14, 21, and 28. Renal dysfunction (RD) was defined as the requirement for renal replacement therapy (RRT) or a 100% increase in SCr if the basal value had been <1.0 mg/dL or a 50% increase in SCr if the basal value had been >1.0 mg/dL. SCr had to be at least 1.5 mg/dL for a diagnosis of RD to be considered. The classification of RD was: mild, SCr 1.5-2.4 mg/dL; moderate, SCr 2.5-4.0 mg/dL; or severe, SCr >4.0 mg/dL (the requirement for RRT). Both donor and recipient age and cold ischemia time were lower in the SLT group than in the FSLT group (P < 0.05). Length of surgery was longer in the SLT group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between groups with respect to Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores, the need for transfusions, the length of admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), survival rate, individual severity index, or sepsis-related organ failure assessment scores at the time of diagnosing RD. Immunosuppression regimens were similar in both groups. RD developed in 82% of SLT patients, but in only 58% of FSLT patients (P = not significant [NS]). Among SLT patients, RD (23.0% mild, 15.5% moderate, and 61.5% severe) was more severe (P = 0.007) than in FSLT patients (63.1% mild, 15.8% moderate, and 24.1% severe). The requirement for RRT in the SLT group (43.7%) was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than that in the FSLT group (12.9%). This finding may be due to the different incidence of sepsis in the 2 groups (SLT 37.5% vs. FSLT 9.7%; P < 0.05). In conclusion, although the number of patients studied was small, our data suggest a higher incidence of RD and a greater requirement for RRT in patients that receive a split liver graft than in those that receive a full size liver graft.     

Tuberculosis trends in Madrid, 1994-2003: impact of immigration and HIV infection.

SETTING: Tuberculosis (TB) cases reported from nine districts of Madrid, where the percentage of immigrant population varied from 1.9% in 1996 to 12.2% in 2003. OBJECTIVE: To describe the trends in TB incidence from 1994 to 2003. DESIGN: Observational study. RESULTS: Between 1994-1995 and 2002-2003, the TB rate decreased from 48.5 (95% CI 45.8-51.1) to 23.3 per 100000 population (95% CI 21.5-25.1) (P < 0.001). The percentage of TB cases co-infected with HIV decreased from 55.9% in 1994 to 14.3% in 2003 (P < 0.001), whereas TB cases in foreigners increased from 2.6% in 1994 to 33.7% in 2003 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Although the TB rates showed a marked decrease in the study period, the increasing impact of immigration contributed to slowing down the trend.