Radiology interventions in patients receiving low molecular weight heparin: Timing is critical

Recent advances in diagnosis and treatment of venous thromboembolism have been associated with increasing use of low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) for treatment and prophylaxis of this disease. Despite this trend for more widespread use of LMWH, little is known of their safety in patients undergoing radiology interventions. Differences between LMWH and unfractionated heparin and the implications of these differences on use of LMWH in the setting of radiological interventions are outlined.     

Surgical management of liver hydatidosis: a multicentre series of 1412 patients

Background: The management of hydatid liver disease (HLD) includes various nonsurgical and surgical treatment options. Methods: The purpose of the present longitudinal study was to report the changes in surgical management and the consequent outcome of HLD patients in 10 referral surgical centres in Argentina from 1975 to 2007. The study result analysis was divided into two study periods (1975–1990 and 1991–2007). Results: A total of 1412 patients underwent radical (Group 1: 396 patients), conservative (Group 2: 748 patients) or combined (Group 3: 536 interventions in 268 patients) surgical procedures. The overall mortality and complication rate (Clavien I–IV) was 1.8 and 39% respectively. The complication rate was significantly lower in Group 1 (26%) compared with Group 2 (45%) and Group 3 (42%) There was a significant decrease in mortality (2.3 vs. 1%), complication (42 vs. 34%) and early reoperation (12 vs. 6%) rates between the first study part (918 patients) and the second study part (494 patients). During a median follow‐up of 7 years, there was a significant decrease in the first part of this study in the late reoperation rate (8.4–3%) and in disease recurrence (9–1.6%). Conclusion: This large national observational multicentre series shows a significant improvement in surgical management of HLD in Argentina, with a decrease in mortality, morbidity, early and late reoperation and recurrence rates. A recent trend was observed in favour of an earlier diagnosis, less complicated clinical presentation and recent use of minimally invasive approaches.     

Economic activity and congenital anomalies: an ecologic study in Argentina. ECLAMC ECOTERAT Group

In this study, we analyze the association between industrial activity and the occurrence of 34 congenital anomalies. We selected 21 counties in Argentina during 1982-1994 and examined a total of 614,796 births in these counties in consecutive series. We used the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (United Nations, 1968) as an indicator of exposure to 80 specific industrial activities. Incidence rate ratios for each congenital anomaly were adjusted by the socioeconomic level of the county according to a census index of social deprivation. For a given exposure/anomaly association to be considered as significant and relevant, the exposure had to be a statistically significant risk for the occurrence of the anomaly and an increase in the birth prevalence rate of the congenital anomaly type involved had to be observed in those counties where the putative causal activity was being performed. Significant associations (p < 0.01) were identified between textile industry and anencephaly, and between the manufacture of engines and turbines and microcephaly. These observations are consistent with previous reports on occupational exposure, and their further investigation by means of case-control studies is recommended.     

Cbfbeta reduces Cbfbeta-SMMHC-associated acute myeloid leukemia in mice

The gene encoding for core-binding factor beta (CBFbeta) is altered in acute myeloid leukemia samples with an inversion in chromosome 16, expressing the fusion protein CBFbeta-SMMHC. Previous studies have shown that this oncoprotein interferes with hematopoietic differentiation and proliferation and participates in leukemia development. In this study, we provide evidence that Cbfbeta modulates the oncogenic function of this fusion protein. We show that Cbfbeta plays an important role in proliferation of hematopoietic progenitors expressing Cbfbeta-SMMHC in vitro. In addition, Cbfbeta-SMMHC-mediated leukemia development is accelerated in the absence of Cbfbeta. These results indicate that the balance between Cbfbeta and Cbfbeta-SMMHC directly affects leukemia development, and suggest that CBF-specific therapeutic molecules should target CBFbeta-SMMHC function while maintaining CBFbeta activity.     

Compulsory Diseases Notification (CDN) in Navarre 2003

Epidemiological vigilance in Navarre covers 34 transmissible diseases, whose notification is compulsory, and epidemic outbreaks of any aetiology. Notification is carried out on a weekly basis by the doctors from paediatrics, primary and specialised level who suspect or diagnose any of these diseases. In 2003, 75.0% of all the possible notification reports (a weekly report for each doctor) were received, a percentage that has improved in the last five year period. In 2003, Influenza reached a rate of 48.9 cases per 1,000 inhabitants (Epidemic Index, EI: 0.91), showing an epidemic peak in January and another in November. The rate of respiratory tuberculosis was 11.76 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, and the rate of non-respiratory tuberculosis was 1.90, with a continuous trend to decrease in both cases. Five cases of tuberculosis occurred in two small family outbreaks. Thirty percent of the cases were produced in immigrants. The cases coinfected with HIV have fallen from 21% in 1996 to 2.5% in 2003. Fifteen cases of meningococcal disease were reported, (2.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), appearing in a sporadic form. Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B was isolated in 10 cases, and serogroup C in 5 cases. Eighty percent appeared in the form of sepsis, and death occurred in one case (6.7%). All of the cases younger than six years of age were vaccinated and belonged to serogroup B. The incidence of Legionnaire's disease was 3.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (EI: 0.92), without any epidemiological relation between them. There were 7 cases of malaria, all imported. The incidence of food borne infections has fallen (EI: 0.71).     

Use of neuroleptics in a general hospital

Background  

This study investigates the clinical use of neuroleptics within a general hospital in acutely ill medical or surgical patients and its relation with dementia three months after admission compared with control subjects.     

Intradural cervical lipoma without neurologic involvement; report of a case

Lipomas are masses composed of mature adipose tissue, usually affecting lumbosacral levels, often associated with neural tube defects. Spinal lipomas at more rostral levels are usually unassociated with congenital abnormalities, but may produce a more severe neural compromise. Rare reports of cervical lipoma without neurological deficit have been described. We present the case of a 10-years-old girl who complained of cervical pain and stiff neck related to a C7-T1 intradural lipoma, without neurological affectation. The lipoma was partially resected without postoperative deterioration.