Organochlorine Residues in South American Sea Lions, Otaria flavescens (Shaw, 1800): Bioaccumulation and Time Trends

Blubber from stranded South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) was sampled between 1991 and 2005 on the Peninsula Valdés in Argentina and analyzed for organochlorine (OC) pollutants. Mean blubber concentrations, expressed on an extractable basis, were 686 (SD = 1,060) ng g⁻¹ for dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (tDDT) and 735 (SD = 787) ng g⁻¹ for polychlorinated byphenils (PCB). The OC levels were well below those associated with adverse sublethal effects and lethality in mammals. OC concentrations showed statistically significant associations with age that were positive in males and negative in females. These trends are consistent with the majority of marine mammal populations studied. There were no trends in the levels of tDDT or PCB over time. In spite of the low levels detected, OC contamination was present consistently over the 14-year period, suggesting continuous inputs from geographic redistribution.     

Cross-reactivity between IgE-binding proteins from Anisakis German cockroach, and chironomids

Pascual CY, Crespo JF, San Martin S, Ornia N, Ortega N, Caballero T, Munoz-Pereira M, Martin-Estaban M. Cross-reactivity between IgE-binding proteins from Anisakis German cockroach, and chironomids. Anisakis simplex larvae parasitize animals used as seafood and can produce a specific immune response in man. The ingestion of seafood contaminated with stage three of A. simplex larvae can induce a specific IgE response with clinical symptoms, usually urticaria, even if the fish is cooked before ingestion and the invasive infestation power destroyed by heating. Our preliminary studies showed a strong association of A. simplex sensitization with Ascaris lumbricoides, Daphnia chironomid spp., Atlantic shrimp ‘Pandalus borealis’ and German cockroach ‘Blattella germanica’. We conducted the cross-reactivity study with cockroach, a ubiquitous insect, and Chironomidae ‘red mosquito larvae’, a work-related allergen, without any possibility of Anisakis contamination. Serum samples were collected from 60 pediatric patients, with serum specific IgE to A. simplex. Both specific-IgE and immunoblot-inhibition studies, with a serum pool from 18 patients, were performed to determine whether the association of sensitizations to nematodes and arthropods was due to immunologic cross-reactivity. In addition, serum samples from 21 of 60 patients who showed also sensitization to German cockroach were used for individual immunoblot studies. In the serum pool, dose-dependent inhibition of B. germanica and Chironomus spp. was observed after preincubation with the A. simplex extract. Immunoblot of Anisakis inhibited with Chironomus and German cockroach, yielded a partial blot inhibition but mainly on bands below 41 kDa. Blot inhibition of German cockroach and Chironomus with Anisakis was dose related. The band patterns in individual blots were heterogeneous, but most of them had bands of 30–43 kDa. None of these sera recognized allergens in the 14–kDa area. In our study, CAP-inhibition and immunoblot-inhibition analysis of Anisakis showed that several IgE-binding components could be shared by the three allergens.     

Occupational asthma caused by fish inhalation

Occupational asthma (OA) due to fish inhalation, confirmed by specific bronchial challenge (SBC), has not been described as yet in medical literature, as far as we know. We describe two patients whose asthma was induced by occupational exposure to fish and confirmed by serial measurements of PEFR and SBC. Two fish-processing workers reported asthma symptoms related to their workplace. They were skin tested with fish extracts and their sera assayed for IgE antibodies to various fish species. Nonspecific bronchial reactivity was assessed by methacholine challenge. The occupational relationship was confirmed by PEFR monitoring in working and off-work periods. SBC with fish extracts was carried out to confirm the diagnosis of OA. Skin tests with raw and cooked plaice, salmon, hake, and tuna in patient 1 and anchovy, sardine, trout, salmon, Atlantic pomfret, and sole in patient 2 were positive. Specific IgE serum antibodies were found to salmon in patient 1 and to trout, anchovy, and salmon in patient 2. PEFR measurements differed significantly (P<0.001) between work and off-work periods for both patients. A bronchial challenge with methacholine was positive in patient 1. SBC with raw hake, salmon, plaice, and tuna extracts in patient 1 and raw salmon extract in patient 2 were all positive with an immediate response. SBC with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract was entirely negative in both patients. In three asthmatic, non-fish-allergic controls, SBC with tuna, hake, salmon, and plaice were all negative. These results suggest that fish inhalation can elicit IgE-mediated occupational asthma.     

Calretinin- and parvalbumin-immunoreactive neurons in the rat main olfactory bulb do not express NADPH-diaphorase activity

The presence of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in neuronal elements expressing the calcium-binding proteins calretinin (CR) and parvalbumin (PV) was studied in the rat main olfactory bulb. CR and PV were detected by using immunocytochemistry and the nitric oxide (NO) -synthesizing cells were identified by means of the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-diaphorase) direct histochemical method. The possible coexistence of NADPH-diaphorase and each calcium-binding protein marker was determined by sequential histochemical-immunohistochemical double-labeling of the same sections. Specific neuronal populations were positive for these three markers. A subpopulation of olfactory fibers and olfactory glomeruli were positive for either NADPH-diaphorase or CR. In the most superficial layers, groups of juxtaglomerular cells, superficial short-axon cells and Van Gehuchten cells demonstrated staining for all three markers. In the deep regions, abundant granule cells were NADPH-diaphorase- and CR-positive and a few were PV-immunoreactive. Scarce deep short-axon cells demonstrated either CR-, PV-, or NADPH-diaphorase staining. Among all these labeled elements, no neuron expressing CR or PV colocalized NADPH-diaphorase staining. The present data contribute to a more detailed classification of the chemically- and morphologically-defined neuronal types in the rodent olfactory bulb. The neurochemical differences support the existence of physiologically distinct groups within morphologically homogeneous populations. Each of these groups would be involved in different modulatory mechanisms of the olfactory information. In addition, the absence of CR and PV in neuronal groups displaying NADPH-diaphorase, which moreover are calmodulin-negative, indicate that the regulation of NOS activity in calmodulin-negative neurons of the rat olfactory bulb is not mediated by CR or PV.     

Laryngeal electromyography in normal Brazilian population

Quantitative analysis of normal values of motor unit action potentials duration and amplitude of muscles tireoaritenoideus (TA), cricotireoideus (CT), cricoaritenoideus lateralis (CAL), and cricoaritenoideus posterioris (CAP) was performed in 14 adult normal Brazilian volunteers. The recordings were obtained by percutaneously inserted concentric needle electrode. Different motor unit action potentials were manually selected in each muscle for quantitative computerized analysis of duration and amplitude. The mean values for duration and amplitude were respectively 3.8 ms and 413 microV for TA, 4.9 ms and 585 microV for CT 4.1 ms and 388 microV for CAL and 4.5 ms and 475 microV in CAP. There were no similar reports of normal values of motor unit action potentials in Brazilian subjects.     

Closed entry technique for the laparoscopic management of adnexal mass during pregnancy

Management of adnexal masses during pregnancy is challenging for most gynecologists. When surgery is needed, a minimally invasive approach should be preferred. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the closed entry technique for laparoscopic management of adnexal masses during pregnancy. We reviewed clinical records and videos of laparoscopic procedures performed during pregnancy. Seventeen pregnant patients with diagnosis of adnexal mass that required surgery underwent laparoscopic surgery using the closed entry or Veress technique. We searched for complications related to surgery and obstetrical and perinatal outcomes. Median gestational age at the moment of surgery was 17 weeks (range, 6–30⁺⁴ weeks). A total of 18 interventions were performed: 12 salpingo-oophorectomies, 3 cystectomies, 1 salpingectomy, and 2 ovarian detorsions. There were no major operative or entry-related complications. Median hospital stay was 2 days (range, 1–5). Perinatal outcomes were as follows: four preterm births (all of them induced), nine full-term deliveries, one early pregnancy loss at 7 weeks, one miscarriage at 18 weeks, and two ongoing uncomplicated pregnancies. Laparoscopic approach using closed entry technique with an individual selection of the puncture site is safe in the management of adnexal masses that require surgery during pregnancy. In our experience, the Veress technique is more versatile as it gives the surgeon more freedom to choose the location of the first trocar in patients with important space limitations due to the size of the adnexal mass and/or the enlarged gravid uterus.     

N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor expression during adult neurogenesis in the rat dentate gyrus

N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors play a crucial role in the regulation of neuronal development during embryogenesis and they also regulate the rate of neurogenesis and proliferation in the adult dentate gyrus. However, the mechanism by which they influence these processes is not fully understood. NMDA receptors seem to be functional in hippocampal precursor cells and recently generated granule neurons, although there is no anatomical correlate of these physiological observations. We have analyzed the expression of the NMDA receptor subunits NR1 and NR2B in precursor cells and recently generated granule neurons of the adult rat dentate gyrus, using 5'bromodeoxyuridine, green fluorescent protein-retrovirus and immunohistochemistry. Our results indicate that NR1 and NR2B are expressed in some proliferating cells of the adult subgranular zone. These receptors are absent from transiently amplifying progenitors (type 2-3 cells) but they are found in glial fibrillar acidic protein expressing cells in the subgranular zone, suggesting its presence in bipotential (type-1) precursor cells. NR1 and NR2B are rarely found in granule cells younger than 60 h. By contrast, many granule cells generated 14 days before killing express both NMDA receptor subunits. These results demonstrate that adult hippocampal neurogenesis may be regulated by NMDA receptors present in precursor cells and in differentiating granule neurons, although these receptors are probably not located on synapses. However, an indirect effect through NMDA receptors located in other cell types should not be excluded.     

Embarazo ectópico cervical: diagnóstico y tratamiento

We report a case of cervical ectopic pregnancy treated with methotrexate and abdominal hysterectomy.     

Impact of erythropoietin on the reduction of blood transfusions and on survival of lung cancer patients receiving first-line chemotherapy

INTRODUCTION: Anaemia is a common problem in patients with cancer who receive chemotherapy and is normally associated with a negative impact on patients' quality of life (QOL), poor cancer control and diminished survival. In clinical trials, recombinant human erythropoietin has been shown to correct and prevent anaemia, decrease the need for blood transfusions and improve cancer patients' QOL. METHODS: A retrospective study followed lung cancer patients who received first-line chemotherapy in our hospital in 1998 and in 2005. The incidence of anaemia was analysed, as was the impact of incorporating erythropoietin into the treatment. RESULTS: The incidence of anaemia was 68% (69% of which reported asthenia) in 1998 vs. 54% (60% with asthenia) in 2005. The comparison of anaemia rates (1998 vs. 2005) were grade 1 (16% vs. 32%), grade 2 (36% vs. 16%), grade 3 (16% vs. 5%) and grade 4 (none). Treatment for anaemia included transfusion 52%, intravenous iron 5% and epoetin 4% in 1998. In 2005 anaemia was treated with transfusion 9%, intravenous iron 41%, and epoetin 49%. Median survival (1998 vs. 2005) was 242 days [95% confidence interval (CI) 217-329) vs. 356 days (95% CI 322-382). CONCLUSIONS: Erythropoietin is a valid alternative for cancer patients with anaemia undergoing chemotherapy. It can possibly avoid the need for transfusions without negatively impacting survival.