Postoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio variation is associated with chronic subdural hematoma recurrence

Neurological Sciences - Chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH) is one of the most common neurosurgical pathologies. The recurrence of chronic subdural haematomas is an important concern, considering...     

Beeinflussung humaner Osteoblasten durch verschiedene Analgetika

In der Behandlung von Frakturen spielt die Analgesie eine wesentliche Rolle. Es stellt sich daher die Frage, ob in der Klinik h?ufig eingesetzte Analgetika wie Tramadol oder Diclofenac negative Wirkungen auf die Knochenbruchheilung haben.     

Trypanosoma cruzi histone H1 is phosphorylated in a typical cyclin dependent kinase site accordingly to the cell cycle

Histone H1 of most eukaryotes is phosphorylated during the cell cycle progression and seems to play a role in the regulation of chromatin structure, affecting replication and chromosome condensation. In trypanosomatids, histone H1 lacks the globular domain and is shorter when compared with the histone of other eukaryotes. We have previously shown that in Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas' disease, histone H1 is phosphorylated and this increases its dissociation from chromatin. Here, we demonstrate using mass spectrometry analysis that T. cruzi histone H1 is only phosphorylated at the serine 12 in the sequence SPKK, a typical cyclin-dependent kinase site. We also found a correlation between the phosphorylation state of histone H1 and the cell cycle. Hydroxyurea and lactacystin, which, respectively, arrest parasites at the G1/S and G2/M stages of the cell cycle, increased the level of histone H1 phosphorylation. Cyclin-dependent kinase-related enzymes TzCRK3, and less intensely the TzCRK1 were able to phosphorylate histone H1 in vitro. Histone H1 dephosphorylation was prevented by treating the parasites with okadaic acid but not with calyculin A. These findings suggest that T. cruzi histone H1 phosphorylation is promoted by cyclin dependent kinases, present during S through G2 phase of the cell cycle, and its dephosphorylation is promoted by specific phosphatases.     

Injectable semi rigid penile prosthesis: study in rabbits and future perspectives

BackgroundPenile prostheses are the third option in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, however, despite their proven effectiveness, the occurrence of infections, advanced age of patients and comorbidities are the main limiting factors for this treatment modality. In the continuous search for biointegrated, clinically durable and minimally invasive treatment options, a possible model of penile prosthesis was sought through the use of intracavernous bacterial cellulose (BC) gel, in an experimental model of orchiectomized rabbits.MethodsThirty adult New Zealand rabbits were equally distributed into three groups: BC; vehicle and control. Each group was then subdivided according to the follow-up time of 3 and 6 months. Bilateral orchiectomy was performed 3 weeks before injection in the BC and vehicle groups. Pachymetry measurements of the penile axis, diameter and length were performed in situ. Histomorphometry analyzes of the corpora cavernosa (CC), thickness of the tunica albuginea, cell density, collagen and elastic fibers post-injection were also performed, in addition to immunohistochemistry for newly formed vessels.ResultsThe implant of BC increased both the length and thickness of the penis three and six months after the last injection, with a consequent increase in the diameter of the CC. On the other hand, the filling effect was not observed in the control and vehicle groups, confirming the degradation of this tissue after orchiectomy and the effectiveness of BC as a filling agent. Histomorphometry analyzes corroborate the mass effect of BC integrated into the tissue, permeated by predominantly lymphomononuclear inflammatory infiltrate, multinucleated giant foreign body cells, fibroblasts, elastic fibers and newly formed vessels, without degradation or loss of volume, even after six months of implantation.ConclusionsBiocompatibility and biointegration to the host tissue make BC a prosperous penile filling material, with local application and minimally invasive.     

Characterization of a tissue kallikrein inhibitor isolated from Bauhinia bauhinioides seeds: inhibition of the hydrolysis of kininogen related substrates

Trypsin inhibitors were purified from a saline extract of Bauhinia bauhinioides seeds by ion-exchange column chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex, gel filtration on Superose 12 column, Mono Q ion-exchange chromatography or, alternatively, by affinity chromatography on trypsin-Sepharose. Both B. bauhinioides isolated inhibitors, BbTI-I and BbTI-II, inhibit trypsin being the dissociation constant 0.6 and 0.36 nM, respectively. BbTI-II only inhibits porcine pancreatic kallikrein hydrolysis of H-Pro-Phe-Arg-AMC (Ki 2.0 nM); the bradykinin-containing sequence LGMISLMKRPPGFSPFRSSRI-NH2 and the two kininogen related flanking quenched substrates Abz-MISLMKRP-EDDnp (Ki 2.0 nM) and Abz-FRSSRQ-EDDnp (Ki 2.5 nM).     

Vitamin A Deficiency in Pregnancy: Perspectives after Bariatric Surgery

This study aims to describe the clinical consequences of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in pregnant women after bariatric surgery. Included are studies on VAD during pregnancy and after bariatric surgery conducted in humans from 1993 to 2011. There are few investigations on the relationship between pregnancy and bariatric surgery and on the damage to the binomial mother–child resulting from VAD in this relationship. The high percentage of VAD in the postoperative period is a cause for concern, especially considering the function of this vitamin in certain biological moments and in moments of intense nutritional demand. This vitamin serum evaluation is recommended during the prenatal period.     

In vitro study of a modified sagittal split osteotomy fixation technique of the mandible: a mechanical test

This study was performed to evaluate the compressive mechanical strength of rigid internal fixation (RIF) using 1.5-mm L-shaped plates fixed with monocortical screws in sagittal split osteotomy (SSO). Thirty synthetic hemimandibles, which had all undergone a 5-mm advancement, were divided into three groups: three 12-mm bicortical titanium screws were placed in an inverted L pattern in group A; one straight 2.0-mm system spaced titanium plate fixed with four 5-mm monocortical screws was used in group B; two 1.5-mm system L-shaped titanium plates, each fixed with four 5-mm monocortical screws, were used in group C. The models were subjected to compressive and progressive mechanical tests with forces applied in the area between the second premolar and first molar to verify resistance in Newtons (N). A displacement speed of 1 mm/min was applied, with a maximum 10 mm displacement of the distal segment or until disruption of the fixation. The deformity and/or eventual rupture of the plates were evaluated, and consequently their technical stability was determined. The results showed that the modified fixation technique tested in this study on synthetic mandibles resulted in adequate stability and superior mechanical behaviour compared to simulated osteosynthesis with the use of a straight 2.0-mm titanium plate.     

Cutaneous larva migrans on the scalp: atypical presentation of a common disease

Cutaneous larva migrans is a pruritic dermatitis due to the inoculation of helminths larvae in the skin, and it often occurs in children in tropical and subtropical areas. The authors describe an atypical case of cutaneous larva migrans in a 11 year-old child with scalp involvement, an unusual topography for this lesion.     

Guidelines on the Treatment of Chronic Coinfection by Trypanosoma cruzi and HIV Outside Endemic Areas

Abstract

As a result of population migration, Chagas disease is no longer limited to the North and South American continents. In HIV-infected patients, chronic infection by Try-panosoma cruzi behaves as an opportunistic infection in severely immunosuppressed patients and is responsible for high morbidity and mortality. Unlike other opportunistic infections, information on the natural history, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Chagas disease is scarce. Spain has the highest number of cases of Chagas disease outside the North and South American continents, and coinfection with HIV is increasingly prevalent. In this article, the Spanish Society for Tropical Medicine and International Health (Sociedad Española de Medicina Tropical y Salud Interna-cional) reviews the current situation of coinfection with HIV and T. cruzi infection and provides guidelines on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention in areas where Cha-gas disease is not endemic. It also identifies areas of uncertainty where additional research is necessary.