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Abstract During aging, muscle regenerative capacities decline, which is concomitant with the loss of satellite cells that enter in a state of irreversible senescence. However, what mechanisms are involved in myogenic senescence and differentiation are largely unknown. Here, we showed that early-passage or “young” C2C12 myoblasts activated the redox-sensitive p66Shc signaling pathway, exhibited a strong antioxidant protection and a bioenergetic profile relying predominantly on OXPHOS, responses that decrease progressively during differentiation. Furthermore, autophagy was increased in myotubes. Otherwise, late-passage or “senescent” myoblasts led to a highly metabolic profile, relying on both OXPHOS and glycolysis, that may be influenced by the loss of SQSTM1/p62 which tightly regulates the metabolic shift from aerobic glycolysis to OXPHOS. Furthermore, during differentiation of late-passage C2C12 cells, both p66Shc signaling and autophagy were impaired and this coincides with reduced myogenic capacity. Our findings recognized that the lack of p66Shc compromises the proliferation and the onset of the differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts. Moreover, the Atg7 silencing favored myoblasts growth, whereas interfered in the viability of differentiated myotubes. Then, our work demonstrates that the p66Shc signaling pathway, which highly influences cellular metabolic status and oxidative environment, is critical for the myogenic commitment and differentiation of C2C12 cells. Our findings also support that autophagy is essential for the metabolic switch observed during the differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts, confirming how its regulation determines cell fate. The regulatory roles of p66Shc and autophagy mechanisms on myogenesis require future attention as possible tools that could predict and measure the aging-related state of frailty and disability.

Introducción. En este artículo se presenta una reflexión sobre la necesidad de tener una visión holística en la problemática de la prematurez, para que los equipos del área de salud puedan tener una comprensión de la multiplicidad de factores presentes en el parto prematuro, y sus consecuencias para el menor, la madre, los familiares y el personal de salud involucrado. Tema de reflexión. El tema se sustenta en dos investigaciones realizadas con las madres, los padres y los niños beneficiarios del Programa Madre Canguro en un hospital del Estado, en dos momentos, 2012 y 2014, con algunos de los autores del presente artículo. Conclusiones. Además de la revisión de la literatura científica relacionada con el tema y la problemática, se concluye que, bajo una mirada holística, se comprende de manera integral la problemática y se propicia una mejor comunicación con los padres; con el equipo de la atención en salud, se logra un manejo transdisciplinario, superando los objetos de estudios aislados. Se da así un abordaje integrador y significativo en la cotidianidad de cada actor, desde la piel, con el Programa Madre Canguro, hasta la racionalidad de la ciencia. Introduction. This article presents a reflection on the need for a holistic view of the problem of premature births, so that healthcare teams can understand the multiplicity of factors present in premature births, and its consequences for the minor, the mother, the family members, and the healthcare staff involved. Topic of reflection. The topic is based on two investigations carried out with mothers, fathers, and children’s beneficiaries of the Mother Kangaroo Program in a State hospital, at two moments, 2012 and 2014, with some of the authors of this article. Conclusions. In addition to the review of the scientific literature related to the topic and the problem, it is concluded that, under a holistic view, the problem is understood in a comprehensive way and better communication with the parents is encouraged. With the healthcare team, cross-disciplinary handling is achieved, overcoming the objects of isolated studies. As such, there is an integrative and significant approach in the daily life of each actor, from the skin, with the Mother Kangaroo Program, to the rationality of science. Introdução. Este artigo apresenta uma reflexão sobre a necessidade de se ter uma visão holística da problemática da prematuridade, para que as equipes da área da saúde possam ter uma compreensão da multiplicidade de fatores presentes no parto prematuro, e suas consequências para a criança, a mãe, os familiares e o pessoal de saúde envolvido. Tópico de reflexão. O tema é baseado em duas pesquisas realizadas com mães, pais e filhos beneficiários do Programa Mãe Canguru em um hospital estadual, em dois momentos, 2012 e 2014, com alguns dos autores deste artigo. Conclusões. Além da revisão da literatura científica relacionada ao tópico e ao problema, conclui-se que, sob uma visão holística, o problema é plenamente compreendido e incentiva-se uma melhor comunicação com os pais; com a equipe de saúde, consegue-se uma gestão transdisciplinar, superando os objetos de estudos isolados. Isto proporciona uma abordagem integradora e significativa no cotidiano de cada ator, desde a pele, com o Programa Mãe Canguru, até a racionalidade da ciência.

Leptin is critically compromised in the major common forms of obesity. Skeletal muscle is the main effector tissue for energy modification that occurs as a result of the effect of endocrine axes, such as leptin signaling. Our study was carried out using skeletal muscle from a leptin-deficient animal model, in order to ascertain the importance of this hormone and to identify the major skeletal muscle mechanisms affected. We also examined the therapeutic role of melatonin against leptin-induced muscle wasting. Here, we report that leptin deficiency stimulates fatty acid β-oxidation, which results in mitochondrial uncoupling and the suppression of mitochondrial oxidative damage; however, it increases cytosolic oxidative damage. Thus, different nutrient-sensing pathways are disrupted, impairing proteostasis and promoting lipid anabolism, which induces myofiber degeneration and drives oxidative type I fiber conversion. Melatonin treatment plays a significant role in reducing cellular oxidative damage and regulating energy homeostasis and fuel utilization. Melatonin is able to improve both glucose and mitochondrial metabolism and partially restore proteostasis. Taken together, our study demonstrates melatonin to be a decisive mitochondrial function-fate regulator in skeletal muscle, with implications for resembling physiological energy requirements and targeting glycolytic type II fiber recovery.

Este trabajo presenta una metodología para la determinación de prioridades de investigación y su contextualización en un sistema territorial de salud. Se realizó una búsqueda de información sobre tendencias internacionales y nacionales, un análisis bibliométrico basado en co-ocurrencia de palabras, y se valoraron los pasos y herramientas a considerar en la propuesta a delinear. Las principales variables y sus relaciones se representaron en una red de co-ocurrencia que junto a los clusters y la cuantificación de la ocurrencia denotaron las etapas y los instrumentos más relevantes y, por ende, referentes para el diseño de la metodología. Se percibe que la priorización de la investigación es clave para definir políticas públicas, científicas o de ciencia, tecnología e innovación, para asignar recursos eficientemente y para diseñar planes de intervención. La metodología abarca estos preceptos y constituye un proceso sistemático de apoyo a la gestión de la ciencia y la innovación en salud.

Introduction: Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is the leading cause of liver-related mortality in Latin-America, yet the impact of public health policies (PHP) on alcohol consumption and liver disease is unknown. Objectives: To assess the association between alcohol PHP, alcohol consumption, and cirrhosis in Latin-American countries. Methods: We performed an ecological multi-national study including 20 countries in Latin-America (628,466,088 inhabitants). We obtained country-level socio-demographic information from the World Bank Open Data source. Alcohol-related PHP data for countries in Latin-America were obtained from the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Information System of Alcohol and Health (GISAH). We used a fixed-effects model to estimate proportions and multiple linear regression models to examine the association between the number of PHP and outcomes (alcohol intake, and deaths due to cirrhosis & traffic injuries). Results: The prevalence of obesity was 27% and 26.1% among males and females, respectively. The estimated alcohol per capita consumption (APC) among the population 15 years old was 6.8 liters of pure alcohol (5.6 recorded and 1.2 unrecorded). The countries with the highest APC were Uruguay (10.8 liters), Argentina (9.8 liters), and Chile (9.3 liters). The overall prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUD) was 4.9%. ALD was the main cause of cirrhosis in 64.7% of males and 40.0% of females. A total of 19 (95%) countries have at least one alcohol-related PHP on alcohol. The most frequent PHP were: limiting drinking age (95%), tax control (90%), alcohol and driving (90%), and government monitoring systems (90%)(Table). A higher number of alcohol-related PHP was associated with a lower odds of AUD (OR 0.83, 95%CI:0.73-0.94; p=0.004), lower mortality due to ALD (OR 0.18, 95%CI:0.07-0.46, p

Background: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a serious clinical entity, with no previous reports in Chile. Aim: To characterize patients with ACLF in a Chilean University Hospital, identifying triggers, organ failure and survival at 30, 90, 180 days, compared to patients with decompensated cirrhosis without ACLF. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of decompensated cirrhotic patients hospitalized in a chilean University Hospital between 2017-2019. Results: 334 patients were included, 73 (22%) presented ACLF (33% ACLF-1, 30% ACLF-2, 37% ACLF-3); 16.4% underwent liver transplantation. Patients with ACLF were younger, and had higher MELD-Na and APACHE II on admission. The most common triggers in both groups were infections (42.4%), gastrointestinal bleeding (23.2%) and alcohol intake (31.3%). The main organ failures were kidney (60.2%) and brain (49.3%). All organ failures were more frequent in ACLF-3, except renal failure (greater in ACLF-1). Survival at 180 days was 74% in patients without ACLF and 58.3% in ACLF (p=0.004). Mortality was significantly higher in ACLF-2 and ACLF-3, when compared with patients without ACLF (HR 2.3 and 2.99, respectively; p

RESUMEN Introducción: La obesidad está asociada al uso frecuente de medicación de rescate y padecer asma de mayor gravedad. Los obesos asmáticos tienen menor reactividad bronquial, sin embargo, existe información limitada sobre la magnitud de la reversibilidad aguda al broncodilatador (RAB). Objetivo: Evaluar la magnitud de respuesta aguda al broncodilatador en pacientes asmáticos sobrepesos y obesos. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal con 49 pacientes asmáticos sobrepesos y obesos atendidos en consulta externa del Hospital Neumológico Benéfico Jurídico (enero 2017˗ enero 2018) y se constató mediante espirometría la respuesta aguda al broncodilatador. Resultados: Predominó la edad (40-59 años), mayor asociación de padecer asma, poca mejoría con la aplicación del broncodilatador. El sexo femenino (20-59 años) presentó mayor número que el masculino y menor reversibilidad al broncodilatador. Los pacientes con antecedentes patológicos familiares de asma o atopia representaron 73,5 % del total. El 76,5 % de los obesos no presentó mejoría con la aplicación del broncodilatador. Predominó la categoría de gravedad persistente moderada. Conclusiones: El sexo femenino tiene más riesgo de padecer asma y no tener mejoría al aplicar el broncodilatador. Los obesos mayores de 40 años tienen mayor riesgo de no presentar reversibilidad aguda al broncodilatador. Los antecedentes patológicos familiares de asma o atopia y personales de otras enfermedades no predisponen a menor reversibilidad aguda al broncodilatador. La gravedad del asma no influye en la reversibilidad aguda al broncodilatador.

RESUMEN Introducción: Los síntomas nocturnos son frecuentes en asmáticos y pueden relacionarse con la gravedad, el grado de control del asma y la función pulmonar. Objetivos: Determinar las características demográficas, clínicas y espirométricas de pacientes asmáticos con síntomas nocturnos, que acuden a consulta externa de neumología. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal en 50 pacientes asmáticos con síntomas nocturnos, atendidos por consulta externa en el Hospital Neumológico Benéfico Jurídico, en el período comprendido de mayo de 2017 a mayo de 2018. Resultados: Predominó el sexo femenino (74,0 %), la edad entre 40 y 59 años (52,0 %), los antecedentes familiares de asma o alergia (60,0 %) y múltiples comorbilidades asociadas (78,0 %). La hipersomnia diurna estuvo presente en 80,0 % de los casos, con una frecuencia significativamente elevada en pacientes con asma persistente moderada y severa, disminución de la reversibilidad aguda al broncodilatador, mal control de la enfermedad y limitación de la actividad física. Conclusiones: Los síntomas nocturnos en los pacientes asmáticos son frecuentes y se relacionan con la hipersomnia diurna, la gravedad del asma, el grado de control, la respuesta al broncodilatador y limitación de la actividad física.

Introduction: The main functional alterations in bronchial asthma are the obstruction of the air flow, its reversibility, variability, and bronchial hyper- responsiveness.Objective: To determine the clinical and functional conditions in patients with asthma who go to the outpatient pneumology service for the first time.Material and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 110 patients with asthma that were treated for the first time in the outpatient department of the Pneumology Service at the “Benéfico Jurídico” Teaching Hospital in Havana from June 1st,2014 to June 31st,2015. The severity of asthma was confirmed by clinical diagnosis and spirometric tests. The variables consisted of age, sex, family pathological antecedents of asthma or allergy, body mass index, and seriousness or severity of asthma. Results: The most serious asthma prevailed in patients aged 40 to 59 years, and the patients 40 years old and older presented 4.4 times higher risks. The female sex exhibited 2.1 times higher risks. 75.5% of patients with family pathological antecedents (FPA) of asthma or allergy showed 3.4 times higher risk levels for more serious conditions. More than half of patients presented personal pathological antecedents (PPA) of other diseases and a more serious asthma. 53.6% were overweight or obese who were 4.1 times at higher risks of suffering from more serious conditions. Most patients did not report smoking addiction.Conclusions: Asthmatic patients over 40 years showed a more serious asthma during their first visit to the outpatient pneumology service, and the female sex prevailed. Asthma or allergy, FPA and PPA were the risk factors for suffering from both asthma and more serious conditions. There is a low percentage of smoking asthmatics although this condition provokes more serious symptoms.Keywords: Clinical and functional conditions of asthmatic patients, first appointment, obesity, more serious asthma, risk factor.

The objective of this work was to demonstrate how the extraction method affects the reliability of biomarker detection and how this detection depends on the biomarker location within the cell compartment. Different extraction methods were used to study the sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar fractions of the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle of young bulls of the Asturiana de los Valles breed in two quality grades, standard (Control) or dark, firm, and dry (DFD) meat. Protein extractability and the expression of some of the main meat quality biomarkers—oxidative status (lipoperoxidation (LPO) and catalase activity (CAT)), proteome (SDS-PAGE electrophoretic pattern), and cell stress protein (Hsp70)—were analyzed. In the sarcoplasmic fraction, buffers containing Triton X-100 showed significantly higher protein extractability, LPO, and higher intensity of high-molecular-weight protein bands, whereas the TES buffer was more sensitive to distinguishing differences in the protein pattern between the Control and DFD meat. In the myofibrillar fraction, samples extracted with the lysis buffer showed significantly higher protein extractability, whereas samples extracted with the non-denaturing buffer showed higher results for LPO, CAT, and Hsp70, and higher-intensity bands in the electrophoretic pattern. These findings highlight the need for the careful selection of the extraction method used to analyze the different biomarkers considering their cellular location to adapt the extractive process.

Introduction: left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a rare disease with genetic origin, characterized by the presence of numerous myocardial trabeculations probably due to a detention of the normal process of the endomyocardial embryogenesis. Clinical case: 33 years-of-age man without pathological history, which had been presented progressive dyspnea, dyspnea at rest and orthopnea since two months ago. At physical examination, the patient had tachypnea, tachycardia, S3 left ventricular gallop and crackles in the bases of the lungs. The electrocardiogram showed sinus tachycardia and unspecified diffuse changes of ST-T. The thoracic radiography displayed cardiomegaly and signs of pulmonary congestion. Color doppler echocardiography revealed left ventricle severely dilated with multiple trabeculations and intertrabecular spaces. Ambulatory electrocardiography for 24 hours reported sinus rhythm, frequent isolated monomorphic ventricular extrasystoles with episode of monomorphic no supported ventricular tachycardia. Conclusion: the clinical manifestations, seriousness and the age of beginning of the symptoms of the LVNC are variable. The differential diagnosis must be done with other common pathologies, especially with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy. Rev.cienc.biomed. 2013;4(2):358-362

El empleo de la medicina biológica ha permitido aplicar terapias sistémicas beneficiosas donde el cuerpo es tratado como un todo. La ozonoterapia es una técnica interesante en el campo de aplicación de la medicina biológica; es un proceder terapéutico, seguro, natural y factible, con resultados alentadores en el tratamiento de enfermedades inmunológicas, por el impacto social y económico que se genera tras su aplicación. Existen evidencias experimentales que aseveran esta afirmación. En este artículo se describen las propiedades inmunomoduladoras de la ozonoterapia, al caracterizar los efectos biológicos del ozono sobre las células del sistema inmune, mediadores solubles y otros tipos celulares.The employment of biological medicine has allowed the application of beneficial and systemic therapies where the body is treated as a whole. The ozone therapy is a modality of the biological medicine, it is a natural therapeutical procedure that has represented an extremely safe medical therapy, free from side effects, an effective and feasible method in the field of treatment of immunological diseases, with encouraging results for the social and economic impact that is generated after its application. There are experimental evidences that assert this statement. We hereby describe the immunomodulatory property of ozone therapy, the biological effects of the ozone on the cells of the immune system cells, other cellular types and different immune mediators.

We introduce a new approach for modeling multivariate overdispersed binomial data, from a plant pathogen complex. After recalling some theoretical foundations of generalized linear models (GLMs) and Copula functions, we show how the later can be used to model correlated observations and overdispersed data. We illustrate this approach using fungal incidence in vegetables, which we analyzed using Gaussian copula with Beta-binomial margins. Compared to classical and generalized linear models, the model using Gaussian copula function best controls for overdispersion, being less prone to the underestimation of standard errors, the major cause of wrong inference in the statistical analysis of plant pathogen complex.Se introduce un nuevo enfoque para modelar datos binomiales multivariados con sobredispersión, obtenidos de complejos de patógenos vegetales. Después de revisar los conceptos básicos de los modelos lineales generalizados (GLMs) y las funciones Cópula, se muestra cómo estas últimas pueden usarse para modelar observaciones correlacionadas y datos con sobredispersión. Se ilustra el método usando la incidencia de hongos en hortalizas, analizando el caso por medio de la función cópula Gaussiana con marginales Beta-binomiales. Comparado con los modelos lineales clásicos y generalizados, el modelo construido con la cópula Gaussiana es el que mejor controla la sobredispersión, siendo menos propenso a la subestimación de los errores estándar, la causa más importante de inferencia inapropiada en el análisis estadístico de complejos de patógenos vegetales.

A methodology to estimate time-varying coefficient model’s components through generalized estimation equations (Liang & Zeger 1986) is proposed, in order to include directly in the estimation the possible correlation between repeated measurements of each subject. Expansion of the time-varying coefficients is done by means of regression spline methods (Huang et al. 2002). Furthermore, is proposed the use of the Akaike’s information criterion in generalized estimating equations (QIC) proposed by Pan (2001) like model selector. Through simulation are compared the proposed methodology and the methodology presented by Wu & Zhang (2006), where model’s components are estimated through weighted least squares and Akaike’s information criterion (AIC) is used like model selector. It resulted that the proposed methodology gives a better behavior in relation with the average mean square error. In order to illustrate the methodology, is taken into account the data base ACTG 315 (Liang et al. 2003) related to a AIDS study, where it is investigated the relationship between the viral charge and the CD4+ cell count.Se propone una metodología para estimar las componentes de un modelo de coeficientes dinámicos mediante las ecuaciones de estimación generalizadas (Liang & Zeger 1986), con el propósito de incluir directamente en la estimación la posible correlación de las medidas repetidas de cada individuo. La expansión de los coeficientes dinámicos del modelo se lleva a cabo a través de regresión spline (Huang et al. 2002). También se propone utilizar el criterio de información de Akaike en las ecuaciones de estimación generalizadas (QIC) (Pan 2001) como selector de modelos. Mediante simulación se compara la metodología propuesta con la metodología presentada por Wu & Zhang (2006), donde se estiman las componentes del modelo mediante mínimos cuadrados ponderados y se utiliza el criterio de información de Akaike (AIC) como selector de modelos, obteniéndose que en los escenarios simulados la metodología propuesta presenta mejores resultados con relación al error cuadrático medio promedio. Para ilustrar la estrategia de estimación propuesta, se considera el conjunto de datos ACTG 315 (Liang et al. 2003) asociado con un estudio de sida, en el que se modela dinámicamente la relación entre la carga viral y el conteo de células CD4+.

Objectives: the aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate early experience with laparoscopic restorative proctocolectomy by analyzing the perioperative results of surgical treatment. Patients and methods: seven major surgeries were performed in six patients with familial adenomatous polyposis and ulcerative colitis. All procedures were performed under laparoscopy at our third-level hospital from June 2003 to October 2004. Results: mean surgical time was 287.5 ± 80.7 min, and median blood loss was 300 ± 249.0 cc. There were no conversions; return of peristalsis began at 32 ± 12.4 h; average time to first oral intake was 64.0 ± 32.8 h, and mean duration of hospital stay was 9.3 ± 1.2 days. There was one case of perineal sepsis due to ileal pouch-anal anastomotic leakage, which was successfully treated with oral intake restriction, parenteral nutrition, and intra-rectal drainage. The most common postoperative complication was postoperative ileus. Conclusions: we believe that the laparoscopic approach to restorative proctocolectomy may be considerably improved in our center. Particular aspects for improvement include efforts to achieve lower operating and hospitalization times to equate our results with those reported by multicenter studies for laparoscopic colon cancer surgery. In our opinion, learning and further training opportunities should be encouraged to improve surgeon experience in the field of laparoscopy, preferably at centers specializing in restorative proctocolectomy.

Se expone el diseño de un videojuego didáctico conformado de varias actividades, con el propósito de que los estudiantes de primaria, en especial los educandos de sexto grado, refuercen el estudio de la noción de fracción. Este juego es creado considerando un avatar, cuya acción de movimiento para el usuario es en tercera persona. Los escenarios son creados por herramientas de modelado en 2D, 3D y exportado a un formato que entienda el motor de juegos XNA.

Introducción: la Mycobacteriosis es una enfermedad producida por Mycobacterias ambientales, su diagnóstico hasta hace pocos años era un hecho ocasional, actualmente ha pasado a ser una patología relativamente frecuente, sobre todo en los pacientes SIDA y asociada a enfermedades pulmonares crónicas. Requiere tratamientos agresivos y prolongados, así como la exéresis quirúrgica en casos de afección pulmonar localizada.Objetivo: determinar la importancia de la cirugía como tratamiento alternativo en caso de fracaso del tratamiento farmacológico. Presentación de los casos: se presentan dos casos con diagnóstico de Mycobacteriosis ambiental, por Mycobacterium Avium. Pacientes con síntomas respiratorios de larga fecha de evolución, principalmente tos y expectoración, asociado a fiebre. En el segundo caso se recoge el antecedente de neumonías frecuentes durante la infancia, con diagnóstico de Bronquiectasias. En ambos se les aisló en el cultivo del esputo un Mycobacterium Avium, la prueba de Mantoux resultó negativa (0 mm) y en los estudios imagenológicos se presentan las formas típicas de esta enfermedad, dadas por lesiones fibrocavitarias en los lóbulos superiores. Conclusiones: en los casos presentados, hubo fracaso en el tratamiento farmacológico recomendados en la actualidad, manteniendo cultivos de esputo positivos a Mycobacterium Avium. Se realizó tratamiento quirúrgico, obteniendo resultados positivos, con esputos negativos y mejoría del estado clínico. Palabras clave: Mycobacteriosis, tuberculosis pulmonar, cultivo de esputo, síntomas respiratorios, tratamiento quirúrgico.

A digital filter that improves the signal-to-noise ratio of the response of a FSCW (Frequency Stepped Continuous Wave) scheme is presented. An improvement in signal-to-noise ratio represents an enhanced readout distance. This work considers this architecture as an interrogation unit for SAW tags with time and phase encoding. The parameters of the proposed digital filter, which is a non-linear edge preserving filter, were studied and tested for this specific application. An improvement of around 20dB in the SNR level was achieved. This filter preserves the phase of the signal at the time position of the reflectors, which is critical for correct identification of the code in phase encoding schemes.

This work presents the results of an electro-discharge machined ceramic composites consisting of a base non-conductive ceramic component such Al2O3, to which is added sufficient amounts of an electro-conductive ceramic nanoparticles such as TiC, TiNC, NbNC, TaNC, and SiC (whiskers) to achieve an electrical resistance of less than about 100W.cm. With these compositions intricate geometries and features as holes, chamfers, slots, angles, changing radii and complex curves can be electro-discharge machined (EDM) into the ceramic body after Pulsed Electrical Current Sintering (PECS) to achieve maximum density and mechanical properties. In EDM, the electrically conductive workpiece or ceramic blank is eroded by electric discharges or sparks which on a small scale generate localized shock waves and intense heat. The four compositions studied were in the same proportion for all raw materials: alumina 42 (vol %) + conductive material (TiC, TiNC, NbNC, and TaNC) 22 (vol %) + SiCw 36 (vol %). Processing was carried out mixing raw materials in the suitable proportions in a polypropylene container with zirconia balls and isopropanol media for 72 hours in order to guarantee the homogeneity of the final compositions. The powders were dried and introduced into a PECS furnace for sintering to 1650°C (100 MPa/2 min). The diameters of the pieces obtained were 20 and about 40 mm and 7 mm thickness. SiC whiskers reinforced electrically conductive ceramic compositions provide a fully dense material with optimal mechanical properties. The capability of electro-discharge machining obtains good surface quality, chip-free edges, dimensional accuracy and complex shapes. The fracture toughness is improved two to three fold over individual ceramic components. Strength and hardness is also increased. Some composites were tested as a cutting tool to machine IN-718 nickel-base superalloy industrial laminating cylinders. The composites were formed and electro-discharge machined to a standard size cutting insert.

Hace ya algo más de dos años un entusiasta grupo de escolares del Colegio Nacional «Filiberto Villalobos » de Béjar, dirigido por uno de sus maestros, don Joaquín Sierra, formaron un grupo de Misión Rescate y obtuvieron un notable éxito con el descubrimiento de la ya conocida estela-menhir, de la época del Bronce, en el término municipal de Valdefuentes de Sangusín, estela que se halla actualmente en el Museo Provincial de Salamanca, trasladada allí por su Director, don Manuel Santonja.

Abstract Background Nitric oxide (NO) synthesized by endothelial cells is known to be a potent vasodilator. It has been suggested that polymorphisms in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) can affect the response of the vascular endothelium to increased oxidative stress. The objective of the present study was to determine the presence of G894T (rs1799983), intron-4 (27-bp TR) and -T786C (rs2070744) polymorphisms in the eNOS gene among the Colombian general population. Results Genotype and allele frequencies showed significant differences in their distribution. White, black and mixed populations were in HW equilibrium for the variants in 27-bp TR- and rs1799983, but the black population was in HW disequilibrium for rs2070744 (p < 0.001). Allele "T" of rs1799983 polymorphisms was more common in the white population (26,5%) than the others, while allele "C" of rs2070744 polymorphisms had a similar frequency in all populations, and the allele 4a from 27-bp TR was more frequent in the black population (26,2%) than the others. Similar differences were found when genotypes were analyzed. Conclusion The findings suggest that there is a substantial difference in the distribution of eNOS polymorphisms between different ethnic groups. These results could aid the understanding of inter-ethnic differences in NO bioavailability, cardiovascular risk, and response to drugs.

Se presenta un paciente de 65 años de edad operado de extracción intracapsular del cristalino del ojo izquierdo (OI), sin accidentes, el cual al cabo de los 3 meses, comienza a presentar éstasis papilar bilateral; el chequeo cliniconeurológico realizado fue negativo. Se comenzó con dosis de 80 mg diarios de prednisona y a los 2 meses desarrolló panuveítis bilateral. Se decidió realizar extracción del cristalino por catarata patológica en ojo derecho (OD) y además comenzar con el uso de ciclosporina a 7 mg/kg en 2 tomas diarias y 10 mg de prednisona. Esta terapia se mantiene por 2 meses al cabo de los cuales el cuadro uveal bilateral desaparece completamente; queda con una agudeza visual en OD de 0,1 y de cuenta dedos en el OI. Después de 6 años de seguimiento el paciente no ha presentado ninguna recaída y se desenvuelve con normalidad en su medio familiarA 65-year-old patient who underwent an intracapsular extraction of the crystalline lens of the left eye without accidents and 3 months later began to suffer from bilateral papillary stasis was presented. The clinical and neurological examination made was negative. The patient was given 80 mg of prednisona daily, and after 2 months he developed bilateral panuveitis. It was decided to extract the crystalline lens due to pathological cataract in the right eye and to administer 7 mg/kg of cyclosporine twice a day and 10 mg of prednisone during 2 months. The afecction dissapeared as a result of the treatment. It remains a visual scuity of 0,1 in the right eye and of counting fingers in the left eye. There has been no relapse after a 6-year follow-up.The patient is doing well in his familial enviroment

Introducción: la Mycobacteriosis es una enfermedad producida por Mycobacterias ambientales, su diagnóstico hasta hace pocos años era un hecho ocasional, actualmente ha pasado a ser una patología relativamente frecuente, sobre todo en los pacientes SIDA y asociada a enfermedades pulmonares crónicas. Requiere tratamientos agresivos y prolongados, así como la exéresis quirúrgica en casos de afección pulmonar localizada. Objetivo: determinar la importancia de la cirugía como tratamiento alternativo en caso de fracaso del tratamiento farmacológico. Presentación de los casos: se presentan dos casos con diagnóstico de Mycobacteriosis ambiental, por Mycobacterium Avium. Pacientes con síntomas respiratorios de larga fecha de evolución, principalmente tos y expectoración, asociado a fiebre. En el segundo caso se recoge el antecedente de neumonías frecuentes durante la infancia, con diagnóstico de Bronquiectasias. En ambos se les aisló en el cultivo del esputo un Mycobacterium Avium, la prueba de Mantoux resultó negativa (0 mm) y en los estudios imagenológicos se presentan las formas típicas de esta enfermedad, dadas por lesiones fibrocavitarias en los lóbulos superiores. Conclusiones: en los casos presentados, hubo fracaso en el tratamiento farmacológico recomendados en la actualidad, manteniendo cultivos de esputo positivos a Mycobacterium Avium. Se realizó tratamiento quirúrgico, obteniendo resultados positivos, con esputos negativos y mejoría del estado clínico.