Bronchobiliary fistula: a rare complication after biliodigestive surgery for bile duct injury

A bronchobiliary fistula (BBF) is an abnormal communication between the biliary and bronchial systems. It is a rare condition with an unclear etiology. The principal causes are hepatic hydatid cysts, obstructive and iatrogenic processes. Presenting symptoms are variable and range from productive cough to recurrent pneumonia. The finding of bilioptisis is patognomonic. This case report presented a 22-year-old female patient who underwent a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (RYHJ) for a bile duct injury and who later on, developed a bronchobiliary fistula

Effects of natural extracts in the treatment of oral ulcers : a systematic review of evidence from experimental studies in animals

To evaluate the clinical and histopathological effects of natural extracts in the treatment of oral ulcers induced in animal experimental models. Material and Methods: We carried out a search in the Medline, Scopus, WoS and Embase database

Persistence of decidual NK cells and KIR genotypes in healthy pregnant and preeclamptic women: a case-control study in the third trimester of gestation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Natural Killer (NK) cells are the most abundant lymphocytes in the decidua during early gestation. The interactions of NK cells with the extravillous cytotrophoblast have been associated with a normal spiral artery remodeling process, an essential event for a successful pregnancy. Recent data indicate that alterations in the amount of decidual NK (dNK) cells contribute to the development of preeclampsia (PE). Moreover, genetic studies suggest that Killer Immunoglobulin-like Receptors (KIR) expressed in dNK cells influence the susceptibility to PE. Although dNK cells have been well characterized during early pregnancy, they have been scarcely studied in the third trimester of gestation. The aim of this work was to characterize dNK cells at the last trimester of gestation and to analyze the KIR genotype of healthy and PE women.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Decidual samples were obtained during Caesarean section from control (n = 10) and PE (n = 9) women. Flow cytometric analysis of CD3, CD56, CD16 and CD9 was used to characterize and quantify dNK cells in both groups. Cell surface markers from decidual leukocytes were compared with PBMC from healthy donors.</p> <p>KIR genotyping was performed in genomic DNA (control, n = 86; PE, n = 90) using <it>PCR-SSP.</it></p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results indicate that dNK cells persist throughout pregnancy. They represented 20% of total leukocytes in control and PE groups, and they expressed the same cell surface markers (CD3^-, CD56⁺, CD16^-and CD9⁺) as dNK in the first trimester of gestation. There were no significant differences in the percentage of dNK cells between control and PE groups. The analysis of KIR gene frequencies and genotypes was not statistically different between control and PE groups. The ratio of activating to inhibitory genes indicated that the overall inhibitory balance (0.2-0.5) was more frequent in the PE group (control, 31.3% <it>vs </it>PE, 45.5%), and the activating balance (0.6-1.1) was more frequent in the control group (control, 68.6% <it>vs </it>PE, 54.4%). However this difference was not significant.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We demonstrated the persistence of dNK cells in PE and control women at the third trimester of pregnancy; these dNK cells had a similar phenotype to those found during early pregnancy. The predominance of a KIR inhibitory balance in the PE group could be associated to the physiopathology of PE.</p

In vitro dissolution characteristics of patent, generic and similar brands of naproxen in various dissolution media

Purpose: To investigate the dissolution properties of various brands of naproxen in four dissolution media in order to forecast their biological availability. Methods: Dissolution tests were carried out in a dissolution tester with 48 tablets of different naproxen brands in 900 mL of 0.1 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. Subsequently, the medium was modified with 600 mL of buffer plus 300 mL of cola drink, grapefruit or milk. Each sample was taken and brought to a concentration approximating that of a reference solution. Absorbance at 332 nm was determined and the dissolution, Q, was calculated (Q values ≥ 80.0 ± 5 % were acceptable). Results: Dissolution in buffer was &gt; 85 %. In cola drink, it was &lt; 80 %, while in grapefruit juice, it was in the range of 7 - 68 %. Using 2-way ANOVA, these media and the three naproxen brands showed significant differences (F = 68.90, p = 0.0000; F = 23.18, p = 0.0000). With Fisher's LSD test, two of these media contributed consistently to dissolution, and the three drug brands showed statistically different dissolution profiles (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: Caution must be exercised cola drink, grapefruit juice and milk are used to administered naproxen as the biological availability of the drug may be altered

Stability of the Scalar Potential and Symmetry Breaking in the Economical 3-3-1 Model

A detailed study of the criteria for stability of the scalar potential and the proper electroweak symmetry breaking pattern in the economical 3-3-1 model, is presented. For the analysis we use, and improve, a method previously developed to study the scalar potential in the two-Higgs-doublet extension of the standard model. A new theorem related to the stability of the potential is stated. As a consequence of this study, the consistency of the economical 3-3-1 model emerges.Comment: to be published in EPJ C, 13 page

High prevalence of autoantibodies to RNA helicase A in Mexican patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Introduction: Autoantibodies to RNA helicase A (RHA) were reported as a new serological marker of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) associated with early stage of the disease. Anti-RHA and other autoantibodies in Mexican SLE patients and their correlation with clinical and immunological features were examined.Methods: Autoantibodies in sera from 62 Mexican SLE patients were tested by immunoprecipitation of 35S-labeled K562 cell extract and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (anti-U1RNP/Sm, ribosomal P, ?2GPI, and dsDNA). Anti-RHA was screened based on the immunoprecipitation of the 140-kDa protein, the identity of which was verified by Western blot using rabbit anti-RHA serum. Clinical and immunological characteristics of anti-RHA-positive patients were analyzed.Results: Anti-RHA was detected in 23% (14/62) of patients, a prevalence higher than that of anti-Sm (13%, 8/62). Prevalence and levels of various autoantibodies were not clearly different between anti-RHA (+) vs. (-) cases, although there was a trend of higher levels of anti-RHA antibodies in patients without anti-U1RNP/Sm (P = 0.07). Both anti-RHA and -Sm were common in cases within one year of diagnosis; however, the prevalence and levels of anti-RHA in patients years after diagnosis did not reduce dramatically, unlike a previous report in American patients. This suggests that the high prevalence of anti-RHA in Mexican patients may be due to relatively stable production of anti-RHA.Conclusions: Anti-RHA was detected at high prevalence in Mexican SLE patients. Detection of anti-RHA in races in which anti-Sm is not common should be clinically useful. Racial difference in the clinical significance of anti-RHA should be clarified in future studies. � 2010 V�zques-Del Mercado et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Prevalence and psychosocial risk factors of depression in a group of older adults in Bogota

prevalencia se ha descrito entre 1,2 a 12% en mayores que viven en comunidad. Objetivo: estimar la prevalencia de depresión en un muestra de adultos mayores de Bogotá y describir los factores de riesgo psicosocial asociados. Material y métodos: se realizó un estudio de corte transversal observacional-descriptivo, en 889 adultos mayores autónomos. La depresión fue evaluada con el test de depresión geriátrica Yesavage y los factores de riesgo con la sección de acontecimientos vitales del cuestionario Predict. Resultados: el 74% de la muestra estuvo constituida por mujeres, la media de edad fue de 72,51 (DS 9,4) años y la escolaridad promedio en años fue de 7,50 (DS 5,64). Así mismo, se estimó una prevalencia de depresión del 18,6%, siendo mayor en mujeres (20%) y (18%) en sujetos entre 70 y 79 años, los adultos con baja escolaridad sumaron un 43%, y el 22% lo constituyeron personas dependientes económicamente. Por otra parte, se encontró relación entre la depresión y cinco de los factores de riesgo psicosocial conocidos como acontecimientos vitales adversos: insomnio, vivir solo, padecer enfermedades crónicas, haber sufrido una crisis económica, y la muerte de un familiar o amigo cercano en el último año. Conclusión: la prevalencia de depresión en un grupo de personas mayores de la comunidad en Bogotá es más alta que lo descrito previamente en Colombia y por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Programas que reduzcan la soledad en la vejez y protejan a la mujer y a los mayores con menos escolaridad podrían mitigar esta condición.Introduction: depression is one of the most prevalent diseases in the elderly. In Colombia, the prevalence of depression in this population ranges from 1,2 to 12%. Objective: to estimate the prevalence of depression in a group of independent elderly subjects in Bogota and describe the psychosocial risk factors associated with it. Material and methods: a cross-observational and descriptive study was done. The sample was constituted of 889 autonomous elderly subjects of Bogota city. Depression was assessed by applying the Test of Geriatric Depression-Yesavage-. Besides, the psychosocial risk factors were measured through the life events section, which is part of the Predict Questionnaire. Results: 74% of the sample was made up of women, the mean age was 72,51 years old (DS.9,4) and the average of education was of 7.50 years (DS.5,64). Besides, it was found a prevalence of depression of 18,6%. This prevalence was higher in the women (20%) and elderly between 70 and 79 years old (18%), adults with low education with 43% or 22% in economically dependent people. A relationship between depression and five psychosocial risk factors, known as adverse life events-insomnia, living alone, suffering a chronic disease or economic crisis or the death of the couple, a close friend or a relative. Conclusion: results showed a higher prevalence of depression in this sample in comparison to the findings yielded in previous studies developed in Colombia and the WHO. Programs that help to reduce the long lines protect women and older with less schooling ageing could mitigate the condition