Association of the superior semicircular canal and tegmen tympani dehiscences and its relationship with the pneumatisation of the temporal bone

To analyse the degree of pneumatisation of the temporal bone when there is an association between dehiscence of the superior semicircular canal and dehiscence of the tegmen tympani. Materials and methods We analysed a retrospective CT study of 124 selected cases. A single inclusion criterion was applied: the presence of a dehiscence of the tegmen tympani. On the other hand, the degree of temporal pneumatisation was assessed by axial and coronal planes, and has been divided into the following grades O, I, II and III, according to the status and relationship of the mastoid, the bony labyrinth, the petrous segment of the carotid canal and sigmoid sinus. Results Of the 124 cases studied, 35 (28.2%) presented both dehiscences. In 26 of the 35 (47.3%), grade II pneumatisation, 4 (14,8%), grade I, and 5 (11,9%) grade III was observed, with a statistically significant relationship (p < 0.001). On the other hand, we did not find a significant relationship when relating both dehiscences in any age or sex group. However, when relating the degree of pneumatisation to sex, among those with grade III pneumatisation, the proportion of men (52.4%) was significantly higher than that of women (47.6%) (p = 0.017). Conclusion We have detected a statistically significant relationship between the coexistence of grade II pneumatisation and the presence of both dehiscences in the temporal bone

Tratamiento quirúrgico de las pérdidas de sustancia cutánea en el carpo, mediante colgajos libres vascularizados en el perro

En el presente trabajo se describe la técnica de la transposición libre microquirúrgica de colgajos de piel, así como los resultados de dicha transferencia, realizada en cinco perros.At the present research the techníque of the free transposition mícrosurgícal of flaps is described, as well as the results from the performed transference in five dogs

Impacto del SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) en la docencia teórico-práctica de la neuroanatomía humana

Introducción. Durante el curso 2019-2020, debido a la situación provocada por la COVID-19, Neuroanatomía humana (cuarto semestre, grado de Medicina, Universidad de Zaragoza), que en condiciones normales combina teoría y práctica presenciales, se planteó de manera telemática, mediante la aportación al alumnado de material didáctico a través de la intranet Anillo Digital Docente-Moodle© e Instagram©, así como por tutorías vía Google Meet©. Material y métodos. Con objeto de poder comprobar el grado de satisfacción de la docencia teórico-práctica presencial frente a la telemática, se realizaron con el alumnado dos cuestionarios (pre-COVID-19 y durante la COVID-19) de cuatro y seis preguntas cerradas, respectivamente, con cinco opciones de respuesta según una escala de Likert. Además, se plantearon dos preguntas abiertas en cada cuestionario. Por parte del profesorado, la valoración fue en una reunión de coordinación de la asignatura tras finalizar el período lectivo. Resultados. Las encuestas de satisfacción las respondió el 71% de los alumnos (68/95). La falta de asistencia no sufre variación significativa en ambas situaciones con respecto a la asistencia a las clases teóricas y prácticas, pero sí los motivos causantes de ausencia: los primeros fueron principalmente profesionales, y los segundos, de conectividad. El alumnado valora la docencia teórica presencial frente a la telemática de forma muy parecida, mientras que, a nivel práctico, sigue prefiriendo la presencialidad, lo que coincide con el profesorado. Conclusión. Esta evaluación permite constatar que la docencia teórica de la asignatura por vía telemática es viable, siempre y cuando el alumnado disponga de una buena conectividad, pero no así la parte práctica, donde la presencialidad es imprescindible actualmente

Prolapso de la glándula lacrimal del tercer párpado

El prolapso de la glándula lacrimal del tercer párpado es relativamente frecuente en oftalmología canina. La exéresis glandular es una técnica sencilla, aunque puede presentar complicaciones a largo plazo. La adenopexia debería ser la primera elección quirúrgica, su resultado depende de una adecuada exposición de la esclerótica, del tamaño de la glándula y de la calidad del material de sutura empleado.Protrusion of the membrane nictitans gland is a common occurrence in veterinary ophthalmology. Although excision of the gland is an easy technique, it can develop serious further complications. Adenopexia should be the first surgical election, iss success depends on the clear sclera exposure, the gland size and the quality of the suture material employed

Are congenital malformations more frequent in fetuses with intrahepatic persistent right umbilical vein? A comparative study

Objective Persistent right umbilical vein (PRUV) is a vascular anomaly where the right umbilical vein remains as the only conduit that returns oxygenated blood to the fetus. It has classically been described as associated with numerous defects. We distinguish the intrahepatic variant (better prognosis) and the extrahepatic variant (associated with worse prognosis). The objective of this study was to compare rates of congenital malformations in fetuses with intrahepatic PRUV (I-PRUV) versus singleton pregnancies without risk factors. Materials and Methods A multicenter, crossover design, comparative study was performed between 2003 and 2013 on fetuses diagnosed with I-PRUV (n = 56), and singleton pregnancies without congenital malformation risk factors (n = 4050). Results Fifty-six cases of I-PRUV were diagnosed (incidence 1:770). A statistically significant association between I-PRUV and the presence of congenital malformations (odds ratio 4.321; 95% confidence interval 2.15–8.69) was found. This positive association was only observed with genitourinary malformations (odds ratio 3.038; 95% confidence interval 1.08–8.56). Conclusion Our rate of malformations associated with I-PRUV (17.9%) is similar to previously published rates. I-PRUV has shown a significant increase in the rate of associated malformations, although this association has only been found to be statistically significant in the genitourinary system. Noteworthy is the fact that this comparative study has not pointed to a significant increase in the congenital heart malformation rate. Diagnosis of isolated I-PRUV does not carry a worse prognosis

An innovative quick solidifying technique for the forensic investigation of brain circulation using addition silicones

Post-mortem study of the brain is extremely relevant to medico-legal autopsies. However, it can be difficult to handle due to its fragility. This article presents a study on the development of an arterial solidifying technique that can be applied to analyze arterial circulation, consequently easing the handling and later diagnosis of diseases in this anatomical site. Vinylpolysiloxane silicone is introduced into the internal carotid arteries until it completely fills the arterial tree, creating a detailed model of the arterial's internal anatomy. This technique is fast, easy to apply and requires no previous tissue fixation. In addition, it allows for further toxicological and pathological tests. In conclusion, this technique represents a simple, sensitive and efficient method to employ in conventional autopsies, which can help in the diagnosis of death

Epigenomic analysis detects aberrant super-enhancer DNA methylation in human cancer

Background: One of the hallmarks of cancer is the disruption of gene expression patterns. Many molecular lesions contribute to this phenotype, and the importance of aberrant DNA methylation profiles is increasingly recognized. Much of the research effort in this area has examined proximal promoter regions and epigenetic alterations at other loci are not well characterized. Results: Using whole genome bisulfite sequencing to examine uncharted regions of the epigenome, we identify a type of far-reaching DNA methylation alteration in cancer cells of the distal regulatory sequences described as super-enhancers. Human tumors undergo a shift in super-enhancer DNA methylation profiles that is associated with the transcriptional silencing or the overactivation of the corresponding target genes. Intriguingly, we observe locally active fractions of super-enhancers detectable through hypomethylated regions that suggest spatial variability within the large enhancer clusters. Functionally, the DNA methylomes obtained suggest that transcription factors contribute to this local activity of super-enhancers and that trans-acting factors modulate DNA methylation profiles with impact on transforming processes during carcinogenesis. Conclusions: We develop an extensive catalogue of human DNA methylomes at base resolution to better understand the regulatory functions of DNA methylation beyond those of proximal promoter gene regions. CpG methylation status in normal cells points to locally active regulatory sites at super-enhancers, which are targeted by specific aberrant DNA methylation events in cancer, with putative effects on the expression of downstream genes.peerReviewe