Gonyautoxins: First evidence in pain management in total knee arthroplasty.

Improvements in pain management techniques in the last decade have had a major impact on the practice of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Gonyautoxin are phycotoxins, whose molecular mechanism of action is a reversible block of the voltage-gated sodium channels at the axonal level, impeding nerve impulse propagation. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Gonyautoxin infiltration, as a long acting pain blocker in TKA.

Impact of Dietary Lipids on Colonic Function and Microbiota: An Experimental Approach Involving Orlistat-Induced Fat Malabsorption in Human Volunteers.

Objectives: High-fat diets alter gut microbiota and barrier function, inducing metabolic endotoxemia and low-grade inflammation. Whether these effects are due to the high dietary lipid content or to the concomitant decrease of carbohydrate intake is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine whether higher amounts of dietary fat reaching the colon (through orlistat administration) affect the colonic ecosystem in healthy volunteers and the effect of the prebiotic oligofructose (OF) in this model.

Hyperandrogenism Decreases GRP78 Protein Level and Glucose Uptake in Human Endometrial Stromal Cells.

Background: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) exhibit a low fertility by chronic hyperandrogenemia. Different evidence have shown that androgens could regulate the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis and glucose metabolism. However, it is unclear whether androgens can exert these effects on human endometrial stromal cells.

Role of Dendritic Cells in the Induction of Lymphocyte Tolerance.

The ability of dendritic cells (DCs) to trigger tolerance or immunity is dictated by the context in which an antigen is encountered. A large body of evidence indicates that antigen presentation by steady-state DCs induces peripheral tolerance through mechanisms such as the secretion of soluble factors, the clonal deletion of autoreactive T cells, and feedback control of regulatory T cells. Moreover, recent understandings on the function of DC lineages and the advent of murine models of DC depletion have highlighted the contribution of DCs to lymphocyte tolerance.

Reliability of Nasofacial Analysis Using Rhinobase® Software.

Objective: Rhinoplasty is a constant challenge for the surgeon, where the correct evaluation of facial aesthetic parameters allows harmonic changes appropriate for each patient. The aim of this study was to compare the preoperative and postoperative results of nasofacial analysis, performed by Rhinobase® software (indirect anthropometry) compared with direct anthropometry (caliper), in patients undergoing aesthetic rhinoplasty.

Methods: The authors assessed the reliability of using Rhinobase® software for measuring nasofacial characteristics in 20 individuals (18 F, 2 M).

Levels of Regulatory Proteins Associated With Cell Proliferation in Endometria From Untreated Patients Having Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome With and Without Endometrial Hyperplasia.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) has been associated with endometrial hyperplasia and cancer. The aim of this study was to establish whether the expression of proliferation regulatory proteins in the endometria of patients having PCOS, with or without hyperplasia, differs from control women. Control endometria (CE), patients having PCOS without and with endometrial hyperplasia (PCOSE and HPCOSE, respectively), and that of women with endometrial hyperplasia (HE) were used.

Endometria from Obese PCOS Women with Hyperinsulinemia Exhibit Altered Adiponectin Signaling.

Hyperandrogenemia, hyperinsulinemia, and obesity affect 60-70% of patients with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), who exhibit an altered endometrial insulin signaling. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether hyperandrogenism, hyperinsulinism, and obesity present in PCOS patients impair the endometrial adiponectin signaling pathway. The ex vivo study was conducted on 27 samples from lean (n=9), obese (n=9), and obese-PCOS (n=9) patients.

Overexpression of connexin 43 reduces melanoma proliferative and metastatic capacity.

Background: Alterations in connexin 43 (Cx43) expression and/or gap junction (GJ)-mediated intercellular communication are implicated in cancer pathogenesis. Herein, we have investigated the role of Cx43 in melanoma cell proliferation and apoptosis sensitivity in vitro, as well as metastatic capability and tumour growth in vivo.

Methods: Connexin 43 expression levels, GJ coupling and proliferation rates were analysed in four different human melanoma cell lines.

Dendritic cell chimerism in oral mucosa of transplanted patients affected by graft-versus-host disease.

Objective: Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is one of the main complications after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Clinical features of GVHD include either an acute (aGVHD) or a chronic (cGVHD) condition that affects locations such as the oral mucosa. While the involvement of the host's dendritic cells (DCs) has been demonstrated in aGVHD, the origin (donor/host) and mechanisms underlying oral cGVHD have not been completely elucidated.

Role of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on TGF-β1 signaling pathway in epithelial ovarian cancer cells.

Purpose: One of the hypotheses regarding the genesis of epithelial ovarian cancer involves the action of androgens on the proliferation of epithelial ovarian cells, as well as inclusion cysts. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether DHT causes changes in the TGF-β1 pathway that might modify the anti-proliferative effect of the latter.

Methods: The levels of TGF-β1 protein, of its receptors (TGFBR1 and TGFBR2), of Smad2/3 (canonical signaling pathway protein) and of p21 (cell cycle protein) were assessed in ovarian tissues, epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines (A2780) and control cell lines (HOSE) through the use of immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry.

Amelioration of persistent left ventricular function impairment through increased plasma ascorbate levels following myocardial infarction.

Purpose: Percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PCA) has been demonstrated to reduce mortality and morbidity and thereby improve the prognosis of patients undergoing acute myocardial infarctions (AMIs). However, this procedure paradoxically increases the initial damage as the result of a condition known as 'myocardial reperfusion injury'. Oxidative stress may contribute to the mechanism of this injury.

Tofacitinib versus etanercept or placebo in moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis: a phase 3 randomised non-inferiority trial.

Background: New therapeutic options are needed for patients with psoriasis. Tofacitinib, an oral Janus kinase inhibitor, is being investigated as a treatment for moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis. In this study, we aimed to compare two tofacitinib doses with high-dose etanercept or placebo in this patient population.

Changes in regional cerebral blood flow are associated with endothelial dysfunction markers in cocaine-dependent patients under recent abstinence.

Objectives: Cocaine is a known risk factor for several vascular ischemic events. The underlying mechanisms leading to the complications are not fully understood, although thrombus formation and accelerated atherosclerosis are prominent findings. Evidence of endothelial dysfunction (ED), a key phenomenon in the pathogenesis of atherogenesis, has been demonstrated in cocaine-dependent individuals.

Earlier immunomodulatory treatment is associated with better visual outcomes in a subset of patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.

Purpose: To evaluate clinical outcomes of first-line immunomodulatory therapy (IMT) and prednisone alone or late IMT in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of 152 patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease evaluated in a referral uveitis clinic in Chile from 1985 to 2011. Medical records of these patients were reviewed.

A putative role for telocytes in placental barrier impairment during preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a major health problem occurring in pregnant women and the principal cause of maternal morbidity and perinatal mortality. It is characterized by alteration of the extravilli trophoblast cell migration toward the endometrial spiral arteries with a concomitant reduction in maternal blood flow in the placenta. This result in a state of ischemia-hypoxia which triggers an oxidative stress stage with production of reactive oxygen species.

Genotype F of hepatitis B: response to interferon.

Background: The relevance of HBV genotype diversity on interferon (IFN) therapy outcome in chronic hepatitis B patients has recently been highlighted. Data available for genotype F is poor. The aim of this work was to analyse the response of HBV genotype F to treatment with IFN.

Atorvastatin reduces the proadhesive and prothrombotic endothelial cell phenotype induced by cocaine and plasma from cocaine consumers in vitro.

Objective: Cocaine consumption is a risk factor for vascular ischemic complications. Although endothelial dysfunction and accelerated atherosclerosis have been observed in cocaine consumers, the mechanisms underlying their pathogenesis are not fully understood. This study aimed at identifying the effects of atorvastatin in relation to a proadhesive and prothrombotic phenotype induced by cocaine and plasma from chronic cocaine users on endothelial cells.

Role of cytokine gene polymorphisms in gastric cancer risk in Chile.

Aim: To assess the role of pro- and anti-inflammatory polymorphisms in gastric cancer susceptibility.

Patients And Methods: We genotyped 12 polymorphisms in eight cytokine genes (Interleukin-1β -IL1B-, IL8, IL17A, IL17F, IL32, tumor necrosis factor-α -TNF-, IL1RN, IL10) in a case-control study of 147 patients with gastric cancer and 172 controls.

Results: Single polymorphism analysis revealed an association between the IL10 -592C>A single nucleotide polymorphism and cases with moderately- or well-differentiated tumors [AA vs.

Changes in iron transporter divalent metal transporter 1 in proximal jejunum after gastric bypass.

Aim: To describe the variation that divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) shows in patients after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery.

Methods: Prospective and analytical study of DMT1 level at the brush border of proximal jejunum in patients having undergone RYGB surgery. The mucosa of proximal jejunum forming the gastrojejunal anastomosis was biopsied during surgery and after 6 mo later with an endoscopic biopsy.

Is active surveillance a safe alternative in the management of localized prostate cancer? Pathological features of radical prostatectomy specimens in potential candidates for active surveillance.

Introduction And Objective: Active surveillance (AS) has become an accepted alternative for patients with low risk prostate cancer. The purpose of AS is to defer definitive therapy in these patients to avoid treatment-related complications. Our aim was to determine the pathological features of the surgical specimen from potential AS candidates that underwent radical prostatectomy (RP).

Effect of active versus passive recovery on performance during intrameet swimming competition.

Background: During competition, high-performance swimmers are subject to repeated physical demands that affect their final performance. Measurement of lactate concentration in blood seeks to indirectly gauge physiologic responses to the increase in physical exercise. Swimmers face multiple maximal-exertion events during competition.

Impact of CYP1A1, GSTM1, and GSTT1 polymorphisms in overall and specific prostate cancer survival.

Objective: Prognostic biomarkers that distinguish between patients with good or poor outcome can be used to guide decisions of whom to treat and how aggressively. In this sense, several groups have proposed genetic polymorphisms as potential susceptibility and prognostic biomarkers; however, their validity has not been proven. Thus, the main goal of the present work was to investigate the potential role of single and combined CYP1A1, GSTM1, and GSTT1 genotypes as modifiers of cancer survival in Chilean patients with prostate cancer.

Lambda interferon serum levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection according to their response to therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin.

Lambda interferon IL-28A/B and IL-29 serum levels have been associated with the course of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, there is not information about these cytokine in patients with antiviral therapy. We investigated IL-28A/B and IL-29 serum levels in 45 samples from patients chronically infected with HCV genotype 1, and undergoing therapy with PEG-IFN/RBV, at baseline and after 12 weeks of therapy, comparing those that developed a sustained virologic response (SVR) with null responders (NR).