Search

"Porque todos respiramos lo mismo" is a mass media campaign to promote smoke-free places (SFP). The development stages were: strategic planning; formative research; message development; media plan; and impact evaluation. Development involved formation of a coalition of key actors in various sectors. The target population was smokers and nonsmokers, with the aim of changing social norms around SFP. Nonsmokers were targeted because they comprised the majority and were most likely to appreciate the benefits of SFPs. Campaign materials were aired on television, radio, print and on billboards. One key limitation was the lack of evidence for previous campaigns, which increased the importance of formative research and of including a rigorous evaluation for this one. The campaign evaluation indicates a significant impact, which suggests that future campaigns use similar strategies in their development.

Estimate the frequency and manner in which mass media represent tobacco and tobacco control policies. 660 stories published in six Mexican newspapers during 2007 were content analyzed. The majority of the news stories were published in the last quarter of the year, due to discussion of pending local and federal legislation. The vast majority of the stories were in favor of tobacco control policies (49%) or neutral (41%). The most frequently occurring themes in the stories were: legislation (36%), tobacco smoke (28%), economy (24%), and packaging (17%). Actors mentioned were: governmental institutions (24%), legislators (21%), tobacco industry (18%), and national and international non-governmental organizations (7 and 8%, respectively). Advocacy efforts should take advantage of mass media, which appears generally neutral or in favor of tobacco control policies in Mexico.

Some individuals with Down syndrome develop an Alzheimer-type dementia in the third and fourth decades of life. Dementia in Alzheimer disease has been associated with the presence of genotype epsilon 4/epsilon 4 in apolipoprotein E (apo E). By means of molecular analysis techniques genotypes in lipoprotein apo E were identified in 21 patients with Down syndrome. The results obtained showed that 76% of the studied population had the genotype epsilon 3/epsilon 3 and 9% genotypes epsilon 3/epsilon 4 and epsilon 2/epsilon 3. None of the cases was homozygous for the allele epsilon 4. The analysis of our data shows the absence of differences between the distribution of genotype apo E among the Down population studied and among general population. We therefore consider that the presence of the allele epsilon 4 has no influence on the manifestation of Alzheimer disease in patients with Down syndrome.

Using the atomic absorption spectroscopy technique, the plasma concentrations of zinc were measured in 32 patients with Down's syndrome (DS) and in 44 healthy controls (C). An obvious and significant decrease in the levels of this element was observed in the trisomic subjects (DS:124.5 +/- 21.7 micrograms/dl; C:150.3 +/- 28 micrograms/dl). Additionally, there seemed to be no relationship or dependence between this observation and the age or the institutionalization of these patients. From a detailed analysis of the population studied, it is inferred that together with personal antecedents of repeated infections, there is always a deficit in this element. It is possible that this deficiency might be due to an activation of the zinc dependent enzymatic systems involved in the immune response.

The authors report the result of a statistical study under stake for screening of congenital dislocation of the hip. Several factors was analyzed (season, maternal age, delivery, gestational age, sex, weight). 6.135 newborn child study in 36 months. In 130 (2.1%) baby were suspected congenital dislocation and the traumatological exploration was: 76 baby (58%) were normal; 54 baby (41%) were diagnosed congenital dislocation of hip. The incidence was 0.8% and the rate female/male: 6/1.

The pattern of breathing of 18 preterm newborn infants weighing less than 1500 g. at birth, and old 35 full-term newborns weighing more than 2500 g. at birth were studied during the neonatal period. The newborns were grouped according to postnatal age. (less than 24 hrs; 24 hrs.-7 days and less than 7 days). The inspiratory and expiratory flow was measured by means of pneumotachography. The respiratory rate values (f) decrease with postnatal age: The highest values in all three postnatal age groups correspond to the preterm newborns. The decrease in is a accompanied by an increase in the duration of inspiratory (TI) and expiratory (TE) time to such and degree that the relationship TI/total respiratory cycle (TI/TTOT) shows no significant differences between the groups studied. Both in preterm and full-term newborns, the peak expiratory flow occurs at a later point in expiration during the first 24 hours of life. The tidal volume (VT) and the minute ventilation increase with age. The VT in proportionate to the weight in all groups. The mean inspiratory flow (VT/TI) is lower in the preterm newborns, and within each group, the values are higher in those whose postnatal age is greater.

A Von Willebrand's disease associated to Von Recklinghausen's disease is described. A an common alteration in the mesenchima is suggested as pathogenic mechanism. DDAVP was used as supportive treatment for bleeding, in preparation for surgery.

In a boy initially diagnosed as X-linked hypogammaglobulinemia, the later clinical and analytical course and the application of new immunological techniques led to the new diagnosis of common variable immunodeficiency. The patient shows panhypogammaglobulinemia, a scarce number of plasma cells with a normal number of precursors and circulating B lymphocytes with membrane bound immunoglobulins and C3 receptors. Delayed hypersensitivity is absent despite normal amount of circulating T lymphocytes which were able to transform when stimulated by PHA. The anergy seems primary and not related to the clinical malnutrition. The authors make a differential diagnosis between both illnesses as a tentative pathogenetic interpretation of B cell development arrest.

We report three patients presenting symptoms of tetany at eleven months, five years and seven years. They had hypocalcemia hypomagnesemia, hyperphosphatemia and elevated phosphate tubular reabsorption. PTH serum levels were decreased and cAMP urinary excretion was very low. Clinical and biological findings suggest hypoparathyroidism, but due to peculiar phenotype of one patient differential diagnosis is established.

Development of human C. system was studied by quantification of total serum hemolytical activity (CH50) and individual levels of C3, C4 and C5 in full term newborns. Comparison of results in newborn infants and their mothers sera is made. The ratios of neonatal-maternal sera concentrations were CH50, 0.29; C3, 0.61; C4, 0.51, and C5, 0.63. Serum concentrations of C3 and C4 reached maternal concentrations at twelve months of age. Serum concentrations of C4 and CH50 reached maternal levels at six months of age.

Two patients affected with Alport's syndrome belonging respectively to two families with a high incidence of urinary, auditive and ocular symtoms, are described. The most relevant features are commented pointing out that Alport's syndrome could be a structural malformation of the whole or only one part of a type of colagen probably specific of the basal membrane of the glomerulus which could be more easily affected forming toxic metabolites. Finally a reference to the histologic study is made.

The authors carry out a study to evaluate the immunoglobulin and complement factor levels and the populations and subpopulations of mononuclear cells enumerated by monoclonal antibodies, in Down's syndrome (DS) patients. The IgG, IgA and IgM immunoglobulins were significantly increased, and presented an age-dependence. The complement factors, C3 and C4 were normal. We enumerated T lymphocyte subsets in these patients using OKT3, OKT4, OKT6, OKT8, OKIa1 and OKM1 monoclonal antibodies. The percentages of total T cells (T3 + cells) and of helper T lymphocytes (T4 + cells), were significantly decreased (DS: 49 +/- 11%; p less than 0,05) (DS: 20 +/- 7%; p less than 0,001); nevertheless in the subpopulations of suppressor/cytotoxic T lymphocytes, we found an increase (T8 + cells) (DS: 34 +/- 12%; p less than 0,01). In the remainder of the populations studied, B lymphocytes, monocytes, null-cells and common thymocytes no apparent alterations were detected. The study has shown an imbalance between populations of helper induced and cytotoxic /suppressor T lymphocytes in these patients. It appears that the unbalances in population and subpopulation studies could be due to an alteration of the Thymus. This is suggested by the increased susceptibility to polytopic infections, high risk of malignancies and high frequency of autoantibodies.

Umbilical cord plasmatic levels of insulin, peptido-C and glucagon in two groups of normal and stressed newborns, in the first and third days of life and were measured and compared with those of their mothers. The levels of insulin were significantly higher in normal newborns (p less than 0.001) than in their mothers but not significant with those found in the stressed newborn. After three days of life the mean values on insuline were 14.67 +/- 7.2, without significant differences with the other two groups. The mean values of peptido-C were not significantly different in the three groups. The molar relation in every case was higher than 1. The levels of glucagon in umbilical cord of normal newborn were 196.42 +/- 51.45 with significant elevation (p less than 0.05) after three days of life. In stressed newborn group the values in umbilical cord were significantly higher (p less than 0.01) than the foud values in normal newborn.

Two patients with partial deletion of the short arm of number 4 chromosome are reported and their phenotypes and genetic characteristics are discussed. The genetic work up of both patients are compared concluding that a deletion of a part of the short arm of one of the 4th pair respective of the chromosome segment which is missing, is sufficient to produce this syndrome.

Authors present a patient with Goldenhar's syndrome, with severe cardiac, vascular and brain malformations. Goldenhar's syndrome is a condition characterized by epibulbar dermoids or lipodermoid , malformation auricular, and vertebral anomalies. Many other abnormalities have been described, but these signs are the most constant and give the syndrome its' identity.

A prospective clinical trial is carried out in 88 patients undergoing surgery for removal of the appendix. Authors show the efficacy of the association of pre and postoperative gentamycin plus clindamycin or lincomycin in prevention of postoperative infections, which, in the cases with non-ruptured appendix was 0%, and in gangrenous or perforated cases was 8.6%, with a global infection rate of 6% in this prophylactic subgroup I. However, when the same antibiotics are administered only postoperatively (subgroup II), global infection rate is of 34.2% similar to data in the literature in which no antibiotics were given. There have been no complications derived from this antibiotic prophylaxis.

A patient with precoucious puberty, caused by the secretion of ecthopic gonadotrophin, due to a teratoma of mediastinal localization accompanied by cellular immunodeficiency is described. A review of literature several cases have been from different hospitals, showing a low frequency of the intrathoratic localization of these teratomas and it is exceptional functional characteristics is made.

A case of a boy with a papular acrodermatitis caused by an Epstein-Barr viral infection is presented. This makes us consider actualized criteria relating to diseases in the Gianotti-Crosti syndrome and its relationship with the presence or absence of Australian antigen.

The endocrinological study of the cryptorchid testicle was carried out using a HCG and LH-RH tests to stimulate the hypophysis. Stimulation with LH-RH demonstrated a low hypophysis reserve in some cases which made suspect the presence of a hypo-stimulated testicle. One is led to believe in the heterogeneous nature of the endocrinological response.