Histopathological, ultrastructural, and biochemical traits of apoptosis induced by peroxisomicine A1 (toxin T-514) from Karwinskia parvifolia in kidney and lung

Peroxisomicine A1 (PA1) is a toxin isolated from the Karwinskia genus plants whose target organs are the liver, kidney, and lung. In vitro studies demonstrated the induction of apoptosis by PA1 in cancer cell lines, and in vivo in the liver. Apoptosis has a wide range of morphological features such as cell shrinkage, plasma membrane blistering, loss of microvilli, cytoplasm, and chromatin condensation, internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, and formation of apoptotic bodies that are phagocytized by resident macrophages or nearby cells. Early stages of apoptosis can be detected by mitochondrial alterations. We investigated the presence of apoptosis in vivo at the morphological, ultrastructural, and biochemical levels in two target organs of PA1: kidney and lung. Sixty CD-1 mice were divided into three groups (n = 20): untreated control (ST), vehicle control (VH), and PA1 intoxicated group (2LD50). Five animals of each group were sacrificed at 4, 8, 12, and 24 h post-intoxication. Kidney and lung were examined by morphometry, histopathology, ultrastructural, and DNA fragmentation analysis. Pre-apoptotic mitochondrial alterations were present at 4 h. Apoptotic bodies were observed at 8 h and increased over time. TUNEL positive cells were detected as early as 4 h, and the DNA ladder pattern was observed at 12 h and 24 h. The liver showed the highest value of fragmented DNA, followed by the kidney and the lung. We demonstrated the induction of apoptosis by a toxic dose of PA1 in the kidney and lung in vivo. These results could be useful in understanding the mechanism of action of this compound at toxic doses in vivo.

[Tropical pyomyositis of the iliacus, obturator internus, piriformis and psoas major muscles in an immunocompetent patient with claudication]

INTRODUCTION

Pyomyositis is a term that denotes pyogenic infection usually primary skeletal muscle, associated with hematogenous dispersion due to transient bacteremia, or penetrating trauma, usually forming abscesses. Classically described frequently in tropical areas and predominantly affecting the lower limb musculature, however, in recent decades it has increasingly been associated with areas of temperate climates and relatively more frequently in immunosuppressed patients, being the patients under 30 years the most affected.

CLINICAL CASE

Male of 15 years without relevant medical history. The patient had no history of trauma, falls, surgical interventions, infections or any other systemic condition. He came because of a clinical picture of 7 days of evolution characterized by pain referred to the groin and left iliac crest area associated with claudication and hyperthermia not quantified, which yielded partially to NSAIDs and paracetamol, but without achieving improvement so it is taken emergency by relatives.

CONCLUSIONS

It is necessary to bear in mind this pathology when performing the differential diagnostic approach of a patient presenting with pain and functional limitation of some joint associated with data suggestive of an infectious or inflammatory process.

Direct withdrawal of a knife in the lumbar spinal canal in a patient without neurological deficit: case report and review of the literature

Introduction

Stab-wound injuries to the spinal cord are rare and currently, do not have a well-established management in the literature despite its strong association with neurological injury.

Case presentation

We report a case of a patient with a stab-wound injury with a knife in the lumbar region, who underwent direct removal in the operating room without surgical exploration. Upon admission, the patient had no neurological deficit. The X-rays and CT scan before removal showed the involvement of >50% of the intramedullary canal at L2. The removal was performed in the operating room with a surgical team available and ready in case there was neurological deterioration during the procedure.

Discussion

We concluded that any neurologic deficit in a patient with a stab-wound injury in the spine must mandate surgical exploration and in patients without neurological deficit, direct removal of the stabbing object is a safe and effective method without adding the risks of a surgical exploration.

[Morphometric characteristics of the asterion and the posterolateral surface of the skull: its relationship with dural venous sinuses and its neurosurgical importance]

BACKGROUND

The knowledge of the location and morphometric of the lateral venous sinus (transverse and sigmoid), and their relationship with the asterion and other surface anatomical landmarks, it is imperative for posterolateral approaches to the posterior cranial fossa to avoid vascular structures injury and surgical complications.

OBJECTIVE

Determine an anatomical area security for a drill that allows entry into the posterior cranial fossa without damaging adjacent structures, and study the morphometric characteristics asterion, the lateral sinus and bony landmarks of the posterolateral surface of the skull.

METHODS

With a 1.3 mm drill drilled both sides of 88 dry skulls (176 hemicranias). The anatomical landmarks studied were the asterion, the apex of the mastoid process, spina suprameatal, the Frankfurt horizontal plane, the posterior root of the zygomatic arch, the external occipital protuberance and its relationship with the sinus transversus.

RESULTS

The asterion type I prevails in 74.4% of the pieces. In 82.4% of the skulls asterion level is, sinus transversus in less than 12.5% and above this at 5.1%.

CONCLUSIONS

With the data obtained from this and other research, the initial trephine should be placed below the 15 mm and 15 mm asterion post this to reduce the risk of injury from sinus transversus.

[Morphometric characteristics of the sacrum in Mexican population. Its importance in lumbosacral fusion and fixation procedures]

BACKGROUND

the morphology and the morphometric characteristics of the sacrum and its components determine the size of pedicle implants in both width and length and the orientation of the screw at the time of implantation. The present study aimed to determine the morphometric characteristics of the sacrum in the Mexican population in order to establish safe approaches for the placement and orientation of the screws during lumbosacral instrumentation.

METHODS

morphometric characteristics were determined for 50 dry sacra distributed in 44 measurement parameters (39 linear and 5 angular) divided in five categories: 1) anterior and posterior sacral foramina; 2) S1 vertebral pedicle and intermediate sacral crest; 3) vertebral bodies and the general parameters of the sacrum; 4) S1 superior articular process facet and sacral canal, and 5) S1 pedicle approaches.

RESULTS

the S1 pedicle average length was 25.00 mm ± 2.41, the S1 pedicle anterior and posterior average height was 20.68 mm ± 3.40 and 24.64 mm ± 3.77 respectively, the sacral canal dimensions on its superior opening were 15.13 mm ± 2.40 in the sagital diameter and 31.07 mm ± 2.65 for the transverse diameter, in S1 the anteriomedial screw trajectory average distance was 50.08 mm ± 3.72 with an average angle of 34.30° ± 4.1 from the screw entry point.

CONCLUSION

the results from this study are important for the correct screw placement and position in lumbosacral instrumentation, and also for other procedures that involve the sacral region as a surgical and diagnostic target.