Interstitial Lung disease (ILD), produces disruption of alveolar walls with loss of functionality and accumulation of scar tissue. Asbestosis and silicosis are the ILD produced by the inhalation of asbestos fibers or silica particles respectively. An increase in prostacyclin release after exposing endothelial cells to asbestos has been reported. This study attempts to elucidate the role of lung epithelial cells in the generation of asbestos induced ILD. A cell model to study crocidolite-induced toxicity was developed using LA-4 cells, previously characterized as alveolar type II cells. LA-4 cells when exposed to crocidolite had a decrease in viability and an increase in the release of LDH and 6-keto PGF1α, a prostacyclin metabolite. Prostacyclin release was Cox 2 and vitronectin receptor (VNR) mediated. Coating crocidolite asbestos with vitronectin enhances its internalization via VNR, ...

Due to the risk of HIV infection, a rectal microbicide (RM) is needed as a prophylactic. This clinical study evaluated the pharmacokinetics luminal and pharmacodynamics of four candidate formulations as MR vehicles. Eight men participated in this randomized, partially blinded comparative study. Formulations aqueous fluid (AF), aqueous gel (AG), lipid fluid (LF) and lipid gel (LG), were mixed with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid labeled with Technetium-99m and administered intrarectically. One hour later, colon biopsies and brushings were obtained using sigmoidoscopy. SPEC/CT images were obtained at 2, 4, and 24 hours. Colonic distribution was described using concentration-distance (Dmax) parameters. Colonic histology did not find differences in epithelial denudation. Luminal concentrations of AG and LF and tissue concentrations of LF showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) compared to ...

The use of central venous catheters has a wide use in our hospitals, but it is not exempt from complications. We report a 18 years old woman who had one of this life involved complication. The patient died and necropsy she was diagnosed as follow: perforation of miocardium and pericardial tamponade. The possible mechanism of perforation it was a gradual form which has several causes. It is very important to understand the different forms of perforation and also to evaluate frequently every central venous catheter to prevent all these fatal ocurrences.

La auditoría médica, busca identificar las irregularidades y disfunciones médicas y administrativa con miras a proponer alternativas que permitan mejorar la calidad. Objetivo: Identificar y analizar las causas de la emisión de los Certificados de Incapacidad Temporal para el Trabajo (CITT). Material y Métodos: El estudio se realizó en 17 centros asistenciales de EsSalud de Lima y Callao, en 1996. Se auditaron 41,918 CITT, excluyendo aquellos emitidos para descanso pre y post natal, y por los servicios médicos PAAD (Programa de Atención Ambulatoria y Domiciliaria). Se establecieron 8 criterios para determinar la adecuada emisión de los mismos. Resultados: Del total de CITT auditados 52.93% presentaron observaciones. La mayor parte de las observaciones fueron de tipo administrativo, las relacionadas a la práctica médica fueron escasas. Las observaciones más frecuentes fu...