Performance in Kahoot! activities as predictive of exam performance.

BACKGROUND: Game-based learning (GBL) is effective for increasing participation, creativity, and student motivation. However, the discriminative value of GBL for knowledge acquisition has not yet been proven. The aim of this study is to assess the value of Kahoot! as a discriminative tool for formative assessment in medical education in two different subjects. METHODS: A prospective experimental study was conducted on a sample of 173 students enrolled in neuroanatomy (2021-2022). One hundred twenty-five students individually completed the Kahoot! prior to the final exam. In addition, students enrolled in human histology during two academic courses were included in the study. The control group course (2018-2019) received a traditional teaching methodology (N = 211), while Kahoot! was implemented during 2020-2021 (N = 200). All students completed similar final exams for neuroanatomy and human histology based on theory tests and image exams. RESULTS: The correlation between the Kahoot score and the final grade was analyzed for all students enrolled in neuroanatomy who completed both exercises. The correlation between the Kahoot exercise and the theory test, image exam and final grade was significantly positive in all cases (r = 0.334 p < 0.001, r = 0.278 p = 0.002 and r = 0.355 p < 0.001, respectively). Moreover, students who completed the Kahoot! exercise obtained significantly higher grades in all parts of the exam. Regarding human histology, the theory tests, image exams and final grades were significantly higher when using Kahoot! versus the "traditional" methodology (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p = 0.014, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates for the first time that Kahoot! can be used to improve and predict the final grade in medical education subjects.

Study of perfusion changes in the optic disc of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome using new colorimetric analysis software.

PURPOSE: We measured the amount of hemoglobin at the optic nerve head of fibromyalgia (FM) patients using new colorimetric analysis software. We also investigated whether perfusion defects of the optic nerve head in patients with FM lead to tissue atrophy and corresponding retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: We recruited for this cross-sectional study 118 FM patients and 76 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. All subjects underwent a complete neuro-ophthalmologic examination, which also included visual field testing using the Spark strategy in an Easyfield perimeter, and OCT examinations using the Spectralis. One photograph of the optic disc was obtained using a Cirrus™ Photo 800 multi-modality imager. We analyzed fundus photographs using Laguna ONhE software, a new method that allows hemoglobin levels to be measured at the optic nerve head. We compared hemoglobin percentages in different sectors of the nerve head and RNFL thicknesses between the two groups. RESULTS: Mean hemoglobin percentages and hemoglobin content in all optic nerve head sectors calculated by the Laguna ONhE program were significantly lower in FM patients than in healthy controls, and the main differences were detected in the outer ring, which corresponds with the neuroretinal rim. However, only the differences in the superotemporal RNFL were statistically significant. Correlations between the RNFL thickness and the percentage of hemoglobin in the different sectors were weak. CONCLUSION: Optic disc perfusion was decreased in patients with FM, especially within the neuroretinal rim, without clear involvement in the RNFL.

Aesthetic and functional rehabilitation of child using mock-up combined with stratified technique.

BACKGROUND: The loss of the vertical dimension of occlusion in children with quickly progressing early childhood caries hinders the aesthetic rehabilitation of primary incisors. Minimally invasive restorations using chemical-mechanical caries removal methods preserve sound dental tissue and maintains the health of the pulp. This is the treatment of choice for children and allows crown reconstruction of the primary incisors without the need for endodontic treatment. The resources employed in the rehabilitation process range from biological restorations to direct and indirect crowns with or without the aid of a celluloid matrix. CASE REPORT: The aim of this study was to describe a case of maxillary incisor rehabilitation in a female patient aged two years five months using a mock-up combined with the stratified technique and Planas' direct tracks. After a 26-month follow-up period only a little fracture of the reconstructed incisor had occurred. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: In the case described, neuro-occlusal and functional rehabilitation enabled the establishment of satisfactory aesthetics in the primary incisors.

Grepafloxacin concentration in ocular tissues after intravenous infusion in rabbits with intraocular inflammation.

PURPOSE: To determine the penetration of grepafloxacin into ocular tissues during experimental ocular inflammation. METHODS: 10 albino and 10 pigmented rabbits underwent a continuous intravenous infusion of the drug 24 h after injecting Salmonella typhimurium toxin intravitreously, creating ocular inflammation. The animals were killed and grepafloxacin levels were determined in plasma and ocular tissues using high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Grepafloxacin levels achieved a steady-state plasma concentration of 1.5 microg/ml. The drug diffused more towards vascularized tissues (chorioretina and iris) in both albino and pigmented rabbits with a tissue/serum ratio higher than 1. Grepafloxacin showed more affinity to pigmented tissue, rising levels of 40,000-50,000 ng/g in the chorioretina and iris in pigmented animals. After inflammation, grepafloxacin intraocular penetration increased in albino animals with levels exceeding the minimum inhibitory concentration for the most common ocular pathogens. CONCLUSION: Grepafloxacin intraocular penetration is higher in pigmented tissues. Ocular inflammation increases the drug penetration into the vitreous.

[Idiopathic polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy]. / Vasculopatía coroidea polipoidal idiopática.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence, clinical features and evolution of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in our population. METHODS: Retrospective study of patients diagnosed with exudative and/or hemorrhagic maculopathy including age-related macular degeneration in the last two years and who have undergone a complete ophthalmologic exploration and videoangiography with fluorescein and indocyanine green. RESULTS: 250 patients were included in the study, 8 patients (3.2%) had clinical and angiographic criteria of PCV. The mean age was 68 years-old, 62.5% were men and 85.7% were caucasian. Ninety percent of cases presented clinically as a predominantly hemorrhagic macular detachment. The initial clinical diagnosis before indocyanine green angiography was exudative age-related macular degeneration in 90% of cases. The mean visual acuity was 0.2 at baseline and after follow-up. Laser treatment was performed in 4 eyes, achieving good anatomic and visual acuity results in 2 of them; both eyes of one patient were treated by photodynamic therapy with poor angiographic and functional outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy is a clinical entity which is relatively frequent among patients previously diagnosed with exudative maculopathy. Indocyanine green angiography increases the number of correct diagnoses. Treatment must be individualized depending on the location of the lesions and the severity of the disease.

[Serpiginous choroiditis: clinical course and treatment]. / Coroiditis serpiginosa: evolución clínica y tratamiento.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical evolution and treatment of serpiginous choroiditis in 11 diagnosed patients. METHODS: Retrospective study of 11 cases diagnosed with serpiginous choroiditis in our area, from 1980 to the present. We analyzed age at onset of symptoms, systemic diseases, ophthalmological symptoms at presentation, the location of lesions, initial and final visual acuity, recurrences, treatment régime and development of subretinal neovascularization. A complete ophthalmological examination and fluorescein angiograms were performed in all of them. RESULTS: The mean period of follow-up was 4 years. Average age was 56 years, predominantly in men (10/1). Five patients had known ischemic cardiopathy and systemic hypertension, one patient underwent a kidney transplant. All of them were treated with oral prednisone (1-1.5 mg/kg/daily) in the active stages. Three patients received triple therapy (prednisone, cyclosporine and azathioprine) that did not prevent the recurrences. Five patients developed a subretinal neovascularization, bilateral in three of them. CONCLUSIONS: The serpiginous choroiditis is a rare entity and the visual outcome prognosis is determined by the macular involvement. Men are predominantly affected in our series and corticosteroid treatment is effective in acute inflammatory episodes. Recurrences could not be prevented by triple therapy with immunosuppressive agents in our three patients.

[Photodynamic therapy for treatment of choroidal neovascularization]. / Terapia fotodinámica en neovascularización coroidea.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy with photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the management of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and myopia. METHODS: 102 eyes with subfoveal or yuxtafoveal CNV underwent visual acuity (VA) testing, ophthalmic examination, and fluorescein angiography. Retreatment of persistent CNV was done after three months. RESULTS: CNV was caused by AMD in 75.5% of patients, pathologic myopia in 24.5%. Follow up ranged from 9 to 33 months (mean: 15.94 months). 88% of CNV caused by pathologic myopia was classic and 40% was in lesions caused by AMD. CNV survival was shorter in lesions caused by pathologic myopia with a significant difference (p=0.0018). VA improved in 48% of lesions caused by pathologic myopia and in 28.6% of lesions caused by AMD. We did not observe any severe complication caused by PDT. CONCLUSION: PDT is a moderately effective treatment without complications in treating subfoveal CNV.

Histological toxicity of grepafloxacin after intravitreal injection.

PURPOSE: To determine the intravitreal levels of grepafloxacin after intravitreal injection of 80 microg and to evaluate the retinal toxicity after intravitreal injection of different doses of grepafloxacin in rabbit eyes. METHODS: Fifteen female New Zealand white rabbits and 15 female pigmented 'Gigantes de España' rabbits were injected with 80 microg of grepafloxacin into the vitreous cavity. The grepafloxacin concentration was determined with HPLC after 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h. Eighteen female rabbits (9 New Zealand white rabbits and 9 pigmented 'Gigantes de España' rabbits) were used for a study of toxicity. The rabbits were divided into 6 treatment groups: group 1 (3 pigmented rabbits) received an intravitreal injection of 80 microg of grepafloxacin in 0.1 ml of saline solution, group 2 (3 white rabbits) 80 microg of grepafloxacin in 0.1 ml, group 3 (3 pigmented rabbits) 800 microg of grepafloxacin, group 4 (3 white rabbits) 800 microg of grepafloxacin, group 5 (3 pigmented rabbits) and group 6 (3 white rabbits) 0.1 ml of saline solution. Clinical examination was performed prior to injection and 24 h and 10 days after surgery. The animals were sacrificed 10 days after the injection, and the eyes were enucleated and fixed for histopathology. The specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and toluidine blue. RESULTS: No relevant complications were found during the clinical follow-up. All the eyes showed no abnormalities in the histologic evaluation. CONCLUSION: Grepafloxacin can be considered as a safe alternative for intravitreal injection for the treatment of intraocular infections.

[Photodynamic therapy for choroidal neovascularization not caused by age related macular degeneration or pathologic myopia]. / Terapia fotodinámica en membrana neovascular subretiniana no relacionada con degeneración macular asociada a la edad o miopía patológica.

PURPOSE: To assess the effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin on visual acuity (VA) and fluorescein angiography, in patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) not secondary to age related macular degeneration (AMD) or pathologic myopia. METHODS: 113 eyes from 104 patients underwent PDT due to subfoveal CNV from July 2001 to June 2002. In this study only those patients with CNV not related to AMD or pathologic myopia were included. Fluorescein angiography and visual acuity were evaluated. RESULTS: 9 eyes from 8 patients (8.03%) showed distinct causes of CNV: 3 were idiopathic cases, 1 suffered angioid streaks, 1 was secondary to laser photocoagulation due to diabetic retinopathy, 2 had polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and 2 central serous choroiditis. Regarding VA results, 77.7% improved or mantained the previous VA. Angiography resolution was observed in 55.5% of the cases (80% with just one PDT session). Average follow up was 10.5 months. Systemic or local complications were not observed. CONCLUSION: PDT may be useful in the treatment of different types of CNV due to causes other than AMD or high myopia.

[Topical versus contact anaesthesia in conventional trabeculectomy. Prospective randomised study]. / Anestesia tópica versus anestesia de contacto en la trabeculectomía convencional. Estudio prospectivo aleatorizado.

PURPOSE: To compare the pain rates, comfort levels and safety between conventional topical anaesthesia and the application of a long lasting lidocaine soaked film or contact anaesthesia. METHODS: Fifty patients undergoing conventional trabeculectomy with or without Mitomycin-C were included. One half received topical anaesthesia and the other half contact anaesthesia in a random fashion. Pain and discomfort rates before, during and after surgery were evaluated on a scale from 0 to 5, also, surgeon subjective stress and complications observed were included in the clinical protocol. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between both groups regarding pain rates, during and after surgery, and surgeon stress level. Sedation and change of anesthesic method were required more frequently by the patients included in the topical anaesthesia group. CONCLUSIONS: Topical anaesthesia provides sufficient level of anaesthesia for performing a trabeculectomy. Nevertheless pain rate differences between contact and conventional topical anaesthesia were patent during and after surgery. Contact anaesthesia appears to be a valid and practical alternative in a wide range of patients undergoing glaucoma surgery.

[Morbidity and mortality of very-low-birth-weight infants as an indicator of the quality of perinatal care]. / Morbimortalidad en recién nacidos de muy bajo peso en el control de la calidad de la asistencia perinatal.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical outcomes of a cohort of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants who received healthcare in our unit from 1994-2000 with all the variables included in the Vermont-Oxford Network (VON) database. METHODS: A historical cohort of 417 VLBW live infants born in our center from 1994-2000 was evaluated. The 80 variables of the VON already prospectively included in the unit's database were used and a further 20 variables were added through retrospective review of medical records. The rates of perinatal risk factors, interventions, and causes of morbidity were analyzed and the periods 1994-1997 and 1998-2000 were compared. We also compared these rates with those reported by the VON. RESULTS: Comparison of the results in both periods showed an increase in the percentage of multiple pregnancies and prenatal corticosteroid exposure, as well as in the early use of surfactant and continuous positive pressure. The incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage decreased, but no differences were observed in other outcomes. Our rates of Cesarean sections and multiple births, as well as the use of prenatal steroids, were higher than those of the VON. The outcomes of infants receiving healthcare in our unit were similar to those of the VON but mortality in infants weighing < 800 g was slightly higher, coinciding with higher rates of late sepsis. CONCLUSION: Morbidity rates in VLWB infants receiving care in our unit decreased during the period studied and compared favorably with those reported by the VON. Alltogether, our results indicate that the quality of care in our perinatal center is good. General use of this methodology would permit comparison of outcomes and quality of care across regions and nations, as well as across Europe, in a recently established network (EuroNeoNet.com).

[Benefit of scanning laser ophthalmoscopy for detecting retinal nerve fiber layer defects in patients with intraocular hypertension]. / Utilidad de la oftalmoscopia láser de barrido en la detección de defectos en la capa de fibras nerviosas retinianas en pacientes con hipertensión ocular.

PURPOSE: To compare the ability to identify RNFL alterations between standard images and SLO images in a group of patients suffering from ocular hypertension. METHODS: We evaluated RNFL in sixty patients with ocular hypertension and with normal perimetry, by using standard photography and SLO. Two different independent observers evaluated the images on two different ocassions. RESULTS: We studied 118 eyes, twelve eyes were rejected because of the low quality of the images. Four cases of diffuse atrophy and five patients with wedge shaped defects were observed using both methods. Statistical analysis showed no differences between both exploration techniques or between observers. CONCLUSIONS: RNFL study with SLO seems to be at least as reliable as standard photography as a method to evaluate RNFL defects. SLO has also proved to be much easier, and faster than traditional methods.

[A case of punctate inner choroidopathy: differential diagnosis]. / A propósito de un caso de coroidopatía puntata interna: diagnóstico diferencial.

CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 27-year old woman suffering from a chorioretinal inflammatory disease that was diagnosed as punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC) after a complete ophthalmic evaluation. DISCUSSION: PIC must be taken into consideration when evaluating a patient with a white dot syndrome.

[Dynamic angiography in age related macular degeneration]. / Angiografía dinámica: diagnóstico y tratamiento en la degeneración macular asociada a la edad.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the utility of dynamic angiography with fluorescein and indocyanine green with scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) in exudative age-related macular degeneration. METHOD: We retrospectively studied 95 patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) between April 98 and April 01. RESULTS: We studied 102 eyes of 95 patients with ARMD. Mean age was 75.3 years with a mean follow-up time of 16.8 months. We found an occult or mixed angiographic membrane pattern with fluorescein angiography in 85 eyes (83.3%). Angiography with indocyanine green showed choroidal neovascular membranes in 94 of 102 eyes (92.1%). The most frequent location found was sub-foveal (53.2%). Laser photocoagulation was used in 55 eyes and photodynamic therapy in 5 eyes. In 17 eyes laser treatment failed to close the membrane. CONCLUSION: Dynamic angiography with fluorescein or indocyanine green allowed neovascular membrane identification in more than 90% of the cases of ARMD. Successful treatment was achieved in 42% of cases.

[A case of primary toxoplasmosis in an immunocompetent patient]. / Toxoplasmosis primaria en paciente inmunocompetente.

CASE REPORT: A case of an immunocompetent patient presenting primary systemic toxoplasma infection involving the eye (condition seen in less than 3% of primary infections). The patient showed reactivation of this primary focus two years later. DISCUSSION: Diagnosis of toxoplasm retinitis is based on a typical lesion consisting in an area of active retinitis adjacent to an inactive corioretinal scar. Differential diagnosis must consider other causes of retinal coroiditis in primary infection cases: sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, syphilis as well as viral and fungal infections. Ocular toxoplasmosis was confirmed by serum tests.

[Acute osteomyelitis. Clinical, radiological and bacteriological features and outcome]. / Osteomielitis aguda: características clínicas, radiológicas, bacteriológicas y evolutivas.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical, radiological, bacteriological features and outcome of neonatal patients with acute osteomyelitis aged (28 days with those of children aged <= 28 days of age. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed. The clinical histories of patients aged less than 15 years diagnosed with acute osteomyelitis in a tertiary care hospital were reviewed. Acute osteomyelitis was defined as the association between at least two of the following variables: a) positive blood or biopsy culture; b) purulent bone aspiration; c) clinical features compatible with a diagnosis of acute osteomyelitis; d) radiological features suggestive of acute osteomyelitis, and e) favorable outcome after antibiotic treatment. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1: neonatal patients (aged (28 days) and group 2: children aged <= 28 days. Statistical analysis was performed by the Chi-square test and Student's t-test for categorized and numeric variables, respectively. RESULTS: Between 1977 and 1999, 45 children aged less than 15 years old were diagnosed with acute osteomyelitis. Of these, 17 patients were neonates (group 1) and 28 patients were aged more than 28 days old (group 2). The male:female ratio was 1.1:1 in group 1 and 3:1 in group 2. The mean age was 17.7 +/- 7.5 days in group 1 and 7.2 +/- 4.3 years in group 2. Metaphysis and tibia were more commonly affected in group 2 (p < 0.05). Epiphysis, arthritis and humerus were more frequently affected in group 1 (p < 0.05). Osteolysis and periosteal reaction predominated in group 1 (p < 0.05). 99mTc Bone scintigraphy and magnetic resonance imaging showed pathological findings in all patients. Blood culture revealed Staphylococcus aureus in 46 % of the patients. Blood and biopsy material cultures were positive in 46 % and 75 %, respectively. Of the 45 patients, outcome was favorable in 37 (82.2 %). CONCLUSION: Acute osteomyelitis showed different characteristics in the neonatal and postnatal periods. Bone scintigraphy and magnetic resonance showed high sensitivity. Bacteriology was positive in 50 % of patients.

[Clinical and radiological characteristics of primary pulmonary tuberculosis in adolescents]. / Características clínicas y radiológicas de la tuberculosis pulmonar primaria en el adolescente.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence, clinical and radiological particularities of primary pulmonary tuberculosis in children between 10 to 16 year-old in our community. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records and chest X-ray of all children under 16 years old diagnosed of primary pulmonary tuberculosis between 1982 to 1996, and a similar characteristics control group diagnosed of bacterial pneumonia were reviewed. The difference between teenager with tuberculosis and pneumonia and between patients with tuberculosis under 10 years and order were analysed. RESULTS: Between January 1982 and December 1996, 83 children with age range from 10 to 16 years were diagnosed of primary pulmonary tuberculosis. The incidence has been 15,5 cases/100000 h < 16 years/year. The primary pulmonary tuberculosis whole incidence in children under 16 year-old has been 17 cases/100000 h/year (182 cases). The adolescents fits to 40.5% of the hold group. 51.2% were girls and 49.8% were boys. Middle age has been 14.2+/-0.18 years with a progressive increased with the age. Anorexia (38% vs. 16.6%) and asthenia (38% vs 19.4%) have been more frequents in teenagers with tuberculosis. Cough has been the most frequent symptom in both groups (61.9% and 77.7%), and respiratory distress has been the most characteristic of tuberculosis (17.8% vs 2.7%). Thoracic pain was more frequent in patients with tuberculosis 10 years or older (57.8% and 7.8%). Laboratory values are not specific. Pleural effusion (46.4% vs 22.2%) and mediastinal lymphadenophaty (60.1% vs. 40.4%) were the most characteristic X-ray finding in teenagers and children under 10 years with primary pulmonary tuberculosis respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Primary pulmonary tuberculosis has a high incidence in the teenager population in our community with a progressive increased with the age. The clinical and laboratory values are unspecific in this age group. The most characteristic X-ray finding is pleural effusion (46.4% of the patients).