Effectiveness of Pentavalent Rotavirus Vaccine Against a Diverse Range of Circulating Strains in Nicaragua.

BACKGROUND: Because >60 rotavirus strains have been reported worldwide, concerns exist about strain replacement after the introduction of rotavirus vaccines, particularly in developing countries with diverse strains and lower efficacy. METHODS: We used the case-control design in 4 hospitals in Nicaragua to assess strain-specific vaccine effectiveness (VE) of a pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RotaTeq) against rotavirus diarrhea. Cases were identified through prospective strain surveillance with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for 3 years among children hospitalized for diarrhea, and controls were children negative for rotavirus. RESULTS: We enrolled 1178 case-patients, 1082 (92%) with G and P typing, and 4927 controls. A different strain predominated each year with increasing age of the vaccine-eligible cohort during the study period: G2P[4] in 2008 (97%; mean age, 11.9 months), G1P[8] in 2009 (55%; mean age, 17.0 months), and G3P[8] in 2010 (78%; mean age, 17.3 months). Overall VE was 45% (95% confidence interval, 25%-59%). Regardless of the strain, VE estimates were 12%-79% lower among children aged ≥12 months relative to those 6-11 months of age. The lower VE for G3P[8] was related to the higher mean age of cases (17.3 months) compared with the G2P[4] strains (11.9 months), with a significant trend (R(2)= 0.819;P< .001) of declining effectiveness with increasing mean age of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Introduction of RotaTeq did not result in sustained emergence of any particular strain in Nicaragua. Variation in strain-specific effectiveness was due to an age-related decline in effectiveness rather than differences in protection against the observed strains.

[Third National Registry of Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs in Mexico (RENAPREC III-2022)]. / Tercer Registro Nacional de Programas de Rehabilitación Cardiaca en México (RENAPREC III-2022).

Introduction: In Mexico, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) as an interdisciplinary intervention with therapeutic impact in patients with heart disease is growing. There is the need to know actual conditions of CR in our country. Objectives: The objective of this National Registry is to follow-up those existing and new CR units in Mexico through the comparison between the two previous registries, RENAPREC-2009 and RENAPREC II-2015 studies. This is a descriptive study focused on diverse CR activities such as assistance training, and certification of health professionals, barriers, reference, population attended, interdisciplinarity, permanence over time, growth prospects, regulations, post-pandemic condition, integrative characteristics, and scientific research. Results: Data were collected from 45 CR centers in the 32 states, 75.5% are private practice units, 67% are new, 33% were part of RENAPREC II-2015, and 17 have continued since 2009. With a better distribution of CR units along the territory, the median reference of candidates for CR programs is 9% with a significant reduction into tiempo of enrollment to Phase II admission (19 ± 11 days). Regarding to previous registries, the coverance of Phases I, II, and III is 71%, 100%, and 93%, respectively; and a coverance increases in evaluation, risk stratification, and prescription, more comprehensive attendance and prevention strategies. Conclusions: CR in Mexico has grown in the past 7 years. Even there is still low reference and heterogeneity in specific processes, there are strengths such as interdisciplinarity, scientific professionalization of specialists, national diversification, and an official society that are consolidated over time.

Introducción: En México, la Rehabilitación Cardíaca (RC) como intervención interdisciplinaria con impacto terapéutico en paciente con cardiopatía está en crecimiento. Existe la necesidad de conocer las condiciones actuales de la RC en nuestro país. Objetivo: El objetivo de este Registro es dar seguimiento comparativo de las unidades nuevas y existentes entre los registros anteriores, RENAPREC-2009 y RENAPREC II-2015. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo centrado en diversas actividades de la RC: formación asistencial y certificación de sus profesionales, barreras, referencia, población atendida, interdisciplinariedad, permanencia en el tiempo, perspectivas de crecimiento, normativa, condición pospandemia, características integradoras e investigación. Resultados: Se recolectaron datos de 45 centros en los 32 estados, 67% son nuevos 75.5% son de práctica privada, 33% fueron parte de RENAPREC II-2015 y 17 desde 2009. Con una mejor distribución de las unidades de RC a lo largo del territorio, la mediana de referencia de pacientes candidatos a RC es ahora del 9% con reducción significativa del tiempo de admisión a Fase II (19 ± 11 días). Respecto a registros anteriores las coberturas de las Fases I, II y III son del 71%, 100% y 93%, respectivamente; con un aumento de la cobertura en evaluación, estratificación de riesgo y prescripción, atención más integral y estrategias de prevención. Conclusiones: La RC en México ha crecido en los últimos 7 años. Si bien aún existe baja referencia y heterogeneidad en procesos específicos, existen fortalezas como la interdisciplinariedad, la profesionalización científica de los especialistas, la diversificación nacional y una sociedad oficial que se consolida en el tiempo.

CNVs in the 22q11.2 Chromosomal Region Should Be an Early Suspect in Infants with Congenital Cardiac Disease.

BACKGROUND: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital malformation, it is frequently found as an isolated defect, and the etiology is not completely understood. Although most of the cases have multifactorial causes, they can also be secondary to chromosomal abnormalities, monogenic diseases, microduplications or microdeletions, among others. Copy number variations (CNVs) at 22q11.2 are associated with a variety of symptoms including CHD, thymic aplasia, and developmental and behavioral manifestations. We tested CNVs in the 22q11.2 chromosomal region by MLPA in a cohort of Colombian patients with isolated CHD to establish the frequency of these CNVs in the cohort. METHODS: CNVs analysis of 22q11.2 by MLPA were performed in 32 patients with apparently isolate CHD during the neonatal period. Participants were enrolled from different hospitals in Bogotá, and they underwent a clinical assessment by a cardiologist and a clinical geneticist. RESULTS: CNVs in the 22q11.2 chromosomal region were found in 7 patients (21.9%). The typical deletion was found in 6 patients (18.75%) and atypical 1.5 Mb duplication was found in 1 patient (3.1%). CONCLUSIONS: CNVs in 22q11.2 is a common finding in patients presenting with isolated congenital cardiac disease, therefore these patients should be tested early despite the absence of other clinical manifestations. MLPA is a very useful molecular method and provides an accurate diagnosis.

Thromboembolic complications associated with tuberculosis: A pediatric case report / [Complicaciones tromboembólicas asociadas con tuberculosis: reporte de un caso pediátrico].

Tuberculosis is one of the most common infectious diseases around the world. With timely diagnosis and treatment, mortality in children is practically zero. It is usually associated with a diverse number of complications that can cause significant morbidity and mortality, such as deep and superficial vein thrombosis. This event has been associated with a procoagulant state caused by the systemic inflammatory response to infection. We report the case of a 14-year-old adolescent with pulmonary tuberculosis under the initial four-drug regimen. She presented two episodes of venous thromboembolism, the first in the kidneys and the second in the lungs. After ruling out diseases such as nephrotic and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, chest and abdomen tomographies were performed as a fundamental tool for the diagnosis. Thereafter, treatment with low molecular weight heparin was initiated and the symptoms improved. Given the requirement for anticoagulation, further image studies could not be done. Thromboembolic complications in patients with no other risk factors, associated only with a previous pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis, offer evidence to consider the procoagulant effect resulting from the systemic inflammatory response that, by itself, could be the cause of a serious complication, often underdiagnosed but also preventable. Therefore, it is recommended to consider the predisposition for venous thromboembolism in these patients and to establish strict surveillance so early anticoagulant therapy can be provided to prevent adverse outcomes.

La tuberculosis es una de las enfermedades infecciosas más comunes en el mundo. Aunque la mortalidad en niños es prácticamente nula cuando el diagnóstico y el tratamiento son oportunos, puede asociarse con complicaciones como la trombosis venosa profunda y la superficial a partir de la respuesta inflamatoria sistémica frente a la infección, lo que propicia la coagulación y ocasiona una significativa morbimortalidad. Se reporta el caso de una adolescente de 14 años con tuberculosis pulmonar en tratamiento combinado quien, de forma atípica, presentó dos episodios de tromboembolia venosa: el primero en el riñón y el segundo en los pulmones. Tras descartar el síndrome nefrótico y el antifosfolipídico, los estudios de tomografía de tórax y abdomen fueron una herramienta fundamental para su diagnóstico. Se inició tratamiento con heparina de bajo peso molecular con mejoría de los síntomas. Teniendo en cuenta las necesidades de anticoagulación no fue posible realizar estudios adicionales de ampliación. Las complicaciones tromboembólicas en pacientes con tuberculosis y sin otros factores de riesgo obligan a considerar el efecto coagulante que resulta de la reacción inflamatoria sistémica, la cual podría, por sí sola, ser la causa de una complicación significativa pero prevenible, aunque frecuentemente escapa al diagnóstico. En este sentido, se recomienda considerar la posibilidad de la tromboembolia venosa en estos pacientes y hacer un seguimiento estricto que permita aplicar el tratamiento anticoagulante tempranamente y prevenir, así, resultados adversos.

Third National Registry of Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs in Mexico (RENAPREC III-2022) / Tercer Registro Nacional de Programas de Rehabilitación Cardiaca en México (RENAPREC III-2022)

Abstract Introduction: In Mexico, cardiac rehabilitation (CR) as an interdisciplinary intervention with therapeutic impact in patients with heart disease is growing. There is the need to know actual conditions of CR in our country. Objectives: The objective of this National Registry is to follow-up those existing and new CR units in Mexico through the comparison between the two previous registries, RENAPREC-2009 and RENAPREC II-2015 studies. This is a descriptive study focused on diverse CR activities such as assistance training, and certification of health professionals, barriers, reference, population attended, interdisciplinarity, permanence over time, growth prospects, regulations, post-pandemic condition, integrative characteristics, and scientific research. Results: Data were collected from 45 CR centers in the 32 states, 75.5% are private practice units, 67% are new, 33% were part of RENAPREC II-2015, and 17 have continued since 2009. With a better distribution of CR units along the territory, the median reference of candidates for CR programs is 9% with a significant reduction into tiempo of enrollment to Phase II admission (19 ± 11 days). Regarding to previous registries, the coverance of Phases I, II, and III is 71%, 100%, and 93%, respectively; and a coverance increases in evaluation, risk stratification, and prescription, more comprehensive attendance and prevention strategies. Conclusions: CR in Mexico has grown in the past 7 years. Even there is still low reference and heterogeneity in specific processes, there are strengths such as interdisciplinarity, scientific professionalization of specialists, national diversification, and an official society that are consolidated over time.

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Complicaciones tromboembólicas asociadas con tuberculosis: reporte de un caso pediátrico / Thromboembolic complications associated with tuberculosis: A pediatric case report

Resumen: La tuberculosis es una de las enfermedades infecciosas más comunes en el mundo. Aunque la mortalidad en niños es prácticamente nula cuando el diagnóstico y el tratamiento son oportunos, puede asociarse con complicaciones como la trombosis venosa profunda y la superficial a partir de la respuesta inflamatoria sistémica frente a la infección, lo que propicia la coagulación y ocasiona una significativa morbimortalidad. Se reporta el caso de una adolescente de 14 años con tuberculosis pulmonar en tratamiento combinado quien, de forma atípica, presentó dos episodios de tromboembolia venosa: el primero en el riñón y el segundo en los pulmones. Tras descartar el síndrome nefrótico y el antifosfolipídico, los estudios de tomografía de tórax y abdomen fueron una herramienta fundamental para su diagnóstico. Se inició tratamiento con heparina de bajo peso molecular con mejoría de los síntomas. Teniendo en cuenta las necesidades de anticoagulación no fue posible realizar estudios adicionales de ampliación. Las complicaciones tromboembólicas en pacientes con tuberculosis y sin otros factores de riesgo obligan a considerar el efecto coagulante que resulta de la reacción inflamatoria sistémica, la cual podría, por sí sola, ser la causa de una complicación significativa pero prevenible, aunque frecuentemente escapa al diagnóstico. En este sentido, se recomienda considerar la posibilidad de la tromboembolia venosa en estos pacientes y hacer un seguimiento estricto que permita aplicar el tratamiento anticoagulante tempranamente y prevenir, así, resultados adversos.

Abstract: Tuberculosis is one of the most common infectious diseases around the world. With timely diagnosis and treatment, mortality in children is practically zero. It is usually associated with a diverse number of complications that can cause significant morbidity and mortality, such as deep and superficial vein thrombosis. This event has been associated with a procoagulant state caused by the systemic inflammatory response to infection. We report the case of a 14-year-old adolescent with pulmonary tuberculosis under the initial four-drug regimen. She presented two episodes of venous thromboembolism, the first in the kidneys and the second in the lungs. After ruling out diseases such as nephrotic and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, chest and abdomen tomographies were performed as a fundamental tool for the diagnosis. Thereafter, treatment with low molecular weight heparin was initiated and the symptoms improved. Given the requirement for anticoagulation, further image studies could not be done. Thromboembolic complications in patients with no other risk factors, associated only with a previous pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis, offer evidence to consider the procoagulant effect resulting from the systemic inflammatory response that, by itself, could be the cause of a serious complication, often underdiagnosed but also preventable. Therefore, it is recommended to consider the predisposition for venous thromboembolism in these patients and to establish strict surveillance so early anticoagulant therapy can be provided to prevent adverse outcomes.

Importancia del sistema de Bethesda en el diagnóstico citológico de lesiones precancerosas del cérvix / The importance of Bethesda system in the cytological diagnosis of the cervix pre-cancerous lesions

RESUMEN El cáncer cérvico uterino, causa alrededor de 250 000 muertes anuales en el mundo y alrededor de 400 en Cuba, a pesar del esfuerzo que realiza el MINSAP, a través del Programa de Pesquisaje. Con el mismo se puede obtener el diagnóstico de lesiones precursoras del cáncer de cuello uterino, este diagnóstico citológico se realiza en Cuba a través del método de Richard y Barron que demuestra que existe un progreso citológico aparente hasta llegar al cáncer, que comienza con neoplasia intraepitelial (NICI a NICIII y carcinoma in situ), hasta finalmente el cáncer invasor. Por otro lado existe el método de Bethesda que responde casi todas las interrogantes que la citología plantea para su enfrentamiento, evidentemente los mayores aportes y revisiones se enfocan al manejo de las citologías atípicas de significado incierto, ya que no sólo presentan un mayor número de posibles evaluaciones, sino que representan el mayor porcentaje de citologías alteradas y la inclusión del VPH en las lesiones de bajo grado. En Cuba todavía se clasifica por el método de Richard y no se utiliza el Bethesda. Por la alta incidencia de esta entidad el propósito de este trabajo es emitir consideraciones sobre la implementación del sistema de Bethesda en el diagnóstico citológico de lesiones precancerosas del cérvix.

ABSTRACT The cervical-uterine cancer causes almost 250 000 death a year around the world and around 400 in Cuba in spite of the efforts made by the Public Health Ministry through the Screening Program. With it, the diagnosis of lesions that are predecessors of the cervical cancer could be reached. This cytological diagnosis is carried out through the Richard and Barron method, showing that there is an apparent cytological progress leading to the cancer that begins with intraepithelial neoplasia (NICI and NICIII and carcinoma in-situ) and ends in the invasive cancer. From the other hand there is the Bethesda methods answering to all the questions cytology ask for confronting it. Obviously the biggest contributions and reviews are focused in the management of the atypical cytologies with uncertain significance since they not only have a higher number of possible evaluations, but also represent the highest percent of the altered cytologies and the inclusion of the HPV in low grade lesions. The classification in Cuba is still made by the Richard method and the Bethesda one is not used. Due to the high incidence of this entity, the aim of this article is exposing considerations on the implementation of the Bethesda system in the cytological diagnosis of cervix pre-cancerous lesions.

Duration of protection of pentavalent rotavirus vaccination in Nicaragua.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the duration of protection of pentavaent rotavirus vaccine (RV5) against rotavirus hospitalizations in Nicaragua, a developing country in Central America. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study at 4 hospitals from 2007 through 2010, including 1016 children hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed rotavirus diarrhea, 4930 controls with nonrotavirus diarrhea (ie, "test-negative"), and 5627 controls without diarrhea. All cases and controls were aged ≥ 6 months and born after August 2006. Outcomes included odds of antecedent vaccination between case-patients and controls, and effectiveness of vaccination (1 - adjusted odds ratio [OR] × 100). Duration of protection was assessed by comparing effectiveness among children aged <1 year compared with ≥ 1 year. RESULTS: Indicators of socioeconomic conditions and nonrotavirus vaccination (oral polio vaccine and diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis/hepatitis A/hepatitis B) for test-negative controls were more comparable to the rotavirus case-patients than nondiarrhea controls. RV5 vaccination was associated with a significantly lower risk of rotavirus hospitalization by using test-negative controls (OR: 0.55; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.41-0.74) and nondiarrhea controls (OR: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.22-0.40). Risk of rotavirus hospitalization was twofold lower among RV5 vaccinated children aged <1 year (OR: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.22-0.57) compared with RV5 vaccinated children aged ≥ 1 year (OR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.47-1.05). CONCLUSIONS: RV5 provided good protection against severe rotavirus disease in Nicaragua during the first year of life, when most severe and fatal rotavirus disease in developing countries occurs. However, the decline in protection with age warrants monitoring of disease among older children and consideration of a booster dose evaluation at the end of infancy.

Does body mass index affect outcome after reconstruction of orthotopic neobladder?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of body mass index (BMI) on outcome after orthotopic neobladder (NB) reconstruction. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent radical cystectomy and NB from 1992 to 2004. The patients were categorized according to BMI into group 1, BMI less than 25 kg/m2; group 2, BMI 25 to 29.9 kg/m2; and group 3, BMI greater than 30 kg/m2. The relationships among the BMI categories, the predominant complications (eg, urinary tract infection [UTI]; pyelonephritis; ureteral, bladder neck, and urethral stricture), other complications, and continence were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 343 patients who underwent radical cystectomy, 116 had an NB. The patient characteristics among the BMI groups were similar. Group 1 had fewer complications compared with the other groups (P <0.012). The principal complications observed were UTI, stricture, and pyelonephritis. The incidence of UTI, pyelonephritis, and wound infection were less in group 1 than in the other groups, with statistically significant differences (P = 0.001, P = 0.04, and P = 0.04, respectively). At the last follow-up visit, only 10% of the patients required clean intermittent catheterization to empty the NB, and no statistically significant differences were found in the continence status and voiding pattern among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: An increased incidence of UTI, pyelonephritis, and wound infection was found in patients with increased BMI. However, they were transient and not life threatening. The continence and voiding patterns were relatively similar. Hence, an NB can be offered to patients with an increased BMI, and they should be formally counseled.

Metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma to the kidney in a young woman.

The incidence of an adenoid cystic carcinoma on major salivary glands is low, constituting only about 10% to 15% of all parotid malignancies. Cases of delayed metastasis have been reported, but reports of specific renal involvement have not been extensively found. We present the case of a 21-year-old woman with a left renal metastasis from an adenoid cystic carcinoma of the parotid gland that had been surgically treated 7 years previously. The patient underwent successful left radical nephrectomy. During follow-up, the patient developed pulmonary nodules that were metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma and were surgically excised. At last follow-up, the patient was doing well with no evidence of disease.

Adrenocortical carcinoma with tumor thrombus in the right hepatic vein.

Adrenocortical carcinoma is an unusual neoplasm with very poor prognosis. Patients present with an abdominal mass often exceeding 5 cm or as a functional tumor. Computed tomography is effective to demonstrate the neoplasm as an inhomogeneous adrenal lesion with irregular margins, and magnetic resonance imaging is helpful to visualize invasion into large vessels as well. Reported herein is a case of large adrenocortical carcinoma with tumor thrombus extending into the right hepatic vein.

Orthotopic ileal neobladder reconstruction for bladder cancer: is adjuvant chemotherapy safe?

OBJECTIVE: We examined our database of patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) with orthotopic neobladder (NB) to determine whether adjuvant chemotherapy in this group is safe. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent radical cystectomy and urinary diversion between 1992 and 2004. Relevant clinical and therapeutic data were entered into a database. High-risk bladder cancer patients who underwent NB were identified. They were stratified into 2 groups, those who received adjuvant chemotherapy and those who did not. The incidence of complications between the 2 groups was analyzed and compared. RESULTS: Over the 12-year period, 136 patients underwent RC and NB construction for bladder cancer. Of these, 83 patients were at high risk for recurrence. Nineteen patients received adjuvant chemotherapy and 64 did not. The complication rate in the adjuvant chemotherapy group was 53% and it was 23% in those who did not receive chemotherapy. There were no perioperative or treatment related death. There were 2 patients with grade 4 toxicity in the adjuvant chemotherapy group. There was a statistical difference between these two groups with regard to the incidence of complications. However, none of these complications was life-threatening, required only conservative treatment and caused no long-term disability. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant chemotherapy is a safe treatment for patients undergoing RC and NB substitution. Hence, the option of orthotopic NB should not be denied in selected bladder cancer patients with high risk for recurrent disease.

Is adjuvant chemotherapy for bladder cancer safer in patients with an ileal conduit than a neobladder?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with neobladder reconstruction in comparison to ileal conduit, as radical cystectomy and urinary diversion is an effective curative surgical treatment for muscle-invasive and high-risk superficial bladder cancer, and adjuvant chemotherapy is usually considered for patients with clinical stage > T2 and nodal metastasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analysed retrospectively patients who had had a radical cystectomy and urinary diversion between 1992 and 2004. Patients with high-risk disease who had adjuvant chemotherapy were identified and stratified based on the type of urinary diversion (ileal conduit or neobladder). The chemotherapy regimen, complications from the adjuvant chemotherapy and other relevant data were analysed. RESULTS: Overall, 343 patients had radical cystectomy, 40 had adjuvant chemotherapy; 25 had an ileal conduit and 15 had a neobladder. Patient characteristics including age, stage and follow-up were similar. In all, 55% of patients had grade 1 toxicity, 23% grade 2, 18% grade 3, and 13% grade 4. No patients had serious organ toxicity and none died. There were no significant differences in the toxicity among the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant chemotherapy appears to be safe in patients with a neobladder and equally safe in patients with an ileal conduit. Hence neobladder reconstruction should not be denied to patients with bladder cancer who are at high risk of recurrence and who might require adjuvant chemotherapy.

A multicenter study of permanent hemodialysis access patency: beneficial effect of clipped vascular anastomotic technique.

OBJECTIVE: There is an urgent and compelling need to reduce the morbidity and expense of maintaining hemodialysis vascular access patency. This large, long-term, retrospective, multicenter study, which compared access patency of autogenous arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) and synthetic bridge grafts (AVG) created with conventional sutures or nonpenetrating clips, was undertaken to resolve conflicting results from previous smaller studies. DESIGN: Patency data for 1385 vascular access anastomoses (clipped or sutured) was obtained from 17 hospitals and dialysis centers (Appendix). Five hundred eighteen AVF (242 clip, 276 suture) and 827 AVG (440 clip, 384 suture) were analyzed. Statistical comparisons were made with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, log-rank test, two-sample t test, and X(2) test. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to confirm Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: Access patency (primary, secondary, overall, and intention to treat) was significantly improved in access anastomoses constructed with clips. In the intention-to-treat group, primary patency at 24 months was 0.54 for clipped AVF and 0.34 for sutured AVF, and was 0.36 for clipped AVG and 0.17 for sutured AVG. At 24 months, primary patency rate for AVF successfully used for dialysis was 0.67 for clips and 0.48 for sutures, and for AVG was 0.39 for clips and 0.19 for sutured constructs. Interventions necessary to maintain patency were significantly fewer in clipped anastomoses. CONCLUSION: Replacing conventional suture with clips significantly reduces morbidity associated with maintaining permanent hemodialysis vascular access. This beneficial effect may be due to the biologic superiority of interrupted, nonpenetrating vascular anastomoses.

Orthotopic ileal neobladder reconstruction for bladder cancer: is adjuvant chemotherapy safe?

OBJECTIVE: We examined our database of patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) with orthotopic neobladder (NB) to determine whether adjuvant chemotherapy in this group is safe. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent radical cystectomy and urinary diversion between 1992 and 2004. Relevant clinical and therapeutic data were entered into a database. High-risk bladder cancer patients who underwent NB were identified. They were stratified into 2 groups, those who received adjuvant chemotherapy and those who did not. The incidence of complications between the 2 groups was analyzed and compared. RESULTS: Over the 12-year period, 136 patients underwent RC and NB construction for bladder cancer. Of these, 83 patients were at high risk for recurrence. Nineteen patients received adjuvant chemotherapy and 64 did not. The complication rate in the adjuvant chemotherapy group was 53 percent and it was 23 percent in those who did not receive chemotherapy. There were no perioperative or treatment related death. There were 2 patients with grade 4 toxicity in the adjuvant chemotherapy group. There was a statistical difference between these two groups with regard to the incidence of complications. However, none of these complications was life-threatening, required only conservative treatment and caused no long-term disability. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant chemotherapy is a safe treatment for patients undergoing RC and NB substitution. Hence, the option of orthotopic NB should not be denied in selected bladder cancer patients with high risk for recurrent disease.

Componentes esqueléticos de la maclusión clase III en dentición mixta / Skeletal components of malocclusion class III in mixed dentition

Con el fin de describir los patrones esqueléticos para la maclusión clase III se tomó una muestra de 72 pacientes entre 6 y 12 años de las clínicas odontológicas de la Universidad El Bosque y el CIEO; con padres y abuelos Colombianos, características raciales de mestizos, sin historia de hábitos orales, ni patologías craneofaciales y sin antecedentes de tratamientos de ortodonciau ortopedia. Se les tomó una radiografía de perfil y se estudiaron 24 variables cefalométricas mediante los análisis de Harvord, Steiner, Mc Namara y Downs. Éstas fueron comparadas con un patrón de normalidad (clase I) de una muestra representativa para Santafé de Bogotá. Las variables que presentaron mayores diferencias significativas en cuanto a sexo fueron: longitud maxilar, diferencia maxilo-mandibular y altura facial inferior "Harvord", ángulos interincisal y goniaco "Steiner" y altura facial inferior "Mc Namara". Se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas según la edad para las siguientes variables: longitud maxilar, mandibular y diferencia maxilo-mandibular "Harvord", SNB "Steiner", longitud mandibular y diferencia maxilo-mandibular "McNamara" y ángulo de la converjidad "Downs". Los sujetos de maloclusión clase III presentan una combinación de mandíbula normal con un maxilar normal en un 20.4, retrusión maxilar y protrusión mandibular en un 23.6 y 19 con retrusión mandibular y maxilar.

Obstrucción intestinal secundaria a apendicitis epiplóica / Intestinal obstruction secondary to epiploic appendicitis

La apendicitis epiplóica es una causa poco frecuente de dolor abdominal, y menos aún de obstrucción, correspondiendo el 10 por ciento a colon transverso. Se presenta el caso de un paciente masculino de 38 años de edad, con obstrucción intestinal secundaria a una banda epiplóica adherida a la pared abdominal anterior, fue sometido a intervención quirúrgica efectuando resección de una zona necrótica en íleo, a ocho cm de la válvula ileocecal y resección de la banda, hubo dehiscencia de herida que requirió cierre secundario a los 15 días del postoperatorio

Investigación de cuerpos ferruginosos en espectoración, de exposición a la inhalación de fibras de asbestos: estudio comparativo de 3 técnicas de laboratorio para su identificación / Screening for ferrouginous antibodies in seputom of individuals exposed to asbestos fibre: comparison of 3 technics

Los asbestos son silicatos con una estructura fibrosa-cristalina; al ser inhalados crónicamente causan fibrosis pulmonar (asbestosis y se les ha relacionado con la producción de cáncer, particularmente el pulmonar y el mesotelioma pleural. En el organismo forman los llamados "cuerpos ferruginosos", cuya identificación se considera un signo de gran utilidad para caracterizar la exposición a estas fibras. Se llevó a cabo un estudio para comparar la eficacia de tres técnicas de laboratorio para identificar los cuerpos ferruginosos en la espectoración de una población expuesta laboralmente (N=37) y una población testigo (n=34). Mediante la técnica de Smith y Naylor, se identificaron en 28/37 de la población expuesta (75.7%) y en 1/34 de la testigo (3%); por la técnica de Gomori en únicamente 5/37 de los expuestos (13.5%) y por la técnica de Papanicolaou en ninguno (0.0%). Esta última mostró ser útil para evidenciar cambios citológicos sugestivos de la acción mecánica o química de los asbestos y posiblemente otors contaminantes ambientales. Tales hallazgos ocurrieron en toda la población expuesta y en solo cinco individuos de la testigo lo que sugiere la acción primaria de los asbestos en su produccíon. Se conclcuye en la superioridad del método de Smith y Naylor para el estudio de la exposición a los asbestos y en la necesidad de un seguimiento estrecho de la población de alto riesgo

Experiencias de reorganización y readaptación de recursos humanos en salud frente a los procesos de privatizacióm y modernización del estado en Colombia / Experiences on reorganization and retrofitting health human resources in the face of the privation process and state modernization in Colombia

La autora presenta la experiencia del hospital universitario San Ignacio, entidad privada adscrita a la Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. En 1987 la entidad entra en un colapso producido por la conjugación de factores económicos, tecnológicos, de planta física, personal médico y recurso humano en general. Para ese momento el hospital cuenta con 581 empleados. Se toma la decisión de no cerrar la institución y se inicia un proceso que implica una serie de reformas: adminsitrativas, legales, financieras, políticas, que se pusieron de manifiesto en el manejo participativo del hospital y en las mejoras físicas. Entre 1989 y 1992 se adoptó un estudio de planificación estratégica, que supuso la elaboración de planes anuales estratégicos y la constitución de la estructura que permitiera su funcionamiento. Al finalizar el artículo la autora señala que más del 95 por ciento de los objetivos propuestos fueron alcanzados y rescata los logros obtenidos en diferentes ámbitos. Agrega que desde hace más de cinco años se han venido creando los centros con responsabilidad en donde cada jefe se convierte en un gerente. Los sistemas de remuneración están en concordancia con la producción