A comparison study of cleanup techniques for oil spill treatment using magnetic nanomaterials.

Magnetic nanoparticles have been successfully used to recovery oil from oil spilled on water. Two different methods, floating and vortex, were employed to promote the interaction of four oil samples with different API (e.g., 10, 20, 28 and 45) spilled on seawater and deionized water with three magnetic materials, namely: magnetite nanoparticles (N); magnetic nanocomposites of yeast biomass provided by ethanol industry (Y); and magnetic nanocomposites of cork powder (C). The magnetic nanomaterials exposed to oil on water were taking out by a neodymium magnet, and the oil recoveries were determined by gravimetric analysis before and after lyophilization. The lyophilization was determinant to guarantee the accuracy of the experiments, and without this step, the masses of oil recovered would be overestimated due to the drag of water during the oil and magnetic material removal process. Three main factors, API, contact method and magnetic material, and two interactions (i.e., API × contact method, and contact method × magnetic material) presented a statistically significant effect on oil recovery. It was observed that oil recovery increases as API decreases, and it was possible to establish a model to predict the amount of recovered oil according to this effect. Higher oil recoveries were also obtained by magnetic nanocomposites of yeast biomass (Y), regardless of the contact method and type of water, recoveries of 23% and 100% for 45 and 10 API, respectively, employing around 20 mg of Y on 300 mg of spilled oil. These percentages correspond to 0.29 ±â€¯0.01 kg/kg and 15.98 kg/kg of recovering oil by the magnetic procedure. The increase of mass of magnetic material improved the recovery of oils with higher APIs. The reusability of the spent materials presents potential for its application in oil spill cleaning technologies.

Are probiotic treatments useful on fibromyalgia syndrome or chronic fatigue syndrome patients? A systematic review.

Evidence suggests that the gut microbiota might play an important role in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Our goal is to systematically review the reported effect of probiotic treatments in patients diagnosed with FMS or CFS. A systematic review was carried out using 14 databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, PsycINFO, and others) in February 2016 to search for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and pilot studies of CFS or FMS patient, published in the last ten years (from 2006 to 2016). The Jadad scale was used to asseverate the quality of the clinical trials considered. Two studies (n=83) met the inclusion criteria, which were performed in CFS patients and both studies were considered as a 'High range of quality score'. The administration of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota in CFS patients, over the course of 8 weeks, reduced anxiety scores. Likewise, this probiotic changed the faecal composition following 8 weeks of treatment. Additionally, the treatment with Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 in CFS patients, during the same period, reduced inflammatory biomarkers. The evidence about the usefulness of probiotics in CFS and FMS patients remains limited. The studied strains of probiotics have demonstrated a significant effect on modulating the anxiety and inflammatory processes in CFS patients. However, more experimental research, focusing mainly on the symptoms of the pathologies studied, is needed.

Evaluación físico matemática de la dinámica cardiaca arrítmica mediante la aplicación de la ley exponencial caótica / Physical mathematical evaluation of the arrhythmic cardiac dynamic by means of the application of the chaotic exponential law / Avaliação físico matemática da dinâmica cardíaca arrítmica mediante a aplicação da lei exponencial caótica

Objetivo: confirmar la aplicabilidad clínica de la ley exponencial de ayuda diagnóstica específicamente en arritmias y evaluar la concordancia diagnóstica del mismo con respecto al Gold Estándar, por medio del cálculo de la sensibilidad, especificidad y el coeficiente Kappa. Metodología: se realizó un estudio de 40 Holter, 10 corresponden a sujetos normales y 30 diagnosticados con diferentes tipos de arritmias. Se realizó una simulación teórica de todas las frecuencias cardiacas de mínimo 21 horas a partir de los valores máximos y mínimos de frecuencias registrados, para construir el atractor de la dinámica cardiaca. Seguidamente se calculó la dimensión fractal del atractor y se cuantificó la ocupación espacial de cada uno ellos en el espacio generalizado de Box-counting. Finalmente, se aplicaron los parámetros matemáticos que diferencian dinámicas cardiacas normales de enfermas y agudas, así como en evolución hacia la enfermedad. Resultados: los casos con arritmias diagnosticados matemáticamente con dinámica aguda fueron seis, se encontraron 24 casos entre los rangos de 73 y 200 de ocupación de la rejilla Kp, que corresponden a casos de evolución hacia agudización de la dinámica. El diagnóstico físico-matemático, después de ser comparado con el Gold Estándar, presentó una sensibilidad y especificidad del 100% y un coeficiente Kappa de uno. Conclusiones: la aplicación de esta metodología al estudio de la dinámica cardiaca caótica, evidencia su utilidad como herramienta de ayuda diagnóstica para la predicción y prevención de eventos arrítmicos agudos que pueden implicar situaciones con riesgo vital.

Objective: To confirm the clinical applicability of the diagnostic methodology based on the power law of cardiac dynamic systems, specifically for detecting arrhythmias, evaluating its concordance with respect to the Gold Standard, by means of the sensitivity, specificity, and Kappa coefficient. Methods: Forty Holter were studied, of which 10 corresponded to normal subjects and 30 to patients diagnosed with different types of arrhythmias. A theoretical simulation of all cardiac frequencies (of at least 21 hours) was performed from the maximum and minimum frequency values registered, to build the cardiac dynamics attractor and its fractal dimension was calculated; the spatial occupation of each one of them was quantified in the generalized Box-Counting space. Finally, the mathematical parameters to differentiate normality of acute cardiac disease and of the evolution toward disease were applied. Results: There were six cases with mathematically-diagnosed acute arrhythmias, 24 cases were between 73 and 200 occupied ranges for the Kp grid that correspond to cases of evolution toward disease. This physical-mathematical diagnosis was compared with the Gold Standard and yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and a Kappa coefficient of 1. Conclusions: The application of this method to the study of chaotic cardiac dynamics evidences its usefulness as a tool of diagnostic aid for the prediction of acute arrhythmic events which may imply situations of vital risk.

Objetivo: confirmar a aplicabilidade clínica da lei exponencial de ajuda diagnóstica especificamente em arritmias e avaliar a concordância diagnóstica do mesmo com respeito ao Gold Estándar, por meio do cálculo da sensibilidade, especificidade e o coeficiente Kappa. Metodologia: se realizou um estudo de 40 Holter, 10 correspondem a sujeitos normais e 30 diagnosticados com diferentes tipos de arritmias. Se realizou una simulação teórica de todas as frequências cardíacas de mínimo 21 horas a partir dos valores máximos e mínimos de frequências registrados, para construir o atractor da dinâmica cardíaca. Seguidamente se calculou a dimensão fractal do atractor e se quantificou a ocupação espacial de cada um deles no espaço generalizado de Box-counting. Finalmente, se aplicaram os parâmetros matemáticos que diferenciam dinâmicas cardíacas normais de doentes e agudas, assim como em evolução para a doença. Resultados: os casos com arritmias diagnosticados matematicamente com dinâmica aguda foram seis, se encontraram 24 casos entre as faixas de 73 e 200 de ocupação da grade Kp, que correspondem a casos de evolução para o agravamento da dinâmica. O diagnóstico físico-matemático, depois de ser comparado com o Gold Estándar, apresentou uma sensibilidade e especificidade de 100% e um coeficiente Kappa de um. Conclusões: a aplicação desta metodologia ao estudo da dinâmica cardíaca caótica, evidência sua utilidade como ferramenta de ajuda diagnóstica para a predição e prevenção de eventos arrítmicos agudos que possam implicar situações com risco vital.

[Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) registry in Spain for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 (NADYA-SENPE Group)]. / Registro de la Nutrición Parenteral Domiciliaria (NPD) en España de los años 2007, 2008 y 2009 (Grupo NADYA-SENPE).

OBJECTIVE: To report the data of the Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) registry of the NADYA-SENPE working group for the years 2007, 2008 and 2009. METHODOLOGY: We compiled the data from the on-line registry introduced by the responsible Units for the monitoring of HPN from January 1st 2007 to December 31st 2009. Included fields were: age, sex, diagnosis and reason for HPN, access path, complications, beginning and end dates, complementary oral or enteral nutrition, activity level, autonomy degree, product and fungible material supply, withdrawal reason and intestinal transplant indication. RESULTS: 2007: 133 patients with HPN were registered (61 males and 72 females), belonging to 21 hospitals. Average age for the 119 patients older than 13 years old was 53.7 ± 14.9 years, and 3.6 ± 3.6 y. for the 14 patients under 14 years old. Most frequent pathology was neoplasm (24%), followed by intestinal motility disorders and actinic enteritis (14% both). The reason for HPN provision was short bowel syndrome (43%), malabsorption (27%), and intestinal obstruction (23%). Tunnelled catheters were mostly used (69%), followed by implanted port-catheters (27%). Catheter related infections were the most frequent complications, with a rate of 0.92 episodes/103 HPN days. HPN was provided for more than two years in 50% of the cases. By the end of 2007, 71.4% of the patients remained active; exitus was the most frequent reason to end HPN (57.5%). 26% of the patients were eligible for intestinal transplant. 2008: 143 patients with HPN were registered (62 males and 81 females), belonging to 24 hospitals. Average age for the 133 patients older than 13 years old was 54.7 ± 13.9 years, and 3.7 ± 0.6 y. for the 10 patients under 14 years old. Most frequent pathology was neoplasm (20%), followed by actinic enteritis (14%) and intestinal motility disorders (13% ). The reason for HPN provision was short bowel syndrome (44%), malabsorption (28%), and intestinal obstruction (20%). Tunnelled catheters were mostly used (60%), followed by implanted port-catheters (29%). Catheter related infections were the most frequent complications, with a rate of 0.50 episodes/10³ HPN days. HPN was provided for more than two years in 67% of the cases. By the end of 2008, 71.6% of the patients remained active; exitus was the most frequent reason to end HPN (52.4%). 29% of the patients were eligible for intestinal transplant. 2009: 158 patients with HPN were registered (62 males and 96 females), belonging to 24 hospitals. Average age for the 149 patients older than 13 years old was 55.2 ± 13.0 years. Most frequent pathology was neoplasm (25%), followed by actinic enteritis (12%) and intestinal motility disorders (11%). The reason for HPN provision was short bowel syndrome (42%), malabsorption, and intestinal obstruction (23% both). Tunnelled catheters were mostly used (60%), followed by implanted port-catheters (36%). Catheter related infections were the most frequent complications, with a rate of 0.67 episodes/10³ HPN days. HPN was provided for more than two years in 58% of the cases. By the end of 2009, 79.2% of the patients remained active; full oral nutrition was the most frequent reason to end HPN (48%). 23% of the patients were eligible for intestinal transplant. CONCLUSIONS: We observe an increase in registered patients with respect to previous years, with a very different prevalence among regions. Neoplasia remains as the main pathology since 2003. We observe a decrease in catheter-related infections in the last two years, being the 2008 rate the smallest since the register's beginning.

[Education on nutrition: from the university to specialized care]. / Formación en Nutrición: de la universidad a la especialidad.

The 7th Abbott-SENPE Forum is structured facing the new regulations of the European Space of High Education regarding the studies on Nutrition in the different degrees (Medicine, Pharmacology, Nutrition, Nursing) and post-doctoral education. A multi-professional and multidisciplinary discussion on the current situation of university education on nutrition, and its capabilities and limitations, is carried out. The value of the role of continuous medical education, the inhouse training programme, masters, and of scientific societies is also assessed. It is concluded that there is a need to urge academic authorities, the National Commission of Medical Specialties, the persons in charge of continuous medical education, and scientific societies of the importance of the studies relating to nutrition, feeding, and dietetics at both pre-graduate and post-graduate educational levels, and to implement and develop these studies in their areas of influence.

Calidad de vida en sujetos que pertenecen al Programa Nacional de Desmovilización y Reincorporación a la Vida Civil en el departamento del Quindío / Life quality in subjects who belong to the National Program of Demobilization and Reintegration to the Civil Life in the State of Quindio

This current research is a descriptive transversal type of study whose objective is to identify the life quality in subjects who belong to the National Program of Demobilization and Reintegration to the Civil Life (PNDRVC) in the State of Quindio. The target population in this study comprises 200 subjects who attend the Program for the Social and Economic Reintegration (PRSE) in the city of Armenia, from which a sample of 23 participants was chosen (2 women and 21 men), who were given a self-report with a Likert type of answer, designed to assess the life quality. The results show the presence of a medium-high level of life quality in the physical, psychological and social areas. High scores in projection and usefulness, perception of tiredness, preoccupation with physical problems, fear of thinking about death and conflict with close people, were identified. Low scores relating to the physical exercise and perception of economic income were reported, these are issues which require further research.

El presente es un estudio de tipo descriptivo transversal, cuyo objetivo es identificar la calidad de vida en sujetos pertenecientes al Programa Nacional de Desmovilización yReincorporación a la Vida Civil (PNDRVC), en el Departamento del Quindío. La población objeto de este estudio es de 200 sujetos asistentes al Programa para la Reintegración Social y Económica (PRSE) en la ciudad deArmenia, de la cual se seleccionó una muestra de 23 participantes (2 mujeres y 21 hombres), a quienes se les aplicó un autoinforme con formato de respuesta tipo likert, diseñado paraevaluar la calidad de vida. Los resultados muestran la presencia de un nivel medio-alto de calidad de vida en las áreas física, psicológica y social. Se identificaron puntajes altos en proyección y utilidad, la percepciónde cansancio, preocupación por problemas físicos, temor al pensar en la muerte y conflictos con personas cercanas; se reportaron puntajes bajos relacionados con el ejercicio físico y percepción de los ingresos económicos, aspectos que requiere investigación posterior.

[Registry of home-based enteral nutrition in Spain for the year 2006 (NADYA-SENPE Group)]. / Registro de la Nutrición Enteral Domiciliaria en España en el año 2006 (Grupo NADYA-SENPE).

OBJECTIVE: To communicate the results obtained from the registry of Home-Based Enteral Nutrition (HBEN) of the NADYA-SENPE group for the year 2006. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Recompilation of the data from the HBEN registry of the NADYA-SENPE group from January 1st to December 31st of 2006. RESULTS: During the year 2006, 3,921 patients (51% men) from 27 hospital centers were registered. Ninety-seven percent were older than 14 years. The mean age for those < 14 years was 4.9 +/- 3.9 (m +/- SD) and in those > or = 14 years, it was 68.5 +/- 18.2 years. The most common underlying disease was neurological pathology (42%), followed by cancer (28%). Enteral nutrition was administered p.o. in 44% of the patients, through nasogastric tube in 40%, gastrostomy in 14%, and jejunostomy in 1%. The average time of nutritional support was 8.8 months. The most common reasons for ending the therapy were patient's death (54%) and switching to oral feeding (32%). Thirty-one percent of the patients presented a limited activity and 40% were confined to bed/coach. Most of the patients required partial (25%) or total (43%) care assistance. The nutritional formula was provided by the hospital in 62% of the cases and from the reference pharmacy in 27%. The fungible material was provided by the hospital in 80% of the cases and by primary care in the remaining patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although the number of registered patients is slightly higher than that from the last years, there are no important changes in the patients characteristics, or way of administration and duration of enteral nutrition.

[Pharmacological therapy of cancer anorexia-cachexia]. / Tratamiento farmacológico de la anorexia-caquexia cancerosa.

Anorexia is one of the most common symptoms of patients with advanced cancer and it presents as loss of appetite due to satiety. On the other hand, cachexia is described in those patients with unwanted weight loss. Cancerous processes produce an energy unbalance by decreased food intake and increased catabolism, resulting in a clearly negative balance. Several factors determining cachexia are observed, from metabolic unbalances produced by tumoral products and endocrine impairments or the inflammatory response produced by cytokines, all of them leading to higher lipolysis, loss of muscle protein, and anorexia. Besides, causes of anorexia are multiple, from chemotherapy agents, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy, which may produce different degrees of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and also leading to impairments of taste and smell, to obstruction of the digestive tract, pain, depression, constipation, etc. From the knowledge of the different mechanisms producing the anorexia-cachexia syndrome, hypercaloric diets for artificial nutrition have been studied with varying success, and different drugs with a positive effect on appetite gain such as progestogens, steroids, and with lesser clinical evidence cannabinoids, cyproheptadine, mirtazapine (antidepressant), and olanzapine (antipsychotic). Other drugs have been studied because of their anti-inflammatory properties, anti-cytokine, such as melatonin, polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, pentoxifylline, and thalidomide; with the exception of the latter, clinical data are still scant for daily usage. Similarly happens with testosterone-derived anabolic drugs or with metabolism inhibitors such as hydrazine sulfate. With no doubt, progestogens, especially megestrol, and corticosteroids will be first-line therapies for anorexia-cachexia syndrome to stimulate the appetite and increase weight (megestrol), and have an effect on quality of life improvement and comfort in patients with advanced cancer.

[The year 2003 National Registry of Home-based Parenteral Nutrition]. / Registro Nacional de la Nutrición Parenteral Domiciliaria del año 2003.

OBJECTIVE: To report the results of the Home-based Parenteral Nutrition (HBPN) registry of the NADYA-SENPE working group, for the year 2003. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Gathering of registry data introduced by all units responsible of HBPN patient care. This an on-line registry available for authorized users of the working group web page (www.nadya-senpe.com). Epidemiological data, diagnosis, access route, complications, hospital admissions, disability degree, and course at December 31st, 2003 RESULTS: Data from 86 patients (62% female and 38% male) from 17 hospitals were gathered. Mean age of adult patients was 50.7 +/- 15.0 years, whereas for patients younger than 14 years was 2.4 +/- 1.5 years (n = 5 patients). Diseases that prone HBPN were neoplasm (21%), followed by mesenteric ischemia (20%), radiation enteritis (16.3%), motility impairments (10.5%), and Crohn's disease (4.6%). Tunneled catheters were used in 66.3% of the cases versus 29.1% of subcutaneous reservoirs. Mean treatment duration has been 8.5 +/- 4.6 months; 67.4% of patients had been on HBPN for a period of time longer than 6 months. Patient follow-up was mostly done from the reference area hospital (88.4%). In no case patient follow-up was done by the primary care team or by specialists other than those prescribing nutritional support. Nutritional support-related complications were seen in 98 occasions. The most frequent complications were infectious ones. They represented 1.60 hospital admissions per patient. The mean number of visits was 7.9 per patient (6.4 for scheduled visits and 1.5 for emergency visits). By the end of the year, we observed that 73.3% of the patients were still on the program, whereas in 23.3% HBPN had been withdrawn. The main reasons for withdrawal were decease (11 patients), and advancing to oral diet (9 patients). As for the disability degree, 13% were confined to a wheelchair or bed, and only 28% had no disability degree or only mild social disability. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a mild increase in HBPN prevalence rate in Spain (2.15 patients pmp). The main indication was cancer followed by short-bowel syndrome secondary to vascular pathology. Nutritional support-related complications were common, especially those of an infectious origin.

[National registry of Home Enteral Nutrition in 2003]. / Registro nacional de la Nutrición Enteral Domiciliaria del año 2003.

GOAL: To communicate the information available by the NADYA-SENPE Working Group from patients on Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) in our country during the year 2003. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data were collected through a closed questionnaire included in the web site of the Working Group (www.nadya-senpe.com) available only by the authorized users. Variable included were: epidemiological information, the indication to prescribe this treatment, the access path, the specific nutritional formula used, the treatment duration, the complications and hospital readmission related to the nutritional treatment, the follow-up and the quality of life. RESULTS: We register 3,858 patients that belong to twenty-one hospitals. Mean age from those adults 66.2 +/- 18.9 years, and from those younger than 14, 6.0 +/- 4.3 years. Neurological and neoplasic diseases were the diagnostics more frequents (38.9% and 37.4%, respectively). Oral nutrition was the preferential rout used for the enteral nutrition (54.7%) followed by naso-enteral tube (26.6%), and only in 17.6% we used ostomy tubes. Polymeric was the enteral formula mainly utilized (80.1%). The mean time on HEN was 6.6 +/- 4.3 months; the 28.8% of patients stayed in the treatment for less than 3 months, 21.2 % between 3 and 6 months, and 50.0% more than 6 months. Patients were followed mainly by Nutritional Support Unit from the reference hospital (73.1%). While the reference hospital supplies the material (62.4%), reference hospital pharmacy (46.8%) and public pharmacies (32.0%) provides the enteral formula. Complications related to enteral nutrition included change of enteral tube (44.5%), gastrointestinal complications (30.5%), mechanical complications (21.7%), and the metabolic one (3.3%). These complications were followed by 0.02 hospitalizations/patient. At the end of the year, 54.7% of patients were in the HEN programme, and in 35.2 % HEN was finish due to accept oral conventional alimentation (49.2%) or by deceased of patients (40.9%). While 26.6% of the patients were confined to bed or armchair, 19.7 % no or light discapacity degree was observed. CONCLUSIONS: We found a persistence of these treatment in our country. Neurological and neoplasic diseases were the more frequent diagnosis in patients analysed. The high prevalence of cancer patients could be the main cause of oral access for enteral nutrition. Change of enteral tube was the more frequent complication observed during this treatment.

[The year 2002 national registry on home-based enteral nutrition]. / Registro nacional de la nutrición enteral domiciliaria del año 2002.

GOAL: To communicate the information available by the NADYA-SENPE Working Group from patients on Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) in our country during the year 2002. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data were collected through a closed questionnaire included in the web site of the Working Group (www.nadya-senpe.com) available only by the authorized users. Variable included were: epidemiological information, the indication to prescribe this treatment, the access path, the specific nutritional formula used, the treatment duration, the complications and hospital readmission related to the nutritional treatment, the follow-up and the quality of life. RESULTS: We register 3967 patients that belong to twenty-one hospitals. Mean age from those adults 69.2 +/- 19.2 years, and from those younger than 14, 5.6 +/- 4.1 years. Neurological and neoplasic diseases were the diagnostics more frequents (39.2% and 34.6%, respectively). Oral nutrition was the preferential rout used for the enteral nutrition (53.6%) followed by naso-enteral tube (30.6%), and only in 15.8% we used ostomy tubes. Polymeric was the enteral formula mainly utilized (81.5%). The mean time on HEN was 5.8 +/- 4.4 months; the 35.7% of patients stayed in the treatment for less than 3 months, 22.4% between 3 and 6 months, and 41.6% more than 6 months. Patients were followed mainly by Nutritional Support Unit from the reference hospital (75.3%). While the reference hospital supplies the material (65.7%), reference hospital pharmacy (43%) and public pharmacies (37.3%) provides the enteral formula. Complications related to enteral nutrition included change of enteral tube (29.7%), mechanical complications (22.9%), gastrointestinal complications (22.9%), and the metabolic one (9.2%). These complications were followed by 0.02 hospitalizations/patient. At the end of the year, 49.3% of patients were in the HEN programme, and in 41.5% HEN was finish due to accept oral conventional alimentation (47.3%) or by deceased of patients. While 31.8% of the patients were confined to bed o armchair, 17.8% no o light discapacity degree was observed. CONCLUSIONS: We found a persistence of these treatment in our country (96.5 patients/million inhabitants. Neurological and neoplasic diseases were the more frequent diagnosis in patients analysed. The high prevalence of cancer patients could be the main cause of oral access for enteral nutrition. Change of enteral tube was the more frequent complication observed during this treatment.

In vitro cytotoxicity testing with fluorescence-based assays in cultured human lung and dermal cells.

An in vitro study using human cultured cells was conducted to determine the reliability of fluorescence-based cell viability indicators with traditional in vitro cytotoxicity testing methods. Human lung epithelial carcinoma (A549) cells, and human embryonic skin (WS1) and lung (HFLI) fibroblasts were studied in culture to evaluate their potential to screen for cytotoxicity and to compare to previous protocols conducted in our laboratory. Confluent monolayers were incubated in the absence or presence of increasing concentrations of test chemicals for 24 h, and fluorescent-labeled probes were used to assess toxicity. Eight chemicals, including mercuric chloride, copper sulfate, sodium fluoride, thioridazine HCl, paraquat, amitriptyline-HCl, verapamil-HCl and chloroquine sulfate, were tested with each cell line using calcein-AM and Sytox. The data suggest that fluorescent probes are sensitive indicators of cytotoxicity and contribute to understanding the mechanisms for each chemical. In combination with previously published reports, the similarity of results among cell lines may be explained by the origin of the cell lines rather than by the diversity of the methods and indicators employed.

Uso de máscara laríngea en el trasplante renal / Use of the laryngeal mask in the reanl transplantation

Desde su introducción en la práctica de la Anestesiología, la máscara laríngea ha sido utilizada en una gran variedad de procedimientos quirúrgicos, sin embargo no existe literatura que refiera su uso rutinario en pacientes sometidos a transplante renal. En el Hospital Universitario San Vicente de Paúl de Medellín, la máscara laríngea se utiliza éxitosamente en este tipo de procedimientos desde hace mas de cinco años, obteniendo beneficios iguales o mejores a la intubación endotraqueal y con una tasa igual o menor de complicaciones. Este trabajo describe la experiencia del grupo de Anestesiólogos de Servicio de Pensionados de este Hospital con esta clase de procedimientos

Application of microsatellite PCR techniques in the identification of mixed up tissue specimens in surgical pathology.

A fragment of tumour was erroneously mixed up with an endometrial biopsy. Micro-satellite polymerase chain reaction (PCR) clearly demonstrated the extraneous nature of the fragment. Micro-satellite PCR may be useful for the identification of mis-labelled or mismatched tissue fragments in surgical pathology specimens.

[Determination of nutritional parameters affected in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma who are candidates for surgery according to tumor stage]. / Determinación de los parámetros nutricionales que se ven afectados en pacientes con adenocarcinoma gástrico candidatos a cirugía según el estadio del tumor.

An attempt is made to determine the nutritional parameters which are affected in patients with a gastric adeno-carcinoma, who are candidates for surgery, and to relate these parameters to the surgical technique employed, and to the tumor stage. Later, they aim to determine the parameters which may be indicative of the surgical prognosis of these patients. To this end, between January 1992 and October 1994, 66 patients, distributed in two groups, were studied. Group A included the patients who had undergone a total gastrectomy or a partial gastrectomy, and group B included those individuals subjected to an exploratory laparotomy, gastro-intestinal derivation, and subtotal or palliative gastrectomy. When analyzing the results obtained in the two groups of patients, it is observed that all of them have one or more altered nutritional parameters, and that the means of these parameters are more altered in group B than in group A. However, only the percentage of weight loss and the serum albumin level present significant differences between the two groups. That is to say, we observe that patients with serum albumin levels lower than 35 g/l, and with a weight loss of > 6%, have a greater risk of being subjected to an exploratory laparotomy, a gastro-intestinal derivation, or a total or subtotal palliative gastrectomy, than do patients with serum albumin levels > 35 g/l and a weight loss of < or = 6%. We may conclude that the loss of weight and the serum albumin level may help to decide a more or less aggressive surgical approach, and to predict the possible resectability of the tumor.

[Value of parenteral nutrition in total gastrectomy for cancer. A prospective study]. / Valor de la nutrición parenteral en la gastrectomía total por cáncer. Estudio prospectivo.

A prospective study is presented in which the impact of total parenteral nutrition (TNP) was analyzed in a group of 27 patients that underwent total gastrectomy due to gastric carcinoma (TGGC). Patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group I was formed by 15 patients and was treated systematically with TPN during the immediate postoperative period (POTPN). Group II was formed by 12 patients who were treated with conventional serum therapy during the immediate postoperative period. TPN was administered if enteral nutrition was not viable and/or patients presented complications. Both groups were similar regarding age, sex, previous illness, previous nutritional status (Preop PNI) and surgical technique used in GI transit reconstruction. Morbidity and mortality rates, nutritional status (PNI 5 days postop) and mean hospital stay were analyzed in both groups. Likewise, a retrospective comparison was made between the results obtained from this trial and those from a group of 44 patients with gastric carcinoma who underwent TGGC at our hospital a decade earlier and did not received TPN during the immediate postoperative period on a routine basis. When both series and Groups I and II were compared significant differences in mean hospital stay were observed in favor of Group I treated with routine TPN in the immediate postoperative period. There were no differences in the mortality rate when all groups were compared. It was concluded that TPN was useful in patients undergoing TGGC because it reduced postoperative mortality rate, decreased mean hospital stay and showed good cost/effectiveness correlation.

[Nutritional status and cephalic duodenopancreatectomy in neoplasm treatment]. / Estado nutricional y duodenopancreatectomía cefálica por neoplasia.

Usually, nutritional status of patients with neoplasia is poor. This is an important factor when the radical resection of the tumor implies aggressive surgery, and it has a clear influence on postoperative morbidity and mortality. From 1979 to 1988, 33 cephalic duodenopancreatectomies for carcinoma of the ampullary region have been carried out in the Servicio de Cirugía Digestiva, hospital "Santa Cruz y San Pablo". For retrospective evaluation of postoperative parenteral nutrition patients have been divided in two groups: group A, with routine parenteral nutrition and group B, with parenteral nutrition only if required. In group A, 75% of patients did not present postoperative morbidity, compared to 38% of patients in group B. There were 7 deaths: all of them in group B. The time of hospitalization was lower in group A. Differences in the three parameters under consideration was statistically significant. We conclude that, in order to improve morbidity and mortality as well as to reduce the hospitalization time, postoperative parenteral nutrition is necessary in patients submitted to cephalic duodenopancreatectomy for neoplasia.