Lesión duodeno-ureteral compleja por herida de arma de fuego: diagnóstico y resolución quirúrgica / COMPLEX DUODENAL-URETERAL LESION DUE TO FIREARM INJURY, DIAGNOSIS AND SURGICAL RESOLUTION

Las lesiones traumáticas duodenales son infrecuentes pero producen una tasa de morbi-mortalidad significativa. Se debe tener presente la elevada frecuencia de lesiones asociadas, siendo las de uréter superior las más frecuentes. Masculino de 50 años ingresa por HAF paravertebral derecha. Al ingreso OTE, lucido, vigil, con dolor y defensa abdominal generalizada. En la TC toracobdominal con cte EV y VO se objetiva extravasación de contraste oral a nivel duodenal y en fase excretora renal derecha.Se decide Laparotomía de urgencia objetivando lesión transfixiante de 2da porción de duodeno de < 50% de su circunferencia y sección de uréter derecho proximal. Se realiza rafia en dos planos de duodeno, colocación de pig tail y anastomosis T-T de uréter derecho mas drenaje. Buena evolución postquirúrgica con control tomográfico a las 72 hs sin objetivar fuga. Alta hospitalaria al 6to día. El traumatismo duodenal es una patología rara que se asocia con una tasa considerable de morbimortalidad, su localización retroperitoneal puede hacer que los clásicos signos de peritonismo no estén presentes en el momento de la evaluación, por lo que se recomienda la realización de exámenes clínicos seriados y de estudios complementarios con contraste VO y EV. Las lesiones ureterales asociadas son las más frecuentes. La mayoría tienen una pérdida mínima de tejido, siendo usualmente reparadas mediante desbridación y anastomosis.

Duodenal traumatic injuries are rare but produce a significant morbidity and mortality rate. The high frequency of associated lesions should be kept in mind, with those of the upper ureter being the most frequent. 50-year-old male enters for right paravertebral HAF. At hospital admission, lucid patient and vigil. Thoracoabdominal CT with intravenous and oral contrast show extravasation of oral contrast at the duodenal level and in the right renal excretory phase. Emergency laparotomy is decided by objectifying transfixing lesion of the 2nd portion of the duodenum of <50% of its circumference and proximal right ureter section. Raffia is performed in two planes of the duodenum, placement of pig tail and TT anastomosis of the right ureter plus drainage. Good post-surgical evolution with tomographic control at 72 hours without objectifying leakage. Hospital discharge on the 6th day. Duodenal trauma is a rare pathology that is associated with a considerable morbidity and mortality rate, its retroperitoneal location may make the classic signs of peritonism not present at the time of the evaluation, so clinical exams are recommended series and complementary studies with VO and EV contrast. Associated ureteral lesions are the most frequent, Most have minimal tissue loss, usually repaired by debridement and anastomosis.

"Exposure to the insecticides permethrin and malathion induces leukemia and lymphoma-associated gene aberrations in vitro".

Epidemiological studies have associated the exposure to permethrin and malathion with increased risk of leukemia and lymphoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether in vitro exposure to permethrin and malathion induces aberrations in genes involved in the etiology of these hematological malignancies. Genetic abnormalities in the IGH, KMT2A (MLL), ETV6 and RUNX1 genes, and aneuploidy induced by the in vitro exposure to permethrin and malathion (200µM, 24h), were analyzed by FISH in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The gene fusions IGH-BCL2, KMT2A-AFF1 and ETV6-RUNX1 were further analyzed with nested RT-PCR in PBMCs, and in K562 cells exposed to acute and chronic treatments (0.1µM, 24h or every third day for two weeks) of insecticides. FISH analysis revealed that permethrin induces aneuploidy and structural alterations in IGH and KMT2A genes, and malathion induces breaks in KMT2A. RT-PCR detected ETV6-RUNX1 fusion in PBMCs acutely exposed to permethrin. Permethrin also induced ETV6-RUNX1 and IGH-BCL2 fusions in K562 cells, and malathion induced KMT2A-AFF1 and ETV6-RUNX1 fusions. Overall, we identified that both insecticides induce breaks and fusions in the studied genes, and permethrin induces aneuploidy. This study presents evidence of damage in cancer genes caused by these insecticides.

Suppression of planar cell polarity signaling and migration in glioblastoma by Nrdp1-mediated Dvl polyubiquitination.

The lethality of the aggressive brain tumor glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) results in part from its strong propensity to invade surrounding normal brain tissue. Although oncogenic drivers such as epidermal growth factor receptor activation and Phosphatase and Tensin homolog inactivation are thought to promote the motility and invasiveness of GBM cells via phosphatidylinostitol 3-kinase activation, other unexplored mechanisms may also contribute to malignancy. Here we demonstrate that several components of the planar cell polarity (PCP) arm of non-canonical Wnt signaling including VANGL1, VANGL2 and FZD7 are transcriptionally upregulated in glioma and correlate with poorer patient outcome. Knockdown of the core PCP pathway component VANGL1 suppresses the motility of GBM cell lines, pointing to an important mechanistic role for this pathway in glioblastoma malignancy. We further observe that restoration of Nrdp1, a RING finger type E3 ubiquitin ligase whose suppression in GBM also correlates with poor prognosis, reduces GBM cell migration and invasiveness by suppressing PCP signaling. Our observations indicate that Nrdp1 physically interacts with the Vangl1 and Vangl2 proteins to mediate the K63-linked polyubiquitination of the Dishevelled, Egl-10 and Pleckstrin (DEP) domain of the Wnt pathway protein Dishevelled (Dvl). Ubiquitination hinders Dvl binding to phosphatidic acid, an interaction necessary for efficient Dvl recruitment to the plasma membrane upon Wnt stimulation of Fzd receptor and for the propagation of downstream signals. We conclude that the PCP pathway contributes significantly to the motility and hence the invasiveness of GBM cells, and that Nrdp1 acts as a negative regulator of PCP signaling by inhibiting Dvl through a novel polyubiquitination mechanism. We propose that the upregulation of core PCP components, together with the loss of the key negative regulator Nrdp1, act coordinately to promote GBM invasiveness and malignancy.

Endocrine integration of fetal ovaries grafted under kidney capsule of unilaterally or bilaterally orchidectomized male hamster / Integración endocrina de ovarios fetales trasplantados bajo la cápsula renal de hámster machos uni o bilateralmente castrados

Mammalian ovary development undergoes important changes during the perinatal period, moment when follicles are assembled and start to develop in a process not well known, involving endocrine and paracrine factors. In order to investigate the effect of two different hormonal environments on the early development of the ovary, we used an autologous transplant model in which Syrian hamster fetal ovaries were grafted under the kidney capsule of males hosts previously unilaterally or bilaterally orchidectomized. After 35 days of graft, ovaries and kidney parenchyme of the host male did not present signs of rejection. Ovaries contained primordial, primary follicles, secondary follicles and few tertiary follicles with morphological features similar to ovaries of control females of 35 days of age. Healthy primary and secondary follicles of experimental groups had frequency distribution and size similar to control ovaries but tertiary follicles were scarce in control as well as in grafts where they were mainly atretic. PCNA, marker of proliferation, was immuno detected in granulosa cells of growing follicles and the marker of apoptosis, Caspase 3 active, was evident mainly in secondary follicles. Immunoreactivity for steroidogenic proteins, StAR, 3-bHSD and aromatase detected in the follicular wall cells and the decreased serum levels of FSH without important changes in testosterone in bilateral orchidectomized males that received ovarian graft, and testosterone decreased without changes in FSH levels in unilateral orchidectomized males (UO) with ovarian graft, all together suggest the effect of steroid hormones produced by the ovary. In conclusion, the experimental model of autologous transplant presents evidence of early ovary development under the kidney capsule and its functional integration to the endocrine axis of the host male.

El desarrollo del ovario en mamíferos sufre importantes cambios durante el periodo perinatal, momento en el cual los folículos se ensamblan y comienzan a desarrollarse en un proceso no muy dilucidado que involucra señales endocrinas y paracrinas. Con el objetivo de investigar el efecto de dos ambientes hormonales sobre el desarrollo temprano del ovario de hamster, usamos un modelo de trasplante autólogo en el que ovarios fetales fueron trasplantados bajo la cápsula renal de machos receptores previamente castrados y hemicastrados. Después de 35 días de trasplante, los ovarios y el parénquima renal de los machos receptores no presentaron señales de rechazo. El ovario presentó folículos primordiales, primarios, secundarios y algunos folículos terciarios con características morfológicas similares a los ovarios de hembras controles de 35 días de edad. Folículos primarios y secundarios sanos de ambos grupos experimentales se encontraron en frecuencia y tamaño similar al de ovarios controles, los folículos terciarios fueron escasos tanto en controles como en ovarios trasplantados, siendo en éstos principalmente atrésicos. PCNA, un marcador de proliferación celular, fue detectado por inmunohistoquímica en células granulosas de folículos en crecimiento, mientras que caspasa 3 activa, un marcador de apoptosis, fue evidente en folículos secundarios. Por otra parte, inmunoreactividad para proteínas esteroidogénicas, StAR, 3-bHSD y aromatasa, fue detectada en la pared folicular. Esta observación, junto a la disminución de niveles séricos de FSH, sin cambios importantes en los niveles de testosterona en machos castrados que recibieron trasplantes ováricos, y la disminución en los niveles de testosterona sin cambios en los niveles de FSH en machos hemicastrados con trasplantes ováricos, sugiere que el ovario no solo produce hormonas esteroidales sino que además éstas modifican los niveles hormonales del macho receptor del trasplante. En conclusión, este modelo de trasplante autólogo agrega información del desarrollo ovárico temprano cuando éste se desarrolla bajo la cápsula renal de machos entregando evidencia de la integración funcional del ovario trasplantado al eje endocrino de los machos receptores.

Alexandrite Laser for the Treatment of Resistant and Hypertrophic Port Wine Stains: A Clinical, Histological and Histochemical Study.

BACKGROUND: Port wine stains (PWSs) are commonly treated by the pulsed dye laser. However, treatment of hypertrophic or resistant PWSs is a major therapeutic challenge. The long-pulsed Alexandrite laser could be a safe and effective treatment for resistant PWSs, due to an increase depth of penetration of 50-75% over PDL. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a long-pulsed Alexandrite laser in patients with hypertrophic, dark and/or resistant PWSs. Pink pale resistant PWS were excluded from the study. METHODS: Twenty-one patients (age 20-75 years), phototypes I-IV on the Fitzpatrick scale, with PDL dark resistant PWSs were treated with long-pulsed Alexandrite laser. We excluded high phototypes and PDL pink resistant PWSs. All patients were treated with 3 laser sessions at settings of 3-ms pulse duration, 10-mm spot, 35-55J/cm(2), with cooling (Dynamic Cooling Device 50ms with delay 30ms). Laser sessions were repeated approximately every 2 months. Three dermatologists evaluated treatment effectiveness by means of photographs of the patients before and after laser treatment (scale from 0 to 4). Adverse events were registered. Patient satisfaction was also assessed (scale from 0 to 10). RESULTS: Mean global improvement was rated as 2.28. Long-lasting side effects included minimal scarring after blistering in 1 patient. Mean patient satisfaction was 8.5. CONCLUSIONS: Our study concludes that long-pulsed Alexandrite laser was effective for treatment of resistant PWSs, although the therapeutical window is narrow with this treatment.

Histochemical Evaluation of the Vessel Wall Destruction and Selectivity After Treatment with Intense Pulsed Light in Capillary Malformations.

BACKGROUND: Among the different approaches for improving the effectiveness in the treatment of Capillary Malformations type Port Wine Stain (CM type PWS) are the intense pulsed light sources. There are few clinical studies prove useful in the treatment of CM. Furthermore, no studies have been published yet demonstrating the histological effects of IPL in CM. OBJECTIVES: To assess the histological effects of pulsed light in capillary malformations type port wine stain. We wanted to compare epidermal, dermal and vessel wall damage after treatment with different combinations of IPL parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-five post-treatment biopsies were performed in 15 consenting patients with CM and stained with nitroblue-tetrazolium chloride (NBTC). Patients had not been treated previously. RESULTS: Fifteen patients with CM, with a median age of 39 years-old were enrolled in this study. In this series, the patients with the most severe epidermal damage were those with a darker phototype. Pink CM were especially resistant to treatment, even using high fluences, short pulse durations and stacking pulses. Longer intra- and interpulse delays were effective in purple CM, achieving adequate vessel destruction. CONCLUSIONS: IPL devices provide a vast amount of treatment possibilities and further studies are necessary to optimize therapeutic approaches to CM. In this study we have observed the histological effects of different pulses on the MC type PWS.

Detección de enfermedad renal crónica oculta en pacientes de las unidades de salud familiar de loma Pyta- asunción / Detection of occult chronic kidney disease in family health units hospital loma Pyta

Introducción: La Enfermedad Renal Crónica (ERC) es una epidemia de salud pública a nivel mundial y su prevalencia aumentó en los últimos años, en relación al aumento de la prevalencia de diabetes, hipertensión arterial y obesidad. Objetivo: Identifcar la frecuencia de Enfermedad Renal Crónica oculta en la población que asiste a control en Atención Primaria de Salud, en las Unidades de Salud Familiar del Hospital Loma Pyta-Asunción y determinar los estadios y las patologías concomitantes. Material y Métodos:Estudio descriptivo de corte transverso en 173 sujetos, >18 años y de ambos sexos. Se analizaron: Edad, Sexo, Antecedentes de consumo crónico de antiinflamatorio y de exposición a agrotóxicos, presión arterial, glicemia, creatinina plasmática, perfl lipídico y proteinuria. Se calculó Indice de Masa Corporal, y Filtrado Glomerular por ecuación MDRD. Resultados: Se encuentran con ERC el 25,5%.El FG fue normal en el 74,5%; en Estadio 1: 15,6% en Estadio 2: 9,2% y en Estadio 3: 0,6%. Se halló HTA y DM como patologías asociadas a ERC, en Estadio1: HTA: 51,8%, DM el 33,3%, con IVU 11,1%. En Estadio 2 con HTA: 12,4%; con DM: 18,5%; solo Obesidad: 18,8% y con proteinuria aislada el 50% y un paciente en Estadio 3 con HTA. Proteinuria en el 32% de los hipertensos y el 24% de los diabeticos y un grupo de pacientes obesos en un 24%. Conclusiones: El hallazgo fue 25,5% de ERC en estadios iniciales, etapa ideal para tratar y evitar la progresión a diálisis, alta frecuencia de DM, HTA y obesidad que son factores de riesgo de enfermedad renal y cardiovascular. Palabras claves: Factores de Riesgo- Enfermedad renal crónica- Atención Primaria de Salud

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health epidemic worldwide and its prevalence has increased in recent years, probably related to the increased prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and obesity.Objective: To determine frequency of Occult CKD population attending family health units Loma Pyta Hospital, and determine the different stages and comorbidities. Material and Methods: Transverse sectional descriptive study. Universe of 19,100 people; sample of 173,> 18 years and of both sexes. They were analyzed: age, sex, past medical history of chronic inflammatory consumption and exposure to pesticides, blood pressure, blood glucose, blood creatinine and lipid profle. Proteinuria dipstick. Body Mass Index, and glomerular fltration rate calculated by MDRD equation 4.Results: The glomerular fltration rate was normal in 74.5%. The study group, whith CKD are 25.5%, of which in Stage 1: 15.6% (n = 27) in Stage 2 9.2 Stage 3% and 0.6%. Arterial hypertension and Mellitus diabetes was found as pathologies associated with CKD. In Estadio1: hypertension: 51.8%, and 33.3% DM. In Stage 2 with hypertension: 12.4%; and DM: 18.5%; Obesity 18.8% and 50% isolated proteinuria and one patient in stage 3 with hypertension. 32% of hypertensive patients and 24% of diabetics with proteinuria, and there is a group of obese patients, who are not diabetic or hypertensive patients who presented proteinuria 24%, the possibility of rapid progression of renal insuffciency higher in this group of patients. Conclusions: The fnding was 24.5% of ERC ideal to treat and prevent progression to dialysis stage early stages, the high frequency of DM, hypertension and obesity are risk factors for renal and cardiovascular disease is confrmed. Keywords: Risk Factors- occult chronic kidney disease, family health units

Characterization of the elastic-plastic behavior of intermetallic coatings growth on medical stainless steel by instrumented ultramicroindentation.

The purpose of this work is to study the elastoplastic properties of novel intermetallic coatings grown by hot dipping on medical steel 316 LVM and their correlation with the scratch resistance by means of instrumented ultramicroindentation techniques. Elastoplastic properties are defined by the plasticity index (PI), which correlates the hardness and the Young's modulus, and the yield strength that delimits the elastic-plastic transition. To avoid overestimations of the PI due to the so-called indentation size effect, macroscopic hardness values were determined. The PI of the coating increases from 0.6 to 0.8 with increasing immersion time. These values are always lower than those of the bare substrate (0.9) but higher than those found for ceramics (∼0.5). The increase of the PI is accompanied by a decrease in the yield strength from 0.73 to 0.34 GPa, which highlights the relevance of the compressive residual stresses and their relaxation with increasing immersion time. The higher plasticity is shown by higher apparent friction coefficients (0.159), which are always lower than those of the bare steel (0.264). Therefore, these intermetallic coatings could be considered "hard but tough" coatings, suitable for enhancing the wear resistance of the medical steel, especially when using short periods of immersion. The study provides evidence that the load-depth curve of indentation contains abundant information and that its analysis can be used to determine various mechanical properties of coatings that could be important for load bearing components.

Extreme xanthomatosis in patients with both familial hypercholesterolemia and cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis.

Two unrelated individuals were referred to Lipid Clinics in The Netherlands and Chile with extreme xanthomatosis and hypercholesterolemia. Both were diagnosed with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (heFH) after molecular genetic analysis of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene. Since heFH by itself could not account for the massive xanthomas, the presence of an additional hereditary lipid or lipoprotein disorder was suspected. Further genetic analysis revealed homozygozity for mutations in the sterol 27-hydroxylase gene, confirming the diagnosis of cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX). Markedly, the typical neurological manifestations of CTX were absent, suggestive of a protective role of LDL-receptor deficiency against the severe neurological consequences of CTX.

Trauma vascular: nuestra experiencia en los últimos 10 años / Trauma vascular- nossa experiência nos últimos 10 anos. / Vascular trauma: ouer experience in the last 10 years

Antecedentes: El incremento de la violencia ciudadana por el uso de armas de fuego y blancas en delitos comunes y los accidentes por exceso de velocidad sin medidas de seguridad adecuadas, han producido un aumento en la incidencia de los traumas vasculares, siendo la mayor causa de muerte en pacientes jóvenes. Objetivo: Demostrar nuestra casuística y experiencia en el manejo del trauma vascular así como su resolución. Diseño: Análisis descriptivo y retrospectivo de los últimos 10 años. Material y Método: 470 pacientes se tra taron desde el 1 de enero de 2000 hasta el 31 diciembre del 2009. Se analizó la composición demográfica, el mecanismo lesional, la región afectada y la técnica quirúrgica utilizada. El 86,6% fue de sexo masculino y el 13,4% de sexo femenino. La edad promedio fue de 26,9 años. El 69,5% presentaron trauma penetrante y el 30,5% trauma contuso. El 4,5% presentaron lesiones de cuello, 12% torácicas, 14,9% lesiones abdominales y nuestra mayor casuística fue la lesión de los miembros: 68,6%. En 175 pacientes, la técnica fue el bypass (119 venosos y 56 protésicos ). 206 pacientes recibieron resección y anastomosis término-terminal y 36 pacientes fueron tratados con ligadura primaria. Como métodos endovasculares se colocaron 5 endoprótesis por ruptura traumática de aorta torácica, 3 stents periféricos y se realizó un reimplante de mano. Resultados: La mortalidad global fue del 7,8% (37 pacientes) en la mayoría de los casos debido al politrauma, Crush síndrome, SIRS y/o shock séptico. En cuanto a los pacientes con RTAT, uno presentó óbito por falla del material. El 9,1% de los pacientes sufrieron amputación del miembro (38 pacientes) de los cuales 9 fueron por arrancamiento del miembro, 11 amputaciones primarias y 18 secundarias. Del total de pacientes que presentaron lesiones vasculares de los miembros, 60 (5,8%) recibieron fasciotomía pre, intra o post-revascularización. Conclusiones: Nuestra aceptable morbimortalidad depende de la rapidez y ...

Antecedentes: O aumento da violência nas cidades, o uso de armas de fogo e armas brancas em delitos comuns, e os acidentes por excesso de velocidade sem medidas de segurança adequadas, têm produzido um aumento na incidência dos traumas vasculares, sendo esta, a maior causa de morte em pacientes jovens. Objetivo: Demonstrar nossa especificidade e experiência no tratamento do trauma vascular, como também em sua resolução. Desenho: Análise descritiva e retrospectiva dos últimos 10 anos. Material e Método: 470 pacientes foram tratados de 1º de janeiro de 2000 a 31 de dezembro de 2009. Analisou-se a composição demográfica, o mecanismo de lesão, a região afetada e a técnica cirúrgica utilizada. 86, 6 % dos pacientes eram do sexo masculino e 13,4 % do sexo feminino. A idade média foi de 26,9 anos. 69,5 % apresentaram trauma penetrante e 30,5 % trauma contuso. 4,5 % apresentaram lesões no pescoço, 12 % torácicas, 14,9 % lesões abdominais e a nossa maior especificidade, em 68,6% dos casos, foi a lesão de membros. Em 175 pacientes a técnica foi o bypass (119 venosos e 56 com próteses ). 206 pacientes receberam ressecção e anastomose término-terminal e 36 pacientes foram tratados com ligadura de tipo primário. Como métodos endovasculares, foram colocadas 5 endopróteses por ruptura traumática de Aorta torácica, 3 stents periféricos, e realizou-se um reimplante de mão. Resultados: A mortalidade global foi de 7,8 % (37 pacientes), na maioria dos casos devido ao politrauma, síndrome de Cushing, SIRS (síndrome da resposta inflamatória sistêmica), e/ou choque séptico. Quanto aos pacientes com RTAT, um deles apresentou óbito por falha do material. 9,1 % dos pacientes sofreram amputação de membro (38 pacientes), dos quais 9 foram por arrancamento de membro, 11 amputações primárias e 18 secundárias. Do total de pacientes que apresentaram lesões vasculares de membros, 60 (5,8 %) receberam fasciotomia pré, intra ou pós revascularização. Conclusões: Nossa aceitável ...

Background: The increase of the urban violence due to the use of fire and white weapons in common crimes as well as the accidents because of the excess of speed without the corresponding safe security measures have produced an increase in the incidence of the vascular traumas, being the most important cause of death in young patients. Objective: To show casuisty and experience in the management of the vascular trauama as well as its resolution. Design: Descriptive and retrospective analyses during the last 10 years. Material and Method: 470 patients were treated from January 1, 2000 up to December 2009. The demographic composition, the lesional mechanism, the affected area and the surgical technique were analysed. The 86.6% were male and the 13.4% female. The average age was 26.9%. The 69.5% have presented penetrant trauma and the 30.5% blunt trauma. The 4.5% have presented injuries on the neck, 12% thoracic ones, 14.9% abdominal ones and our greatest casuistic was the injueries on the arms. In 175 patients the technique was the bypass (119 venous and 56 prothetic ones). 206 patients have received resection and termino-terminal anastomosis and 36 patients were treated with primary binding. As endovascular methods, 5 stents for traumatic rupture of thoracic aorta, 3 peripheral stents and a hand reimplantation were used. Results: The global mortality was of the 7.8% 37 patients), in most of the cases due to the poly-trauma, Crush syndrome, SIRS, and/or septic shock. Regarding to the patients with RTAT, on of them, death has been presented due to material failure. The 9.1% of the patients have suffered from amputation of the member (38 patients), from whom 9 of them were for pulling member, 11 for primary amputations and 18 secondary ones. From the total of the patients that have presented vascular injuries of the members, 60 (5.8%) have received fasciotomy pre, intra or post revascularization. Conclusions: Our acceptable mortality depends on the quickness and ...

El familiar cuidador de pacientes con SIDA y la toma de decisiones en salud / Health decision making in AIDS family caregiver

El cuidado de personas con SIDA se realiza en el hogar, donde algún miembro de la familia ejerce el rol de cuidador, debiendo tomar decisiones en salud que afectan todas las áreas de vida de una persona1. Es importante conocer los conflictos en la toma de decisiones en salud que tienen los familiares, para así poder plantear estrategias de intervención dirigidas a sus reales necesidades. Este es un estudio descriptivo, muestra de 38 familiares cuidadores de personas con SIDA que se atienden ambulatoriamente en la Clínica Familia. Se aplicó instrumento diseñado por O'Connor y Jacobsen4. Se concluyó que los cuidadores son mujeres, en su mayoría madres, que vivían con su hijo(a) enfermo(a) y que llevaban por lo menos dos años ejerciendo el rol de cuidador, se encontraban tomando decisiones en salud y en su mayoría presentaban conflictos con seguir cuidando o no al familiar enfermo, y con comunicar o no a otros la enfermedad. Los familiares vivían una etapa del proceso de cambio, en la que estaban receptivos a estrategias de ayuda; éstas debieran basarse en intervenciones orientadas a la necesidad de escuchar y apoyar, más que a la entrega de información.

Perfil de los menores de un año hospitalizados por IRA baja durante la campaña de invierno 2002 / Profile of infants aged under one year admitted for lower ARI during the 2002 winter campaign

Conocer características de los hospitalizados por IRA baja ayuda a planificar su control. El propósito del trabajo fue determinar el perfil de los menores de un año hospitalizados por infecciones respiratorias bajas durante la campaña de invierno de 2002. Para ello se encuestaron entre los meses de Junio-Agosto 2002, en el Hospital San Juan de Dios madres o cuidadoras, excluyéndose los casos hospitalizados desde el nacimiento, los con diagnóstico de infecciones intrahospitalarias y los ingresados a UCI. Entre los aspectos estudiados destacan: sexo; edad; peso al nacer; edad gestacional; características de las madres y del grupo familiar así como condiciones económico-sociales, culturales y previsionales. Características de la vivienda: mediana de 2 dormitorios pero con 20, 2 por ciento de casas con uno solo. Personas por cama: mediana 1,7; con una rango de 0,8 y un máximo de 6.5. Tenían agua caliente el 53.9 por ciento de los hogares y fuente de calefacción de tipo contaminante en el 87.6 por ciento de las viviendas. Conclusión: La distribución por sexo del presente trabajo difiere de estudios anteriores; los niños, en su mayoría, fueron recién nacidos de término, de peso de nacimiento adecuado y provenían de familias numerosas, con hacinamiento, agravado por el empleo de una calefacción contaminante. Hay, sin embargo, algunos hechos favorables, como la escolaridad materna. La hospitalización previa fue frecuente, lo que reafirma la conveniencia de seguir a los menores después de su egreso.

Image quality and dose evaluation in spiral chest CT examinations of patients with lung carcinoma.

A study was undertaken to assess the quality of general chest CT examinations for indication of lung carcinoma according to the criteria proposed in the European Commission (EC) Guidelines, and to investigate their usefulness in the optimization of this practice. The criteria were evaluated for a sample of 100 examinations from five radiology departments in the Madrid area featuring single slice helical CT scanners with special emphasis on radiation dose and image quality. To determine the degree of compliance with the image criteria considered, the examinations were independently evaluated twice by five radiologists from the participating centres. A subsequent selection of the observers was made according to the consistency and independence of their readings. Dose measurements carried out in parallel supplied data to estimate the values of the CT dose indices (CTDI), dose-length product (DLP) and effective dose (E). The results show good compliance with the image criteria used - between 93% and 98% on average at the different sites, with variable degrees of internal deviation. 10 out of a total of 16 criteria proposed in the EC guidelines were met by practically all the examinations in the sample. The average weighted CTDI (CTDI(w)) values per site were in the range of 13-19 mGy; those of DLP were between 263 mGy cm and 577 mGy cm, and those of effective dose between 4 mSv and 9 mSv. The highest mean DLP value was below but close to the reference value proposed in the EC Document (650 mGy cm). In general, a weak correlation or no correlation at all was found between image quality scores and patient dose (DLP).

Ingesta de nutrientes en adultos mayores de la comuna de Providencia, Santiago de Chile / Nutrients intake in elderly people living in Providence, Santiago de Chile

BACKGROUND: The information available on food intake in the elderly in Chile is restricted to individuals of low socioeconomic groups, but there is no data available on food intake in elderly of higher income groups. AIM: To assess food intake in a group of elderly people from Providencia County in Santiago, a middle income community. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty one subjects (20 male), aged 60 to 73 years, were studied. Trained volunteers applied a 3 days food registry, to determine food intake. Intake was assessed using 1985 FAO/OMS/UNU recommendations for energy intake and USA Food and Nutrition Board recommendations for micronutrient intake. RESULTS: The studied subjects had an adequate macronutrient intake, when compared with current recommendations. There was a relatively low intake of calories from fat (24.6 per cent in males and 26.1 per cent in females). Also, vitamin and mineral intake was adequate with the exception of calcium (64.5 per cent and 57.9 per cent of recommendation in males and in females respectively), zinc and folic acid (74.2 per cent and 62.4 per cent in males and females respectively). The intake of legumes and cereals was relatively low. CONCLUSIONS: Food intake in this group of individuals was substantially higher than that reported previously for poor elderly Chileans and similar to that of industrialized countries. Food intake of the elderly is probably related to socioeconomic level.

[Helicobacter pylori infections: antigen detection in stool samples]. / Infecciones por Helicobacter pylori: detección de antígeno en muestras fecales.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate a new diagnostic test to detect Helicobacter pylori antigen in stool samples (HpSA), and compare the results with those obtained by standard techniques (rapid urease test,culture, histological examination of gastric biopsy specimens,13C-urea breath test and serology), in a paediatric population with gastrointestinal symptomatology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with dyspeptic symptoms (37 females and 23 males;mean age 10.9 years) attending the Gastroenterology Service were included in the study. Exclusion criterium was previous treatment with proton pump inhibitors, bismuth compounds or antibiotics. Rapid urease test, culture and histologic study of gastric biopsies,13C-urea breath test and serology, as well as HpSA, were performed to all patients. RESULTS: Forty seven patients were considered infected by H.pylori on the basis of bacterium isolation and 13C-urea breath test positivity. HpSAwas detected in 45 of the 47 H.pylori positive patients(95.7%). There were no HpSA false positive. CONCLUSION: Our results show that this new test is highly sensitive (95%) and specific(100%) for detection of H. pylori infection. It has some advantages over other non invasive techniques: it is easy to perform,requires no blood samples and its cost is lower than that of 13C-urea breath test.

[Differences in plasma antioxidants according to socioeconomic level in Chilean women]. / Diferencias en antioxidantes plasmáticos según nivel socioeconómico en mujeres chilenas.

BACKGROUND: Free radical-mediated oxidative damage is a known initial event in atherogenesis. Cardiovascular disease is frequent in the Chilean population showing differences in the prevalence of risk factors of the disease according to socioeconomic level (SEL). AIM: To determine levels of antioxidants and lipid peroxides in Chilean women from different SEL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Blood samples were taken from 81 women for measurements of plasma ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, licopene, ubiquinol, glutathione, total plasma antioxidant capacity, and lipid peroxides (TBARS). RESULTS: Individuals in the lower SEL showed reduced levels of plasma beta-carotene, ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, and ubiquinol compared to women in the higher SEL. There were no differences between groups in the plasma levels of glutathione, total antioxidant capacity, or TBARS. CONCLUSIONS: The results could be explained in part by the higher consumption of fruits and vegetables in women from the upper SEL.

Prescripción de la vacuna anti influenza por médicos institucionales y estudiantes de especialidades médicas en un hospital docente / Influenza vaccine prescription by faculties and medical fellows in an universitary hospital

A study was designed aimed to know rates of influenza vaccine prescriptions among medical staff personnel and postgraduate medical student in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Data was collected by a questionnaire asking forprevious year prescription, age of patients seen at the outpatient clinic, years of professional experience and other potential factors that may influence its use. A total of 103 physicians were consulted, including 14.8 percent of 452 staff physicians and 16.3 percent of 220 postgraduate medical students. Forty percent of the requested doctors indicated influenza vaccine during 1999. This rate was quite similar among doctors that work seeing older persons at outpatient clinics (43.5 percent). Rates were similar among staff doctors and postgraduate medical students. Prescription of the vaccine was more frequently declared among physicians working at the Internal Medicine Department although differences with other services were not significant. Thirty percent of the vaccine indications were temporarily inadequate and used after the reasonable time-frame before the influenza season. Influenza vaccine is an underprescribed preventive strategy

A high-fat diet induces and red wine counteracts endothelial dysfunction in human volunteers.

Endothelial dysfunction is associated with atherogenesis and oxidative stress in humans. In rat and rabbit blood vessels, wine polyphenol antioxidants induce vascular relaxation in vitro through the NO-cGMP pathway. To assess the effect of a regular high-fat diet (HFD) and moderate red wine consumption on endothelial function (EF), a study was performed in healthy male volunteers. EF was measured as flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery, employing high-resolution ultrasound after an overnight fast. Other clinical and biochemical parameters related to EF were also measured. Six volunteers received a control diet, rich in fruits and vegetables (27% calories as fat) and five volunteers received an HFD (39.5% calories as fat). Measurements were done twice on each volunteer: after a period of 30 d with diet plus 240 mL of red wine/d, and after a period of 30 d with diet, without wine. In the absence of wine, there is a reduction of EF with HFD when compared to the control diet (P = 0.014). This loss of EF is not seen when both diets are supplemented with wine for 30 d (P = 0.001). Plasma levels of n-3 fatty acids (R2 = 0.232, P = 0.023) and lycopene (R2 = 0.223, P = 0.020) show a positive correlation with individual EF measurements, but they do not account for the significant differences observed among dietary groups or after wine supplementation. These results help elucidate the deleterious effect of a high-fat diet and the protective role of wine, n-3 fatty acids and dietary antioxidants in cardiovascular disease.

Plasma polyphenols and antioxidants, oxidative DNA damage and endothelial function in a diet and wine intervention study in humans.

An intervention study was performed to evaluate the influence of a Mediterranean diet, a high fat diet, and their supplementation with red wine in moderate amounts, on biochemical, physiological, and clinical parameters related to atherosclerosis and other chronic diseases. For 3 months two groups of 21 male volunteers each, received either a Mediterranean diet or a high fat diet; during the second month, red wine was added isocalorically, 240 ml/day. Participants were kept under close medical and nutritional surveillance. At days 0, 30, 60 and 90, clinical, physiological and biochemical evaluations were made. Plasma vitamin C was significantly decreased in the high fat diet group compared to the Mediterranean diet group. After wine supplementation to the Mediterranean diet, a significant 13.5% increase in plasma vitamin C was observed. Furthermore, when wine was added vitamin E decreased significantly in plasma, 15% in the high fat diet and 26% in the Mediterranean diet. Total plasma antioxidant capacity (total antioxidant reactivity) increased 28% above basal levels in the Mediterranean diet group, but not in the high fat diet group. In both groups, wine induced a marked increase in total antioxidant reactivity above basal levels, 56% and 23%, respectively. Oxidative DNA damage, detected as 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels in blood leukocyte DNA, was markedly increased by the high fat diet; however, it was strongly reduced, to approximately 50% basal values, after wine supplementation, both in the high fat diet and Mediterranean diet groups. Endothelial function, evaluated noninvasively as flow-mediated vascular reactivity of the brachial artery, was suppressed by the high fat diet, and was normal after wine supplementation. These effects are attributed to oxidative stress associated with a high fat diet, and to the elevated plasma antioxidant capacity associated with wine consumption and the Mediterranean diet. The results presented support the following conclusions: a high fat diet induces oxidative stress; a diet rich in fruits and vegetables enhances antioxidant defenses; wine supplementation to a high fat or a Mediterranean diet increases plasma antioxidant capacity, decreases oxidative DNA damage, and normalizes endothelial function.