Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Lung Discovered by Acute Appendicitis Metastasis: An Experience at Our Hospital.

Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of abdominal pain that requires surgery. Appendiceal cancer is rare, comprising nearly 4% of all gastrointestinal diagnoses. It is common to find neuroendocrine neoplasms due to metastasis in this site. Appendix tumors are usually asymptomatic; however, if they are advanced or have metastases, they can cause abdominal symptoms. Computed tomography (CT) is commonly used to diagnose acute appendicitis in these cases. CT usually shows an increased appendiceal diameter with thickening (>3 mm) of the appendiceal wall, an intraluminal fluid depth >2.6 mm, and periappendiceal inflammation. Histopathological findings confirm the diagnosis. Medical and surgical management depends on physical characteristics such as size, location, and degree of evolution. We present the case of a 77-year-old woman with a family history of well-controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension. She was referred to our institution after four days of abdominal pain in the epigastrium and both flanks accompanied by fever. An abdominal CT showed left pleural effusion and appendicular thickening. Laboratory tests showed high blood glucose levels, leukocytosis at the expense of neutrophils, an increased platelet count, and decreased albumin and total proteins. The CT scan also showed a calcified granuloma in the anterior segment of the right upper lobe and an irregular image with partially defined hypodense borders in the liver in segment IVb. We report our experience with the diagnosis, management, and treatment decisions of this case. It is important to mention that the first diagnosis was acute appendicitis. This diagnosis motivated us to seek other symptoms and signs by direct questioning and imaging studies leading us to diagnose metastatic lung cancer.

Impact of physico-chemical properties on the toxicological potential of reduced graphene oxide in human bronchial epithelial cells.

The increasing use of graphene-based materials (GBM) requires their safety evaluation, especially in occupational settings. The same physico-chemical (PC) properties that confer GBM extraordinary functionalities may affect the potential toxic response. Most toxicity assessments mainly focus on graphene oxide and rarely investigate GBMs varying only by one property. As a novelty, the present study assessed the in vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of six reduced graphene oxides (rGOs) with different PC properties in the human bronchial epithelial 16HBE14o - cell line. Of the six materials, rGO1-rGO4 only differed in the carbon-to-oxygen (C/O) content, whereas rGO5 and rGO6 were characterized by different lateral size and number of layers, respectively, but similar C/O content compared with rGO1. The materials were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, laser diffraction and dynamic light scattering, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis. Cytotoxicity (Luminescent Cell Viability and WST-8 assays), the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS; 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate-based assay), the production of cytokines (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays) and genotoxicity (comet and micronucleus assays) were evaluated. Furthermore, the internalization of the materials in the cells was confirmed by laser confocal microscopy. No relationships were found between the C/O ratio or the lateral size and any of the rGO-induced biological effects. However, rGO of higher oxygen content showed higher cytotoxic and early ROS-inducing potential, whereas genotoxic effects were observed with the rGO of the lowest density of oxygen groups. On the other hand, a higher number of layers seems to be associated with a decreased potential for inducing cytotoxicity and ROS production.

Pharmacokinetics of Vancomycin among Patients with Chemotherapy-Associated Febrile Neutropenia: Which Would Be the Best Dosing to Obtain Appropriate Exposure?

Previous research has determined that the required doses for treating febrile neutropenia with vancomycin are higher than the doses used conventionally. These recommendations have been made considering pharmacotherapeutic goals based on minimum concentration (Cmin) between 15-20 mg/L. This study was developed to evaluate dose recommendations based on the achievement of a target consisting of ratio of area under the curve over minimum inhibitory concentration (AUC24h/MIC) ≥400 in this population of individuals. This study was conducted in a referral hospital for cancer treatment, study participants received vancomycin doses of 1g every 12 h in 2-4-h infusions. Vancomycin was described by a two-compartment pharmacokinetic model with clearance dependent on the estimated glomerular filtration rate. Simulations were performed taking into account a reduced version of the model to establish the influence of controllable and non-controllable variables on the probability of achieving several PK-PD targets. A dose of 2.5g/day in patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 80 and 122mL/min/1.73m2 was adequate to achieve the pharmacotherapeutic target. A discrepancy was found between AUC-based and Cmin-based PK/PD indices, the former being affected by the dose and creatinine clearance while the latter highly influenced by the interval between doses.

Caracterización de las lesiones compresivas de la vía visualanterior / Characterization of Compressive Lesions of the Anterior VisualPathway

Objetivo: Determinar las características clínico-epidemiológicas de los pacientes diagnosticados con lesiones compresivas de la vía visual anterior. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal durante el período comprendido entre mayo de 2018 y marzo de 2020 con 41 pacientes con diagnóstico de síndrome compresivo de la vía visual anterior atendidos en el Servicio de Neuroftalmología del Instituto Cubano de Oftalmología "Ramón Pando Ferrer". Resultados: La mayor frecuencia en cuanto a síntomas fue la disminución progresiva de la visión central. Se encontraron lesiones de tipo tumoral en 39 pacientes para el 95,1 por ciento. Los defectos hemianópticos se detectaron en el campo visual del 45 por ciento de la muestra y el 33 por ciento presentó disminución difusa de la sensibilidad retiniana. Conclusiones: La mayoría de los pacientes fueron del sexo femenino en edades medias de la vida. Predominaron las lesiones tumorales sobre las vasculares. Los macroadenomas de hipófisis y los meningiomas fueron las etiologías más frecuentes y el sitio de compresión más encontrado fue el quiasma óptico. Se detectó disminución del grosor del complejo de células ganglionares maculares en la tomografía de coherencia óptica de la mayoría de los enfermos(AU)

Objective: To determine the clinical-epidemiological characteristics of patients diagnosed with compressive lesions of the anterior visual pathway. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted during the period from May 2018 to March 2020 with 41 patients diagnosed with compressive syndrome of the anterior visual pathway attended at the Neurophthalmology Service of the Cuban Institute of Ophthalmology "Ramón Pando Ferrer". Results: The most frequent symptom was the progressive decrease of central vision. Tumor type lesions were found in 39 patients for 95.1 percent. Hemianoptic defects were detected in the visual field of 45 percent of the sample and 33 percent presented diffuse decrease of retinal sensitivity. Conclusions: The majority of patients were female at middle ages of life. Tumor lesions predominated over vascular lesions. Pituitary macroadenomas and meningiomas were the most frequent etiologies and the most frequent site of compression was the optic chiasm. Decreased thickness of the macular ganglion cell complex was detected in the optical coherence tomography of most of the patients(AU)

Chagas disease reactivation after autologous stem cell transplant. Case report and literature review / Reactivación de la enfermedad de Chagas después de trasplante autólogo de progenitores hematopoyéticos. Reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura

Introduction: Chagas disease is an endemic parasitic infection in Latin America transmitted by triatomines. It is associated with risk factors such as poverty and rurality. After acute infection, a third of patients will present target organ involvement (heart, digestive tract, central nervous system). The remaining two thirds remain asymptomatic throughout their life. Pharmacological immunosuppression breaks the balance between the immune system and the parasite, favoring its reactivation. Clinical case: We present the case of a 58-year-old man from a Colombian rural area with a diagnosis of multiple myeloma refractory to the first line of treatment who required a new chemotherapy scheme and consolidation with autologous stem cell transplant. During the post-transplant period, he suffered from febrile neutropenia. Initial microbiological studies were negative but the peripheral blood smear evidenced trypomastigotes in blood. With a diagnosis of acute Chagas disease in a post-transplant patient, benznidazole was started. The evolution of the patient was satisfactory. Conclusions: Positive serology prior to transplantation makes it necessary to rule out reactivation of the pathology in the setting of febrile neutropenia. More studies are required to determine tools for estimating the probability of reactivation of the disease and defining the best cost-risk-benefit relation for the prophylactic therapy.

Introducción. La enfermedad de Chagas es una parasitosis endémica en Latinoamérica transmitida por triatominos. Está asociada a factores de riesgo como la pobreza y la ruralidad. Después de la infección aguda, un tercio de los pacientes presenta compromiso del corazón, el aparato digestivo o el sistema nervioso central, en tanto que los dos tercios restantes no presentan este tipo de compromiso secundario. La inmunosupresión farmacológica rompe el equilibrio entre el sistema inmunitario y el parásito, lo cual favorece su reactivación. Caso clínico. Se presenta el caso de un hombre de 58 años procedente de un área rural colombiana, con diagnóstico de mieloma múltiple resistente a los fármacos de primera línea de tratamiento, que requirió un nuevo esquema de quimioterapia y consolidación con trasplante autólogo de células madre. Después del trasplante, presentó neutropenia febril. Los estudios microbiológicos iniciales fueron negativos. En el frotis de sangre periférica, se demostraron tripomastigotes y se diagnosticó enfermedad de Chagas aguda posterior al trasplante. Se inició el tratamiento con benznidazol. La evolución del paciente fue satisfactoria. Conclusiones. La serología positiva para Chagas previa a un trasplante obliga a descartar la reactivación de la enfermedad en caso de neutropenia febril. Se requieren más estudios para determinar las herramientas que permitan estimar la probabilidad de reactivación de la enfermedad y decidir sobre la mejor opción de relación entre costo, riesgo y beneficio de la terapia profiláctica.

Polyelectrolyte-Assisted Dispersions of Reduced Graphite Oxide Nanoplates in Water and Their Gas-Barrier Application.

Dispersion of graphene and related materials in water is needed to enable sustainable processing of these 2D materials. In this work, we demonstrate the capability of branched polyethylenimine (BPEI) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) to stabilize reduced graphite oxide (rGO) dispersions in water. Atomic force microscopy colloidal probe measurements were carried out to investigate the interaction mechanisms between rGO and the polyelectrolytes (PEs). Our results show that for positive PEs, the interaction appears electrostatic, originating from the weak negative charge of graphene in water. For negative PEs, however, van der Waals forces may result in the formation of a PE shell on rGO. The PE-stabilized rGO dispersions were then used for the preparation of coatings to enhance gas barrier properties of polyethylene terephthalate films using the layer-by-layer self-assembly. Ten bilayers of rGOBPEI/rGOPAA resulted in coatings with excellent barrier properties as demonstrated by oxygen transmission rates below detection limits [<0.005 cm3/(m2 day atm)]. The observed excellent performance is ascribed to both the high density of the deposited coating and its efficient stratification. These results can enable the design of highly efficient gas barrier solutions for demanding applications, including oxygen-sensitive pharmaceutical products or flexible electronic devices.

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Cefepime in Adults with Hematological Malignancies and Febrile Neutropenia after Chemotherapy.

Patients with chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia (CIFN) may have changes in the pharmacokinetics (PK) compared to patients without malignancies or neutropenia. Those changes in antibiotic PK could lead to negative outcomes for patients if the therapy is not adequately adjusted to this. In this, open-label, non-randomized, prospective, observational, and descriptive study, a PK model of cefepime was developed for patients with hematological neoplasms and post-chemotherapy febrile neutropenia. This study was conducted at a cancer referral center, and study participants were receiving 2 g IV doses of cefepime every 8 h as 30-min infusions. Cefepime PK was well described by a two compartment model with a clearance dependent on a serum creatinine level. Using Monte Carlo simulations, it was shown that continuous infusions of 6g q24h could have a good achievement of PK/PD targets for MIC levels below the resistance cut-off point of Enterobacteriaceae. According to the simulations, it is unnecessary to increase the daily dose of cefepime (above 6 g daily) to increase the probability of target attainment (PTA). Cumulative fraction of response (CFR) using interment dosing was suboptimal for empirical therapy regimens against K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa, and continuous infusions could be used in this setting to maximize exposure. Patients with high serum creatinine levels were more likely to achieve predefined PK/PD targets than patients with low levels.

Aneurisma de la arteria carótida interna como lesión compresiva de la vía visual / Internal carotid artery aneurysm as a compressive lesion of the visual pathway

El diagnóstico temprano de las lesiones compresivas del nervio óptico adquiere cada vez mayor importancia. La descompresión precoz de este o del quiasma puede resultar una mejora significativa de la función visual, mientras que el diagnóstico erróneo puede ocasionar pérdida visual irreversible, disfunción neurológica o la muerte. Las causas de la compresión de la vía visual anterior son increíblemente variadas. Los meningiomas, los tumores hipofisarios y los aneurismas son las lesiones comúnmente más identificadas como causa de neuropatía óptica compresiva sin edema del disco. Presentamos una paciente femenina de 50 años de edad, quien se sometió a la cirugía de catarata congénita del ojo izquierdo, sin mejoría de la función visual, a lo que se sumó el empeoramiento inespecífico de la calidad visual. La psicofísica visual, la campimetría automatizada y la tomografía de coherencia óptica aportaron hallazgos sugestivos de compresión de la vía visual intracraneal. Se indicó imagen por resonancia magnética de cráneo y órbitas para confirmar la sospecha diagnóstica. La angiografía cerebral demostró la presencia de un aneurisma de la arteria carótida interna, que se trató por vía endovascular con resultados satisfactorios(AU)

The importance of early diagnosis of compressive lesions of the optic nerve is on the increase. Timely decompression of the optic nerve or the optic chiasm may bring about significant visual function improvement, whereas erroneous diagnosis may result in irreversible visual loss, neurological dysfunction or death. The causes of compression of the anterior visual pathway are incredibly varied. Meningiomas, pituitary tumors and aneurysms are the lesions most commonly identified as causes of compressive optic neuropathy without disc edema. A case is presented of a female 50-year-old patient undergoing congenital cataract surgery of her left eye without visual function improvement, alongside unspecific visual quality worsening. Visual psychophysical testing, automated campimetry and optical coherence tomography contributed findings suggestive of intracranial visual pathway compression. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and orbits was indicated to confirm the diagnostic suspicion. Cerebral angiography revealed the presence of an internal carotid artery aneurysm which was treated by endovascular procedure with satisfactory results(AU)

Comparison of biological activities of Tityus pachyurus venom from two Colombian regions

Abstract Background: In the present study, we have tested whether specimens of the medically relevant scorpion Tityus pachyurus, collected from two climatically and ecologically different regions, differ in the biological activities of the venom. Methods: Scorpions were collected in Tolima and Huila, Colombia. Chemical profiles of the crude venom were obtained from 80 scorpions for each region, using SDS-PAGE and RP-HPLC. Assays for phospholipase A2, direct and indirect hemolytic, proteolytic, neuromuscular, antibacterial, and insecticidal activities were carried out. Results: The electrophoretic profiles of venom from the two regions showed similar bands of 6-14 kDa, 36-45 kDa, 65 kDa and 97 kDa. However, bands between 36 kDa and 65 kDa were observed with more intensity in venoms from Tolima, and a 95 kDa band occurred only in venoms from Huila. The chromatographic profile of the venoms showed differences in the intensity of some peaks, which could be associated with changes in the abundance of some components between both populations. Phospholipase A2 and hemolytic activities were not observable, whereas both venoms showed proteolytic activity towards casein. Insecticidal activity of the venoms from both regions showed significant variation in potency, the bactericidal activity was variable and low for both venoms. Moreover, no differences were observed in the neuromuscular activity assay. Conclusion: Our results reveal some variation in the activity of the venom between both populations, which could be explained by the ecological adaptations like differences in feeding, altitude and/or diverse predator exposure. However more in-depth studies are necessary to determine the drivers behind the differences in venom composition and activities.

Comparison of biological activities of Tityus pachyurus venom from two Colombian regions

Background: In the present study, we have tested whether specimens of the medically relevant scorpion Tityus pachyurus, collected from two climatically and ecologically different regions, differ in the biological activities of the venom. Methods: Scorpions were collected in Tolima and Huila, Colombia. Chemical profiles of the crude venom were obtained from 80 scorpions for each region, using SDS-PAGE and RP-HPLC. Assays for phospholipase A2, direct and indirect hemolytic, proteolytic, neuromuscular, antibacterial, and insecticidal activities were carried out. Results: The electrophoretic profiles of venom from the two regions showed similar bands of 6-14 kDa, 36-45 kDa, 65 kDa and 97 kDa. However, bands between 36 kDa and 65 kDa were observed with more intensity in venoms from Tolima, and a 95 kDa band occurred only in venoms from Huila. The chromatographic profile of the venoms showed differences in the intensity of some peaks, which could be associated with changes in the abundance of some components between both populations. Phospholipase A2 and hemolytic activities were not observable, whereas both venoms showed proteolytic activity towards casein. Insecticidal activity of the venoms from both regions showed significant variation in potency, the bactericidal activity was variable and low for both venoms. Moreover, no differences were observed in the neuromuscular activity assay. Conclusion: Our results reveal some variation in the activity of the venom between both populations, which could be explained by the ecological adaptations like differences in feeding, altitude and/or diverse predator exposure. However more in-depth studies are necessary to determine the drivers behind the differences in venom composition and activities.(AU)

Reporte de caso: Presentación clínica e importancia de coinfecciones durante pandemia por COVID-19 en pacientes con neoplasias malignas / Case report: Clinical presentation and importance of coinfections during the COVID-19 pandemic in patients with malignant neoplasms

Resumen El nuevo coronavirus (ahora llamado SARS-CoV2) descubierto en China, se convirtió en pandemia en menos de tres meses. Pacientes infectados por SARS-CoV-2 presentan síntomas de fiebre, disnea, linfopenia, anosmia, disgeusia y cambios radiográficos pulmonares en vidrio esmerilado. La presentación clínica oscila en enfermedad leve a falla respiratoria, choque y disfunción multiorgánica. Se informan los dos primeros casos de pacientes con cáncer y diagnóstico de Covid19 con coinfección en el Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, ESE.

Abstract The new coronavirus (now called SARS-CoV2) discovered in China became a pandemic in less than three months. Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 present symptoms of fever, dyspnea, lymphopenia, anosmia, dysgeusia, and ground-glass opacity in chest computed tomography. The clinical presentation ranges from mild disease to respiratory failure, shock, and multi-organ failure. The first two cases of patients with cancer and diagnosis of Covid-19 with co-infections are reported at Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, ESE.

Hemorragia peripapilar subretinal profunda como complicación asociada a drusen de nervio óptico / Deep subretinal peripapillary bleeding as a complication associated to optic nerve drusen

RESUMEN Los drusen de nervio óptico fueron descritos por primera vez por Liebreich en el año 1868. Otros términos para designar esta entidad incluyen cuerpos hialinos y cuerpos coloides del disco óptico. Tienen una prevalencia de 1 por 500 y el 60 por ciento de los casos se encuentran profundos en la cabeza del nervio óptico. La patogenia primaria de los drusen puede ser una displasia hereditaria del canal óptico del disco óptico y su vasculatura, lo que predispone a la formación de estos. La evolución natural de los drusen es un proceso dinámico que transcurre durante toda la vida. Entre las complicaciones asociadas se presentan defectos de campo visual, pérdida de visión central (rara pero bien documentada), neuropatía óptica isquémica, oclusiones vasculares retinales, pérdidas transitorias de la visión, neovascularización subretinal peripapilar, corioretinopatia serosa central peripapilar y hemorragias pre y peripapilares. Se presenta una paciente de 64 años de edad con antecedente de haber sido operada de desprendimiento de retina del ojo izquierdo, y en el ojo derecho presentaba una hemorragia peripapilar subretinal profunda asociada a drusen(AU)

ABSTRACT Optic nerve drusens were first described by Liebreich in the year 1868. Other terms to designate this condition are optic disc hyaline bodies and colloid bodies. They have a prevalence of 1 per 500 and 60 percent of the cases occur deep in the optic nerve head. The primary pathogenesis of drusens may be an inherited dysplasia of the optic canal of the disc and its vasculature, which leads to their formation. The natural evolution of drusens is a lifelong dynamic process. Associated complications include visual field defects, central vision loss (rare but well documented), ischemic optic neuropathy, retinal vascular occlusion, transient sight loss, peripapillary subretinal neovascularization, central serous peripapillary chorioretinopathy, and pre- and peripapillary bleeding. A case is reported of a 64-year-old female patient with a history of surgery for retinal detachment of the left eye. In the right eye the patient presented deep peripapillary subretinal bleeding associated to drusen(AU)

Incidencia de mutaciones genéticas en pacientes con cáncer de mama y ovario con patrón de origen hereditario / Incidence of genetic mutations in patients with breast cancer and ovarian cancer with hereditary pattern

Resumen OBJETIVO: Determinar las mutaciones genéticas en el cáncer de mama de patrón hereditario y demostrar si existe alguna asociación significativa entre las más comunes en población mexicana y el riesgo de padecerlo. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal y observacional efectuado en el Hospital Ángeles México en coordinación con el Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica. Criterios de inclusión: pacientes con cáncer de mama y uno o más familiares de primer grado afectados por esta enfermedad y pacientes con cáncer de ovario. Criterios de exclusión: pacientes sin antecedentes de cáncer de mama ni ovario, o con algún familiar en el protocolo. Se empleó la técnica de rearreglos en placas RT2 Profiler para Master-Mix Quantinova probe PCR kit. Para el análisis estadístico se utilizó el programa SPSS versión 22 y Epi Info versión 7. RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 39 pacientes con edad promedio de 53.2 ± 12.1 años. Los receptores de progesterona y estrógeno no mostraron diferencia entre grupos. Hubo mayor tendencia para BRCA1. Al estudiar las mutaciones con significación estadística, en las que sobresalieron los casos de BRCA2 versus sin significación y los casos negativos, no hubo diferencia estadística significativa, pero con una tendencia a mayor frecuencia de BCRA1. Al evaluar las estirpes de cáncer de mama y los grados nucleares comparados por edad, los tres grupos de grado nuclear comparados por edad mostraron diferencias. CONCLUSIÓN: Los datos obtenidos muestran que en la población mexicana el gen BRCA2 es el de mayor incidencia de cáncer hereditario, en edad de aparición más temprana y mayor grado nuclear al momento del diagnóstico.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To determine the genetic mutations in hereditary pattern breast cancer and demonstrate whether there is a significant association between the most common in the Mexican population and the risk of suffering it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional and observational study conducted at the Hospital Angeles México in coordination with the National Institute of Genomic Medicine. Inclusion criteria: patients with breast cancer and one or more first-degree relatives affected by this disease and patients with ovarian cancer. Exclusion criteria: patients without a history of breast or ovarian cancer, or with a family member in the protocol. The RT2 Profiler plate rearrangement technique was used for Master-Mix Quantinova probe PCR kit. The SPSS version 22 program and Epi Info version 7 were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: 39 patients with an average age of 53.2 ± 12.1 years were studied. Progesterone and estrogen receptors showed no difference between groups. There was a greater trend for BRCA1. When studying the mutations with statistical significance, in which the cases of BRCA2 versus without significance and the negative cases stood out, there was no significant statistical difference, but with a tendency to higher frequency of BCRA1. When evaluating breast cancer lines and nuclear grades compared by age, the three nuclear grade groups compared by age showed differences. CONCLUSION: The data obtained show that in the Mexican population the BRCA2 gene has a higher incidence in hereditary cancer, at an age of earlier onset and greater nuclear grade at the time of diagnosis.

[General characteristics of medical education in Mexico. A look from medical schools]. / Características generales de la educación médica en México. Una mirada desde las escuelas de medicina.

OBJECTIVE: To know the characteristics of medical education and identify its strengths and weaknesses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A transversal and quantitative study of the characteristics of medical education in 29 medical schools in Mexico was carried out, between April and September 2017. Questionnaire with Likert scale was applied to explore context, regulation, structure, process, results and impact of medical education. Bivariate analysis was performed with a Chi square test and the significance level was equal to or less than 0.05. RESULTS: The political context obtained 64%, economical context 10% and mechanisms of regulation 31%. The educational structure was 61% and the social impact was 93%. CONCLUSIONS: Public policies, regulatory mechanisms and public investment must be strengthened to improve the quality of medical education.

OBJETIVO: Conocer las características de la educación médica e identificar sus fortalezas y debilidades. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio transversal y cuantitativo para conocer las características de la educación médica en 29 escuelas de medicina en México, entre abril y septiembre de 2017. Se utilizó un cuestionario con escala tipo Likert para explorar el contexto, la regulación, la estructura, el proceso, los resultados y el impacto de la educación médica. Se realizó un análisis bivariado con ji cuadrada y una significancia estadística de p igual o menor a 0.05. RESULTADOS: El contexto político obtuvo 64%, el contexto económico 10%, los mecanismos de regulación 31%, la estructura educativa 61% y el impacto social 93%. CONCLUSIONES: Se requiere fortalecer las políticas públicas, la regulación y la inversión pública, para mejorar la calidad de la educación médica.

Características generales de la educación médica en México. Una mirada desde las escuelas de medicina / General characteristics of medical education in Mexico. A look from medical schools

Resumen: Objetivo: Conocer las características de la educación médica e identificar sus fortalezas y debilidades. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal y cuantitativo para conocer las características de la educación médica en 29 escuelas de medicina en México, entre abril y septiembre de 2017. Se utilizó un cuestionario con escala tipo Likert para explorar el contexto, la regulación, la estructura, el proceso, los resultados y el impacto de la educación médica. Se realizó un análisis bivariado con ji cuadrada y una significancia estadística depigual o menor a 0.05. Resultados: El contexto político obtuvo 64%, el contexto económico 10%, los mecanismos de regulación 31%, la estructura educativa 61% y el impacto social 93%. Conclusiones: Se requiere fortalecer las políticas públicas, la regulación y la inversión pública, para mejorar la calidad de la educación médica.

Abstract: Objective: To know the characteristics of medical education and identify its strengths and weaknesses. Materials and methods: A transversal and quantitative study of the characteristics of medical education in 29 medical schools in Mexico was carried out, between April and September 2017. Questionnaire with Likert scale was applied to explore context, regulation, structure, process, results and impact of medical education. Bivariate analysis was performed with a Chi square test and the significance level was equal to or less than 0.05. Results: The political context obtained 64%, economical context 10% and mechanisms of regulation 31%. The educational structure was 61% and the social impact was 93%. Conclusions: Public policies, regulatory mechanisms and public investment must be strengthened to improve the quality of medical education.

Hiperornitinemia con atrofia gyrata de coroides y retina / Hyperornithinemia with gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina

La atrofia gyrata de coroides y retina fue descrita por vez primera por Fuchs en el año 1896 como una entidad clínicamente definida. La deficiencia de la enzima ornitina delta aminotransferasa se hereda de forma autosómica recesiva; resulta en incremento plasmático de las concentraciones de ornitina y se asocia con atrofia gyrata de coroides y retina. Se presenta una paciente de 6 años de edad que es llevada a consulta, ya que en la escuela la maestra notaba mala visión de lejos. En un examen inicial del fondo de ojo el oftalmólogo observó cambios sugestivos de distrofia retiniana. En la oftalmoscopia binocular indirecta se encontraron extensas zonas confluentes de atrofia coroidea por fuera de las arcadas vasculares que respetaban el polo posterior; la mácula impresionaba normal. Se realizó un estudio de tomografía de coherencia óptica en dominio espectral en tomógrafo Spectralis que demostró la presencia de edema macular cistoide en ambos ojos. La determinación de niveles de ornitina en sangre arrojaron niveles muy elevados de este aminoácido (975 µmol/mL). Con todos estos hallazgos se llegó al diagnóstico de hiperornitinemia y atrofia gyrata de coroides y retina. Se indicó tratamiento dietético y vitamina B6 oral a pesar de que no se ha obtenido hasta el momento reducción significativa de los niveles de ornitina en plasma(AU)

Gyrate atrophy of the choroid and the retina was first described by Fuchs as a clinically defined condition in 1896. Human hereditary deficiency of ornithine aminotransferase activity is transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait and results in increased level of plasma ornithine and is associated with gyrate atrophy of the choroid and the retina. A 6-year-old girl was taken to the ophthalmologist’s because of her far poor vision detected by her teacher at the school. In the initial eye fundus examination the ophthalmologist observed some changes indicating retinal dystrophy. The indirect binocular funduscopy revealed extensive areas of choroidal atrophy outside the vascular archades respected the posterior pole whereas the macula impressed as normal. Cystoid macular edema was evident in both eyes according to the results of the optic coherence tomography performed with Spectralis tomograph. The aminoacid analysis revealed high serum ornithine level (975 µmol/mL). The clinical diagnosis of the patient was consistent with hyper-ornithinemia and gyrate atrophy of the choroid and the retina. She was treated with vitamin B6 and dietary supplementation but no significant reduction on her serum ornithine level was observed(AU)

Síndrome de hipermetropía adquirida con pliegues coroideos / Acquired hypermetropia syndrome with choroidal folds

Desde el primer reporte de pliegues coroideos, en el año 1884, el conocimiento sobre su etiología, el mecanismo de producción y su manejo se ha incrementado notablemente. Las causas de los pliegues coroideos abarcan un extenso número de condiciones muy variadas; entre ellas se encuentran los idiopáticos, la hipertensión intracraneana, algunas drogas como el topiramato, las infiltraciones difusas de la coroides por linfomas e hiperplasia linfoide, la hipotonía por contracción de tejido fibrovascular, los tumores coroideos y orbitarios (intraconales y extraconales), entre otras. Se presenta una paciente femenina de 57 años de edad quien acudió por vez primera a la Consulta de Oftalmología en el año 2008 por disminución lenta y progresiva de la agudeza visual de ambos ojos. El examen de fondo de ojo mostró discos ópticos con bordes definidos, buena coloración y presencia de pliegues coroideos radiales al disco en polo posterior de ambos ojos. La refracción arrojó una hipermetropía que fue en aumento en las consultas de seguimiento hasta el presente sin variar el aspecto del fondo de ojo. Se concluye que el caso presenta síndrome de hipermetropía adquirida con pliegues coroideos(AU)

Since the first reported case of choroidal folds in 1884, the understanding of their mechanisms, aetiologies, and management has expanded signally. With ophthalmoscopy, choroidal folds can be appreciated by the light and dark bands observed deep to the retina. While choroidal folds are visible on ophthalmoscopic examination, they are more easily identified using fluorescein angiography. A-scan ultrasound may reveal a shortened axial length. Common B-scan ultrasonographic findings include thickening of the choroid or flattening of the posterior aspect of the globe. Causes of choroidal folds are many, among them are idiophatic, increased intracranial pressure, diffusely infiltrative conditions (lymphomas and benign lymphoid hiperplasia), hypotony, drug induced (an unusual complication of certain medications such as Topiramate), contraction of fibrovascular tissue, choroidal neoplasms and orbital mass lesions (intraconal and extraconal tumours). We report a 57 years old woman who came to ophthalmogy consultation first in 2008 complaning of slowly progressive loss of vision. Fundoscopy showed well defined optic disc with radial choroidal folds of the posterior pole in both eyes. Manifest refraction showed hyperopia that increased in the following visits until the present. Fundoscopy showed not changes. Definitive diagnosis was syndrome of acquired hyperopia with choroidal folds(AU)

NOMAD spectrometer on the ExoMars trace gas orbiter mission: part 2-design, manufacturing, and testing of the ultraviolet and visible channel.

NOMAD is a spectrometer suite on board the ESA/Roscosmos ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, which launched in March 2016. NOMAD consists of two infrared channels and one ultraviolet and visible channel, allowing the instrument to perform observations quasi-constantly, by taking nadir measurements at the day- and night-side, and during solar occultations. Here, in part 2 of a linked study, we describe the design, manufacturing, and testing of the ultraviolet and visible spectrometer channel called UVIS. We focus upon the optical design and working principle where two telescopes are coupled to a single grating spectrometer using a selector mechanism.

Manifestaciones neuroftalmológicas en enfermedades neuroendocrinas / Neurophthalmological findings in neuroendocrine diseases

La neuroftalmología es considerada una especialidad frontera por su vínculo con otras múltiples especialidades médicas, clínicas y quirúrgicas. Los tumores de hipófisis son de tal importancia desde el punto de vista neuroftalmológico que son tratados separadamente en casi todos los textos de la especialidad. El objetivo de la presente revisión es aproximarnos, sobre la base de los conocimientos actuales, a los hallazgos neuroftalmológicos de algunas enfermedades neuroendocrinas, haciendo hincapié en dos temas fundamentales: los adenomas hipofisarios y el síndrome de neoplasias endocrinas múltiples, y demostrar además el importante papel del neuroftalmólogo en estas dos entidades. Quedan aquí evidenciadas las variadas manifestaciones neuroftalmológicas de estas entidades neuroendocrinas, el importante cometido del oftalmólogo en el diagnóstico y el ulterior seguimiento de los pacientes con adenomas hipofisarios, así como lo decisiva que puede resultar su actuación en la identificación de los hallazgos asociados al síndrome de neoplasias endocrinas múltiples tipo 2 B(AU)

Neurophthalmology is considerate frontier speciality because of their relationships with many other medical and surgical specialities. Pituitary tumors are so important from neuro-ophthalmological point of view that they appear as special chapter in text books. Our objective in the present review is to refer the neurophthalmological finfings in two main entities: pituitary adenomas and multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes and to establish the important role of neuro-ophthalmologist in those neuroendocrine conditions. It was proved the diversity of neurophthalmological findings in neuroendocrine entities, the important role of ophthalmologist in diagnosis and pursuance of patients with pituitary adenomas and its peremptory role in screening finding associated to 2 B type multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome(AU)

NOMAD spectrometer on the ExoMars trace gas orbiter mission: part 1--design, manufacturing and testing of the infrared channels.

NOMAD is a spectrometer suite on board ESA's ExoMars trace gas orbiter due for launch in January 2016. NOMAD consists of two infrared channels and one ultraviolet and visible channel allowing the instrument to perform observations quasi-constantly, by taking nadir measurements at dayside and nightside, and during solar occultations. In this paper, the design, manufacturing, and testing of the two infrared channels are described. We focus upon the optical working principle in these channels, where an echelle grating, used as a diffractive element, is combined with an acousto-optical tunable filter, used as a diffraction order sorter.