Antígeno nativo y no nativo para determinar la seroprevalencia de Trypanosoma cruzi en mujeres embarazadas en el estado de Morelos, México / Native and non-native antigen to determine the seroprevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi in pregnant women from the state of Morelos, Mexico

INTRODUCCIÓN: La enfermedad de Chagas es una infección parasitaria crónica sistémica, de importancia global, causada por Trypanosoma cruzi. OBJETIVO: Determinar la prevalencia de anticuerpos contra T cruzi en mujeres embarazadas en el estado de Morelos, México. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se analizaron 1.620 sueros de mujeres embarazadas mediante dos pruebas serológicas: ELISAc (antígeno crudo nativo) y ELISAr (antígeno recombinante, no nativo). Las muestras reactivas se analizaron posteriormente mediante hemaglutinación indirecta (HAI). Se utilizaron dos enfoques de detección, en paralelo (son positivas las muestras reactivas por cualquier método) y en serie (son positivas las muestras confirmadas por HAI). Se evaluaron factores sociodemográficos y de salud asociados a la presencia de anticuerpos contra T. cruzi mediante razones de momios al 95%. RESULTADOS: Se obtuvo una seroprevalencia de 4,87% con el diagnóstico en paralelo y de 0,43% en serie. A partir de los resultados en paralelo las mujeres que fueron atendidas en los hospitales generales de Tetecala y Jojutla tuvieron, respectivamente, 2,2 y 2,0 veces mayor posibilidad de presentar anticuerpos contra T cruzi con respecto a las mujeres que fueron atendidas en el Hospital General de Cuautla. CONCLUSIÓN: La prevalencia de anticuerpos contra T cruzi en mujeres embarazadas en el estado de Morelos fluctuó entre 0,43 y 4,87%, según el antígeno y el abordaje utilizado. Es necesario continuar con la vigilancia de la seroprevalencia de anticuerpos contra T cruzi en mujeres embarazadas en el estado de Morelos, México, con las técnicas de mayor sensibilidad y especificidad disponibles.

BACKGROUND: Chagas disease is a globally important chronic systemic parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. AIM: To determine the prevalence of antibodies against T cruzi in pregnant women from the state of Morelos, México. METHODS: 1,620 sera from pregnant women were analyzed using two serological tests: ELISAc (native crude antigen) and ELISAr (recombinant, non-native antigen). Reactive samples were subsequently analyzed by indirect hemagglutination (IHA). Two detection approaches were used, in parallel (reactive samples by any method are positive) and serial (samples confirmed by IHA are positive). Sociodemographic and health factors associated with the presence of antibodies against T cruzi were evaluated using 95% odds ratios. RESULTS: A seroprevalence of 4.87% was obtained with parallel diagnosis and 0.43% in series. From the parallel results, the women who were attended at the general hospitals of Tetecala and Jojutla had respectively 2.2 and 2.0 times greater chance of presenting antibodies against T cruzi compared to the women who were attended at the General Hospital of Cuautla. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of antibodies against T cruzi in pregnant women from the state of Morelos fluctuated between 0.43 and 4.87%, depending on the antigen and the approach used. It is necessary to continue with the surveillance of the seroprevalence of antibodies against T cruzi in pregnant women from the state of Morelos, Mexico, using the techniques with the highest sensitivity and specificity available.

European Whites May Need Lower Minimum Therapeutic Clozapine Doses Than Those Customarily Proposed.

PURPOSE/BACKGROUND: A nomogram from a British naturalistic study proposed that the clozapine dosing needed to reach a serum concentration of 350 ng/mL ranged from 265 mg/d (female nonsmokers) to 525 mg/d (male smokers). Some European reviews have used these dosing recommendations, which seem greater than what we found in an Italian White sample ranging from 245 mg/d (female nonsmokers) to 299 mg/d (male smokers). Five other published samples of European Whites were added to the Italian sample to estimate clozapine doses recommended for reaching 350 ng/mL. METHODS/PROCEDURES: Average clozapine metabolizers were obtained by eliminating outliers with confounding variables: (1) psychiatric inducers and inhibitors; (2) doses less than 100 mg/d; and (3) when possible, patients with inflammation, obesity, or using oral contraceptives. The study included 1363 average metabolizer European Whites: the Italian sample and 5 new samples. Mean averages that reached serum concentration levels of 350 ng/mL were calculated after stratification by sex and smoking status in each sample. Then, weighted mean averages were obtained by combining the 6 samples. FINDINGS/RESULTS: The estimated weighted mean clozapine dosages ranged from 236 to 368 mg/d (236 mg/d in 218 female nonsmokers, 256 mg/d in 340 male nonsmokers, 357 mg/d in 269 female smokers, and 368 mg/d in 546 male smokers). IMPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: Our recommended dosages are less than those recommended in Europe. Future studies in European Whites need to replicate these recommended doses for average metabolizer patients after sex and smoking stratification and further explore clozapine dosing for those with relevant clinical confounders.

Can interleukin-2 and interleukin-1ß be specific biomarkers of negative symptoms in schizophrenia? / ¿Pueden ser la interleucina-2 y la interleucina-1ß biomarcadores específicos de la sintomatología negativa en la esquizofrenia?

INTRODUCTION: Evidence suggests the existence of cytokine disturbances in patients with schizophrenia but their association with psychopathology is still unclear. The aim of the current study was to determine if pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-2, IL-1ß, IL-1RA) are increased in stable outpatients compared with healthy subjects, and to analyze if they could be specific biomarkers of clinical dimensions in schizophrenia. METHODS: We studied 73 stable outpatients with schizophrenia in their first 10 years of illness and 73 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. An accurate assessment of clinical dimensions (positive, negative, depressive, cognitive) was performed in patients. RESULTS: Only IL-6 levels were significantly increased in patients after controlling for body mass index, waist circumference, smoking, and psychopharmacological treatment, compared with healthy subjects. After adjusting for several confounders, multiple linear regression models identified that Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale negative symptoms, general psychopathology, and global severity are predicted by IL-1ß concentrations, while motivation and pleasure domain of Clinical Assessment Interview for Negative Symptoms and Personal and Social Performance global functioning scores are predicted by IL-2 levels. Cognitive performance, positive, and depressive symptom severity did not correlate with any cytokine. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that IL-6 concentrations are elevated in stable patients with schizophrenia. Whereas IL-2 specifically marks severity of the motivation and pleasure domain of negative symptoms, IL-1ß is not specific to this dimension as it also predicts severity of general and global symptomatology.

Oxidative stress biomarkers and clinical dimensions in first 10 years of schizophrenia. / Biomarcadores de estrés oxidativo y dimensiones clínicas en los 10 primeros años de esquizofrenia.

INTRODUCTION: Several studies have described increased oxidative stress parameters in patients with schizophrenia. The objectives of the current study were to identify potential oxidative stress biomarkers in stable patients during first 10 years of schizophrenia and determine if they are associated with specific clinical dimensions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy-three clinically stable outpatients with schizophrenia and 73 sex and age-matched healthy controls were recruited. Sociodemographic, clinical and biological data were collected at enrollment. Blood biomarkers included homocysteine, the percentage of hemolysis, lipid peroxidation subproducts, and as an antioxidant biomarker, catalase activity in erythrocytes. RESULTS: Comparative analyses after controlling for smoking and metabolic syndrome evidenced a significant increase in catalase activity in patients. Also, lower lipid peroxidation levels showed an association with negative symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, compensatory antioxidant mechanisms might be increased in stable patients with schizophrenia at early stages. Furthermore, there may be an inverse relationship between oxidative stress and negative dimension.

Concentrations in plasma clozapine levels in schizophrenic and schizoaffective patients. / Variaciones en las concentraciones plasmáticas de clozapina en pacientes con esquizofrenia y trastorno esquizoafectivo.

INTRODUCTION: There is great variability in plasma levels of clozapine. The objective of this study is to know the characteristics of patients treated with clozapine and the relationship between them and the variability of plasma levels. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional study of all patients currently treated with clozapine in a Psychiatric Service with a diagnosis of schizophrenic psychosis or schizoaffective disorder. The present study assessed physical situation, psychopathology and functionality of the patients and explored the associations and correlations between clinical variables and plasma levels. RESULTS: We studied 39 patients, predominantly men, with negative and depressive symptoms and cardiovascular risk factors (metabolic syndrome and smoking). Significant variability in dose and even greater in clozapine levels were observed. The levels of clozapine at equal doses/kg of body weight were higher in non-smokers, they had positive correlation with BMI and negative correlation with systolic BP, disruptive behaviors and number of cigarettes consumed. CONCLUSION: Plasma level monitoring clozapine is an important tool to avoid clozapine plasma levels monitoring and minimize undesirable clinical situations (metabolic syndrome, sedation, negative symptoms and functional impairment). It is also important to control the effects of a smoking habit for optimum drug bioavailability.

Translation, Cross-Cultural Adaptation, and Validation of the Lee Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease Symptom Scale in a Brazilian Population.

The Lee Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD) Symptom Scale is a patient-reported instrument developed and validated in English to measure the symptoms and functional impact of cGVHD. This tool has not yet been validated in a Latin American population, however. The Brazil-Seattle Chronic GVHD Consortium conducted a multicenter study at 5 Brazilian institutions to validate the Lee cGVHD Symptom Scale in adults with cGVHD. Study objectives included the translation and validation of the instrument in Brazilian Portuguese and evaluation of the correlation with other quality of life (QoL) tools, including the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy with Bone Marrow Transplant subscale (FACT-BMT). Translation and validation were done according to the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons Outcome Committee guidelines. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to measure construct validity. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's α and intraclass correlation coefficients. Between April 2011 and August 2012, 47 patients with cGVHD based on the 2005 National Institutes of Health criteria (29 males [62%], 18 females [38%]; median age, 48 years; range, 23 to 69 years) were enrolled in this study. The reliability of the Lee cGVHD Symptom Scale was adequate (Cronbach's α = 0.62 to 0.83). The correlations between similar domains of the Lee cGVHD Symptom Scale, SF-36, and FACT-BMT were moderate to high. Our data indicate that the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Lee cGVHD Symptom Scale is valid and reliable and can be used in clinical trials of cGVHD in Brazil.

Systematic depression screening in high-risk patients attending primary care: a pragmatic cluster-randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Systematic screening for depression in high-risk patients is recommended but remains controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of such screening in everyday clinical practice on depression recognition. METHODS: A pragmatic, cluster randomized, controlled study that randomized primary care physicians (PCPs) in Spain either to an intervention or control group. The intervention group (35-PCPs) received training in depression screening and used depression screening routinely for at least 6 months. The control group (34-PCPs) managed depression in their usual manner. Adherence to (1-6; never-very frequently), feasibility (1-4; unfeasible-very feasible), and acceptance (1-5; very poor-very good) of the screening were evaluated. Underrecognition (primary outcome) and undertreatment rates of major depressive disorder (MDD) in the two groups were compared 6 months after randomization in a random sample of 3737 patients assigned to these PCPs using logistic regression adjusting for the clustering effect. RESULTS: No significant differences were found for recognition rates (58.0% vs. 48.1% intervention vs. control; OR [95%CI] 1.40 [0.73-2.68], p = 0.309). The undertreatment rate did not differ significantly either (p = 0.390). The mean adherence to depression screening was 4.4 ± 1.0 ('occasionally'), the mean feasibility was 3.1 ± 0.5 ('moderately feasible'), and the mean acceptance was 4.2 ± 0.6 ('good'). CONCLUSIONS: This research was not able to show effectiveness of the systematic screening for MDD in high-risk patients on depression recognition in primary care. The poor adherence to screening implementation could partially explain the results. These reflect the difficulties of putting into practice the clinical guidelines usually based on interventional research. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01662817.

Functional evaluation indicates physical losses after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a function evaluation of patients before and after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. METHODS: From November 2008 to November 2010, 29 female (58%) and 21 male patients (42%) with median age of 48 years (range: 24-67) were enrolled in this study. Data collection was performed before and after autologous or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Evaluation instruments included the 2-minute walking test to evaluate gait performance with assessment of the oxygen saturation, heart rate and Borg Scale before and after the test; grip strength for strength evaluation, Schober Test for spine mobility testing and maximum and adapted activity scores of the Human Activity Profile questionnaire to test functionality in daily activities. RESULTS: Fifty patients were evaluated at baseline; six did not undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (three died, one refused and two were excluded). Thus 44/50 (88% - 21 allogeneic and 23 autologous) transplantations were performed. Only 33 of the 44 patients (75%) performed evaluations after transplantation (nine died and two were excluded). Of the patients who performed both evaluations, significantly lower values were found in the evaluation after transplantation for the 2-minute walking test (p-value = 0.004), grip strength of both right and left hands (p-value = 0.004 and p-value < 0.0001, respectively), the Schober Test, and maximum and adapted activity scores (p-value < 0.0001). The heart rate was higher (p-value = 0.01) before the 2-minute walking test and oxygen saturation was higher (p-value = 0.02) after. CONCLUSION: Statistical differences indicate functional impairment after transplantation showing physical losses in this population.

A psychosocial assessment interview of candidates for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

There is evidence that psychosocial issues are associated with poorer compliance and higher mortality in the post-transplant period. Thus, psychosocial assessment of candidates for transplantation is an important way of detecting early those patients who are susceptible to developing psychiatric symptoms and psychosocial difficulties during treatment. We developed a psychosocial structured interview to assess candidates for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The interview is a short and comprehensible instrument, requiring an average of 50 minutes to be completed.

Manual del inspector sanitario de alimentos / En

En este manual se esbozan técnicas, procedimientos, recomendaciones y normas que por regla general, constituyen buenas practicas sanitarias y de fabricacionen la industria, el almacenamiento, el transporte y el expendio de alimentos.(au)

Manual del manipulador de alimentos / En

El presente manual tiene por objeto facilitar un instrumento didacti con los conocimientos básicos para que los inspectores junto a otros profesionales del campo de la inocuidad alimentaria asi como maestros y líderes comunitarios, coayuben en la educacion de los manipuladores de toda la cadena alimentaria.(au)

Myxoma of the mitral valve

Only rarely do myxomas originate from the mitral valve. This is the report of a 49-year-old woman presenting with congestive heart failure. The diagnosis of an intracardiac tumor involving the anterior cuspid of the mitral valve was mode by transesophageal echocardiography. The patient underwent surgery for tumor resection and plasty of the valve was made with reconstruction and preservation of the valve. The diagnosis of myxoma was confirmed by histology. This is the 23rd case of myxoma of the mitral valve reported in the literature.

Estenose valvar aórtica: influência do sexo sobre a geometria e funçäo ventricular esquerda em pacientes abaixo de 70 anos / Aortic stenosis: gender influence on left ventricular geometry and function in patients under 70 years of age

Objetivo - Verificar-se as características adaptativas do ventrículo esquerdo (VE), também, estão presentes em indivíduos < 70 anos, com estenose valvar aórtica grave (EA). Métodos - Estudamos 40 pacientes consecutivos,<70 anos de idade, com EA, sem doença arterial coronariana, encaminhados à cirurgia, sendo 22 homens e 18 mulheres, (idade de 49,8+14,3 anos). Foram coligidos os sintomas cardíacos, presença de hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS), classe funcional de acordo com a NYHA e a etiologia do EA. Ao Dopplerecocardiograma foram estudados as dimensões cavitárias, a fração de ejeção (FE) e fração de encurtamento cavitário (FEC), massa (MS) e espessura diastólica relativa (EDR) do VE. Resultados - Quatorze homens e 11 mulheres estavam em CF III/IV (p=0,70). A freqüência de sintomas foi igual em ambos os sexos. Havia mais mulheres com HAS do que nos homens (10 contra 2, p=0,0044). As mulheres apresentaram menor índice de diâmetro diastólico final do VE (32,1+6,5 x 36,5+5,3 mm/m2, p=0,027), de diâmetro sistólico final (19,9+5,9 x 26,5+6,4mm/m2, p=0,0022) e MS (211,4+71,1 x 270,9+74,9g/m2, p=0,017) A FE (66,2+13,4 x 52,0+14,6 por cento, p=0,0032), FEC (37,6+10,7 x 27,9+9,6 por cento, p=0,0046) e EDR (0,58+0,22 x 0,44+0,09), p=0,0095) eram significativamente maiores nas mulheres. Conclusão - É o sexo e não a idade dos pacientes que influi na resposta adaptativa do VE à EA.

Hernia discal lumbar: correlación diagnóstica y evolución posoperatoria / Lumbar disk herniation: diagnostic correlation and postoperative evolution / Hernie lombo-discale: corrélation diagnostique et évolution post-opératoire

Se realizó un trabajo de correlación entre el diagnóstico clínico, el diagnóstico por complementarios (rayos X simple, TAC y mielografía) y los hallazgos transoperatorios de 100 pacientes operados por hernia discal lumbar en el Servicio de Ortopedia del Hospital General Docente "Comandante Pinares" de San Cristóbal, en el período decenal entre 1985 y 1994 (ambos inclusive). Se comprobó una alta correlación entre el diagnóstico clínico y el diagnóstico transoperatorio, una correlación adecuada entre el diagnóstico por TAC y mielografía, y también una correlación menos confiable por radiografía simple; asimismo se comprobó que los resultados finales del tratamiento quirúrgico en nuestra casuística sólo son totalmente alentadores en 1 de cada 2 pacientes, lo que reafirma el concepto de operar únicamente a pacientes en los que haya fracasado el tratamiento incruento.

The correlation existing between the clinical diagnosis, the diagnosis by complementary tests (simple X-ray, CAT and myelography) and the transoperative findings of 100 patients operated on of lumbar disc herniation at the Orthopedics Service of the "Comandante Pinares" General Teaching Hospital, in San Cristóbal, from 1985 to 1994 (including both), is apporached in this paper. It was found a high correlation between the clinical diagnosis and the transoperative diagnosis, and adequate correlation between the diagnosis by CAT and myelography, and a less reliable correlation by simple X-ray. It was also proved that the final results of the surgical treatment in our casuistics are completely encouraging in only 1 out of 2 patients, which reaffirms the concept of operating on just when the bloodless treatment fails.

Un travail de corrélation entre le diagnostic clinique, le diagnostic par complémentaires (rayons X simple, TAC et myélographie) et les trouvailles trans-opératoires de 100 patients opérés, dû à une hernie lombo-discale, dans le Service d´orthopédie de l´hôpital général universitaire "Comandante Pinares" de San Cristóbal, a étéréalisé entre 1985 et 1994 (tous les deux ans y compris). La hautecorrélation entre le diagnostic clinique et le diagnostic trans-opératoire, une corrélation adéquate entre le diagnostic par TAC et par myélographie, et aussi une corrélation moins fiable par radiographie simple sont été constatées; de même qu´on a vérifié que les résultats finals du traitement chirurgical dans notre experience ne sont que tout à fait encourageants en 1 patient sur 2, réaffirmant le concept de n´opérer que des patients chez lesquels le traitement non sanglant ait échoué.

Resultados terapéuticos en la osteoartritis de la rodilla en infiltraciones de ozono / Therapeutic results in the knee osteoarthritis with ozone infiltrations

Se realizó un estudio de 126 pacientes con osteoartrtis de la rodilla, diagnosticados en el Servicio de Ortopedia y Traumatología del Hospital General Docente "Comandante Pinares" de San Cristóbal, Pinar del Río, a los que se les realizaron infiltraciones intraarticulares con ozono una vez por semana como único tratamimento. Entre los resultados obtenidos después de aplicar el patrón evaluativo previamente diseñado, se encontró que se obtuvo mejoría clínica subjetiva en el 81,7 porciento de los casos, con un promedio de 4 infiltraciones, suficientes para resolver los problemas de la mayoría de los pacientes y con ausencia total de complicaciones, lo que hace un método valedero en la solución de este problema de salud. Se destaca el ahorro sustancial de medicamentos deficitarios, que son sustituidos por el gas cuyo costo es ínfimo, así como la satisfacción de la población al ver sus síntomas mediante un proceder sencillo

Frecuencia de la enfermedad inflamatoria pélvica en una consulta ginecológica / Frequency of the inflammatory pelvic disease in a gynecologic consult

Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo con el objetivo de establecer la frecuencia de enfermedades inflamatorias pélvica en el Hospital Dr. Luis E. Aybar, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana, en el período 1-1-1989-31-12-1992, teniendo como fuente de datos los expedientes de 450 pacientes ingresados por causas ginecológicas de los cuales 20 fueron diagnosticados con enfermedad inflamatoria pélvica (E.I.P. para un 4.4//) el grupo etáreo más afectado fue el comprendido entre 30-39 años (40//), la población más afectada fueron las primigestas (45//), el grado de evoluci'on predominante el agudo (55//), el procedimiento diagnóstico más utilizado fue el cultivo (65//), el microorganismo más frecuente fue la Clamyhia Trachomatis (35//), la laparoscopia se hizo en 1 caso (5//) y en ningún caso se hizo biopsia

Cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica na lesão do tronco da coronária esquerda em pacientes acima de 65 anos de idade / Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in Patients Aged 65 Years and Older With Left Main Coronary Artery Disease

PURPOSE--To study the short and long-term follow-up of patients with left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) and age over 65 years, by comparing the results with patients under 65 years-old. METHODS--Twenty-two patients with LMCAD and mean age of 69 +/- 3.5 years (group I) were underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and compared to 31 patients with LMCAD, mean age of 54 +/- 7 years (group II), who also underwent isolated CABG. The life-table Kaplan-Meyer method was used to estimate the post-operative survival. The chi-square and Student "t" test were used when necessary. RESULTS--Despite higher operative mortality in group I (9.1 x 3.2), the difference was statistically not significant. The operative morbidity was similar in both groups. Actuarial survival at 4 years was 85 in group I and 95 in group II. Actuarial survival free of cardiac events was 69 in group II and 75 in group II. CONCLUSION--The CABG is well tolerated and had low morbidity and acceptable mortality in old patients with LMCAD. The long-term survival in these patients was very similar to the younger patients.

Patients with hepatic cirrhosis: altered lymphocyte response to mitogens and its relation with plasmatic zinc, albumin and transferrin

Patients with alchoholic hepatic cirrhosis have a higher predisposition to acquiring infections than healthy individuals, suggesting an alteration in the immune system. They also exhibit an important decrease in certain plasmatic constituents such as zinc, albumin, and transferrin which are involved in the normal immune response. The blastoid transformation of lymphocites stimulated in vitro with phytohemaglutinin M and P in patients with alcoholic hepatic cirrhosis was studied and the results were correlated with the plasmatic constitutents aforementioned. The rate of blastoid transformation was significantly lower (p<.001) in these patients when compared to the control group, but did not correlate directly with the concentration of zinc, albumin, transferrin or circulating globulins. Patients' plasma significantly inhibited the response of normal cells to stimulation with phytohemaglutinin and Concanavalin A; nevertheless, the blastoid transformation of lymphocytes in these patients was not restored to normal levels when incubated with control plasma