Interval gastric cancer: A call to attentiveness and action.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Endoscopy is the most effective method for identifying gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC). Interval gastric cancer (IGC) is GAC that is diagnosed 2-3 years after a normal endoscopy. Its characteristics are unknown in the Colombian environment. The clinical, histopathologic, and endoscopic characteristics were evaluated, along with the presentation rate, proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use, and IGC survival rate, and compared with other types of GAC. METHODS: A retrospective, analytic study was conducted on a prospective cohort. It evaluated 513 patients with GAC treated at our institution, within the time frame of January 2012 and June 2018. The patients had endoscopic diagnosis of GAC and endoscopy within the past three years that was negative for tumor. RESULTS: A total of 513 patients diagnosed with GAC were evaluated. Forty-two of the patients had IGC (8.2%): 9 early lesions and 33 advanced lesions (79%). The IGCs were smaller (31 vs. 41 mm; P < .01), as well as flatter and more depressed (P < .01). There was no association with PPI use, but there was an association with a history of gastrectomy and anastomosis (P = .02), as well as the absence of red flags (P < .003). The most frequent locations were the gastric body (52%) and the antrum (26%). Overall two-year survival was similar between IGC and GAC (37.1 vs. 39.3%, P = .72). CONCLUSION: A total of 8.2% of recently diagnosed GAC were cases of IGC. The presence of anastomosis and the absence of red flags were related to IGC. Overall survival was poor and there were no differences from the other types of GAC detected.

Narcolepsy and opioid-free anesthesia: a review and case report. / Narcolepsia y anestesia libre de opioides: revisión y caso clínico.

INTRODUCTION: Narcolepsy is the second most common sleep disorder. It is characterised by excessive daytime sleepiness together with other symptoms such as cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations. The pathophysiology and treatment of this disease, together with its associated syndromes, can severely interfere with anaesthesia. METHODOLOGY: Due to the lack of quality evidence on which to base a high grade of recommendation for anaesthesia in these patients, we performed a non-systematic, narrative review of the literature in Pubmed. We used the descriptors narcolepsy, anesthesia, surgery, perioperative, opioid, obstructive, apnea and sleep both individually and with AND and OR connectors. CONCLUSION: The recommendation to avoid opioids and the stability of opioid-free anaesthesia (OFA) make this approach an option to consider in these patients. We describe a case in which it was used safely.

Encefalitis amebiana granulomatosa por Amebas de Vida Libre en un paciente pediátrico / Granulomatous amoebic encephalitis due to free-living amebas in a pediatric patient

Introducción: Las amebas de vida libre (AVL) Naegleria fowleri, Acanthamoeba spp., Balamuthia mandrillaris, son protozoos ampliamente distribuidos en la naturaleza. Son microorganismos oportunistas, que afectan preferentemente al sistema nervioso central causando cuadros de meningoencefalitis amebiana primaria o de encefalitis granulomatosa amebiana (EGA), ambas patologías de alta mortalidad. Descripsión del Caso: Paciente femenina de 10 años, que ingresa a nuestro hospital por presentar hemiparesia braquiocrural izquierda, vómitos y cefalea de 72 horas de evolución. Se realiza tomografía computada y Resonancia Magnética en la que se identifica una lesión expansiva, sólido-quística ubicada en la región fronto derecha. Se realiza exéresis completa de la misma y se implementa tratamiento farmacológico lográndose la restitución ad-integrum de la función motora y la resolución de la EGA a 30 meses de seguimiento. Discusión: La encefalitis granulomatosa amebiana es una patología causada por amebas de vida libre. Su presentacíon clínica puede ser indistinguible de otras causas de leptomeningitis o encefalitis, como las de origen bacteriano, viral o por micobacterias lo que impide conocer su real incidencia. Su tratamiento antiparasitario es muy complejo y su evolución es habitualmente fatal. Conclusión: Reportamos un caso de Encefalitis Amebiana Granulomatosa en una paciente pediátrica inmunocompetente, con excelente evolución.

Introduction: Free-living amoebas (FLA) Naegleria fowleri, Acanthamoeba spp., and Balamuthia mandrillaris, are protist widely distributed in nature. Are opportunistic microorganisms, preferentially affect the central nervous system causing primary amoebic meningoencephalitis or amoebic granulomatous encephalitis (AGE), both with high mortality. Case report: A 10 year-old female patient was admitted with a three-day history of left hemiparesis accompanied with headaches and vomiting. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance were performed, in which an expansive solid cystic mass was observed in the right fronto-parietal region. Complete resection was performed and pharmacological treatment was started, achieving complete restitution of motor function and resolution of AGE after 30 months of follow-up. Discussion: AGE is a desease caused by free-living amoebas. Its clinical presentation is similar to other leptomeningitis or encephalitis of different etiology such as bacterial, viral or by mycobacterial, which cannot know its real incidence. Its pharmacological treatment is complex and its evolution is usually fatal. Conclusion: We report a case of Amoebic Granulomatous Encephalitis in an immunocompetent pediatric patient with good outcome.

Granuloma Anular diseminado: a propósito de un caso / Disseminated annular granuloma: on the purpose of a case

RESUMEN El granuloma anular es un trastorno relativamente frecuente, se desconoce la prevalencia exacta, tiene mayor frecuencia en niños y adultos jóvenes. Se caracteriza por pequeñas pápulas agrupadas, en configuración anular, a menudo con distribución simétrica y acra. La mayor parte los casos se resuelve en forma espontánea dentro de los 2 años, pero la tasa de recidivas es del 40%. Presentamos el caso clínico de una paciente de 72 años de edad con granuloma anular diseminado, tratado con pentoxifilina, con buen resultado terapéutico.

ABSTRACT Annular granuloma is a relatively frequent disorder, the exact prevalence is unknown, it is more frequent in children and young adults. It is characterized by small grouped papules, in annular configuration, often with symmetric and acrid distribution. Most cases resolve spontaneously within 2 years, but the recurrence rate is 40%. We present the clinical case of a 72-year-old patient with disseminated annular granuloma, treated with pentoxifylline, with good therapeutic results.

[Impact of opioid free anaesthesia in bariatric surgery]. / Impacto de la anestesia libre de opioides en cirugía bariátrica.

BACKGROUND: Patients subjected to bariatric surgery present a greater risk of complications due to the use of opioids. The goal is to evaluate the security and suitability of the Opioid Free Anaesthesia (OFA) protocol implemented in the Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria in 2018. METHOD: Prospective study carried out on 38 patients subjected to laparoscopic bariatric surgery under the OFA protocol in the year 2018 at the H.U. Virgen de la Victoria (Málaga, Spain). Variables were gathered to establish haemodynamic control and perioperative pain, which were analysed using Stata v.16. RESULTS: The average age was 43 years, the average body mass index was 48.14 and the average stay in the operating theatre was 178 minutes. Control of hypertensive response following laryngoscopy occurred in 88.1% of the cases. On entering the Post Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU), SpO2 without a supplementary contribution in the transfer showed a median of 97% with p75 = 95%, while the p75 of pain evaluation by means of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was 3, with 68% of patients without pain. On discharge from the PACU, all presented VAS below 4 and it was only necessary to administer a low dose of Pethidine in seven patients. CONCLUSION: The OFA has proved to be secure and achieves optimum pain control. In the reconverted cases, good control of the parameters opens up the possibility of its use in more painful surgeries.

Monitoring anti-Xa levels in patients with cancer-associated venous thromboembolism treated with bemiparin.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between therapeutic (weight-adjusted) dose of bemiparin and anti-Xa activity in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) and cancer in comparison with a cohort of patients with VTE without cancer, and its relationship with outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study that comprised a cohort of patients with cancer-associated VTE and a cohort of non-cancer patients with VTE, all of them treated with bemiparin. The ethics committee approved the study and informed consent was obtained from the patients. RESULTS: One hundred patients were included (52 with cancer and 48 without cancer), with a median follow-up of 9.8 months. Mean anti-Xa activity was 0.89 (± 0.33) UI/mL in oncological patients and 0.83 (± 0.30) UI/mL in non-cancer patients (mean difference - 0.05 95% CI - 0.18; 0.06). A multiple linear regression model showed that anti-Xa peak was associated with the dose/kg independently of possible confounding variables (presence of cancer, age, sex and eGFR-estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate), in a way that for every 1 UI of dose/kg increase, the anti-Xa peak activity increased 0.006 UI/mL (95% CI 0.003; 0.009) (p < 0.001). The predictive capacity of anti-Xa peak in the oncology cohort showed an area under the ROC curve of 0.46 (95% CI 0.24-0.68), 0.70 (95% CI 0.49-0.91) and 0.74 (95% CI 0.44-0.94) for death, first bleeding and recurrence of VTE, respectively, and none was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: In patients with venous thromboembolism treated with bemiparin, anti-Xa levels were not influenced by the presence of cancer.

Choosing a career in oncology: results of a nationwide cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Little information is currently available concerning young medical students desire to pursue a career in oncology, or their career expectations. METHODS: This project is a cross-sectional epidemiological study. A voluntary and anonymous questionnaire was distributed to all young oncologists studying in France between the 2nd of October 2013 and the 23rd of February 2014. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 75.6%. A total of 505 young oncologists completed the questionnaire. The main determining factors in the decision to practice oncology were the cross-sectional nature of the field (70.8%), the depth and variety of human relations (56.3%) and the multi-disciplinary field of work (50.2%). Most residents would like to complete a rotation outside of their assigned region (59.2%) or abroad (70.2%) in order to acquire additional expertise (67.7%). In addition, most interns would like to undertake a fellowship involving care, teaching and research in order to hone their skills (85.7%) and forge a career in public hospitals (46.4%). Career prospects mainly involve salaried positions in public hospitals. Many young oncologists are concerned about their professional future, due to the shortage of openings (40.8%), the workload (52.8%) and the lack of work-life balance (33.4%). CONCLUSIONS: This investigation provides a comprehensive profile of the reasons young oncologists chose to pursue a career in oncology, and their career prospects.

Índice revisado de área y severidad de lupus cutáneo (RCLASI): ¿Qué pudimos observar?: What did we find? / Revised cutaneous lupus erythematosus disease area and severity index (RCLASI)

Objetivos: evaluar la utilidad práctica en nuestro medio del índice revisado de área y severidad del lupus cutáneo (RCLASI). Correlacionar RCLASI con DLQI (índice de calidad de vida dermatológico). Materiales y Métodos: estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal realizado en el Hospital General de Agudos José María Ramos Mejía, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires - Argentina - por dos grupos de observadores divididos según nivel de experiencia en dermatología. Se realizó RCLASI Y DLQI en 12 pacientes con Lupus Eritematoso Cutáneo (LEC). Se evaluó en RCLASI el tiempo requerido, la variabilidad inter-observador y la dificultad del método. Resultados: la media de actividad para el grupo de baja experiencia fue de 11,8 puntos (SD 8,1) y para el de moderada / alta experiencia 12,7 (SD 8). La media de daño para el primer grupo fue 4 (SD 4,7) y para el segundo 4,4 puntos (SD 5,4), respectivamente. El tiempo promedio para ambos grupos fue de 7,76 minutos, siendo para el grupo de baja experiencia 9,79 y para el de moderada / alta 5,73. El método resultó fácil en más del 50% de los casos, independientemente del nivel de experiencia. El 50% de los pacientes no mostró efecto sobre la calidad de vida, 16,5% pequeño efecto, 25% moderado efecto y 8,5% gran efecto. Conclusión: el RCLASI es un método práctico y útil para evaluar todas las formas de LEC. Resulta fácil y expeditivo, pero carece de escala de severidad, lo que fue una limitante para compararlo con DLQI.

Objectives: to assess the practical utility of Revised Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (RCLASI) in our population. To correlate: RCLASI with DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index). Materials and Methods: observational, descriptive and transversal study that was performed in Hospital General de Agudos José María Ramos Mejía, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires - Argentina - by two groups of observers divided by their level of experience in dermatology. RCLASI and DLQI were assessed in 12 patients with Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE). Time spent, inter observer variability and method´s levels of difficulty were evaluated. Results: the mean activity score for the group of low experience was 11,8 (SD 8,1) and for the group of moderate / high experience 12,7 (SD 8). The mean damage score for the former was 4 (SD 4,79) and for the later 4,4 (SD 5,4). The mean time spent by both groups was 7,76 minutes (9,79 minutes mean by the group of low experience and 5,73 by the group of moderate / high experience). The method was considered easy in more than 50% of the cases, independently of the observers´s level of experience. 50% of the patients did not show effect in their quality of life whereas 16,5% showed little effect, 25% mild effect, and 8,5% big effect. Conclusions: RCLASI is a useful and feasible method to evaluate all types of CLE. It’s easy and rapid, however it lacks a severity scale. This later limited its comparison with DLQI.

Melanoma maligno gastrointestinal en paciente albino: a propósito de un caso / Gastrointestinal melanoma in an albino patient: Report of a case

Los albinos tienen predisposición al padecimiento de determinados tipos de cáncer cutáneo, pero el melanoma no es común. Entre los pocos artículos que documentan su aparición en estos pacientes, la afección gastrointestinal por melanoma aparece con relativa frecuencia, ya sea en forma de tumor primario o metástasis. Se presenta el caso de una paciente mujer de 70 años con una lesión gástrica y otra intestinal, detectadas mediante tomografía computada. El estudio anatomopatológico fue compatible con el diagnóstico de melanoma amelanótico. Pese a su escasa incidencia en albinos, el melanoma es una opción que no puede descartarse. Es importante, además, revisar los diferentes componentes del tracto gastrointestinal ante la existencia (o no) de un melanoma primario conocido...

Antiproliferative effect of alkylglycerols as vehicles of butyric acid on colon cancer cells.

The anticarcinogenic activity of synthetic 1-O-octadecyl-2,3-dibutyroilglycerol (D-SCAKG) in tumor-cell line of colonocytes (SW620) was performed. The effect of the previously digested D-SCAKG under in vitro intestinal conditions was compared to the bioactivity of non-digested D-SCAKG. Antiproliferative activity of each individual product from digestion (1-O-octadecyl-2-butyroilglycerol; 1-O-octadecyl glycerol; butyric acid) was also performed. The impact of solubilization of lipid products within micellar structures was also tested. The 1-O-octadecyl glycerol was the most active compound, followed by 1-O-octadecyl-2-butyroilglycerol, D-SCAKG and butyric acid. The 1-O-octadecyl glycerol and butyric acid were the only molecules that showed antiproliferative effect in absence of micelles. Digested D-SCAKG was 4-fold more effective than non-digested D-SCAKG. A synergism between 1-O-octadecyl-2-butyroilglycerol and 1-O-octadecyl glycerol was evidenced. As summary, the synthetic D-SCAKG seems to be an interesting antitumoral lipid against colonocytes, especially after previous intestinal digestion, and mainly due to the synergism of the major products, namely 1-O-octadecyl-2-butyroilglycerol and 1-O-octadecyl glycerol. At the same time, 1-O-octadecyl-2-butyroilglycerol would constitute a stable esterified form of butyric acid for its vehiculization.

Estrategias nutricionales para la competición en el fútbol / Nutritional strategies for soccer playing

Nutritional strategies are one of basic fundaments of performance in sports. In soccer, like in the majority of professional sports, nutritional control of players is very important. This work presents a general proposal of the structure of the diet for training and the competition based in caloric disassociation, to achieve muscular surcharge of carbohydrates. Nutritional strategies based in the disassociation of the diet, according to metabolic needs of the competition and the training have demonstrated a great efficacy in performance improvement of players. Numerous studies report about metabolic needs of soccer during a game and during training. It has been demonstrated than the super-compensation of carbohydrates is the most effective nutritional strategy.

Las estrategias nutricionales son uno de los pilares básicos del rendimiento en el deporte de competición. En el fútbol como en la mayoría de los deportes profesionales, el control nutricional del jugador ha cobrado una gran importancia. En este trabajo se presenta una propuesta general de la estructura de la dieta para el entrenamiento y la competición basada en la disociación calórica buscando una sobrecarga de hidratos de carbono. Estrategias nutricionales basadas en la disociación de principios inmediatos en función de las necesidades metabólicas de la competición y el entrenamiento, se han demostrado eficaces en la mejora del rendimiento de los deportistas. En el fútbol se han reportado numerosos estudios que describen las necesidades metabólicas durante un partido y durante los entrenamientos. La supercompensación de hidratos de carbono es el tipo de estrategia nutricional que ha demostrado ser más eficaz.

Chorioamnion plugging and the risk of preterm premature rupture of membranes after laser surgery in twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) in pregnancies affected by twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) treated with laser photocoagulation where an absorbable gelatin sponge was used as a chorioamnion sealant of the fetoscopic access port. METHOD: A retrospective review was undertaken of consecutive cases undergoing fetoscopic directed laser surgery for TTTS between October 2006 and November 2008 at Texas Children's Fetal Center, in which an absorbable gelatin sponge, used as a chorioamnion 'plug', was placed at the conclusion of the intervention as a possible prophylactic measure to prevent PPROM. We excluded cases that had a failure of plug placement and those in which it was not attempted. PPROM was defined as rupture of membranes before 34 weeks' gestation. A comparison was performed between the PPROM group and a no-PPROM group to determine risk factors and outcomes. RESULTS: Successful plug placement occurred in 79 of 84 cases (94%) in which it was attempted after laser surgery, with a rate of PPROM of 34% in these patients. PPROM occurred at an average gestational age of 26.5 +/- 3.6 weeks, with an average procedure-to-PPROM interval of 5.2 +/- 3.5 weeks. There were no statistically significant differences between the PPROM group and the no-PPROM group in maternal demographics or preoperative parameters including: amniotic fluid volumes in the recipient twin's gestational sac, volume of amnioreduction, and location of the placenta. The procedure-to-delivery interval for the total cohort (n = 79) was 9.2 +/- 4.7 weeks, without a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.08). However, after exclusion of one PPROM outlier, the PPROM group had an average procedure-to-delivery time 2 weeks shorter than the group with no PPROM (P = 0.03). The live birth rates were similar in the PPROM and no-PPROM groups, at 77 and 73%, respectively. However, the average recipient's weight in the PPROM group was significantly lower than in the no-PPROM group (1321 +/- 493 vs. 1705 +/- 576 g; P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The rate of PPROM and the mean gestational age at delivery in pregnancies in which an absorbable gelatin sponge was used as a sealant of the fetoscopic port following laser photocoagulation for TTTS were comparable to those that have been reported by other laser centers where membrane sealants were not used. A randomized controlled trial should be considered to evaluate the effect of chorioamnion plugging.

Management of Stage I twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome: an international survey.

OBJECTIVE: To determine practice patterns for evaluation and treatment of Stage I twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) among international physicians. METHODS: An e-mail cross-sectional survey of members from the IFMSS, NAFTNet and SMFM societies and participants at a Eurofoetus-sponsored TTTS meeting was undertaken between May 2008 and November 2008. Questionnaires consisted of physician demographics and their recommendations for managing Stage I TTTS. Alternative therapies to expectant management were assessed based on the following special circumstances of the patient: residence more than 200 miles from the center, severe symptoms, or a cervical length of

Efecto del Phlebodium Decumanum sobre los cambios en niveles plasmáticos de testosterona y cortisol inducidos por el ejercicio en sujetos no entrenados / Effects of the consumption of Phlebodium Decumanum on plasma cortisol and testosterone levels in subjects participating in an exercise program

Background: Phlebodium Decumanum is a type of fern that could have an immune or stress response modulating action. Aim: To evaluate if the consumption of a preparation obtained from Phlebodium Decumanum, modifies the changes induced by exercise in plasma levels of testosterone and cortisol. Material and methods: Fourteen male subjects aged 22 ± 2 years were randomized to consume Phlebodium Decumanum and 10 subjects, aged 23 ± 1 years were ascribed to consume a placebo. Both groups performed a standard exercise program, three times a week during one month. Plasma free testosterone and cortisol levels were measured before and 48 hours after the last session of the exercise program. Results: Cortisol levels increased significantly from 18.9 ± 6.8 to 26.2 ± 5.9 fig/dl, in the control group. In the group consuming the study product, no changes were detected (20.0 ±4.6 and 20.9 ± 5.9) fig/dl before and after the exercise program, respectively). Plasma free testosterone decreased significantly in both groups from 36.1 ± 11.04 to 20.7 ±4.3 pg/ml in the control group and from 33.7 ± 10.0 pg/ml to 18.6 ± 4.9 pg/ml in study group. Conclusions: The cortisol levels increased significantly in the control group but not in the study group. Therefore we can suggest that consumption of Phlebodium Decumanum would be able to modulate the response of this hormone to physical stress.

Embarazo en la adolescencia y su relación con la deserción escolar / The relationship between teenage pregnancy and school desertion

Background: In Chile, the prevalence of teenage pregnancy is 17 percent. Aim: To assess relationship between adolescent pregnancy and school desertion. Patients and methods: At the Hospital Guillermo Grant Benavente's Departament of Obstetrics and Gynecology, in Concepción, Chile, 2001 a comparative, cross sectional and correlational study was conducted. The study group were pregnant adolescents who deserted from school system, divided in two subgroups: 86 adolescents who deserted before pregnancy and 130 who deserted during pregnancy. Results: Twenty percent of teenagers that deserted from school before pregnancy belonged to a sublevel of poverty, compared with 5 percent of those who deserted during pregnancy. Flunk was frequent in both but higher in girls that deserted before pregnancy (46.5 and 36.9 percent respectively, (p <0.001). Economic problems were the main cause of desertion before pregnancy (27.6 percent). Shame (41.6 percent) and obstetric complications (31.7 percent) were the main reasons for deserting during pregnancy. Seventy percent of adolescents who deserted before pregnancy had no educational, working or recreational activities. The parental educational level of both groups was low. Conclusions: There is a relationship between teenage pregnancy and school desertion. Adolescents who deserted from school before pregnancy are more vulnerable (Rev Méd Chile 2004; 132: 65-70).

Nuevas armas inmunológicas para la medicina del siglo XXI: Terapia biológica basada en el uso de anticuerpos monoclonales de última generación / New immunological weapons for Medicine at XXI century: biological therapy based on the use of last generation monoclonal antibodies

The fusion of a murine B cell and a myeloma cell generates a hybridoma that produces monoclonal antibody (mAb). These murine mAb induce the HAMA (human anti-mouse antibodies) response. Murine mAb have been modified by genetic engineering, producing molecules with a higher proportion of human protein. At present, chimeric, humanized and fully human mAb are available. mAb block interactions between target molecules and their ligands or trigger the lyses of mAb-coated tumor cells. Numerous mAb have been developed using the recombinant DNA technology and several are available in the market. Trastuzumab, against HER2/neu, is useful in breast cancer; rituximab, against CD20 in B lymphocytes is useful in lymphoma; alemtuzumab, against CD52 is used in lymphoma and leukemia; daclizumab and basiliximab block the IL-2 receptor interaction and reduce acute rejection in kidney transplantion; abciximab, an antagonist of GPIIb/IIIa platelet receptor, is used in patients undergoing acute coronary syndromes. In autoimmunity diseases, blocking tumor necrosis factor by infliximab and adalimumab has demonstrated excellent results. Thus, infliximab is useful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis while adalimumab is the first fully human mAb available for RA. Infliximab and adalimumab reduce signs and symptoms in RA and they also interfere with progression of joint damage. Finally, the direct benefits of antagonist treatment can occur at the expense of a major adverse effect in some other biological function (Rev Méd Chile 2003; 131: 1445-53).

Determinación del perfil de ácidos grasos de la secreción de la glándula uropigial de la Coturnix coturnix japonica (codorniz doméstica) / Fatty acids profile determination in the uropygial gland of Coturnix coturnix japonica (domestic quail)

En Colombia no se han realizado estudios sobre la composición y función de la glándula Uropigial en aves, lo que motivó a desarrollar un estudio experimental de la composición química de la secreción glandular de codornices machos y hembras de diferentes edades. La investigación de grasas y aceites de origen animal y vegetal obtenidos mediante los métodos de extracción adecuados tiene como objetivo general la caracterización de estas sustancias. Con este fin se emplean diferentes métodos de análisis fisicoquímicos, cromatográficos y sensoriales. El análisis por cromatografía de gases permite determinar el perfil de áciodos grasos. Por los efectos nutricionales que tienen las grasas y aceites en la dieta, la investigación de éstos ha cobrado mucha importancia en la última década (14, 15). El propósito de esta investigación fue el de evaluar algunos índices fisicoquímicos y el perfil de ácidos grasos de la secreción de la glándula uropigial de la Coturnix coturnix japonica (codorniz doméstica) obtenida por los métodos de extracción en Soxhlet y de solubilización con disolventes, con el fin de establecer posibles diferencias de la composición química con respecto al sexo y a la edad de las codornices en estudio. Teniendo en cuenta el amplio uso que tienen los aceites y las grasas en la industria farmacéutica (cosméticos) y en nutrición, esta secreción puede ser una fuente potencial de materias primas de aplicación en dichos campos. La determinación del valor de yodo, el valor de saponificación, la materia no saponificable, el valor ácido y el valor de peróxido indicaron caracteríticas epecíficas de la secreción glandular de cada uno de los grupos de hembras y machos de diferentes edades. Mediante el análisis de la secreción glandular de codornices por cromatografía de gases utilizando columna empacada se encontraron los siguientes ácidos grasos: cáprico, láurico, mirístico, palmítico, estéarico, oleico, linoleico y linolénico, los cuales no superaron el 10 por...

Caracterización retrospectiva de los indicadores farmacoepidemiológicos en la prescripción medicamentosa en las especies de compañía de Medellín / Retrospective characteterization of pharmacoepidemiological indicators in treatment of pet species in Medellin

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo en tres consultorios de la ciudad de Medellín con el objetivo de identificar los factores que intervienen en la respuesta terapéutica de las especies de compañía comparando los indicadores farmacoepidemiológicos con los datos clínicos consignados en estos centros. Se analizaron 1317 registros de consulta clínica en el primer semestre de 1999. La especie más encontrada fue la canina (96,3 por ciento), la especie felina se halló en un 3,72 por ciento de los registros (relación 26:1) La distribución por sexo en los caninos fue 54,7 por ciento para machos y el 45,3 por ciento para hembras; La raza canina más atendida fue la Poodle (28,2 por ciento). Dentro de los tres grupos estipulados de clasificación por edades, el de mayor presencia fue el de 1-5 años (45,9 por ciento). Se encontró que la piel y los anexos fue el sistema más reportado (25,3 por ciento) y la patología de mayor presencia fue la dermatitis (10.7 por ciento), El sistema digestivo fue el segundo más reportado como afectado y de este sistema la gastroenteritis fue el diagnostico más común. La mayor prescripción medicamentosa fue la de los Antibióticos y Quimioterápicos antibacterianos (48 por ciento) empleándose más en las dermatitis. Los grupos farmacológicos más prescritos fueron las cefalosporinas de primera generación y las penicilinas. Se concluye en este estudio retrospectivo que los indicadores farmacoepidemiológicos en las pequeñas especies son difíciles de establecer debido a la inconsistencia en: la forma de llevar en los registros, los datos semiológicos, el criterio diagnóstico, las ayudas del laboratorio, la prescripción medicamentosa y el seguimiento de los casos.

Genetic variability and social structure of colonies in Acromyrmex heyeri and A. striatus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

The breeding structure of both colony and population of social insects can be examined by genetic analysis. Colonies of the leaf-cutting ants Acromyrmex heyeri and A. striatus (Myrmicinae, Attini) were thus analyzed for isoenzyme systems MDH, a-GPDH, and AMY to describe genotype variability and social structure. A total of five loci were investigated (three for amylase and one for each other system). Ninety-seven colonies of A. heyeri and 103 of A. striatus were sampled in different localities in Southern Brazil (State of Rio Grande do Sul). The genotypes found show the occurrence of monogyny and polygyny associated or not with polyandry, which indicates that the social organization is colony-specific. The polygyny and polyandry observed are likely to be responsible for the great genotypic diversity of the colonies. The average inbreeding coefficient per colony was higher in A. striatus than in A. heyeri, which may reflect the different patterns of production of sexual individuals and nuptial flight of those two species