Application of discrete cosine transform to assess the effect of tumor motion variations on the definition of ITV in lung and liver SBRT.

PURPOSE: To use Discrete Cosine Transform to include tumor motion variations on ITV definition of SBRT patients. METHODS: Data from 66 patients was collected. 2D planar fluoroscopy images (FI) were available for 54 patients. Daily CBCT projections (CBCTp) from 29 patients were employed to measure interfraction amplitude variability. Systematic amplitude variations were obtained from 17 patients with data from both FI and CBCTp. Tumor motion curves obtained from FI were characterized with a Cosine model (CM), based on cosine functions to the power of 2, 4 or 6, and DCT. Performance of both models was evaluated by means of R2 coefficient and by comparing their results on Internal Target Volume (ITV) margins against those calculated from original tumor motion curves. Amplitude variations from CBCTp, as well as estimations of baseline shift variations were added to the DCT model to account for their effect on ITV margins. RESULTS: DCT replicated tumor motion curves with a mean R2 values for all patients of 0.86, 0.91 and 0.96 for the lateral (LAT), anterior-posterior (AP) and cranio-caudal (CC) directions respectively. CM yielded worst results, with R2 values of 0.64, 0.61 and 0.74 in the three directions. Interfraction amplitude variation increased ITV margins by a 9%, while baseline shift variability implied a 40% and 80-100% increase for normalized values of baseline shift of 0.2 and 0.4 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Probability distribution functions of tumor positions can be successfully characterized with DCT. This permits to include tumor motion variablilities obtained from patient population into patient specific ITVs.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Eleven years of experience at a tertiary care hospital center. / Adenocarcinoma ductal de páncreas. Experiencia de 11 años en un centro de tercer nivel.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Pancreatic cancer is considered one of the most aggressive solid tumors. In Mexico, it is the twelfth cause of cancer, with 4,489 cases diagnosed annually, and accounts for 4.9% of oncologic deaths. The aim of our study was to describe the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of the patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer spanning an 11-year period at the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición "Salvador Zubirán". METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted that included 479 patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, within the time frame of 2003-2013. The documented findings were summarized through descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Of the patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, 50.9% were women, and the mean patient age at diagnosis was 61.5 years. A total of 48.4% of the cases were diagnosed at clinical stage IV, 12.9% presented with clinical stage III, and 25.0% had localized disease. Surgery was performed on 37.5% of the patients, the most frequent of which was pancreatoduodenectomy. The surgical mortality rate was 5.5%. CONCLUSION: The clinical characteristics in our study group were similar to those described in the literature. However, the number of candidates for surgical treatment was higher than that reported in other hospitals and the percentage of borderline tumors was lower. Those differences, respectively, are possibly associated with the nature of our referral center and the prolonged intervals between diagnosis and treatment that result in the loss of potential surgical patients.

Periacetabular osteotomy for hip dysplasia treatment through a mini-invasive technique. Our results at mid-term in 131 cases. / Osteotomía periacetabular en el tratamiento de displasia de cadera mediante técnica mini-invasiva. Nuestros resultados a medio plazo en 131 casos.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is an accepted and worldwide technique recognized for residual dysplasia treatment and even in unstable hips with limited acetabular coverage. The aim of this study is to analyse the functional, radiological and complication results in patients treated with mini-invasive PAO. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study in which we analysed 131 cases undergoing mini-invasive PAO at our centre. The degree of joint degeneration was evaluated with Tönnis scale, Wiberg angle, acetabular index (AI), anterior coverage angle (AC), joint space, complications and functional outcome with the Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS) were analysed preoperatively and at the end of follow-up. RESULTS: The average age was 32.3±9.5 (SD) years, 102 (77.9%) were female and 29 (22.1%) were male. 7.7±2.8 (SD) years follow up. The radiological parameters improved between the pre-surgical phase and the end of follow-up, Wiberg angle+18.5° (18.3° versus 36.8°, 95% CI 17.3 to 19.7), AC angle+13.5° (26.2° versus 39.7°, 95%CI 11.6 to 15.4) and the AI -11.1° (19.5° versus 8.4°; 95%CI -12.1 to -10,1). In addition, the functional results, with the NAHS scale, improved+31.3 points (60.7 pre-surgical versus 92 at the end of follow-up, 95% CI 28.7 to 33.8). The most common complication was transient lateral femoral cutaneous nerve hypoaesthesia in 10 cases (7%). CONCLUSION: The mini-invasive PAO approach is a reproducible technique, it allows restoration of acetabular coverage and provides an improvement in functional scales as confirmed by our series.

A biosensor capable of identifying low quantities of breast cancer cells by electrical impedance spectroscopy.

Breast cancer (BC) is a malignant disease with a high prevalence worldwide. The main cause of death is not the primary tumor, but instead the spread of tumor cells to distant sites. The aim of the present study was to examine a new method for the detection of cancer cells in aqueous medium using bioimpedance spectroscopy assisted with magnetic nanoparticles (MNP's) exposure to a constant magnetic field. The spectroscopic patterns were identified for three breast cancer cell lines. Each BC cell line represents a different pathologic stage: the early stage (MCF-7), invasive phase (MDA-MB-231) and metastasis (SK-BR-3). For this purpose, bioimpedance measurements were carried out at a certain frequency range with the aid of nanoprobes, consisting of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) coupled to a monoclonal antibody. The antibody was specific for the predominant cell surface protein for each cell line, which was identified by using RT-qPCR and flow cytometry. Accordingly, EpCAM corresponds to MCF-7, MUC-1 to MDA-MB-231, and HER-2 to SK-BR-3. Despite their low concentrations, BC cells could be detected by impedance spectroscopy. Hence, this methodology should permit the monitoring of circulating tumor cells (CTC) and therefore help to prevent recurrences and metastatic processes during BC treatment.

Predictors of outcome in 101 patients requiring emergent thoracotomy for penetrating pulmonary injuries.

BACKGROUND: Operative interventions are uncommonly required for penetrating pulmonary injuries. Similarly, because their incidence is low, few series appear sporadically in the literature. Objectives of this study are to identify predictors of outcome for patients requiring emergent thoracotomy for penetrating pulmonary injuries and evaluate the use of tissue sparing versus resective techniques for their management. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective 169-month study of all patients with penetrating pulmonary injuries requiring thoracotomy. The main outcome measures are: physiologic parameters, AAST-OIS injury grade, surgical procedures and mortality. Statistical analysis includes univariate and stepwise logistic regression. RESULTS: 101 patients required thoracotomy for penetrating pulmonary injuries. Mechanism of injury includes: gunshot wounds (GSW)-73 (72%), stab wounds (SW)-28 (33%). Mean systolic BP 97 ± 47, mean HR 92 ± 47, and mean admission pH 7.22 ± 0.17. Mean RTS 6.25 ± 2.7, mean ISS 36 ± 22. The mean estimated blood loss (EBL) was 5277 ± 4955 mls. Predictors of outcome are: admission pH (p = 0.0014), admission base deficit (p < 0.0001), packed red blood cells (PRBCs) transfused (p = 0.023), whole blood transfused (p < 0.01). A total of 143 procedures were required in 101 patients: tissue sparing 114 (80%) versus resective procedures 29 (20%). Only pneumonectomy (p = 0.024) predicted outcome. Overall survival 64/101-64%. American Association for the Surgery of Trauma-Organ Injury Scale (AAST-OIS) injury grades I-III versus IV-VI predicts survival (p < 0.001). Stepwise logistic regression identified AAST-OIS injury grades IV-VI (p = 0.007; OR 6.38 [95% CI 1.64-24.78]), intraoperative dysrhythmias (p = 0.003; OR 17.38 [95% CI 2.59-116.49]) and associated cardiac injuries (p = 0.02; OR 8.74 [95% CI 1.37-55.79]) as independent predictors of outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Predictors of outcome for penetrating pulmonary injuries requiring thoracotomy are identified and must be taken into account in their operative management. Tissue sparing techniques-stapled pulmonary tractotomy is once again validated, and it remains effective as the mainstay for their management; however, only pneumonectomy predicts outcome. AAST-OIS injury grades IV-VI predict outcome with higher injury grades requiring resective procedures.

The Calcium-Sensing Receptor in Health and Disease.

The extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is a unique G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) activated by extracellular Ca2+ and by other physiological cations including Mg2+, amino acids, and polyamines. CaSR is the most important master controller of the extracellular Ca2+ homeostatic system being expressed at high levels in the parathyroid gland, kidney, gut and bone, where it regulates parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion, vitamin D synthesis, and Ca2+ absorption and resorption, respectively. Gain and loss of function mutations in the CaSR are responsible for severe disturbances in extracellular Ca2+ metabolism. CaSR agonists (calcimimetics) and antagonists (calcilytics) are in use or under intense research for treatment of hyperparathyroidism secondary to kidney failure and hypocalcemia with hypercalciuria, respectively. Expression of the CaSR extends to other tissues and systems beyond the extracellular Ca2+ homeostatic system including the cardiovascular system, the airways, and the nervous system where it may play physiological functions yet to be fully understood. As a consequence, CaSR has been recently involved in different pathologies including uncontrolled blood pressure, vascular calcification, asthma, and Alzheimer's disease. Finally, the CaSR has been shown to play a critical role in cancer either contributing to bone metastasis and/or acting as a tumor suppressor in some forms of cancer (parathyroid cancer, colon cancer, and neuroblastoma) and as oncogene in others (breast and prostate cancers). Here we review the role of CaSR in health and disease in calciotropic tissues and others beyond the extracellular calcium homeostatic system.

Detection and molecular characterization of chicken astrovirus associated with chicks that have an unusual condition known as "white chicks" in Brazil.

Chicken astrovirus (CAstV) is one of many viruses related to enteric diseases in poultry that are associated with Runting-Stunting Syndrome (RSS), which affects young chickens. CAstV was also recently associated with an unusual condition in chicks called "white chicks." Some hatcheries in certain states of Brazil have reported several incubation problems, mortality, and the presence of chicks with white plumages over the past several months. These chicks were termed locally as "white chicks." The present work investigated 30 chicks with this unusual condition using a multidisciplinary approach. Postmortem examination of each chick showed enlarged livers and intestines that were full of liquid and gas (30/30). The pancreas, kidneys, and spleen were pale (30/30). The other organs did not show any macroscopic alterations. CAstV, chicken parvovirus (ChPV), avian nephritis virus (ANV), avian rotavirus (ARtV), avian reovirus (AReoV), infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), and fowl adenovirus group I (FAdV-1) were tested in the intestines, pancreas, proventriculus, gizzard, liver, spleen, bursa, kidneys, thymus, lung, heart, brain, and yolk sac in each chick. All organs and yolk sacs were positive for CAstV in different titres and negative for the other tested viruses. The partial molecular characterization of the ORF 1b gene of CAstV using 28 sequences revealed a high similarity of the nucleotides and amino acids with sequences of CAstV from North America, Europe, and Asia, and our CAstV sequences clustered into a unique group that was separate from the other sequences. These results demonstrated that CAstV was associated with the white chick condition in Brazil. The virus was distributed in most organs, including the brain and yolk sac. These results suggest that the virus could be transmitted vertically. The molecular characterization also revealed that the CAstV associated with white chick condition was molecularly related to other CAstV sequences found worldwide.

Molecular detection of chicken parvovirus in broilers with enteric disorders presenting curving of duodenal loop, pancreatic atrophy, and mesenteritis.

Enteric disorders are an important cause of economic losses in broiler chickens worldwide. Several agents have been associated with enteric problems, such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites. In this study, broiler chickens showing signs of enteric disorders were subjected to molecular diagnosis for several viral agents and also for pathological examination for elucidating this problem. Thus, the chickens were screened for avian nephritis virus (ANV), chicken astrovirus (CAstV), avian rotavirus (ArtV), avian reovirus (AReoV), infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), fowl adenovirus group I (FAdV-1), and chicken parvovirus (ChPV). Postmortem examinations revealed a curving of the duodenal loop (J-like appearance) and intestines filled with liquid and gaseous content. Histopathological analysis of the duodenal loop showed pancreatic atrophy, acute mesenteritis, and enteritis. PCR results showed that ChPV was the sole viral agent detected in samples with lesions such as the curved duodenal loop and pancreatic atrophy. Molecular characterization of the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences revealed a high similarity with other strains of ChPV from Brazil, Canada, United States, Europe, and Asia. These findings suggest an association between ChPV and the development of enteritis, pancreatitis, and pancreatic atrophy, which may lead to curling of the duodenal loop. Together, these alterations may disrupt the normal functioning of the digestive system, diminishing digestion and the absorption of dietary nutrients and consequently leading to reduced weight gain, flock impairment, dwarfism, and an elevated feed conversion rate.

A dose-volume histogram based decision-support system for dosimetric comparison of radiotherapy treatment plans.

BACKGROUND: The choice of any radiotherapy treatment plan is usually made after the evaluation of a few preliminary isodose distributions obtained from different beam configurations. Despite considerable advances in planning techniques, such final decision remains a challenging task that would greatly benefit from efficient and reliable assessment tools. METHODS: For any dosimetric plan considered, data on dose-volume histograms supplied by treatment planning systems are used to provide estimates on planning target coverage as well as on sparing of organs at risk and the remaining healthy tissue. These partial metrics are then combined into a dose distribution index (DDI), which provides a unified, easy-to-read score for each competing radiotherapy plan. To assess the performance of the proposed scoring system, DDI figures for fifty brain cancer patients were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were divided in three groups depending on tumor location and malignancy. For each patient, three tentative plans were designed and recorded during planning, one of which was eventually selected for treatment. We thus were able to compare the plans with better DDI scores and those actually delivered. RESULTS: When planning target coverage and organs at risk sparing are considered as equally important, the tentative plan with the highest DDI score is shown to coincide with that actually delivered in 32 of the 50 patients considered. In 15 (respectively 3) of the remaining 18 cases, the plan with highest DDI value still coincides with that actually selected, provided that organs at risk sparing is given higher priority (respectively, lower priority) than target coverage. CONCLUSIONS: DDI provides a straightforward and non-subjective tool for dosimetric comparison of tentative radiotherapy plans. In particular, DDI readily quantifies differences among competing plans with similar-looking dose-volume histograms and can be easily implemented for any tumor type and localization, irrespective of the planning system and irradiation technique considered. Moreover, DDI permits to estimate the dosimetry impact of different priorities being assigned to sparing of organs at risk or to better target coverage.

Evaluación inmunológica de extractos de Ascaris Lumbricoides para las inmunoglobulinas IgA en el suero de individuos infectados / Immunological evaluation of extracts of ascaris lumbricoides for IgA immunoglobulins in serum of infected individuals

Introducción: El parásito Ascaris lumbricoides es el más grande de los nemátodos que parasita el intestino humano. En Venezuela, la infección por Ascaris lumbricoides es la geohelmintiasis de mayor importancia en zonas rurales, por su alta frecuencia y morbilidad. La infección estimula una respuesta de anticuerpos IgA, sin embargo se conoce poco sobre las proteínas responsables de la respuesta para este isotipo. La identificación de estas proteínas podría ayudar al diseño de pruebas para el diagnóstico y la detección en el medio ambiente o en individuos expuestos a este parásito. Nuestro trabajo se basó en identificar proteínas antigénicas en extractos y fracciones de A. lumbricoides para la respuesta especifica IgA en el suero de niños infectados. Materiales y métodos: Fueron evaluados 85 sueros de niños de ambos sexo entre 3 y 14 años de edad, de comunidades rurales del Estado Miranda. Los niños fueron clasificados según el resultado coprológico en tres grupos, Ascaris positivos en heces; Ascaris negativos con otras parasitosis y un grupo libre de parásitos en heces. Las proteínas fueron identificadas por Western Blot y el nivel de anticuerpos IgA medidos por ELISA. Resultados: Se detectaron en el extracto de A. lumbricoides un mínimo de 17 proteínas con pesos moleculares de entre 26 y 205 KDa aproximadamente, siendo reconocidas por el suero de los niños infectados proteínas de 205, 148, 95, 75 y 45KDa. Conclusiones: El presente trabajo permitió medir los niveles de anticuerpos específicos IgA anti-Ascaris e identificar las proteínas responsables de la respuesta IgA.

Introduction: The parasite Ascaris lumbricoides is the largest nematode parasitizing the human intestine. In Venezuela, infection with Ascaris lumbricoides is the most important STH in rural areas, because of its high frequency and morbidity. Infection stimulates an antibody IgA response, however little is known about the proteins responsible for this isotype. The identification of these proteins could aid the design of tests for the diagnosis and detection in the environment or individuals exposed to this parasite. Our work was based on the identification of antigenic proteins in extracts and fractions of A. lumbricoides for specifi c IgA antibody response in serum of infected children. Materials and Methods: A total of 85 sera from children (boys and girls) between 3 and 14 years old, from rural communities in Miranda State. Children were classifi ed according to the stool results in three groups, Ascaris positive in stool; negative for Ascaris, but with other parasites and a group no parasites in feces. Proteins were detected by Western blotting and the IgA antibody levels measured by ELISA. Results: We detected in the extract of A. lumbricoides at least 17 proteins with molecular weights of between 26 and 205 kDa and were recognized by the sera of infected children, proteins of 205, 148, 95, 75 and 45kDa children. Conclusions: This study allowed us to measure the levels of specific IgA anti-Ascaris and identify the proteins responsible of this response.

[Target volume segmentation of PET images by an iterative method based on threshold value]. / Segmentación de volúmenes tumorales en imágenes PET mediante un método iterativo basado en valor umbral.

OBJECTIVES: An automatic segmentation method is presented for PET images based on an iterative approximation by threshold value that includes the influence of both lesion size and background present during the acquisition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Optimal threshold values that represent a correct segmentation of volumes were determined based on a PET phantom study that contained different sizes spheres and different known radiation environments. These optimal values were normalized to background and adjusted by regression techniques to a two-variable function: lesion volume and signal-to-background ratio (SBR). This adjustment function was used to build an iterative segmentation method and then, based in this mention, a procedure of automatic delineation was proposed. This procedure was validated on phantom images and its viability was confirmed by retrospectively applying it on two oncology patients. RESULTS: The resulting adjustment function obtained had a linear dependence with the SBR and was inversely proportional and negative with the volume. During the validation of the proposed method, it was found that the volume deviations respect to its real value and CT volume were below 10% and 9%, respectively, except for lesions with a volume below 0.6 ml. CONCLUSIONS: The automatic segmentation method proposed can be applied in clinical practice to tumor radiotherapy treatment planning in a simple and reliable way with a precision close to the resolution of PET images.

Selecting radiotherapy dose distributions by means of constrained optimization problems.

The main steps in planning radiotherapy consist in selecting for any patient diagnosed with a solid tumor (i) a prescribed radiation dose on the tumor, (ii) bounds on the radiation side effects on nearby organs at risk and (iii) a fractionation scheme specifying the number and frequency of therapeutic sessions during treatment. The goal of any radiotherapy treatment is to deliver on the tumor a radiation dose as close as possible to that selected in (i), while at the same time conforming to the constraints prescribed in (ii). To this day, considerable uncertainties remain concerning the best manner in which such issues should be addressed. In particular, the choice of a prescription radiation dose is mostly based on clinical experience accumulated on the particular type of tumor considered, without any direct reference to quantitative radiobiological assessment. Interestingly, mathematical models for the effect of radiation on biological matter have existed for quite some time, and are widely acknowledged by clinicians. However, the difficulty to obtain accurate in vivo measurements of the radiobiological parameters involved has severely restricted their direct application in current clinical practice.In this work, we first propose a mathematical model to select radiation dose distributions as solutions (minimizers) of suitable variational problems, under the assumption that key radiobiological parameters for tumors and organs at risk involved are known. Second, by analyzing the dependence of such solutions on the parameters involved, we then discuss the manner in which the use of those minimizers can improve current decision-making processes to select clinical dosimetries when (as is generally the case) only partial information on model radiosensitivity parameters is available. A comparison of the proposed radiation dose distributions with those actually delivered in a number of clinical cases strongly suggests that solutions of our mathematical model can be instrumental in deriving good quality tests to select radiotherapy treatment plans in rather general situations.

CLEC-2-dependent activation of mouse platelets is weakly inhibited by cAMP but not by cGMP.

BACKGROUND: The activation of platelet CLEC-2 by podoplanin on lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) has a critical role in prevention of mixing of lymphatic and blood vasculatures during embryonic development. Paradoxically, LECs release cAMP and cGMP-elevating agents, prostacyclin (PGI2 ) and nitric oxide (NO), respectively, which are powerful inhibitors of platelet activation. This raises the question of how podoplanin is able to activate CLEC-2 in the presence of the inhibitory cyclic nucleotides. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the influence of cyclic nucleotides on CLEC-2 signaling in platelets. METHODS: We used rhodocytin, CLEC-2 monoclonal antibody, LECs and recombinant podoplanin as CLEC-2 agonists on mouse platelets. The effects of the cyclic nucleotide-elevating agents PGI2 , forskolin and the NO-donor GSNO were assessed with light transmission aggregometry, flow cytometry, protein phosphorylation and fluorescent imaging of platelets on LECs. RESULTS: We show that platelet aggregation induced by CLEC-2 agonists is resistant to GSNO but inhibited by PGI2 . The effect of PGI2 is mediated through decreased phosphorylation of CLEC-2, Syk and PLCγ2. In contrast, adhesion and spreading of platelets on recombinant podoplanin, CLEC-2 antibody and LECs is not affected by PGI2 and GSNO. Consistent with this, CLEC-2 activation of Rac, which is required for platelet spreading, is not altered in the presence of PGI2 . CONCLUSIONS: The present results demonstrate that platelet adhesion and activation on CLEC-2 ligands or LECs is maintained in the presence of PGI2 and NO.

Prevalencia de la incontinencia urinaria en mujeres embarazadas en el Centro de Salud Familiar El Roble / Prevalence of urinary incontinence in pregnant women in Chile

La Incontinencia Urinaria (IU) es un problema que afecta significativamente la calidad de vida de las personas y conocer su prevalencia es importante para planificar estrategias de salud en los pacientes y su tratamiento. En USA se estima que el gasto médico en pacientes incontinentes llega a 2 por ciento del gasto total en salud, lo que supera los 10 billones de dólares/año. No hay estudios de prevalencia de incontinencia urinaria en mujeres embarazadas en Chile y es evidente la importancia de poder cuantificar este problema. Se seleccionó un grupo de mujeres embarazadas, con edades entre 18 y 40 años, en el CESFAM El Roble, entre julio y septiembre del 2011, con un total de 101 mujeres, de las cuales 77 eran gestantes y 24 en etapa de post parto, se identifican antecedentes mórbidos, se aplica encuesta que incluyó entre sus preguntas: Presencia de IU, grado de afección y conocimiento de la enfermedad. Métodos: El estudio realizado se enmarcó dentro de la metodología transversal. Con un tamaño muestral para la investigación de 77 gestantes (76,2 por ciento), atendidas en CESFAM El Roble, La Pintana, Santiago de Chile. Resultados: Un 76,6 por ciento manifiestan tener IU durante los meses de gestación. Los resultados muestran además que no existe asociación entre IMC, cantidad de hijos previos y edad gestacional con la presencia de IU (Odds ratio NS).Conclusiones: La prevalencia de Incontinencia Urinaria en mujeres embarazadas fue reportada con un alto porcentaje de la población encuestada.

Urinary Incontinence (UI) is a problem that significantly affects the quality of life of people and the prevalence of this is important for planning health strategies for patients and their treatment. In USA it is estimated that health spending in incontinent patients reaches 2 percent of health expenditures, which exceeds 10 billion dollars a year. No studies on the prevalence of urinary incontinence in pregnant women in Chile and is clearly important to quantify this problem in our country. For this study we selected a group of pregnant women, whose ages ranged between 18 and 40 years old, attended CESFAM El Roble, between July and September 2011 a total of 101 women, of whom 77 were pregnant and 24 in stage Postpartum, also a record was made to identify clinical morbid history of patients, and thus implement the survey which included among its questions: Presence of UI, and how it affects you, if they had some degree of knowledge of the disease and so on. Methods: The study was part of the methodology section, with a sample size relevant to the investigation of 77 pregnant women interviewed 76.2 percent, attended in CESFAM El Roble, La Pintana, Santiago, Chile. Results: 75.3 percent report having UTI during the months of pregnancy, of which 76.6 percent feel that this affects them to some degree. The results also show no association between UTI, number of previous children and gestational age with the presence of UI, as these are not statistically significant. Conclusions: As expected the prevalence of UI was reported in pregnant women with a high percentage of the population surveyed.

Enteric viruses in Brazilian turkey flocks: single and multiple virus infection frequency according to age and clinical signs of intestinal disease.

Poult enteritis complex has been associated with enteritis and reduction in growth rates in commercial turkeys worldwide. Intestinal samples from 76 turkey flocks from different Brazilian states affected or not with intestinal disorders were evaluated for the presence of adenovirus groups 1 and 2 (TAV), astrovirus types 1 and 2 (TAstV-1 and TAstV-2), turkey coronavirus (TCoV), reovirus, rotavirus, and avian nephritis virus (ANV) using PCR. The percentage of positive samples was categorized according to the geographic origin, age of the flocks, and presence of clinical signs of intestinal disease. The percentage of samples that were positive for at least one virus was 93.4%, whereas the percentage of samples that were positive for more than one virus was 69.7%. An average of 3.20 viruses per sample was detected in turkeys in the growing phase of the production cycle (1 to 4 wk of age). The TAstV-1 and TCoV were the most frequently observed viruses in growing phase turkeys and occurred simultaneously in 85% of these samples. In turkeys in the finishing phase of development (5 to 18 wk), a lower average number of viruses was observed (2.41), and the most frequent viruses isolated in these turkeys were TAstV-1 (57.1%) and rotavirus (51.8%). Overall, every virus was detected more frequently in growing phase turkeys than in finishing phase turkeys with the exception of TAV. Samples from flocks exhibiting clinical signs of intestinal disease showed a higher rate of positivity, and TAstV-1, TAstV-2, and TCoV were the most frequently occurring viruses in this cohort. Birds without clinical signs most frequently harbored TAstV-1 and rotavirus. Future studies should focus on the description and elucidation of the role of each virus, as well as the pathogenic and immunological implications of the different combinations of viruses in turkeys.

Simple one-step ultrasonic synthesis of anatase titania/polypyrrole nanocomposites.

In this work, hybrid nanocomposites based on anatase titania:polypyrrole (TiO(2):PPy) were directly obtained from a simple, one-step, ultrasonic (UT)-assisted synthesis. The properties of these crystalline nanocomposites were compared with those of others fabricated using cold (Cold)-assisted synthesis without any UT assistance, which required a hydrothermal treatment (HT) to yield crystalline anatase titania in the nanocomposite (TiO(2):PPy) at low temperature (130°C) and in a short time (3h). The SEM results demonstrated that the UT-assisted synthesis is a feasible method to obtain anatase TiO(2):PPy nanocomposites with controlled morphology using low energy. The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) bands of the crystalline nanocomposites exhibited a shift with respect to neat components, which was attributed to the strong interaction between the secondary amine groups (N-H) of PPy and the oxygen from TiO(2). The acceptable absorption in the visible region (λ(max)=670nm) indicates that these nanocomposites are good candidates for harvesting energy in solar cells. Devices based on these nanocomposites were built to evaluate their electrical properties. An increase in the photocurrent was observed for the devices prepared with the nanocomposites from the UT-assisted synthesis.