Results of the home mechanical ventilation national program among adults in Chile between 2008 and 2017.

BACKGROUND: Home mechanical ventilation (HMV) is a viable and effective strategy for patients with chronic respiratory failure (CRF). The Chilean Ministry of Health started a program for adults in 2008. METHODS: This study examined the following data from a prospective cohort of patients with CRF admitted to the national HMV program: characteristics, mode of admission, quality of life, time in the program and survival. RESULTS: A total of 1105 patients were included. The median age was 59 years (44-58). Women accounted for 58.1% of the sample. The average body mass index (BMI) was 34.9 (26-46) kg/m2. A total of 76.2% of patients started HMV in the stable chronic mode, while 23.8% initiated HMV in the acute mode. A total of 99 patients were transferred from the children's program. There were 1047 patients on non-invasive ventilation and 58 patients on invasive ventilation. The median baseline PaCO2 level was 58.2 (52-65) mmHg. The device usage time was 7.3 h/d (5.8-8.8), and the time in HMV was 21.6 (12.2-49.5) months. The diagnoses were COPD (35%), obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS; 23.9%), neuromuscular disease (NMD; 16.3%), non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis or tuberculosis (non-CF BC or TBC; 8.3%), scoliosis (5.9%) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS; 5.24%). The baseline score on the Severe Respiratory Insufficiency questionnaire (SRI) was 47 (± 17.9) points and significantly improved over time. The lowest 1- and 3-year survival rates were observed in the ALS group, and the lowest 9-year survival rate was observed in the non-CF BC or TB and COPD groups. The best survival rates at 9 years were OHS, scoliosis and NMD. In 2017, there were 701 patients in the children's program and 722 in the adult´s program, with a prevalence of 10.4 per 100,000 inhabitants. CONCLUSION: The most common diagnoses were COPD and OHS. The best survival was observed in patients with OHS, scoliosis and NMD. The SRI score improved significantly in the follow-up of patients with HMV. The prevalence of HMV was 10.4 per 100,000 inhabitants. Trial registration This study was approved by and registered at the ethics committee of North Metropolitan Health Service of Santiago, Chile (N° 018/2021).

Irvalec inserts into the plasma membrane causing rapid loss of integrity and necrotic cell death in tumor cells.

Irvalec is a marine-derived antitumor agent currently undergoing phase II clinical trials. In vitro, Irvalec induces a rapid loss of membrane integrity in tumor cells, accompanied of a significant Ca(2+) influx, perturbations of membrane conductivity, severe swelling and the formation of giant membranous vesicles. All these effects are not observed in Irvalec-resistant cells, or are significantly delayed by pretreating the cells with Zn(2+). Using fluorescent derivatives of Irvalec it was demonstrated that the compound rapidly interacts with the plasma membrane of tumor cells promoting lipid bilayer restructuration. Also, FRET experiments demonstrated that Irvalec molecules localize in the cell membrane close enough to each other as to suggest that the compound could self-organize, forming supramolecular structures that likely trigger cell death by necrosis through the disruption of membrane integrity.

Hemodilución isovolémica preoperatoria en pacientes con histerectomía radical por cáncer de cérvix: Experiencia de 12 casos en el Hospital Dr. Rafael Angel Calderón Guardia / Isovolemic hemodilution preoperating in patients with radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer: Experience of 12 cases in the Hospital Dr. Rafael Angel Calderón Guardia

Justificación: El cáncer de cérvix es la patología neoplástica más frecuente entre la población femenina. En casos de invasión localizada, la histerectomía radical puede considerarse un tratamiento curativo, sin embargo, el sangrado transoperatorio significativo hace necesaria la transfusión en muchos casos, con todas las complicaciones que esta conlleva. Hasta donde sabemos, no hay ningún estudio publicado en la bibliografía nacional, acerca de la técnica de hemodilución isovolémica para reducir los requerimientos transfusionales en estas pacientes. Objetivos: a) Hacer experiencia clínica con la Hemodilución isovolémica en pacientes sometidas a histerectomía radical por cáncer de cérvix. b) Evaluar la utilidad de la Hemodilución isovolémica como un método para reducir la necesidad de transfusión de sangre alogénica. Materiales y métodos: El estudio fue prospectivo. Se seleccionó en forma consecutiva a todas las pacientes sometidas a histerectomía radical por cáncer de cérvix, del Servicio de Ginecología Oncológica del Hospital Dr. Rafael Angel Calderón Guardia, entre los meses de enero de 2000 a enero 2001. Se realizó sangría, a través de una línea arterial, un volumen hemático calculado con base en el peso y el hematocrito de la paciente. La sangre autóloga fue retransfundida al término de la cirugía...

El cadáver humano en el ordenamiento jurídico costarricense / The human corpse in Costa Rica juridic ordenances

Es función esencial del estado velar por la salud de la población y corresponde al Poder Ejecutivo, por medio del Ministerio de Salud, al cual se refiere la Ley General de Salud como "Ministerio", la definición de la política nacional de salud, la normación, planificación y coordinación de todas las actividades públicas y privadas relativas a la salud, sin embargo, no se han efectuado regulaciones sustanciales en cuanto al manejo y disposición del cadáver y seguimos contando con grandes lagunas que no permiten solucionar con criterio científico todo lo relacionado con esta materia