Cardiovascular assessment in Female Spotted Paca ( Cuniculus paca ) / Avaliação cardiovascular em fêmea da Cúciculus paca

Aiming to provide cardiovascular morphophysiology information on the Cuniculus paca, an important neotropical rodent, eight healthy adult females of this species were evaluated three times by echocardiography under general anesthesia with isoflurane every 15 days. The exams were performed by a single experienced evaluator with the animals positioned in right and left decubitus. Posteriorly, two expert evaluators measured the cardiac chambers, walls and flow patterns, by B-mode, M-mode, and Doppler ultrasonography. The resulting values were compared among evaluators and periods by the Bland-Altman agreement test and several descriptive statistics were presented for each parameter. Echocardiographic images were obtained between the second and fifth left and right intercostal spaces, enabling the measurement of heart chambers and walls, mitral, tricuspid, aortic and pulmonary valves blood flows, and the ejection and shortening fractions calculation. None of the studied variables showed inter-observers or inter-periods variations. This study provided some normal echocardiographic variables, applicable to epidemiological, pathophysiological or case studies in the Cuniculus paca and phylogenetically close species.(AU)

Com o objetivo de fornecer informações da morfofisiologia cardiovascular da Cuniculus paca, um importante roedor neotropical, oito fêmeas adultas saudáveis dessa espécie foram avaliadas três vezes pela ecocardiografia, sob anestesia geral com isoflurano, a cada 15 dias. Os exames foram realizados por um único avaliador experiente, com os animais posicionados em decúbito direito e esquerdo. Posteriormente, dois avaliadores experientes mediram as câmaras cardíacas, as paredes e os padrões de fluxo, por meio do modo B, do modo M e da ultrassonografia Doppler. Os valores resultantes foram comparados entre avaliadores e períodos pelo teste de concordância de Bland-Altman, e várias estatísticas descritivas foram apresentadas para cada parâmetro. As imagens ecocardiográficas foram obtidas entre o segundo e o quinto espaços intercostais esquerdo e direito, o que permitiu a medição das câmaras e paredes cardíacas, do fluxo sanguíneo pelas válvulas mitral, tricúspide, aórtica e pulmonar e o cálculo das frações de ejeção e encurtamento. Nenhuma das variáveis estudadas mostrou variações entre os avaliadores ou entre os períodos. Este estudo fornece algumas variáveis ecocardiográficas normais, aplicáveis a estudos epidemiológicos, fisiopatológicos ou de casos na Cuniculus paca e em espécies filogeneticamente próximas.(AU)

Surgical site infections in patients who undergo radical cystectomy: Excess mortality, stay prolongation and hospital cost overruns.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of surgical site infections (SSI) in patients who underwent radical cystectomy, in terms of excess hospital mortality, stay prolongation and cost overruns. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted on a sample of patients who underwent radical cystectomy as recorded in the basic minimum data sets of 87 Spanish hospitals from 2008-2010. RESULTS: We studied 4377 patients who underwent radical cystectomy (3904 men and 473 women) of whom 849 (19.4%) experienced an SSI. The patients with SSI were predominantly men, elderly and had a higher prevalence of alcohol-related disorders and more comorbidities. The patients with SSI had significant excess mortality (125.6%), undue stay prolongation (17.8 days) and cost overruns (14,875.70 euros). CONCLUSIONS: After controlling for demographic variables, hospital type, addiction disorders and comorbidities using multivariate pairing, the onset of SSI in patients who underwent radical cystectomy significantly increased the mortality, stay and cost. Certain preventive measures already established in previous studies could reduce the incidence of SSI and its healthcare and financial impact.

HLA-DQ2/DQ8 and HLA-DQB1*02 homozygosity typing by real-time polymerase chain reaction for the assessment of celiac disease genetic risk: evaluation of a Spanish celiac population.

Celiac disease (CD) is a complex autoimmune disorder caused by ingestion of gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. Different genetic risk factors have been identified, but virtually all patients are human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQ2 and/or HLA-DQ8 positive. We describe a new, fast, accurate and simple real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay for the genotyping and homozygosity analysis of the CD-related HLA alleles. The assay overcomes the major limitations of protocols currently in use, allowing HLA-DQ2/DQ8 genotyping by using only three real-time PCR reactions. For the appraisal of DQ2 homozygosity, only one more reaction is needed. These reactions are easily automated and suitable for large screening studies in diagnostic procedures, as it is demonstrated by their successful application in our HLA diagnostic laboratory. Finally, we assessed the clinical relevance of this real-time PCR-based assay by studying a cohort of fully characterized patients. As expected, all CD patients had at least one of the CD-associated alleles, and the highest CD risk was indicated by the presence of the HLA-DQ2.5 heterodimer (HLA-DQA1*05-DQB1*02) with HLA-DQB1*02 in homozygosity.

Simulation studies of phase inversion in agitated vessels using a Monte Carlo technique.

A speculative study on the conditions under which phase inversion occurs in agitated liquid-liquid dispersions is conducted using a Monte Carlo technique. The simulation is based on a stochastic model, which accounts for fundamental physical processes such as drop deformation, breakup, and coalescence, and utilizes the minimization of interfacial energy as a criterion for phase inversion. Profiles of the interfacial energy indicate that a steady-state equilibrium is reached after a sufficiently large number of random moves and that predictions are insensitive to initial drop conditions. The calculated phase inversion holdup is observed to increase with increasing density and viscosity ratio, and to decrease with increasing agitation speed for a fixed viscosity ratio. It is also observed that, for a fixed viscosity ratio, the phase inversion holdup remains constant for large enough agitation speeds. The proposed model is therefore capable of achieving reasonable qualitative agreement with general experimental trends and of reproducing key features observed experimentally. The results of this investigation indicate that this simple stochastic method could be the basis upon which more advanced models for predicting phase inversion behavior can be developed.

[Medical care costs for HIV-positive and AIDS patients in four hospitals in Santiago, Chile]. / Costos de atención de pacientes seropositivos VIH y SIDA en cuatro hospitales de Santiago de Chile.

BACKGROUND: Medical care of HIV infected and AIDS patients may represent an important economical burden for public hospitals. AIM: To assess direct and indirect costs of medical care for HIV infected and AIDS patients in public hospitals of the Metropolitan Region of Chile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between August 1994 and February 1995, information about outpatient and hospitalized medical care of 417 HIV infected patients was gathered (representing approximately 16% of the seropositive population). Patients were divided as having or not having AIDS. The latter were those included in groups I, II, III and category C2 of group C (group 4). The cost of medications, procedures and examinations of these patients was calculated. RESULTS: Thirty six percent of studied patients had AIDS. The annual cost of care for AIDS patients was US$3760 compared to US$1450 for HIV infected patients without AIDS. Medications represented 75% and 65% of total costs in patients with and without AIDS respectively. The figures for examinations and procedures were 17% and 22% and for medical attentions were 7.5% and 8.8% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Medical care of patients with AIDS has higher costs than that of HIV infected patients without AIDS. Thus, the retardation of the progression of the disease would have social, humanitarian and economical benefits. Our costs are similar to those of other countries with a similar level of economic development.

Cost-benefit analysis for the use of Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine in Santiago, Chile.

Cost-benefit analyses can be integral to the evaluation of interventions in developing countries. The authors compare the potential benefits to the Chilean Ministry of Health, in terms of treatment costs averted, by prevention of Haemophilus influenzae type b (HIB) invasive disease, with the costs of adding HIB conjugate vaccine to the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) immunization routinely administered to infants. In their basecase model, over a 10-year period (1991-2000), vaccination against HIB will prevent 1,229 cases of HIB invasive disease, including 713 cases of meningitis, 107 of whom would suffer severe, long-term sequelae, and between 29 and 116 deaths. Assuming a cost of US$1 for a full three-dose regimen of vaccine, the benefit/cost ratio of 1.66, with a net discounted savings of over $403,225, illustrates that HIB vaccine can be cost-beneficial. Sensitivity analyses which alter each of the variables in the analysis indicate that if the true incidence of HIB disease is twice the published rate, then three doses of vaccine remains cost-beneficial at US#3.

PIP: Health practitioners reviewed the clinical records of all 6-60 month old children who were treated for meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (HIB) in 1989-1990 at Roberto del Rio Children's Hospital in Santiago, Chile, to estimate costs for all phases of meningitis treatment (ambulatory visits, hospitalization, and follow-up). They also estimated annual HIB incidence. They determined the cost of adding HIB conjugate vaccine to the DTP vaccine. They assumed a cost of US$1 for a full 3-dose regimen of vaccine. They then conducted a cost benefit analysis of the use of HIB conjugate vaccine to prevent invasive HIB disease in Santiago. The National Health Service had to pay an average of US$1301/case of HIB meningitis and US$887/case of HIB invasive disease other than meningitis, including pre- and post-hospitalization costs and adjustment for frequency of sequelae. Several factors indicated that the estimates were actually underestimates. For example, the researchers did not take into account herd immunity and the fact that sequelae often do not appear until the children are older. The addition of the HIB conjugate vaccine to the immunization program would prevent at least 1229-3111 cases of HIB invasive disease, disabling sequelae, and deaths during a 10-year period. Further, it would save the National Health Service more than US$403,225. The benefit/cost ratio was 1.66. The researchers changed each of the variables in the cost benefit analysis. These sensitivity analyses revealed that if the true incidence of HIB disease were 2 times greater than the based on reported data, the 3 doses of HIB conjugate vaccine would still have a cost benefit of US$3. These results indicated that adding HIB conjugate vaccine would exert a considerable public health and cost benefit. Cost benefit analyses of vaccines would also prove useful to decision-makers in other developing countries.

A population-based retrospective assessment of the disease burden resulting from invasive Haemophilus influenzae in infants and young children in Santiago, Chile.

Clinical discharge and laboratory records were reviewed in the seven government hospitals that provide care for 93% of the pediatric population of Santiago, Chile, to detect cases of meningitis and other invasive (bacteremia-associated) infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae. infections that occurred in children less than five years of age from January, 1985, through December, 1987, were recorded and matched with census data to calculate incidence rates. The incidence of meningitis and non-meningitis syndromes peaked in the 6- to 11-month age group and tapered sharply after 12 months of age. The city-wide incidence (ca. 21.6 cases/10(5) children less than 5 years of age) is one-third to one-half that reported for the general pediatric population in the United States. However, there is much evidence for under-reporting in Santiago. In Area Norte, served by Roberto del Rio Children's Hospital where H. influenzae has been a subject of research by pediatricians for years, the incidence of invasive H. influenzae infections (42.5/105) is approximately two-fold higher than the rest of Santiago. The cumulative proportions of episodes of H. influenzae disease occurring in successively older age groups closely parallel the pattern seen in the general United States pediatric population. Although only ca. 20% of all episodes occur during the first 6 months of life, nearly 80% of episodes are seen by 18 months of age. Based on the observed incidence rates, the apparent underreporting and the high city-wide case fatality of Hib meningitis (16%), invasive H. influenzae infections represent an important public health problem in Santiago, Chile.

Breast-feeding and the return to ovulation in Durango, Mexico.

Twenty-nine breast-feeding mothers and 10 non-breast-feeding postpartum comparison mothers from a rural area of Mexico were followed longitudinally until ovulation resumed. A simple set of guidelines is described involving three obvious milestones for the breast-feeding mother to safely use the natural contraceptive benefit of breast-feeding. Those milestones are: the first vaginal bleeding episode, the initiation of supplementation, and the child's monthly birthday. In the absence of bleeding and supplementation, 100% of breast-feeding mothers remained anovular for 3 months postpartum, 96% for 4 months, 96% for 5 months, and 96% for 6 months. This suggests that, if a mother understands these three conditions, she can use breast-feeding alone as effectively as modern family planning methods for the prevention of pregnancy.

Proprietary hospital social work.

The rapid growth of the proprietary sector in the provision of social services creates a challenge for the social work profession. Little is known about social work services in for-profit organizations or about how they compare with similar services in nonprofit setting. The authors report on a comparative study of social work services in proprietary and nonprofit hospitals that used the results of the Membership Survey, 1985 of the Society for Hospital Social Work Directors and a sample of 50 proprietary hospital social work departments. Services and staffing, characteristics of directors, and responses to diagnostic related groups are contrasted, and the significance for the profession discussed.

Assessment by cross sectional echocardiography of surgical "mitral valve" disease in children and adolescents.

The anatomy of the left atrioventricular valve, a mitral valve unless there is atrioventricular discordance, was determined by cross sectional echocardiography in 15 young patients with congenital lesions and seven with rheumatic lesions. These results were compared with findings at operation. The preoperative diagnosis was accurate in 18 (80%). In the remaining four patients inaccurate echocardiographic diagnosis was due to the mistaken identification of clefts in redundant and multicuspid valves and of absent chordae that were thought to be ruptured chordae. In four patients a subvalvar abnormality was identified by echocardiography. With care, cross sectional echocardiography was a reliable method of defining abnormal anatomy in serious mitral disease and it predicted the need for replacement or the possibility of repair. In the absence of additional lesions invasive investigation was unnecessary.

Teen women: disparity between cognitive values and anticipated life events.

Data from a study of teen values show conflicts between values teens say they hold and their behavior. The authors try to show why this is so and suggest ways to support teens' positive values.

PIP: Aspirations for a good education, financial independence, a good marriage or relationship, and self worth emerged as the most important values for the teen women questioned in this study conducted in 1981 as part of a multi-year research and demonstration project. The program is sponsored by private foundations and is administered by the Center for Women's Studies and Services, San Diego. 557 young women enrolled in 3 high schools with high dropout and early pregnancy rates were interviewed. For young black women, good eduation, financial independence, and self worth were more highly valued. Hispanics and Asians varied from the total group in that they gave a lower value to all dimensions tested, with the exception of education. It is the position of the authors of this paper that learned helplessness is a pertinent factor which can be used to explain the failure of some young women to prevent early pregnancy. A variety of programs and services can provide the vehicle for learnign mastery over one's life. Overall goals should be to expand choices and provide alternatives to young women regarding the direction of their life.

[Septic abortion in the Hospital de Ginecología y Obstetricia no. 3 del Instituto Mexicana de Seguridad Social. Late and early morbidity]. / El aborto séptico en el Hospital de ginecología y obstetrícia no.3 del I.M.S.S. morbilidad temprana y tardia.

PIP: 268 cases of septic abortion which occurred between 1964-72 in a large metropolitan hospital in Mexico were analyzed retrospecively. There cases represented 0.88% of all cases of abortion during the same time. Most patients were between 21-30, and 48% with parity 2-5; 63% were at their first abortion; only 16 patients declared to have attempted abortion, and most cases were first trimester abortion. Pre- and postoperative procedures and vital signs were carefully taken, and time elapsed from medical treatment to surgery was 4-12 hours. There were 237 curettages, and 28 hysterectomies. Complication from surgery were 4.1%; there were 19 deaths, i.e. 7.5% of patients, of which 10 only 24 hours after hospitalization. Protocol of treatment of septic abortion is discussed, and surgical treatment highly recommended.^ieng