Ultrasound assisted membrane-assisted solvent extraction for the simultaneous assessment of some drugs involved in drug-facilitated sexual assaults by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A simple and highly efficient ultrasound assisted membrane-assisted solvent extraction (MASE) pre-treatment method for urine has been developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of twenty-two drugs involved in drug-facilitated sexual assaults (DFSAs) by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. MASE was performed with 4.0 mL of urine (pH adjusted at 12), 400 µL of hexane as an organic solvent inside the polypropylene membrane, and ultrasonication (45 kHz, 120 W) for 10 min. A pre-concentration factor of 40 was achieved after evaporation (N2 stream) and re-dissolution in 100 µL of methanol. Analytes were separated using a Zorbax Eclipse Plus C18 column under gradient elution with aqueous 10 mM NH4HCO3 (pH 8.0) and methanol as mobile phases. Matrix-matched calibrations allowed the assessment of DFSA drugs of quite different octanol-water partition coefficients (Ko/w), from 1.32 101 for pregabalin to 2.45 105 for clomipramine (Log P values from 1.12 (pregabalin) to 5.39 (clomipramine)). The limit of detection (LOD) was between 0.0075 to 0.37 µg L-1, with analytical recoveries ranging from 73 to 103%, and relative standard deviations (RSDs) within the 2-20% range. The applicability of the method was demonstrated after analysing urine samples under forensic investigation.

Frecuencia de fuorosis dental y su asociación con el nivel socioeconómico en parroquia rural de Cotopaxi, Ecuador / Dental fuorosis frequency and its association with the socio- economic level at a rural area in Cotopaxi province, Ecuador

Objective: To determine dental fluorosis frequency by using the DEAN and TF Indexes on 4- and 15-years old children, and its correlation with the socioeconomic level reported by their parents. Methods: A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study were proposed and applied to a 115 students (4-15 years old) sample, enrolled in an educational institution located in Pujilí, Cotopaxi, Ecuador. After fulflling the inclusion criteria, underwent a clinical assessment of their four permanent incisors, registered by photographic examination using the DEAN and Thylstrup and Fejerskov (TF) Indexes, to detect the presence of dental fuorosis. Having the children's legal representatives flled out the INEC socio-economic survey, the collected data were analyzed through the statistical package SPSS v24. Results: Results showed the presence of fluorosis in low or moderate rates according to DEAN and 2 in TF without any diference in the fidelity detection between the two indexes; and no economic factor influence on the fluorosis causes was detected. Conclusions: There was not diference between the indexes used in the detection of fuorosis, with moderate rates found; the economic factor was not relevant.

Objetivo: determinar la frecuencia de fluorosis dental mediante el empleo del índice DEAN y TF en escolares entre 4 a 15 años, y su correlación con el nivel socioeconómico reportado por sus padres. Métodos: se plantea un estudio transversal descriptivo, en una muestra de 115 estudiantes entre 4 a 15 años, matriculados en una unidad educativa de Pujilí, Cotopaxi, Ecuador. Tras cumplimiento de los criterios de inclusión los menores fueron sometidos a una valoración clínica de sus cuatro incisivos permanentes, registrados mediante fotografías y estas evaluadas empleando los índices DEAN y Thylstrup and Fejerskov (TF), para detectar la presencia de fluorosis dental. Sus representantes legales llenaron la encuesta socio económica INEC. Los datos recolectados fueron analizados a través del paquete estadístico SPSS v24. Resultados: los resultados mostraron presencia de fluorosis en grados leves según DEAN y 2 en TF, sin una diferencia en cuanto a la fidelidad de detección entre los dos índices; la influencia del factor económico en la presencia de fluorosis no fue detectada. Conclusiones: no existió diferencia entre los índices empleados en la detección de fluorosis, encontrándose grados leves; el factor económico no fue relevante.

Software educativo Elementos de Nutrident para el proceso enseñanza aprendizaje en Estomatología / Elements of Nutrident: educational software to the teaching-learning process in Dentistry Studies

RESUMEN Introducción: un profesional de la salud que aproveche las nuevas tecnologías de la informática y la computación, y que además utilice estas herramientas en beneficio de mejorar y ampliar sus conocimientos sobre nutrición, será un profesional capacitado para prevenir, diagnosticar y tratar afecciones de la cavidad bucal relacionadas con la nutrición y fomentará estilos saludables de alimentación en el individuo, la familia y la comunidad. Objetivo: confeccionar un software educativo para apoyar el proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje del curso optativo Nutrición en Estomatología. Métodos: se realizó una investigación de desarrollo tecnológico en la carrera de Estomatología desde noviembre 2017 a abril de 2018. Se emplearon métodos teóricos (histórico-lógico, análisis y síntesis, análisis bibliográfico), empíricos (entrevista, y encuestas). El universo estuvo constituido por 250 estudiantes de Estomatología de la provincia Las Tunas y la muestra quedó conformada por 51 estudiantes de quinto año. Resultados: el software educativo favoreció el proceso de enseñanza aprendizaje en el curso optativo Nutrición en Estomatología, propiciando la formación de un egresado integral con elevado nivel científico. Conclusiones: se presentaron elementos de Nutrident: software educativo para el proceso enseñanza aprendizaje del curso optativo de Nutrición en Estomatología.

ABSTRACT Introduction: a health professional who takes advantages of the new technologies of informatics and communication, and who is able to use these tools to benefit, improve and widen his/her knowledge concerning nutrition, will be a well-trained professional to prevent, to diagnose and to treat affectations of the oral cavity related to nutrition, along with the promotion of healthy eating styles in the individual, family and community. Objective: to create educational software to support the teaching-learning process of the elective course Nutrition in Dentistry Care. Methods: a technological development research was carried out in Dentistry studies from November 2017 to April 2018. Theoretical methods were used (historical-logical, analysis and synthesis, bibliographic analysis), empirical methods (interview, and surveys). The target group was comprised of 250 students of Dentistry from Las Tunas province and the sample included 51 students of fifth academic year. Results: the educational software favored the teaching-learning process in the elective course of Nutrition in Dentistry Care encouraging the development of a comprehensive graduate with a high scientific level. Conclusions: the elements of Nutrident were presented: educational software for the teaching-learning process of the elective course of Nutrition in Dentistry Care.

Improving the diagnosis of cobalamin and related defects by genomic analysis, plus functional and structural assessment of novel variants.

BACKGROUND: Cellular cobalamin defects are a locus and allelic heterogeneous disorder. The gold standard for coming to genetic diagnoses of cobalamin defects has for some time been gene-by-gene Sanger sequencing of individual DNA fragments. Enzymatic and cellular methods are employed before such sequencing to help in the selection of the gene defects to be sought, but this is time-consuming and laborious. Furthermore some cases remain undiagnosed because no biochemical methods have been available to test for cobalamin absorption and transport defects. RESULTS: This paper reports the use of massive parallel sequencing of DNA (exome analysis) for the accurate and rapid genetic diagnosis of cobalamin-related defects in a cohort of affected patients. The method was first validated in an initial cohort with different cobalamin defects. Mendelian segregation, the frequency of mutations, and the comprehensive structural and functional analysis of gene variants, identified disease-causing mutations in 12 genes involved in the absorption and synthesis of active cofactors of vitamin B12 (22 cases), and in the non-cobalamin metabolism-related genes ACSF3 (in four biochemically misdiagnosed patients) and SUCLA2 (in one patient with an unusual presentation). We have identified thirteen new variants all classified as pathogenic according to the ACGM recommendation but four were classified as variant likely pathogenic in MUT and SUCLA2. Functional and structural analysis provided evidences to classify them as pathogenic variants. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings suggest that the technology used is sufficiently sensitive and specific, and the results it provides sufficiently reproducible, to recommend its use as a second-tier test after the biochemical detection of cobalamin disorder markers in the first days of life. However, for accurate diagnoses to be made, biochemical and functional tests that allow comprehensive clinical phenotyping are also needed.

Predictors of high-cost hospitalization in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome in Asia: findings from EPICOR Asia.

BACKGROUND: The EPICOR Asia (long-tErm follow-uP of antithrombotic management patterns In acute CORonary syndrome patients in Asia) study (NCT01361386) was an observational study of patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) enrolled in 218 hospitals in eight countries/regions in Asia. This study examined costs, length of stay and the predictors of high costs during an ACS hospitalization. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data for patients hospitalized for an ACS (n = 12,922) were collected on demographics, medical history, event characteristics, socioeconomic and insurance status at discharge. Patients were followed up at 6 weeks' post-hospitalization for an ACS event to assess associated treatment costs from a health sector perspective. Primary outcome was the incurring of costs in the highest quintile by country and index event diagnosis, and identification of associated predictors. Cost data were available for 10,819 patients. Mean length of stay was 10.1 days. The highest-cost countries were China, Singapore, and South Korea. Significant predictors of high-cost care were age, male sex, income, country, prior disease history, hospitalization in 3 months before index event, no dependency before index event, having an invasive procedure, hospital type and length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial variability exists in healthcare costs for hospitalized ACS patients across Asia. Of concern is the observation that the highest costs were reported in China, given the rapidly increasing numbers of procedures in recent years. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01361386 .

Commentary on Current Trends in Rising Drug Costs and Reimbursement Below Cost.

PURPOSE: To quantify prescription drug price increases over a span of 3 years (2012-2015), as well as extrapolate current reimbursement rates expected by independent retail pharmacies. In addition, we investigate potential reasons for these increasing drug costs. DESIGN: Descriptive analysis. METHODOLOGY: National average drug acquisition costs (NADAC) data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services were examined. Specifically, December 2012, 2013, and 2014, and July 2015 NADAC files were analyzed to identify generic and branded products with the highest percentage price increases. Percentage price differences were also calculated for 17 first-in-class drugs and their "me-too" competitors. The margin and margin percentage were calculated for claims adjudicated through four major payers. RESULTS: The top 50 generic drug price increases ranged from 474% to over 18,000% from December 2012 to July 2015. The top 50 branded drug price increases ranged from 63% to 391% during the same time period. The percentage price difference for the first-in-class drugs versus their me-too analogues ranged from -2.3% to 61,259%. The margin for generic drug claims adjudicated ranged from -$237.11 to-$1,105.96. The margin for branded drug claims adjudicated ranged from $272.42 to $360.17. CONCLUSION: Several potential reasons for the surge in prescription drug prices include manufacturer competition, industry consolidation, and capitalization on me-too drugs. This increase has compelled PBMs, health plan sponsors, and retail pharmacies to find novel ways to turn a profit, often at the expense of the consumer. Although there are no immediate solutions, legislation regulating PBM functions and the use of therapeutic interchange programs may offer health plans some assistance in managing drug costs.

Situación de salud en la localidad 13, Teusaquillo, 1998 / Health situation in locality 13, Teusaquillo, 1998

Estudio cuyo objetivo fue establecer el estado de salud y sus condicionantes en los habitantes de la localidad de Teusaquillo. Se realizó una encuesta de salud de Teusaquillo a través de una encuesta de hogares por muestreo para medir la morbilidad sentida, los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas en enfermedades degenerativas, enfermedades de la infancia, accidentes, violencia y variables asociadas, demanda y utilización de servicios y afiliación a la seguridad social. Se describe cada uno de los tópicos contemplados en esta encuesta, los cuales fueron de gran importancia para la comprensión de los problemas de la localidad en materia de salud, la complementación del diagnóstico local y la orientación de las políticas propias para esta comunidad.

The objective of this study was to establish the state of health and its determinants in the inhabitants of Teusaquillo. A health survey of Teusaquillo was conducted through a sample household survey to measure felt morbidity, knowledge, attitudes and practices in degenerative diseases, childhood diseases, accidents, violence and associated variables, demand and use of services and affiliation to social security. Each of the topics contemplated in this survey is described, which were of great importance for the understanding of the local health problems, the complementation of the local diagnosis and the orientation of the policies for this community.