RESUMEN
Diabetes is the fourth cause of death globally. To date, there is not a practical, as well as an accurate sample for reflecting chronic glucose levels. We measured earwax glucose in 37 controls. Participants provided standard serum, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and earwax samples at two time-points, one month apart. The specimens measured baseline fasting glucose, a follow-up postprandial glucose level and a between sample chronic glucose, calculated using the average level on the two occasions. The baseline earwax sample was obtained using a clinical method and the follow-up using a novel self-sampling earwax device. The earwax analytic time was significantly faster using the novel device, in comparison to the clinical use of the syringe. Earwax accurately reflected glucose at both assessments with stronger correlations than HbA1c. Follow-up postprandial concentrations were more significant than their respective fasting baseline concentrations, reflecting differences in fasting and postprandial glycemia and more efficient standardization at follow up. Earwax demonstrated to be more predictable than HbA1c in reflecting systemic fasting, postprandial and long-term glucose levels, and to be less influenced by confounders. Earwax glucose measurements were approximately 60% more predictable than HbA1c in reflecting glycemia over a month. The self-sampling device provided a sample that might accurately reflect chronic glycemia.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: "Short-term" samples are not the most appropriate for reflecting chronic cortisol concentration. Although hair is used for reflecting the systemic level of this hormone, its use as a "long-term" measure appears clinically problematic. Local and systemic stress and non-stress related factors may release cortisol that is accumulated in hair. Non-stressful earwax sampling methods may provide a more accurate specimen to measure chronic cortisol concentration. METHODS: Earwax from both ears of 37 controls were extracted using a clinical procedure commonly associated with local pain. One month later, earwax from the left ear side was extracted using the same procedure, and earwax from the right ear side was more comfortably obtained, using a novel earwax self-sampling device. Participants also provided one centimetre of hair that represented the retrospective month of cortisol output, and one serum sample that reflected the effect of systemic stressors on cortisol levels. Earwax (ECC), Hair (HCC) and Serum (SCC) Cortisol Concentration were correlated and compared. Confounders' effect on cortisol levels were studied. RESULTS: The highest levels of cortisol concentration were found in serum, and the lowest in hair (p < 0.01). Left-ECC was larger than Right-ECC (p = 0.03). Right-ECC was the only sample unaffected by confounders (all p > 0.05). A Pearson correlation showed that Right-ECC and HCC samples were moderately correlated between them (r = 0.39; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The self-sampling device did not increase cortisol locally. It provided the cortisol level that was least likely to be affected by confounding factors over the previous month. ECC using the novel device might constitute another accurate, but more suitable and affordable specimen for measuring chronic cortisol concentration.
RESUMEN
El ingreso a la UCIP somete al niño a una serie de estímulos y procedimientos estresantes y dolorosos. El uso de analgesia y sedación es un componente central en los cuidados del niño críticamente enfermo para asegurar su confort y seguridad. Es importante durante la prescripción de analgosedación la monitorización continua de sus efectos. Este proceso debe ser vigilado por todos los integrantes del equipo de salud y su familia. Esta guía se basa en los principios propuestos por la iniciativa "Libérame de la UCI", que consisten en un paquete (bundle) de medidas (ABCDEF) para optimizar la recuperación de los pacientes y sus desenlaces. Contiene tablas con la farmacología de los analgésicos y sedantes, con estrategias generales para el manejo de anal-gosedación y prevención del síndrome de abstinencia y delirium. Guía realizada por el equipo multidisciplinario para lograr una adherencia más completa.
ABSTRACT The admission of a child to the PICU subdue stressful and pain stimuli. The use of analgesia and sedation is the main component for the care of the critically ill children to guarantee comfort and security. During the prescription of analgesia and sedation, monitoring of their effects is important. This process must be supervised by the health team and supported by the family. This guide is based on the initiative "PICU liberation" where a bundle of measures (ABCDEF) is used to optimize the recovery and outcome. This guide contains tables of the pharmacology of analgesics and sedatives, some strategies on the use of analgosedation, prevention of withdrawal and delirium. A guide of the multidisciplinary team to achieve a complete adherence.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Lactante , Preescolar , Niño , Adolescente , Síndrome , Delirio , Analgesia , Hipnóticos y Sedantes , Dolor , Unidades de Cuidados IntensivosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Kaposi sarcoma is the most common tumor in HIV infected patients. AIM: To describe a cohort of patients with Kaposi sarcoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective review of HIV patients with Kaposi sarcoma seen at a public hospital and at a HIV clinic. Detailed description of patients subjected to antiretroviral treatment and chemotherapy. RESULTS: Between 1995 and 2002, 1127 HIV infected patients were seen. Of these, 78 had Kaposi sarcoma, 15 were treated with high activity antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and 17 with HAART and chemotherapy. These 32 patients were male, and their mean age was 33 +/- 6 years. The initial CD4 count in 27 of these was 95 +/- 105 cells/ml. The initial viral load in 18 of these was 370,246 +/- 768,693 RNA copies/ml. Of the 15 patients treated with HAART, eight had a complete remission, one had a partial response, one remained stationary and five died. Of the 17 patients treated with HAART and chemotherapy, seven had complete remission, five had a partial response, 2 remained stationary and three died. The lapse of complete remission was 272 days for those treated with HAART and 292 days for those treated with HAART and chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: In HIV patients with Kaposi sarcoma, high activity antiretroviral therapy, associated or not to chemotherapy, induces complete remission in 46% of patients and partial remission in 16%.