Outcomes of hepatic metastasectomy for colorectal cancer metastases in the Philippine General Hospital

RATIONALE@#The liver is the most common site of metastasis from colorectal cancer. Curative intent liver metastasectomy has shown improvement in overall survival. This manuscript will present the long-term oncologic outcomes of hepatic metastasectomy for colorectal cancer with resectable liver metastasis.@*METHODS@#Data of patients with resectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer who underwent hepatic resection at the Philippine General Hospital over a 10-year period was reviewed. The primary outcome investigated was overall survival.@*RESULTS@#Thirty patients were included in the study. The median overall survival was 20 months, with a 2-year and 5-year overall survival rate of 40% and 6.67% respectively. Eleven (36.67%) patients had disease recurrence, with a median disease-free survival of 16 months. A significant difference in survival was seen between patients with synchronous and metachronous liver metastasis (20.38 and 36.78 months respectively, p=0.0393) and in patients given adjuvant chemotherapy at any time in relation to the occurrence of the liver metastases versus patients who did not receive any adjuvant treatment (34.08 and 18.59 months respectively, p=0.0349). Trends towards improved overall survival were seen in patients 50 years old or less (36.86 versus 21.78 months, p=0.0837) and in patients with a clinical risk score of 2 or less (29.65 versus 19.62 months, p=0.1823), which may show significance in a higher powered study@*CONCLUSION@#Improved overall survival was observed among patients with colorectal liver metastases undergoing hepatic metastasectomy compared to no liver resection.

Faculty perceptions and applications of the in-service training programs of the Association of Philippine Medical Colleges

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Objectives.</strong> The Association of Philippine Medical Colleges (APMC) responded to the global call for transformative learning by conducting a series of Faculty In-service Training. This study was commissioned to determine faculty trainees' perceptions of the program in terms of relevance, comprehensiveness, and quality. It also described their applications of the program in their delivery of instruction, assessment, organization, and management skills.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Methods.</strong> This is a sequential explanatory mixed-method research. The quantitative phase refers to the analysis of the rating scale accomplished by participants as feedback. The qualitative phase includes analysis of focus group discussion results and actual course syllabi used by selected participants, including medical schools' documents. Both data were integrated using a combination of descriptive statistics, measures of central tendency and dispersion, as well as joint displays.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Results.</strong> APMC conducted six in-service trainings from 2015 to 2018. Themes focused on medical teachers' roles as instructional designers, facilitators, assessors of learning, and as leaders and managers. Respondents perceived the programs as most relevant, comprehensive, and interesting. The syllabi, instructional resources, and assessment instruments and practices were consistent with the standards of the Commission on Higher Education. Medical teachers showed that they use innovative teaching and assessment strategies, and are dealing with medical education's continuous challenges.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Conclusion.</strong> Faculty participants perceived the APMC in-service training programs most favorably for capacitating them to enhance their teaching skills and inculcate the culture of quality in medical schools. APMC's training also reflects the organization's commitment to social accountability.</p>

Use of Paclitaxel Eluting Stents in Arteriovenous Fistulas: A Pilot Study

PURPOSE: We report short-term patency outcomes of a proof of concept study conducted to determine the efficacy of drug-eluting stent (DES) for the treatment of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) stenosis in hemodialysis patients.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a single-center, retrospective observational study involving 10 patients with AVF dysfunction treated with DESs between January 2017 and December 2017. The primary outcome was AVF patency confirmed by sonographic and clinical assessment at 1 month and 6 to 9 months after treatment.RESULTS: A total of 12 DESs were deployed in 10 patients with dysfunctional AVF (radiocephalic: 7, brachiocephalic: 3). During the early follow up (mean: 28.6 days), primary access circuit and DES patency was 100%, with an average volume flow rate of 886.4 mL/min. Nine patients were available for short-term follow up (mean: 202.4 days; 1 unrelated death), with a mean volume flow rate of 1,048.9 mL/min. The primary DES patency was 7/9 (77.8%), and 3 patients required angioplasty at other parts of the circuit (primary access circuit patency: 4/9 [44.4%]). The assisted primary access circuit patency was 77.8%. In 2 patients, the ultrasound revealed that the DESs were thrombosed without any antecedent stenosis; they were salvaged with angioplasty. Both patients previously underwent 2 DESs implanted and recently stopped dual antiplatelet therapy. B-mode sonographic assessment at all timepoints showed minimal intimal ingrowth on the stent struts.CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates acceptable short-term patency for DESs in the treatment of AVF stenosis. Dual antiplatelet therapy is probably mandatory in the short term.

Zornioside, a dihydrochalcone C-glycoside, and other compounds from Zornia brasiliensis

ABSTRACT The secondary metabolites of the aerial parts of Zornia brasiliensis Vogel, Fabaceae, and the biological activity of one of these secondary metabolites were characterized in this study. A phytochemical investigation was performed using chromatographic techniques including analytical and preparative reverse-phase HPLC column sequences, which resulted in the isolation of fourteen compounds: one previously undescribed C-glycosylated dihydrochalcone (zornioside), one cyclitol (D-pinitol), one glycosylated megastigmane (roseoside) and eleven phenolic compounds: 7-methoxyflavanone, 7,4'-dimethoxyisoflavone, medicarpin, 2'-4'-dihydroxychalcone, onionin, isoorientin-3'-O-methyl ether, isovitexin, glycosylated (Z)-O-coumaric acid, glycosylated (E)-O-coumaric acid, dihydromelilotoside, and isoorientin. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined based on 1D and 2D-NMR, HRESIMS, IR and CD spectroscopic analyses. The cytotoxic activity of zornoside was assessed against tumor cell lines (MCF-7, HCC1954, T-47D, 4T1, HL60), and a non-tumor cell line (RAW264.7) using MTT assay. The compound zornioside was selectively cytotoxic for HL60 leukemia cells (IC50: 37.26 µM).

Five-year follow-up of patients treated with imatinib mesylate for chronic myeloid leukaemia in Trinidad and Tobago / Pacientes con cinco años de seguimiento tratados con imatinib mesilato por leucemia mieloide crónica en Trinidad y Tobago

OBJECTIVE: Data on the use of Imatinib (IM) in developing countries remain limited. A retrospective study was done to assess the efficacy and toxicity of IM in treating chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in Trinidad and Tobago. METHODS: Patients in all phases of CML who started IM therapy between February 2001 and February 2004 were included. All had received other previous therapy. They were assessed for haematological, cytogenetic and molecular response, overall survival (OS), event free survival (EFS) and adverse effects (AE). RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were followed-up for a median 61 months. At initiation ofIM, 18 were in the chronic phase (CP), 3 in accelerated phase (AP), 3 in blast crisis (BC) and one in myelofibrotic transformation (MF). Overall, 96% of patients achieved complete haematological remission (CHR). Among CP patients, 67% attained a major cytogenetic response (MCR) and 44% a complete cyto genetic response (CCR). Overall survival and event free survival in the CP group were 82% and 76% respectively. Overall survival for advanced phase patients was 14% at 61 months The adverse effects of IM were the same as previously described and generally tolerable. No patient opted to discontinue IM because ofside effects. CONCLUSION: After 5 years of follow-up, IM was found to induce favourable and durable survival responses with an acceptable side effect profile in CP-CML patients who had received prior treatment with alternative agents.

OBJETIVO: Los datos sobre el uso de imatinib (IM) en los países en vías de desarrollo, siguen siendo limitados. Se hizo un estudio retrospectivo con el fin de evaluar la eficacia y toxicidad de IM en el tratamiento de la leucemia mieloide crónica (LMC) en Trinidad y Tobago. MÉTODOS: Se incluyeron todos los pacientes -en todas las fases de LMC - que empezaron la terapia de IM entre febrero de 2001 y febrero de 2004. Todos habían recibido otra terapia previamente. Se les evaluó con respecto a su respuesta hematológica, citogenética y molecular, supervivencia global (SG), supervivencia libre de eventos (SLE), y efectos adversos (EA). RESULTADOS: Veinticinco pacientes tuvieron seguimiento por espacio de 61 meses como promedio. En la iniciación de IM, 18 estaban en fase crónica (FC), 3 en la fase acelerada (FA), 3 en crisis blástica (CB) y uno en transformación mielofibrótica (MF). En general, 96% de los pacientes lograron la remisión hematológica completa (RHC). Entre los pacientes de CF, 67% lograron una repuesta citogénica mayor (RCM) y 44% una respuesta citogénica completa (RCC). La supervivencia global (SG) y la supervivencia libre de eventos (SLE) en el grupo FC fueron 82% y 76% respectivamente. La supervivencia global para los pacientes en fase avanzada fue de 14% en 61 meses. Los EA de IM fueron los mismos previamente descritos, y eran generalmente tolerables. Ningún paciente optó por discontinuar IM debido a efectos adversos. CONCLUSIÓN: Después de 5 años de seguimiento, se halló que IM induce respuestas de supervivencia favorables y duraderas en los pacientes de LMC-FC previamente tratados, con un perfil aceptable de efectos colaterales.

Childhood accidents: An emerging concern

The study of childhood and injury prevention is emerging as a legitimat field of clinical practice and research in pediatrics and community health. In the Philippines, accidents rank sixth both in terms of morbidity and mortality. Children and adolescents comprise a sizeable number of cases, accounting for about 40% of the total number of accidents. In terms of serious disability, medical costs and morbidity, the total impact of childhood injuries is enormous. An accident is defined by the World Health Organization as an event which is independent of human will power, caused by an external force, acts rapidly and results in bodily or mental damage. Haddon defines injury as a damage by a transfer of energy from a hazardous agent to a susceptible host in a conducive environment. The leading causes of injuries in the Philippines are traffic accidents, drowning, falls, burns and poisoning. Most injuries occur at home and in school. The interactive model of agent-host-environment can be adopted for understanding childhood injuries. A developmental approach that emphasizes that children have different cognitive, perceptual, motor, and language competencies can provide a better understanding of the child's contributions to the occurence of injuries. A good injury prevention program depends on significant researches on accident and injury prevention. Clinical, epidemiological, and biotechnical research can provide a basis for rational prevention of accidents. Educational packages for injury should be prepared by medical schools, hospitals, and health organizations. Pediatricians must advocate for legislation and enforcement of laws on injury prevention, cost efficient preventive measures, good accident data collection. The creation of national, regional, and local safety committees will accelerate a national injury prevention program.

Cutaneous Curvularia infection in a neutropenic patient

Background: Cutaneous Curvularia is a rare fungal infection which presents itself as erythematous, non-tender, non-pruritic, ulcerative lesions. To the best of our knowledge, only a few cases reported in the literature have occurred in immunocompromised and/or neutropenic patients, none of which have been published within the past five years.Objective: We report the case of a 53-year-old man diagnosed with diffuse large B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and associated neutropenia who developed several erythematous macular lesions with central excoriations and crusting on his bilateral anterior tibiae, and whose fungal culture was positive for Curvularia sp.

Predictores de síndrome coronario agudo sin supradesnivel del ST y estratificación de riesgo en la unidad de dolor torácico. Experiencia en 1.168 pacientes / Predictors of acute coronary syndrome without ST segment elevation and risk stratification in the chest pain unit

Background: Nearly 10 percent of patients with an actual acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are discharged with an inadequate diagnosis. Aim To select clinical and laboratory predictors to identify patients with a high likelihood of ACS in the Chest Pain Unit. Material and methods: Prospective evaluation of patients consulting in a Chest Pain Unit of a University Hospital. Initial assessment was standardized and included evaluation of pain characteristics, electrocardiogram and Troponin I. Independent predictors of ACS were identified with a multiple logistic regression. Results: In a four years period, 1,168 patients aged 62±23 years (69 percent males), were studied. After initial evaluation, 62 percent of the patients were admitted to the hospital for further testing and in 71 percent of them, a definite diagnosis of ACS was made. No events were reported by patients directly discharged from the Chest Pain Unit. Independent predictors associated with a higher likelihood of ACS were an abnormal electrocardiogram at the initial evaluation (Odds ratio (OR) 5.37, 95 percent confidence intervals (CI) 3.61-7.99), two or more cardiovascular risk factors (OR 2.16, 95 percent CI 1.21-2.84), cervical irradiation of the pain (OR 1.84, 95 percent CI 1.25-2.69), age over 65years (OR 1.73, 95 percent CI (1.32-2.27) and a Troponin I above the upper normal limit (OR: 5.68, 95 percent CI 3.72-8.29). Conclusions: Simple clinical findings allow an appropriate identification of patients with a high likelihood of ACS without specialized methods for myocardial ischemia detection.

Occurrence of Physoclypeus farinosus Hendel (Diptera: Lauxaniidae) in flowerheads of Asteraceae (Asterales)

The occurrence of Physoclypeus farinosus Hendel in flowerheads of Asteraceae from different Brazilian localities is presented. The use of this resource by this fly is discussed.

É apresentada a ocorrência de Physoclypeus farinosus Hendel em capítulos de Asteraceae de várias localidades brasileiras. Discute-se brevemente o uso desse recurso por essa mosca.

A retrospective study on the role of postoperative choledochoscopy in the management of retained biliary calculi

A two-year retrospective study (January 1995 to December 1996) of 328 patients who underwent outpatient postoperative choledochoscopy is reported, 299 patients (91.2%) had retained biliary stones and 90 patients (30.1%) had stones located at the common bile duct. One hundred fourteen patients (46.8%) had primary stones. One hundred fourteen patients (38.1%) with multiple stones found at several locations required an average of 2 postoperative choledochoscopic sessions for complete clearance of biliary tree. Our overall clearance rate was 87 per cent. Only 8 patients (2.54%) had morbidities consisting of hemobilia and pain. (Author)

A multicenter randomized clinical trial comparing the clinical efficacy of Imipenem/Cilastin and Ceftazidime plus Metronidazole in surgically treated serious intra-abdominal infections

An open, prostective, randomized multicenter clinical trial randomly allocated successive patient who were scheduled for a surgical procedure for serious intra-abdominal infections to receive either treatment CM (ceftazidine plus metronidazole) or monotherapy with treatment IC (imipenem/cilastatin). Out of 90 eligible patients, 87 were clinically evaluable of which 71 were clinically and bacteriologically evaluable (CBE). Cases allocated to each treatment group were comparable as to age, sex, diagnostic group distribution, mean APACHE II scores, and bacteriologic evaluability. Among the 87 clinically evaluable patients, there were 4 (9.1%) and 2 (4.7%) treatment failures among those who received treatments CM and IC respectively (p=0.486). For all eligible patients, the mean fever days was 2.07, mean treatment days was 6.01, and mean hospital days was 11.57, and was not significantly different between the two treatment groups. Among clinically evaluable cases, the mean APACHE II scores of patients with succesful outcomes (5.8) was very significantly lower (p=0.000) than that of patients whose treatment failed (13.8). This was also true for CBE cases. Logistic regression analysis showed that among six variables (diagnostic group, APACHE II score, antibiotic used, fever days, hospital days and treatment days) only the APACHE II score signficantly contributed to treatment failure (p=0.001).

Ectopia lentis y pupilar. A proposito de un caso / Lentitis and pupilar ectopia. Report of a case

Presentamos un caso de una patología poco común y sobre la cual existe poca literatura

Efecto de la hemorragia aguda en un modelo experimental de trauma / Effects of acute hemorrhage in a experimental trauma model

Mediante la utilización de un modelo establecido de trauma se evaluó la asociación de la hemorragia aguda comprometió 30% del volumen sanguíneo circulante en animales de experimentación. A las 24 horas de ser introducidas las variables se constató una significación reducción de la inmunidad celular al cuantificarse la incorporación de Thymidina en los linfocitos T esplénicos, se evidenció además una disminución significativa en la capacidad de respuesta ante un proceso séptico al inducir una sepsis de origen intra-abdominal. A nivel intestinal, la presencia de edema y áreas focales de fragmentación en la mucosa intestinal permiten el paso de bacterias a través de ella, alcanzando los nódulos linfáticos mesentéricos. De este estudio se concluye que la asociación de estas dos variables ocasionan alteraciones importantes sobre el sistema inmune, incrementando la susceptibilidad a desarrollar infecciones e inducen el fenomeno de translocación bacteriana. Este último ha sido implicado en la etiología de la sépsis y la falla de múltiples sistemas debido a la reacción inflamatoria producida por los micro-organismos que translocan en los diferentes órganos de la economía

Lavado peritoneal diagnóstico en trauma abdominal cerrado y penetrante / Diagnostic peritoneal in penetrating and blunt abdominal trauma

Durante el lapso de 4 años (enero 1982-diciembre 1985), se evaluaron 69 pacientes que ingresaron a la emergencia del Hospital Vargas con el diagnóstico de trauma agudo abdominal cerrado y penetrante. La edad promedio fue de 24.5 años con una distribución de 64 hombres y 5 mujeres. El 76.8% ingresó en estado confusional agudo. El 40.6% de los pacientes correspondientes a trauma abdominal cerrado, el 29% a heridas por arma blanca, en igual número las heridas por arma de fuego y 1 solo paciente presentó heridas combinadas. En tan solo 23 pacientes (33,3%) de los 69 el LPD fue positivo, ameritando ser intervenidos quirúrgicamente. Hubo tan solo 2 falsos positivos en el grupo de tráuma abdominal penetrante. Los órganos más frecuentes lesionados fueron el bazo, hígado y diafragma. En el trauma abdominal cerrado se obtuvo una exactitud, sensibilidad y especificidad del 100%, en las heridas por arma blanca la exactitud fue del 95%, la sensibilidad del 100% y la especificidad del 94.4%. En las heridas por arma de fuego la exactitud fue del 95%, con una sensibilidad del 100% y una especificidad del 91,6%. De acuerdo a nuestros resultados concluimos que el LPD es un método sencillo tanto en su realización como en su interpretación además de ser seguro y sensible en el diagnóstico de las lesiones intra-abdominales en los pacientes con trauma abdominal cerrado y penetrante

Miastenia gravis ocular y oftalmoplegia externa progresiva

Se presenta 1 caso de Miastenia Gravis Ocular y 1 caso de Oftalmoplegia Externa Progresiva y cómo hacer el diagnóstico diferencial

Factores involucrados en la translocación bacteriana en un modelo experimental de obstrucción intestinal / Involucrate factors in bacterial translocation in a experimental model of intestinal obstruction

Se deseño un modelo experimental de obstrucción intestinal (OI) a fin de estudiar las alteraciones histológicas a nivel de la pared intestinal y nódulos linfáticos mesntéricos (NLM). Para tal efecto se utilizaron 32 ratas Sprague-Darley las cuales bajo anestesia con tiopental sódico les fue practicada una laparotomía + ligadura del íleon con seda 3-0 causando oclusión completa de su luz. A diferentes intervalos de producirse la OI (24, 48, 72 y 96 horas), posterior a su sacrificio mediante dislocación cervical se analizaron histológicamete los diferentes grupos. A las 24 horas post OI se apreció congestión y edema de la pared intestinal, presencia de infiltrado celular inflamatorio a nivel de la lámina propia y reactividad de los NLM. A las 48 horas se incrementó el edema y la congestión, se evidenció fragmentación de la mucosa y translocación fragmentación de la mucosa y translocacióy translocación de bacterias a través de ella, las cuales alcanzaron los nódulos linfáticos de la pared. A nivel de los NLM la histiocitosis era mayor. La constatación de TB en la OI amplía aún más el conjunto de alteraciones observadas en esta patología donde no sólo se produce la absorción de productos tóxicos y endotoxinas a nivel del segmento comprometimento y que pudiesen explicar la bacteriemia y la sepsis en este tipo de pacientes

Carcinoma de vesícula biliar: Revisión de 5 años / Gallbladder cancer: Review of 5 years

Se realiza un estudio retrospectivo de 20 pacientes con Carcinoma de Vesícula Biliar que ingresaron a este Centro durante los años de 1983 a 1987. El diagnóstico se confirmó mediante biopsia intra operatoria o autopsia. El 90% era del sexo femenino siendo el 70% mayor de 50 años. El 56% refería intolerancia a grasas y granos, un 44% había sido estudiado por litiasis vesicular. El dolor en hipocondrio derecho se halló en un 89%, la pérdida de peso en 83% y la ictericia en 79% de los casos. El 78% tenía masa palpable abdominal. Las fosfatasas alcalinas se hallaron elevadas en la totalidad de los casos, la bilirrubina y transaminasas en el 78% y 76% respectivamente. El ECO abdominal sugirió el diagnóstico en el 50% de los casos, un único caso al que se le realizó TAC el diagnóstico de litiasis vesicular el 25% de los casos. Adenocarcinoma de vasícula fue reportado en el 100% de los casos. De los 12 pacientes tratados quirúrgicamente, 4 (33%) fallecen en un lapso de 6 a 14 días, 8 egresan, regresando 4 a control. Tres fallecen en un lapso de 4 meses a 9 años, el restante está bajo seguimiento médico posterior a colecistectomía simple sin evidencia clínica o por imágenes de tumor a los 22 meses de intervención

Pseudo-quistes pancreaticos: experiencia en su manejo en los últimos 15 años en el Hospital Vargas de Caracas / Pancreatic pseudocysts: experience of its management in 15 years old in Hospital Vargas Caracas

El manejo de los pseudoquistes pancreáticos es complejo. El agdvenimiento del ultrasonido y la tomografía axial computarizada ha permitido diagnosticarlos más precoz y frecuente y a la vez han facilitado la comprensión de la historia natural de la enfermedad. Las recomendaciones tradicionales para el manejo y el momento óptimo para la cirugía han variado. Nosotros estudiamos 24 pacientes con diagnóstico de pseudoquiste pancreático observando un 28,5% de remisiones espontáneas. El 71.4% restante ameritó cirugía. Al 26.6% se le practico con una mortalidad del 75%. Al 66.6% se le practicó alguna modalidad de derivación interna con una mortalidad y morbilidad del 20% (cada una). El 6.66% restante se le practicó cirugía excisional sin morbilidad ni mortalidad. La tasa de complicaciones preoperatorias fue del 23.6% y siempre se relacionó con un porcentaje alto de complicaciones postoperatorias. Los pseudoquistes que se originaron después de pancreatitis aguda de origen alcohólico o depués de un traumatismo pancreático se asociaron a una mayor frecuencia de complicaciones preoperatorias y a una mayor mortalidad, además ninguno de ellos sufrió remisión espontánea