Synthesis, Characterization, and Photoelectric and Electrochemical Behavior of (CH3NH3)2Zn1-xCoxBr4 Perovskites.

We report the synthesis, characterization, and photoelectric and electrochemical properties of (CH3NH3)2Zn1-xCoxBr4 (x = 0.0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1.0) samples. X-ray powder and single-crystal diffraction confirm the formation of solid solution across the entire range. Additionally, as the cobalt concentration increases, the crystallinity of the samples decreases, as indicated by the powder diffraction patterns. All samples remain stable up to 560 K, beyond which they decompose into CH3NH3Br and the respective bromide. The semiconductor behavior of the compounds is confirmed through optical absorption measurements, and band gap values are determined by using the Tauc method from diffuse reflectance spectra. Raman spectroscopy reveals a slight redshift in all vibration modes with increasing cobalt content. Finally, photovoltaic measurements on solar cells constructed with (MA)2CoBr4 perovskite exhibit modest performance, and electrochemical measurements indicate that the compound with the composition (MA)2Zn0.3Co0.7Br4 exhibits the highest current for electrochemical water reduction during oxygen evolution.

Herramientas prácticas para el desarrollo de la medicina ambulatoria / Practical tools for the development of ambulatory medicine

En medicina ambulatoria es fundamental brindar una atención integral, que esté centrada en la persona e incluya variables familiares, sociales y culturales, no solo biomédicas. El objetivo de este artículo es dar a conocer, de forma general, algunas herramientas prácticas utilizadas frecuentemente en un contexto de atención primaria de salud (APS) y la medicina ambulatoria, para cumplir tal desafío:El enfoque centrado en la persona, nos permite definir las necesidades específicas de los pacientes y sus familias, los recursos que tienen, además de lograr mayor participación en la toma de decisiones y mejores resultados en salud. Para poder determinar las redes, el nivel de funcionamiento y la vulnerabilidad familiar, existen diversas herramientas prácticas, fáciles de aplicar en la consulta ambulatoria, que todo médico y equipo de salud debieran conocer. En este artículo se revisan tres: el genograma, ecomapa y SALUFAM.Una vez definido el contexto familiar y social de los pacientes con las herramientas antes mencionadas, en caso de reconocer problemas o necesidades, la consejería familiar y el enfoque estratégico breve o centrado en la solución, son excelentes estrategias para abordar temáticas complejas y utilizar los recursos propios familiares, generando planes de acción participativos y atingentes a la realidad local.

In ambulatory care, it is essential to provide an integral attention, which is person centered, that includes family, social and cultural variables, not just biomedical. The objective of this article is to know, in a general way, some practical tools frequently used in Primary Health Care (PHC) and ambulatory medicine, to fulfill this challenge:The person centered approach allows us to define the specific needs of the patients and their families, the resources they have, and also, improve participation in decision-making and better health outcomes.In order to determine the networks, the level of functioning and family vulnerability, there are several practical tools, easy to apply in the outpatient consultation, that every doctor and healthcare team should know. Three tools are reviewed in this article: the genogram, ecomap and SALUFAM.Once the patient's family and social context has been defined with the tools mentioned before, in case of recognizing problems or needs, family counseling and the brief therapy or solution-focused therapy, are excellent strategies for approaching complex issues and using the family resources, generating participative action plans according to local reality

A electrochemical biosensor for As(III) detection based on the catalytic activity of Alcaligenes faecalis immobilized on a gold nanoparticle-modified screen-printed carbon electrode.

A electrochemical biosensor for As(III) determination has been developed by immobilization of the Alcaligenis faecalis bacteria on gold nanoparticle-modified screen-printed carbon electrode (AuNPs-SPCE). The detection of As(III) is due to the catalytic activity of arsenite oxidase enzyme which oxidizes As(III) to As(V) producing an analytical signal. To enhance the performance of the biosensor, was optimized the amount of bacteria, amount of glutaraldehyde and incubation time applied in the preparation of the electrode, in addition to the effect of pH and applied potential. The analytical application was carried out applying 300 mV (pH = 7) obtaining a LOD of 6.61 µmol L-1 (R = 0.9975) and 700 mV (pH = 12) obtaining a LOD of 1.84 µmol L-1 (R = 0.9983). AF/AuNPs-SPCE was applied to the determination of total arsenic in Loa river water samples after reduction, with satisfactory results.

Contenido de humedad, proteínas y minerales en diez variedades de quínoa chilena cultivadas en distintas zonas geográficas / Moisture, protein and mineral content of ten varieties of Chilean quinoa grown in different geographic zones

RESUMEN El consumo de quínoa (Chenopodium quínoa Willd) ha aumentado, renovando el interés en su composición y valor nutricional. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar los contenidos de humedad, cenizas, proteínas y algunos minerales (Fe, Zn y Cu) de 10 variedades de quínoa chilena cultivadas en cuatro zonas geográficas, utilizando metodologías analíticas validadas. Las muestras (n=10) de quínoa cultivada en Vallenar, Los Tilos, Hidango y Santa Rosa fueron analizadas en triplicado. Los métodos normalizados aplicados fueron: humedad; cenizas; proteínas; hierro, zinc y cobre, bajo los requisitos de ISO/IEC 17025:2017. Los datos se analizaron usando análisis de varianza para comparar variedades y zonas de cultivo. Las muestras contienen en promedio 16,6 g de proteínas/100 g (14,4-17,5), 8,97 mg de hierro/100 g (7,71-10,76), 3,38 mg de zinc/100 g (2,17-5,30), y 0,83 mg de cobre/100 g (0,60-1,10). Las variedades cultivadas en Vallenar, Los Tilos e Hidango mostraron mayor contenido proteico que las de Santa Rosa (p<0,05). Todas las variedades tienen un contenido destacado de los microminerales cobre, zinc y hierro. Los resultados aportan información relevante sobre el valor nutricional de la quínoa chilena, entregando datos para la actualización de las Tablas de Composición Química de alimentos.

ABSTRACT The intake of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) has increased worldwide. Its revival has renewed interest in its composition and nutritional value. The aim of this study was to determine the contents of moisture, ash, protein, and some minerals (Fe, Zn and Cu) of ten varieties of Chilean quinoa grown in various geographical zones, using validated analytical methods under rule ISO/IEC 17025:2017. Grains grown in Vallenar, Los Tilos, Hidango, and Santa Rosa were analyzed in triplicates, using previously validated analytical methodologies and certified reference materials. The normalized methods used were: moisture; ash; protein; mineral, under the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 norm. Data were analyzed using ANOVA to compare varieties and growth zones. The analyzed quinoa grains contain a mean of 16.6 g proteins/100 g (range 14.4-17.5), 8.97 mg iron/100 g (range 7.71-10.76), 3.38 mg zinc/100 g, and 0.83 mg copper/100 g (range 0.60-1.10). The varieties grown in Vallenar, Los Tilos and Hidango showed higher protein content compared to Santa Rosa (p<0.05). All varieties exhibit considerable microminerals content, such as copper, zinc, and iron. These results provide relevant information about the nutritional value of Chilean quinoa and updated reliable data for Food Composition Tables.

Valoración tomográfica inicial en pacientes con neumonía por COVID-19 en el Hospital Central de la Fuerza Aérea del Perú: serie de casos / Initial CT scanning in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in the peruvian central air force hospital: a case series

RESUMEN Se presentan nueve casos de pacientes con COVID-19, que desarrollaron neumonía por el SARS-CoV-2, atendidos en el Hospital Central de la Fuerza Aérea del Perú, con diferentes manifestaciones clínicas, factores de riesgo y evolución; así como la descripción de los hallazgos en la tomografía computarizada de tórax (TCT), empleando un score de severidad tomográfico al ingreso hospitalario. La puntuación se basó en el porcentaje de afectación que tenía cada lóbulo pulmonar y permitió valorar el diagnóstico clínico de neumonía según su severidad, incluso antes que las pruebas moleculares y serológicas dieran positivo en algunos de los casos presentados.

ABSTRACT We present nine cases of COVID-19 patients that developed pneumonia caused by SARSCov- 2 who were seen in the Peruvian Central Air Force Hospital and showed different clinical features, risk factors, and outcomes. Findings of their thorax CT scans are described using a tomographic score that was applied on admission. Points assigned were based on the percentage of involvement on each pulmonary lobe and this allowed us to determine a clinical diagnosis of pneumonia according to its severity, even before having positive results in molecular and serological tests for some of these patients.

Neumonía por COVID-19 y uso de tocilizumab / COVID-19 pneumonia and tocilizumab use

RESUMEN Se presenta el caso de un paciente varón de 44 años, personal de salud con hipertensión arterial, que tuvo contacto con pacientes con neumonía por COVID-19. Presentó compromiso pulmonar severo de rápida progresión clínico-radiológica, recibió tratamiento según la evidencia en el momento de su admisión y un antagonista del receptor de interleucina 6 (tocilizumab) como uso compasivo, obteniendo una respuesta clínica favorable.

ABSTRACT We present the case of a 44-year-old male patient, health personnel with high blood pressure, who had contact with patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. He had rapidly clinically-radiologically progressive lung involvement, received evidence-based treatment at admission, and an interleukin-6 receptor antagonist (tocilizumab) for compassionate use, obtaining a favorable clinical response.

Primer fallecido por COVID-19 en el Perú / First deceased by covid-19 in Peru

RESUMEN Se presenta el caso del primer fallecido en el Perú. Varón de 78 años de edad, con antecedentes de hipertensión, el cual presentó un cuadro clínico característico de la enfermedad causada por el nuevo coronavirus (COVID-19), contacto epidemiológico, prueba confirmatoria positiva junto con algunos parámetros de laboratorio e imagen radiológica también característicos; que siguió una evolución fatal, pese a recibir la terapia recomendada en ese momento. Este caso puso en evidencia la necesidad de identificar rápidamente aquellos pacientes que podrían tener una evolución desfavorable, para poder brindar el tratamiento más temprano y adecuado.

ABSTRACT The case of the first deceased in Peru is presented. 78-year-old man, with a history of hypertension, who presented a characteristic clinical picture of the disease caused by the new coronavirus (COVID-19), which had fundamental epidemiological data, the positive confirmatory test together with some laboratory parameters and radiological image also characteristic; that followed a fatal evolution, despite receiving the recommended therapy at that time. This case highlighted the need to quickly identify those patients who could have an unfavorable evolution, in order to provide the earliest and most adequate treatment.

Correction to: A thiotrophic microbial community in an acidic brine lake in Northern Chile.

In Table 1 of the original article, the unit mg/L was incorrectly published as ng/L in the aluminum, chloride, sulphate and OM columns.

A new strategy for the modification of a carbon paste electrode with carrageenan hydrogel for a sensitive and selective determination of arsenic in natural waters.

An adsorptive stripping voltammetric method for the determination of As(III) and Astotal in water samples using a carrageenan modified carbon paste electrode is presented for the first time (CAR-CPE). The modified electrode was prepared in different ways: by adding CAR in solid form or as a hydrogel together with graphite and paraffin, as well as adsorbing CAR by applying a potential on an unmodified carbon paste electrode. The best results were obtained when CAR was incorporated as hydrogel (HCAR-CPE). The selection of the ratio amounts for electrode preparation was carried out applying a multivariate experimental design. Variables like amount of graphite (U1), HCAR (U2) and paraffin (U3) were optimized using a (2K+2K+C) model. The results showed that the amount of HCAR was the most significant factor, and the adequate U1:U2:U3 ratio to prepare the electrode was: 493 mg of graphite, 214 µL of paraffin and 134 µL of carrageenan as gel. The optimum parameters for the determination of As(III) were pH = 3.25 (0.01 mol L-1 H3PO4/H2PO4- solution); Eacc = -0.50 V and tacc = 30 s. The electrode presents good linear behavior concentration range from 0.50 to 6.70 µg L-1, with a limit of detection of 0.22 µg L-1. The relative standard deviation was 5.0% at the 1.5 µg L-1 As(III) level (n = 16). The method was validated by quantifying As(III) in spiked tap water from laboratory (RE: 3.0%), and it was applied for the determination of Astotal in water samples from the Loa River (North of Chile) prior reduction of As(V) with Na2S2O3 solution, obtaining 814.00 ±â€¯0.03 µg L-1. The results of the proposed method were compared with those obtained by adsorptive stripping voltammetry with HMDE and by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) techniques.

A thiotrophic microbial community in an acidic brine lake in Northern Chile.

The endorheic basins of the Northern Chilean Altiplano contain saline lakes and salt flats. Two of the salt flats, Gorbea and Ignorado, have high acidic brines. The causes of the local acidity have been attributed to the occurrence of volcanic native sulfur, the release of sulfuric acid by oxidation, and the low buffering capacity of the rocks in the area. Understanding the microbial community composition and available energy in this pristine ecosystem is relevant in determining the origin of the acidity and in supporting the rationale of conservation policies. Besides, a comparison between similar systems in Australia highlights key microbial components and specific ones associated with geological settings and environmental conditions. Sediment and water samples from the Salar de Gorbea were collected, physicochemical parameters measured and geochemical and molecular biological analyses performed. A low diversity microbial community was observed in brines and sediments dominated by Actinobacteria, Algae, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. Most of the constituent genera have been reported to be either sulfur oxidizing microorganisms or ones having the potential for sulfur oxidation given available genomic data and information drawn from the literature on cultured relatives. In addition, a link between sulfur oxidation and carbon fixation was observed. In contrast, to acid mine drainage communities, Gorbea microbial diversity is mainly supported by chemolithoheterotrophic, facultative chemolithoautotrophic and oligotrophic sulfur oxidizing populations indicating that microbial activity should also be considered as a causative agent of local acidity.

Conociendo el rol del tutor clínico en profundidad / Conhecendo o papel do tutor clínico em profundidade / In-depth Knowledge of the Role of the Clinical Mentor

Objective. This work sought to unveil the meaning expressed by clinical nurses by being mentors for students from the nursing internship level. Methods. Phenomenological research. In-depth interviews were conducted with nine clinical nurses from a hospital in Santiago de Chile, who participate as mentors of nursing students in their last stage of university formation. Results. Four comprehensive categories were obtained with their respective units of meaning by nursing: 1) vocation and gratification, 2) personal and professional challenge, 3) big responsibility, and 4) transmission of experience. Conclusion. Clinical mentorship is a relevant experience in the professional lives of nurses, which implies overcoming challenges, self-training, and delivering the best of oneself, for the purpose of training future professionals prepared to practice nursing integrally.(AU)

Objetivo. Develar el significado para las enfermeras clínicas ser tutor de estudiantes del nivel de internado de enfermería. Métodos. Investigación fenomenológica. Se realizaron entrevistas en profundidad a nueve enfermeras clínicas, de un hospital de Santiago de Chile, quienes participan como tutoras de estudiantes de enfermería que se encuentran en su última etapa de formación universitaria. Resultados. Se obtuvieron cuatro categorías comprensivas con sus respectivas unidades de significado de enfermería: 1) vocación y gratificación, 2) desafío personal y profesional, 3) gran responsabilidad, y 4) transmisión de experiencia. Conclusión. La tutoría clínica es una experiencia relevante en la vida profesional de la enfermera, que implica vencer desafíos, autoformarse y entregar lo mejor de sí misma, con el propósito de formar un futuro profesional que esté preparado para ejercer la enfermería en forma integral.(AU)

Objetivo. Revelar o significado que tem para as enfermeiras clínicas ser tutor de estudantes do nível de internado de enfermagem. Métodos. Investigação fenomenológica. Se realizaram entrevistas em profundidade a nove enfermeiras clínicas, de um hospital de Santiago do Chile, quem participam como tutoras de estudantes de enfermagem, que se encontram em sua última etapa de formação universitária. Resultados. Se obtiveram quatro categorias compreensivas com suas respectivas unidades de significado de enfermagem: 1) vocação e gratificação, 2) desafio pessoal e profissional, 3) grande responsabilidade, e 4) transmissão de experiência. Conclusão. A tutoria clínica é uma experiência relevante na vida profissional da enfermeira, que implica vencer desafios, autoformar-se e entregar o melhor de si mesma, com o propósito de formar um futuro profissional que esteja preparado para exercer a enfermagem em forma integral.(AU)

In-depth Knowledge of the Role of the Clinical Mentor.

OBJECTIVES: This work sought to unveil the meaning expressed by clinical nurses by being mentors for students from the nursing internship level. METHODS: Phenomenological research. In-depth interviews were conducted with nine clinical nurses from a hospital in Santiago de Chile, who participate as mentors of nursing students in their last stage of university formation. RESULTS: Four comprehensive categories were obtained with their respective units of meaning by nursing: 1) vocation and gratification, 2) personal and professional challenge, 3) big responsibility, and 4) transmission of experience. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical mentorship is a relevant experience in the professional lives of nurses, which implies overcoming challenges, self-training, and delivering the best of oneself, for the purpose of training future professionals prepared to practice nursing integrally.

Determination of Sudan I in drinks containing Sunset yellow by adsorptive stripping voltammetry.

An efficient, fast and sensitive method for the determination of Sudan I (SI) in drinks containing Sunset yellow (Sy) is developed and validated using an adsorptive stripping voltammetric procedure. Sy is currently added to a large number of foods; however during their synthesis SI may be produced. The determination is based on adsorption of Sy and SI onto HMDE and later reduction of the azo group at -0.71 and -0.82V, respectively. Using the best set of the experimental conditions (pH 12.3; Eads: -0.40V) for the determination of SI in Sy, a linear response for SI in the concentration range 0.5-27.2µgL(-1) was found, with a detection limit of 1.5µgL(-1) in a tads of only 30s. The method was applied to the determination of SI in commercial drinks with satisfactory results. The presence of SI was confirmed by mass spectrometry.

Síndrome de burnout en una muestra de profesores/as de enseñanza básica de la ciudad de Copiapó / Burnout in a sample of primary school teachers in the city of Copiapó

La presente investigación procuró establecer la relación entre burnout y una serie de variables sociodemográficas y organizacionales. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 191 profesores/as de enseñanza básica de establecimientos educacionales municipales, subvencionados y particulares de la ciudad de Copiapó. Se utilizó como instrumentos de levantamiento de información de los niveles de burnout presentados por los/as profesores/as el Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) y el Cuestionario de Evaluación del Síndrome de Quemarse en el Trabajo (CESQT), los cuales demostraron una adecuada confiabilidad y validez concurrente. Los resultados muestran una relación estadísticamente significativa entre la variable ausentismo laboral y todas las dimensiones de burnout medidos por ambos instrumentos. No se observan diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre las variables del MBI y del CESQT comparadas por sexo, tipo de contrato y nivel de ingresos. Al comparar las diversas dimensiones del burnout por tipo de sostenedor, se observan diferencias estadísticamente significativas en todas ellas. Los resultados favorecen a los establecimientos privados, mostrándose los peores resultados en escuelas municipales. Junto a lo anterior, se observa una correlación negativa entre los niveles de agotamiento emocional y desgaste psíquico de los equipos de profesores/as y los resultados obtenidos en las pruebas SIMCE [Sistema de Medición de la Calidad de la Educación] de segundo y cuarto año básico...

The present investigation sought to establish a relationship between burnout and a number of demographic and organizational variables. The sample consisted of 191 primary school teachers of municipal, subsidized and private educational institutions of Copiapó. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Cuestionario de Evaluación del Sindrome de Quemarse en el Trabajo (CESQT) were used as tools to gather information from burnout levels presented by teachers. Two of them demonstrated an adequate reliability and concurrent validity. The results show a statistically significant relationship between absenteeism variable and all dimensions of burnout as measured by both instruments. No statistically significant differences between variables MBI and CESQT compared by sex, type of contract and income level were observed. When comparing the different dimensions of burnout by type of holder, statistically significant differences were detected in all of them. The results favor the private schools, showing the worst results in municipal schools. Alongside this, a negative correlation between levels of emotional exhaustion and psychological wear developed by teams of teachers and the results of the tests SIMCE [Sistema de Medición de la Calidad de la Educación] for second and fourth grade is observed...

Tecnología en un centro de quimioterapia ambulatoria y cuidado avanzado de enfermería: estudio observacional / Technology in an outpatient chemotherapy center and advanced practice nursing: observational study

Antecedentes: los cuidados de enfermería avanzados (CEA) requieren que la enfermera apoye sus conocimientos teóricos y experiencia clínica en un modelo de atención de enfermería con el objetivo de entregar cuidados holísticos e integrales según las necesidades de cada paciente. Objetivos: identificar las herramientas tecnológicas que la enfermera dispone en una unidad de quimioterapia, seleccionar una de las tecnologías específicas que utiliza y generar una propuesta para que a partir de ella, se pueda establecer cuidado avanzado. Metodología: para la recolección de datos se utilizó el método de observación no participante aplicado en un centro de quimioterapia ambulatoria de adultos. Resultados: se observó que las enfermeras utilizan correctamente las tecnologías duras disponibles en su unidad. En relación a tecnologías blandas-duras, si bien hay un conocimiento especializado en oncología, no existe un marco teórico de la disciplina asociado a los cuidados de enfermería brindados. En cuanto al uso de tecnologías blandas, éstas parecen relacionarse más a características personales que a una intervención estructurada y consciente. Conclusiones: las tecnologías son una herramienta que, junto a su expertise, permiten a la enfermera entregar cuidados seguros y eficaces. La unidad de quimioterapia es un centro donde se podrían hacer CEA. Se propone fortalecer los momentos de cuidado frente al paciente, con conocimientos propios de la disciplina a través de tres modelos de enfermería sugeridos, para poder decir que se están entregando cuidados avanzados en pacientes sometidos a quimioterapia ambulatoria.

Background. Advanced practice nursing (APN) requires nurses to support their knowledge and clinical experience in a nursing care model that delivers holistic and comprehensive care adjusted to the needs of each patient. Objetives. To identify the technological tools available to nurses in a chemotherapy unit, to select one of the specific technologies used and to generate a proposal that can be used in advanced practice. Methods. Data was collected using non-participant observation in an adult outpatient chemotherapy unit. Results. It was observed that nurses properly used hard technologies in their unit. In so far as hard-soft technologies, although there is a specialized knowledge in oncology, there is no theoretical framework associated to the nursing care provided. With regards to the use of soft technologies, their use seems to be related more with personal characteristics that a structured and conscious intervention. Conclusions. Technologies are tools that, coupled with nursing expertise, allow nurses to provide safe and effective care. The chemotherapy unit is a center where APN could be conducted. This study proposes enhancing patient-oriented care based on the knowledge of the discipline as expressed in three different models that are suggested, thus making it possible to state that advanced practice nursing is being provided to patients undergoing ambulatory chemotherapy.

Towards a framework for community engagement in global health research.

New technologies for global public health are spurring critical evaluations of the role of communities in research and what they receive in exchange for their participation. Community engagement activities resulting from these evaluations are most challenging for novel scientific ventures, particularly those involving controversial strategies and those in which some risks are poorly understood or determined. Remarkably, there is no explicit body of community engagement knowledge to which researchers can turn for guidance about approaches that are most likely to be effective in different contexts, and why. We describe here a framework that provides a starting point for broader discussions of community engagement in global health research, particularly as it relates to the development, evaluation and application of new technologies.

Role of IAPs in prostate cancer progression: immunohistochemical study in normal and pathological (benign hyperplastic, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and cancer) human prostate.

BACKGROUND: In this study was investigate IAPs in normal human prostate (NP), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and prostatic carcinoma (PC), and their involvement in apoptosis/proliferation via NF-kB (TNF-alpha, IL-1) stimulation. METHODS: Immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses were performed in 10 samples of normal prostates, 35 samples of BPH, 27 samples diagnosis of PIN (with low-grade PIN or high-grade PIN) and 95 samples of PC (with low, medium or high Gleason grades). RESULTS: In NP, cytoplasm of epithelial cells were positive to c-IAP1/2 (80% of samples), c-IAP-2 (60%), ILP (20%), XIAP (20%); negative to NAIP and survivin. In BPH, epithelial cells were immunostained to c-IAP1/2 (57.57%), c-IAP-2 (57.57%), ILP (66.6%), NAIP (60.6%), XIAP (27.27%), survivin (9.1%). Whereas low-grade PIN showed intermediate results between NP and BPH; results in high-grade PIN were similar to those found in PC. In PC, epithelial cells were immunostained to c-IAP1/2, c-IAP-2, ILP, NAIP, XIAP (no Gleason variation) and survivin (increasing with Gleason). CONCLUSIONS: IAPs could be involved in prostate disorder (BPH, PIN and PC) development since might be provoke inhibition of apoptosis and subsequently cell proliferation. At the same time, different transduction pathway such as IL-1/NIK/NF-kB or TNF/NF-kB (NIK or p38) also promotes proliferation. Inhibitions of IAPs, IL-1alpha and TNFalpha might be a possible target for PC treatment since IAPs are the proteins that inhibited apoptosis (favour proliferation) and IL-1alpha and TNFalpha would affect all the transduction pathway involucrate in the activation of transcription factors related to survival or proliferation (NF-kB, Elk-1 or ATF-2).

No significant QTc interval changes with high-dose ziprasidone: a case series.

This study examined the effects of high-dose ziprasidone on the electrocardiograms (ECGs) of adult inpatients. This was done in an effort to assess the incremental risk of QTc interval prolongation when using ziprasidone in doses above the maximum dose of 160 mg/day approved by the Food and Drug Administration. We retrospectively examined pre- and post-treatment QTc intervals in 15 subjects at the James A. Haley Veterans Affairs Medical Center who had received high doses of ziprasidone, ranging from 240 to 320 mg/day, due to intractable psychotic symptoms. Pure baseline ECGs were not always attainable, since the majority of the subjects were taking concomitant medications at the time that ziprasidone was initiated. Analysis yielded an average increase of 3.4 msec from pre- to post-treatment, with a maximum post-treatment interval of 452 msec and no cases having a pre- to post- treatment QTc interval increase > 20 msec. These findings are statistically insignificant and do not approach the 500 msec threshold of concern. This study suggests that high-dose ziprasidone does not have a significant incremental effect on QTc interval prolongation in certain subsets of patients. However, it does not rule out the possibility that ziprasidone could have deleterious effects in higher risk populations or that ziprasidone could have rare, idiosyncratic cardiogenic effects. Limitations of the study are identified and recommendations for future research are presented.