Urbanization, migration, and indigenous health in Peru.

INTRODUCTION: We compare demographic, socioeconomic, and anthropometric characteristics and blood pressure (BP), between rural and urban Peruvian indigenous women. These are preliminary results from a project on urbanization, migration, and health. METHODS: Data were collected cross-sectionally (2019) and compared between a rural (n = 92) and an urban (n = 93) community. RESULTS: Height: µ = 148.3 ± 5.0 cm (range = 137-162), weight: µ = 62.0 ± 11.5 (range = 37.5-108.7), median waist circumference = 89.0 (IQR = 15.8, range = 64.0-126.0), BMI = 28.3 (IQR = 6.2, range = 16.7-40.0), with no significant rural-urban differences. Systolic but not diastolic BP was significantly higher in urban versus rural women (median = 110, IQR = 18, range = 80-170 vs. median = 120, IQR = 10, range = 90-170, p = .002 and median = 70, IQR = 17, range = 50-100 vs. median = 70, IQR = 10, range = 60-100, p = .354), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Despite major lifestyle differences, there were no anthropometric differences between rural and urban women. Higher systolic BP in urban women may reflect social/economic stressors rather than dietary factors.

Sampling methodologies for epidemiologic surveillance of men who have sex with men and transgender women in Latin America: an empiric comparison of convenience sampling, time space sampling, and respondent driven sampling.

Alternatives to convenience sampling (CS) are needed for HIV/STI surveillance of most-at-risk populations in Latin America. We compared CS, time space sampling (TSS), and respondent driven sampling (RDS) for recruitment of men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW) in Lima, Peru. During concurrent 60-day periods from June-August, 2011, we recruited MSM/TW for epidemiologic surveillance using CS, TSS, and RDS. A total of 748 participants were recruited through CS, 233 through TSS, and 127 through RDS. The TSS sample included the largest proportion of TW (30.7 %) and the lowest percentage of subjects who had previously participated in HIV/STI research (14.9 %). The prevalence of newly diagnosed HIV infection, according to participants' self-reported previous HIV diagnosis, was highest among TSS recruits (17.9 %) compared with RDS (12.6 %) and CS (10.2 %). TSS identified diverse populations of MSM/TW with higher prevalences of HIV/STIs not accessed by other methods.

[Analysis of prognostic factors in biliary atresia]. / Análisis de los factores pronósticos en la atresia de vías biliares.

OBJECTIVE: Biliary atresia presents a worldwide incidence about 1 of every 9000-12000 live newborns. Our goal was to analyze the prognostic variables of our patients with biliary atresia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study, based on the review of all patients who underwent surgery at our centre by the Kasai technique from March 1983 to January 2012. A total of 52 variables were analyzed such as: clinical history, symptoms, diagnostic tests, use of corticosteroids, complications and evolution. RESULTS: From 35 patients operated by Kasai Technical we included 29, being 58.82% male; grouped according to the age of surgery: Group A (< 60 days) 14/29; Group B (60-90) 14/29 and Group C (> 90) 1/29. We observed that atresia type II was more common in the Group A and III in group B and C. There was a predominance of hepatic fibrosis in patients from Group A and C, and cirrhosis in B. The mean hospital stay was 24.66; 28.50 and 50.00 days for Group A, B and C respectively. Since 2004 it is established a treatment with corticosteroids in the postoperative period; complications noted in 40% of the treated and in 70% of the untreated. In 10 years, 44.82% are asymptomatic and transplanted 37.9%. CONCLUSIONS: In this study both the diagnosis and early Kasai technique improve prognosis. Treatment with corticoids could benefit short-term results.

[Study of the expression of neural stem cell markers in neuroblastoma tumor samples and correlation with prognostic factors]. / Estudio de expresión de marcadores de células madre neurales en neuroblastoma y correlación con factores pronóstico.

INTRODUCTION: The existence of cancer stem cells (CSC) in neuroblastoma (NB) has been associated with the development of metastasis, resistance to chemotherapy and recurrence. Our objective is to analyze the expression of proliferation and differentiation markers of neural progenitor cells in NB samples, and to correlate this expression with clinical variables such as histology, genetics and response to conventional therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective-experimental study with neuroblastoma samples obtained from biopsies or tumor resections between 2010-2012 in our Hospital. Fluorescence immunohistochemistry was used to analyze the expression of the different markers: CD44, CD74, CD133, tyrosine hydroxylase, endothelin receptors type A (ETA) and B (ETB), p75, nestina y and Phox2b, all of them related to neural stem cell biology. The level of expression of the markers was then correlated with clinical variables. RESULTS: Nestin expression was positive in 72.2% of samples and ETA in 66.7%. PHOX2B and CD74 expression were lower, being positive in less than 30%. The markers CD44, ETB and PHOX2B were expressed in more aggressive tumors. ETA expression correlated significantly with unfavorable histology tumors (p= 0.01), N-myc amplification (p= 0.05) and recurrence/progression (p= 0.05). CONCLUSION: The expression of CD44, ETB and ETA was associated with more aggressive tumors and poor prognostic factors. These markers are in the membrane of neural stem cells and may be useful to identify and isolate by flow cytometry CSCs of NB for the study of new therapeutic targets.

[When should a patient be referred to the pediatric surgeon?]. / Cuándo derivar un paciente al cirujano pediátrico?

INTRODUCTION: An incorrect transfer of patients to paediatric surgery clinic results in clinic saturation and both patient and medical staff discomfort. As a consequence the quality of medical care is deteriorated. AIM: 1) To evaluate the transfer of new patients to paediatric surgery clinic from primary paediatric care considering the medical diagnosis and the surgical calendar, looking for the most common mistakes. 2) To analyze the inconvenience of a wrong indication for both our patients and the medical staff. 3) To propose new measures to decrease the rate of patients incorrectly transferred. MATERIAL AND METHOD: An observational retrospective study was performed based on medical records of new patients evaluated in paediatric surgery clinic between september 2010 and january 2012. Age, address, diagnosis, transfer indication and referring centre were collected. RESULTS: Two thousand four hundred thirty medical records were reviewed from new patients finding an incorrect transfer in 44.28% of them (2.37 children/day). From these cases wrong transfer was related to surgical calendar in 18.59% and wrong diagnosis in 81.41% of them. Most common mistakes due to wrong diagnosis were Phimosis (91.45% n= 113) and Cryptorquidism (85.29% n = 122); mistakes related to surgical calendar were Umbilical Hernia (88.46%), Hypospadias (72.22% n= 31) and Hydrocele (70.83% n = 12). Mean distance of transfer for patients wrongly referred outside the metropolitan area was 35.92 km (Range: 7.1-129). CONCLUSIONS: We have detected major mistakes in patient transfer from primary paediatric care. The knowledge of surgical calendar and accurate diagnosis should avoid these problems. These mistakes result in deterioration of medical care quality, patient discomfort and clinic saturation. It is necessary to propose and develop measures that improve the knowledge of surgical calendar and to make more accurate surgical diagnosis in primary paediatric care.

[Comparative analysis between the Seldinger technique vs. open dissection in the implantation of intravenous reservoirs]. / Análisis comparativo entre la técnica de Seldinger vs. disección abierta en la implantación de reservorios intravenosos.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze advantages and disadvantages between Seldinger's technique (ST) and surgical dissection (SD) on intravenous port-a-caths comparing surgical parameters as time and complications. MATERIAL AND METHOD: An analytic retrospective study involving historic cohorts was realized, comparing our surgical experience on port-a-cath implantation with Seldinger technique or surgical dissection. Statistical analysis was made reflecting clinical and surgical parameters, such as surgical time length and intra/postoperative complications. RESULTS: 193 Port-a-caths were analyzed (119 SD, 74 ST), mainly placed for chemotherapy treatment (83.41%). Surgical time length expended at single procedures was 72.85 +/- 29.35 minutes for SD and 62.83 +/- 20.08 minutes for ST (p < 0.05). There were none operator-dependent differences. Statistically significant differences were not found between the two cohort's populations, neither at complications percentages. Greater-sized port-a-caths presented a higher average of skin necrosis (p > 0.05) however, lower-sized port-a-caths showed a higher average of infection (16% upon 7.7% p > 0.05). Both ST (51.67 vs. 98.14 min) and SD (78.56 vs. 123.61 min) showed lower surgical time length at left venous accesses (d = 171 vs. i = 19). Average in days for the extraction of port-a-caths with regard to complications was 121 days. CONCLUSION: Seldinger technique reduced the definitive lost of surgical dissected venous accesses, being possible further utilization of the same vein for subsequent port-a-caths. Seldinger technique reduces surgical time length without increasing complication's rate. Left venous access does not imply higher surgical time length. Complications may be related with port-a-cath's size.

Pain associated with root canal treatment.

AIM: To determine the pain experienced by patients during root canal treatment and to correlate with age and gender, pulpal diagnosis, previous periapical status, dental characteristics and length of treatment. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and seventy-six patients (68 men and 108 women), with ages ranged from 6 to 83 years, were randomly recruited. Patients completed a 10-cm visual analogue scale (VAS) that ranked the level of pain experienced during root canal treatment. RESULTS: The mean pain level during root canal treatment was 1.2 +/- 0.8 in a VAS between 0 and 10. Fifty-four per cent of patients did not experience pain. There were no significant differences in relation to gender or age groups. Mandibular teeth had a significantly (P < 0.05) higher percentage incidence of pain in comparison with maxillary teeth. Pain was absent in 63% of anterior teeth compared with 44% in posterior ones (P < 0.01). Interventions shorter than 45 min resulted in a significantly higher percentage of pain absence (P < 0.05). Root canal treatment was significantly (P < 0.05) more painful in teeth with irreversible pulpitis and acute apical periodontitis compared to the group with necrotic pulps and chronic apical periodontitis (P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Root canal treatment in teeth with irreversible pulpitis and acute apical periodontitis was more painful. Age, tooth type and length of the treatment were factors associated with increased risk for pain experienced during the procedure. Knowledge of pain levels endured by patients will allow dentists to decide when to use supplemental local anaesthesia.

Detection of Approximal Caries Lesions in Adults: A Cross-sectional Study.

Detection and management of posterior approximal caries lesions are still problematic. Inspection of approximal surfaces is challenging, and bitewing radiographs are used when direct vision is not possible. Unfortunately, there is no definite radiographic appearance to identify lesion cavitation with absolute certainty. Many lesions detected radiographically within the outer half of dentin are not cavitated, often resulting in unnecessary restorative treatment. Our study compared radiographic depth of approximal caries lesions with presence of cavitation in adults using visual inspection following temporary tooth separation (TTS). We conducted this observational descriptive cross-sectional study at two dental schools in two cities in Chile. Clinicians were unaware of radiographic depths of lesions and examined 147 participants (57.3% female and 42.7% male) following TTS. Using the common classification system that consists of E0 (no lesion), E1 (lesion within the outer half of enamel), E2 (lesion within the inner half of enamel), D1 (lesion within the outer third of dentin), D2 (lesion within the middle third of dentin), and D3 (lesion within the inner third of dentin), a trained dentist evaluated all the processed films. Cavitation was detected in only three sites (0.22%) within the E0 category, seven sites (3.41%) in E1, five sites (14.8%) in E2, four sites (14.8%) in D1, six sites (50%) in D2, and eight sites (61.5%) in D3. Considering that restorative treatment should be indicated strictly for cavitated lesions, our findings support indication for restorative treatment for D3 lesions and the rationale for TTS for D1-D2 caries lesions to allow direct visual inspection to determine whether there is surface cavitation.

High prevalence of apical periodontitis amongst smokers in a sample of Spanish adults.

AIM: To study the prevalence of apical periodontitis in smoker and nonsmoker patients. METHODOLOGY: In a cross-sectional study, the records of 180 subjects, 109 smokers and 71 nonsmokers, were examined. All participants underwent a full-mouth radiographic survey incorporating 14 periapical radiographs. The periapical region of all teeth, excluding third molars, was examined. Periapical status was assessed using the Periapical Index score. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Cohen's Kappa test, analysis of variance and logistic regression. RESULTS: Apical periodontitis in at least one tooth was found in 74% of smokers and in 41% of nonsmokers (P < 0.01; odds ratio = 4.2; 95% C. I. = 2.2-7.9). Amongst smoker patients 5% of the teeth had apical periodontitis, whereas in nonsmoker subjects 3% of teeth were affected (P = 0.008; odds ratio = 1.5; 95% C. I. = 1.1-2.1). The percentage of root filled teeth in smoker and nonsmoker patients was 2.5% and 1.5%, respectively (P < 0.05; odds ratio = 1.7; C. I. 95% = 1.0-2.6). CONCLUSIONS: In this study population, smoking was significantly associated with a greater frequency of root canal treatment and with an increased prevalence of apical periodontitis.

[Temporal relationship between gastroesophageal reflux and cardiorespiratory events]. / Relación temporal entre el episodio cardiorrespiratorio y reflujo gastroesofágico.

UNLABELLED: The acid and non acidic gastroesophageal reflux can trigger apnoea, desaturation and bradicardia events, as well as chronic pulmonary pathology due to microaspirations, whereas the acute or chronic airway closing increase the intrathoracic pressure, triggering the reflux. Our aims were to measurement in preterms newborn the correlations between cardiorespiratory events and gastroesophageal reflux, find out the direction of this relation, identify the patients with association GER->CRE and decide the suitability of antireflux surgery. METHOD: The study was made in the Motility Unit and in the Intensive Neonatal Care Unit, to preterms newborns without associated pathology except apnoea and/or bradicardia and/or desaturation. MATERIAL: 3 hours manometry study in the Motility Unit. 24 hours impedance, pH and cardiorespiratory parameters monitoring (respiratory and cardiac frequent, O2 saturation and CO2) in Intensive Neonatal Care Unit. We characterised the gastroesophageal barrier, all the reflux events and the association between GER and CRE. RESULTS: We made 28 records to 28 patients with CRE. The average of the total number of reflux was 61 (22,25-103,00), 29,2% acid reflux and 70,8% weakly acidic. 12 patients had some GER associated with CRE but in only 2 cases was statistically significant (Sympton index: SI; Sympton Sensitivity Index: SSI) (SI > or = 50%; SSI > or = 10%). The surgical management was successfully in these two babies and nowadays they are asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: There is not any general association between GER and CRE, nevertheless, in a little percentage of patients, this relationship is fulfilled and it is possible to measurement with impedance, pH and cardiorespiratory parameters. In these cases, the surgical management is the right treatment.

The relationship between trait psychopathy and emotional intelligence: A meta-analytic review.

Psychopathy is a personality construct that has been related to important emotional deficits. These findings have led to a growing interest in exploring if psychopathic traits are associated with emotional intelligence (EI). However, the literature exploring this association has revealed conflicting results. The aim of the present study was to provide a reliable estimate of the relationship between psychopathy traits and EI (measured as performance-based ability) through meta-analysis. A quantitative and systematic review of the literature using Scopus, Medline, Pubmed, and PsicINFO showed a total of 13 studies meeting inclusion criteria with a combined sample of 2401 participants. The meta-analysis revealed a significant negative relationship between both constructs, showing that higher psychopathic trait scores are related to lower EI levels. We propose several future research lines to clarify possible gaps and ambiguities in the current literature and a set of interesting clinical implications for the prevention, evaluation, and treatment of psychopathic traits by including EI factors in traditional models of psychopathy.

Internet as a tool to access high-risk men who have sex with men from a resource-constrained setting: a study from Peru.

OBJECTIVES: In Peru, current interventions in high-risk men who have sex with men (MSM) reach a limited number of this population because they rely solely on peer education. The objective of this study was to assess the use of the internet as an alternative tool to access this population. METHODS: Two nearly identical banner ads-both advertising an online survey but only one offering free HIV/syphilis tests and condoms-were displayed randomly on a Peruvian gay website. RESULTS: The inclusion of the health incentive increased the frequency of completed surveys (5.8% vs 3.4% of delivered impressions; p<0.001), attracting high-risk MSM not previously tested for HIV but interested in a wide variety of preventive Web-based interventions. Eleven per cent (80/713) of participants who said they had completed the survey offering free testing visited our clinic: of those who attended, 6% had already been diagnosed as having HIV, while 5% tested positive for HIV. In addition, 8% tested positive for syphilis. CONCLUSIONS: The internet can be used as a tool to access MSM in Peru. The compensation of a free HIV/syphilis test increased the frequency of participation in our online survey, indicating that such incentives may be an effective means of reaching this population. However, as only a small percentage of participants actually reported for testing, future research should develop and assess tailored internet interventions to increase HIV/STI testing and delivery of other prevention services to Peruvian MSM.

Performance on emotional tasks engaging cognitive control depends on emotional intelligence abilities: an ERP study.

Cognitive control is a key process in decision making and adequately adapting our behavior to the environment. Previous studies have provided evidence of a lower capacity for cognitive control in emotion-laden contexts in comparison with neutral contexts. The aim of the present research was to study changes in cognitive control performance as a function of emotional intelligence (EI) level in contexts involving emotional information. The study sample was composed of 2 groups of 22 participants each: the high and low EI group. Participants carried out an emotional go/no-go task while brain activity was recorded by EEG. N2 and P3 ERPs were used as indices of cognitive control processing. Participants with higher EI showed a larger N2, reflecting a greater capacity for cognitive control related to changes in conflict monitoring, and to a better detection and evaluation of the emotional stimuli. Moreover, in general, response inhibition accuracy was reduced when emotional information was involved in this process. Our findings reveal that neural mechanisms underlying tasks that engage cognitive control depend on emotional content and EI level. This study indicates the important role played by EI in the relationship between emotion and cognition. EI training may be a very useful tool for improving performance in emotion-laden contexts.

Probiotic Compared with Standard Milk for High-caries Children: A Cluster Randomized Trial.

The aim of this study was to compare milk supplemented with probiotic lactobacilli with standard milk for the increment of caries in preschool children after 10 mo of intervention. The study was a triple-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial. Participants were children aged 2 and 3 y (n = 261) attending 16 nursery schools in a metropolitan region in Chile. Nursery schools were randomly assigned to 2 parallel groups: children in the intervention group were given 150 mL of milk supplemented with Lactobacillus rhamnosus SP1 (10(7) CFU/mL), while children in the control group were given standard milk. Interventions took place on weekdays for 10 mo. Data were collected through a clinical examination of participants. The primary outcome measure was the increment of caries in preschool children. This was assessed using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). The dropout rate was 21%. No differences in caries prevalence were detected between the groups at baseline (P = 0.68). After 10 mo of probiotic intake, the caries prevalence was 54.4% in the probiotic group and 65.8% in the control group. The percentage of new individuals who developed cavitated lesions (ICDAS 5-6) in the control group (24.3%) was significantly higher than that in the probiotic group (9.7%). The increment of dental caries showed an odds ratio of 0.35 (P < 0.05) in favor of the probiotic group. At the cavitated lesion level, the increment of new caries lesions within the groups showed 1.13 new lesions per child in the probiotic group compared with 1.75 lesions in the control group (P < 0.05). The probiotic group showed an increment of 0.58 ± 1.17 new lesions compared with 1.08 ± 1.70 new lesions observed in the control group. The difference in caries increment was significant at the cavitated lesion level (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the regular long-term intake of probiotic-supplemented milk may reduce caries development in high-caries preschool children (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01648075).

Contenidos Mínimos de Cariología e indicadores de aplicación clínica en el Currículo de Pregrado para las Escuelas Dentales Chilenas / Minimum Contents of Cariology and Indicators of Clinical Application in the Undergraduate Curriculum for Chilean Dental Schools

RESUMEN Objetivo: El objetivo fue definir los contenidos mínimos y sus indicadores de aplicación clínica en el currículo de cariología para las escuelas de odontología chilenas. Metodología: Basados en los 5 dominios curriculares internacionales, se elaboró un documento que define los contenidos e indicadores de aplicación clínica para la enseñanza de cariología en Chile. Posteriormente, profesores de cariología de 20 de 21 escuelas de odontología chilenas (95%), sesionaron para revisar, retroalimentar y elaborar el documento final, denominado "Listado de contenidos mínimos e indicadores de aplicación clínica" en cariología para estudiantes de pregrado de odontología en Chile. Resultados: Se definieron 23 contenidos y 31 indicadores de aplicación clínica para la enseñanza de la cariología. La cantidad de contenidos e indicadores separados por dominio fueron respectivamente: conocimiento de base: 5 y 7; riesgo/detección y diagnóstico: 6 y 6; toma de decisiones/manejo preventivo no operatorio: 5 y 5; decisión de tratamiento operatorio: 4 y 9 y cariología basada en la evidencia: 3 y 4. Conclusiones: Se definieron los contenidos mínimos que tributan a cada dominio y sus indicadores de aplicación clínica para la enseñanza de la cariología en Chile.

ABSTRACT: The objective: was to define the minimum contents and their indicators of clinical application in the cariology curriculum for the Chilean Dental Schools. Methodology: Based on the 5 international curricular domains, a document defining the contents and indicators of clinical application for the teaching of cariology in Chile was elaborated. Later, cariology professors from 20 out of the 21 Chilean Dentistry Schools (95%) met to review, feedback and elaborate the final document, called "List of minimum contents and indicators of clinical application" in cariology for undergraduate dentistry students in Chile. Results: Twenty-three contents and 31 indicators of clinical application for the teaching of cariology were agreed upon. The amount of contents and indicators separated by domain respectively were: basic knowledge: 5 and 7; risk/detection and diagnosis: 6 and 6; decision making/non-operative preventive management: 5 and 5; decision of operative treatment: 4 and 9 and evidence-based cariology: 3 and 4. Conclusions: The minimum contents for each domain and its clinical application indicators for the teaching of cariology in Chile were defined.

Single administration of recombinant IL-6 restores the gene expression of lipogenic enzymes in liver of fasting IL-6-deficient mice.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Lipogenesis is intimately controlled by hormones and cytokines as well as nutritional conditions. IL-6 participates in the regulation of fatty acid metabolism in the liver. We investigated the role of IL-6 in mediating fasting/re-feeding changes in the expression of hepatic lipogenic enzymes. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Gene and protein expression of lipogenic enzymes were examined in livers of wild-type (WT) and IL-6-deficient (IL-6(-/-) ) mice during fasting and re-feeding conditions. Effects of exogenous IL-6 administration on gene expression of these enzymes were evaluated in vivo. The involvement of STAT3 in mediating these IL-6 responses was investigated by using siRNA in human HepG2 cells. KEY RESULTS: During feeding, the up-regulation in the hepatic expression of lipogenic genes presented similar time kinetics in WT and IL-6(-/-) mice. During fasting, expression of lipogenic genes decreased gradually over time in both strains, although the initial drop was more marked in IL-6(-/-) mice. Protein levels of hepatic lipogenic enzymes were lower in IL-6(-/-) than in WT mice at the end of the fasting period. In WT, circulating IL-6 levels paralleled gene expression of hepatic lipogenic enzymes. IL-6 administration in vivo and in vitro showed that IL-6-mediated signalling was associated with the up-regulation of hepatic lipogenic enzyme genes. Moreover, silencing STAT3 in HepG2 cells attenuated IL-6 mediated up-regulation of lipogenic gene transcription levels. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: IL-6 sustains levels of hepatic lipogenic enzymes during fasting through activation of STAT3. Our findings indicate that clinical use of STAT3-associated signalling cytokines, particularly against steatosis, should be undertaken with caution.

Precultured and fresh human T-cells suppress the mitogen response of autologous lymphocytes.

Human T-lymphocytes, after culture at 37 degrees C for 48 h, suppressed the Con A-induced blastogenesis of fresh autologous lymphocytes. Both Fc gamma receptor-positive and -negative T-cell subsets were active as suppressors. Non-T-cells failed to show such a phenomenon. Similarly, freshly isolated T-cells, and Fc gamma receptor-positive T-lymphocytes also suppressed the blastogenic response. Thus, preculture is not required to obtain "suppressor cells". The suppression of mitogen responses therefore seems to be an inherent property of T-cells.