Pilot-scale phycoremediation using Muriellopsis sp. for wastewater reclamation in the Atacama Desert: microalgae biomass production and pigment recovery.

Municipal wastewater phycoremediation represents a promising circular economy-based process for wastewater reclamation used to recover water and produce biomass. This study aimed to evaluate a pilot-scale phycoremediation system, using the most efficient strain of microalgae for wastewater reclamation in the Atacama Desert. Nitrogen and phosphorus removal, as well as biomass growth, were compared in different microalgae treatments, namely Muriellopsis sp., Scenedesmus almeriensis, Chlamydomonas segnis, Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Chlorella vulgaris. The most efficient treatments, Muriellopsis sp. and S. almeriensis, were scaled up to 20-L bubble column reactors to evaluate nutrient removal and biomass biochemical profile for potential biotechnological application. Finally, Muriellopsis sp. was selected for a pilot-scale phycoremediation experiment (800-L raceway), which removed 84% of nitrogen, 93% of phosphorus and other chemical compounds after 4 days of treatment to meet most of the Chilean standards for irrigation water (NCh. 1333. DS. MOP No. 867/78). Faecal coliforms count was reduced by 99.9%. Furthermore, biomass productivity reached 104.25 mg·L-1·day-1 value with 51% protein, and pigment content of 0.6% carotenoid, with 0.3% lutein. These results indicate the potential of wastewater phycoremediation at an industrial scale for the production of irrigation water and carotenoid using Muriellopsis sp.

Embolización selectiva de arterias uterinas en la resolución de patologías ginecológicas y emergencias obstétricas / Uterine artery embolization in the management of obstetric and gynecologic haemorragic pathology

Antecedentes: La embolización de arterias uterinas es un procedimiento que permite manejar patologías hemorrágicas ginecológicas y obstétricas de manera conservadora y mínimamente invasiva. Métodos: Revisión retrospectiva de casos tratados con embolización selectiva en nuestro Servicio desde su inicio en octubre de 2007. Objetivo: Conocer las indicaciones y resultados de esta técnica. Resultados: Seis casos por patología ginecológica y 7 de causa obstétrica fueron tratados con este procedimiento. El procedimiento fue factible y libre de complicaciones en todos los casos, siendo terapéutico en primera instancia en 12 de los 13 casos. En ningún caso se requirió un tratamiento complementario quirúrgico para cumplir el objetivo terapéutico planificado. Conclusiones: La embolización de arterias uterinas representa una excelente herramienta para tratar cuadros hemorrágicos graves del puerperio, deteniendo hemorragias activas con manejo conservador del útero. En casos de patología ginecológica, el resultado inmediato resulta adecuado, consiguiendo buen control de la hemorragia. Este procedimiento debe ser considerado como alternativa posible en el manejo de la patología hemorrágica obstétrica y ginecológica.

Background: The uterine artery embolization is a procedure that can manage haemorrhagic obstretrics and gynecologic pathologies, in a conservative fashion and minimally invasive. Method: Retrospective review of cases that had been treated in our institution since October 2007. Objectives: To know the indication and results of this technique. Results: Six cases were done for gynecologic indications and seven for obstetrics cases. The procedure was feasible and without complications in all cases, being therapeutic in 12 of 13 patients. There was no need of a surgical procedure in order to achieve the therapeutic objective. Conclusions: The uterine artery embolization can be used as an excellent tool in the management of postpartum haemorrhage, reducing the necessity to perform an hysterectomy. In gynecology cases, the results in bleeding response are good as well. This procedure should be considerate as an acceptable alternative in the management of obstetric and gynecologic haemorragic pathology.

Tratamiento por fetoscopia del síndrome de transfusión feto fetal en Clínica Alemana de Santiago / Fetoscopy guided laser coagulation for twin to twin transfusion syndrome

Antecedentes: El síndrome de transfusión feto fetal (STFF) afecta el 15 por ciento de los gemelares monocoriales y tiene una mortalidad de 90 por ciento cuando se diagnostica antes de las 26 semanas. Objetivo: Evaluar el resultado perinatal mediante fotocoagulación con láser por fetoscopia, de las anastomosis vasculares placentarias en pacientes con STFF. Método: Fotocoagulación láser por fetoscopia de 18 casos de SFF tratados en Clínica Alemana de Santiago entre los años 2005-2008. Resultados: 72,8 por ciento de los embarazos concluyeron con al menos un niño vivo. No se requirió una nueva fetoscopia en ningún caso. No hubo rotura de membranas posprocedimiento en pacientes previamente asintomáticas. No se ha presentado daño neurológico en los niños sobrevivientes. Conclusiones: El resultado materno-perinatal es similar a las series internacionales y demuestra la factibilidad de este procedimiento de ser realizado en nuestro país por profesionales capacitados.

Background: Twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) occurs in 15 percent of monochorionic twins and has a 90 percent mortality when diagnosed before 26 weeks. Objective: To evaluated the perinatal outcome following fetoscopy guided laser coagulation of placental anatomoses. Method: Retrospective analysis of 18 cases treated in Clinica Alemana, between 2005 and 2008. Results: 72.8 percent of the pregnancies had at least one survivor at neonatal discharge. No case needed a second fetoscopy. There was no rupture of the membranes in patients without symptoms before surgery. There were no neurological sequels in survivors. Conclusions: The maternal and perinatal outcome is similar to international series and demonstrates feasibility in our country by experienced operators.

[Listeria monocytogenes: report of a rise in pregnant women and literature review]. / Listeria monocytogenes: Informe de un aumento de casos en mujeres embarazadas y revisión de la literatura.

Listeria monocytogenes, rare pathogen in the general population, causes serious infections in patients at the extreme ages of life, pregnant woman, and those with immunosuppression. The clinical manifestations are essential to suspect the disease in patients at risk, allowing an early prescription of antimicrobial therapy, before the results of the cultures are available. Clinical course and prognosis depends on how early treatment is started and, in pregnant women, the gestational age. In Clínica Alemana, at Santiago, we detected a 15 fold rate rise of neonatal listeriosis between year 2007 and 2008. Ten cases were diagnosed between January and July 2008 and the seven cases occurring in pregnant women are reported here. All these patients were in their first pregnancy, which could be associated with similar lifestyle and food habits. Considering this new epidemiological scenario, it is important to educate the population, and to conduct an epidemiological study in order to determine the national situation of Listeria monocytogenes infection.

Listeria monocytogenes: informe de un aumento de casos en mujeres embarazadas y revisión de la literatura / Listeria monocytogenes: report of a rise in pregnant women and literature review

Listeria monocytogenes, rare pathogen in the general population, causes serious infections in patients at the extreme ages of life, pregnant woman, and those with immunosuppression. The clinical manifestations are essential to suspect the disease in patients at risk, allowing an early prescription of antimicrobial therapy, before the results of the cultures are available. Clinical course and prognosis depends on how early treatment is started and, in pregnant women, the gestational age. In Clínica Alemana, at Santiago, we detected a 15 fold rate rise of neonatal listeriosis between year 2007 and 2008. Ten cases were diagnosed between January and July 2008 and the seven cases occurring in pregnant women are reported here. All these patients were in their first pregnancy, which could be associated with similar lifestyle and food habits. Considering this new epidemiological scenario, it is important to educate the population, and to conduct an epidemiological study in order to determine the national situation of Listeria monocytogenes infection.

Listeria monocytogenes, es un patógeno poco frecuente en la población general, causante de infecciones graves en pacientes en edades extremas de la vida, mujeres embarazadas e inmunodeprimidos. La sospecha de la enfermedad en pacientes de riesgo se basa principalmente en el cuadro clínico, lo que permite iniciar un tratamiento empírico antes de contar con los resultados de los cultivos. La evolución y pronóstico dependen de la precocidad con que se inicia la terapia y de la edad gestacional. En Clínica Alemana de Santiago detectamos un aumento de 15 veces en la tasa de listeriosis comparando el año 2007 con el 2008. Entre enero y julio 2008, se diagnosticaron 10 casos, de los cuales siete fueron en primigestas, lo que podría tener relación con un hábito alimentario y características de vida similar. Es fundamental, a la vista de esta nueva realidad epidemiológica, educar a la población en hábitos alimentarios y de higiene, como también realizar un estudio epidemiológico que determine la situación nacional de infección por L. monocytogenes.

Percepciones, actitudes y conductas de médicos gineco-obstetras, respecto al uso actual de terapia de reemlazo hormonal / Perceptions, attitudes, and behavior of obstetrician-gynecologists for the use of hormonal replacement therapy

Resultados de una encuesta con preguntas específicas contestadas por el 97,6 por ciento de los gineco-obstetras del Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología de Clínica Alemana de Santiago, para establecer un diagnóstico de situación sobre el uso de terapia de reemplazo hormonal (TRH). Se enfatizan preguntas sobre la aceptabilidad de las futuras usuarias tanto de TRH como de terapias alternativas; sobre la percepción de los eventuales beneficios desde un punto de vista general, o específicamente cardiovascular; así como las preferencias de hormonas a usar y predilecciones por las vías de administración; las asociaciones del uso y cáncer mamario; las variaciones sobre el uso de TRH pos publicación del Women Health Iniciative Study; los factores que inciden en la discontinuación del tratamiento; la importancia de edad para el uso, factores relacionados con los costos de las terapias y la preferencia o no de productos originales de investigación. Conclusión: Es necesaria una mayor capacitación sobre el uso de TRH en la actualidad tanto de los ginecólogos especialistas en climaterio y menopausia, como de los que no lo son. A falta de información concluyente sobre esta temática en el momento actual se sugiere que el manejo de este tipo de pacientes sea efectuado por los equipos médicos especializados.

In order to set a diagnosis about the use of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) in peri and postmenopausal women by the obstetricians and gynecologists members of our staff, we did a survey that was answered by 97.6 percent of them. Questions about the future patients desire related to use of HRT or use of natural or alternative medicines were included. There were also questions related to the "risk-benefit" relationship on the use of HRT from an overall point of view as well as from a cardiovascular point of view. The preference of medical doctors (MD) on choice of hormone type in HRT use, in respect to the administration, were also asked. Among others, questions were asked in order to know MD opinions on the relationship with breast cancer, the changes on acceptability use after the WHI study, reasons for the treatment discontinuation, the importance of women's age and the cost of pharmaceuticals produces on HRT use. Conclusions: Are focused on a need of a solid educational program on use of HRT addressed to gynecologists, as well as to general practitioners, cardiologists, oncologists and others related. Educational programs are also quite beneficial to future users as well as women that are currently under treatment. In the absence of conclusive information available at the present moment, we advise that patients considering HRT should seek the counsel of medical teams whose specialties include menopause.

[Indirect cystic fibrosis carrier detection in two Chilean families by analysis of DNA polymorphisms closely linked to the CFTR gene]. / Detección indirecta de portadores de fibrosis quística en dos familias chilenas mediante análisis de polimorfismos en el ADN asociados fuertemente al gen CFTR.

BACKGROUND: Molecular genetic analysis is the only method that allows accurate detection of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) carriers. Nevertheless, its application is restricted to those families in which the affected child holds known mutations. Since most Chilean CF patients already studied are heterozygous and carry a mutation not yet characterized, direct identification of carriers is limited. Linkage analysis of Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLP), using DNA markers closely linked to the CFTR gene, is a useful tool for the detection of carriers in families in which the patient carries an unknown mutation. AIM: To emphasize the usefulness of KM19 and MetH markers for RFLP analysis in extended genealogies in order to identify carriers of unknown mutations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Selection of three families, in which a sibling of an index case, identified as EthF-508/unknown mutation, could not be identified as heterozygous carrier or a normal homozygous. Haplotypic characterization for KM19 and MetH markers was performed by PCR amplification of genomic DNA followed by allele specific restriction enzymatic digestion. RESULTS: The siblings of two families were identified as carriers and the sibling of the third family was identified as normal. CONCLUSIONS: KM19 and MetH haplotypic analysis provided a rapid method for carrier detection in the families under study. The analysis may be used as a supplement to direct genetic diagnosis and be helpful in genetic counseling.

Detección indirecta de portadores de fibrosis quística en dos familias chilenas mediante análisis de polimorfismos en el ADN asociados fuertemente al gen CFTR / Indirect cystic fibrosis carrier detection in two Chilean families by analysis of DNA polymorphisms closely linked to the CFTR gene

Background: Molecular genetic analysis is the only method that allows accurate detection of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) carriers. Nevertheless, its application is restricted to those families in which the affected child holds known mutations. Since most Chilean CF patients already studied are heterozygous and carry a mutation not yet characterized, direct identification of carriers is limited. Linkage analysis of Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLP), using DNA markers closely linked to the CFTR gene, is a useful tool for the detection of carriers in families in which the patient carries an unknown mutation. Aim: To emphasize the usefulness of KM19 and MetH markers for RFLP analysis in extended genealogies in order to identify carriers of unknown mutations. Material and Methods: Selection of three families, in which a sibling of an index case, identified as ÐF-508/unknown mutation, could not be identified as heterozygous carrier or a normal homozygous. Haplotypic characterization for KM19 and MetH markers was performed by PCR amplification of genomic DNA followed by allele specific restriction enzymatic digestion. Results: The siblings of two families were identified as carriers and the sibling of the third family was identified as normal. Conclusions: KM19 and MetH haplotypic analysis provided a rapid method for carrier detection in the families under study. The analysis may be used as a supplement to direct genetic diagnosis and be helpful in genetic counseling.