Efectividad de la inmunonutrición en el manejo nutricional perioperatorio del cáncer gástrico / Effectiveness of immunonutrition in the perioperative nutritional management of gastric cancer

Objetivo: valorar la efectividad de la inmunonutrición (IN) frente a las fórmulas nutricionales estándar en pacientes operados de cáncer gástrico. Material y métodos: se trata de un estudio de vida real, de tipo observacional, retrospectivo y de cohortes. Para este estudio se incluyeron 134 pacientes, todos ellos sometidos a gastrectomía en en el Hospital Montecelo, entre diciembre de 2019 y diciembre de 2022. El grupo A (N = 79 pacientes) recibió nutrición estándar y el grupo B (N = 55 pacientes) recibió fórmulas con arginina, nucleótidos, ácidos grasos omega-3 y aceite de oliva virgen extra. Este protocolo se ha realizado de forma pre y postoperatoria por un periodo medio de 10 días. Se evaluaron el tiempo de estancia hospitalaria, la necesidad de nutrición parenteral (NPT), las complicaciones postoperatorias y las variables antropométricas y analíticas. Los análisis estadísticos se realizaron con el programa Stata 16.1.® Resultados: en el grupo de IN respecto al grupo de nutrición estándar: la estancia hospitalaria se reduce un 34 % (p < 0,001). La cantidad de pacientes que precisan NPT se reduce un 21,1 % (p = 0,022) y su duración también se reduce un 33,2 % (p < 0,001). El riesgo de complicaciones infecciosas es menor con la IN, concretamente un 70,1 % menos (p < 0,001). En cuanto a las otras complicaciones postoperatorias, la IN disminuye el riesgo de oclusión intestinal en un 84 % (p < 0,002), la dehiscencia de suturas en un 90,9 % (p < 0,001), la transfusión sanguínea en un 99,8 % (p < 0,001), el derrame pleural en un 90,9 % (p = 0,021), la insuficiencia renal aguda en un 84,02 % (p = 0,047) y la reintervención quirúrgica en un 69,93 % (p < 0,011). En el grupo de IN se observa una menor pérdida ponderal (p = 0,048) y una menor disminución de la albúmina (p = 0,005) y el colesterol postoperatorios (p < 0,001). Conclusión: la inmunonutrición reduce las complicaciones postoperatorias, disminuye la estancia hospitalaria..(AU)

Objective: to assess the effectiveness of immunonutrition (IN) compared to standard nutritional formulas in patients undergoing gastric cancersurgery. Material and methods: this is a real-life, observational retrospective cohort study. It included 134 patients, all of whom underwent gastrectomy at Montecelo Hospital between December 2019 and December 2022. Group A (n = 79 patients) received standard nutrition, and Group B (n = 55 patients) received formulas containing arginine, nucleotides, omega-3 fatty acids, and extra virgin olive oil. This protocol was carried out both pre and postoperatively for an average period of 10 days. The study evaluated hospital stay, the need for parenteral nutrition (PN), postoperativecomplications, as well as anthropometric and laboratory variables. Statistical analyses were performed using Stata 16.1.® Results: in the IN group compared to the standard nutrition group, the hospital stay was reduced by 34 % (p < 0.001). The number of patients requiring PN decreased by 21.1 % (p = 0.022), and its duration also decreased by 33.2 % (p < 0.001). The risk of infectious complications was lower with IN, specifically 70.1 % less (p < 0.001). As for other postoperative complications, IN reduced the risk of intestinal obstruction by 84 % (p < 0.002), suture dehiscence by 90.9 % (p < 0.001), blood transfusion by 99.8 % (p < 0.001), pleural effusion by 90.9 % (p = 0.021), acute renal failure by 84.02 % (p = 0.047), and surgical re-intervention by 69.93 % (p < 0.011). In the IN group, there was less weight loss (p = 0.048) and a smaller decrease in postoperative albumin (p = 0.005) and cholesterol (p < 0.001). Conclusion: immunonutrition reduces postoperative complications, decreases hospital stay, and optimizes nutritional outcomes.(AU)

[Effectiveness of immunonutrition in the perioperative nutritional management of gastric cancer]. / Efectividad de la inmunonutrición en el manejo nutricional perioperatorio del cáncer gástrico.

Introduction: Objective: to assess the effectiveness of immunonutrition (IN) compared to standard nutritional formulas in patients undergoing gastric cancer surgery. Material and methods: this is a real-life, observational retrospective cohort study. It included 134 patients, all of whom underwent gastrectomy at Montecelo Hospital between December 2019 and December 2022. Group A (N = 79 patients) received standard nutrition, and Group B (N = 55 patients) received formulas containing arginine, nucleotides, omega-3 fatty acids, and extra virgin olive oil. This protocol was carried out both pre and postoperatively for an average period of 10 days. The study evaluated hospital stay, the need for parenteral nutrition (PN), postoperative complications, as well as anthropometric and laboratory variables. Statistical analyses were performed using Stata 16.1.® Results: in the IN group compared to the standard nutrition group, the hospital stay was reduced by 34 % (p < 0.001). The number of patients requiring PN decreased by 21.1 % (p = 0.022), and its duration also decreased by 33.2 % (p < 0.001). The risk of infectious complications was lower with IN, specifically 70.1 % less (p < 0.001). As for other postoperative complications, IN reduced the risk of intestinal obstruction by 84 % (p < 0.002), suture dehiscence by 90.9 % (p < 0.001), blood transfusion by 99.8 % (p < 0.001), pleural effusion by 90.9 % (p = 0.021), acute renal failure by 84.02 % (p = 0.047), and surgical re-intervention by 69.93 % (p < 0.011). In the IN group, there was less weight loss (p = 0.048) and a smaller decrease in postoperative albumin (p = 0.005) and cholesterol (p < 0.001). Conclusion: immunonutrition reduces postoperative complications, decreases hospital stay, and optimizes nutritional outcomes.

Introducción: Objetivo: valorar la efectividad de la inmunonutrición (IN) frente a las fórmulas nutricionales estándar en pacientes operados de cáncer gástrico. Material y métodos: se trata de un estudio de vida real, de tipo observacional, retrospectivo y de cohortes. Para este estudio se incluyeron 134 pacientes, todos ellos sometidos a gastrectomía en en el Hospital Montecelo, entre diciembre de 2019 y diciembre de 2022. El grupo A (N = 79 pacientes) recibió nutrición estándar y el grupo B (N = 55 pacientes) recibió fórmulas con arginina, nucleótidos, ácidos grasos omega-3 y aceite de oliva virgen extra. Este protocolo se ha realizado de forma pre y postoperatoria por un periodo medio de 10 días. Se evaluaron el tiempo de estancia hospitalaria, la necesidad de nutrición parenteral (NPT), las complicaciones postoperatorias y las variables antropométricas y analíticas. Los análisis estadísticos se realizaron con el programa Stata 16.1.® Resultados: en el grupo de IN respecto al grupo de nutrición estándar: la estancia hospitalaria se reduce un 34 % (p < 0,001). La cantidad de pacientes que precisan NPT se reduce un 21,1 % (p = 0,022) y su duración también se reduce un 33,2 % (p < 0,001). El riesgo de complicaciones infecciosas es menor con la IN, concretamente un 70,1 % menos (p < 0,001). En cuanto a las otras complicaciones postoperatorias, la IN disminuye el riesgo de oclusión intestinal en un 84 % (p < 0,002), la dehiscencia de suturas en un 90,9 % (p < 0,001), la transfusión sanguínea en un 99,8 % (p < 0,001), el derrame pleural en un 90,9 % (p = 0,021), la insuficiencia renal aguda en un 84,02 % (p = 0,047) y la reintervención quirúrgica en un 69,93 % (p < 0,011). En el grupo de IN se observa una menor pérdida ponderal (p = 0,048) y una menor disminución de la albúmina (p = 0,005) y el colesterol postoperatorios (p < 0,001). Conclusión: la inmunonutrición reduce las complicaciones postoperatorias, disminuye la estancia hospitalaria y optimiza los resultados nutricionales.

In vitro evaluation of the potential allelopathic and ichthyotoxic effect of the raphidophyte Heterosigma akashiwo and the dinoflagellate Alexandriumcatenella.

Ichthyotoxic algal blooms cause economic losses throughout the world. However, the mechanisms and molecules proposed so far fail to explain the massiveness of these events. In this research, the allelopathic effect of two bloom-forming species (the raphidophyte Heterosigma akashiwo and dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella) was evaluated between them and with Rhodomonas salina bioassay. Mono- and co-cultures were carried out with the aim of providing evidence of the relation between allelopathy and ichthyotoxicity. The allelopathic inhibitory effect of the A. catenella's supernatant was significantly enhanced when supernatants were obtained from co-cultures with direct contact between these species. We could not observe any allelopathic response provoked by H. akashiwo. On the other hand, A. catenella was able to decrease the cell concentration of H. akashiwo and R. salina. Besides, allelopathy and ichthyotoxicity were found for A. catenella's supernant, being the allelopathic effect not related to saxitoxin. These results reinforce the hypothesis that the allelopathic effect being regulated by the presence of other microalgae and could be responsible for ichthyotoxicity.

Association of anti-SARS-COV-2 vaccine with increased incidence of myositis-related anti-RNA-synthetases auto-antibodies.

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 is a RNA virus that associates with heterogeneous clinical manifestations and complications. Auto-antibodies are identified in approximately 50% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Objectives: To determine the global incidence of myositis-related auto-antibodies (non Jo1-RNA synthetases: anti-PL7, anti-PL12, anti-EJ, anti-OJ and RNA-sensor: anti-MDA5) in our laboratory during COVID-19 pandemics, and to describe the clinical and laboratory features of these patients. Study design: A retrospective study was performed from 2015 to 2021 in a cohort of 444 patients with suspected inflammatory myopathy. The incidence of positive results for the MSA was expressed as absolute value per year for the reference population. Immunoblot analysis, indirect immunofluorescence and HLA typing of 36 patients with positivity for MSAs were collected and analyzed. Results: We observed MSA positive in 28 patients in 2020 and 36 patients in 2021, representing a mean increase of 6-fold respect to previous years since 2015 (range, 0 to 19). In 2020, the most common antibody detected was anti-MDA5 (68%). In contrast, in 2021 the most common antibodies were anti-PL7 and/or anti-PL12 (69%). All patients in 2021 with positive anti-synthetases were fully vaccinated, 4 had previous documented infection, with median time from vaccine to MSA positivity of 5 months. Eight out of 36 patients (22%) reported clinical onset after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and 6 out of 36 (17%) presented clinical and/or radiological worsening after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. All patients presented with a known human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1* allele associated with ASS. The most prevalent alleles identified were DRB1*03:01, DRB1*04, DRB1*11:01, corresponding to 70% (16/23) of our cohort. Conclusions: Our preliminary data show an increased incidence of anti-synthetase antibodies during COVID-19 pandemic and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination associated to HLA DRB1* risk allele. Differential profiles of MSA specificities were observed: mainly against RNA-sensors in 2020 and against RNA-synthetases in 2021. Further studies are needed to support the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or vaccination and the occurrence of this autoimmune syndrome.

Antiproliferative activity of carotenoid pigments produced by extremophile bacteria.

Various microorganisms are able to synthesize pigments, which usually present antioxidant properties. The aim of this work was to evaluate the antiproliferative activity of bacterial pigments against cancer cells Neuro-2a, Saos-2 and MCF-7. Pigments were obtained from Deinococcus sp. UDEC-P1 and Arthrobacter sp. UDEC-A13. Both bacterial strains were isolated from cold environments (Patagonia and Antarctica, respectively). Pigments were purified and analyzed by HPLC. Antiproliferative activity was evaluated by 3-4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) assay. Deinoxanthin carotenoid obtained from Deinococcus sp. UDEC-P1 was able to reduce significatively the viability of Saos-2 (37.1%), while no effect was observed against MCF-7 and Neuro-2a. Pigments obtained from Arthrobacter sp. UDEC-A13 showed a significant viability reduction of three tumour cells (20.6% Neuro-2a, 26.3% Saos-2 and 13.2% MCF-7). Therefore, carotenoid pigments produced by extremophilic bacteria Deinococcus sp. UDEC-P1 and Arthrobacter sp. UDEC-A13 could be proposed as novel complementary compounds in anticancer chemotherapy.

Acreditación y evaluación de los procesos en la carrera de Enfermería en la Universidad Estatal del Sur de Manabí / Accreditation and Evaluation of the Processes of the Nursing Major in the Southern State University of Manabí

Introducción: Acreditación es la certificación pública que entrega un organismo externo sobre la calidad de la educación que imparte la Universidad, puede tener la modalidad institucional (Universidad acreditada) y de pregrado (carreras acreditadas). Objetivos: Proponer mejoras en los procesos de la carrera de Enfermería de la Universidad Estatal del Sur de Manabí a partir de los resultados obtenidos en la acreditación desarrollada. Métodos: Basado en los informes preliminares y de rectificación emitidos por el Consejo de Evaluación, Acreditación y Aseguramiento de la Calidad de la Educación Superior, se procedió a elaborar una propuesta de mejoras, tomando como base la información bibliográfica, informes y legislaciones vigentes para las Instituciones de Educación Superior. Resultados: En los 23 indicadores cualitativos que conforman el modelo de evaluación del entorno de aprendizaje de la carrera de enfermería, 10 resultaron satisfactorios, 7 cuasi satisfactorios, 3 poco satisfactorios y 2 deficientes. En el caso de los indicadores cuantitativos el que mayor dificultad presentó fue la producción científica. Conclusiones: Se proponen acciones concretas direccionadas a la pertinencia de la carrera, y de ella la corrección del micro currículo, la restructuración de los proyectos de vinculación con la sociedad, y la investigación, teniendo como punto de partida las asignaturas y su articulación con el modelo educativo de la universidad y los componentes de docencia-vinculación-investigación sustentado en las prácticas, y su articulación con el perfil de salida de la carrera(AU)

Introduction: Accreditation is the public certification given by an external body based on the quality of education provided by a university. It can have the institutional modality (accredited university) and undergraduate (accredited majors). Objective: To propose improvements in the Nursing major processes of the Southern State University of Manabí based on the results obtained in the accreditation developed. Methods: Based on the preliminary and rectification reports issued by CEAACES, we started to elaborate a proposal for improvements, based on the bibliographic information, reports and valid legislation for higher education institutions. Results: Among the 23 qualitative indicators that make up the evaluation model of the learning environment of the Nursing major, 10 were satisfactory, 7 were almost satisfactory, 3 were unsatisfactory, and 2 were deficient. In the case of quantitative indicators, the one that presented the greatest difficulty was scientific production. Conclusions: Specific actions directed to the major's relevance are proposed, and from it the correction of the micro-syllabus, the restructuring of the projects connected with society, and research, taking as a starting point the subjects and their articulation with the educational model of the university and the components of teaching-outreach-research based on the practices, and their articulation with the professional profile of the major(AU)

Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of SYN-004, an Orally Administered ß-Lactamase for the Prevention of Clostridium difficile-Associated Disease and Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea, in Two Phase 1 Studies.

BACKGROUND: SYN-004 is an orally administered ß-lactamase enzyme, designed to be given concurrently with certain intravenous ß-lactam antibiotics like cephalosporins. SYN-004 is intended to degrade residual antibiotics excreted into the intestine as a result of hepatobiliary excretion and to prevent the disruption of the gut microbiome by these excess antibiotics. Preserving the gut microbiome is expected to prevent secondary infections by pathogens like Clostridium difficile and protect against other antibiotic-associated diarrheas. METHODS: Two, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1 clinical studies were conducted in normal healthy adult volunteers to assess the tolerability and systemic absorption of single and multiple doses of SYN-004. A single-ascending dose study investigated single oral doses of 75-750 mg SYN-004 and was conducted in 40 subjects (five cohorts of six active and two placebo subjects). A multiple-ascending dose study investigated doses of 75-300 mg SYN-004, administered every 6 h for 7 days and was conducted in 24 subjects (three cohorts of six active and two placebo subjects). The safety and tolerability of SYN-004 was assessed and serial plasma and serum samples were collected to assess the pharmacokinetics and potential immunogenicity of SYN-004. RESULTS: Minimal and mild adverse events were reported in ~30 % of the subjects who received active drug and placebo and no antidrug antibodies were detected in any subject. Analysis of serial plasma samples demonstrated negligible systemic bioavailability of SYN-004 with most plasma concentrations being below the lower limit of quantitation (0.8 ng/mL) for the assay. SYN-004 was well tolerated in the 48 subjects who received active drug, and adverse events in those subjects were comparable to the 16 subjects who received placebo, up to the maximum doses administered in each study. CONCLUSION: SYN-004 was well tolerated up to a single oral dose of 750 mg and multiple doses of 300 mg every 6 h for 7 days. The pharmacokinetic results support that SYN-004 remained localized in the intestine.

Knowledge of asthma in school teachers in nine Spanish cities.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the knowledge of asthma and its management in Spanish school teachers using the Newcastle Asthma Questionnaire (NAKQ). DESIGN: Descriptive, observational prevalence study, using a self-report questionnaire on knowledge about childhood asthma and its management by teachers in pre-school, primary, and secondary schools in nine Spanish cities. Age, sex, academic training, teaching experience, courses in which they taught, and personal and family history of asthma, were collected from each teacher. For knowledge determination, the validated Spanish version of the NAKQ was used. RESULTS: A total of 208 centers participated, including 7,494 teachers. The questionnaire was completed by 4,679 teachers (62.4%). The mean score of correct responses was 16.0 ± 4.8 points out of 31 (median = 17, range: 0-30). Only 6.8% of teachers were capable of pointing out the three main symptoms of the disease; 1.5% knew the triggering factors of an asthma attack; 8.6% knew two medicines useful during an asthma attack; 32.7% knew that inhaled medications had less side effects than pills, and only 3.8% knew of ways to prevent asthma attacks during exercise. In the multivariate analysis, variables significantly associated with a higher questionnaire score were a "lower age" (Beta coefficient = -0.09), "male gender" (Beta = 0.77), "being asthmatic" (Beta = 2.10), or "having close relatives with asthma" (Beta = 1.36) and "teaching in a private school" (Beta = 0.66) or in "compulsory secondary education" (Beta = 0.59). CONCLUSIONS: Teachers have a low level of knowledge about asthma, with an important limitation in some aspects of the disease. They should be trained to recognize the main symptoms of the disease, on how to act in the event of symptoms, and the early identification of situations in which the pupils require health care assistance. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:678-687. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Prótesis fija con sistema tubo-barra en odontopediatría: reporte de un caso clínico de 12 meses de seguimiento / Fixed prosthesis with tube-bar system in pediatric dentistry: a case report over 12 months of follow-up

Introducción: La pérdida prematura de incisivos primarios puede producir alteraciones estéticas, funcionales y psicológicas. La rehabilitación protésica permite reemplazar los dientes faltantes y evitar las secuelas que ello puede acarrear. Objetivo Describir la técnica y evolución clínica de una prótesis fija anterior tipo Denari durante 12 meses de seguimiento. Descripción del caso Paciente de sexo femenino de 3 años de edad que acude en busca de atención profesional posterior a la avulsión de los incisivos centrales superiores. Con la finalidad de devolver la estética del sector anterosuperior, recuperar la función oral e interferir con el hábito de interposición lingual se decidió realizar una terapia basada en prótesis parcial fija tipo Denari. Durante el año de seguimiento la prótesis fue muy bien tolerada por la paciente y sin alteración de los tejidos blandos adyacentes, destacando un aumento en el espacio interincisal, lo que demuestra el crecimiento transversal. Conclusión La prótesis dental en niños es una tarea exigente, marcada por la necesidad de adaptación a los cambios continuos que conllevan los procesos de crecimiento y maduración de complejo maxilofacial. En este contexto es que la prótesis tipo Denari con sistema tubo-barra es una excelente y estética alternativa en pacientes de corta edad en donde la prótesis va a permanecer en la boca por un largo período de tiempo, sin interferir en el crecimiento, desarrollo y función del sistema estomatognático.

Introduction: Premature loss of primary incisors may result in aesthetic, functional and psychologic problems. Prosthetic restoration allows replacing missing teeth, avoiding the unwanted consequences that their absence may carry. Objective The aim of this clinical case is to describe the technique and clinical evolution of a Denari fixed anterior prosthesis over 12 months of follow-up. Case description 3 year-old female patient sought professional attention after the avulsion of the upper central incisors. In order to restore the natural appearance of the anterior superior area, recover oral function and intervene in the habit of tongue interposition, the treatment decided upon was a partially fixed Denari prosthesis. During the follow-up year the prosthesis was very well tolerated by the patient and without altering any adjacent soft tissues. We highlight an increase in the interincisal space, which demonstrates transversal growth. Conclusion A dental prosthesis in a child is a demanding task marked by the need to adapt to the continuous changes brought about by maxillofacial growth and maturation. It is in this context that the Denari prosthesis with its tube-bar system is an excellent and esthetic alternative in young patients where the prosthesis is going to remain in place for a prolonged period without interfering in the growth, development and function of the stomatognatic system.

Validación de un cuestionario en castellano sobre conocimientos de asma en profesores / Validation of a Questionnaire in Spanish on Asthma Knowledge in Teachers

Objetivo: Evaluar la fiabilidad y la validez de la versión en castellano del cuestionario NewCastle Asthma Knowledge Questionnaire (NAKQ) para la determinación de conocimientos sobre asma en profesores. Métodos: Diseño y muestra: estudio observacional, transversal, en centros educativos de A Coruña con segundo ciclo de educación infantil, primaria y/o secundaria obligatoria. Los centros se seleccionaron mediante muestreo aleatorizado, estratificado según titularidad y nivel educativo (24 centros, 864 profesores). Contestaron 537 (62,1%) docentes (precisión, ± 4%, seguridad, 95%). Mediciones: Edad, sexo, formación académica, experiencia docente, antecedentes personales/familiares de asma, cuestionario NAKQ. Análisis: Evaluación de consistencia interna (alfa de Cronbach). La validez concurrente se determinó comparando la puntuación en docentes asmáticos o con familiares asmáticos y docentes sin contacto con el asma. Se evaluó la fiabilidad test-retest en 2 centros seleccionados aleatoriamente, mediante índice Kappa, metodología de Bland-Altman y el coeficiente de correlación intraclase. Resultados: La puntuación media del cuestionario NAKQ fue 15,7 ± 5,3 (mediana 17), contestando correctamente el 50,6% de ítems. El coeficiente alfa de Cronbach fue 0,824 (IC 95%: 0,802-0,845). La puntuación NAKQ fue mayor en asmáticos o con familiares próximos asmáticos (17,7 ± 3,3) que en docentes con familiares lejanos asmáticos (16,1 ± 5,4) y docentes sin contacto próximo con el asma (15,1 ± 5,6; p < 0,001). En el análisis test-retest (Kappa 0,33 a 1) no hubo diferencias entre la puntuación NAKQ en la primera y la segunda cumplimentación (diferencia media, 0,3 ± 2,3; coeficiente de correlación intraclase, 0,863). Conclusiones: Las puntuaciones obtenidas con la versión española del NAKQ en profesores de centros escolares españoles son fiables y válidas para medir su grado de conocimiento de asma

Objective: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Spanish version of the NewCastle Asthma Knowledge Questionnaire (NAKQ) for determining asthma knowledge in teachers. Methods: Design and sample: A cross-sectional observational study in educational centers of A Coruna˜ providing preschool, primary school and/or compulsory secondary education. Centers were selected by random sampling, stratified by ownership and educational level (24 centers, 864 teachers). A total of 537 (62.1%) teachers responded (precision, ± 4%, confidence, 95%). Measurements: Age, sex, academic training, teaching experience, personal/family history of asthma, NAKQ. Analysis: Evaluation of internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha). Concurrent validity was determined by comparing scores of asthmatic teachers or with asthmatic relatives with teachers with no contact with asthma. Test-retest reliability was evaluated in two randomly selected centers by the kappa index, BlandAltman method and intraclass correlation coefficient. Results: Mean score on the NAKQ was 15.7 ± 5.3 (median 17), correctly answering 50.6% of items. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.824 (95% CI: 0.802-0.845). NAKQ score washigher inasthmatic teachers or with close asthmatic relatives (17.7 ± 3.3) than in teachers with distant asthmatic relatives (16.1 ± 5.4) and teachers without close contact with asthma (15.1 ± 5.6; P < 0.001). In the test-retest analysis (kappa 0.33-1), there were no differences in NAKQ score between the first and second completion (mean difference, 0.3 ± 2.3; intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.863). Conclusions: Scores obtained with the Spanish version of the NAKQ in teachers of Spanish school centers are reliable and valid to measure their degree of asthma knowledge

Validation of a questionnaire in Spanish on asthma knowledge in teachers.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Spanish version of the NewCastle Asthma Knowledge Questionnaire (NAKQ) for determining asthma knowledge in teachers. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: A cross-sectional observational study in educational centers of A Coruña providing preschool, primary school and/or compulsory secondary education. Centers were selected by random sampling, stratified by ownership and educational level (24centers, 864teachers). A total of 537 (62.1%) teachers responded (precision, ±4%, confidence, 95%). MEASUREMENTS: Age, sex, academic training, teaching experience, personal/family history of asthma, NAKQ. ANALYSIS: Evaluation of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha). Concurrent validity was determined by comparing scores of asthmatic teachers or with asthmatic relatives with teachers with no contact with asthma. Test-retest reliability was evaluated in two randomly selected centers by the kappa index, Bland-Altman method and intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Mean score on the NAKQ was 15.7±5.3 (median 17), correctly answering 50.6% of items. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.824 (95%CI: 0.802-0.845). NAKQ score was higher in asthmatic teachers or with close asthmatic relatives (17.7±3.3) than in teachers with distant asthmatic relatives (16.1±5.4) and teachers without close contact with asthma (15.1±5.6; P<0.001). In the test-retest analysis (kappa 0.33-1), there were no differences in NAKQ score between the first and second completion (mean difference, 0.3±2.3; intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.863). CONCLUSIONS: Scores obtained with the Spanish version of the NAKQ in teachers of Spanish school centers are reliable and valid to measure their degree of asthma knowledge.

Conocimientos y Actitudes de los Pediatras Chilenos sobre Salud Oral / Knowledge and Attitudes of Chilean Pediatricians Regarding Oral Health

El pediatra sostiene una estrecha relación con el niño y sus padres durante sus primeros años de vida, teniendo periódicamente la oportunidadde detectar problemas orales y educar en su prevención. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los conocimientos, actitudes y experiencia profesional de pediatras chilenos en relación a la salud oral infantil. Se aplicó una encuesta a 164 pediatras asistentes al 50 Congreso Chileno de Pediatría. El instrumento fue traducido y adaptado de la encuesta nacional para pediatras de la Universidad de Washington. La validez de fachada y contenido fue evaluada mediante un grupo focal compuesto por pediatras. La encuesta incluyó datos demográficos, aspectos relacionados con su conocimiento sobre terapias preventivas en salud oral, su opinión sobre su rol en promoción de salud oral, su experiencia para detectar problemas orales y barreras existentes al referir pacientes al odontólogo. Los resultados mostraron que el 64% de los encuestados reportaron diagnosticar caries en preescolares al menos una vez al mes. El 51,53% estaba de acuerdo con derivar al odontólogo al niño al año de edad, sin embargo, 55,82% reportó dificultad al referir pacientes menores de 2 años. Sólo 3% respondió correctamente todas las preguntas sobre conocimiento. 66,87% nunca recibió instrucción en salud oral durante su formación como especialista. A pesar que los pediatras asumen que la salud oral es un aspecto importante de la salud general y que se enfrentan frecuentemente a patologías orales, reconocen que no cuentan con los conocimientos y estrategias de derivación oportuna, para participar de la prevención de ellas.

The pediatrician holds a close relationship with children and their parents during the first years of life. As such, this professional has regular opportunities to perform screening dental examination in young children and to educate families on preventive oral health. The aim of this study was to assess Chilean pediatricians' knowledge, attitudes and professional experience regarding children's oral health. A survey was responded by 164 pediatricians attending the 50th Chilean Pediatrics Convention. The survey questionnaire was translated and adapted from a national survey for pediatricians designed by the Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington. The face and content validity of the instrument was evaluated through a focus group with Chilean pediatricians. The survey included demographic data, elements related to knowledge about oral preventive therapies, their own role in oral health promotion, their experience to screen oral problems and the barriers to refer patients to the dentist. The results showed that 64% of the respondent pediatricians reported to diagnose dental cavities in preschool children at least once a month. 51.53% agreed with referring children to the dentist from the age of 1, however 55.82% found difficulties to successfully refer children under 2 years old. Only 3% of the respondents answered all knowledge questions correctly. 66.87% never received training in oral health during their pediatrics specialization studies. In spite of the general consensus about the relevance of oral health and the frequent encounter with oral pathologies, pediatricians acknowledge that they do not possess enough knowledge nor referral strategies to participate in their prevention.

Factors influencing thyroidectomy complications.

UNLABELLED: The postoperative outcome of thyroidectomies is related to factors concerning the patient, the thyroid disease, and the surgeon. OBJECTIVES: To analyze a clinic's experience with thyroidectomy complications. STUDY DESIGN: historical cross-sectional cohort study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the charts from 228 patients submitted to thyroidectomy, between 1991 and 2004. Transient, permanent and total complications as well as persistence and recurrence of the basal disease were studied in relation to clinical and laboratory factors. RESULTS: Total complications occurred in 34.65%, transient complications in 18.86% (9.21% had hypocalcemia, 0.44% had vocal cord paralysis), associated with the first postoperative years and pressure complaints, and permanent complications in 17.98% (8.77%: hypoparathyroidism; 1.75%: vocal cord paralysis), associated with malignancy and more radical surgeries. The thyroid disease persisted in 17.98% of the cases, associated with age and recurrence in 10.96%, associated with the first operative years, benign diseases and less radical surgeries. CONCLUSION: The complications were associated with pressure complaints, shorter complaining period, malignancy and more radical surgeries. The recurrence was associated with the first operative years, non-neoplastic thyroid diseases and less radical surgeries. The persistence of disease was associated with older age.

Fatores que influenciam nas complicações das tireoidectomias / Factors influencing thyroidectomy complications

O resultado pós-operatório das tireoidectomias é imputado a fatores relativos ao paciente, à tireopatia e ao cirurgião. OBJETIVO: Analisar a experiência de um serviço quanto a complicações com a tireoidectomia. Desenho do estudo: coorte histórica com corte transversal. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foram avaliados os prontuários de 228 pacientes submetidos à tireoidectomia, entre 1991 e 2004. Foram estudadas as complicações transitórias, definitivas e totais, persistência e recidiva da tireopatia de base, em relação a fatores clínico-laboratoriais. RESULTADOS: Ocorreram 34,65% de complicações totais, 18,86% de complicações transitórias (9,21% hipocalcemia, 0,44% paralisia de cordas vocais, 4,82% outras), associadas aos primeiros anos de cirurgia no serviço e queixas compressivas, e 17,98% de complicações definitivas (8,77% hipoparatireoidismo, 1,75% paralisia de cordas vocais, 0,44% rouquidão), associadas à malignidade e cirurgias mais radicais. Houve persistência da doença de base em 17,98% dos casos, associada à idade, e recidiva em 10,96%, associada aos primeiros anos de cirurgia, benignidade e cirurgias menos radicais. CONCLUSÃO: Complicações pós-operatórias se associaram a queixas compressivas, história curta, malignidade e cirurgias mais radicais. A recidiva se associou aos primeiros anos de cirurgia no serviço, tireopatias benignas e cirurgias menos radicais. A persistência da doença se associou à maior idade.

The postoperative outcome of thyroidectomies is related to factors concerning the patient, the thyroid disease, and the surgeon. OBJECTIVES: To analyze a clinic's experience with thyroidectomy complications. Study design: historical cross-sectional cohort study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the charts from 228 patients submitted to thyroidectomy, between 1991 and 2004. Transient, permanent and total complications as well as persistence and recurrence of the basal disease were studied in relation to clinical and laboratory factors. RESULTS: Total complications occurred in 34.65%, transient complications in 18.86% (9.21% had hypocalcemia, 0.44% had vocal cord paralysis), associated with the first postoperative years and pressure complaints, and permanent complications in 17.98% (8.77%: hypoparathyroidism; 1.75%: vocal cord paralysis), associated with malignancy and more radical surgeries. The thyroid disease persisted in 17.98% of the cases, associated with age and recurrence in 10.96%, associated with the first operative years, benign diseases and less radical surgeries. CONCLUSION: The complications were associated with pressure complaints, shorter complaining period, malignancy and more radical surgeries. The recurrence was associated with the first operative years, non-neoplastic thyroid diseases and less radical surgeries. The persistence of disease was associated with older age.

Low serum sodium as a poor prognostic indicator for mortality in congestive heart failure patients.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of congestive heart failure (CHF) has not significantly declined over the past 50 years, and overall survival rates are low at 5 years following diagnosis. Numerous studies have shown low serum sodium to be a poor prognostic indicator of all cause mortality in CHF patients. HYPOTHESIS: The goal of this hypothesis was to validate if hyponatremia is an important predictor of mortality in an outpatient population of CHF patients on maximal combined angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and ß-blocker therapy. METHODS: A total of 364 (13% with hyponatremia) patients with CHF (ejection fraction [EF] ≤ 40%) were enrolled in a heart failure disease management program. The mean New York Heart Association (NYHA) class was II.XII. The average baseline serum sodium was 138.2 mEq/L. RESULTS: We evaluated the relationship between hyponatremia (<135 mEq/L) and all-cause mortality at 40 months. During follow-up, 8 patients in the hyponatremia group compared to 31 in the normonatremic group died. Results of Kaplan-Meier analyses indicated there were no significant differences in mortality between the hyponatremia and normonatremic groups (log-rank test = 0.39). Results for Cox proportional hazards models indicated low sodium was not a significant predictor of mortality (unadjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.65, 3.07; adjusted OR: 1.60, 95% CI: 0.57, 4.53). CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between hyponatremia and all-cause mortality did not reach significance. Hyponatremia did not significantly predict mortality in a CHF population on maximal medical therapy. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The prevalence of peripheral arterial disease in patients with heart failure by race and ethnicity.

More than 5 million people live with heart failure (HF) in the United States, and this number is expected to rise due to several factors including increased life expectancy brought about by medical therapy and the aging of the population. HF and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) share many risk factors. A review of the literature reveals several studies supporting a higher prevalence of HF in patients with PAD than in those without PAD. However, no study was found that estimates the prevalence of PAD in patients with HF. Moreover, the prevalence of PAD by US race/ethnic groups with HF has not been studied. The authors conducted a cross-sectional multicenter study of patients enrolled in an HF disease management program in Louisiana (n=330) and Florida (n=464). All patients with an ejection fraction

The impact of a standardized disease management program on race/ethnicity and gender disparities in care and mortality.

BACKGROUND: Data on racial and gender differences in mortality in patients followed in a standardized heart failure disease management program (HFDMP) are scarce. METHODS: Survival was calculated by race/ethnicity and gender for 837 patients enrolled in a HFDMP. (The patients studied were indigent African American and White outpatients [39% African American, 36% female] enrolled into at Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center in Houma, Louisiana.) The hazard ratio associated with demographic and clinical characteristic individually and as a whole, was estimated for the four groups. RESULTS: White males had the highest mortality (African American female: HR=0.64, African American male: HR=0.65, White female: HR=0.67, p<.05). Age (HR=1.04, p<.001), ejection fraction (HR=0.97, p<.001), New York Heart Association (NYHA) (HR=1.57, p<.001), systolic blood pressure (HR=0.99, p<.05), hematocrit (HR=0.96, p<.01), diabetes (HR=0.98, p<.05), and body mass index (HR=0.98, p<.05) were significant predictors of mortality in the univariate model. Age (HR=1.04, p<.001), NYHA (HR=1.40, p<.001), diabetes (HR=2.52, p<.001), and White female (HR=.44, p<.01) were significant predictors of mortality in the multivariate model. CONCLUSION: With the exception of White females, who demonstrated lower mortality, amongst African American males and females and White males who participated in a HFDMP no difference in survival was observed.

Prevalence of electrocardiographic abnormalities in a systolic heart failure disease management population by race, ethnicity, and sex.

The prevalence of electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities in systolic heart failure patients have predominantly been described in white patients, with relatively little known about their prevalence in black and Hispanic populations. The purpose of this study is to compare the prevalence of ECG abnormalities by race, ethnicity, and sex. The authors conducted an observational prospective study that included 926 patients from 2 hospital facilities. A systolic heart failure disease management program implemented in both sites enrolled patients with an ejection fraction < or =40% by echocardiography. Black patients had less evidence of myocardial infarction than whites and Hispanics. Black patients had more evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy than Hispanics and whites. Hispanics evidenced more ischemic changes than blacks and whites. Among black patients, left ventricular hypertrophy was more prevalent in women. ECG abnormalities vary across race, ethnicity, and sex. These variations may have implications for further diagnostic testing and potential treatment regimens.