Insulin eye drops for refractory corneal epithelial defects. A case series / Colirio de insulina para defectos corneales epiteliales persistentes. Una serie de casos

Objetive: To report the clinical course of a case series of patients with persistent epithelial corneal defects (PECD) treated with insulin eye drops. Method: Retrospective review of five patients -four non-diabetic and one diabetic- in treatment with insulin eye drops 1 U/mL four times a day (QID). Results: Patients developed refractory epithelial ulcers due to different etiology (three infections, one trauma and one chemical injury). After treatment with topical insulin all defects were healed in about 30-60 days. Conclusion: Insulin formulated as 1 U/mL eye drops and administered QID can be an effective and safe option for PECD. (AU)

Objetivo: Comunicar la evolución clínica de una serie de casos de pacientes con defectos corneales epiteliales persistentes (PECD) tratados con colirio de insulina. Método: Revisión retrospectiva de cinco pacientes –cuatro no diabéticos y uno diabético– en tratamiento con colirio de insulina 1 U/mL cuatro veces al día (QID). Resultados: Los pacientes desarrollaron úlceras epiteliales refractarias de diferente etiología (tres infecciones, un traumatismo y una lesión química). Tras el tratamiento con insulina tópica todos las lesiones se curaron en unos 30-60 días. Conclusión: La insulina formulada en forma de colirio de 1 U/mL y administrada QID puede ser una opción eficaz y segura para la PECD. (AU)

Efectividad de reslizumab en asma grave no controlada (AGNC) eosinofílica con poliposis nasal asociada / Effectiveness of reslizumab in severe uncontrolled asthma (AGNC) eosinophilic with associated nasal polyposis

In order to better characterize the profile of asthmatic patients who could benefit from monoclonal antibody treatments, the present study evaluated the effectiveness of reslizumab after one year of treatment in patients with severe uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma, distinguishing those with chronic rhinosinusitis. with associated nasal polyposis (RSCcNP). Reslizumab proved to be effective in this series of patients by reducing asthma exacerbations, improving lung function and asthma control, in addition to reducing the size and symptoms caused by nasal polyposis. (AU)

Con el fin de caracterizar mejor el perfil de pacientes asmáticos que podrían beneficiarse de tratamientos con anticuerpos monoclonales, en el presente estudio se evaluó la efectividad de reslizumab tras un año de tratamiento en pacientes con asma grave no controlada eosinofílica, distinguiendo aquellos que presentaban rinosinusitis crónica con poliposis nasal (RSCcPN) asociada. Reslizumab demostró ser efectivo en esta serie de pacientes al reducir las agudizaciones asmáticas, mejorar la función pulmonar y el control del asma, además de lograr disminuir el tamaño y sintomatología ocasionada por la poliposis nasal. (AU)

Síntomas depresivos, ansiosos e insomnio, y posibles factores asociados en personal de salud, en un Hospital General en Suramérica, durante la pandemia por COVID-19 en 2020 / Depressive and anxious symptoms and insomnia, and possible associated factors in health workers, in a General Hospital in South America, during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020

La pandemia por el nuevo coronavirus COVID- 19 ha tenido impacto en la salud mental del personal médico y de enfermería en todo el mundo. Objetivo: identificar la frecuencia de síntomas depresivos, ansiosos e insomnio y los factores posiblemente relacionados con estos desenlaces en el personal sanitario de un hospital de Suramérica durante el primer pico de la pandemia. Materiales y métodos: se aplicaron las escalas PHQ-9 para depresión, GAD- 7 para ansiedad, ISI - 7 para insomnio en 876 trabajadores de la salud del Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe en la ciudad de Medellín. Resultados: de los 876 participantes (29,2% médicos, 21.2% profesionales de enfermería y 49,5% auxiliares de enfermería), 357 (40.8%) presentaron síntomas depresivos, 300 (34.2%) síntomas ansiosos y 317 (36.2%) insomnio. Se observaron síntomas de depresión, ansiedad e insomnio, con mayor frecuencia en quienes no tenían las necesidades básicas satisfechas y en quienes se sentían estigmatizados por ser personal de salud. Además, la depresión se presentó con más frecuencia en mujeres, la ansiedad en menores de 44 años y el insomnio en personas separadas. Conclusiones: la frecuencia de problemas de salud mental en el personal de salud es considerable. Estos hallazgos demuestran la necesidad de atención en la salud mental de los profesionales médicos y de enfermería durante la pandemia por COVID-19 y la búsqueda de estrategias para mitigar el riesgo en esta población.

Background: pandemic due to novel coronavirus COVID-19 has impacted on the mental health of health care workers all around the world. Material and Methods: this is a cross sectional study in which questionnaires PHQ-9 for depression, GAD-7 for anxiety, ISI-7 for insomnia were virtually and self administered by 876 health care workers laboring in hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe in Medellin city. Results: from 876 participants (29.2% physicians, 21.2% nurses and 49.5% technical nurses), 357 (40.8%) developed depressive symptoms, 300 (34.2%) anxious symptoms and 317 (36.2%) insomnia. Symptoms of depression, anxiety and insomnia were more frequently found in those who did not have basic needs satisfied and in those who felt stigmatized due to being health personal. Besides, depressive symptoms were more frequent in women, anxious symptoms in people younger than 44 years old and insomnia in divorced people. Conclusions: the frequency of mental health problems in health care workers is significant, these findings bring to light the needs for mental health attention in nurses and doctors during COVID-19 pandemic and the research of strategies to mitigate the risk on this population. Feeling stigmatized and not having basic needs satisfied were associated with symptoms of anxiety, depression and insomnia.

Estudio comparativo de efectividad entre la Hipnosis y la intervención Cognitivo-Conductual para la Deshabituación Tabáquica / Comparative study of effectiveness between Hypnosis and Cognitive-Behavioral intervention for Smoking Cessation

Introducción: El consumo de tabaco es la primera causa de muerte evitable. A muchos fumadores les gustaría dejar el hábito. Aun así, a pesar de la eficacia demostrada de las intervenciones, muchos no están dispuestos a realizar un intento debido a las altas tasas de recaída y al miedo a los efectos secundarios de los tratamientos empleados, inclinándose a probar métodos alternativos.Objetivo: Conocer si la intervención avanzada individual (multicomponente cognitiva-conductual) es más efectiva que la intervención con hipnoterapia en pacientes fumadores, como tratamiento para dejar de fumar.Metodología: Estudio cuasiexperimental. Se incluyeron pacientes fumadores con antecedentes de patología respiratoria. Fueron asignados, según su preferencia, a un grupo de intervención avanzada individual en tabaquismo (grupo A) - al que se realizó una terapia multicomponente para dejar de fumar- o a un grupo de hipnoterapia (grupo B) en el que se realizó hipnosis para dejar de fumar.Todos los pacientes recibieron el tratamiento farmacológico y las pautas de actuación habituales que se utilizan en las consultas externas para tratar la enfermedad.Resultados: Se encontraron diferencias significativas en la cesación del consumo de tabaco a los 6 meses, encontrándose valores inferiores tanto en el abandono como en la disminución del consumo en los pacientes a los que se les realizó hipnoterapia versus terapia multicomponente (p 0,023 y p 0,031 respectivamente). Conclusiones: La intervención para el abandono del tabaco que incorpora la hipnosis no ha demostrado ser tan eficaz como la terapia multicomponente en la población estudiada. (AU)

Introduction: Tobacco use is the number one preventable cause of death. Many smokers would like to kick the habit. Still, despite the proven efficacy of the interventions, many are reluctant to try due to high relapse rates and fear of side effects of the treatments used, and are inclined to try alternative approaches.Objetive: To know if the individual advanced intervention (cognitive-behavioural multicomponent) is more effective than the intervention with hypnotherapy in smokers, as a treatment to quit smoking.Methodology: Quasi-experimental study. Smokers with a history of respiratory pathology were included. They were assigned, according to their preference, to an advanced individual smoking cessation intervention group (group A) - which underwent multicomponent therapy to quit smoking - or to a hypnotherapy group (group B) in which hypnosis was performed to quit smoking. of smoking.All patients received the pharmacological treatment and the usual action guidelines that are used in outpatient clinics to treat the disease.Results: Significant differences were found in the cessation of tobacco consumption at 6 months, with lower values both in quitting and in the reduction of consumption in patients who underwent hypnotherapy versus multicomponent therapy (p 0.023 and p 0.031, respectively).Conclusions: Smoking cessation intervention incorporating hypnosis has not been shown to be as effective as multicomponent therapy in the population studied. (AU)

Usefulness of bilateral mucoplasty plus reboot surgery in severe type-2 chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

BACKGROUND: Although extended endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) constitutes an alternative approach in patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP), the surgical techniques proposed so far do not allow for an optimal control of the disease. This study introduces bilateral mucoplasty as a complementary technique to extended ESS such as reboot surgery, analyzing its benefits in healing and quality of life (QoL). METHODS: Patients diagnosed with severe Type-2 CRSwNP were selected for a prospective cohort study in two surgery groups: reboot surgery plus bilateral mucoplasty versus reboot surgery only. In the first group, an autologous endonasal mucosal graft from the nostril floor was placed bilaterally onto the ethmoidal roof. Endoscopic, radiological and QoL outcomes were compared before and one year after surgery between the two groups using Modified Lund Kennedy (LKM), Meltzer and Lund Mackay (LM) scores, and the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT-22). RESULTS: 64 patients with homogeneous baseline characteristics were included: 17 patients underwent a reboot surgery plus a bilateral mucoplasty and 47 a reboot surgery only. LKM, Meltzer and SNOT-22 scores showed significant differences before and after surgery in both groups, with higher improvement in the mucoplasty group. A greater mean improvement of 20.5 ± 6.4 points in SNOT-22 change was associated with bilateral mucoplasty. CONCLUSION: Bilateral mucoplasty plus reboot surgery constitutes a useful surgical resource in Type-2 CRSwNP patients, showing improved endoscopic, radiological and QoL outcomes one year after surgery. Further studies are needed to determine their long-term benefits.

The influence of estradiol and progesterone on neurocognition during three phases of the menstrual cycle: Modulating factors.

Estradiol is an ovarian steroid hormone that peaks shortly before ovulation and significantly affects various brain regions and neurotransmitter systems, with similar and differential effects with progesterone, another ovarian hormone. Studies investigating the neurocognitive processes during the menstrual cycle have focused on the early follicular phase (EFP) characterized by low estradiol and progesterone levels and the mid-luteal phase (MLP) with high estradiol and progesterone levels. However, most studies have failed to include the ovulatory phase, characterized by high estradiol and low progesterone levels. Given the various hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle, we revisited studies suggesting that the menstrual cycle did not affect verbal and spatial abilities and observed that many contain mixed results. Comparing these studies makes it possible to identify relevant modulating factors, such as sample size, participant age, accurate selection of days for testing, asymmetrical practice effects, genetic polymorphisms, and task difficulty. More robust findings are related to improved mental rotation capacity during EFP with challenging tasks and differences in brain activation among menstrual cycle phases during the execution of spatial and verbal tasks. During MLP, less robust findings were observed, possibly modulated by the complex effects of the two hormones on the brain. In conclusion, we propose that it is crucial to include all three menstrual cycle phases and consider these modulating factors to avoid confounding findings.

Sex, menstrual cycle, and hormonal contraceptives influences on global-local processing.

The effect of sex hormones on global-local tasks has rarely been studied, offering, when done, conflicting results possibly modulated by the congruency between hierarchical stimuli, and by the attentional demands. Here, we examined the global advantage (GA) effect in men (with high testosterone levels), women in the mid-luteal phase (with high levels of estradiol and progesterone), in the ovulatory phase (with high estradiol but low progesterone levels); and in the early follicular phase and with hormonal contraceptive (HC) use (with low sex hormone levels). The level of processing (global-local), the congruency (congruent vs. incongruent), and attentional demands (divided vs. selective) were manipulated. The divided-incongruent condition was sensible to estradiol and progesterone levels and, in this condition, mid-luteal women performed more locally while men performed more globally. The selective-incongruent condition was sensible to the testosterone level and, in this condition, men were faster. The HC group showed a congruency effect in the GA reaction times (RTs) during both, divided and selective conditions. Finally, the GA RTs of the ovulatory group differed from the early follicular and mid-luteal groups only in the congruent-selective condition, but the performance was not related with sex hormone levels. This result is interpreted in relation with the brain effects of estradiol in the absence but not in the presence of progesterone. Thus, sex, menstrual cycle, HC, task difficulty and sex hormones seem to modulate performance in the global-local task. These factors represent an important source of variability in studies focused on the processing of hierarchical stimuli and allow apparently inconsistent data to be explained.

Preservation of protective capacity of hyperimmune anti-Stx2 bovine colostrum against enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 pathogenicity after pasteurization and spray-drying processes.

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 is a major etiologic agent that causes bloody diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Shiga toxin (Stx) is the main virulence factor of EHEC responsible for the progression to HUS. Although many laboratories have made efforts to develop an effective treatment for Stx-mediated HUS, a specific therapy has not been found yet. Human consumption of bovine colostrum is known to have therapeutic effects against several gastrointestinal infections because of the peptide and proteins (including antibodies) with direct antimicrobial and endotoxin-neutralizing effects contained in this fluid. We have previously demonstrated that colostrum from Stx type 2 (Stx2)-immunized pregnant cows effectively prevents Stx2 cytotoxicity and EHEC O157:H7 pathogenicity. In this study we evaluated the preservation of the protective properties of hyperimmune colostrum against Stx2 (HIC-Stx2) after pasteurization and spray-drying processes by performing in vitro and in vivo assays. Our results showed that reconstituted HIC-Stx2 colostrum after pasteurization at 60°C for 60 min and spray-dried under optimized conditions preserved specific IgG that successfully neutralized Stx2 cytotoxicity on Vero cells. Furthermore, this pasteurized/dehydrated and reconstituted HIC-Stx2 preserved the protective capacity against EHEC infection in a weaned mice model. The consumption of hyperimmune HIC-Stx2 bovine colostrum could be effective for HUS prevention in humans as well as in EHEC control in calves. However, further studies need to be done to consider its use for controlling EHEC infections.

Influence of sex, menstrual cycle, and hormonal contraceptives on egocentric navigation with or without landmarks.

This study examines the influence of sex, menstrual cycle, hormonal contraceptives (HC) and sex hormone levels in following egocentric navigation instructions with or without landmarks. Estradiol seem to bias the reference frame for navigation during estrous cycle of female rats. However, previous studies in humans found no differences in overall navigation between women in their early follicular and mid-luteal menstrual cycle phases, whose performance was worse than that of men. Our study hypothesis was that the performance of women would be improved during the peri-ovulatory phase and would remain the same during placebo and active phases of HC users. The study included 21 men, 62 women with natural menstrual cycle (21 during early follicular phase, 20 during peri-ovulatory phase, and 21 during mid-luteal phase), and 38 women that were receiving HC (13 during placebo phase and 25 during active phase). The men outperformed the women with a natural menstrual cycle when following egocentric instructions without landmarks. However, the women's performance varied according to the phase of their menstrual cycle, differing from men during early follicular and mid-luteal phases but not during the peri-ovulatory phase. The use of HC also improved the performance of women to the extent that the difference with men disappeared. No differences were observed between HC-placebo and HC-active user groups during egocentric navigation without landmarks and among all groups during egocentric navigation with landmarks. Analysis of salivary hormones showed that testosterone levels were higher in men and that estradiol levels in women were higher during peri-ovulatory and mid-luteal phases and also in HC users. Progesterone levels were higher in women during the mid-luteal phase. These results appear compatible with beneficial effect of testosterone and estradiol on egocentric navigation without landmarks and with a block of this effect produced by progesterone.

Genotypic variability in radial resistance to water flow in olive roots and its response to temperature variations.

As radial root resistance (Rp) represents one of the key components of the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum resistance catena modulating water transport, understanding its control is essential for physiologists, modelers and breeders. Reports of Rp, however, are still scarce and scattered in the scientific literature. In this study, we assessed genetic variability in Rp and its dependence on temperature in five widely used olive cultivars. In a first experiment, cultivar differences in Rp at 25 °C were evaluated from flow-pressure measurements in excised roots and subsequent analysis of root traits. In a second experiment, similar determinations were performed continually over a 5-h period in which temperature was gradually increased from 12 to 32 °C, enabling the assessment of Rp response to changing temperature. Despite some variability, our results did not show statistical differences in Rp among cultivars in the first experiment. In the second, cultivar differences in Rp were not significant at 12 °C, but they became so as temperature increased. Furthermore, the changes in Rp between 12 and 32 °C were higher than those expected by the temperature-driven decrease in water viscosity, with the degree of that change differing among cultivars. Also, Rp at 25 °C reached momentarily in the second experiment was consistently higher than in the first at that same, but fixed, temperature. Overall, our results suggest that there is limited variability in Rp among the studied cultivars when plants have been exposed to a given temperature for sufficient time. Temperature-induced variation in Rp might thus be partly explained by changes in membrane permeability that occur slowly, which explains why our values at 25 °C differed between experiments. The observed cultivar differences in Rp with warming also indicate faster acclimation of Rp to temperature changes in some cultivars than others.

Dexmedetomidina versus lidocaína endovenosa en el control de dolor irruptivo y la funcionalidad en pacientes con canal lumbar estrecho / Dexmedetomidine versus endovenous lidocaine in breakthrough pain control and functionality in patients with lumbar stenosis

Introducción: El dolor es un motivo de ausentismo laboral, en especial el dolor irruptivo secundario a canal lumbar estrecho. La dexmedetomidina como analgésico actúa inhibiendo la liberación de sustancia P en la vía nociceptiva y bloquea los receptores de aspartato y glutamato. Por otro lado, la lidocaína también previene y alivia el dolor mediante la interrupción de la neuroconducción, uniéndose a su receptor específico dentro de los canales de sodio. Objetivo: Evaluar la eficacia analgésica de la dexmedetomidina versus lidocaína en perfusión endovenosa como tratamiento del dolor irruptivo secundario a canal lumbar estrecho. Material y métodos: Ensayo clínico controlado, aleatorizado, triple ciego, realizado en la clínica del dolor del HGM, se evaluaron dos grupos de pacientes con diagnóstico de dolor irruptivo secundario a canal lumbar estrecho; un grupo tratado con dexmedetomidina (0,3 mcg/kg) y otro grupo tratado con lidocaína (2 mg/kg) en perfusión endovenosa. Se realizó medición de la intensidad del dolor y el estado de sedación antes de iniciar el tratamiento y posteriormente a los 30, 60 y 120 minutos. También se evaluó la funcionalidad de los pacientes a través del índice de discapacidad de Oswestry antes y a los siete días del tratamiento. Se evaluó de forma secundaria el efecto de los tratamientos sobre los signos vitales. Resultados: No hubo diferencia estadísticamente significativa en la reducción de la intensidad del dolor a los 120 minutos entre los pacientes tratados con dexmedetomidina (EVA 1,29 ± 1,63) comparados con los tratados con lidocaína (EVA 1 ± 1,19, p = 0,594). Se observó que al final de la perfusión de los fármacos, la dexmedetomidina produjo mayor sedación a diferencia de la lidocaína (p = 0,003). Ambos tratamientos mejoran la funcionalidad en todos los pacientes sin haber diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los tratamientos (p = 0,508) no se observaron efectos depresores sobre los signos vitales. Conclusiones: La dexmedetomidina y la lidocaína son igual de eficaces para el tratamiento del dolor irruptivo, con inicio de acción en los primeros 30 minutos de iniciada la perfusión hasta las siguientes 2 horas. No se observaron eventos adversos medicamentosos a las dosis recomendadas

Introduction: The pain is a reason for absenteeism labour, especially breakthrough pain secondary to narrow lumbar canal. Dexmedetomidine is an analgesic, act by inhibiting the release of substance P in the nociceptive pathway and blocks the aspartate and glutamate receptors. On the other hand, lidocaine also prevents and relieves pain by interrupting neuroconduction, binding to its specific receptor within the sodium channels. Objective: To evaluate the analgesic efficacy of dexmedetomidine versus lidocaine in intravenous perfusion as a treatment for breakthrough pain secondary to narrow lumbar canal. Material and methods: Controlled clinical trial, randomized, triple-blind, performed at the HGM pain clinic, two groups of patients with diagnosis of breakthrough pain secondary to narrow lumbar canal were evaluated; group one was treated with dexmedetomidine (0.3 mcg/kg) and the other group was treated with lidocaine (2 mg/kg) in intravenous infusion. Measurement of pain intensity and sedation status was made before starting the treatment and after 30, 60 and 120 minutes. The functionality of the patients was also assessed through the Oswestry disability index before and seven days after treatment. Secondarily evaluated the effect of treatments on vital signs. Results: There was not any statistically significant difference in the reduction of pain intensity at 120 minutes between patients treated with dexmedetomidine (EVA 1.29 ± 1.63) compared with those who were treated with lidocaine (EVA 1 ± 1.19, p = 0.594), it was observed that at the end of drugs perfusion, dexmedetomidine produced greater sedation, unlike lidocaine (p = 0.003), both treatments improved functionality in all patients without having a statistically significant difference between treatments (p = 0.508), they were not observed depressant effects on vital signs. Conclusions: Dexmedetomidine and lidocaine are just as equally effective for the treatment of breakthrough pain, with onset of action in the first 30 minutes after the infusion started until the next 2 hours, no adverse drug events were observed at the recommended doses

Free nasal floor mucosal grafting after endoscopic total ethmoidectomy for severe nasal polyposis: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: We report a novel surgical technique based on an endonasal free mucosal graft (mucoplasty) for improving clinical results and local healing in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). METHODS: Patients diagnosed with bilateral CRSwNP scheduled for endoscopic sinus surgery were included. They underwent complete removal of anterior and posterior ethmoid cells, in addition to bilateral type III frontal sinusotomy. An endoscopic mucoplasty was performed in the left nasal cavity, whereas the right nasal cavity served as control. Patients were evaluated before surgery and 6 months after operation, including Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for olfaction, endoscopic evaluation using the Modified und-Kennedy (MLK) scoring system and healing evaluation. RESULTS: Ten patients (mean age 53.6 years) were included. A significa t decrease of SNOT-22 score from 57.0 (21.1) to 20.3 (20.6) (P = 0.024) and a non-significa t decrease of VAS for olfaction score from 9.3 (0.5) to 4.6 (3.9) were found. Preoperative mean MLK score was 4.9 (0.7) in the right nostril and 4.8 (1.0) in the left one. After operation, there was a greater decrease of MLK score in the left nostril than in the right (1.9 [1.0] vs. 1.3 [0.8], P = 0.034). Better healing was proved in the nostril with the mucoplasty. CONCLUSION: Endonasal mucoplasty could be an effective, safe and feasible complementary surgical procedure in the treatment of CRSwNP. The reduced local edema associated with lower amount of secretions may confer a better control in the frontal recess, orbital wall and nasal roof.

Análisis de factores psicológicos en pacientes con asma grave (estudio PSICOASMA) / Analysis of psychological factors in patients with severe asthma (PSICOASMA study)

OBJETIVOS: estudiar factores psicológicos en pacientes con asma grave y evaluar su relación con el control del asma. METODOLOGÍA: estudio prospectivo con inclusión de pacientes, diagnosticados de asma bronquial grave, revisados en consultas monográficas, participantes en el estudio de intervención psicológica (PSICOASMA). Se analizaron datos clínicos, cuestionario de control del asma (ACT), espirometría, inflamación (FENO). Se estudiaron alteraciones psicológicas con el cuestionario de ansiedad rasgo y estado (STAI-R y E), el inventario de depresión de BECK (BDI), cuestionario de Nijmegen. Se consideró alterado una puntuación en percentil >50 en el cuestionario STAI, Síndrome Hiperventilación si presentaban Nijmegen>23. RESULTADOS: Fueron incluidos 103 asmáticos graves, de edad 51,6 (13,7), mayoritariamente mujeres (79,6%). El 78,6% presentaban mal control del asma (ACT<20).Presentaban alterados test STAI-E, STAI-R el 50,5% y 68%, respectivamente y Nijmegen 47,5%. Respecto al nivel de depresión, según BDI, presentaron alteraciones leves, moderadas e intensas en el 31%, 25,2% y 11,6%, respectivamente. Se encontraron diferencias significativas en el control del asma medido por ACT entre los pacientes que presentaban o no alterados los test de ansiedad; STAI-E (p <0,05), STAI- R (p <0,01); depresión (p <0,01) o Nijmegen (p <0,01), estando peor controlados los que tenían alteración en los test psicológicos. No se encontraron diferencias en parámetros funcionales ni cifras de FENO. CONCLUSIONES: encontramos niveles elevados de ansiedad y depresión en pacientes con asma grave. Presentaban disnea funcional casi la mitad de los pacientes. Estas alteraciones psicológicas están relacionadas con el mal control de la enfermedad. Es importante y necesaria la evaluación psicológica en pacientes con asma grave

OBJECTIVES: to study the psychological factors in patients with severe asthma and evaluate their relationship with asthma control. METHODS: a prospective study including patients diagnosed with severe bronchial asthma who were examined in specialized clinics and who participated in the PSICOASMA psychological intervention study. The clinical data, asthma control test (ACT), spirometry and inflammation (FeNO) were analyzed. Psychological changes were studied using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-r and STAI-e), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Nijmegen Questionnaire. A percentile score of >50 on the STAI was considered altered, and hyperventilation syndrome was determined for Nijmegen >23. RESULTS: 103 primarily female (79.6%) severely asthmatic patients were included with an average age of 51.6 (13.7). 78.6% showed poor asthma control (ACT <20). 50.5% and 68% showed altered STAI-e and STAI-r results, respectively, and 47.5% showed altered Nijmegen results. With regard to the degree of depression, according to the BDI, 31% of patients showed mild changes, 25.2% moderate changes and 11.6% intense changes. Significant differences were found in asthma control measured by ACT between patients with or without altered results in the anxiety test; STAI-e (p <0.05), STAI-r (p <0.01); depression questionnaire (p <0.01) and Nijmegen Questionnaire (p <0.01), with those showing alteration in the psychological tests being more poorly controlled. No differences were found in functional parameters or FeNO figures. CONCLUSIONS: We found high levels of anxiety and depression in patients with severe asthma. Nearly half of patients showed functional dyspnea. These psychological changes are related to the poor control of the disease. Psychological evaluation is important and necessary in patients with severe asthma

Deshabituación tabáquica a largo plazo. Estudio de 1.639 pacientes incluidos en programa de intervención psicofarmacológico tras 12 años de seguimiento / Long-term tobacco cessation. A study of 1639 patients included in a sychopharmacological intervention program after 12 years of follow-up

Objetivos: evaluar la situación de abstinencia tras una media de 12 años en pacientes que realizaron un programa de intervención psicofarmacológica. Metodología: se incluyeron pacientes tratados en una Unidad Especializada de Tratamiento del Tabaquismo con terapia psicológica asociada, o no, a tratamiento farmacológico. El seguimiento inicial fue de 1 año. Se dividió en dos grupos: aquéllos pacientes en los que se objetivó abstinencia (cooximetría (CO) <5 ppm) tras el año de seguimiento (grupo A) y aquéllos pacientes no abstinentes (grupo B). Los pacientes fueron llamados por teléfono tras un periodo de 12 años de media y se comprobó la abstinencia. En caso de indicar que no fumaban, se invitó a que acudieran a nuestras consultas para confirmarlo con CO. Se consideró abstinencia confirmada (AC) si presentaban CO <5 ppm. En caso de no acudir, se indicó situación de abstinencia no confirmada (ANC). Se consideró fracaso (F) si el paciente indicaba que fumaba. Resultados: se estudiaron 1.639 pacientes (366 del grupo A y 1.273 del grupo B). A largo plazo, en el grupo A presentaron AC el 50,5% de los pacientes, ANC 11,7%, F el 20,8%, no fueron localizados el 13,9% y fallecieron el 3,6%. En el grupo B presentaron AC 5,8%, ANC 12,6%, F 45%, no localizados 29,7%, fallecidos 6,7% (p <0,01 entre ambos grupos, excepto ANC). Conclusiones: los pacientes que dejan el tabaco tras un año de seguimiento mantienen la abstinencia a largo plazo en más de la mitad de los casos

Objectives: to evaluate abstinence status after an average of 12 years in patients who underwent a psychopharmacological intervention program. Methods: the study included patients treated at a specialized tobacco cessation unit who received pharmacological treatment with or without associated psychological therapy. The initial follow-up lasted 1 year. Patients were divided into two groups: those who showed abstinence (CO-oximetry <5 ppm) after a year of followup (group A) and non-abstinent patients (group B). Patients were contacted by phone after an average of 12 years to confirm abstinence. If they indicated they did not smoke, they were invited to our clinics to confirm this with COoximetry. A CO-oximetry result of <5 ppm was considered confirmed abstinence. If patients did not visit the clinic, their status was recorded as unconfirmed abstinence. Status was considered failure if the patient indicated they smoked. Results: 1639 patients were studied (366 in group A and 1273 in group B). In the long run, abstinence was confirmed in 50.5% of patients, unconfirmed in 11.7%, 20.8% were recorded as failure, 13.9% could not be contacted and 3.6% had died in group A. In group B, 5.8% were recorded as confirmed abstinence, 12.6% as unconfirmed abstinence, 45% as failure, 29.7% could not be contacted and 6.7% had died (p <0.01 between both groups, except unconfirmed abstinence). Conclusions: patients who cease tobacco use after a year of follow-up maintain long-term abstinence in more than half of cases

Cardiac Remodeling in Structure and Function Six Months After Kidney Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease accounts for 35% to 50% of the causes of mortality in chronic kidney disease. The majority of patients in substitution therapy in Mexico are subdialyzed owing to limited economic resources. This produces more cardiac deterioration than described in the statistics and has a direct impact on the prognosis of kidney transplantation. The aim of this work was to demonstrate and to quantify the improvement in the echocardiographic parameters 6 months after renal transplantation in patients with stable renal function. METHODS: This was an observational, analytic, prospective study of 23 patients with chronic kidney disease who received transplants in 2016 and had a glomerular filtration rate ≥80 mL/min (Chronic Kidney Disease-Epidemiology Collaboration) 6 months after transplantation. RESULTS: Echocardiographic results showed an increase in the left ventricular ejection fraction from 57.17 ± 10.46% to 64.09 ± 9.8%, an increase in the right ventricular ejection fraction from 0.56 ± 0.09% to 0.60 ± 0.08% and a reduction of the pulmonary arterial systolic pressure from 44.57 ± 13.88 mm Hg to 39.74 ± 11.04 mm Hg. There were also decreases in mitral regurgitation from 1.0 to 0.43, tricuspid insufficiency from 1.35 to 0.43, pulmonary insufficiency from 0.48 to 0.04, and aortic insufficiency from 0.35 to 0.04, all of these significant with P < .05. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant improvement in cardiovascular function in our population 6 months after transplantation, despite the fact that renal transplantation is performed with greater cardiac deterioration than described in patients in other countries.

Nanoscale tilt measurement using a cyclic interferometer with polarization phase stepping and multiple reflections.

High-accuracy tilt or roll angle measurement is required for a variety of engineering and scientific applications. A cyclic interferometer with multiple reflections has been developed to measure small tilt angles. To accomplish this task, a novel and simple method, phase shift by polarization, was developed. The results of these studies show that the multiple reflection cyclic interferometers can be used to measure object tilts on the order of 0.2 nano-radians. We develop the theory for polarization phase step and show that accurate measurements can be made with the cyclic interferometer.

Phytophthora betacei, a new species within Phytophthora clade 1c causing late blight on Solanum betaceum in Colombia.

Over the past few years, symptoms akin to late blight disease have been reported on a variety of crop plants in South America. Despite the economic importance of these crops, the causal agents of the diseases belonging to the genus Phytophthora have not been completely characterized. In this study, a new Phytophthora species was described in Colombia from tree tomato (Solanum betaceum), a semi-domesticated fruit grown in northern South America. Comprehensive phylogenetic, morphological, population genetic analyses, and infection assays to characterize this new species, were conducted. All data support the description of the new species, Phytophthora betacei sp. nov. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that this new species belongs to clade 1c of the genus Phytophthora and is a close relative of the potato late blight pathogen, P. infestans. Furthermore, it appeared as the sister group of the P. andina strains collected from wild Solanaceae (clonal lineage EC-2). Analyses of morphological and physiological characters as well as host specificity showed high support for the differentiation of these species. Based on these results, a complete description of the new species is provided and the species boundaries within Phytophthora clade 1c in northern South America are discussed.

Asma, rinitis y seguridad vial / Asthma, rhinitis and road safety

Introducción: Las lesiones por accidente de tráfico constituyen uno de los principales problemas de salud de la población mundial en los inicios del siglo XXI. En este estudio nos planteamos estudiar si existe una mayor prevalencia de accidentalidad en la conducción en personas con diagnóstico de asma y/o rinitis. Método: Se eligieron, de forma consecutiva durante un periodo de tres meses, a pacientes que acudieron a consultas de dos centros de Salud sin aquejar patología crónica, todos ellos con un rango de edad entre 18 y 65 años, conductores habituales y a un grupo de enfermos de las consultas de neumología, alergia y ORL de Hospital de Jerez, con diagnóstico de asma/rinitis. A estos pacientes se les entrevistó siguiendo cuestionario preestablecido, recogiéndose datos demográficos, consumo de tabaco antecedentes de siniestralidad en la conducción, características del asma y la rinitis y la escala Goldberg Anxiety-Depression (GADS) para la valoración de la existencia de comorbilidad psiquiátrica. Se calculó la prevalencia de accidentalidad en cada grupo y en los pacientes con diagnóstico de rinitis/asma, también en función de estos diagnósticos y su gravedad. Resultados: Se entrevistó a 424 personas sanas (49,3% mujeres) de 38 años de edad media y a 185 pacientes asmáticos/riníticos (52,4% mujeres), con edad media de 45 años. Un 67,6% de ellos padecían rinitis con o sin asma. Referían haber sufrido accidentes de tráfico un 33,8% del grupo control y el 41,6% de los pacientes asmáticos (p <0,001). Los pacientes que presentaban solamente rinitis (n = 125) concentraron más accidentes que la población sana del grupo control (0,48 ± 0,51 vs 0,34 ± 0,47; p < 0,001). La siniestralidad mostró relación con el grado de control del asma y la gravedad del asma y rinitis. Conclusiones: Existen indicios de una mayor siniestralidad en la conducción entre personas asmáticas y riníticas, que podría estar relacionada con la gravedad de estas patologías

Introduction: injuries from traffic accidents constitute one of the main health problems for the global population in the early 21st century. This study aims to determine if there is a greater prevalence of accident-causing driving among individuals diagnosed with asthma and/or rhinitis. Method: patients visiting two health centers who were not afflicted with chronic disease were recruited consecutively over the course of three months. All participants ranged between 18 and 65 years old, and were habitual drivers. A group of ill patients with a diagnosis of asthma/rhinitis were also recruited from the pulmonology, allergy and ENT departments at the Hospital de Jerez. These patients were interviewed following a predetermined questionnaire, collecting demographic data, tobacco use, history of driving accidents, characteristics of the asthma and rhinitis and the Goldberg Anxiety-Depression Scale (GADS) was used to evaluate the existence of a psychiatric comorbidity. The prevalence of accidents was calculated in each group and among the patients with a diagnosis of rhinitis/asthma, as well as according to diagnosis and severity. Results: 424 healthy individuals (49.3% women) were interviewed with an average age of 38. We also interviewed 185 patients with asthma/rhinitis (52.4% women), with an average age of 45. Of those interviewed, 67.6% suffered from rhinitis with or without asthma. A total of 33.8% of the control group and 41.6% of asthmatic patients (p <0.001) reported having suffered traffic accidents. Patients suffering only from rhinitis (n = 125) had more accidents than the healthy population in the control group (0.48 ± 0.51 vs 0.34 ± 0.47; p < 0.001). Accidents showed a correlation with the level of asthma control and the severity of asthma and rhinitis. Conclusions: there is a higher rate of driving accidents among individuals suffering from asthma and rhinitis, which may be related to the severity of these illnesses