Evaluation of aldosterone to direct renin ratio, low renin and related Phenotypes in Afro-Colombian patients with apparent treatment resistant hypertension.

Apparent resistant hypertension (aTRH) is a significant public health issue. Once low adherence to antihypertensive treatment has been ruled out and true resistant hypertension is diagnosed, aldosterone-direct-renin-ratio (ADRR) aids in the screening of an aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and primary aldosteronism (PA). Once PA and other secondary causes have been ruled out, the values of aldosterone and renin allow patients to be classified into phenotypes such as low renin hypertension (LRH), Liddle's-like (LLph), and primary hyperaldosteronism (PAph). These classifications could aid in the treatment decision-making process. However, optimal cut-off points for these classifications remain uncertain. This study aims to assess the prevalence of these phenotypes and the behavior of different cut-offs of the ADRR in an Afro-Colombian population with apparent resistant hypertension, as well to describe their sodium consumption. Afro-descendant individuals 18 years of age or older, diagnosed with resistant hypertension and attending to a primary care center in Colombia were recruited as volunteers. As part of the study, their plasma renin concentration (PRC) and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) were measured. The phenotypes were categorized into three groups based on multiple cut-off points from different authors: low renin and low aldosterone phenotype (LLph), low renin and high aldosterone phenotype (PAph), and high renin and high aldosterone phenotype, referred to as the renal phenotype (Rph). The prevalence of ADRR values exceeding the cut-off and phenotypes were calculated. A linear regression model was derived to assess the effect of sodium consumption with PAC, PRC and ADRR. A total of 88 patients with aTRH were included. Adherence to at least 3 antihypertensive medications was 62.5%. The median age was 56 years (IQR 48-60), 44% were female, and 20% had diabetes. The study found that the prevalence of ADRR values exceeding the cut-off ranged from 4.5 to 23%, while low-renin hypertension (LRH) varied from 15 to 74%, Rph was found in approximately 30 to 34% of patients, PAph in 30 to 51%, and the LLph in 15 to 41%, respectively, depending on the specific cut-off value by different authors. Notably, sodium consumption was associated with lower aldosterone (ß - 0.15, 95% CI [- 0.27, - 0.03]) and renin concentrations (ß - 0.75, 95% CI [- 1.5, - 0.02]), but ADRR showed no significant association with sodium consumption. There were no significant differences in prevalences between the groups taking < 3 vs ≥ 3 antihypertensive medications. Altered aldosterone-direct-renin-ratio, low renin hypertension, Liddle's-like, and primary hyperaldosteronism are prevalent phenotypes in patients within Afro-Colombian patients with apparent treatment-Resistant hypertension.

Relación entre el ojo seco y la diabetes mellitus tipo 2

La diabetes mellitus es una patología metabòlica que altera los niveles de glucosa en el cuerpo, siendo más prevalente la tipo 2, la cual puede llegar a modular enfermedades sistémicas que causan diferentes desórdenes metabòlicos y cambios celulares. En cuanto a las alteraciones oftalmológicas, se pueden resaltar la retinopatía diabética y el ojo seco, siendo esta última una condición inflamatoria crónica que ocaciona daños en la superficie ocular. Por lo tanto, esta revisión brindará información de los factores asociados al desarrollo de ojo seco en la diabetes, resaltando cambios en la glicemia y el rol del metabolismo de glucosa sobre estructuras oculares tales como como la glándula lagrimal, glándulas de Meibomio, y en la microvasculatura, que pueden condicionar a trastornos neuropáticos que conducen a la sintomatologia ocular. De igual modo, se describen eventos biológicos como cambios en la expresión epigenética, estrés oxidativo e inflamación que presumiblemente juegan un papel importante en las diabetes y ojo seco, por lo cual la evaluación y análisis de la lágrima en esta población se hace necesaria, teniendo en cuenta los cambios en las estructuras oculares en la diabetes y las novedosas investigaciones sobre biomarcadores de diabetes a través de la película lagrimal.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic pathology that alters glucose levels in the body, being type 2 more prevalent, which can lead to modular systemic diseases that cause different metabolic disorders and cellular changes. Regarding ophthalmological alterations, diabetic retinopathy and dry eye can be highlighted, the latter being a chronic inflammatory condition causing damage to the ocular surface. Therefore, this review will provide information on the factors associated with the development of the dry eye in diabetes, highlighting changes in glycemia and the role of glucose metabolism on ocular structures such as the lacrimal gland, Meibomian glands, and the microvasculature, which can condition neuropathic disorders that lead to ocular symptoms, biological events such as changes in epigenetic expression, oxidative stress, and inflammation are prescribed, which presumably play an important role in diabetes and dry eye, for which the evaluation and analysis of tears in this population is done necessary, taking into account the changes in the ocular structures in diabetes and the new research on biomarkers of diabetes through the tear film.

Effect of Inclusion of Arthrospira maxima Microalgae in Laying Hen Diets on Production Parameters and Egg Characteristics

The animal feed industry is continuously researching new feed additives to substitute other materials, reduce costs, or add value to the final product. The microalgae Arthrospira maxima, cultivated using wastewater as a nutritional source, was evaluated as a feed additive by including 2, 4, and 6% in isocaloric and isoprotein diets for laying hens. Five replicates per treatment with 5 hens per cage were used during an experimental period of 28 days. Productive behavior and egg characteristics (quality, fatty acid profile, cholesterol level) were evaluated. The inclusion of microalgae up to 4% in diets for 52-week-old laying hens did not affect productive performance (egg production, egg weight, egg mass, FCR, shell thickness, and Haugh units). No effects were observed on the cholesterol level or the concentration of fatty acids in the eggs, but more information is needed to determine if the microalgae drying or storage process can generate variations of these results. The inclusion of 6% microalgae produced an acceptable egg yolk color for the local market. The results indicate that this material can be used as a protein source up to an inclusion of 4% in the diet, and hens may need an adaptation period to maintain production at the 6% inclusion level.(AU)

Decoloración coronaria inducida por la utilización de Biodentine y MTA blanco en procedimientos de regeneración pulpar: estudio ex vivo / Coronal discoloration induced by the use of Biodentine and white MTA in pulp regeneration procedures: an ex-vivo study

Se comparó el grado de decoloración de la corona clínica en piezas dentarias anteriores humanas ex-traídas, sometidas a procedimientos de regeneración endodóntica, utilizando MTA blanco o sustituto bioac-tivo de la dentina (Biodentine) como barrera cervical, en presencia de coágulo sanguíneo como andamio. En total se prepararon 24 piezas dentarias anterio-res superiores humanas que fueron divididas en dos grupos control (GC) y dos grupos experimentales (GE). Cada uno incluía 6 piezas dentarias. En los GE se colo-có sangre humana fresca en el interior del conducto, y se confeccionó una barrera de Biodentine (GE3) o MTA (GE4). En los GC se colocó una torunda de algo-dón estéril saturada con solución fisiológica estéril, y se confeccionó una barrera de Biodentine (GC1) o MTA (GC2). El color se evaluó de acuerdo con el espa-cio de color CIE L* a* b* utilizando imágenes fotográfi-cas digitales estandarizadas en dos puntos de tiempo: día 0 (T0) y día 35 (T35). La descripción de los datos in-cluyó mediana (Md), primer cuartil (Q1), tercer cuartil (Q3), media y desviación estándar (DE). Se emplea-ron las pruebas de los rangos con signo de Wilcoxon (RSW) y ANOVA de una vía; p < 0,05 fue considerado significativo. Cuando se comparó ∆E se observaron diferencias significativas entre GC1 y el resto de los materiales (p < 0,05). ∆E fue menor en GC1 (media ± DE; 2,1 ± 1,6) que en los grupos restantes que no pre-sentaron diferencias significativas entre sí. En base a estos resultados, la estabilización del coágulo san-guíneo, como así la limpieza de la cavidad previa a la colocación del Biodentine y el uso de barreras cervi-cales, es imprescindible para evitar la coloración de la corona clínica (AU)

Discoloration remains an unfavorable complication of otherwise successful regenerative endodontic procedure of immature teeth with necrotic pulp. Objective: Compare the degree of discoloration of extracted human teeth after regenerative endodontic procedures, using MTA or Biodentine as a cervical barrier with a blood clot as a scaffold. In total 24 human upper anterior teeth were prepared and divided into two control groups (CG) and two experimental groups (EG). In the EG, fresh human blood was placed inside the root and a Biodentine (GE3) or MTA (GE4) barrier was made in. A sterile cotton swab saturated with sterile physiological solution was placed in the GCs and a Biodentine (GC1) or MTA (GC2) barrier was made in. The color was evaluated according to the CIE L* a* b* color space using standardized digital photographic images at two time points: day 0 (T0) and day 35 (T35). The description of the data included median (Md), first quartile (Q1), third quartile (Q3), means, and standard deviation (SD). Wilcoxon signed rank tests (RSW) and one-way ANOVA were used. p < 0.05 was considered significant. When ∆E was compared, significant differences were observed between GC1 and the rest of the materials (p < 0.05). ∆E was lower in CG1 (mean ± SD; 2.1 ± 1.6) than in the remaining groups, which did not present significant differences between them. There was no significant difference between tooth discolorations with materials in the presence of blood. However, in the absence of blood, Biodentine exhibited less tooth discoloration than MTA (AU)

Effect of marker dosage frequency and spot fecal sampling frequency in the prediction accuracy of fecal output using chromic oxide and titanium dioxide in grazing BON steers.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two marker dosage frequencies and two spot fecal sampling frequencies on the variability of fecal output estimation and fecal recovery rate in grazing Blanco Orejinegro (BON) steers with chromium (Cr) or titanium (Ti) as external markers. Four steers (230.5 ± 14.4 kg BW) were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design in a split-plot arrangement with two markers: Cr or Ti, two marker dosage frequencies: 10.0 g Cr2O3 or TiO2/steer once daily (DF1) or 5.0 g Cr2O3 or TiO2/steer twice daily (DF2), and two fecal sampling frequencies: spot sampling once daily (SF1) or spot sampling twice daily (SF2). Steers were equipped with fecal collection bags to evaluate the actual fecal output (FOR). Fecal marker concentration (FMC) was affected by marker dosage frequency × fecal sampling frequency interaction (P = 0.032): SF1DF1 allowed higher FMC (2.26 g/kg DM) than SF2DF1 (1.95 g/kg DM). Chromium marker allowed higher estimated fecal output (FOe) values when compared to FOR (P < 0.001). Both Ti mean and SD bias (+ 0.074 ± 0.160 kg) were lower than Cr mean and SD bias (+ 0.312 ± 0.272 kg). The Ti fecal output prediction showed lower both RSR (0.586 vs 1.401) and MSPE (0.029 vs 0.167) than Cr prediction. The titanium external marker allowed fecal output estimation with more accuracy in grazing beef cattle trials. A protocol including a once-daily marker dosage associated with a once-daily fecal sampling is plausible, allowing good fecal recovery rates and accurate fecal output estimation.

Participation of voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels in the acute cardiac effects of toluene.

Inhaling solvents can lead to occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias and sudden sniffing death. Mechanisms related to this phenomenon are not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of acute toluene exposure on heart reactivity to epinephrine and the participation of voltage-gated sodium and calcium channels. We found that acute toluene exposure increased perfusion pressure, left ventricular developed pressure, and heart rate. These actions were inhibited by lidocaine and nifedipine. Our results suggest that acute toluene exposure modify voltage-gated sodium and calcium channel function and expression likely due to a cardiac adrenergic mechanism and these effects could be participating, at least in part, in the presence of cardiac arrhythmias. To our best knowledge, this is the first report to establish a direct participation of voltage-gated Na+ and Ca2+ channels, toluene and epinephrine on cardiac function in rats.

Artroplastía total de rodilla: evaluación funcional y complicaciones. Traumatología y ortopedia ­ Hospital Obrero n° 1, 2010 ­ 2015 / Total knee arthroplasty: complications and functional evaluation. Traumatology and orthopedics - hospital obrero n° 1, 2010 ­ 2015

INTRODUCCIÓN: Desde que se implantó la primera prótesis total de rodilla en nuestro medio, se advierte que la mayor parte de las personas acuden a cirugía, no solo cuando el dolor se torna insoportable, sino cuando también la deformidad se ha instaurado o aumentó considerablemente y la función se ve disminuida. OBJETIVO: Determinar los resultados funcionales y las complicaciones de la artroplastía total de rodilla en el servicio de Traumatología y Ortopedia del Hospital Obrero N° 1 durante el periodo 2010 ­ 2015. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio serie de casos. Se estudiaron 121 pacientes de ambos sexos, con diagnóstico de gonartrosis primaria o secundaria, internados en el servicio de Traumatología y Ortopedia del Hospital Obrero Nº 1, durante el periodo del 1° de enero del 2010 al 31 de diciembre del año 2015. La valoración funcional se calificó mediante el cuestionario WOMAC y las complicaciones mediante registro de expedientes clínicos. RESULTADOS: El sexo más afectado es el femenino (75.79%), la edad más frecuente oscila entre 60 y 69 años (50.41%), la comorbilidad preoperatoria más frecuente en los pacientes operados es la artritis reumatoide (33.88%), los resultados funcionales post-operatorios del reemplazo articular son en su mayoría buenos (75.21%), la complicación post-operatoria más frecuente, fue la infección en un 9.09%, la cantidad de días de internación post-operatorio promedio es de 7.2 días. CONCLUSIÓN: Se observaron resultados funcionales Buenos (escala WOMAC) y la infección como la complicación más frecuente en los sujetos de nuestro estudio.

INTRODUCTION: Since the first full knee prosthetics was implanted in our city, it is noticed that most people attend surgery, not only when the pain becomes unbearable, but when deformity has also established itself or it increased considerably and the function looks diminished. OBJECTIVE: Determining the functional results and the complications of the total arthroplasty of knee at the service of Traumatología y Ortopedia of the Hospital Obrero N° 1 during the period 2010 ­ 2015. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Case series study. 121 patients of both sexes were studied, with diagnosis of gonarthrosis primary or secondary in the service of Traumatología y Ortopedia of the Hospital Obrero N° 1, from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2015. The functional assessment was graded by means of the questionnaire WOMAC and the complications by means of clinical records. RESULTS: The most affected sex is the feminine (75,79 %), the most frequent age oscillates between 60 and 69 years (50,41 %), the most frequent preoperative comorbidity in the operated patients is rheumatoid arthritis (33,88 %), the functional post-operative results of the joint replacement are mainly good (75,21 %), the most frequent post-operative complication, was the infection in a 9,09 %, The amount of days of post-operative hospitalization average is 7,2 days. CONCLUSION: Good functional results were observed (WOMAC scale) and infection as the most frequent complication is the subject of our study.

Kidney transplantation for end-stage renal disease in lupus nephritis, a very safe procedure: a single Latin American transplant center experience.

Background Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most frequent complications of SLE and occurs in up to 50% of cases depending on the studied population. Of these, approximately 20% progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), with the treatment of choice being a kidney transplant. Objective The objective of this study was to describe the clinical outcome of patients transplanted due to LN, compared with patients transplanted for other causes, in a Latin American population from the Fundación Valle del Lili in Cali, Colombia. Methods Observational, retrospective case study with controls matched by age, sex and type of donor in a single center between 1996 and 2014. Results Sixty-five kidney transplants were performed in patients with LN and ESRD. The survival of patients with LN was 98% at 1, 10 and 15 years ( p = .99). For controls by age and sex, survival was also 98% at 15 years post-transplant, and for controls by donor, the survival rate was 100% at 5 years and 98% at 15 years. Graft survival in patients with LN to 1, 5 and 15 years was 92%, 83% and 71%, respectively; for controls by age and sex, it was 90%, 84% and 64%, respectively, and for the controls by donor, it was 89%, 86% and 79%, respectively ( p = .7718). There were no statistically significant differences found in the cumulative incidence of acute graft rejection in the first year, but it was found that acute rejection is a factor that relates to the loss of function of the renal graft ( p = .032). Of the patients transplanted for LN, two (3.1%) experienced a recurrence of the disease. One patient died after a diagnosis of recurrence of LN due to an infection. Conclusions Kidney transplantation is a good option for patients with ESRD due to LN. In this Hispanic population, the survival of patients, graft survival, and cumulative incidence of graft rejection are not different from those of other transplanted patients. In addition, recurrence of LN was rare, showing the benefits of renal transplantation in LN patients with ESRD.

Expression of metallothionein type 2 and 3 genes in Prosopis glandulosa leaves treated with copper.

For a better understanding of the strategies that are used by Prosopis glandulosa in heavy metal tolerance, the present study evaluated the gene expression of three metallothioneins (MTs; PgMt2-1, PgMt2, and PgMt3) in plants exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of copper. The PgMt2-1, PgMt2, and PgMt3 sequences were homologous to the MT type 2 (isoform 1), Mt2, and Mt3 sequences of other plant species found in GenBank. A reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction showed that treatment with 100 mM Cu2+ induced a significant increase in PgMt2 and PgMt3 expression during the first 4 h of exposure compared to that of PgMt2-1. However, after 8 h of exposure, the expression levels of PgMt2 and PgMt3 were significantly lower than those of PgMt2-1. PgMt transcript levels only increased significantly during the first hour after exposure to copper, suggesting that PgMts could play a key role in the plant's detoxification mechanism. However, additional studies are required to confirm MTs as a mechanism of heavy metal tolerance and accumulation in this species.

Molecular identification of Fusarium species isolated from transgenic insect-resistant cotton plants in Mexicali valley, Baja California.

Cotton production in the Mexicali valley is adversely affected by wilt and root rot disease associated with Fusarium species. In the present study, we sought to isolate and identify the Fusarium species in the rhizosphere of transgenic insect-resistant cotton plants grown in the Mexicali valley. Our analyses isolated four native fungi from the rhizosphere of cotton plants, namely, T-ICA01, T-ICA03, T-ICA04, and T-ICA08. These fungal isolates were categorized as belonging to Fusarium solani using their phenotypic characteristics and ITS region sequence data. Examination of the infection index showed that T-ICA03 and T-ICA04 caused systemic colonization (90%) of seeds followed by the occurrence of radicle and coleoptile decay. In contrast, T-ICA08 strain was less pathogenic against seed tissues (40%) in comparison to the other strains isolated. Our study showed that in transgenic insect-resistant cotton the disease "Fusarium wilt" is caused by the fungus, F. solani. Future studies are necessary to characterize the F. solani populations to determine whether phenological stages might influence the genetic diversity of the fungal populations present.

Molecular identification of phosphate-solubilizing native bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of Prosopis glandulosa in Mexicali valley.

One of the main limitations in intensive crop production in Northwestern Mexico is the dependence on the use of phosphate fertilizer. In this study, we isolated indigenous microorganisms with phosphate solubilization capacities from mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) present in the Mexicali valley. In total, 4 bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of mesquite, including ICA01, ICA02Ba, ICA03Bs, and ICA04Ma. The bacterial isolates were identified based on their phenotypic and 16S rRNA gene sequencing data to be Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. The results showed that ICA01 was the most efficient in solubilizing phosphate, followed by ICA02Ba and ICA03Bs, while ICA04Ma showed the lowest phosphate-solubilizing activity. The pH value of the culture medium decreased with bacterial growth, suggesting that these strains produce organic acids that solubilize phosphorus. These results will be useful for biotechnological studies and A. calcoaceticus may be employed for biofertilization programs in northwest Mexico.

Burnout prevalence and correlates amongst Colombian dental students: the STRESSCODE study.

INTRODUCTION: Accumulating evidence amongst dental students indicates an alarming prevalence of stress, which can precipitate the development of burnout--a state of mental or physical exhaustion and disengagement. Understanding individual and educational correlates of burnout is necessary for its prevention. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of burnout amongst a large sample of Colombian dental undergraduates and investigate its psychosocial and educational correlates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Survey data collected from 5647 students participating in the Stress in Colombian Dental Education study were used for this analysis. Burnout was measured using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS). Covariates included participants' socio-demographic characteristics and perceived stress, as well as educational environment factors. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate methods based on multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression modelling were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Seven per cent of the students surveyed met the criteria for burnout. The prevalence of burnout was higher amongst upper classes, older and married students, those who reported not having passed all required courses and not having dentistry as their first career choice, as well as students in public institutions and those with large class sizes. Moreover, students' perceived stress in the domains of workload and self-efficacy was significantly and positively associated with burnout. CONCLUSIONS: Both personal and educational environment characteristics were found to be associated with burnout. Irrespective of these factors, students' perceived stress with regard to workload and self-efficacy was a strong influence on burnout and its alleviation may be a promising avenue to prevent psychological morbidity.

Etapificación pre-operatoria con TC de pacientes con cáncer mamario. Alternativa a la RM en un hospital público / Preoperative CT staging of breast cancer patients. Alternative to MRI in a public hospital

The preoperative study in search of multifocality, multicentricity and bilaterality is essential for the proper therapeutic management of breast cancer. The reference standard to accomplish this is breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Based on the literature, we adapted the thorax CT protocol for the study of the breast. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the feasibility of CT with emphasis on the breast, as an alternative to preoperative MRI in places where it is not available. Pre-operative CT was performed in all patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer between August 2013 and September 2014...

El estudio preoperatorio en búsqueda de multifocalidad, multicentricidad y bilateralidad es fundamental para el adecuado manejo terapéutico del cáncer (CA) mamario. El estándar de referencia para realizarlo es la resonancia magnética (RM) mamaria. Basados en la literatura, adaptamos el protocolo de TC de tórax para el estudio de la mama. El objetivo de este trabajo es demostrar la factibilidad de la TC con énfasis en mama como método alternativo a la RM pre-operatoria, en lugares donde ésta no está disponible. Se realizaron TC pre-operatorias en todas las pacientes con diagnóstico reciente de CA mamario entre agosto de 2013 y septiembre de 2014...

Biopsias mamarias bajo resonancia magnética, experiencia preliminar / Breast biopsies performed under MRI, preliminary experience

La resonancia magnética (RM) mamaria se está convirtiendo en una herramienta de trabajo frecuentemente utilizada en nuestro medio. Existe un grupo de lesiones que sólo pueden ser identificadas por esta técnica, RMI only. Entre 14 a 20 por ciento de ellas serán malignas, según las diferentes series publicadas. Este tipo de lesiones requieren de biopsia guiada bajo RM. Pacientes y Métodos: se realizó revisión retrospectiva descriptiva de las biopsias asistidas por vacío realizadas en nuestra institución (período entre agosto de 2008 y junio de 2013). Resultados: El 0,3 por ciento (11) de las biopsias realizadas en nuestra institución fueron realizadas bajo RM, en 9 mujeres. En el 55 por ciento de los casos la indicación de la resonancia en la que se detectó la lesión biopsiada, fue etapificación de cáncer mamario recientemente diagnosticado; en el 100 porciento de los casos se realizó ultrasonido de segunda mirada, las lesiones tenían un tamaño promedio de 15 mm (4-29), un 63,6 por ciento fueron nódulos y el resto captaciones tipo no masa. La duración de la biopsia varió entre 40 y 130 minutos, un 27,2 por ciento resultaron lesiones malignas; 36,4 por ciento lesiones de alto riesgo; y 36,4 por ciento benignas. En el 45,5 por ciento el resultado de la biopsia bajo resonancia cambia la conducta quirúrgica. De las 7 lesiones operadas hubo subestimación en un caso de cáncer ductal in situ, que resultó cáncer ductal infiltrante. En el resto la histología quirúrgica fue idéntica a la de la biopsia bajo resonancia. Conclusión: Las biopsias bajo resonancia son infrecuentes, consumen un tiempo considerable, su correlación histológica es muy confiable y cambia la conducta quirúrgica casi en la mitad de los casos, lo cual tiene implicancias en el pronóstico de la paciente.

Abstract. Breast MRI is becoming a frequently used working tool in our environment. A group of lesions exist that can only be identified by this technique, "MRI only". Between 14-20 % of these will be malignant, according to various published series. Such lesions require biopsy guided under MRI. Patients and Methods: A descriptive retrospective review of vacuum-assisted biopsies was performed at our institution (period between August 2008 and June 2013). Results: 0.3 % (11) of the biopsies performed at our institution were done so under MRI, in 9 women. In 55% of the cases the resonance indication in which the biopsied lesion was detected, was newly diagnosed staging of breast cancer; in 100% of the cases a second-look ultrasound was performed, the lesions had an average size of 15 mm (4-29), 63.6% were nodules and the remainder other non-mass type deposits. The duration of the biopsy varied between 40 and 130 min, 27.2% were malignant lesions, 36.4 % high-risk lesions, and 36.4 % benign. In 45.5% the result of the biopsy performed under MRI changed the surgical procedure. Of the 7 operated lesions there was an underestimation in one case of ductal carcinoma in situ, which resulted being invasive ductal carcinoma. In the remainder, the surgical histology was identical to that of the biopsy performed under magnetic resonance. Conclusion: Biopsies performed under MRI are infrequent, they take considerable time, their histological correlation is very reliable and it changes the surgical procedure in almost half of the cases, which has implications in the prognosis of the patient.

Peripheral and spinal 5-HT receptors participate in the pronociceptive and antinociceptive effects of fluoxetine in rats.

The role of 5-HT receptors in fluoxetine-induced nociception and antinociception in rats was assessed. Formalin produced a typical pattern of flinching and licking/lifting behaviors. Local peripheral ipsilateral, but not contralateral, pre-treatment with fluoxetine (0.3-3 nmol/paw) increased in a dose-dependent fashion 0.5% formalin-induced nociception. In contrast, intrathecal pretreatment with fluoxetine (0.3-3 nmol/rat) prevented nociception induced by formalin. The peripheral pronociceptive effect of fluoxetine was prevented by the 5-HT2A (ketanserin, 3-10 pmol/paw), 5-HT2B (3-(2-[4-(4-fluorobenzoyl)-1-piperidinyl]ethyl)-2,4(1H,3H)-quinazolinedione(+) tartrate, RS-127445, 3-10 pmol/paw), 5-HT2C (8-[5-(2,4-dimethoxy-5-(4-trifluoromethylphenylsulphonamido) phenyl-5-oxopentyl]1,3,8-triazaspiro[4.5] decane-2,4-dione hydrochloride, RS-102221, 3-10 pmol/paw), 5-HT3 (ondansetron, 3-10 nmol/paw), 5-HT4 ([1-[2-methylsulphonylamino ethyl]-4-piperidinyl]methyl 1-methyl-1H-indole-3-carboxylate, GR-113808, 3-100 fmol/paw), 5-HT6 (4-iodo-N-[4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)phenyl]benzene-sulfonamide hydrochloride, SB-258585, 3-10 pmol/paw) and 5-HT7 ((R)-3-(2-(2-(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl) ethyl) pyrrolidine-1-sulfonyl) phenol hydrochloride, SB-269970, 0.3-1 nmol/paw), but not by the 5-HT1A (N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-2-pyridinylcyclohexanecarboxamide maleate, WAY-100635, 0.3-1 nmol/paw), 5-HT1B/1D (N-[4-methoxy-3-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)phenyl]-2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)-1,1'-biphenyl-4-carboxamide hydrochloride hydrate, GR-127935, 0.3-1 nmol/paw), 5-HT1B (1'-methyl-5-[[2'-methyl-4'-(5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)biphenyl-4-yl]carbonyl]-2,3,6,7-tetrahydrospiro[furo[2,3-f]indole-3,4'-piperidine hydrochloride, SB-224289, 0.3-1 nmol/paw), 5-HT1D (4-(3-chlorophenyl)-α-(diphenylmethyl)-1-piperazineethanol hydrochloride, BRL-15572, 0.3-1nmol/paw) nor 5-HT5A ((N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-N-[[4'-[[(2-phenylethyl)amino]methyl][1,1'-biphenyl]-4-yl]methyl]cyclopentanepropanamide dihydrochloride, SB-699551, 1-3 nmol/paw), receptor antagonists. In marked contrast, the spinal antinociceptive effect of fluoxetine was prevented by the 5-HT1A (WAY-100635, 0.3-1 nmol/rat), 5-HT1B/1D (GR-127935, 0.3-1 nmol/rat), 5-HT1B (SB-224289, 0.3-1 nmol/rat), 5-HT1D (BRL-15572, 0.3-1 nmol/rat) and 5-HT5A (SB-699551, 1-3 nmol/rat), but not by the 5-HT2A (ketanserin, 3-10 pmol/rat), 5-HT2B (RS-127445, 3-10 pmol/rat), 5-HT2C (RS-102221, 3-10 pmol/rat), 5-HT3 (ondansetron, 3-10 nmol/rat), 5-HT4 (GR-113808, 3-100 fmol/rat), 5-HT6 (SB-258585, 3-10 pmol/rat) nor 5-HT7 (SB-269970, 0.3-1 nmol/rat), receptor antagonists. These results suggest that fluoxetine produces nociception at the periphery by activating peripheral 5-HT2A/2B/2C/3/4/6/7 receptors. In addition, intrathecal fluoxetine produces antinociception by activation of spinal 5-HT1A/1B/1D/5A receptors.

[Analysis of hospital technical efficiency during 2011]. / Análisis de la eficiencia técnica hospitalaria 2011.

BACKGROUND: Efficiency in the use of resources in health systems and hospitals has been a matter of interest for administrators as well as for policy makers. The growing costs due to higher levels of demand from the population require a better use and allocation of such costs. AIM: To assess the technical efficiency in 28 hospitals in Chile, considering the period from May to October, 2011. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The average number of available beds, the number of staff and the expenses on consumer and service goods were used as production inputs and, on the other hand, the expenditures adjusted by the Diagnosis-Related Groups (IR-DRG) were used as producís. To assess the technical efficiency, the Data Envelopment Analysis technique was used. RESULTS: The levéis of inefficiency fluctuóte from 20 to 23.3%. In other words, with a 20% increase in hospital discharges and maintaining fixed inputs, hospitals could become efficient. CONCLUSIONS: The incorporation of methodologies to determine efficiency allows gathering new knowledge for people who manage resources as well as for policy makers by optimizing practices and having better allocation criteria.

[Analysis of hospital efficiency determinants in Chile]. / Análisis de los determinantes de la eficiencia hospitalaria: el caso de Chile.

BACKGROUND: The knowledge of variables influencing hospital efficiency is of paramount importance to carry out initiatives of management improvement and optimization. AIM: To explore on the hospital technical efficiency factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from 255,439 hospital discharges from 28 hospitals from May to October 2011 were analyzed. The efficiency index developed by Santelices et al was calculated. Proxy variables of hospital practices, human resource productivity, strategic performance, financing mechanisms, geographical territory and specialization, were considered. The analysis was carried out estimating econometric models. RESULTS: The most significant variables to explain efficiency are the length of stay adjusted by complexity, the discharges per nurse and midwife and the performance of the Hospital Balancea Score Card. CONCLUSIONS: The suggested analysis contributes to identify hospital efficiency causes. The results suggest ways to improve performance of hospitals.