Chilean validation of the operationalized psychodynamic diagnosis-structure questionnaire (OPD-SQ) for personality structure.

BACKGROUND: This is the validation of the Operationalized Psychodynamic Diagnosis-Structure Questionnaire (OPD-SQ). METHODS: A clinical sample of 399 adults and a nonclinical general population sample of 50 healthy adults completed measures of depression, attachment, psychiatric symptomatology and distress. Internal consistency and concurrent validity were assessed. Test-retest and Reliable Change Index were also calculated, as was the ability of the OPD-SQ to distinguish between the clinical and general population groups. RESULTS: High internal consistencies were found; significant differences between clinical and nonclinical samples, and significant associations with psychiatric symptomatology, depression and psychological distress. CONCLUSION: The Chilean OPD-SQ has good reliability, and discriminates between clinical and healthy samples.

Beaming in the Charcot foot: A case series with 12-month minimum follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Charcot neuropathic arthropathy is a progressive degeneration of the weightbearing joints of the foot induced by denervation and disturbance of sensorial perception. This entity clinically behaves as a destructive fast-progressive arthropathy, resulting in loss of independent walking and often requiring amputation of the leg. This study analyzes our experience with midfoot realignment arthrodesis and stabilization by intramedullary beaming in patients with Charcot diabetic foot as a limb-sparing procedure. METHODS: Patients with Charcot foot treated in our Foot and Ankle unit between January 2018 and December 2019 were analyzed. In all of the patients beaming technique was performed: open reduction and stabilization by a midfoot medial fusion beam and a lateral fusion bolt. Demographical, clinical and radiological pre and post-surgery data were assessed. The primary outcome measure was defined as an autonomous ambulation through an ulcer-free plantigrade foot. A minimum follow-up of 12 months was performed. RESULTS: A total of 5 patients were treated. Median age 64 years, mean follow-up 25 months (12-31). An ulcer-free plantigrade foot was obtained in 80% of the patients. Complications were observed in 80% of patients: 1 deep infection, 2 hardware failure, 3 Charcot foot progression. Rate of reoperation 40%, including 1 amputation. Significant improvement in all radiographic angles was observed. CONCLUSION: Beaming the medial and lateral columns of the foot in patients with Charcot foot enabled the restoration of a functional plantigrade foot and an ulcer-free autonomous ambulation, despite a relatively high complication rate. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, prospective case series.

The effect of age on the acquisition and selection of cancer driver mutations in sun-exposed normal skin.

BACKGROUND: The accumulation of somatic mutations contributes to ageing and cancer. Sunlight is the principal aetiological factor associated with skin cancer development. However, genetic and phenotypic factors also contribute to skin cancer risk. This study aimed at exploring the role of photoaging, as well as other well-known epidemiological risk factors, in the accumulation of somatic mutations in cancer-free human epidermis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We deeply sequenced 46 genes in normal skin biopsies from 123 healthy donors, from which phenotypic data (including age, pigmentation-related genotype and phenotype) and sun exposure habits were collected. We determined the somatic mutational burden, mutational signatures, clonal selection and frequency of driver mutations in all samples. RESULTS: Our results reveal an exponential accumulation of UV-related somatic mutations with age, matching skin cancer incidence. The increase of mutational burden is in turn modified by an individual's skin phototype. Somatic mutations preferentially accumulated in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cancer genes and clonally expanded with age, with distinct mutational processes underpinning different age groups. Our results suggest a loss of fidelity in transcription-coupled repair later in life. CONCLUSION: Our findings reveal that ageing is not only associated with an exponential increase in the number of somatic mutations accumulated in normal epidermis, but also with selection and expansion of cancer-associated mutations. Aged, sun-exposed normal skin is thus an extended mosaic of multiple clones with driver mutations, poised for the acquisition of transforming events.

Psychophysiological Correlates of Emotional- and Alcohol-Related Cues Processing in Offspring of Alcohol-Dependent Patients.

AIMS: To determinate if offspring of alcohol-dependent patients (OA) process affective stimuli and alcohol-related cues in a different manner than control subjects do. METHODS: Event-related potentials (early posterior negativity [EPN]/ late positive potential [LPP]) and event-related oscillations (Theta) were obtained by electroencephalographic (EEG) recording during the viewing of International Affective Picture System (IAPS) images with positive, negative and neutral valence, as well as alcohol-related cues. The total sample was comprised of 60 participants, divided into two groups: one group consisted of OA (30) and the control group of participants with negative family history of alcohol use disorders (30). RESULTS: Theta power analysis implies a significant interaction between condition, region and group factors. Post-hoc analysis indicates an increased theta power for the OA at different regions, during pleasant (frontal, central, parietal, occipital, right temporal); unpleasant (frontal, central, occipital); alcohol (frontal, central, parietal, occipital, right and left temporal) and neutral (occipital) cues. There are no group differences regarding any of the event-related potential measurements (EPN/LPP). CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence of alterations in the processing of affective stimuli and alcohol-related information, evidenced by changes in theta brain oscillations. These alterations are characterized by an increased emotional reactivity, evidenced by increased theta at posterior sites. There is also an increased recruitment of emotion control, which could be a compensation mechanism, evidenced by increased theta power at anterior sites during affective stimuli and alcohol cues.

CO2 leakage simulation: Effects of the decreasing pH to the survival and reproduction of two crustacean species.

The effects of CO2-related acidification on two crustacean populations, the isopod Cyathura carinata and the amphipod Elasmopus rapax, were studied. Three pH levels were tested: artificial seawater without CO2 injection and two levels of reduced pH. Even though RNA:DNA ratio was reduced for both species, no statistical significant differences were found between the control and the treatments. Both species experienced a reduction in survivorship, longevity and the body length of surviving animals; although the impairment observed in E. rapax was more severe than in C. carinata. The long life span isopod and the short life span amphipod experienced a high degree of impairment in the reproduction, likely due to the reallocation of resources from reproduction to body maintenance and increasing survival by postponing the brood production. Regardless of the underlying processes and the energetic pathways, both experienced failure to reproduce, which could lead to the local extinction of these species.

Intraspecific variation in the response of the estuarine European isopod Cyathura carinata (Krøyer, 1847) to ocean acidification.

In the present study the model isopod, Cyathura carinata were exposed to four pHNIST treatments (control: 7.9; 7.5, 7, 6.5) in order to determine the tolerance and pH threshold value this estuarine species withstand under future acidification scenarios. Seawater acidification significantly affected the lifespan of C. carinata, where population density was remarkably reduced at the lowest pH treatment. The longevity, survivorship and swimming activity (related to the acquisition of energy) of these isopods decreased with decreasing pH. Furthermore, to determine the possible metabolic plasticity of this species, the swimming activity, the Na+/K + -ATPase activity (relevant for osmoregulation process), and the RNA:DNA ratio (an indicator of fitness) were measure from two populations of C. carinata, one inhabiting a stable environment (pHNIST 7.5-8.0) and one inhabiting a fluctuating pCO2 regimes (pH 3.3-8.5) subjected to three pH treatments (7.9, 7.0 and 6.5). The population from high fluctuating pCO2 conditions showed capacity to withstand to pH 6.5, as well as higher longevity and metabolic plasticity, when compared with the population from the habitat with slight pCO2 variation. These results indicate that Cyathura population from stable environments could be vulnerable to ocean acidification because it could trigger detrimental effects on its survival energy budget, and growth. However, ocean acidification has limited effect on the energy budget and survival of C. carinata population from highly variable habitats, suggesting that they are able to cope with the elevated energy demand. The difference showed between populations is likely an indication of genetic differentiation in tolerance to ocean acidification, possibly attributable to local adaptations, which could provide the raw material necessary for adaptation to future conditions. In addition, our results suggest that when assessing marine crustacean responses to changing environments on a global scale, variability in population and metabolic responses need to be considered.

P3 Component as a Potential Endophenotype for Control Inhibition in Offspring of Alcoholics.

AIMS: To assess inhibitory processes and the ongoing event-related potential (ERP) activity of offspring of alcoholics (OA) during a Go/No-Go task, with the purpose of characterizing possible psychophysiological endophenotypes for alcohol-dependent vulnerability. SHORT SUMMARY: EEG recordings and ERP measurements of young adults with positive and negative family history of alcoholism where obtained while they performed a Go/No-Go task to assess inhibitory processes. Offspring of alcoholics showed a different ERP pattern compared to the control group and exerted greater effort than the control group. METHODS: ERP measurements were obtained by electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings of 65 participants divided into two groups: one group of 30 subjects with positive family history of alcoholism and a control group of 35 subjects with negative family history of alcoholism. They performed a Go/No-Go task, where each individual was required to classify visual stimuli by colour (Go) and inhibit their response to a No-Go signal. RESULTS: OA have higher P3 amplitudes during the Go condition in all of the regions analysed and higher No-Go P3 amplitudes than control subjects in the frontal region. Unlike controls, OA have no differences between the P3 amplitudes across conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of differences between the P3 Go and No-Go observed in the OA group can be interpreted as a possible alteration related with inhibition, in a way that they may need to recruit similar resources for inhibitory and classificational processes for both conditions. Therefore, the P3 component may be considered as a useful endophenotype and a vulnerability marker to develop addictive behaviour.

Colonización por Pneumocystis jirovecii en la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica / Colonization by Pneumocystis jirovecii in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

La enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) es una enfermedad prevalente en la población colombiana, que característicamente tiene un deterioro progresivo y altera la calidad de vida de los pacientes. Solo del 15% al 20% de los pacientes con antecedente de tabaquismo desarrollan la enfermedad, por lo que factores ambientales y genéticos adicionales influyen en su progresión. De las causas infecciosas que han tomado importancia, el Pneumocystis jiroveái, un hongo ubicuo que entra en contacto con la vía aérea de los humanos desde la infancia, es causa de neumonía en pacientes inmunosuprimidos. Se han descrito tasas elevadas de colonización en pacientes con EPOC, que aumentan con la severidad de la enfermedad. EPOC e infección por P jiroveái parecen compartir una respuesta inmunológica similar; lo cual podría explicar el papel de la colonización por el hongo en su progresión y gravedad.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent disease in our population, which characteristically has a Progressive deterioration and alters the quality of Iife of patients. Only 15-20% of patients with a history of smoking develop the disease, so there are additional environmental and genetic factors that influence the progression of the disease. Of the infectious causes that have taken importance is Pneumocystis jiroveái, this is a ubiquitous fungus that comes into contact with the airway of humans since childhood and is a cause of pneumonía in immunosuppressed patients. In addition, high rates of colonization have been reported in patients with COPD, which increase with the severity of the disease. COPD and P jiroveái infection appear to share a similar immune response, which may explain the role of fungal colonization in the progression and severity of the disease.

Antiparasitic activity against trypanosomatid diseases and novel metal complexes derived from the first time characterized 5-phenyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidi-7(4H)-one.

A serie of isostructural complexes with general formula [M(ftpO)2(H2O)4] have been obtained from reaction between the first time characterized triazolopyrimidine derivative 5-phenyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidi-7(4H)-one (HftpO) (1) and first row transition nitrates (M=Cu (2), Co (3), Ni (4) and Zn (5)). A copper complex with formula [Cu(HftpO)2(NO3)2(H2O)2]·H2O (6) was also isolated. HftpO and their metal complexes have been characterized by spectroscopic and thermal analysis and their crystal structures have been solved by X-ray diffraction methods. The isostructural compounds are mononuclear complexes where the triazolopyrimidine ligand acts as monodentate ligand through N3 nitrogen position. The crystal structure of these novel bis-5-phenyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7(4H)-one-tetraaquo metal complexes offers an excellent opportunity at these complexes to acts as potential building blocks. Also, the antiparasitic activity of HftpO ligand against different leishmania and trypanosome strains has been studied.

A large outbreak of acute gastroenteritis in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, 1972 revisited: evidence for common source exposure to a recombinant GII.Pg/GII.3 norovirus.

Historical outbreaks can be an important source of information in the understanding of norovirus evolution and epidemiology. Here, we revisit an outbreak of undiagnosed gastroenteritis that occurred in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania in 1972. Nearly 5000 people fell ill over the course of 10 days. Symptoms included diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and fever, lasting for a median of 24 h. Using current techniques, including next-generation sequencing of full-length viral genomic amplicons, we identified an unusual norovirus recombinant (GII.Pg/GII.3) in nine of 15 available stool samples from the outbreak. This particular recombinant virus has not been reported in recent decades, although GII.3 and GII.Pg genotypes have been detected individually in current epidemic strains. The consensus nucleotide sequences were nearly identical among the four viral genomes analysed, although each strain had three to seven positions in the genome with heterogenous non-synonymous nucleotide subpopulations. Two of these resulting amino acid polymorphisms were conserved in frequency among all four cases, consistent with common source exposure and successful transmission of a mixed viral population. Continued investigation of variant nucleotide populations and recombination events among ancestral norovirus strains such as the Shippensburg virus may provide unique insight into the origin of contemporary strains.

Acute and chronic effects of magnetic microparticles potentially used in lake restoration on Daphnia magna and Chironomus sp.

Magnetic microparticles (MPs) have been recently proposed as a new and promising tool for restoring eutrophicated waters. In this study, we analyzed the acute (immobilization) and chronic effects of iron (Fe) MPs on Daphnia magna and on the benthic macroinvertebrate Chironomus sp. In the chronic toxicity tests the offspring production (male and female) in D. magna and the mortality of larvae and pupae, and adult emergence in Chironomus sp. experiments were used as the endpoints. The concentration of MPs that caused 50% of immobilized individuals (EC50) in the acute toxicity test was much higher in D. magna (0.913g MPs l-1) than in Chironomus sp. (0.445g MPs l-1). The results of chronic toxicity tests in D. magna showed that in presence of dissolved Fe (dFe), parthenogenetic reproduction was significantly affected, while no significant effect on mortality of larvae and pupae and on adult emergence was detected in Chironomus sp. test. Taking into account both that long-term exposure is not likely to occur and the regular dose of MPs potentially used in a restoration plan, we conclude that MPs is a riskless (no toxic effect on planktonic and benthic organisms) and efficient (high P adsorption capacity) tool for lake restoration.

Impacto de la Atención Farmacéutica en la adherencia de los pacientes con VIH en el Hospital San Pablo de Coquimbo, Chile / Impact of pharmaceutical care in adherence of HIV patients in Hospital San Pablo de Coquimbo, Chile

Introducción: Garantizar la sostenibilidad de un sistema de salud requiere que los esfuerzos multidisciplinarios estén enfocados en contribuir con el éxito de los tratamientos farmacológicos, siendo la falta de adherencia a los tratamientos un problema a nivel mundial. La Atención Farmacéutica está enfocada en optimizar la adherencia a la farmacoterapia. Objetivos: Determinar el impacto de la Atención Farmacéutica en la adherencia de los pacientes con VIH en el Hospital San Pablo de Coquimbo de Chile. Método: Estudio epidemiológico, sin grupo control, prospectivo y longitudinal. Medición de las variables antes y después en un periodo de 6 meses. Se evalúa el impacto de la Atención Farmacéutica en la adherencia al tratamiento farmacológico, carga viral, CD4 y grado de conocimiento de los medicamentos y enfermedad por parte de los pacientes. Los resultados obtenidos se procesaron en el programa estadístico SPSS V.21. Resultados: El 45,46% de los Resultados Negativos asociados a la Medicación (RNM) encontrados estuvieron relacionados a la efectividad. Se consiguió un incremento de 13% en el puntaje de la encuesta de adherencia CEAT-VIH. Se logró un aumento del promedio de CDL desde 210.3 a 249.3 y una disminución de la carga viral promedio de 60660 a 291.2. Los pacientes con > 50 de carga viral pasaron de 11 a 3 mientras que los pacientes con < 50 de carga viral pasaron de 7 a 14. Finalmente, hubo un aumento del 60% en los valores del cuestionario de conocimientos. Conclusión: La Atención Farmacéutica en pacientes con VIH es efectiva en la mejora de la adherencia al tratamiento farmacológico, en mejores resultados de CD4 y carga viral así como el conocimiento de la enfermedad y los medicamentos

Introduction: Ensuring the sustainability of a healthcare system requires multidisciplinary efforts focused on contributing to the success of drug treatments, being the lack of adherence to treatment a worldwide problem. Pharmaceutical Care is focused on optimizing adherence to pharmacotherapy. Objectives: To determine the impact of pharmaceutical care on the adherence of HIV patients in Hospital San Pablo de Coquimbo, Chile. Methods: It was carried out an epidemiological study, without a control group, prospective and longitudinal. Variables were measured before and after a period of 6 months. The impact of pharmaceutical care on the adherence to drug treatment, viral load, CD4 and degree of knowledge of medicines and disease by patients were evaluated. The results were processed in SPSS V.21. Results: 45.46% of the RNM found were related to effectiveness. In the adhesion survey CEAT-HIV, an increase of 13% was obtained. An increase from 210.3 to 249.3 of the CDL average and a decrease in the average viral load from 60660 to 291.2 were achieved. Patients with > 50 viral loads went from 11 to 3 while patients with < 50 viral loads increased from 7 to 14. Finally, there was a rise of 60% in the values of the knowledge questionnaire. Conclusion: Pharmaceutical Care in HIV patients is effective in improving the adherence to drug treatment, it helps to have better CD4 results and viral load and the knowledge of the disease and drugs increases thanks to it

Micafungina en pacientes críticos ingresados en unidad de cuidados intensivos / Patients treated with micafungin during their stay in intensive care unit

OBJETIVOS: Determinar los motivos de prescripción, características de los pacientes y factores que influyeron en la evolución de pacientes críticos que utilizaron micafungina (MCF) durante su estancia en UCI españolas. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Estudio retrospectivo, observacional y multicéntrico. Se han incluido los pacientes ingresados en UCI entre marzo de 2011 y octubre de 2012 (20 meses) que recibieron MCF por cualquier motivo. La gravedad al inicio del tratamiento se midió con las escalas APACHE II, SOFA, Child-Pugh e índice MELD. Los motivos de utilización de MCF se clasificaron como profilaxis, tratamiento anticipado, tratamiento empírico y tratamiento dirigido. Las características de empleo valoradas fueron dosis de carga, dosis diaria y días de tratamiento. Los variables continúas se expresan como medias y desviación estándar o medianas y las categóricas como porcentajes. Se realizó análisis multivariante para identificar las variables relacionadas con mortalidad intra-UCI. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 139 pacientes en 19 UCI españolas con edad de 57,3 (17,1) años, 89 (64%) hombres, con patología quirúrgica (53,2%) y/o médica (44,6%), APACHE II de 20,6 (7,7) y SOFA de 8,4 (4,3) que recibían ventilación mecánica (84,2%), nutrición parenteral (59%), depuración extrarrenal (37,4%) y esteroides (37,4%). MCF se indicó como tratamiento empírico de una infección probada en 51 (36,7%) casos, como tratamiento anticipado en 50 (36%), en especial por aplicación del Candida score (32 casos), como tratamiento dirigido de una infección documentada en 23 (16,5%) y finalmente como profilaxis en 15 (10,8%) casos. En 108 (77%) casos se administró una dosis/día de 100 mg y solo en 9 casos (6,5%) dosis de carga. La duración media del tratamiento fue de 13,1 (13) días. Fallecieron en UCI 59 (42,4%) pacientes y 16 después de alta (mortalidad hospitalaria del 53,9%). Los factores con riesgo independiente de mortalidad intra-UCI fueron el índice de Child-Pugh (OR 1,45: IC 95% 1,162-1,813; p = 0,001) y el índice MELD (OR 1,05; IC 95% 1,011-1,099; p = 0,014). CONCLUSIONES: MCF se administra mayoritariamente a dosis de 100 mg/día, sin dosis de carga y en el 72,7% de los casos como tratamiento anticipado o tratamiento empírico. Los factores que mejor predicen la mortalidad fueron los indicadores de insuficiencia hepática en el momento de iniciar el tratamiento

OBJECTIVES: To determine the reasons of prescription, the characteristics of patients and factors that affected the outcome of critically ill patients treated with micafungin (MCF) during their stay in Spanish ICUs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational, retrospective and multicenter study. Patients admitted to the ICU between March 2011 and October 2012 (20-month period) treated with MCF for any reason were included in the study. Severity of patients at the beginning of treatment was measured with the APACHE II, SOFA, Child-Pugh and MELD scores. Reasons for the use of MCF were classified as prophylaxis, preemptive treatment, empirical treatment and directed treatment. Continuous variables are expressed as mean and standard deviation or median, and categorical variables as percentages. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify variables related to intra-ICU mortality. RESULTS: The study population included 139 patients admitted to 19 Spanish ICUs, with a mean age of 57.3 (17.1) years, 89 (64%) men, with surgical (53.2%) and/or medical (44.6%) conditions, APACHE II score of 20.6 (7.7) and SOFA score of 8.4 (4.3), with 84.2% of patients requiring mechanical ventilation, 59% parenteral nutrition, 37.4% extrarenal depuration procedures and 37.4% treatment with steroids. MCF was indicated as empirical treatment of a proven infection in 51 (36.7%) cases, pre-emptive treatment in 50 (36%) especially as a result of the application of the Candida score (32 cases), directed treatment of fungal infection in 23 (16.5%) and as prophylactic treatment in 15 (10.8%) cases. In 108 (77%) cases, a daily dose of 100 mg was administered, with a loading dose in only 9 cases (6.5%). The mean duration of treatment was 13.1 (13) days. A total of 59 (42.4%) patients died during their stay in the ICU and 16 after ICU discharge (hospital mortality 53.9%). Independent risk factors for intra-ICU mortality were the Child-Pugh score (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.162-1.813; P = .001) and the MELD score (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.011-1.099; P = .014). CONCLUSIONS: MCF is usually administered at a dose of 100 mg/day, without loading dose and in 72.7% of cases as pre-emptive or empirical treatment. Factors that better predicted mortality were indicators of liver insufficiency at the time of starting treatment

[Patients treated with micafungin during their stay in intensive care unit]. / Micafungina en pacientes críticos ingresados en unidad de cuidados intensivos.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the reasons of prescription, the characteristics of patients and factors that affected the outcome of critically ill patients treated with micafungin (MCF) during their stay in Spanish ICUs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational, retrospective and multicenter study. Patients admitted to the ICU between March 2011 and October 2012 (20-month period) treated with MCF for any reason were included in the study. Severity of patients at the beginning of treatment was measured with the APACHE II, SOFA, Child-Pugh and MELD scores. Reasons for the use of MCF were classified as prophylaxis, preemptive treatment, empirical treatment and directed treatment. Continuous variables are expressed as mean and standard deviation or median, and categorical variables as percentages. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify variables related to intra-ICU mortality. RESULTS: The study population included 139 patients admitted to 19 Spanish ICUs, with a mean age of 57.3 (17.1) years, 89 (64%) men, with surgical (53.2%) and/or medical (44.6%) conditions, APACHE II score of 20.6 (7.7) and SOFA score of 8.4 (4.3), with 84.2% of patients requiring mechanical ventilation, 59% parenteral nutrition, 37.4% extrarenal depuration procedures and 37.4% treatment with steroids. MCF was indicated as empirical treatment of a proven infection in 51 (36.7%) cases, pre-emptive treatment in 50 (36%) especially as a result of the application of the Candida score (32 cases), directed treatment of fungal infection in 23 (16.5%) and as prophylactic treatment in 15 (10.8%) cases. In 108 (77%) cases, a daily dose of 100mg was administered, with a loading dose in only 9 cases (6.5%). The mean duration of treatment was 13.1 (13) days. A total of 59 (42.4%) patients died during their stay in the ICU and 16 after ICU discharge (hospital mortality 53.9%). Independent risk factors for intra-ICU mortality were the Child-Pugh score (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.162-1.813; P=.001) and the MELD score (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.011-1.099; P=.014). CONCLUSIONS: MCF is usually administered at a dose of 100mg/day, without loading dose and in 72.7% of cases as pre-emptive or empirical treatment. Factors that better predicted mortality were indicators of liver insufficiency at the time of starting treatment.

Detection of hepatotoxicity potential with metabolite profiling (metabolomics) of rat plasma.

While conventional parameters used to detect hepatotoxicity in drug safety assessment studies are generally informative, the need remains for parameters that can detect the potential for hepatotoxicity at lower doses and/or at earlier time points. Previous work has shown that metabolite profiling (metabonomics/metabolomics) can detect signals of potential hepatotoxicity in rats treated with doxorubicin at doses that do not elicit hepatotoxicity as monitored with conventional parameters. The current study extended this observation to the question of whether such signals could be detected in rats treated with compounds that can elicit hepatotoxicity in humans (i.e., drug-induced liver injury, DILI) but have not been reported to do so in rats. Nine compounds were selected on the basis of their known DILI potential, with six other compounds chosen as negative for DILI potential. A database of rat plasma metabolite profiles, MetaMap(®)Tox (developed by metanomics GmbH and BASF SE) was used for both metabolite profiles and mode of action (MoA) metabolite signatures for a number of known toxicities. Eight of the nine compounds with DILI potential elicited metabolite profiles that matched with MoA patterns of various rat liver toxicities, including cholestasis, oxidative stress, acetaminophen-type toxicity and peroxisome proliferation. By contrast, only one of the six non-DILI compounds showed a weak match with rat liver toxicity. These results suggest that metabolite profiling may indeed have promise to detect signals of hepatotoxicity in rats treated with compounds having DILI potential.

Guía retenida y anudada extravascular durante un cateterismo venoso central: reporte de un caso

El cateterismo venoso central (CVC) es un procedimiento común en la práctica médica de especialistas en salas de emergencia, cuidado intensivo y salas de cirugía. Su uso no está libre de complicaciones estas pueden ser de tipo mecánica, infecciosa y trombóticas. Dentro de las complicaciones mecánicas las asociadas con la guía tipo atrapamiento vascular es la más común, pero el anudamiento y el atrapamiento extravascular son muy infrecuentes. Presentamos el caso de una mujer con atrapamiento extravascular de la guía y neumotórax como complicaciones de un CVC subclavio.

Central venous catheterization is a common procedure in the medical practice of specialists of emergency rooms, critical care and surgery rooms. The use of central venous catheters is associated with mechanical infectious and thrombotic complications. Within the mechanical complications, those associated with the guidewire, especially extravascular entrapments are very infrequent. This work presents a case of a female patient with extravascular entrapment of the guidewire and pneumothorax as complications of right subclavian venous catheterization.

Floral Preference of Melipona eburnea Friese (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in a Colombian Andean Region.

Melipona eburnea Friese is a stingless bee kept in some regions of Colombia, where it is reported to be vulnerable to extinction due to habitat disturbance. To contribute to raising conservation strategies, the aim of this study was to identify the floral preferences of this species using melissopalynological analysis. A total of 31 pollen pot samples and 37 honey samples were taken from March 2009 through March 2010 from four colonies in Fusagasuga, Colombia. We found 92 pollen types: 17 from pollen pot samples, 39 from honey samples (indicating the sources of nectar), and 36 in both types of samples. The most frequent pollen types in the pollen pot samples were Myrcia type (100%), Eucalyptus globulus (96.9%), and Fraxinus uhdei (96.9%). The most frequent pollen types in honey samples were E. globulus (97.4%) and Myrcia type (94.9%). The pollen types corresponded mainly to native plants (68%), trees (44.5%), plants whose sexual system is hermaphroditic (56.5%), and plants with inflorescences (76.2%). The most frequent shapes of the flowers were brush-like (type Myrtaceae) and dish-like (type Asteraceae), and the preferred flower colors were white or cream (52.2%). In general, we found that M. eburnea showed a strong preference for trees of the family Myrtaceae to obtain nectar and pollen, including native and introduced species. Some other families are contributing significantly, such as Melastomataceae for pollen collection and Asteraceae for nectar. These results highlight the key plant species for the diet of M. eburnea.