Shedding light on the Ophel biome: the trans-Tethyan phylogeography of the sulfide shrimp Tethysbaena (Peracarida: Thermosbaenacea) in the Levant.

Background: Tethysbaena are small peracarid crustaceans inhabiting extreme environments such as subterranean lakes and thermal springs, represented by endemic species found around the ancient Tethys, including the Mediterranean, Arabian Sea, Mid-East Atlantic, and the Caribbean Sea. Two Tethysbaena species are known from the Levant: T. relicta, found along the Dead Sea-Jordan Rift Valley, and T. ophelicola, found in the Ayyalon cave complex in the Israeli coastal plain, both belonging to the same species-group based on morphological cladistics. Along the biospeleological research of the Levantine subterranean fauna, three biogeographic hypotheses determining their origins were proposed: (1) Pliocenic transgression, (2) Mid-late Miocenic transgression, and (3) The Ophel Paradigm, according to which these are inhabitants of a chemosynthetic biome as old as the Cambrian. Methods: Tethysbaena specimens of the two Levantine species were collected from subterranean groundwaters. We used the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and the nuclear ribosomal 28S (28S rRNA) gene to establish the phylogeny of the Levantine Tethysbaena species, and applied a molecular clock approach for inferring their divergence times. Results: Contrary to the morphological cladistic-based classification, we found that T. relicta shares an ancestor with Tethysbaena species from Oman and the Dominican Republic, whereas the circum-Mediterranean species (including T. ophelicola) share another ancestor. The mean age of the node linking T. relicta from the Dead Sea-Jordan Rift Valley and Tethysbaena from Oman was 20.13 MYA. The mean estimate for the divergence of T. ophelicola from the Mediterranean Tethysbaena clade dated to 9.46 MYA. Conclusions: Our results indicate a two-stage colonization of Tethysbaena in the Levant: a late Oligocene transgression, through a marine gulf extending from the Arabian Sea, leading to the colonization of T. relicta in the Dead Sea-Jordan Rift Valley, whereas T. ophelicola, originating from the Mesogean ancestor, inhabited anchialine caves in the coastal plain of Israel during the Mid-Miocene.

Telemedicina: acercando la reumatología a la población de la zona sur / Telemedicine: bringing rheumatology to the population of the chilean south zone

La Telemedicina constituye una herramienta que permite proporcionar atención médica especializada usando la tecnología de las telecomunicaciones.Entre mayo del 2015 y julio del 2017 se realizaron 1020 atenciones a través de esta modalidad, entre el Hospital Puerto Montt (HPM) y distintos centros de Atención primaria del SS Reloncaví.Se utilizaron dos modalidades de atención: asincrónica y sincrónica con presencia virtual del paciente.Se realizaron 1020 atenciones con una resolución inmediata en el 61,7% de los casos. Esta modalidad de atención implicó un ahorro de 139.412 Km, y por concepto de pasajes de $ 10.675.200 requeridos para el desplazamiento de los pacientes desde su lugar de origen al HPM.En lugares geográficamente distantes, la Telereumatología se convierte en una herramienta fundamental que permite expandir la cobertura de atenciones de salud por especialista, reducir las listas de espera, disminuir los tiempos de traslado y el costo que estos implican.

Telemedicine constitutes a tool that allows to provide specialized medical attention using telecommunications technology.Between May 2015 and July 2017, 1,020 care were carried out through this modality, between the Puerto Montt Hospital (HPM) and different primary care centers of the SS Reloncavi.Two care modalities were used: asynchronous and synchronous with the virtual presence of the patient.1020 visits were performed with immediate resolution in 61.7% of the cases.This care modality implied a saving of 139,412 km, and for the concept of passages of $ 10,675,200 required for the movement of patients from their place of origin to the HPM.In geographically remote places, Telerheumatology becomes a fundamental tool that allows expanding the coverage of health care by specialist, reducing waiting lists, reducing travel times and the cost that these imply.

New records of cotylean flatworms (Platyhelminthes: Polycladida: Rhabditophora) from coastal habitats of Israel.

Seven new records of cotylean flatworms belonging to two families and four genera were identified from Israel collected in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and the northern Red Sea. The family Pseudocerotidae was represented by three genera and six species (Pseudoceros duplicinctus, Pseudobiceros apricus, Pseudobiceros damawan, Pseudobiceros murinus, Pseudobiceros stellae, and Thysanozoon brocchii), followed by the Euryleptidae with a single species (Maritigrella fuscopunctata). Pseudoceros duplicinctus is recognized as a senior synonym of Pseudoceros prudhoei and color and pattern variations are reported for Maritigrella fuscopunctata. In addition, the presence of Pericelis byerleyana in the northern Gulf of Aqaba is confirmed, illustrated, and properly described with morphological and molecular data. Pseudoceros duplicinctus and Pseudobiceros stellae represent new geographic records for the Mediterranean Sea and Pseudobiceros apricus and Pseudobiceros damawan are new for the Red Sea. Detailed morphological analysis with emphasis on the color and pattern was applied for species identifications including high quality photographs of live and fixed animals. Partial sequences of the 28S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of four of the species were obtained and deposited in GenBank with accession numbers provided with the corresponding species description. Our results represent a significant taxonomic contribution for the diversity and distribution of the Polycladida in Israel pointing out the importance for more integrative and comprehensive surveys in these two regions to advance the knowledge of marine biodiversity worldwide and along both Israeli coasts.

Lupus eritematoso sistémico en una zona austral de Chile / Systemic lupus erythematosus in a southern zone of Chile

Introducción. El lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) se caracteriza por un amplio espec-tro de manifestaciones clínicas y serológicas. La última serie de enfermos chilenos fue publicada el año 1994 y contempló un total de 218 pacientes. Objetivo. Contribuir con nuevos datos epidemiológicos en una cohorte de 67 enfer-mos con LES en una zona austral de nuestro país.Pacientes y métodos. De forma retrospectiva se revisaron 100 fichas de pacientes con diagnóstico de LES realizado por médico reumatólogo del Hospital de Puerto Montt (HPM), identificados a través de registros obtenidos a contar de julio de 2013 cuando esta patología se incluyó dentro de las Garantías Explícitas en Salud (GES). 67 cumplían al menos cuatro criterios Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) 2012 y los datos obtenidos fueron sometidos a análisis estadístico utilizando el programa SPSS versión 15.0. Resultados: 63 (94%) son mujeres. La edad promedio al momento del diagnóstico fue 38,1 años y el tiempo transcurrido desde el inicio de los síntomas fue 12,3 me-ses. Las manifestaciones clínicas más frecuentes fueron sinovitis (65.7%), alopecia (47.8%), compromiso renal (43.3%) y alteraciones cutáneas (38.8%). Sesenta (90%) tenían ANA positivo, 34 (50.7%) anti-DNA positivo y 45 (67.2%) hipocomplementemia. Se identificaron 29 (43.3%) pacientes con compromiso clínico y/o histológico renal, de los cuales a 13 se les realizó biopsia renal, correspondiente en el 69% de los casos a nefritis lúpica membrano-proliferativa.Conclusiones. Nuestra cohorte no difiere sustantivamente de otras, salvo por la baja prevalencia de manifestaciones cutáneas. Se detectó la falta de acceso a biopsia renal y exámenes serológicos autoinmunes dado principalmente por falta de profesionales idóneos en nuestra zona que permitan el acceso universal a estos procedimientos.Este estudio permite proporcionar información actualizada de pacientes con LES en una zona austral de Chile.

Introduction. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by a broad spec-trum of clinical and serological manifestations. The last series of chilean patients was published in 1994 and included a total of 218 patients.Objective. To contribute with new epidemiological data in a cohort of 67 patients with SLE in a Southern area of our country.Patients and methods. In a retrospective way, 100 records of patients diagnosed with SLE were reviewed by a rheumatologist at the Hospital de Puerto Montt (HPM), identified through records obtained as of July 2013 when this pathology was included in the Explicit Health Guarantees. (GES) 67 met at least four criteria Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) 2012 and the data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using the SPSS program version 15.0.Results: 63 (94%) are women. The average age at diagnosis was 38.1 years and the time elapsed since the onset of symptoms was 12.3 months. The most frequent clinical manifestations were synovitis (65.7%), alopecia (47.8%), renal involvement (43.3%) and skin alterations (38.8%). Sixty (90%) had positive ANA, 34 (50.7%) positive anti-DNA and 45 (67.2%) hypocomplementemia. We identified 29 (43.3%) patients with clinical and / or renal histological involvement, of whom 13 were under-going a renal biopsy corresponding to 69% of the cases of membranous proliferative lupus nephritis.Conclusions. Our cohort does not differ substantively from others, except for the low prevalence of cutaneous manifestations.The lack of access to renal biopsy and self-immune serological tests was detected, mainly due to the lack of qualified professionals in our area that allow universal access to these procedures.This study allows us to provide updated information on patients with SLE in a Southern zone of Chile.

Impact of a Mandatory Prescription Drug Monitoring Program on Prescription of Opioid Analgesics by Dentists.

Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMP) are statewide databases that collect data on prescription of controlled substances. New York State mandates prescribers to consult the PDMP registry before prescribing a controlled substance such as opioid analgesics. The effect of mandatory PDMP on opioid drug prescriptions by dentists is not known. This study investigates the impact of mandatory PDMP on frequency and quantity of opioid prescriptions by dentists in a dental urgent care center. Based on the sample size estimate, we collected patient records of a 3-month period before and two consecutive 3-month periods after the mandatory PDMP implementation and analyzed the data on number of visits, treatment types and drug prescriptions using Chi-square tests. For patients who were prescribed pain medications, 452 (30.6%), 190 (14.1%), and 140 (9.6%) received opioid analgesics in the three study periods respectively, signifying a statistically significant reduction in the number of opioid prescriptions after implementation of the mandatory PDMP (p<0.05). Total numbers of prescribed opioid pills in a 3-month period decreased from 5096 to 1120, signifying a 78% reduction in absolute quantity. Prescriptions for non-opioid analgesics acetaminophen increased during the same periods (p<0.05). We conclude that the mandatory PDMP significantly affected the prescription pattern for pain medications by dentists. Such change in prescription pattern represents a shift towards the evidence-based prescription practices for acute postoperative pain.

La donación de órganos y tejidos: una realidad en el Hospital Carlos Andrade Marín. Actividad y registro de procesos de procuración durante el período de enero a diciembre de 2014 / Organ and tissue donation: a reality in the Carlos Andrade Marin Hospital. Activity and registering of the procurement process during the January 2014 to December 2014 period

Introducción: a nivel mundial nos enfrentamos al rápido incremento en la prevalencia de enfermedades crónicas que causan disfunción de órganos vitales por lo que se estima que existe un gran número de pacientes esperando recibir un trasplante. La probabilidad de fallecer en la lista de espera es alta, por lo que la procuración de órganos es un proceso indispensable en los hospitales. Objetivos: reportar los procesos y los resultados de la procuración de órganos y tejidos en el Hospital Carlos Andrade Marín, durante el período comprendido entre enero a diciembre de 2014, con el fin de fomentar y promover dicho proceso. Materiales y métodos: se trata de un estudio descriptivo y de reporte de proceso, en el cual se incluyeron a todos los pacientes neurocríticos que cumplían criterios de muerte encefálica como donantes multiorgánicos y pacientes en parada cardíaca como donantes de tejidos, durante el período de 1 de enero al 31 de diciembre de 2014. Resultados: durante el 2014 en el Hospital Carlos Andrade Marín, se realizaron 11 procesos de procuración de órganos y tejidos; nueve de ellos siendo considerados efectivos, se trató de pacientes ingresados en los servicios de críticos de emergencias y terapia intensiva, a causa de Traumatismo Craneoencefálico Severo en el 66,6% y el 33,3% a causa de Hemorragia Intraencefálica, diagnosticados con criterios de Muerte Encefálica. Entre octubre a diciembre de 2014 se llevaron a cabo el 77,7% de las procuraciones, reflejando la puesta en práctica de estrategias y el trabajo de la procuración intrahospitalaria. Conclusiones: la promoción de estrategias para promover el aumento de número de donantes efectivos es el pilar del proceso de trasplante de órganos en el Hospital Carlos Andrade Marín. La negativa de donación por parte de familiares es baja (un caso), a partir del correcto desarrollo de las actividades planteadas en cada parte del proceso de procuración descrito en el presente artículo.

Introduction: globally we face the rapid increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases, which often cause dysfunction of vital organs so it is estimated that there are a large number of patients waiting for a transplant. The probability of dying on the waiting list is high, so the organ procurement is an essential process in hospitals. Objectives: report the processes and results of the procurement of organs and tissues in the Carlos Andrade Marin Hospital during the period from january to december 2014, in order to encourage and promote this process. Materials and methods: this descriptive study reports the procurement process in which all neurocritical patients who met criteria for Brain Death as multiorgan donors and patients in cardiac arrest as tissue donors during the period included 1 january to 31 december 2014. Results: 11 organ procurement processes and tissues were performed during 2014 at the Carlos Andrade Marin Hospital; nine of them were considered effective. Organs came from patients admitted to the Critical Care Services in Emergency Room and Critical Care Medicine, causes of admission were: Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (66.6%) and intracerebral hemorrhage (33.3%), all diagnosed with criteria of death brain. Between october and december 2014 were held 77.7% of the activity, refecting the implementation of strategies and the work of the hospital procurement. Conclusions: the promotion of strategies to promote increased effective donors is the mainstay of the process of organ transplantation in the Carlos Andrade Marin Hospital. The refusal of donation from relatives is low (one case), thanks to the proper implementation of the proposed activities in every part of the procurement process described in this article.

Outcome of chilean patients with lupus nephritis and response to intravenous cyclophosphamide.

Several recent open studies suggest that the response rates of lupus nephritis to intravenous (IV) cyclophosphamide are lower than those observed in clinical trials. One explanation could be ethnic differences; for example, black patients more frequently have treatment-resistant lupus nephritis. Another could be the inclusion of patients who are noncompliant with therapy. From our register of 268 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients examined between 1973 and 1996, 61 patients were treated for proliferative lupus nephritis (17 had World Health Organization [WHO] type III and 43 had WHO type IV) and were followed through to 2001. Exclusion criteria included a serum creatinine level >3 mg/dL. In this retrospective study, we assessed renal outcome and survival with an endpoint of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or death (Kaplan-Meier). In the univariate analysis, worse prognostic factors for survival were serum creatinine >1.3 mg/dL (p < 0.001), age <30 years (p < 0.001), class 2 renal function stage (p < 0.03), and renal biopsy activity index >7 (p < 0.02). In the subgroup of 26 patients treated with IV cyclophosphamide, survival at 5 and 10 years was 82% and 73%, respectively. The dosage of IV cyclophosphamide was slightly lower than usual and used for a shorter period (median = 23 months) than what is usually recommended because of the high frequency of complications. Renal outcome of the IV cyclophosphamide-treated patients was poorer than that reported in the National Institutes of Health series (ESRD: 15% versus 3%). This low survival rate could reflect the short course and lower doses of IV cyclophosphamide used or ethnic differences. These data emphasize the need for continuous research for better-tolerated drug schemes for treatment of our lupus nephritis patients.

[Eosinophilic fasciitis: report of 3 cases]. / Fascitis eosinofílica: experiencia en tres casos.

Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) is a scleroderma-like disease of unknown etiology characterized by cutaneous swelling and induration that affects predominantly the extremities, elevated immune globulins, and peripheral eosinophilia. We report three patients with clinical, laboratory and pathologic characteristics of EF. The main symptoms were cutaneous and included "peau d' orange", groove signs and induration of the affected extremities. Two patients had skin changes after exercising and one had a hypothyroidism. None had extra-cutaneous manifestations. All patients had peripheral eosinophilia. Pathologic findings were thickening and inflammation of the fascia and normal epidermis. Only one patient was treated with prednisone 30 mg daily and showed only moderate improvement. There is no follow up information about the other two cases. EF is a rare disorder classified at times as scleroderma variants. However, its clinical picture, capillary microscopy findings, pathology and prognosis differentiate it from systemic sclerosis.