Standardized clinical evaluation of dry anophthalmic socket syndrome in a real-world approach.

PURPOSE: To assess which signs and eye prosthesis care habits are related to subjective discomfort in patients with dry anophthalmic socket syndrome (DASS), using standardized tools from daily practice. METHODS: 62 anophthalmic sockets were compared with their healthy fellow eye using the Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) score. The correlations between SPEED questionnaire and the prosthesis care, discharge characteristics score, conjunctival inflammation score, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) scores and Schirmer I test were studied. RESULT: The anophthalmic sockets group achieved a higher SPEED test score (p < 0.01), discharge score (p < 0.01), conjunctival inflammation score (p < 0.01), MGD scores (p < 0.01) and lower Schirmer I test (p < 0.01) compared with their fellow, healthy eye. Patients with a prosthesis replacement of one year or less, those with a current fit time of one year or less and those with a cleaning frequency above one month reported better SPEED, (p < 0.01), conjunctiva inflammation (p < 0.01) and MGD scores (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Most anophthalmic patients suffer mild to severe DASS, which seems related to discharge, conjunctival inflammation and MGD. Moreover, certain practices related to the care of the prosthesis such as replacing with a frequency lower than yearly, current fitting time inferior to one year and a removing and cleaning regime above one month, were related to a lower discomfort sensation, conjunctival inflammation and MGD. Clinicians should consider the DASS when facing patients with anophthalmic socket and discomfort symptoms.

Environmental radiological baseline in unconventional oil and gas areas of Mexico.

Environmental radioactivity study was performed in unconventional hydrocarbons areas for the first time in Mexico, where four unconventional hydrocarbon exploratory wells (UHEW) are planned. This study assesses natural radiological conditions in areas around UHEW. Equivalent dose rate distribution displayed in Geographic Information System (GIS) had a maximum of 1.83 mSv a-1 and minimum of 0.04 mSv a-1, GIS was also used for introducing land usage, water resources and population occupancy. Measurements of gross alpha and gross beta in water were below the national permissible limits for drinking water 0.5 and 1.0 Bq L-1 respectively, even though samples do not correspond to drinking water. Evaluation of 238U and 226Ra in groundwater were below minimum detectable concentration 1.3 and 1.0 Bq L-1, respectively. This study provides a radiological baseline for the impact of future industrial activities, especially if exploitation of unconventional hydrocarbons produces naturally occurring radioactive material.

Laparoscopic Hartmann's reversal has better clinical outcomes compared to open surgery: An international multicenter cohort study involving 502 patients.

Background: Hartmann's procedure (HP) is used in surgical emergencies such as colonic perforation and colonic obstruction. "Temporary" colostomy performed during HP is not always reversed in part due to potential morbidity and mortality associated with reversal. There are several contributing factors for patients requiring a permanent colostomy following HP. Therefore, there is still some discussion about which technique to use. The aim of this study was to evaluate perioperative variables of patients undergoing Hartmann's reversal using a laparoscopic and open approach. Methods: The multicenter retrospective cohort study was done between January 2009 and December 2019 at 14 institutions globally. Patients who underwent Hartmann's reversal laparoscopic (LS) and open (OS) approaches were evaluated and compared. Sociodemographic, preoperative, intraoperative variables, and surgical outcomes were analyzed. The main outcomes evaluated were 30-day mortality, length of stay, complications, and postoperative outcomes. Results: Five hundred and two patients (264 in the LS and 238 in the OS group) were included. The most prevalent sex was male in 53.7%, the most common indication was complicated diverticular disease in 69.9%, and 85% were American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) II-III. Intraoperative complications were noted in 5.3% and 3.4% in the LS and OS groups, respectively. Small bowel injuries were the most common intraoperative injury in 8.3%, with a higher incidence in the OS group compared with the LS group (12.2% vs. 4.9%, p < 0.5). Inadvertent injuries were more common in the small bowel (3%) in the LS group. A total of 17.2% in the OS versus 13.3% in the LS group required intensive care unit (ICU) admission (p = 0.2). The most frequent postoperative complication was ileus (12.6% in OS vs. 9.8% in LS group, p = 0.4)). Reintervention was required mainly in the OS group (15.5% vs. 5.3% in LS group, p < 0.5); mortality rate was 1%. Conclusions: Laparoscopic Hartmann's reversal is safe and feasible, associated with superior clinical outcomes compared with open surgery.

Reviewed and updated Algorithm for Genetic Characterization of Syndromic Obesity Phenotypes.

Background: Individuals with a phenotype of early-onset severe obesity associated with intellectual disability can have molecular diagnoses ranging from monogenic to complex genetic traits. Severe overweight is the major sign of a syndromic physical appearance and predicting the influence of a single gene and/or polygenic risk profile is extremely complicated among the majority of the cases. At present, considering rare monogenic bases as the principal etiology for the majority of obesity cases associated with intellectual disability is scientifically poor. The diversity of the molecular bases responsible for the two entities makes the appliance of the current routinely powerful genomics diagnostic tools essential. Objective: Clinical investigation of these difficult-to-diagnose patients requires pediatricians and neurologists to use optimized descriptions of signs and symptoms to improve genotype correlations. Methods: The use of modern integrated bioinformatics strategies which are conducted by experienced multidisciplinary clinical teams. Evaluation of the phenotype of the patient's family is also of importance. Results: The next step involves discarding the monogenic canonical obesity syndromes and considering infrequent unique molecular cases, and/or then polygenic bases. Adequate management of the application of the new technique and its diagnostic phases is essential for achieving good cost/efficiency balances. Conclusion: With the current clinical management, it is necessary to consider the potential coincidence of risk mutations for obesity in patients with genetic alterations that induce intellectual disability. In this review, we describe an updated algorithm for the molecular characterization and diagnosis of patients with a syndromic obesity phenotype.

Phthalates in the diet of Mexican children of school age. Risk analysis.

Phthalates are widely used as plasticizers, additives, or solvents. Its extensive use has generated environmental and food contamination, which implies continuous population exposure. The aim of this work was to determine the probability of health risk of Mexican children exposed to phthalates through the consumption of contaminated food. A survey was applied to 384 Mexican school-age children (between 6 and 12 years old), to find out the type of food they eat most frequently, based on this, a research was made to know the concentration of phthalates contained in these foods. The daily intake had been calculated with the concentration of phthalates reported in food, obtaining: DEHP (19.50 µg/kg body weight/day), DnBP (5.52 µg/kg body weight/day) y for DEP (1.12 µg/kg body weight/day). The hazard index (HI) for DEP y DEHP was 0.49 to 42.5 for internal organs damage reported. HI for reproductive health damage due to exposure to DnBT and DEHP was of 0.04 to 5.58, so that there is a high probability that children's health is at risk. Therefore, it is necessary to a quantitative analysis of phthalates in food consumed in Latin American countries and establish the TDI of phthalates especially, to DEHP, which was obtained the higher HI.

Obesity and the possibility of conceiving a child during assisted reproduction treatment: An Argentinian experience.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to assess the association between BMI and the possibility of conceiving a child through an assisted reproduction treatment. METHODS: A study of cases and controls matched by age, with 394 patients that underwent treatment at GESTAR (assisted reproduction center), between 2013-2017. The association between BMI and the possibility of conceiving a child, analyzed through logistic regression. RESULTS: Among the cases (successful treatments) 14% were obese, while in the control group (patients that did not get pregnant) the obesity rate was 21%. There was a significant difference (p<0,01) in the BMI, the number of recovered oocytes, normally fertilized oocytes and the number of transferred embryos. The Odds Ratio (OR) in SPSS was 0.26 ± (0.14, 0.50) - 95% CI, indicating that conceiving a child by assisted reproduction is 74 times lower in patients that are obese when compared to non-obese patients (p<0,001). And the Odds Ratio (OR) calculated by logistic regression in Stata 11 was 0.80 ± (0.76, 0.86), 95% CI, which indicates a 20% decrease in the possibility of conceiving for each point on the BMI scale. CONCLUSION: Obesity is associated with a lower conception likelihood through assisted reproduction technologies.

Mastopexia secundária com troca de prótese: técnica em "D" espelhado / Secondary mastopexy with exchange of prosthesis: mirror "D" technique

Introdução: A inclusão de implante mamário combinada com pexia é uma cirurgia desafiadora, não somente pela ausência de procedimento padrão, mas por se mostrar uma cirurgia com elevado potencial de complicações, entre elas, alto índice de revisões pós-cirúrgicas. Neste trabalho é descrita a utilização da técnica em "D" espelhado originalmente usada para mastopexia primária e inclusão de implantes de silicone em mamas hipoplásicas associadas à ptose moderada a grave, agora se estendendo o uso para o tratamento de recidiva de ptoses com deslocamento das próteses com ou sem contratura capsular e/ou cicatrizes inestéticas. Método: O procedimento descrito, realizado em 90 pacientes, faz uso de marcação própria que determina ressecção em bloco de pele e parênquima subjacente para simetrização, retalho de pedículo medial, troca dos implantes originais para próteses de silicone texturizada, perfil alto, redonda, volumes iguais bilateralmente, posicionadas em plano submuscular, resultando em uma cicatriz final vertical. Resultados: Pelos dados obtidos não foi necessária revisão cirúrgica em nenhum dos casos. Não houve ocorrência de infecção pós-cirúrgica ou necrose da placa areolopapilar, bem como da cicatriz. A ressecção média do parênquima foi de 80g. Oitenta e nove pacientes (98,8%) foram submetidas à ressecção de diferentes tamanhos. O volume médio das próteses incluídas foi de 300ml. O comprimento da cicatriz vertical se mostrou estável em média de 6,5cm após 2 anos. Os resultados foram considerados satisfatórios pela avaliação feita pelos pacientes. Conclusão: A mastopexia secundária mostrou-se uma cirurgia de maior complexidade devido à atrofia severa dos tecidos, resultado da cirurgia prévia. Seus benefícios incluem maior simetrização, cicatrizes mais finas com diminuição da tensão da placa areolopapilar, resultados duradouros e alto grau de satisfação das pacientes.

Introduction: Breast implantation combined with mastopexy is challenging, not only because a standard procedure is lacking, but also because of the high potential for complications, including a high rate of post-surgical revision. Originally intended for primary mastopexy and inclusion of silicone implants in hypoplastic breasts with moderate to severe ptosis, the use of the mirror "D" technique is now extended to treatment of ptosis recurrence with displacement of prostheses, with or without capsular contracture and/or unsightly scars. Method: The procedure described was performed in 90 patients, using specific marking to determine block resection of skin and underlying parenchyma for symmetrization. The procedure included use of a medial pedicle flap and exchange of original implants for textured, high-profile, round silicone prostheses with equal volumes bilaterally and positioned in the submuscular plane, resulting in a final vertical scar. Results: No surgical revision was required in any of the cases. There was no occurrence of postoperative infection or necrosis of the nipple-areola complex or scar. The average parenchyma resection was 80 g. Eighty-nine patients (98.8%) were submitted to resection of different volumes. The average prosthesis volume was 300 mL. The length of the vertical scar was stable with an average of 6.5 cm after 2 years. The results were considered satisfactory according to patient assessment. Conclusion: Secondary mastopexy is a more complex surgery due to severe atrophy of the tissue as a result of previous surgery. Its benefits include improved symmetrization, thinner scars and reduction in tension on the nipple-areola complex, long-lasting results, and a high degree of patient satisfaction.

Refractive results of cataract surgery using optical biometry and Haigis formula in eyes with refractive keratotomy

OBJECTIVE: To analyze refractive results in postoperative cataract surgery in eyes previously submitted to keratotomy using Haigis formula and data provided by IOL Master®optical biometer. METHODS: The measurements for IOL calculation were obtained through optical biometry by partial coherence interferometry (IOL Master®- Zeiss, 5.4 and 5.5 version) that provides us with the axial length, the central keratometry of 2.5mm, white-to-white diameter and anterior chamber anatomical depth. The formula chosen was Haigis. The surgical technique applied was with the scleral incision at 1.5 mm from the limbus, with scleral-corneal tunnel of 2.2 mm wide, phacoemulsification using INFINITI Ozil®- Alcon and implantation of hydrophobic acrylic aspheric intraocular lens - SN60WF®- Alcon. RESULTS: We studied 20 eyes submitted to keratotomy in the past and currently with cataract with indication for cataract surgerywith intraocular lens implantation using phacoemulsification. Postoperative spherical equivalent was plano in 40% of the eyes and lower than -1.00 in 85% of the eyes. CONCLUSION: The optical biometry by partial coherence interferometry associated with Haigis formula is a valid alternative in IOL calculation for eyes submitted to keratotomy. The refractive results are highly predictable and reproducible.

OBJETIVO: Analisar os resultados refracionais no pós-operatório de cirurgia de catarata em olhos previamente submetidos à ceratotomia, utilizando a fórmula Haigis e os dados fornecidos pelo biômetro óptico IOL Master®. MÉTODOS: As medidas para o cálculo da LIO foram obtidas por meio da biometria óptica por interferometria de coerência parcial (IOL Master® - Zeiss, versão 5.4 e 5.5) que nos fornece o comprimento axial, a ceratometria central de 2.5mm, o diâmetro branco-a-branco e a profundidade anatômica da câmara anterior. A fórmula escolhida foi a Haigis. A técnica cirúrgica aplicada foi com incisão escleral a 1.5mm do limbo, com túnel esclero-corneal de 2.2mm de largura, facoemulsificação com equipamento INFINITI Ozil® - Alcon e implante de lente intraocular acrílica hidrofóbica asférica - SN60WF® - Alcon. RESULTADOS: Foram estudados 20 olhos submetidos à ceratotomia no passado e atualmente portadores de catarata com indicação de facectomia com implante de lente intraocular por meio da facoemulsificação. O equivalente esférico pós-operatório foi plano em 40% dos olhos e menor que -1.00 em 85% dos olhos. CONCLUSÃO: A biometria óptica por interferometria de coerência parcial associada à fórmula Haigis se apresenta como uma alternativa válida no cálculo da LIO em olhos submetidos à ceratotomia. Os resultados refrativos são altamente previsíveis e reproduzíveis.