Association between anthropization and rodent reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens in Northwestern Mexico.

The world is facing a major pulse of ecological and social changes that may favor the risk of zoonotic outbreaks. Such risk facilitation may occur through the modification of the host's community diversity and structure, leading to an increase in pathogen reservoirs and the contact rate between these reservoirs and humans. Here, we examined whether anthropization alters the relative abundance and richness of zoonotic reservoir and non-reservoir rodents in three Socio-Ecological Systems. We hypothesized that anthropization increases the relative abundance and richness of rodent reservoirs while decreasing non-reservoir species. We first developed an Anthropization index based on 15 quantitative socio-ecological variables classified into five groups: 1) Vegetation type, 2) Urbanization degree, 3) Water quality, 4) Potential contaminant sources, and 5) Others. We then monitored rodent communities in three regions of Northwestern Mexico (Baja California, Chihuahua, and Sonora). A total of 683 rodents of 14 genera and 27 species were captured, nine of which have been identified as reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens (359 individuals, 53%). In all regions, we found that as anthropization increased, the relative abundance of reservoir rodents increased; in contrast, the relative abundance of non-reservoir rodents decreased. In Sonora, reservoir richness increased with increasing anthropization, while in Baja California and Chihuahua non-reservoir richness decreased as anthropization increased. We also found a significant positive relationship between the anthropization degree and the abundance of house mice (Mus musculus) and deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), the most abundant reservoir species in the study. These findings support the hypothesis that reservoir species of zoonotic pathogens increase their abundance in disturbed environments, which may increase the risk of pathogen exposure to humans, while anthropization creates an environmental filtering that promotes the local extinction of non-reservoir species.

Roaming Dogs, Intense Brown Dog Tick Infestation, and Emerging Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Tijuana, México.

A two decades-long epidemic of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in northern México reached the U.S. border city of Tijuana in 2021. Cases were near the city periphery in marginalized areas, some lacking infrastructure such as streets or utilities. We worked in the three census areas where human cases were reported and in 12 additional control Áreas Geoestadisticas Básicas. There were dogs, the primary tick host and Rickettsia rickettsii reservoir, in 76% of homes, with 2.2 owned dogs per home on average, approximately equal numbers of roaming dogs were seen, and 46.2% of owned dogs were allowed to roam in the street. Sixty-eight percent of people had heard of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), and 35% self-reported tick infestation, including 19% of homes without dogs. Ticks appeared to move among houses of adjacent neighbors. Of 191 examined dogs, 61.8% were tick-infested, with 6-fold increased odds if they were allowed to roam. Although no dogs were Rickettsia polymerase chain reaction-positive, we found one R. rickettsii- and 11 Rickettsia massiliae-infected ticks. The rickettsial IgG seroprevalence by immunofluorescence antibody assay was 76.4%, associated with unhealthy body condition, adults, dogs with >10 ticks, more dogs being seen in the area, and dogs being permitted in the street. Insufficient medical and canine management resources have contributed to a case fatality rate of RMSF that has exceeded 50% in areas. High canine seroprevalence suggests risks to people and dogs; unfortunately, herd immunity is impeded by high turnover in the canine population owing to the birth of puppies and high death rates. Binational One Health workers should monitor disease spread, enact canine population management and tick eradication, and provide prevention, diagnostic, and treatment support.

Land-use change and rodent-borne diseases: hazards on the shared socioeconomic pathways.

Land-use change has a direct impact on species survival and reproduction, altering their spatio-temporal distributions. It acts as a selective force that favours the abundance and diversity of reservoir hosts and affects host-pathogen dynamics and prevalence. This has led to land-use change being a significant driver of infectious diseases emergence. Here, we predict the presence of rodent taxa and map the zoonotic hazard (potential sources of harm) from rodent-borne diseases in the short and long term (2025 and 2050). The study considers three different land-use scenarios based on the shared socioeconomic pathways narratives (SSPs): sustainable (SSP1-Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 2.6), fossil-fuelled development (SSP5-RCP 8.5) and deepening inequality (SSP4-RCP 6.0). We found that cropland expansion into forest and pasture may increase zoonotic hazards in areas with high rodent-species diversity. Nevertheless, a future sustainable scenario may not always reduce hazards. All scenarios presented high heterogeneity in zoonotic hazard, with high-income countries having the lowest hazard range. The SSPs narratives suggest that opening borders and reducing cropland expansion are critical to mitigate current and future zoonotic hazards globally, particularly in middle- and low-income economies. Our study advances previous efforts to anticipate the emergence of zoonotic diseases by integrating past, present and future information to guide surveillance and mitigation of zoonotic hazards at the regional and local scale. This article is part of the theme issue 'Infectious disease macroecology: parasite diversity and dynamics across the globe'.

Insights into the Host Specificity of Mosquito-Borne Flaviviruses Infecting Wild Mammals.

Mosquito-borne flaviviruses (MBFVs) are of public and animal health concern because they cause millions of human deaths annually and impact domestic animals and wildlife globally. MBFVs are phylogenetically divided into two clades, one is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes (Ae-MBFVs) associated with mammals and the other by Culex mosquitoes (Cx-MBFVs) associated with birds. However, this assumption has not been evaluated. Here, we synthesized 79 published reports of MBFVs from wild mammals, estimating their host. Then, we tested whether the host specificity was biased to sampling and investigation efforts or to phylogenetic relationships using a viral phylogenetic tree drawn from analyzing whole flavivirus genomes obtained in GenBank. We found in total 18 flaviviruses, nine related to Aedes spp. and nine to Culex spp. infecting 129 mammal species. Thus, this supports that vectors are transmitting MBFV across available host clades and that ornithophilic mosquitoes are readily infecting mammals. Although most of the mosquito species are generalists in their host-feeding preferences, we also found a certain degree of MBFV's specificity, as most of them infect closely related mammal species. The present study integrates knowledge regarding MBFVs, and it may help to understand their transmission dynamics between viruses, vectors, and mammal hosts.

Expression of metalloproteinase-9 in patients with mild and severe forms of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease develops when the stomach contents causes troublesome symptoms and complications. Mild forms are non-erosive and erosive esophagitis, and severe forms are Barrett's esophagus and Esophageal adenocarcinoma. Matrix metalloproteinases are endopeptidases that can degrade components of the extracellular matrix, they play an important role in tumor invasion as well as in metastasis. OBJECTIVE: To correlate the expression of metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in esophageal biopsies from patients with mild and severe forms of Gastroesophageal reflux disease. METHOD: Cross-sectional study. The expression of MMP-9 was determined in biopsies of esophageal tissue of patients with mild and severe GRD. The included variables were age, sex, diagnosis, smoking and alcoholic habits, body mass index (BMI) and expression of MMP-9. Descriptive statistics was performed, Kappa for concordance in diagnosis as well as X2. RESULTS: There were 50 patients, 32 (64%) men and 18 (36%) women, mean age 52.13 ± 14.75 years of age. 12 (24%) with smoking and 7 (14%) with alcoholism. Average BMI was 26.71 ± 4.07 kg/m2 (15 to 33); 40 (80%) with obesity. The inter observer concordance for histopathological diagnosis was 1.0 and 0.84 for esophagitis degrees. 27 (54%) patients had esophagitis, 16 (32%) Barrett's esophagus and 7 (14%) esophageal cancer. There was expression of MMP-9 in four patients with esophagitis, five with Barrett's esophagus and five with esophageal cancer. Statistical significance was found between the expression of MMP-9 and smoking (p = 0.011) and histopathological diagnosis (p = 0.052). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of MMP-9 is most common in severe forms compared to the mild forms of GRD.

ANTECEDENTES: La enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico (ERGE) se desarrolla cuando el contenido estomacal ocasiona síntomas molestos o complicaciones. Las formas leves son esofagitis no erosiva y erosiva; las graves, esófago de Barrett y adenocarcinoma esofágico. Las metaloproteinasas de la matriz degradan componentes de la matriz extracelular, y tienen un papel importante en la invasión tumoral y la metástasis. OBJETIVO: Relacionar la expresión de la metaloproteinasa-9 (MMP-9) en biopsias esofágicas de pacientes con formas leves y graves de ERGE. MÉTODO: Estudio transversal. Se determinó la expresión de MMP-9 en biopsias esofágicas de pacientes con ERGE grave y leve. Las variables fueron edad, sexo, diagnóstico, tabaquismo, alcoholismo, índice de masa corporal (IMC) y expresión de MMP-9. Se realizó estadística descriptiva, concordancia para el diagnóstico y prueba de ji al cuadrado. RESULTADOS: 50 pacientes, 32 (64%) hombres y 18 (36%) mujeres, con edad media de 52.13 ± 14.75 años. Doce (24%) fumadores y 7 (14%) con alcoholismo. El IMC promedio fue de 26.71 ± 4.07 kg/m2 (rango: 15-33); 40 (80%) eran obesos. La concordancia entre observadores para el diagnóstico histopatológico fue de 1.0, y de 0.84 para esofagitis. Veintisiete (54%) tuvieron esofagitis, 16 (32%) esófago de Barrett y 7 (14%) cáncer de esófago. Hubo expresión de MMP-9 en cuatro pacientes con esofagitis, cinco con esófago de Barrett y cinco con cáncer esofágico. Encontramos diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre la expresión de MMP-9 y el tabaquismo (p = 0.011) y el diagnóstico histopatológico (p = 0.052). CONCLUSIONES: La expresión de MMP-9 es más frecuente en las formas graves que en las leves de ERGE.

Reparación artroscópica con banda simple en pacientes con lesión aislada de ligamento cruzado posterior. Serie de Casos / Single-row arthroscopic repair in patients with isolated posterior cruciate ligament injury. Case Series

Introducción La lesión aislada del ligamento cruzado posterior ocasiona inestabilidad y falla del componente rotatorio de la rodilla. El objetivo del trabajo es describir los resultados del tratamiento artroscópico con banda simple operados por técnica de un solo haz con monotúnel y fijación con tornillos interferenciales en pacientes con lesiones aisladas del Ligamento Cruzado Posterior grado III. Materiales & métodos Estudio transversal. Se utilizó el formulario IKDC para evaluar tratamiento de lesiones del Ligamento Cruzado Posterior preoperatoriamente y al año. La estadística empleada fue descriptiva, se utilizaron medidas de tendencia central y dispersión, U de Mann Whitnney-Wilcoxon para comparar medias. Resultados Fueron 5 pacientes, 4(80%) fueron masculinos y 1(20%) femenino, la edad promedio 27.8 años (mínima 20, máxima 33) ± 5.58 años, el lado afectado fue derecho en 3(60%), izquierdo en 2(40%) pacientes, todos presentaron signo de cajón posterior positivo. Los resultados del formulario IKDC prequirúrgico y al año fueron: diferencia de promedios 2.6, suma de rangos negativos 15, suma de rangos positivos 0, z= -2.070, p=0.038, al año ningún paciente presentó signo de cajón posterior positivo. Discusión El tratamiento de lesiones aisladas del LCP grado III con técnica de un solo haz y monotúnel con autoinjerto de isquiotibiales por vía artroscópica ofrece resultados buenos.

Background Isolated lesions of the posterior cruciate ligament cause instability and failure in the rotating component of the knee. The objective of this article is to describe the results of single-row arthroscopic treatment using a single-bundle technique with a single tunnel and fixation with interference screws in patients with isolated lesions of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament, grade III. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using the IKDC Test to evaluate, pre-operatively and yearly, the treatment of posterior cruciate ligament injuries. The statistics used were descriptive, as well as measures of central tendency and dispersion, and Mann Whitney U- Wilcoxon tests to compare means. Results The study included 5 patients, 4 (80%) were male and 1 (20%) female, and a mean age 27.8 years (minimum 20, maximum 33) ± 5.58 years). The affected side was right in 3%, left in 2 (40%) patients, and all showed a posterior drawer sign. The results of the pre-operative IKDC test were: difference of means 2.6, sum of negative ranks 15, sum of positive ranks 0, z = -2.070, P=.038; after surgery no patient had a positive posterior drawer sign. Discussion The treatment of isolated grade III lesions of PCL with a single bundle and tunnel technique with an arthroscopic autograft of hamstrings offers good results.

Fractura de L2 (AOSpine A3) en un paciente con diastematomielia asintomática. Reporte de caso / L2 (AOSpine A3) fracture in a patient with asymptomatic diastematomyelia. Case report

La diastematomielia es una anomalía del desarrollo del tubo neural, caracterizada por una división sagital de la médula espinal. Los síntomas son variados y puede cursar con dolor, trastornos de la marcha, escoliosis, deformidad de los pies, alteraciones del control de esfínteres, estigmas cutáneos, aumento de la tensión muscular e hidrocefalia, entre otros. En ocasiones es asintomática. Se presenta un caso clínico de un varón de 24 años, que sufre caída desde 4 m de altura y sufre fractura en columna lumbar L2 (AOSpine A3, N0), con diastematomielia en L1 de tipo I como hallazgo incidental y hemivértebra en T12. Se manejó con estabilización con tornillos pediculares con buena evolución. El manejo de estos pacientes debe ser individualizado. Los tornillos pediculares ofrecen resultados satisfactorios con bajo riesgo de lesión neurológica. Nivel de evidencia clínica Nivel IV.

Diastematomyelia is an abnormality of the development of the neural tube, and is characterised by a sagittal division of the spinal cord. is the symptoms vary and may include pain, gait disorders, scoliosis, deformity of the feet, changes in sphincter control, skin stigmas, increased muscle tension, and hydrocephalus, among others. It is occasionally asymptomatic. The case is reported of a 24-year-old male, suffering a 4-metre fall and a lumbar spine fracture L2 (AOSpine A3, N0), with L1 type I diastematomyelia as an incidental finding and hemivertebra in T12. It was managed with stabilisation with pedicle screws, with a good outcome. The management of these patients must be individualised, the pedicle screws offer satisfactory results with low risk of neurological damage.

Conocimiento del personal de enfermería sobre el manejo del paciente crítico con base en el soporte vital básico / Knowledge of nursing personnel regarding the management of critical patients on the basis of basic life support

Resumen

Introducción: el soporte vital básico (SVB) está orientado a capacitar al personal de la salud en las habilidades básicas para la atención inicial de urgencias potencialmente fatales en un medio pre e intrahospitalario.

Objetivo: evaluar el conocimiento del personal de enfermería sobre el manejo del paciente crítico con base en el SVB en áreas críticas del Hospital de Traumatología y Ortopedia de Puebla.

Metodología: estudio descriptivo, en una muestra de 50 enfermeras de los servicios críticos, de todas las categorías y turnos laborales. Se aplicó un instrumento de evaluación del conocimiento sobre SVB, validado por cuatro expertos y 10 enfermeros. Se consideró una calificación aprobatoria con 17 o más reactivos. Se empleó estadística descriptiva, frecuencias, Kuder-Richardson, kappa de Cohén y prueba exacta de Fisher.

Resultados: la edad promedio fue de 36.68 años; fueron cuatro hombres (8.0%) y 46 mujeres (92%); 37 (74%) aprobaron el instrumento. El 36% (18) había tomado el curso SVB y el 14% (7) estaba certificado. La asociación entre la calificación obtenida en la encuesta y la categoría laboral, grado académico, turno, tipo de contratación, si ya tomó el curso y tener certificación fue p > 0.05 (con prueba exacta de Fisher).

Conclusiones: haber realizado un curso de SVB no garantiza que el personal de enfermería tenga los conocimientos sobre el manejo del paciente en estado crítico.

Abstract

Introduction: The Basic Life Support (BLS) is designed to train health personnel in basic skills for initial emergency care that is potentially fatal in a prehospital and intrahospital environment. Objective: To evaluate nurses' knowledge regarding critical patient management based on BLS in critical areas of the Hospital de Traumatología y Ortopedia (Hospital of Traumatology and Orthopedics) of the state of Puebla.

Methods: Descriptive study in a sample of 50 nurses of critical services, of all categories and work shifts. A BLS knowledge assessment instrument, validated by four experts and 10 nurses, was applied. An approval rating of 17 or more points was considered. We used descriptive statistics, as well as frequencies, Kuder-Richardson's test, Cohen's kappa and Fisher's Exact Test.

Results: Mean age was 36.68 years; there were four men (8.0%) and 46 women (92%); 37 approved the instrument (74%). 36% had taken the BLS course (18) and 14% was certified (7). The association between the grade obtained in the survey and the labor category, academic degree, shift, type of hiring, if already took the course and having certification was p > 0.05 (with Fisher's Exact test).

Conclusions: Having a BLS course does not guarantee that the nurse personnel have knowledge about the management of the patient in critical condition.

Urocultivos en infección clínica de vías urinarias / RESULTS OF URINE CULTURE IN PATIENTS WITH CLINICAL URINARY TRACT INFECTION

Introducción: Las infecciones de vías urinarias (IVU) constituyen un problema de salud mundial. El aumento de la resistencia bacteriana a los antimicrobianos limita la administración de antibióticos económicos y de espectro limitado, lo que afecta el costo y el acceso a la atención. El objetivo de este trabajo es determinar la sensibilidad, resistencia y germen causal en urocultivos realizados en pacientes con infección clínica de vías urinarias. Métodos: Estudio transversal. Se analizaron urocultivos de pacientes con infección clínica de vías urinarias, cada urocultivo correspondió a un paciente. Las variables fueron edad, género, microorganismo causal, resistencia y sensibilidad a los antimicrobianos. Se realizó en la Unidad de Medicina Familiar No. 222 del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social en Toluca Estado de México. Se evaluaron urocultivos con más de 100000 Unidades formadoras de colonias. Se realizó mediciones descriptivas, frecuencias y porcentajes en el programa SPSS v. 17 para Windows. Resultados: se incluyeron urocultivos de pacientes con infección clínica de vías urinarias. La edad promedio de los pacientes fue de 50.09 ± 19.43 años, con predominio del género femenino (211 pacientes). Los agentes causales más frecuentes fueron: Escherichia Coli (51.91%), Proteus mirabilis (14.70%) y Staphylococcus (11.11 %). Los antibióticos con mayor sensibilidad fueron: imipenem, cefotetan y meropenem (34%). Los antimicrobianos con mayor resistencia fueron: ampicilina (24%), ciprofloxacino (22%) y ampicilina con sulbactam (20%). Conclusiones: los microorganismos más frecuentemente fueron: Escherichia coli y Proteus; y los antimicrobianos a los que mostraron más resistencia bacteriana fueron: ampicilina y quinolonas.

Introduction: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a global health problem. Increased bacterial resistance to antimicrobials limits the administration of low-spectrum antibiotics, which affect cost and access to care. The objective of this work is to determine the sensitivity, resistance and causal germ in urine cultures in patients with clinical urinary tract infection Methods: Transversal study. Urine cultures of patients with clinical urinary tract infection were analyzed, each urine culture corresponded to one patient. The variables were age, gender, causal microorganism, resistance and sensitivity to antimicrobials. It was performed at the Family Medicine Unit No. 222 of the Mexican Institute of Social Security in Toluca State of Mexico. Urocultures were evaluated with more than 100,000 colony forming units. Measurements were made frequencies and percentages in the SPSS program version 17 for Windows. Results: there were included 558 urine cultures; the average age was 50.09 ± 19.43 years, female predominance (211 patients). The most common causative microorganisms were Escherichia coli (51.91%), Proteus mirabilis (14.70%) and Staphylococcus (11.11%). Most sensitive antibiotics were: imipenem, meropenem and cefotetan (34%). Most resistance antimicrobial were: ampicillin (24%), ciprofloxacin (22%) and ampicillin with sulbactam (20%). Conclusions: Escherichia coli and Proteus were the most commonly isolated microorganisms; Ampicillin and quinolones showed more bacterial resistence.

Distribución de morfina y opioides / CURRENT STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION OF MORPHINE AND OPIOIDS

La liberación del uso terapéutico de los opioides se ha hecho cada vez mas frecuente como una propuesta para mejorar la distribución de éstos en las instituciones de salud pública y privadas con el fin de garantizar su alcance a población que cursa con dolor. A pesar de esto, aún no se logra una distribución homogénea de estos recursos en la población requirente. El objetivo de este trabajo es dar a conocer el panorama actual de los opioides en México y algunos países sudamericanos.

The release of therapeutic opioid use is mentioned with increasing frequency as a proposal to improve their tion in Public and Private Health Care Institutions, in order to scope opioids to population who needs them. Although this, homogeneous distribution of opioids is not achieved. The aim of this paper is to present the current panorama of opioids in Mexico and Latin American countries

Funcionalidad, calidad de vida y grado de dolor en 243 pacientes con lumbalgia crónica degenerativa / FUNCTIONALITY, QUALITY OF LIFE, AND PAIN INTENSITY IN 243 PATIENTS WITH DEGENERATIVE CHRONIC LUMBAR DISEASE

Introducción: La enfermedad degenerativa lumbar ocasiona lumbalgia, es la patología musculo esquelética más frecuente en mayores de 65 años, la segunda causa de las consultas médicas en primer nivel, quinta en admisión en hospitales y tercera de cirugía de columna lumbar que ocasiona incapacidad y limitación de actividades cotidianas. El objetivo es correlacionar la calidad de vida con limitación funcional en pacientes con lumbalgia crónica degenerativa. Metodología: estudio transversal, en 243 adultos mayores con lumbalgia degenerativa, de ambos géneros, mayores de 65 años, con lumbalgia crónica y limitación funcional de actividades cotidianas. Se utilizó Escala Visual Analógica (EVA), Cuestionario de Salud SF-36 y Escala de Incapacidad por Dolor Lumbar de OSWESTRY. La estadística fue descriptiva y correlación Spearman. Resultados: N=273, edad media 77 ± 6.9 años, 63.38% fueron mujeres, 48.97% pensionados, 20.17% analfabetas, 25.10% nivel secundaria, 65.85% casados. En el SF-36: calidad de vida promedio 39.2, con mayor afectación en el dominio de funcionamiento social: media 51.99; OSWESTRY: imitación funcional mínima y moderada en 23.9%, limitación severa a máxima en 76.1%; EVA: 59.3% dolor leve a moderado y 40.7% dolor intenso y con el peor dolor posible; hubo correlación negativa entre SF-36 y OSWESTRY: -.830, p=0.000; tambien correlación negativa entre calidad de vida y grado de dolor: -.798 p<0.0001 y correlación positiva entre limitación funcional y grado de dolor: 0.734 p=0.000. Conclusión: La calidad de vida tiene correlación negativa con limitación funcional y dolor; la correlación entre limitación funcional y dolor es positiva en adultos mayores con lumbalgia crónica

Introduction: Lumbar degenerative disease causes lumbago, is the most common muscleskeletal pathology in patients over 65 yearsold and the second leading cause of medical consultations at first medical level, the fifth in hospital admissions and third of lumbar spine surgery. It causes disability and limitation of daily activities. The objective is to correlate the quality of life with functional limitation in patients with Atraumatic Chronic Lumbago. Methods: Cross-sectional study in 243, older than 65 years old, male and female, with Atraumatic Chronic Lumbago and functional limitation of daily activities. Visual Analog Scale (VAS), SF-36 and Oswestry questionaries were applied. Descriptive and correlation statistics were used. Results: N=273, mean age 77 ± 6.9 years, 63.38% women, 48.97% pensioners, 20.17% illiterate, 25.10% High School level and 65.85% were married. SF-36: 39.2 quality of life average was 39.2, with greater involvement in the social functioning domain: 51.99 media. OSWESTRY: moderate and low functional limitation in 23.9%, severe to maximum limitation in 76.1%; VAS mild to moderate pain in 59.3% and 40.7% severe pain and worst pain possible; there were negative correlation between SF -36 and OSWESTRY -.830, p= 0.000 and between quality of life and degree of pain: -.798 p < 0.0001; correlation between and positive degree of functional limitation and degree of pain was positive: 0.734 p=0.000. Conclusion: Quality of life is negatively correlated with pain and functional limitation; and the correlation between pain and functional limitation is positive in older adults with chronic low back pain

[Management of ureteric colic with ketorolac and nifedipin vs. ketorolac and tamsulosin in the emergency room]. / Manejo del cólico ureteral con ketorolaco y nifedipina frente a ketorolaco y tamsulosina en el servicio de urgencias.

BACKGROUND: Ureteric colic is the most common symptom of lithiasis. It is caused by the presence of stones accumulated in the renal papillae. These stones often migrate down the ureter, causing a ureteric colic, characterized by a severe pain in the lumbar region. The aim of this study was to compare the use of ketorolac and nifedipine vs. ketorolac and tamsulosin for the medical treatment of pain caused by stones in the lower ureter. METHODS: Longitudinal study of 150 patients of 21-years or older with stones in the lower third of the ureter. 50% received ketorolac and nifedipine and the other 50%, ketorolac and tamsulosin. The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) was used for the assessment of pain at admission and 4 and 12 hours after the treatment was administered. We used descriptive and inferential statistics (Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon, chi-squared and Poisson regression). RESULTS: Mean age was 38.17 years; 54.7% were male and 45.3% female. NPRS mean was 9.69 (initially), 7.42 (at 4 hours) and 2.05 (at 12 hours). There were no significant differences in the initial measurement of pain between groups (p < 0.005); four and 12 hours later the pain decreased more in patients managed with ketorolac and nifedipine, p = 0.0041. There were no complications nor side effects in both treatments. CONCLUSION: The use of ketorolac and nifedipine is more effective than the use of ketorolac and tamsulosin for the management of pain caused by lower ureteral colic during the first 12 hours of treatment.

Introducción: el cólico renoureteral es la manifestación más común de la litiasis. Se trata de la presencia de cálculos en las papilas renales que frecuentemente migran hacia el uréter, ocasionando un cólico renoureteral, caracterizado por un dolor intenso en la región lumbar o en sus flancos. Se buscó comparar el uso del ketorolaco y nifedipino frente a ketorolaco y tamsulosina para el manejo del dolor ocasionado por litiasis en el tercio inferior del uréter. Métodos: estudio longitudinal en 150 pacientes mayores de 21 años con litiasis en tercio inferior del uréter. Al 50% se le administró ketorolaco y nifedipino y al otro 50% ketorolaco y tamsulosina. Se utilizó la escala numérica de dolor (END) al ingreso, a las 4 y a las 12 horas. La estadística fue descriptiva e inferencial (U de Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon, chi cuadrada y regresión de Poisson). Resultados: la edad promedio fue 38.17 años y 54.7% de los pacientes fueron hombres. Inicialmente la END tuvo una media de 9.69, de 7.42 a las 4 horas y de 2.05 a las 12 horas. En la medición inicial del dolor no hubo diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos (p > 0.005); 4 y 12 horas después el dolor disminuyó más en los pacientes manejados con ketorolaco y nifedipino: p = 0.0041 y p = 0.000, respectivamente. No hubo complicaciones ni efectos secundarios en ambos tratamientos. Conclusión: la mancuerna ketorolaco y nifedipino es más efectiva que la del ketorolaco y la tamsulosina para el manejo del dolor del cólico renoureteral inferior durante las primeras 12 horas de tratamiento.

Tratamiento de la ginecomastia: Diferencias entre la incisión periareolar externa y la incisión periareolar inferior en mastectomía subdérmica / Treatment for gynecomastia: Differences for the external and inferior periareolar incision for subdermal mastectomy

Introducción: La ginecomastia define el aumento benigno del tamaño de la glándula mamaria en el hombre. Existen diversos abordajes quirúrgicos para la resección de la lesión, cada una con resultados diferentes. Material y métodos; Estudio transversal. Se incluyeron pacientes con ginecomastia operados de mastectomía subdérmica mediante incisión periareolar externa e incisión periareolar inferior. Para la aleatorización se tomó en cuenta los grados IIb y III de Simon, distribuyendo uno a uno para cada tipo de incisión. Los resultados estéticos fueron evaluados por un cirujano experimentado, tomando como excelentes cuando hubo una cicatrización correcta sin deformidad del área, buenos cuando la cicatrización fue buena sin deformidad del área y mala cuando hubo deformidad del área operada. Resultados: Fueron operados 24 pacientes, el 50% por incisión periareolar externa y el 50% por incisión periareolar inferior. La edad promedio fue 25,58 y 27,58 años respectivamente, sin diferencias significativas p = 0,513. Todos los pacientes tuvieron características sexuales secundarias normales. La etiología fue idiopática en 23 pacientes (95,83%). El tiempo promedio de evolución fue 32,28 meses y en todos el resultado histopatológico fue ginecomastia. La evaluación del aspecto estético de la incisión y el área afectada en los pacientes operados mediante incisión periareolar externa (n = 12) fue mala en un paciente (8,33%), buena en 2 (16,66%) y excelente en 9 pacientes (75%), mientras que en los pacientes operados mediante incisión periareolar inferior, fue buena en el 100% de los pacientes, y mala y excelente en ningún paciente, con diferencias estadísticamente significativas para ambas incisiones, p = 0,000. Ningún paciente presentó complicaciones. Conclusión: Ambas incisiones son seguras. La incisión periareolar externa ofrece mejores resultados que la incisión periareolar inferior para realizar mastectomía subdérmica en pacientes con ginecomastia en todos los grados Simon.

Introduction: Gynecomastia defines the benign enlargement of the mammary gland in man. There are several surgical approaches for resection of the lesion, each with different results. Material and methods: Cross-sectional study. There were included patients with gynecomastia, operated by means of external and inferior periareolar incision. For randomization was took into account degrees IIb and III of Simon, distributing one to one for each type of incision, the cosmetic results were evaluated by an experienced surgeon, taking as excellent results when there was a proper healing without deformity of the area, good results when healing was good without deformity, and bad results when there was deformity of the operated area. Results: There were 24 patients, 50% operated by external periareolar incision and 50% by lower periareolar incision. The mean age was 25.58 and 27.58 years old for each group, with no significant statistically differences (P = .513). All patients had normal secondary sexual characteristics. The etiology was idiopathic in 23 (95.83%). The average evolution time was 32.28 months, on all histopathological result was gynecomastia. The evaluation of the aesthetic aspect of the incision and the area affected in patients operated by external periareolar incision (n = 12) was bad to 1 (8.33%), good in 2 (16.66%) and excellent in 9 (75%) patients; 100% of the patients operated by inferior periareolar incision presented good results, there were statistically significant differences for both incisions, P = .000. There were no complications. Conclusion: Both incisions are safe, periareolar external incision provides better results than the inferior periareolar incision for patients with gynecomastia in all degrees of Simon.

La desnutrición infantil en la República Dominicana / Infantile malnutrition in Dominican Republic

Se analizan algunos apuntes históricos y evolutivos de la desnutrición protéico-calórica infantil en la República Dominicana puntualizándose su tendencia decreciente así como su estado actual señalándose el reconocimiento de los nuevos elementos nutricionales en déficit que afectan la salud del niño dominicano