Poor re-epithelialization following corneal collagen crosslinking with riboflavin-uva for advanced bullous keratopathy: Case series.

OBJECTIVE: To assess safety and efficacy of corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) for advanced bullous keratopathy (BK). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eight eyes of eight patients subjected to Dresden CXL protocol. INCLUSION CRITERIA: BK history of at least one year, severe pain and no indication for keratoplasty due to poor visual prognosis. VARIABLES: best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), pain (decimal visual scale), central corneal thickness (CCT) by tomography (Pentacam®, Oculus Inc, Germany), corneal bullae and complications. RESULTS: Seven women and one man of median age 77.00 (range 58-79) years. The median follow-up was 7 (range 5-7) months. BCVA remained unchanged through follow-up. A significant decrease in pain was observed at the end of the follow-up period (median 6, range 5-6 vs. median 0, range 0-4, P=0.05). Corneal tomography could only be performed in three cases, due to poor vision or image quality. A reduction in mean CCT was observed in the first post procedural month (from 708.33±140.48 to 627±136.89µm). In all eight cases, the absence of corneal bullae only persisted for two months after CXL. In six patients, corneal re-epithelialization after CXL was poor; in four of these eyes, the problem was resolved with topical treatment, but in the remaining two eyes, amniotic membrane transplant and mechanical debridement were required. CONCLUSIONS: In this uncontrolled small case series, CXL treatment improved pain in patients with advanced BK. However, the high rate of poor re-epithelialization requiring surgical treatment observed in one third of cases makes this treatment controversial.

Programa de formación de ayudantes de investigación: conocimiento y satisfacción de los estudiantes / Research assistant formation program: students' knowledge and satisfaction / Programa de formação de assistentes de pesquisa: conhecimento e satisfação dos estudantes

Introducción: La inserción de estudiantes de pregrado en actividades de investigación es relevante para fomentar la crítica y aplicación de resultados de investigación. La formación de ayudantes de investigación se plantea como una alternativa válida para que los alumnos se expongan, experimenten y participen activamente en el proceso de investigación. Objetivo: Identificar el nivel de conocimiento y grado de satisfacción de los estudiantes después de participar en un programa de formación de ayudantes de investigación. Método: Estudio de pre y post test en 20 estudiantes de pregrado de Enfermería. Se evaluó el conocimiento alcanzado y la satisfacción de los estudiantes con el programa de formación, el cual considera tres módulos de aprendizaje distribuidos en 180 horas cronológicas. Resultados: El conocimiento de los estudiantes incrementó significativamente con el programa, no se relacionó con el conocimiento que el alumno trae al inicio del mismo, así como tampoco con el semestre que cursa. El grado de satisfacción fue en el 100% de los alumnos muy satisfecho. Discusión: Este artículo reporta un programa de formación de ayudantes de investigación que es posible ser replicado en otras realidades, que incrementa el conocimiento, con un alto grado de satisfacción en los estudiantes. La duración del programa podría considerarse una debilidad. Conclusión: La participación de estudiantes de pregrado en un programa de formación de ayudantes de investigación, puede considerarse una estrategia para involucrar a alumnos en investigación, y que valoren su aporte en la disciplina de enfermería.

Introduction: An early integration of undergraduate students into activities of research can help them develop skills for a critical application of the corresponding findings. The formation of research assistants program is proposed as an experience for students to expose, experiment, and actively participate in diverse researching related activities. Objective: To identify the level of knowledge and degree of satisfaction of students after their participation in a research assistant formation program. Method: This is pre-post-test study involving 20 undergraduate nursing students. Their achieved knowledge and satisfaction in the three-module-180-hours program were assessed. Results: Unrelated to parallel experiences, the students' knowledge increased significantly after the program. All students stated having felt very satisfied. Discussion: This article informs on a program of formation of research assistants which is prone to be extended to other contexts, however its duration could be adjusted. Conclusion: The participation of undergraduate students in a research assistant formation program is a novel strategy to engage students into nursing research.

Introdução: A inserção de estudantes de graduação em atividades de pesquisa é relevante para promover a crítica e aplicação de resultados de pesquisa. A formação de assistentes de pesquisa contempla-se como una alternativa válida para os alunos se exporem, experimentarem e participarem ativamente no processo de pesquisa. Objetivo: Identificar o nível de conhecimento e grau de satisfação dos estudantes depois de participarem em um programa de formação de assistentes de pesquisa. Método: Estudo de pre e post teste de 20 estudantes de graduação de Enfermagem. Avaliou-se o conhecimento atingido e a satisfação dos estudantes com o programa de formação, o qual considera três módulos de aprendizagem distribuídos em 180 horas cronológicas. Resultados: O conhecimento dos estudantes aumentou significativamente com o programa, não se relaciona com o conhecimento que o aluno traz ao início do mesmo, assim como também não, com o semestre que cursa. O grau de satisfação foi do 100% dos alunos: muito satisfeito. Discussão: Este artigo informa um programa de formação de assistentes de pesquisa que é possível ser reproduzido em outras realidades, que aumenta o conhecimento, com um alto grau de satisfação nos estudantes. A duração do programa podia considerar-se uma debilidade. Conclusão: A participação de estudantes de graduação em um programa de formação de assistentes de pesquisa, pode considerar-se uma estratégia para envolver os alunos em pesquisa, e que valorizem seu aporte na disciplina de enfermagem.

Anemia en las embarazadas de la comuna de Puente Alto, Chile / Anemia in pregnant women from the community of Puente Alto, Chile

BACKGROUND: Micronutrient deficiencies, specially iron, render pregnant women as one of the most vulnerable groups to have anemia. AIM: To report the prevalence of anemia during pregnancy and its associated features in women attending public clinics in the Puente Alto County. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 1683 pregnant women aged 18 years old or more. Hemoglobin concentration was determined using the cianmetahemoglobin method. Anemia was defined using the 5th percentile cut-off for each week of gestational age as proposed by R Yip from the Centers of Disease Control, 1989. The influence of maternal age, parity, nutritional status classified using weight/height, diseases and smoking habits on hemoglobin concentration were analyzed using logistic regression with a stepwise procedure. RESULTS: Thirteen percent of the study population was anemic. The single factor significantly associated with anemia was nutritional status. Twenty one percent of women with a low weight for height were anemic. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the concept that pregnant women with a low weight for height have the greatest risk for anemia and should be specially benefited with preventive or treatment programs to avoid this problem.

[Trends of etiology of acute bacterial meningitis in Chilean children from 1989 to 1998. Impact of the anti-H influenzae type b vaccine]. / Tendencias en la etiología de la meningitis bacteriana aguda en niños chilenos, período 1989-1998. Impacto de la vacuna anti-H influenzae tipo b (Hib).

BACKGROUND: Acute bacterial meningitis still has a high mortality and rate of complications. AIM: To assess the impact of anti H influenzae vaccination on the epidemiology of acute bacterial meningitis in Chilean children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of hospital discharge records of patients with acute bacterial meningitis. Causative agents were studied globally, by hospital and by age group. The changes in etiology from 1989 to 1995 were also assessed. Between 1996 and 1998, only those patients with acute bacterial meningitis caused by H influenzae were recollected. RESULTS: In the period prior to vaccination (1989-1995), 1000 cases were registered. The main causative agents were N meningitidis in 33.8%, H influenzae type b in 21.9% and S pneumoniae in 15.4%. The incidence of H influenzae decreased in the period from 36.4 to 9.9% (p < 0.001) and the incidence of N meningitidis increased from 22.9 to 52.1% (p < 0.001). The incidence of S pneumoniae did not change significantly. H influenzae predominated in children between 4 and 24 months of age and N meningitidis predominated in children over 25 months of age. In the period after the introduction of vaccination (1995-1998), there was a further decrease in the incidence of H influenzae from 10 to 2% (p < 0.001). Until 1997, there was a considerable increase in the incidence of N meningitidis, specially in children over 25 months of age. It declined in 1998 to 38%. CONCLUSIONS: There was a reduction in the incidence of acute bacterial meningitis caused by H influenzae prior to the introduction of the vaccine against H influenzae type b. The decrease was more pronounced after the introduction of the vaccine.