Servant leadership, brand love, and work ethic: important predictors of general health in workers in the education sector.

Background: Building a path aimed at the wellbeing of workers in the education sector is the fundamental basis to encourage quality education. To fill the gap in knowledge and address this aspect by understanding the behavior of the study population, it was proposed as with the objective of determining if servant leadership, brand love and work ethic predict the general health in workers. Methods: A non-probability sampling was applied for convenience. For this purpose, a sample of 509 workers from Peru was submitted to study, who completed a questionnaire consisting of: scale of servant leadership, work ethic, GHQ-12 and brand love. By applying a quantitative method using a structural equation modeling partial least squares approach. Results: The present study demonstrated that the three constructs (servant leadership, brand love, and work ethic) predict the general health of workers in a positive and significant way, in a sample of Peruvian workers in the education sector. Furthermore, the results suggest that these factors can be used to improve the health of employees in educational institutions in Peru and possibly in other contexts as well. Conclusion: Given these results and after knowing the solidity of the predictions, the importance of promoting general health in workers in the education sector.

5-HT1A Receptors on Dentate Gyrus Granule Cells Confer Stress Resilience.

BACKGROUND: Hyperactivity of granule cells in the ventral dentate gyrus (vDG) promotes vulnerability to chronic stress. However, which receptors in the vDG could be targeted to inhibit this hyperactivity and confer stress resilience is not known. The serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT1AR) is a Gi protein-coupled inhibitory receptor that has been implicated in stress adaptation, anxiety, depression, and antidepressant responses. 5-HT1ARs are highly expressed in the DG, but their potential to promote stress resilience by regulating granule cell activity has never been examined. METHODS: We exposed male and female mice expressing 5-HT1ARs only in DG granule cells to 10 days of chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) and treated them with the 5-HT1AR agonist 8-OH-DPAT every day 30 minutes before each defeat throughout the CSDS paradigm. We then used whole-cell current clamp recordings, immunohistochemistry for the immediate early gene cFos, corticosterone immunoassays, and behavioral testing to determine how activating 5-HT1ARs on granule cells affects DG activity, neuroendocrine stress responses, and avoidance behavior. RESULTS: We found that activating 5-HT1ARs hyperpolarized DG granule cells and reduced cFos+ granule cells in the vDG following CSDS, indicating that 5-HT1AR activation rescued stress-induced vDG hyperactivity. Moreover, 5-HT1AR activation dampened corticosterone responses to CSDS and prevented the development of stress-induced avoidance in the social interaction test and in the open field test. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that activating 5-HT1ARs on DG granule cells can prevent stress-induced neuronal hyperactivity of the vDG and confer resilience to chronic stress.

Real-World Safety and Efficacy Clinical Data of an Improved Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy Product for the Treatment of Bee Venom Allergy.

The aim of this study is to explore the safety and efficacy of bee venom immunotherapy without HSA, in real-life patients. Methods: This is an observational retrospective study developed in seven hospitals in Spain, where patients treated with this immunotherapy were included. They gathered the protocol used to initiate the immunotherapy, adverse reactions, field re-stings, and the patient clinical data (clinical history, biomarkers, and skin prick test). Results: A total of 108 patients were included. In total, 4 protocols were used (5 weeks reaching 200 µg, and 4, 3, and 2 weeks reaching 100 µg). An incidence of systemic adverse reactions for each 100 injections of 1.5, 1.7, 0, and 0.58, respectively, was found. The demographic data showed not to directly affect the appearance of adverse reactions, except for those having a grade 2 systemic reaction with immunotherapy previously had a grade 4 systemic reaction; the IgE to Apis mellifera was 3 times higher in patients with systemic reactions of grade 1 than in the general group, and other specific IgEs were lower in those with systemic reactions. Most of the patients recognized Api m 1 followed by Api m 10. In the sample, 32% experienced spontaneous re-stings, without presenting systemic reactions, after a year of treatment.

Role of instrumental factors in Meibomian gland contrast assessment.

PURPOSE: Meibomian gland contrast has been suggested as a potential biomarker in Meibomian gland dysfunction. This study analysed the instrumental factors related to contrast. The objectives were to determine whether the mathematical equations used to compute gland contrast (e.g., Michelson or Yeh and Lin), impact the ability to identify abnormal individuals, to ascertain whether contrast between the gland and the background could be an effective biomarker and to assess whether using contrast-enhancement on the gland image improves its diagnostic efficacy. METHODS: A total of 240 meibography images from 40 participants (20 controls and 20 having Meibomian gland dysfunction or blepharitis), were included. The Oculus Keratograph 5M was used to capture images from the upper and lower eyelids of each eye. The contrast of unprocessed images and those pre-processed with contrast-enhancement algorithms were analysed. Contrast was measured on the eight central glands. Two equations for contrast computation were used, and the contrast both between glands and within a gland were calculated. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the groups for inter-gland area in the upper (p = 0.01) and lower eyelids (p = 0.001) for contrast measured with the Michelson formula. Similar effects were observed when using the Yeh and Lin method in the upper (p = 0.01) and lower eyelids (p = 0.04). These results were obtained for images enhanced with the Keratograph 5M algorithm. CONCLUSIONS: Meibomian gland contrast is a useful biomarker of disease related to the Meibomian glands. Contrast measurement should be determined using contrast-enhanced images in the inter-gland area. However, the method used to compute contrast did not influence the results.

A Comparative Study of Two Imaging Techniques of Meibomian Glands.

In the present study, two different meibographers, Oculus Keratograph 5M (K5M) that uses 840 nm infrared light and the Visible Light Non-Contact Meibographer (VLNCM) that uses 610 nm visible light have been used to obtain meibography images from normal and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) population. The main objective has been to validate and demonstrate that the use of visible light is useful for observation and quantification of MG in clinical practice. Twenty participants were enrolled in this prospective study. The upper eyelids of one randomly chosen eye were used to obtain results. Forty images were captured and analysed. Three specialized observers were recruited to grade images using Pult and Riede Pult 5-degree scale, in two different sessions. Intra-observer agreement between sessions for both devices was shown. Inter-observer variability analysis showed discrepancy between meiboscores obtained from observers with K5M (p-value < 0.05), except for session 2 in the pathology group, while no statistical difference was found with VLNCM. Repeatability analysis found no statistically significant differences between sessions. Correlation between meibographers showed no statistically significant difference and a moderate correlation coefficient between meiboscores graded with the two devices. The current study suggests that VLNCM can allow MG to be properly visualized and classified in the upper eyelids.

Contribution of the Opioid System to the Antidepressant Effects of Fluoxetine.

BACKGROUND: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine have a limited treatment efficacy. The mechanism by which some patients respond to fluoxetine while others do not remains poorly understood, limiting treatment effectiveness. We have found the opioid system to be involved in the responsiveness to fluoxetine treatment in a mouse model for anxiety- and depressive-like behavior. METHODS: We analyzed gene expression changes in the dentate gyrus of mice chronically treated with corticosterone and fluoxetine. After identifying a subset of genes of interest, we studied their expression patterns in relation to treatment responsiveness. We further characterized their expression through in situ hybridization and the analysis of a single-cell RNA sequencing dataset. Finally, we behaviorally tested mu and delta opioid receptor knockout mice in the novelty suppressed feeding test and the forced swim test after chronic corticosterone and fluoxetine treatment. RESULTS: Chronic fluoxetine treatment upregulates proenkephalin expression in the dentate gyrus, and this upregulation is associated with treatment responsiveness. The expression of several of the most significantly upregulated genes, including proenkephalin, is localized to an anatomically and transcriptionally specialized subgroup of mature granule cells in the dentate gyrus. We have also found that the delta opioid receptor contributes to some, but not all, of the behavioral effects of fluoxetine. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that the opioid system is involved in the antidepressant effects of fluoxetine, and this effect may be mediated through the upregulation of proenkephalin in a subpopulation of mature granule cells.

Real-world effectiveness of caplacizumab vs the standard of care in immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) is a thrombotic microangiopathy caused by anti-ADAMTS13 antibodies. Caplacizumab is approved for adults with an acute episode of iTTP in conjunction with plasma exchange (PEX) and immunosuppression. The objective of this study was to analyze and compare the safety and efficacy of caplacizumab vs the standard of care and assess the effect of the concomitant use of rituximab. A retrospective study from the Spanish TTP Registry of patients treated with caplacizumab vs those who did not receive it was conducted. A total of 155 patients with iTTP (77 caplacizumab, 78 no caplacizumab) were included. Patients initially treated with caplacizumab had fewer exacerbations (4.5% vs 20.5%; P < .05) and less refractoriness (4.5% vs 14.1%; P < .05) than those who were not treated. Time to clinical response was shorter when caplacizumab was used as initial treatment vs caplacizumab used after refractoriness or exacerbation. The multivariate analysis showed that its use in the first 3 days after PEX was associated with a lower number of PEX (odds ratio, 7.5; CI, 2.3-12.7; P < .05) and days of hospitalization (odds ratio, 11.2; CI, 5.6-16.9; P < .001) compared with standard therapy. There was no difference in time to clinical remission in patients treated with caplacizumab compared with the use of rituximab. No severe adverse event was described in the caplacizumab group. In summary, caplacizumab reduced exacerbations and refractoriness compared with standard of care regimens. When administered within the first 3 days after PEX, it also provided a faster clinical response, reducing hospitalization time and the need for PEX.

Improving ocular surface comfort in contact lens wearers.

PURPOSE: Contact lens discomfort (CLD) is a major concern that can lead to the decreased or abandoned use of contact lenses. Contact lens users with dry eye disease are more likely to present with CLD. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a bioprotective preservative free, hypotonic, 0.15% hyaluronic acid (HA)-3% Trehalose artificial tear in managing dry eye symptoms in contact lens wearers. METHODS: A prospective, single-arm, observational pilot study to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment with HA-Trehalose artificial tears in contact lens wearers (N = 33) aged 18-45 years with symptoms of ocular discomfort. Participants used a preservative-free, hypotonic HA-Trehalose artificial tear (1 drop/4 times per day) for 84 days. Participants were assessed using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for dry eye symptoms (pain, photophobia, dry eye sensation, blurry vision, foreign body sensation, itching, tingling/burning, and sticky eye feeling), Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), Contact Lens Dry Eye questionnaire (CLDEQ-8), Berkley Dry Eye Flow-Chart (DEFC) on Day 0 and Day 84 and tear break-up time (TBUT), ocular surface staining with fluorescein and lissamine green, tear meniscus evaluation, and visual acuity on Day 0, 35, and 84. RESULTS: All VAS symptoms (except tingling/burning and sticky eye feeling), OSDI, CLEDQ-8, and DEFC showed statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvement from baseline (Day 0) to Day 84. Similarly, corneal (fluorescein) and conjunctival (lissamine green) quality improved during the study (p < 0.05 at Day 84 versus baseline). Tear break-up time (TBUT), conjunctival (lissamine green) staining, and tear meniscus decreased but the changes were not statistically significant. Visual acuity did not change during the study. There were no ocular or systemic adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the instillation of a preservative-free, hypotonic, HA-Trehalose artificial tear in contact lenses wearers with dry eye syndrome significantly improved symptoms and reduced associated signs such as corneal and conjunctival staining.

[Complicated cholesteatoma in a child with Down syndrome: a case report]. / Colesteatoma complicado en un niño con síndrome de Down: un caso clínico.

Acquired cholesteatoma in children is an aggressive disease due to its rapid growth and high recurrence rate. The complications are divided into intra-and extratemporal complications or intracranial complication. Subperiosteal abscess is the most common extratemporal complication. It is most frequent in young children. However, there are also other associated complications described in the literature. Down syndrome patients have anatomical and functional predisposing factors that contribute to chronic cholesteatomatous otitis media. The prevalence is greater than 80 %. In this report, we present a case of subperiosteal abscess in an 8-year-old child with Down's syndrome. This abscess presented as a complication of an extended cholesteatoma and required inmediate surgery for resolution.

El colesteatoma adquirido en niños es una enfermedad agresiva debido a su rápido crecimiento y la alta tasa de recurrencia. Las complicaciones se dividen en dos grandes grupos: las relacionadas con el hueso temporal (dentro o fuera de él) y las complicaciones intracraneales. El absceso subperióstico es la complicación extratemporal más común y es más frecuente en los niños más pequeños. Los pacientes que padecen síndrome de Down tienen una prevalencia elevada (superior al 80 %) de otitis media con efusión, que puede estar determinada anatómicamente por la hipoplasia mediofacial con una nasofaringe estrecha y adenoides hipertrófica, junto a trastornos funcionales y mecánicos de la trompa auditiva. Se presenta un niño de 8 años con síndrome de Down que desarrolló un absceso subperióstico como complicación de un colesteatoma que requirió abordaje quirúrgico inmediato para su resolución.

Fístula retroauricular complicada asociada a disgenesia mayor del oído externo. Reporte de un caso / Complicated retroauricular fistula with external ear major dysgenesis. A case report

Las anomalías de las hendiduras y arcos branquiales son la segunda causa más común de lesiones congénitas de cabeza y cuello en niños. Representan el 8% de todas las malformaciones congénitas y el 30% de las de cabeza y cuello. Pueden permanecer asintomáticas o manifestarse como una tumefacción y asociarse a infecciones recurrentes supuradas en la región preauricular, subauricular o retroauricular, en las regiones de la parótida y/o del cuello. Fueron reportados casos asociados a malformaciones óticas.La tomografía computada de alta resolución y la resonancia magnética con gadolinio pueden ayudar al diagnóstico. El tratamiento médico antibiótico está indicado ante una infección aguda, además de incisión y drenaje en los procesos abscedados. El tratamiento definitivo es quirúrgico con la extirpación completa de la lesión. Se presenta a un niño de 6 años de edad con infección aguda en la región retroauricular derecha en el oído disgenésico

Branchial cleft anomalies are the second most common congenital head and neck lesions in children. The first congenital head and neck lesion is thyroglossal duct cysts. First branchial cleft anomalies are rare congenital head and neck malformations (8% of branchial cleft anomalies).The initial clinical manifestation was recurrent infections and/or discharge in auricular, periauricular, parotid or upper neck regions. These anomalies are extremely rare and other associated facial malformations were described.The computed tomography and magnetic resonance can help the diagnosis. The antibiotic treatment is indicated in acute infection. Also, incision and drainage are recommended in abscessed processes.In this report, we present a case of retroauricular sinus infection in a 6-year-old child with congenital ear anomalies

[Complicated retroauricular fistula with external ear major dysgenesis. A case report]. / Fístula retroauricular complicada asociada a disgenesia mayor del oído externo. Reporte de un caso.

Branchial cleft anomalies are the second most common congenital head and neck lesions in children. The first congenital head and neck lesion is thyroglossal duct cysts. First branchial cleft anomalies are rare congenital head and neck malformations (8 % of branchial cleft anomalies). The initial clinical manifestation was recurrent infections and/ or discharge in auricular, periauricular, parotid or upper neck regions. These anomalies are extremely rare and other associated facial malformations were described. The computed tomography and magnetic resonance can help the diagnosis. The antibiotic treatment is indicated in acute infection. Also, incision and drainage are recommended in abscessed processes. In this report, we present a case of retroauricular sinus infection in a 6-year-old child with congenital ear anomalies.

Las anomalías de las hendiduras y arcos branquiales son la segunda causa más común de lesiones congénitas de cabeza y cuello en niños. Representan el 8 % de todas las malformaciones congénitas y el 30 % de las de cabeza y cuello. Pueden permanecer asintomáticas o manifestarse como una tumefacción y asociarse a infecciones recurrentes supuradas en la región preauricular, subauricular o retroauricular, en las regiones de la parótida y/o del cuello. Fueron reportados casos asociados a malformaciones óticas. La tomografía computada de alta resolución y la resonancia magnética con gadolinio pueden ayudar al diagnóstico. El tratamiento médico antibiótico está indicado ante una infección aguda, además de incisión y drenaje en los procesos abscedados. El tratamiento definitivo es quirúrgico con la extirpación completa de la lesión. Se presenta a un niño de 6 años de edad con infección aguda en la región retroauricular derecha en el oído disgenésico.

Colesteatoma complicado en un niño con síndrome de Down: un caso clínico / Complicated cholesteatoma in a child with Down syndrome: a case report

El colesteatoma adquirido en niños es una enfermedad agresiva debido a su rápido crecimiento y la alta tasa de recurrencia. Las complicaciones se dividen en dos grandes grupos: las relacionadas con el hueso temporal (dentro o fuera de él) y las complicaciones intracraneales. El absceso subperióstico es la complicación extratemporal más común y es más frecuente en los niños más pequeños. Los pacientes que padecen síndrome de Down tienen una prevalencia elevada (superior al 80 %) de otitis media con efusión, que puede estar determinada anatómicamente por la hipoplasia mediofacial con una nasofaringe estrecha y adenoides hipertrófica, junto a trastornos funcionales y mecánicos de la trompa auditiva. Se presenta un niño de 8 años con síndrome de Down que desarrolló un absceso subperióstico como complicación de un colesteatoma que requirió abordaje quirúrgico inmediato para su resolución.

Acquired cholesteatoma in children is an aggressive disease due to its rapid growth and high recurrence rate. The complications are divided into intra-and extratemporal complications or intracranial complication. Subperiosteal abscess is the most common extratemporal complication. It is most frequent in young children. However, there are also other associated complications described in the literature. Down syndrome patients have anatomical and functional predisposing factors that contribute to chronic cholesteatomatous otitis media. The prevalence is greater than 80 %. In this report, we present a case of subperiosteal abscess in an 8-year-old child with Down's syndrome. This abscess presented as a complication of an extended cholesteatoma and required inmediate surgery for resolution.

Actinomicosis en el hueso temporal. Reporte de un caso pediátrico / Actinomycosis in temporal bone. A pediatric case report

La actinomicosis es una infección causada por un bacilo anaerobio Gram-positivo, filamentoso, ramificado, no esporulado. Integra la flora habitual de la orofaringe y coloniza transitoriamente el tracto gastrointestinal, genital femenino y el árbol bronquial. Es poco frecuente en el hueso temporal. Por su semejanza a un hongo, es difícil su reconocimiento, lo que hace necesaria la sospecha clínica para obtener los cultivos apropiados en condiciones anaeróbicas en forma prolongada. Los hallazgos microscópicos típicos incluyen necrosis con gránulos de azufre amarillento y la presencia de filamentos que se asemejan a infecciones fúngicas. El tratamiento requiere de elevadas y prolongadas dosis de antibiótico con penicilina o amoxicilina, entre 6 y 12 meses. La duración de la terapia antimicrobiana podría ser reducida en pacientes que han sido operados quirúrgicamente. Se presenta, a continuación, un caso clínico de actinomicosis en el hueso temporal en un paciente pediátrico que requirió tratamiento quirúrgico para su resolución.

Actinomycosis is an infection caused by a Gram-positive, filamentous anaerobic bacillus. Mainly belonging to the human commensal flora of the oropharynx, it normally colonizes the human digestive and genital tracts and the bronchial tree. It is slightly frequent in the temporal bone. Bacterial cultures and pathology are the cornerstone of diagnosis, but particular conditions are required in order to get the correct diagnosis. Prolonged bacterial cultures in anaerobic conditions are necessary to identify the bacterium and typical microscopic findings include necrosis with yellowish sulfur granules and filamentous Gram-positive fungal-like pathogens. Patients with actinomycosis require prolonged (6- to 12-month) high doses of penicillin G or amoxicillin, but the duration of antimicrobial therapy could probably be shortened in patients in whom optimal surgical resection of infected tissues has been performed. A pediatric patient with actinomycosis in temporal bone who needed surgery resolution is reported.

Fístula perilinfática de causa traumática. Reporte de un caso pediátrico / Traumatic perilymphatic fistula. Report of a pediatric case

La fístula perilinfática de causa traumática es una patología poco habitual. En general, es causada por lápices, hisopos, hebillas de pelo y fósforos.Dentro de los síntomas más frecuentes, los pacientes pueden presentar hipoacusia y vértigo. Su diagnóstico requiere un examen físico completo que incluya otomicroscopía, audiometría ytomografía computada de ambos peñascos. El tratamiento depende de la sintomatología del paciente. En general, en un principio, es conservador, pero puede llegar a requerir cirugía. Se presenta un caso clínico de un niño de 6 años con fístula perilinfática secundaria a un traumatismo del oído izquierdo por un hisopo, que requirió tratamiento quirúrgico

Traumatic perilymphatic fistula is an unusual pathology. Generally caused by pencils, swabs, hair buckles, and matches. Among the most frequent symptoms, patients can present hearing loss and vertigo.Diagnosis requires a complete physical examination that includes otomicroscopy, audiometry and computed tomography of both boulders. Treatment depends on the patient's symptoms. In general, it is conservative at first, but may require surgery.We present a clinical case of a 6-year-old boy with perilymphatic fistula secondary to left ear trauma due to swab, which required surgical treatment

[Actinomycosis in temporal bone. A pediatric case report]. / Actinomicosis en el hueso temporal. Reporte de un caso pediátrico.

Actinomycosis is an infection caused by a Gram-positive, filamentous anaerobic bacillus. Mainly belonging to the human commensal flora of the oropharynx, it normally colonizes the human digestive and genital tracts and the bronchial tree. It is slightly frequent in the temporal bone. Bacterial cultures and pathology are the cornerstone of diagnosis, but particular conditions are required in order to get the correct diagnosis. Prolonged bacterial cultures in anaerobic conditions are necessary to identify the bacterium and typical microscopic findings include necrosis with yellowish sulfur granules and filamentous Gram-positive fungal-like pathogens. Patients with actinomycosis require prolonged (6- to 12-month) high doses of penicillin G or amoxicillin, but the duration of antimicrobial therapy could probably be shortened in patients in whom optimal surgical resection of infected tissues has been performed. A pediatric patient with actinomycosis in temporal bone who needed surgery resolution is reported.

La actinomicosis es una infección causada por un bacilo anaerobio Gram-positivo, filamentoso, ramificado, no esporulado. Integra la flora habitual de la orofaringe y coloniza transitoriamente el tracto gastrointestinal, genital femenino y el árbol bronquial. Es poco frecuente en el hueso temporal. Por su semejanza a un hongo, es difícil su reconocimiento, lo que hace necesaria la sospecha clínica para obtener los cultivos apropiados en condiciones anaeróbicas en forma prolongada. Los hallazgos microscópicos típicos incluyen necrosis con gránulos de azufre amarillento y la presencia de filamentos que se asemejan a infecciones fúngicas. El tratamiento requiere de elevadas y prolongadas dosis de antibiótico con penicilina o amoxicilina, entre 6 y 12 meses. La duración de la terapia antimicrobiana podría ser reducida en pacientes que han sido operados quirúrgicamente. Se presenta, a continuación, un caso clínico de actinomicosis en el hueso temporal en un paciente pediátrico que requirió tratamiento quirúrgico para su resolución.

[Traumatic perilymphatic fistula. Report of a pediatric case]. / Fístula perilinfática de causa traumática. Reporte de un caso pediátrico.

Traumatic perilymphatic fistula is an unusual pathology. Generally caused by pencils, swabs, hair buckles, and matches. Among the most frequent symptoms, patients can present hearing loss and vertigo. Diagnosis requires a complete physical examination that includes otomicroscopy, audiometry and computed tomography of both boulders. Treatment depends on the patient's symptoms. In general, it is conservative at first, but may require surgery. We present a clinical case of a 6-year-old boy with perilymphatic fistula secondary to left ear trauma due to swab, which required surgical treatment.

La fístula perilinfática de causa traumática es una patología poco habitual. En general, es causada por lápices, hisopos, hebillas de pelo y fósforos. Dentro de los síntomas más frecuentes, los pacientes pueden presentar hipoacusia y vértigo. Su diagnóstico requiere un examen físico completo que incluya otomicroscopía, audiometría y tomografía computada de ambos peñascos. El tratamiento depende de la sintomatología del paciente. En general, en un principio, es conservador, pero puede llegar a requerir cirugía. Se presenta un caso clínico de un niño de 6 años con fístula perilinfática secundaria a un traumatismo del oído izquierdo por un hisopo, que requirió tratamiento quirúrgico.

Searching for Strangely Shaped Cookies - Is Taking a Bite Out of a Cookie Similar to Occluding Part of It?

Does recognizing the transformations that gave rise to an object's retinal image contribute to early object recognition? It might, because finding a partially occluded object among similar objects that are not occluded is more difficult than finding an object that has the same retinal image shape without evident occlusion. If this is because the occlusion is recognized as such, we might see something similar for other transformations. We confirmed that it is difficult to find a cookie with a section missing when this was the result of occlusion. It is not more difficult to find a cookie from which a piece has been bitten off than to find one that was baked in a similar shape. On the contrary, the bite marks help detect the bitten cookie. Thus, biting off a part of a cookie has very different effects on visual search than occluding part of it. These findings do not support the idea that observers rapidly and automatically compensate for the ways in which objects' shapes are transformed to give rise to the objects' retinal images. They are easy to explain in terms of detecting characteristic features in the retinal image that such transformations may hide or create.

Mononuclear cell collection for extracorporeal photopheresis by using the "off-line" system: A comparative study between COBE Spectra and Spectra Optia devices.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is an efficient and established therapy to treat acute and chronic graft vs host disease (GVHD). Using an "off-line" method, the first step (mononuclear cell [MNC] collection) is decisive, as long as a high MNC yield and purity in the collected product is desirable. Two "off-line" devices were compared: the COBE Spectra and the Spectra Optia (Terumo BCT), using both continuous and intermittent protocols. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twelve patients with GvHD (7 acute/5 chronic) were enrolled between June 2014 and May 2015 and were alternatively assigned for each procedure to either the COBE Spectra or the Spectra Optia cell separator. Patients characteristics and procedure/product parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Two hundred procedures (100 per device) were included. The Spectra Optia system showed higher total nucleated cells and MNC collection efficiencies (18.6(10.2-29.7) vs 7.9(4.1-14.8)% and 43.6(20.3-59.5) vs 23.3(11.4-37.1)%, P < .001) and monocyte and lymphocyte collection efficiencies (55.2(17.7-83.2) vs 22.8(9-38.9)% and 38.3(26.7-53.4) vs 22.2(9-38.9)%, respectively, P < .001). Absolute platelet loss (PL) and PL per liter of blood processed were significantly lower in the Spectra Optia group (22.9(18.3-28.1) vs 33.6(26.5-41.1)%, P < .001 and 3.7(3.1-4.5) vs 4.3(3.5-4.2)%, P = .01, respectively). However, granulocyte contamination was higher (4.5(1.3-36) vs 1.2(0.4-5.7)%, P < .001) and a higher product haematocrit was obtained with the Spectra Optia (1(0.5-1.6) vs 0.3(0.2-0.5)%, P < .001), without an impact on irradiation time. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, Spectra Optia proved to be safe and effective in collecting MNC with high yield and purity for ECP in GvHD.

Abcesos profundos de cuello: Reporte de tres casos pediátricos / Deep neck infections: Report of three pediatric cases

Los abscesos retro y parafaríngeos son procesos infrecuentes aunque asociados con morbilidad significativa y potencial mortalidad. En los últimos años, se ha detectado un aumento de incidencia de estas infecciones, que se debe, principalmente, a una mayor disponibilidad de la tomografía computada y a mayor virulencia de los gérmenes (Streptococcus beta hemolítico del grupo A y Staphilococcus aureus meticilino resistente). Predominan en menores de 5 años. El tratamiento de los abscesos retro y parafaríngeos consiste en antibiótico endovenoso y, eventualmente, drenaje quirúrgico. Serían pasibles de tratamiento quirúrgico aquellos pacientes con abscesos mayores de 2 cm³, con dificultad respiratoria o mala respuesta al tratamiento antibiótico inicial. El objetivo de este reporte es presentar las características clínicas y el tratamiento de tres pacientes con abscesos profundos de cuello que se presentaron en Otorrinolaringología del Hospital de Niños Pedro de Elizalde en el período de un año.

Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscesses are rare but associated with significant morbidity and potential mortality. In recent years, there has been an increase in the incidence of these infections, mainly due to a greater availability of computed tomography scan and a greater virulence of the germs (Group A b-hemolytic Streptococcus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). They predominate in children younger than 5 years. Treatment of retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscesses consists of an intravenous antibiotic and eventually surgical drainage. Surgical treatment is indicated in patients with abscesses greater than 2 cm³, with respiratory difficulty or poor response to initial antibiotic treatment. The aim of this study is to describe clinical features and treatment of three cases of deep neck abscesses presented at Hospital de Niños Pedro de Elizalde, Otorhinolaryngology Department in the period of one year.

[Deep neck infections: Report of three pediatric cases]. / Abcesos profundos de cuello: Reporte de tres casos pediátricos.

Retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscesses are rare but associated with significant morbidity and potential mortality. In recent years, there has been an increase in the incidence of these infections, mainly due to a greater availability of computed tomography scan and a greater virulence of the germs (Group A b-hemolytic Streptococcus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). They predominate in children younger than 5 years. Treatment of retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscesses consists of an intravenous antibiotic and eventually surgical drainage. Surgical treatment is indicated in patients with abscesses greater than 2 cm 3, with respiratory difficulty or poor response to initial antibiotic treatment. The aim of this study is to describe clinical features and treatment of three cases of deep neck abscesses presented at Hospital de Niños Pedro de Elizalde, Otorhinolaryngology Department in the period of one year.

Los abscesos retro y parafaríngeos son procesos infrecuentes aunque asociados con morbilidad significativa y potencial mortalidad. En los últimos años, se ha detectado un aumento de incidencia de estas infecciones, que se debe, principalmente, a una mayor disponibilidad de la tomografía computada y a mayor virulencia de los gérmenes (Streptococcus beta hemolítico del grupo A y Staphilococcus aureus meticilino resistente). Predominan en menores de 5 años. El tratamiento de los abscesos retro y parafaríngeos consiste en antibiótico endovenoso y, eventualmente, drenaje quirúrgico. Serían pasibles de tratamiento quirúrgico aquellos pacientes con abscesos mayores de 2 cm 3, con dificultad respiratoria o mala respuesta al tratamiento antibiótico inicial. El objetivo de este reporte es presentar las características clínicas y el tratamiento de tres pacientes con abscesos profundos de cuello que se presentaron en Otorrinolaringología del Hospital de Niños Pedro de Elizalde en el período de un año.