Long-term outcome of older patients with newly diagnosed de novo acute promyelocytic leukemia treated with ATRA plus anthracycline-based therapy.

Treatment outcome in older patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is lower compared with younger patients, mainly because of a higher induction death rate and postremission non-relapse mortality (NRM). This prompted us to design a risk- and age-adapted protocol (Programa Español de Tratamientos en Hematología (PETHEMA)/HOVON LPA2005), with dose reduction of consolidation chemotherapy. Patients aged ⩾60 years reported to the PETHEMA registry and were treated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) plus anthracycline-based regimens according to three consecutive PETHEMA trials that were included. We compared the long-term outcomes of the LPA2005 trial with the preceding PETHEMA trials using non-age-adapted schedules (LPA96&LPA99). From 1996 to 2012, 389 older patients were registered, of whom 268 patients (69%) were eligible. Causes of ineligibility were secondary APL (19%), and unfit for chemotherapy (11%). Median age was 67 years, without relevant differences between LPA2005 and LPA96&LPA99 cohorts. Overall, 216 patients (81%) achieved complete remission with no differences between trials. The 5-year NRM, cumulative incidence of relapse, disease-free survival and overall survival in the LPA2005 vs the LPA96&99 were 5 vs 18% (P=0.15), 7 vs 12% (P=0.23), 87 vs 69% (P=0.04) and 74 vs 60% (P=0.06). A less intensive front-line regimen with ATRA and anthracycline monochemotherapy resulted in improved outcomes in older APL patients.

Comparison of BLUE and BLUP/REML in the selection of clones and families of potato (Solanum tuberosum).

The use of best linear unbiased prediction/restricted maximum likelihood (BLUP/REML) in perennial crops and animal breeding enhances selection gain. However, its advantage with respect to annual crops is not clear. We compared the BLUP and best linear unbiased estimator selection efficiency in the breeding of various potato generations. This was done by simulating various selection intensities on clonal families (full sibs), and clones. The characters evaluated were tuber yield and tuber specific gravity. Two criteria were adopted for comparison: a) incidence of families or clones and b) selection gain. For tuber yield, BLUP/REML method was slightly more efficient for selecting families in the first clonal generation, if it were above 50%. Below this value, both methods were equivalent. However, they both presented equal behavior for family selection of tuber specific gravity. For clonal selection, BLUP/REML showed robust superiority from 10 to 90% selection intensities in both characters. Therefore, the adequate use of BLUP/REML in potato breeding can enhance the selection gain on the yield and specific gravity of tubers.

Miositis osificante circunscrita bilateral de cadera en paciente con TEC severo complicado: caso clínico y revisión de literatura / Myositis ossificans circumscripta of bilateral hip in patient with severe complicated TBI: case report and literature review

To describe the pathology Myosistis ossificans circumscripta (MOC) in a patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) complicated, emphasizing clinical features, imaging utility, surgery and postoperative prophylaxis with indomethacin. Introduction: MOC corresponds to heterotopic soft tissue calcification secondary to direct or repetitive trauma, in close relationship with TBI. The initial study is radiological, but computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the studies of choice. Case report: Male, 33 years old, polytraumatized with severe TBI complicated. That one year after his discharge from the hospital, beban with increased volume inguinocrural bilateral, progressive, compatible with bitateral MOC Brooker 4. Surgical resection im two stages, both with postoperative prophylaxis with Indomethacin. It evolved with excellent response, symtomatic remission without recurrence after two years of follow-up. Discussion: MOC is a rare disease, where the combined medical surgical management is of utmost importance when treating this disease and prevent recurrences...

Describir la patología Miositis Osificante Circunscrita (MOC) en paciente con traumatismo encéfalo craneano (TEC) severo complicado, enfatizando características clínicas, utilidad de imágenes, tratamiento quirúrgico y profilaxis postoperatoria con Indometacina. Introducción: MOC corresponde a la calcificación heterotópica de tejidos blandos secundaria a traumatismo directo o repetitivo, en estrecha relación con TEC. El estudio inicial es radiológico por tomografía computada (TC) y resonancia magnética (RNM), son los estudios a elección. Presentación de cado: Hombre, 33 años, politraumatizado, con TEC severo complicado. Que tras un año de alta comenzó con aumento de volumen inguinocrural bilateral, progresivo, compatible con MOC bilateral Brooker 4. Resección quirúrgica de dos tiempos, ambas con profilaxis postoperatoria con Indometacina. Evolucionó con excelente respuesta, remisión sintomática y sin recurrencias tras dos años de seguimiento. Discusión: MOC es una enfermedad infrecuente, donde el manejo médico-quirúrgico combinado es de suma importancia al momento de tratar esta patología y prevenir recurrencias...

Selection indices to identify drought-tolerant grain sorghum cultivars.

Twenty-five cultivars of grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] were examined under both drought stress and normal conditions in 4 experiments. In each condition, genotypes were evaluated in a factorial experiment using a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Eight drought tolerance indices including stability tolerance index, mean productivity (MP), geometric MP, harmonic mean, stress susceptibility index, tolerance index, yield index, and yield stability index were estimated for each genotype based on grain yield under drought (Ys) and irrigated conditions (Yp). The results indicated that there were positive and significant correlations among Yp and Ys with geometric MP, MP, harmonic mean, and stability tolerance index, indicating that these factors are better predictors of Yp and Ys than tolerance index, stress susceptibility index, yield stability index, and yield index. Based on adjusted means at Yp and Ys, indices geometric MP, MP, harmonic mean, and stability tolerance index, unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean cluster and biplot analysis, the most tolerant cultivars were '9929020', '9929034', and 'N 95B'.

Surco diagonal del lóbulo de la oreja: prevalencia y asociación con enfermedad cardiovascular en población hospitalizada / Diagonal earlobe crease: prevalence and association between semiology and cardio- vascular disease in hospitalized population

El Surco Diagonal del Lóbulo de la Oreja (DELC) corresponde al primer signo extra cardíaco de Enfermedad Coronaria (EC) y se asocia con ateroesclerosis generalizada, existiendo controversia en torno a su validez. Objetivos: Determinarla prevalencia del signo en la población de muy alto riesgo cardiovascular hospitalizada en un centro del área sur de Santiago y conocer su comportamiento en relación a EC y Accidente Cerebrovascular (ACV). Método: Estudio de casos y controles. Se incluyeron 304 pacientes masculinos >60 años, con antecedente de EC y hospitalizados entre mayo y diciembre de 2012 en el Hospital El Pino. Se dividieron en dos grupos evaluándose retrospectivamente la presencia/ausencia de DELC mediante fotografía. Grupo 1: sometidos a Coronariografía, con obstrucción significativa (>50 por ciento estenosis) ≥1 arteria coronaria. Grupo 2: sometidos a Tomografía Computarizada de cerebro con hipodensidad parénquima cerebral, borramiento surcos, edema cerebral, y/o hemorragia intraparenquimatosa. Se definieron como controles pacientes con resultado de intervenciones sin las lesiones definidas. Relación casos y controles 1:1. Se determinó la prevalencia del signo. Los resultados se ajustaron según factores de riesgo cardiovascular, mediante regresión logística condicional. Resultados: Prevalencia DELC casos (56,96 por ciento), fue mayor que controles (43,04 por ciento) (p<0,01). Odds ratio de DELC: EC= 2,79 [1,14–6,83] (p<0,03), y ACV = 2,55 [1,19–5,48] (p<0,02). Conclusión: Este estudio identificó una diferencia significativa entre la prevalencia de DELC en ambos grupos, coincidiendo los resultados de nuestra población con la literatura disponible. Se detectó asociación positiva, significativa e independiente de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular, entre DELC con EC y ACV...

The Diagonal Earlobe Crease is the first extracardiac sign of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), associated with generalized atherosclerosis. There is controversy about its validity. Objective: Determine sign’s prevalence in hospitalized population with very-high cardiovascular risk, of a medical center in the southern area of Santiago-Chile, and recognize its association with CHD and Cerebrovascular Disease (CVD). Method: Case and control study. 304 male patients, >60 years-old, with personal CHD medical history and hospitalized between May and December of 2012 at El Pino Hospital were included. They were divided in 2 groups, evaluating the presence/absence of DELCby photography. Group 1: submitted to coronarography with significant obstruction (>50 percent stenosis) in >1 coronary artery. Group 2: submitted to simple brain computed tomography with hypodensity of cerebral parenchyma, effacement of sulci, brain edema and/or intraparenchymatous hemorrhage. Controls we redefined as patients wich result of interventions lack the described injuries. Case-Control ratio of 1:1. The sign’s prevalence was determined. The results where adjusted according to cardiovascular risk factors, by conditional logistic regression. Results: Prevalence of DELC in cases (56.96 percent), was higher than controls(43.04 percent) (p<0.01). DELC Odds Ratio: CHD = 2.79 [1.14-6.83](p<0.03), and CVD = 2,55 [1.19–5.48] (p<0.02). Conclusion: This study identified a significative difference between prevalence in both groups, similar with the tendency described in literature. This study, also detected a significant positive association, independent of cardiovascular risk factors, between DELC with CHD and CVD...

Inter-observer variance with the diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) following the 2008 WHO classification.

Morphology is the basis of the diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The WHO classification offers prognostic information and helps with the treatment decisions. However, morphological changes are subject to potential inter-observer variance. The aim of our study was to explore the reliability of the 2008 WHO classification of MDS, reviewing 100 samples previously diagnosed with MDS using the 2001 WHO criteria. Specimens were collected from 10 hospitals and were evaluated by 10 morphologists, working in five pairs. Each observer evaluated 20 samples, and each sample was analyzed independently by two morphologists. The second observer was blinded to the clinical and laboratory data, except for the peripheral blood (PB) counts. Nineteen cases were considered as unclassified MDS (MDS-U) by the 2001 WHO classification, but only three remained as MDS-U by the 2008 WHO proposal. Discordance was observed in 26 of the 95 samples considered suitable (27 %). Although there were a high number of observers taking part, the rate of discordance was quite similar among the five pairs. The inter-observer concordance was very good regarding refractory anemia with excess blasts type 1 (RAEB-1) (10 of 12 cases, 84 %), RAEB-2 (nine of 10 cases, 90 %), and also good regarding refractory cytopenia with multilineage dysplasia (37 of 50 cases, 74 %). However, the categories with unilineage dysplasia were not reproducible in most of the cases. The rate of concordance with refractory cytopenia with unilineage dysplasia was 40 % (two of five cases) and 25 % with RA with ring sideroblasts (two of eight). Our results show that the 2008 WHO classification gives a more accurate stratification of MDS but also illustrates the difficulty in diagnosing MDS with unilineage dysplasia.

Presencia de síndrome de burnout en Hospital El Pino y su relación con variables epidemiológicas / Presence burnout's syndrome in El Pino Hospital and his relation with epidemiological variables

INTRODUCCIÓN: El Síndrome de Burnout corresponde a la intensificación de la sintomatología del estrés, debido a una relación constante con personas que sufren. OBJETIVO: Establecer la prevalencia del Síndrome de Burnout entre profesionales de salud del Hospital El Pino y su asociación con variables sociodemográficas y laborales. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Estudio descriptivo transversal. Muestra de 99 profesionales de salud del Hospital El Pino, se les aplicó el cuestionario Maslach Burnout Inventory y una encuesta de datos elaborada por los autores, durante Septiembre 2009. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva con comparación de porcentajes por prueba Chi Cuadrado. RESULTADOS: Tasa de respuesta del 70,7 por ciento. La presencia del Síndrome de Burnout en profesionales de salud del Hospital El Pino fue del 51,5 por ciento. No hubo asociación estadística entre Síndrome de Burnout y las variables: sexo, edad, áreas de servicios, horas de trabajo, número de turnos noche y estado civil (p<0,05); sí hubo asociación con las variables número de hijos y profesión (p<0,05). DISCUSIÓN: El Síndrome de Burnout tiene una alta y significativa presencia en los profesionales de salud del Hospital El Pino. Es importante aplicar medidas de cuidado y preventivas para proteger al personal de salud frente al Síndrome de Burnout.

INTRODUCTION: Burnout's Syndrome corresponds to the intensification of the own stress’s symptomatology, due to a constant relation with people that suffers. OBJETIVE: To establish the Burnout's Syndrome’s prevalence in the "Health’s Care Professionals of El Pino Hospital" and his association with sociolabor and demographic variables. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Sample of 99 “Health’s Care Professionals of El Pino Hospital”,there was applied the Maslach Burnout Inventory and information survey, during September 2009. Was did descriptive statistics with comparison of percentages by Chi-square test. RESULTS: Rate of response 70.7 percent. Presence of the Burnout's Syndrome 51.5 percent. There was no statistical association between Burnout's Syndrome and the variables: sex, age, areas of services, working hours, number of shifts in the night and marital status (p<0.05). There was a strong association between "number of children" and "profession" with the Burnout's Syndrome (p<0.05). DISCUSSION: Burnout's Syndrome has a high and significant presence in the “Health’s Care Professionals of El Pino Hospital”. It is important to apply care and preventive measures to protect the Health personnel.

Importancia de la distancia entre suturas en la reconstrucción coracoclavicular: un estudio desde las ciencias básicas / Relevance of the distance between sutures in a coracoclavicular reconstruction: from basic science study

Introducción: La luxación acromioclavicular es una lesión traumática del hombro. Las alternativas quirúrgicas incluyen el uso de tornillos, suturas o anclajes. El uso de suturas tipo Fiber- Tape™ es una alternativa usada frecuentemente, sin tener actualmente un consenso sobre las variables que influyen en la resistencia de la reparación. Objetivo: Evaluar el punto máximo de fallo (PMF) de distintas distancias entre los nudos de suturas FiberTape™. Hipótesis: Una mayor distancia entre las suturas aumenta la resistencia. Material y Método: Modelo mecánico porcino ex vivo. Tres grupos de 12 muestras (N=36). Grupo 1: distancia 5 mm, Grupo 2: distancia 10 mm, Grupo 3: distancia 15 mm. Se realiza una tracción axial continua y progresiva, hasta el fallo. Resultados: Grupo 1: 312N (182-442N), Grupo 2: 430N (368-595N), Grupo 3: 595,5N (441-978N) (p≤0,05). Conclusión: La distancia de 15 mm entre los nudos presenta una resistencia superior, estadísticamente significativa respecto al resto.

Introduction: Acromioclavicular dislocation is a traumatic injury of the shoulder. The surgical options include the use of screws, sutures or anchors. The use of sutures type FiberTape™ is a frequently used alternative, having no current consensus on the variables that influence the strength of the repair. Objective: Evaluate ultimate failure point (UFP) of differents distances between the knots of Fibertape™ suture. Hypothesis: A greater distance between sutures improves resistance. Material and Method: Porcine metatarsal samples- Three groups of 12 samples (N=36). Group 1: 5 mm of distance, Group 2: 10 mm of distance, Group 3: 15 mm of distance. A continuous axial traction until failure was applied. Results: Group 1: 312N (182-442N), Group 2: 430N (368-595N), Group 3: 595,5N (441-978N) (p<0.05). Conclusion: The distance of 15 mm between the nodes has a higher resistence, statistically significant compared to the rest.

Osteopetrosis: reporte de un caso en paciente de 20 años / Osteopetrosis: a case report in a 20 years old patient

Introducción: El concepto de Osteopetrosis agrupa un conjunto de enfermedades óseas caracterizadas por aumento de la densidad ósea, debido a una disfunción osteoclástica. Esto determina una insuficiente resorción ósea, provocando un aumento en la densidad ósea, osteoesclerosis generalizada, disminución de la resistencia ósea e incluso supresión de la médula ósea. Presentación del caso: Paciente de sexo masculino, de 20 años de edad, antecedentes de consanguinidad, con diagnóstico de osteopetrosis. Se destacan hidrocefalia, retraso del desarrollo psicomotor, anopsia bilateral, fracturas reiteradas, osteomielitis maxilar bilateral crónica e hipoplasia medular. Consulta frecuentemente por episodios reiterados de diátesis hemorrágica (epistaxis y gingivorragia). Radiografías revelan aumento de la densidad ósea, deformidades y esclerosis ósea difusa. Discusión: Llama la atención la prolongada sobrevivencia de este paciente, mantenido con transfusiones de eritrocitos y plaquetas frente a cada episodio hemorragíparo. Conclusiones: El diagnóstico precoz y tratamiento oportuno evitarán alteraciones irreversibles, optimizando la calidad de vida de los pacientes y sus familias.

Introduction: Osteopetrosis refers to a group of bone diseases characterized by increased bone density due to osteoclast dysfunction. This leads to insufficient bone resorption, leading to increased bone density, generalized osteosclerosis, decreased bone strength and even bone marrow suppression. Case report: Man 20 years old, history of consanguinity, diagnosticated with osteopetrosis. Stands out hydrocephalus, psychomotor developmental delay, bilateral anopsia, repeated fractures, chronic bilateral maxillary osteomyelitis, and bone marrow hypoplasia. Frequently consult by repeated episodes of hemorrhagic diathesis (epistaxis and gingivorrhagia). X-rays revealed increased bone density, bone deformities and diffuse osteosclerosis. Discussion: Calls the attention the prolonged survival of this patient, maintained with red cell and platelets transfusions after each bleeding episode. Conclusions: Early diagnosis and prompt treatment prevent irreversible damage, optimizing quality of life of patients and their families.

[Persistent acute hepatitis in a patient with chronic hepatitis C]. / Hepatitis aguda mantenida en paciente con hepatitis crónica C previa.

We describe the case of a patient with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) who showed a progressive increase in aminotransferase level, reaching values of aspartate aminotransferase 1723 UI/L, alanine aminotransferase 1519 UI/L and gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase 296 with a bilirubin level of 6 mg/dL and direct bilirubin level of 4.6 mg/dL. One year previously, the patient had been diagnosed with CHC, genotype 1, and had an initial hepatitis C virus RNA load of 249,000 UI/mL. All the specific blood tests performed were negative except for antisoluble liver antigen (anti-SLA) antibodies, which were positive in two different determinations. A diagnosis of overlap syndrome CHC and autoimmune hepatitis was made. Steroid and azathioprine treatment was started with good response. The relationship between CHC and anti-SLA is not well characterized but has been described in these patients. We found no prior reports in the literature of CHC associated with positive anti-SLA in a patient with persistent acute hepatitis.

Hepatitis aguda mantenida en paciente con hepatitis crónica C previa / Persistent acute hepatitis in a patient with chronic hepatitis C

Describimos el caso de un paciente con hepatitis crónica C (HCC) en quien se detectó un incremento progresivo de las transaminasas que alcanzaron valores de aspartato aminotransferasa (AST) de 1.723 U/l, alanina aminotransferasa (ALT) de 1.519 U/l y gammaglutamil transpeptidasa (GGT) de 296 U/l, con un valor de bilirrubina de 6 mg/dl (la bilirrubina directa fue de 4,6 mg/dl). Entre sus antecedentes destaca el diagnóstico previo de una HCC con genotipo 1 y carga viral inicial de 249.000 U/ml. Todas las pruebas analíticas realizadas fueron negativas, a excepción de un antígeno soluble hepático (anti-SLA) positivo en 2 determinaciones consecutivas. Se estableció el diagnóstico de síndrome de superposición HCC y hepatitis autoinmune asociada a anti-SLA, por lo que se inició un tratamiento combinado con esteroides y azatioprina, con buena respuesta clínica y analítica. La relación entre la HCC y la positividad a anti-SLA ha sido escasamente estudiada, pero sí se ha descrito en estos pacientes. Sin embargo, no existe ningún caso en la bibliografía que haya comenzado en forma de hepatitis aguda sobre una HCC ya conocida, como ocurrió en el nuestro

We describe the case of a patient with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) who showed a progressive increase in aminotransferase level, reaching values of aspartate aminotransferase 1723 UI/L, alanine aminotransferase 1519 UI/L and gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase 296 with a bilirubin level of 6 mg/dL and direct bilirubin level of 4.6 mg/dL. One year previously, the patient had been diagnosed with CHC, genotype 1, and had an initial hepatitis C virus RNA load of 249,000 UI/mL. All the specific blood tests performed were negative except for antisoluble liver antigen (anti-SLA) antibodies, which were positive in two different determinations. A diagnosis of overlap syndrome CHC and autoimmune hepatitis was made. Steroid and azathioprine treatment was started with good response. The relationship between CHC and anti-SLA is not well characterized but has been described in these patients. We found no prior reports in the literature of CHC associated with positive anti-SLA in a patient with persistent acute hepatitis

Expectativas de estudiantes de medicina de pregrado en relación al perfil de médico esperado / Undergraduate medical students' expectative of their desired profile as medical doctors

Background: During the last few years, multiple new medical schools have emerged in Chile, associated to the constant preoccupation to provide a good quality medical care. This created the need to evaluate medical training programs and to open a discussion about the attributes that a good physician should have. Aim: To evaluate the medical student's perception of the ideal medical doctor profile. Material and methods: An analytical, descriptive and cross sectional study was designed. Eleven second year, 11 third year, nine fourth year, 13 fifth year, 6 sixth year and 8 seventh year students were studied. Data collection was gathered by focus groups. Codes and triangulation were used for data analysis. Results: As attitudes and moral-ethical values, students valued the absence of discrimination a listening attitude and empathy. Among job related issues, they valued responsibility and punctuality. Emotional and legal self-care were valued as self related attitudes. Among skills, competences and capacities, a value was given to communicational skills, team work and professional easiness. Knowledge about medical and non medical topics was appraised. The valued attributes among duties and activities were patient diagnosis, treatment and education, team leadership and continuous medical training. Conclusions: These findings should help to design new curricula for medical schools.

Evaluación de la calidad de comunicación entre niveles asistenciales mediante el documento interconsulta / Evaluation of the quality of communication between care levels through the inter-consultation document

Objetivos. Evaluar la calidad y mejora de cumplimentación de los documentos de interconsulta en el equipo de atención primaria (EAP). Diseño. Ciclo completo de calidad. Emplazamiento. Atención primaria (AP).Componentes de la evaluación. Dimensión estudiada: calidad científico-técnica. Sujetos: todos los documentos de interconsulta (DI-1) dirigidos por los médicos de AP del centro de salud de Irún Centro a atención especializada durante 15 días, 223 DI-1 para la evaluación en abril de 1998 y 287 para la reevaluación en octubre 1998. Tipo de evaluación: retrospectiva. Fuente de datos: documentos interconsulta e historias clínicas. Criterios: explícitos y normativos. Medidas correctoras: educativas (discusión de resultados en reunión del EAP).Resultados. En la reevaluación se observó una mejoría estadísticamente significativa: datos de filiación (91,5-96,8 por ciento), legibilidad (86-92,7 por ciento), antecedentes y/o medicación habitual (35,9-50 por ciento) y sintomatología (77,8-87,2 por ciento). Por niveles de calidad se ha pasado en los buenos del 20,6 al 42,5 por ciento y en los malos del 40,8 al 33,4 por ciento. Obtuvimos respuesta en un 22,2 por ciento de nuestras derivaciones. La falta de respuesta se produce en un 34 por ciento por no haber informe del especialista, un 47,8 por ciento se atribuyen al paciente o al circuito y el 18 por ciento de los pacientes está pendiente de pruebas. Conclusiones. La información proporcionada en los DI-1 ha mejorado significativamente después del ciclo de calidad. Conocer nuestra práctica habitual de trabajo sirve como estimulo de mejora. Los criterios que peor cumplimos son: referencia a antecedentes personales y/o medicación habitual, exploración física y medidas terapéuticas empleadas. Gran perdida de información en la respuesta a nuestras derivaciones (AU)

[Evaluation of the quality of communication between levels of care through the inter-consultation document]. / Evaluación de la calidad de comunicación entre niveles asistenciales mediante el documento interconsulta.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the quality and improvement of compliance in the inter-consultation documents of the primary care team (PCT). DESIGN: Entire care cycle. SETTING: Primary care (PC). MEASUREMENTS: Dimension studied: scientific-technical quality. SUBJECTS: all the inter-consultation documents (ID-1) sent by PC doctors from Irun Health Centre to specialist clinics over a 15-day period. 223 ID-1 for evaluation in April 1998, and 287 for re-evaluation in October 1998. Type of evaluation: retrospective. SOURCE OF DATA: inter-consultation documents and clinical records. CRITERIA: explicit and standard. Corrective measures: educational (discussion of results in meeting of the PCT). RESULTS: A statistically significant improvement was found at the re-evaluation: basic personal details (91.5%-96.8%), legibility (86%-92.7%), medical history and/or customary medication (35.9%-50%) and symptoms (77.8%-87.2%). Good quality levels rose from 20.6% to 42.5%; and bad quality levels fell from 40.8% to 33.4%. 22.2% of our referrals received a reply. 34% of the lack of replies was because of no report from the specialist, 47.8% were attributed to the patient or circuit, and 18% of the patients were awaiting test results. CONCLUSIONS: The information supplied in the ID-1 improved significantly after the quality cycle. Knowing our habitual working practice can serve to stimulate improvement. The criteria we complied with least were: reference to personal antecedents and/or habitual medication, physical examination, and therapeutic measures employed. There was a huge loss of information in the replies to our referrals.

[Bacterial urovirulence factors and their association with functional and anatomical abnormalities and recurrence of urinary tract infections in children]. / Factores de urovirulencia bacteriana: asociación con recurrencias y anomalías anatómicas y funcionales en niños con infección del tracto urinario.

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections in children are associated with functional and anatomical abnormalities of the urinary tract, they tend to recur and can cause permanent kidney damage. AIM: To study in children with urinary tract infections, microbiological factors associated to recurrence, functional and anatomical abnormalities of the urinary tract. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective sample of children was incorporated into a follow-up protocol after their first episode of bacteriologically-demonstrated urinary tract infection. In all patients an abdominal ultrasound examination and a mictional urethrocystography were done and the presence of fimbriae was studied in isolated strains of Escherichia coli. RESULTS: Two hundred fifteen cases bad an adequate adherence to the study protocol, 190 caused by E coli. Fimbriated E coli strains were isolated with greater frequency from children with pyelonephritis than from those with a low urinary tract infection (50 and 28% respectively). The absence of fimbriae in E coli strains was associated with a higher risk of recurrent infections (odds ratio = 3, confidence intervals = 2-9.2) and an abnormal urethrocystography (odds ratio = 3, confidence intervals = 1.1-10.2). CONCLUSIONS: These data are consistent with foreign reports and support the need to study adhesins in E coli strains isolated from children with urinary tract infections.

Quimioterapia de rescate de tumores germinales con el platino etoposido e ifosfapida (PEI) / Chemotheraphy of germinals neoplasms with platinium, etoposide and ifosfamide (PEI)

Entre junio de 1988 y 1992 tratamos 17 pacientes portadores de tumores germinales con enfermedad recurrente o refractaria luego de terapia estándar con el régimen PEI (Platino: 100 mg/m2, Etopósido 75 mg/m2, Ifosfamida 1.2 g/m2x5 con rescate mesna 1200 mg/díax5) con el objeto de evaluar la eficacia y la toxicidad del régimen. 16 casos fueron de origen testicular y uno, mediastinal. Todos de sexo masculino. La edad promedio: 27.59 años (STD 6.77 años). Según la clasificación de Indiana al debut: enfermedad avanzada 10(58.82 por ciento), moderada 6(35.29 por ciento) y mínimo 1(5.88 por ciento). Siete fueron relapsos luego de haber estado sin evidencia de enfermedad con un PLE de 9.85 meses. El índice de respuestas fue 70.6 por ciento (95 por ciento CI 48.98-92.25) de los cuales 8(47.05 por ciento) (95 por ciento CI 23,3-70.7) alcanzaron RC,4(23,53 por ciento) (95 por ciento CI 3.37-43.69) tuvieron RP y 5(29.4 por ciento) (95 por ciento CI 7.75-51.06) no respondieron. 4 (23.52 por ciento) se encuentran libres de enfermedad, 4(23.52 por ciento) estan vivos pero con enfermedad activa. 9 pacientes han fallecido, uno sin evidencia de enfermedad por una complicación no atribuible al tratamiento y los 8 restantes por enfermedad evolutiva. Los factores asociados con buena respuesta fueron: categoría de enfermedad inicial mínima o moderada, respuesta completa a terapia inicial y volumen de enfermedad al inicio de terapia de rescate. Todos los pacientes tuvieron algún grado de toxicidad hematológica, 11(64,7 por ciento) de grado 4(WMO). Un paciente desarrolló toxicidad renal grado 4. No se observaron casos de hematuria. En conclusión: El régimen PEI es efectivo como terapia de rescate en los pacientes considerados como relapsos a terapia inicial y los que tienen enfermedad residual mínima y pudiera ser considerado como parte de la estrategia inicial en los pacientes con factores de pronóstico desfavorable. Los pacientes con enfermedad refractaria al tratamiento inicial no son buenos candidatos para este esquema de rescate.