Isquemia aguda de las extremidades superiores e inferiores secundaria a consumo de sustancias psicoactivas / Acute ischemia of the upper and lower extremities secondary to the consumption of psychoactive substances

Introducción: la isquemia aguda se caracteriza por una disminución repentina de la perfusión arterial de la extremidad, con una amenaza potencial para su supervivencia, que requiere evaluación y manejo urgentes. Es una enfermedad causada por varias etiologías, incluida la aterotrombosis y la embolización periférica. Sin embargo, se han presentado casos raros en adultos jóvenes en los que también deben considerarse otras etiologías. Caso clínico: presentamos dos casos raros de pacientes que desarrollaron isquemia aguda de las extremidades debido a vasoespasmo prolongado secundario al consumo de sustancias psicoactivas. Discusión: el vasoespasmo es una causa rara de isquemia aguda de las extremidades. Nuestro reporte de casos documenta la complejidad y la importancia de las consideraciones diagnósticas diferenciales que deben realizarse en pacientes con estos antecedentes personales y con dichas características clínicas, en los que no hay causas ateroscleróticas de isquemia en las extremidades. (AU)

Introduction: acute ischemia is characterized by a sudden decrease in arterial perfusion of the extremity, with a potential threat to its survival, which requires urgent evaluation and management. It is a disease caused by various etiologies, including atherothrombosis and peripheral embolization. However, rare cases have occurred in young adults where other etiologies must also be considered. Case report: we present two rare cases of patients who developed acute limb ischemia due to prolonged vasospasm secondary to psychoactive substance use. Discussion: vasospasm is a rare cause of acute limb ischemia. Our case report documents the complexity and importance of the differential diagnostic considerations that must be made in patients with these personal backgrounds and with these clinical characteristics, in whom there are no atherosclerotic causes of ischemia in the extremities. (AU)

Cost-effectiveness analysis of intralesional and perilesional recombinant human epidermal growth factor vs hydrocolloid therapy in venous ulcer treatment in the Colombian context.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a comparative analysis of health care expenses and outcomes in response to the question: What is the cost-effectiveness of intralesional and perilesional recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) compared with hydrocolloid therapy in patients diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency without infection in Colombia? METHODS: A Markov model was used to determine cost effectiveness over a 5-year period, considering the perspective of the health system in Colombia. The study included patients aged >18 years diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency and used clinical studies to calculate the probabilities of epithelialization, infection, recurrence, and mortality. RESULTS: RhEGF is more expensive per unit than hydrocolloids, but it is proven to be effective at healing ulcers in 8 to 12 weeks, even in complex cases. Hydrocolloids, in contrast, typically require 29.5 weeks on average, and ≤46 weeks for complex cases. Despite the cost, rhEGF is more cost effective because it achieves results comparable with hydrocolloid therapy at a lower cost per additional quality-adjusted life-year. CONCLUSIONS: Based on cost-effectiveness analysis, rhEGF is a superior alternative to hydrocolloids for treating venous ulcers in Colombia. Not only is it more affordable, but it also enhances patients' quality of life and streamlines the health care system's resource use.

Survival after a two-stage surgical approach in hepatopulmonary fusion: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital diaphragmatic hernias are a rare developmental defect. Pulmonary complications are more frequently seen in right sided defects (Partridge et al., 2016). Hepatopulmonary fusion is a rare and highly mortal malformation exclusively seen in right sided congenital diaphragmatic hernias marked by the fibrovascular fusion of the liver and lung. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A newborn male presented with respiratory distress and a 1-minute APGAR score of 7. A chest radiograph showed complete opacification of the right hemithorax, and a CT-Scan confirmed a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, an intrathoracic location of the liver and secondary pulmonary hypoplasia. 48 h after, intraoperative findings showed fusion of diaphragm, lung and liver tissue. Four months after, complete tissue division of the lower lobe from the fused liver segments VII/VIII and correction of the hernia defect was achieved. The patient was discharged from the hospital six months after. DISCUSSION: Partial division of tissues is described as the safest and most successful approach to hepatopulmonary fusion. The tally of all cases reported worldwide until 2020 shows higher survival rates with complete division of tissues (Ferguson DM; Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Study Group, 2020) Reported cases lean towards one-session surgical interventions. A two-stage surgical approach allows an initial low surgical trauma to manage compressive effects on intrathoracic structures by herniary contents and a second time for tissue division in a non-critical patient, in this case leading to long-term survival. CONCLUSION: Hepatopulmonary fusion is a rare and highly lethal malformation with scarce information available. Future multicenter studies should compare different therapeutic options and search for outcomes including but not limited to mortality.

[Radiation dose permitted in dentistry patients. A review]. / Dosis de radiación permitida en pacientes odontológicos. Una revisión.

In dental practice, the use of imaging has increased over the years, generating an increase in the radiation dose for the dental patient. One factor under discussion is the amount of dose used in patients, men, women and children, at different stages of their life, due to the scientific evidence of the harmful effects of ionizing radiation. This review of the literature analyzed the characteristics of radiation and its effects in relation to the doses administered, and its equivalences in dental practice in panoramic periapical radiographs and cone beam tomographies. A search of the literature was carried out in the main information sources such as Medline (via PubMed), SEVIER, SCIELO, and LILACS, using the search terms with a date limitation of the last 10 years. The selected articles had to include information regarding the keywords used, including "Dental Offices, Radiation Dose, X-Rays, Ambulatory Care."

The OLGA-OLGIM staging and the interobserver agreement for gastritis and preneoplastic lesion screening: a cross-sectional study.

Stomach cancer (SC) incidence and mortality are relevant public health issues worldwide. In Colombia, screening for preneoplastic lesions (PNL) and the presence of H. pylori is not routinely performed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate OLGA-OLGIM staging and the interobserver agreement in gastritis and preneoplastic lesions in patients with gastroduodenal symptoms from Colombia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 272 patients with gastroduodenal symptoms. Gastric biopsies were taken following the Updated Sydney System with the OLGA-OLGIM classification, and the results were evaluated by two pathologists. Chronic gastritis and PNL were reported in 76% and 24% of the patients, respectively. Furthermore, 25% of the patients with PNL displayed gastric atrophy (GA) and 75% intestinal metaplasia (IM). Agreement in the histopathological reading for IM was good, whereas for OLGA was variable, and for the H. pylori quantity was poor. OLGA-OLGIM stages 0-II were the most frequent (96%), while stage III (4%) and SC (4%) were the least frequent. Age and coffee consumption were associated with a higher prevalence of PNL. This work determined that 4% of the population is at high risk of developing SC and would benefit from follow-up studies. Reinforcement of training programs to improve the agreement in histopathology readings is required.

[Use of current imaging tools for the study of odontogenic myxoma. A review of the literature]. / Uso de herramientas de imagenología actual para el estudio del mixoma odontogénico. Una revisión de la literatura.

Odontogenic myxoma (OM) is currently classified as a benign tumor of ectomesenchymal origin, observed between the second and fourth decade of age, with a predilection in women and predominance in the mandibular region, composed of rounded and angular cells embedded in an abundant myxoid stroma, of aggressive biological behavior, having the characteristic of being locally infiltrative. Tumor cells spread in the intratrabecular space beyond the bone limit, making it difficult to determine the edge of the tumor, even without cortical continuity, presenting intermittent direct contact with soft tissue; the appearance can be unilocular (small lesions), or commonly the typical image is that of a destructive lesion with poorly defined borders with a multilocular growth pattern, for which the use of advanced medical images such as Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CTHC), Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), are useful to establish an adequate diagnosis with the ability to point out the characteristics of OM with precision and three-dimensional perspective. This review presents a systematic analysis of the types of imaging tools currently used for the study of OM.

[Applications of cone beam computed tomography of the craneofacial structure in medical specialties. A review]. / Aplicaciones de la tomografía computarizada de haz cónico de la estructura craneofacial en especialidades médicas. Una revisión.

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) of the craniofacial structure has demonstrated its usefulness in the dental area during the last decades, thus it has become a fundamental tool in the diagnosis, planning, and evaluation of treatment, and although it was not developed for the exclusive use in dentistry, as it is commonly considered, it is used in other areas such as medicine. It is specifically used in the head and neck area where different medical specialties interact, and at the same time these interact with dental specialties, so knowing the advantages of CBCT over different imaging technologies in the medical area is necessary. The purpose of this review was to describe the applications of observation, diagnosis, planning, and evolution of treatments using maxillofacial HSCT in different medical specialties. This work highlights the use of TCHC in different medical applications and highlights where it is most useful compared to other technologies.

Occupational health in oral radiologists: A review.

Work is a fundamental axis for the development of societies and human well-being, but if a person cannot adapt to their work area and work environment, the individual may be affected by occupational or coexisting illnesses that get exacerbated when working.A scientific search was conducted in the main health databases - MEDLINE (via PubMed), Web of Science, SciELO, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Dialnet - using the keywords "occupational health", "occupational diseases", "occupational accidents" AND "oral radiology" OR "oral radiologists". Systematic reviews as well as observational, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies were included. Case reports, letters to the editor, editorials, and opinion articles were excluded. In total, 496 articles were recovered, and only 51 fulfilled the selection criteria. Signs and symptoms that affect oral radiologists include back pain, shoulder pain, wrist pain, tenosynovitis, computer vision syndrome (CVS), stress, depression, and burnout syndrome. Preventive occupational health (OH) measures are proposed to help eliminate or alleviate the symptoms associated with non-ergonomic habits at work. Oral radiologists are exposed to several risks and occupational diseases inherent and/or related to their work. By implementing simple habits and ergonomic advice, well-documented in the literature, these risks can be avoided.This review aimed to provide scientific information on the current concepts of OH in oral radiologists in order to help prevent occupational diseases and occupational accidents, and guarantee safe professional practice.

La imagenología en el diagnóstico y la planificación de sistemas de conductos radiculares: una revisión actualizada / Imaginology in the diagnosis and planning of root duct systems: an update review

Los sistemas de conductos radiculares presentan una variada conformación morfológica para cada grupo de piezas dentarias. Diversos autores han presentado en diferentes clasificaciones su conformación anatómica y sus variantes. Tenemos los conductos principales, colaterales, laterales, secundario, accesorio, interconducto, recurrente, delta apical y cavo interradicular. La radiología actual aún no permite la visualización de todas estas estructuras; sin embargo, el uso adecuado de las técnicas imagenológicas, junto con el empleo de nuevos equipos 3D por ajustes de parámetros de adquisición con adecuados software y algoritmos, permite una precisión mayor en las imágenes lo que favorece la observación de finos detalles útiles para el diagnóstico y abordaje de los tratamientos endodónticos. El objetivo de este artículo es realizar una revisión de la literatura para identificar nuevos conceptos y herramientas imagenológicas útiles para obtener mejores diagnósticos. (AU)

Root canal systems present a varied morphological conformation for each group of teeth. Several authors have described the anatomical conformation and its variants in different classifications, including the main, collateral, lateral, secondary, accessory, interduct, recurrent, apical delta and interradicular cavus canals. Currently, radiology still does not allow visualization of all these structures. However, proper use of imaging techniques together with the use of new 3D equipment for adjustments of acquisition parameters with adequate software and algorithms allows greater image precision, facilitating diagnosis and the planning of the most adequate approach for endodontic treatments. The objective of this article was to conduct a review of the literature to identify new concepts and useful imaging tools for better diagnoses. (AU)

The Microcirculatory Response to Endotoxemia and Resuscitation Is a Marker of Regional Renal Perfusion, Renal Metabolic Stress, and Tubular Injury.

Aims: We sought to investigate the relationship between macrohemodynamic resuscitation and microcirculatory parameters with the response of microcirculatory flow, tissue-specific parameters of metabolic stress and injury. We hypothesized that early resuscitation based on macrohemodynamic parameters does not prevent the development of organ dysfunction in a porcine model of endotoxemic shock, and that sublingual microcirculatory parameters are associated with markers of tissue metabolic stress and injury. Results: Both resuscitation groups had significant increases in creatinine and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as compared with baseline. Neither the macrovascular response to endotoxemia or resuscitation, nor group allocation predicted the development of acute kidney injury (AKI). Only a microvascular flow index (MFI) <2.5 was associated with the development of renal tubular injury and AKI, and with increased renal, liver, peritoneal, and sublingual lactate/pyruvate (L/P) ratio and lactate. Among systemic parameters, only partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) gap >6 and P(a-v)CO2/C(v-a)O2 >1.8 were associated with increased organ L/P ratio and AKI. Innovation and Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that targeting macrohemodynamics to guide resuscitation during endotoxemic shock failed to predict tissue metabolic stress and the response of the microvasculature to resuscitation, and was unsuccessful in preventing tubular injury and AKI. Mechanistically, our data suggest that loss of hemodynamic coherence and decoupling of microvascular flow from tissue metabolic demand during endotoxemia may explain the lack of association between macrohemodynamics and perfusion goals. Finally, we demonstrate that MFI, PCO2 gap, and P(v-a)CO2/C(a-v)O2 ratio outperformed macrohemodynamic parameters at predicting the development of renal metabolic stress and tubular injury, and therefore, that these indices merit further validation as promising resuscitation targets. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 35, 1407-1425.

[Flebolites in the maxillofacial region: a challenge for imaging diagnosis. A review]. / Flebolitos en la región maxilofacial: un desafío para el diagnóstico por imágenes. Una revisión.

Vascular alterations or disorders of the blood and / or lymphatic vessels have their own characteristics, the identification of calcifications being a correct parameter to be able to make a proper diagnosis. The objective of the study was to describe the radiographic characteristics of the phleboliths, and whether they represent a challenge for diagnosis. according to the literature reviewed in the Medline (PubMed) database, Scielo, Google Scholar and some specialized journals. Phleboliths were found to have very particular radiographic characteristics, with concentric radiolucent and radiopaque images that resemble rings. However, not all the presentations are similar, this makes the diagnosis misleading with other calcifications in this region, such as sialoliths where their appearance is usually similar. Furthermore, there is the relationship with vascular anomalies and hemangiomas. finally, the evidence points to very specific characteristics of this lesion, and it is necessary to individualize each case, due to the differences that exist from one patient to another.

[Imaginology in the diagnosis and planning of root duct systems: an updated review]. / La imagenología en el diagnóstico y la planificación de sistemas de conductos radiculares: una revisión actualizada.

Root canal systems present a varied morphological conformation for each group of teeth. Several authors have described the anatomical conformation and its variants in different classifications, including the main, collateral, lateral, secondary, accessory, interduct, recurrent, apical delta and interradicular cavus canals. Currently, radiology still does not allow visualization of all these structures. However, proper use of imaging techniques together with the use of new 3D equipment for adjustments of acquisition parameters with adequate software and algorithms allows greater image precision, facilitating diagnosis and the planning of the most adequate approach for endodontic treatments. The objective of this article was to conduct a review of the literature to identify new concepts and useful imaging tools for better diagnoses.

[Stafne's idiopathic bone cavity: characteristics and imagenological considerations. A review]. / Cavidad idiopática de Stafne: características y consideraciones imagenológicas. Una revisión.

In 1942, Dr. Edward Stafne presented 35 cases of asymptomatic, clearly defined, round or ovoid radiolucencies occurring near the angle of the mandible, with a greater incidence below the lower dental canal, between the mandibular angle and the roots of the first lower molar, which he referred to as a bone defect. This bone defect later became known by other names.Clinically, Stafne's idiopathic bone cavity (SIBC) is asymptomatic, is usually not palpated intraorally and has no present extraoral signs. Thus, in most cases it is an accidental radiological finding, which appears as a delimited, elliptical or rounded radiolucent image, with a diameter ranging from 1 to 3 cm, and delimited by osteocondensation in the anteroinferior limits. According to the location of the findings, they are classified as; anterior, posterior and branch.This entity should be considered as a variant of normality requiring differential diagnosis to achieve an accurate diagnosis. The present review provides information on the history, and general and radiographic characteristics of SIBC to facilitate diagnosis when presented with this type of findings.

Aspectos descriptivos imagenológicos del osteoma de los maxilares: Revisión de la literatura / Descriptive imagenological aspects of osteoma in the jaws: review of the literature

El osteoma es una lesión osteogénica benigna, derivado de hueso compacto o esponjoso. Se caracteriza por ser de crecimiento lento y aparece con más frecuencia entre los 20 y los 50 años de vida, con una prevalencia mayor en hombres con respecto a las mujeres. Clínicamente asintomáticos, los podemos encontrar en la región craneofacial, particularmente en los senos paranasales y la mandíbula, y pueden presentarse de tres formas: central, periférica y extraósea, siendo más comunes los solitarios, a diferencia de los múltiples que están relacionados con el síndrome de Gardner. El tratamiento de los osteomas es quirúrgico cuando causan complicaciones. Los estudios por imágenes, como la radiografía panorámica y la TCHC, son las modalidades de mayor uso para determinar la ubicación, la extensión y las relaciones anatómicas de la lesión. Las características imagenológicas pueden presentarse como una excrecencia ósea de hueso compacto, esponjoso o mixto. El conocimiento de esta lesión nos permitirá tener mejores propuestas diagnósticas. (AU)

Osteomas are benign osteogenic lesions derived from compact or spongy bone. They are characterized by their slow growth and appear more frequently between 20 and 50 years of age, with a higher prevalence in men than in women. These lesions are clinically asymptomatic and can be found in the craniofacial region, particularly in the paranasal sinuses and the mandible, and may have a central, peripheral or extraosseous presentation. Multiple osteomas are related to Gardner's Syndrome. Treatment of osteoma is surgical when complications develop. Imaging studies such as panoramic radiography and cone beam computed tomography are the modalities most widely used to determine the location, extent, and anatomical relationships of the lesion. Imaging features may present as a bony excretion of compact, spongy, or mixed bone. Adequate knowledge of these lesions allows adequate diagnosis and better treatment planning. (AU)

2D-3D comparison of the temporomandibular joint in skeletal Class II versus Class I adults: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) morphological characteristics in people with Class II versus Class I sagittal skeletal relationship and to identify other factors that influence the TMJ dimensions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional and retrospective study evaluated 188 people divided into two groups, 92 cone-beam computed tomographies (CBCTs) and lateral radiographs (LR) of people with Skeletal class II relationship with Class II division 1 malocclusion versus 96 CBCTs and LR of people with Class I skeletal relationship and Class I malocclusion (controls). The CBCTs included people of both sexes, aged between 15 and 65 years old. The 3D Imaging Carestream Software was used to evaluate the condyle height and neck width, mediolateral and anteroposterior condyle dimensions, the shape of the glenoid fossa and condyle in the CBCTs. Likewise, the ANB angle, the Wits appraisal and other measurements were evaluated on LR. Besides, Mann-Whitney U, Chi2 and multiple linear regression tests were performed. The significance level was set at P˂0.05. RESULTS: The mediolateral and anteroposterior condyle dimensions were smaller in class II people (1.82mm and 0.29mm, respectively) than class I people (P<0.05). Likewise, height and neck width of condyle were smaller in class II people (0.73mm and 0.40mm, respectively) than class I people (P<0.05). Multiple linear regression identified mainly the ANB angle as a factor (P<0.05) that influenced the dimensions, decreasing the condyle dimensions in skeletal class II relationship. CONCLUSIONS: People with skeletal class II relationship showed smaller condyle dimension values than class I people. A decrease in the dimensions of the eminence and the condyle could be expected when the ANB angle increases.

Evaluación del espesor de la cresta infracigomática para la colocación de minitornillos mediante tomografía computarizada de haz cónico / Thickness of the infrazygomatic crest, evaluated by cone beam computed tomography

Introducción: Para colocar miniim-plantes de anclaje ortodóncico es nece-sario evaluar el hueso en el sitio de implantación. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la existencia de hueso infracigomático midiendo la altura y el espesor a nivel de la raíz mesiovesti-bular del segundo molar superior, a 2, 4 y 6 mm de la cresta alveolar, utilizando la tomografía computarizada de haz cónico (TCHC). Método: Se revisaron 127 TCHC de sujetos entre 17 a 75 años. Se deter-minó la existencia de hueso basados en el criterio de altura y presencia de contacto entre raíz y cortical. Cuando la altura de la cresta infracigomática era > 10 mm se tomaban medidas de espesor a 2, 4, y 6 mm de la cresta alveolar, y se compararon por género. Resultados: De 127 TCHC se midió la altura de la cresta solo en 70 TCHC. El intervalo del 95% de confianza para esta medida fue de 8,64 a 9,76 mm, pero solamente en 28 (40%) era > 10mm. Las medidas de espesor se tomaron solamente en esos 28 casos, obteniendo un promedio de 9,2 mm, 8,3 mm y 6,6 mm cuando se midió a 2, 4 y 6 mm, respectivamente. No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre géneros. Conclusiones: Tanto la apreciación cualitativa del hueso como las mediciones de altura y espesor de la cresta infracigomática indican que la región a nivel del segundo molar supe-rior no es un sitio seguro para la coloca-ción de minitornillos. (AU)

Introduction: In order to place orthodontic temporary anchorage devices it is neces-sary to evaluate bone quality and size in the intended site. The objective of this study was to measure bone thickness and height at the level of the mesiobuccal root of the upper second molar, 2 mm, 4 mm and 6 mm away from the alveolar crest, using Cone Beam Computed Tomo-graphy (CBCT). Methods: The design of the present research is descriptive, retrospective. 127 CBCT images from 17-75 year old patients, were reviewed. The presence of bone was determined based on qualitative criteria of height and contact between root and cortical. When the height of the infrazygomatic crest was > 10mm, thickness measurements were taken at 2, 4, and 6 mm from the alveolar crest. Results: Only in 70 of the 127 CBCT images the height of the ridge was measured. The 95% confidence interval for bone height was: 8.64 to 9.76 mm, but only in 28 (40%) it was > 10 mm. Thick-ness measurements, in those 28 cases, average 9.2 mm, 8.3 mm and 6.6 mm was at 2, 4 and 6 mm, respectively. No significant differences between genders was found (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Both the qualitative assessment of bone and the height and thickness measurements of the infrazygomatic crest indicate that this region at the level of upper second molar is not a safe site to place tempo-rary anchoring devices. (AU)

Impressive Response to Concomitant Platinum-based Chemotherapy and Yttrium-90 in a Patient with Heavily Pretreated Triple-negative Breast Cancer Widely Metastasized to the Liver.

Metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) constitutes a heterogeneous group of diseases with systemic treatment options limited to cytotoxic chemotherapy at the time being. The disease tends to affect visceral organs more frequently when compared to hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. The prognoses of patients with heavily pretreated disease affecting the liver are very dismal. We present the response to radioembolization and systemic chemotherapy in a seriously ill patient who had undergone previous lines of chemotherapy for TNBC with extensive liver metastases.

Efecto del Tween ® 80 sobre la bioprecipitación de carbonato de calcio por Bacillus cereus / Effect of Tween ® 80 on calcium carbonate bioprecipitation mediated by Bacillus cereus

Resumen Se llevaron a cabo procesos de biosíntesis de carbonato de calcio, empleando una cepa de Bacillus cereus, aislada de los jardines de la Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (Medellín, Colombia). Se evaluó el efecto disgregante del Tween® 80 a tres concentraciones: 0.00% p/v, 0.25% p/v y 0.50% p/v. Los experimentos se monitorizaron por 6 días con mediciones de pH y análisis mineralógicos a los precipitados finales por microscopía electrónica de barrido, difracción de rayos X y espectroscopia de infrarrojo con transformada de Fourier. El Tween® 80 tuvo un papel importante como desaglomerante de las estructuras de carbonato formadas por los microorganismos. Aunque los ensayos con el surfactante presentaron menor formación de precipitado, las concentraciones evaluadas no inhibieron el crecimiento bacteriano. Adicionalmente, este compuesto favoreció la formación de vaterita incrementando su proporción en comparación con la calcita (alrededor del 98%, utilizando Tween® 80 al 0.50% p/v).

Abstract This research presents the sprinkling effect of Tween® 80 for three concentrations (0.00% w, 0.25% w y 0.50% w) in a processes of calcium carbonate biosynthesis. The assays used a culture of Bacillus cereus, isolated from the gardens of the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (Medellin, Colombia). The experiments were monitored for 6 days measuring pH as well as through mineralogical analyses for precipitates using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Tween® 80 had an important role as deagglomerate, decreasing the precipitation of biomineralized-carbonate structures (generated by bacteria). It was also found that the evaluated concentrations did not inhibit the bacterial growth. Additionally, Tween® 80 favored the production of vaterite, increasing its ratio in comparison to calcite (around 98% by using 0.50% w of Tween® 80).

Factors associated with hysterectomy among older women from Latin America and the Caribbean.

To identify factors associated with hysterectomy, data collected from 1999-2000 were assessed from seven cities of the Health, Well-Being and Aging in Latin America and the Caribbean Study on 6,549 women, aged 60 years and older. Hysterectomy prevalence ranged from 12.8% in Buenos Aires (Argentina) to 30.4% in Bridgetown (Barbados). The median age for having had a hysterectomy ranged from 45 to 50 years across the cities and was 47 years in the pooled sample. Ethnic differences in hysterectomy rates were partially explained by differences across cities. Factors significantly associated with lower odds for hysterectomy included older age, household crowding conditions, and having public/military or no health insurance, compared to having private health insurance. Women who had three or more children were less likely to have had a hysterectomy, a finding that differs from most previous studies. Socioeconomic position related to rates of hysterectomy in late life rather than hysterectomies earlier in life. However, the nature of these differences varied across birth cohorts. The findings suggested that adverse socioeconomic factors were most likely related to hysterectomy risk by affecting access to health care, whereas parity was most likely acting through an effect on decision-making processes.

Inhaled Carbon Monoxide Protects against the Development of Shock and Mitochondrial Injury following Hemorrhage and Resuscitation.

AIMS: Currently, there is no effective resuscitative adjunct to fluid and blood products to limit tissue injury for traumatic hemorrhagic shock. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of inhaled carbon monoxide (CO) to limit inflammation and tissue injury, and specifically mitochondrial damage, in experimental models of hemorrhage and resuscitation. RESULTS: Inhaled CO (250 ppm for 30 minutes) protected against mortality in severe murine hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (HS/R) (20% vs. 80%; P<0.01). Additionally, CO limited the development of shock as determined by arterial blood pH (7.25±0.06 vs. 7.05±0.05; P<0.05), lactate levels (7.2±5.1 vs 13.3±6.0; P<0.05), and base deficit (13±3.0 vs 24±3.1; P<0.05). A dose response of CO (25-500 ppm) demonstrated protection against HS/R lung and liver injury as determined by MPO activity and serum ALT, respectively. CO limited HS/R-induced increases in serum tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 levels as determined by ELISA (P<0.05 for doses of 100-500ppm). Furthermore, inhaled CO limited HS/R induced oxidative stress as determined by hepatic oxidized glutathione:reduced glutathione levels and lipid peroxidation. In porcine HS/R, CO did not influence hemodynamics. However, CO limited HS/R-induced skeletal muscle and platelet mitochondrial injury as determined by respiratory control ratio (muscle) and ATP-linked respiration and mitochondrial reserve capacity (platelets). CONCLUSION: These preclinical studies suggest that inhaled CO can be a protective therapy in HS/R; however, further clinical studies are warranted.