Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of Latin American healthcare workers relating to antibiotic stewardship and antibiotic use: a cross-sectional multi-country study.

BACKGROUND: The burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Latin America is high. Little is known about healthcare workers' (HCWs) knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of antimicrobial stewardship (AS), AMR, and antibiotic use (AU) in the region. METHODS: HCWs from 42 hospitals from 5 Latin American countries were invited to take an electronic, voluntary, anonymous survey regarding knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of AS, AMR, and AU between March-April 2023. FINDINGS: Overall, 996 HCWs completed the survey (52% physicians, 32% nurses, 11% pharmacists, 3% microbiologists, and 2% "other"). More than 90% of respondents indicated optimizing AU was a priority at their healthcare facility (HCF), 69% stated the importance of AS was communicated at their HCF, and 23% were unfamiliar with the term "antibiotic stewardship". Most (> 95%) respondents acknowledged that appropriate AU can reduce AMR; however, few thought AU (< 30%) or AMR (< 50%) were a problem in their HCF. Lack of access to antibiogram and to locally endorsed guidelines was reported by 51% and 34% of HCWs, respectively. Among prescribers, 53% did not consider non-physicians' opinions to make antibiotic-related decisions, 22% reported not receiving education on how to select antibiotics based on culture results and 60% stated patients and families influence their antibiotic decisions. CONCLUSIONS: Although HCWs perceived improving AU as a priority, they did not perceive AU or AMR as a problem in their HCF. AS opportunities include improved access to guidelines, access to AMR/AU data, teamwork, and education on AS for HCWs and patients and families.

Metformin Use Is Inversely Associated with Prevalent, but Not Incident Colorectal Adenomas.

BACKGROUND: Chemoprevention for colorectal neoplasia has attracted growing interest, with multiple medications investigated. Metformin may decrease the overall incidence of cancer in patients with diabetes and may decrease the incidence of colorectal cancer. AIMS: We aimed to determine the impact of metformin use on the behavior of colorectal adenomas in a US veteran population. METHODS: All patients with at least two high-quality colonoscopies between January 1997 and December 2013 at Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Healthcare System were identified. Outpatient prescription records were used to determine metformin exposure, and colonoscopy findings were recorded. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with adenoma detection on baseline and interval colonoscopy. RESULTS: In total, 1869 patients with two successive colonoscopies (median 4.5 years) were included. Four hundred and sixty patients had metformin exposure prior to baseline and/or interval colonoscopy. Overall adenoma detection rate was 59.7% at baseline and 45.9% at interval colonoscopy. On multivariable analysis, metformin use was associated with decreased adenoma prevalence at baseline (OR 0.68; 95% CI 0.51-0.92; p = 0.015). Metformin did not impact adenoma incidence at interval colonoscopy whether prescribed before baseline (OR 1.26; 95% CI 0.60-2.67), after baseline (OR 1.25; 95% CI 0.91-1.72), or before and after baseline (OR 1.14; 95% CI 0.82-1.58). CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective analysis of an average-risk cohort, metformin use was associated with a decreased prevalence of colorectal adenomas at baseline colonoscopy. This inverse association did not persist on interval colonoscopy. Prospective studies are needed to evaluate potential chemoprotective effects of metformin over time.

Explicit and implicit markers of fairness preeminence in criminal judges.

Achieving justice could be considered a complex social decision-making scenario. Despite the relevance of social decisions for legal contexts, these processes have still not been explored for individuals who work as criminal judges dispensing justice. To bridge the gap, we used a complex social decision-making task (Ultimatum game) and tracked a heart rate variability measurement: the square root of the mean squared differences of successive NN intervals (RMSSD) at their baseline (as an implicit measurement that tracks emotion regulation behavior) for criminal judges (n = 24) and a control group (n = 27). Our results revealed that, compared to controls, judges were slower and rejected a bigger proportion of unfair offers. Moreover, the rate of rejections and the reaction times were predicted by higher RMSSD scores for the judges. This study provides evidence about the impact of legal background and expertise in complex social decision-making. Our results contribute to understanding how expertise can shape criminal judges' social behaviors and pave the way for promising new research into the cognitive and physiological factors associated with social decision-making.

Comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of Lactated Ringer's versus Normal Saline for acute pancreatitis.

INTRODUCTION: Fluid resuscitation is the keystone of treatment for acute pancreatitis. Though clinical guidelines and expert opinions agree on large volume resuscitation, debate remains on the optimal fluid type. The most commonly used fluids are Lactated Ringer's (LR) and Normal Saline (NS), but the studies published to date comparing LR vs NS yield conflicting results. We aimed to identify and quantitatively synthesize existing high quality data of the topic of fluid type or acute pancreatitis resuscitation. METHODS: In collaboration with the study team, an information specialist performed a comprehensive literature review to identify reports addressing type of fluid resuscitation. Studies were screened using the Covidence system by two independent reviewers in order to identify Randomized controlled trials comparing LR versus NS. The main outcome was the development of moderately severe or severe pancreatitis and additional outcomes included local complications, ICU admission, and length of stay. Pooled odds ratios were estimated using the random effects model and standardized mean difference to compare continuous variables. RESULTS: We reviewed 7964 abstracts and 57 full text documents. Four randomized controlled trials were identified and included in our meta-analyses. There were a total of 122 patients resuscitated with LR versus 126 with NS. Patients resuscitated with LR were less likely to develop moderately severe/severe pancreatitis (OR 0.49; 95 % CI 0.25-0.97). There was no difference in development of SIRS at 24 or 48 h or development of organ failure between the two groups. Patients resuscitated with LR were less likely to require ICU admission (OR 0.33; 95 % CI 0.13-0.81) and local complications (OR 0.42; 95 % CI 0.2-0.88). While there was a trend towards shorter hospitalizations for LR (SMD -0.18, 99 % CI -0.44-0.07), it was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Resuscitation with LR reduces the development of moderately severe-severe pancreatitis relative to NS. Nevertheless, no difference in SIRS development or organ failure underscores the need for further studies to verify this finding and define its mechanism.

ASGE guideline on the management of cholangitis

Cholangitis is a GI emergency requiring prompt recognition and treatment. The purpose of this document from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy's (ASGE) Standards of Practice Committee is to provide an evidence-based approach for management of cholangitis. This document addresses the modality of drainage (endoscopic vs percutaneous), timing of intervention (<48 hours vs >48 hours), and extent of initial intervention (comprehensive therapy vs decompression alone). Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology was used to formulate recommendations on these topics. The ASGE suggests endoscopic rather than percutaneous drainage and biliary decompression within 48 hours. Additionally, the panel suggests that sphincterotomy and stone removal be combined with drainage rather than decompression alone, unless patients are too unstable to tolerate more extensive endoscopic treatment.

ASGE guideline on the management of cholangitis.

Cholangitis is a GI emergency requiring prompt recognition and treatment. The purpose of this document from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy's (ASGE) Standards of Practice Committee is to provide an evidence-based approach for management of cholangitis. This document addresses the modality of drainage (endoscopic vs percutaneous), timing of intervention (<48 hours vs >48 hours), and extent of initial intervention (comprehensive therapy vs decompression alone). Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology was used to formulate recommendations on these topics. The ASGE suggests endoscopic rather than percutaneous drainage and biliary decompression within 48 hours. Additionally, the panel suggests that sphincterotomy and stone removal be combined with drainage rather than decompression alone, unless patients are too unstable to tolerate more extensive endoscopic treatment.

Comparison of immediate colposcopy, repeat conventional cytology and hrHPV testing for the clinical management of ASC-US cytology in routine health services of Medellin, Colombia: The ASCUS-COL Trial.

In the context of opportunistic cervical cancer screening settings of low-and-middle-income countries, little is known about the benefits of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing on high-grade cervical abnormality detection among women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) cytology in routine clinical practice. We compared the effectiveness of immediate colposcopy (IC), conventional cytology at 6 and 12 months (colposcopy if ≥ASC-US) (RC), and hrHPV testing (colposcopy if hrHPV-positive) (HPV) to detect cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or more severe diagnoses (CIN2+) among women aged 20-69 years with ASC-US in routine care. Participants (n=2,661) were evenly randomized into three arms (n=882 IC, n=890 RC, n=889 HPV) to receive services by routine healthcare providers and invited to an exit visit 24 months after recruitment. Histopathology was blindly reviewed by a quality-control external panel (QC). The primary endpoint was the first QC-diagnosed CIN2+ or CIN3+ detected during three periods: enrolment (≤6 months for IC and HPV, ≤12 months for RC), follow-up (between enrolment and exit visit), and exit visit. The trial is completed. Colposcopy was done on 88%, 42%, and 52% of participants in IC, RC, and HPV. Overall, 212 CIN2+ and 52 CIN3+ cases were diagnosed. No differences were observed for CIN2+ detection (p=0.821). However, compared to IC, only HPV significantly reduced CIN3+ cases that providers were unable to detect during the 2-year routine follow-up (relative proportion 0.35, 95% CI 0.09-0.87). In this context, hrHPV testing was the most effective and efficient management strategy for women with ASC-US cytology.

Propuesta de un modelo de registro médico integral para la evaluación de depresión y ansiedad en atención primaria en Colombia: estudio de grupos focale / Proposing a comprehensive medical record form to assess depression and anxiety within the framework of primary care in Colombia: focus groups / Proposta de modelo de registro médico integral em atenção primária para a avaliação da depressão/ansiedade na Colômbia: estudo de grupos focai

La depresión y la ansiedad representan las principales enfermedades de salud mental a nivel mundial. Se estima que para el 2020 se aumenten en un 15 %, convirtiéndose en la segunda causa de morbimortalidad. En nuestro país, en la Ley 1616 del 2013 (Ley en salud mental), se promueve el derecho a la atención oportuna integral desde la atención primaria de las personas que tienen riesgo y de las que ya tienen una enfermedad mental. Sin embargo, no se ha instaurado un modelo de historia clínica que pueda atender la necesidad de estos pacientes; por lo tanto, es importante generar una propuesta que sea fácil de usar. Por esta razón, el objetivo de este estudio surge de la necesidad de crear un modelo de historia clínica en la que se incluyan diferentes variables y características que permitan el diagnóstico, el seguimiento y el tratamiento de los pacientes con trastornos de depresión y ansiedad en la atención primaria. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizó un enfoque metodológico múltiple: cuantitativo y cualitativo. Este método facilitó la recolección de distintas fuentes primarias (revisión sistemática) y secundarias (grupos focales). El análisis se hizo mediante los Primary Care Assessment Tools. Resultados. Los instrumentos de tamización en la atención primaria son un gran apoyo de manejo fácil, los cuales pueden usarse de forma directa o en una aplicación médica. Estas escalas permiten evaluar la gravedad y hacer el seguimiento del trastorno depresivo y de la ansiedad. Conclusión. Para la elaboración de la propuesta de historia clínica, consideramos que se debe incluir lo concerniente al contexto personal, familiar y social de los pacientes, con herramientas de tamización que faciliten al médico de atención primaria hacer el diagnóstico y el seguimiento de estas enfermedades

Overview: Depression and anxiety account for the leading men-tal health illnesses worldwide and by 2020 they are expected to increase 15% becoming the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality. In Colombia, Law 1616, promulgated in 2013, fosters the right to timely and comprehensive assistance for people dealing with mental health issues. Still, the implementation of a medical record suitable to meet these patients needs is yet to be introduced. It is therefore important to generate a proposal that is easy to use. Objective: Creating a comprehensive medical record, including various variables and features that allow for diagnosing, following up and treating patients bearing depression and anxiety disorders, within the framework of Primary Care. Materials and methods: A multi methodological approach, blen-ding both quantitative and qualitative tools was used to facilitate data gathering from primary sources, such as systematic reviews and secondary sources, such as focus groups. Data analysis was done utilizing PCAT (Primary care assessment tools). Results: The use of primary care screening tools proved to be a valuable resource, being its friendly usage and reliability. These scales also allow for follow up on depression and anxiety disorders. Conclusion: To implement a medical record proposal it is ne-cessary to include background on personal, familiar and social information regarding the patient. It is also key to include screening tools that allow the physician to come up with a proper diagnosis and follow up.

Introdução. A depressão e a ansiedade representam as principais doenças de saúde mental no mundo, calcula-se que para 2020 este problema aumente em 15%, sendo a segunda causa de morbimortalidade. Na Colômbia, segundo a lei 1616 de 2013 "lei de saúde mental", que promove o direito à atenção integral de atenção primária para os doentes e quem está em risco. No entanto o país ainda não conta com um modelo de história clínica que atenda às necessidades destes pacientes. Materiais e métodos. O viés metodológico do trabalho é multi-metodológico, quantitativo e qualitativo, coleta diversas fontes tanto primárias (grupos focais) como secundárias (revisão sistemática). A análise foi feita através da ferramenta PCAT (Primary care assessment tools). Resultados. O uso de instrumentos para teste de rastreio em atenção primária é muito útil para serem administrados diretamente ou como aplicação médica e facilitam a avaliação de escalas para estabelecer níveis de gravidade e acompanhamento destes transtornos mentais. Conclusão. Na elaboração da proposta da história clínica que facilite a compreensão da condição mental do paciente é preciso considerar contexto familiar, social e pessoal dos pacientes, usando testes de rastreio como ferramentas da atenção primária

Técnica del tubo gástrico invertido como opción para la reconstrucción esofágica, en un hospital de tercer nivel en Bogotá, Colombia: presentación de dos casos y revisión de la literatura / Two Cases of Reversed Gastric Tube (RGT) Esophagoplasty at a Third Level Hospital in Bogota, Colombia and Literature Review

Introducción: las principales lesiones a nivel de la hipofaringe y el esófago son debidas a quemaduras por cáusticos y al cáncer esofágico. Estas pueden presentarse y comprometer las dos estructuras de un 17% a un 23%, lo que genera la necesidad de una gran resección y, a su vez, el reto de una gran reconstrucción. En este estudio presentamos nuestra serie de casos empleando la técnica del tubo gástrico invertido y una revisión de la literatura con discusión crítica de los aspectos principales de este procedimiento. Métodos: pacientes en quienes se llevó a cabo reconstrucción esofágica mediante la técnica del tubo gástrico invertido, desde enero de 2010 hasta enero de 2015. Resultados: un paciente presentó estenosis de la anastomosis cervical, la cual fue manejada con dilataciones endoscópicas. Ninguno de los pacientes tuvo disfagia con las modificaciones en la dieta o síntomas clínicos de síndrome de Dumping o retardo en el vaciamiento gástrico. Sin embargo, los dos pacientes presentaron reflujo gástrico y requirieron un inhibidor de la bomba de protones (IBP). Discusión: el tubo gástrico invertido no se utiliza a menudo para la reconstrucción después de una esofagectomía total. Su ventaja sobre la técnica convencional de ascenso gástrico, la interposición de colon o el tubo gástrico invertido supercargado es que es una operación de una etapa y un procedimiento simple que requiere solamente una anastomosis. Puede ser transferido a la región cervical o incluso al esófago faríngeo para crear una anastomosis. Conclusiones: esta técnica permite la creación de un conducto más largo para la reconstrucción esofágica, con una tasa de complicaciones baja y ausencia de mortalidad.

Introduction: The principal lesions in the hypharynx and esophagus are due to caustic burns and esophageal cancer which account for 17% to 23% of all events that compromise these two structures. They account for much of the surgery, especially for the challenge of major reconstruction. This study presents our series of cases using reversed gastric tube (RGT) esophagoplasty and presents a review of the literature and a critical discussion of the main aspects of this procedure. Methods: Patients underwent RGT esophagoplasties from January 2010 to January 2015. Results: One patient developed stenosis of the cervical anastomosis which was managed with endoscopic dilations. None of the patients developed dysphagia, clinical symptoms of dumping syndrome or delayed gastric emptying as the result of dietary modifications. Gastric reflux occurred in both patients and was teated with proton pump inhibitors. Discussion: RGT esophagoplasty is not often used for reconstruction after a total esophagectomy. Compared to the conventional technique of gastric ascent, interposition of the colon and supercharged reversed gastric tube techniques, it has the advantages that it is a one-step operation and is a simple procedure requiring only one anastomosis. It can be moved to the cervical region or even to the pharyngeal esophagus to create an anastomosis. Conclusions: This technique allows the creation of a longer duct for esophageal reconstruction and has a low complication rate with no mortality

Conversion of a Surgically Arthrodesed Knee to a Total Knee Arthroplasty-Is it Worth it? A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Conversion of a surgically arthrodesed knee to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an option for a select group of patients who are not satisfied with their results. However, there is a paucity of literature on this topic. A systematic review of literature was performed to (1) describe the overall demographic characteristics; (2) evaluate the clinical outcomes; (3) determine the overall rate of complications; and (4) evaluate the overall satisfaction of patients who underwent conversion of an arthrodesed knee to TKA. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was systematically performed to evaluate all studies included in the literature until July 2015. The specific search terms used were "fusion knee" and "arthrodesis knee," which revealed a total of 2206 studies. A review and selection of these abstracts were then performed based on inclusion and/or exclusion criteria; a total of 10 articles were used for final review. RESULTS: There were a total of 98 surgically arthrodesed knees that subsequently underwent TKA. Patients had a mean age of 55 years and were followed up for a mean of 5 years. Using a random effects model, there was an overall complication rate of 47%, an overall revision rate of 25%, and an overall failure rate of 11%. However, most patients were overall satisfied with the procedure. CONCLUSION: Fusion takedown is a challenging procedure that should only be performed by experienced surgeons after extensive discussion with the patients. The clinical outcomes are good with overall patient satisfaction, but complication rates are high including risk of repeat fusion or amputation.

Descripción anatómica del músculo extensor del I y II dedo de la mano del zorro perruno (Cerdocyon thous Linnaeus, 1766) / Anatomical description of crab-eating fox' (Cerdocyon thous Linnaeus, 1766) extensor of digit i and ii muscle

El zorro perruno (Cerdocyon thous) es el cánido silvestre más común en América del Sur, con una relativa estabilidad poblacional, pero susceptible de ser atropellado y caer en trampas, pudiendo sufrir traumas en sus miembros torácicos, por lo tanto se requiere un conocimiento anatómico específico de sus músculos para intervenciones médicas y quirúrgicas. El objetivo principal de esta investigación fue realizar una descripción anatómica del músculo extensor del I y II dedo del C thous, en la cual, se reporta forma, origen, inserción, inervación e irrigación. Se diseccionaron de superficial a profundo los dos antebrazos de seis especímenes muertos donados por CORPOCALDAS a la Universidad de Caldas. El músculo extensor del I y II dedo en este estudio presentó características anatómicas similares a las reportadas a otras especies pero con una distribución tendinosa variante formando desde tres a cuatro ramas que se distribuyen del I al III dedo, incluso faltando a veces para el III dedo, pero de igual forma presenta una distribución que debe ser conocida para procedimientos que requieran de su conocimiento.

The crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) is the most common wild canid in South America. With a relative demographic stability, this animal is susceptible of being hit and falling into traps, and can suffer trauma in its thoracic limbs; therefore a specific anatomical knowledge about its muscles is necessary for medical and surgical procedures. The main aim of this research was to describe the anatomy of the extensor muscle of digit I and II of the C. thous reporting form, origin, insertion, innervation and irrigation. The forearms of six donated dead specimens from CORPOCALDAS to Caldas University were dissected from superficial to deep. In this research, the extensor muscle of digit I and II showed similar anatomical features to those reported for other species but with a variant tendinous distribution that forms from three to four branches distributed from digit I to III. Although sometimes this distribution does not exist for the digit III; this similar distribution must be reported for procedures which require this knowledge.

Synthetic dendrimeric peptide active against biofilm and persister cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Antimicrobial dendrimeric peptides (AMDP) are a relatively new class of agents displaying repetitive functional groups on a branched core. Previously, we have investigated the length requirement for antimicrobial activity of peptides consisting of repeated arginine (R) and tryptophan (W) side chains and found that even short linear RW repeats are active, providing a starting point for a de novo design of multivalent structures. In this study, we synthesized and tested a new synthetic dendrimer, 2D-24, for its antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, including the wild-type PAO1 and its mucoid mutant PDO300. This synthetic AMDP was found to kill planktonic cells of both PAO1 and PDO300 in a dose-dependent manner, with nearly complete killing of both strains observed when treated with 50 µM of this agent. In addition to planktonic cells, 2D-24 was also found to kill biofilm cells of both strains in a dose-dependent manner. For example, treatment with 30 µM 2D-24 led to 94.4 ± 1.4 and 93.9 ± 4.2 % killing of PAO1 and PDO300 biofilm cells, respectively. Furthermore, 2D-24 was effective in killing multidrug-tolerant persister cells of PAO1 and PDO300. While higher concentrations of 2D-24 were required to kill persister cells, combinations of 2D-24 with ciprofloxacin, tobramycin, or carbenicillin showed synergistic effects on killing persister cells of both strains. Based on hemolysis assays using sheep erythrocytes and a coculture model of PAO1 and human epithelial cells, 2D-24 was found to kill P. aeruginosa cells at concentrations that are not toxic to mammalian cells.

Implantation of peritoneal catheters by laparotomy: nephrologists obtained similar results to general surgeons.

PURPOSE: To analyze the complications and costs of minilaparotomies performed by a nephrologist (group A) compared with conventional laparotomies performed by a surgeon (group B) for peritoneal catheter implantation. SETTING: Two university hospitals (Santa Sofia and Caldas) in Manizales, Caldas, Colombia. METHODS: The study included stage 5 chronic kidney disease patients, with indication of renal replacement therapy, who were candidates for peritoneal dialysis and gave informed consent for a peritoneal catheter implant. Minilaparotomies were performed by a nephrologist in a minor surgery room under local anesthesia. Conventional laparotomies were performed by a surgeon in an operating room under general anesthesia. RESULTS: Two nephrologists inserted 157 peritoneal catheters, and seven general surgeons inserted 185 peritoneal catheters. The groups had similar characteristics: the mean age was 55 years, 49.5% were men, and the primary diagnoses were diabetic nephropathy, hypertensive nephropathy, and unknown etiology. The implant was successful for 98.09% of group A and 99.46% of group B. There was no procedure-related mortality. The most frequent complications in the first 30 days postsurgery in group A versus group B, respectively, were: peritonitis (6.37% versus 3.78%), exit-site infection (3.82% versus 2.16%), tunnel infection (0% versus 0.54%), catheter entrapment by omentum (1.27% versus 3.24%), peritoneal effluent spillover (1.91% versus 2.16%), draining failure (4.46% versus 6.49%), hematoma (0% versus 1.08%), catheter migration with kinking (3.18% versus 2.70%), hemoperitoneum (1.27% versus 0%), and hollow viscera accidental puncture (1.91% versus 0.54%). There were no statistically significant differences in the number of complications between groups. In 2013, the cost of a surgeon-implanted peritoneal dialysis catheter in Colombia was US $366 (666,000 COP), whereas the cost of a nephrologist-implanted catheter was US $198 (356,725 COP). CONCLUSION: Nephrologist-performed minilaparotomies had similar effectiveness to surgeon-performed conventional laparotomies and were cost-effective; however, the nonuse of general anesthesia may be related with hollow viscera puncture during the procedure.

Correlación clinicopatológica en pacientes inmunocompetentes con Meningitis tuberculosa, reporte de casos de autopsia en el Hospital Universitario de Santander-Colombia / Clinicopathological correlation in inmunocompetent patients with tuberculous meningitis, autopsy cases report in the Hospital Universitario de Santander-Colombia.

Introducción: describir tres casos fatales de tuberculosis meníngea y establecer correlación clinicopatológica. Materiales y métodos: revisión de protocolos de autopsia entre enero 1 y junio 30 de 2010 en el Departamento de Patología de la Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS). Entre 121 protocolos de necropsias se encontraron 3 casos de tuberculosis meníngea, de los cuales se revisaron historias clínicas, preparaciones histopatológicas y fotografías. Resultados: tres casos de adultos con edad promedio de 39 años, sin inmunosupresión con tuberculosis meníngea. Las manifestaciones clínicas fueron cefalea, vómito, fiebre, disartria, compromiso de pares craneales, alteraciones motoras y del estado de conciencia. Conclusiones: la tuberculosis meníngea es la forma más grave de la enfermedad, con desenlace fatal en casos no diagnosticados. El bajo índice de sospecha y la similitud con otras infecciones del sistema nervioso central, no permiten diagnostico precoz ni tratamiento oportuno. Salud UIS 2012; 44 (1): 57-66.

Introduction: to describe three fatal cases of tuberculous meningitis and to establish clinical pathological correlation. Materials and methods: Revision of autopsy protocols between 01 january and june 30 of 2010 in the Department of Pathology of the Industrial University of Santander (UIS). Between 121 protocols of autopsies were 3 cases of tuberculous meningitis, of which clinical histories, histopathological slides and photographies were rewieved. Results: three cases of adults with age average of 39 years, without inmunosupresión with tuberculous meningitis. The clinical manifestations were migraine, vomit, fever, disartria, commitment of cranial nerves, motor alterations and disorders of consciousness. Conclusions: the tuberculous meningitis is the most serious form of the disease, with fatal course in nondiagnosed cases. The low index of suspicion and the similarity with other infections of the central nervous system, do not allow early diagnostic and nor opportune treatment. Salud UIS 2012; 44 (1): 57-66.

Quality of laparoscopic radical hysterectomy in developing countries: a comparison of surgical and oncologic outcomes between a comprehensive cancer center in the United States and a cancer center in Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: To help determine whether global collaborations for prospective gynecologic surgery trials should include hospitals in developing countries, we compared surgical and oncologic outcomes of patients undergoing laparoscopic radical hysterectomy at a large comprehensive cancer center in the United States and a cancer center in Colombia. METHODS: Records of the first 50 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic radical hysterectomy at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston (between April 2004 and July 2007) and the first 50 consecutive patients who underwent the same procedure at the Instituto de Cancerología-Clínica las Américas in Medellín (between December 2008 and October 2010) were retrospectively reviewed. Surgical and oncologic outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in median patient age (US 41.9 years [range 23-73] vs. Colombia 44.5 years [range 24-75], P=0.09). Patients in Colombia had a lower median body mass index than patients in the US (24.4 kg/m(2) vs. 28.7 kg/m(2), P=0.002). Compared to patients treated in Colombia, patients who underwent surgery in the US had a greater median estimated blood loss (200 mL vs. 79 mL, P<0.001), longer median operative time (328.5 min vs. 235 min, P<0.001), and longer postoperative hospital stay (2 days vs. 1 day, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical and oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic radical hysterectomy were not worse at a cancer center in a developing country than at a large comprehensive cancer center in the United States. These results support consideration of developing countries for inclusion in collaborations for prospective surgical studies.

Asociación entre el índice de masa corporal y los resultados perioperatorios y posoperatorios en pacientes sometidas a histerectomía laparoscópica total: Medellín (Colombia) 2002-2008 / The association between body mass index and perioperative and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing total laparoscopic hysterectomy: Medellin, Colombia 2002-2008

Objetivos: evaluar la posible asociación entre el mayor índice de masa corporal (IMC) y los resultados peri y posoperatorios en pacientes a las que se les realizó histerectomía laparoscópica total (HLT). Metodología: cohorte histórica de pacientes a quienes se les practicó HLT en un período de 5 años en un centro de referencia para endoscopia ginecológica. Fueron incluidas todas las pacientes con HLT y con la información completa. Las pacientes fueron divididas en tres grupos según su masa corporal: IMC menor de 24,9 kg/m2, normal (n = 339); IMC entre 25-29,9 kg/m2, sobrepeso (n = 243) e IMC mayor de 30 kg/m2, obesidad (n = 94). Se compararon el tiempo quirúrgico, las complicaciones, la pérdida sanguínea, la necesidad de transfusión, la tasa de laparoconversión y el tiempo de estancia hospitalaria. Los tres grupos se contrastaron por medio de la prueba ANOVA. Resultados: 676 pacientes cumplieron los requisitos para el estudio. No hubo diferencias significativas en cuanto a la pérdida sanguínea, el tiempo quirúrgico, la estancia hospitalaria, la tasa de complicaciones o de laparoconversión. Conclusión: no se encontró asociación entre el índice de masa corporal y malos resultados peri y posoperatorios.

Objectives: evaluating the possible association between body mass index (BMI) and peri-and post-operative results in patients undergoing total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH). Methodology: a historical cohort of patients was taken over a 5-year period; they had undergone TLH in a referral centre for gynaecological laparoscopy. All patients who had undergone TLH and about whom complete information was available were included. Patients were divided into three groups according to body mass as follows: BMI below 24.9 kg/m2: “normal” (n = 339), BMI 25 -29.9 kg/m2: “overweight” (n = 243) and BMI greater than 30 kg/m2: “obese” (n = 94). Surgical time, complications, blood loss, transfusion requirement, laparoconversion rate and length of hospital stay were compared. ANOVA was used for comparing the three groups. Results: 676 patients met the study requirements. No significant differences regarding blood loss, operating time, hospital stay, complication rate or laparoconversion were found. Conclusion: no association was found between BMI and poor results during peri-and postoperative periods.

Targeted radiotherapy for small cell lung cancer using 90Yttrium-DOTATOC, an Yttrium-labelled somatostatin analogue: a pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: Some small cell lung carcinomas (SCLC) express neuro-endocrine markers, such as somatostatin receptors. Therefore, somatostatin analogues can be radio-labelled with 111Indium (Octreoscan) for diagnostic scintigraphy, or with 90Y-DOTATOC for therapeutic use. This is the first trial to assess the toxicity and efficacy of treatment with 90Y-DOTATOC in patients with Octreoscan positive SCLC. METHODS: Patients with SCLC after > or =first line chemotherapy received an Octreoscan scintigraphy and results were compared to CT scans. Patients with strong somatostatin-receptor expression were treated with 60 mCi/m2 90Y-DOTATOC i.v. every 3 weeks, for a total of three cycles. Major inclusion criteria were measurable tumour lesions, disease progression, normal creatinine clearance, PS < or = 2. RESULTS: Octreoscan scintigraphy identified 70% of all primary tumours, 87% of all mediastinal lesions, but only 26% of all extrathoracic tumour manifestations. Six patients were treated. Median number of 90Y-DOTATOC cycles was 2 (1-3). The only grade 3 toxicity was fatigue (n = 2) and dyspnea (n = 1). There were no severe renal or haematological toxicities. All six patients had tumour progression, median progression free survival (PFS) was 37.5 days (28-52) and median overall (OS) was 103.5 days (28-269). CONCLUSION: This is the first report of somatostatin-receptor targeted radiotherapy for SCLC in the literature. In contrast to well differentiated neuro-endocrine tumours, 90Y-DOTATOC seems to be inactive in SCLC.

Neoplasias en aparato reproductor en perras: estudio restrospectivo a 6 años / Neoplasias in the reproductive system in female dogs: retrospective study of 6 years

Las noeplasias en tracto genital son poco frecuentes en perras, y suelen estar asociadas a problemas reproductivos secundarios. El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar la frecuencia de neoplasias en el aparato reproductor de perras en México, haciendo una revisión retrospectiva de biopsias remitidas al Departamento de Patología de la Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, desde 1988 hasta 1993. Con ese fin se revisaron 2062 biopsias, de las cuales 117 (5.6 por ciento) correspondieron a neoplasias en el aparato reproductor. Se localizaron 48 neoplasias en vagina (41.02 por ciento), 40 en vulva (34.18 por ciento), 18 en ovario (15.38 por ciento) y 11 en útero (9.4 por ciento). De acuerdo con el tipo histológico, las neoplasias más frecuentes fueron: 8 casos de tumor de células de la granulosa (44.4 por ciento) en ovario, 5 casos de adenoma (45.5 por ciento) en útero y 31 (64.6 por ciento) y 22 (55 por ciento) casos de tumor venéreo transmisible en vagina y vulva, respectivamente. Las edades de los animales fueron de más de 5 años. Los datos encontrados concuerdan con lo referido en la literatura