Influence of Altitudes and Development Stages on the Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Capacity of the Wild Andean Blueberry (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth).

The chemical composition and biological capacities of berries depend on environmental parameters, maturity, and location. The Andean blueberry (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth), also known as mortiño, presents a unique combination of several phytochemicals, which play a synergistic role in its characterization as a functional food. We aimed to expose the possible variations that exist in the profile of the phenolic compounds as well as the antioxidant and antimicrobial capacity of the wild Andean blueberry with respect to three ripeness stages and two different altitudes. We found that polyphenols are the predominant compounds in the berry during the early ripeness stage and are the main bioactive compounds that give rise to the antioxidant capacity and inhibition effect on the growth of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, the accumulation of ascorbic acid, free amino acids, and anthocyanins increases as the ripening process progresses, and they were the main bioactive compounds in the ripe berry. The latter compounds influence the production of the typical bluish or reddish coloration of ripe blueberries. In addition, it was determined that environmental conditions at high altitudes could have a positive influence in all cases. Overall, our data provide evidence regarding the high functional value of the wild Andean blueberry.

Flow cytometry "Ogata score" for the diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndromes in a real-life setting. A Latin American experience.

INTRODUCTION: Flow cytometry (FC) is a helpful tool for the diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Different FC score systems have been developed. The "Ogata score" is a simple diagnostic score that has been validated having a sensitivity of 69% and a specificity of 92% in low-risk MDS. We aimed to study the feasibility and the utility of the "Ogata score" for the diagnosis of MDS among Latin America (LA) Laboratories. METHODS: This is a case and control study conducted in LA institutions members of Grupo Latinoamericano de Mielodisplasia (GLAM). A total of 146 MDS patients and 57 control patients were included. "Ogata score" was calculated. RESULTS: The sensitivity of "Ogata score" was 75.6% (95% CI, 66.8-81.3), specificity was 91.2% (95% CI, 79.7-96.7), PPV was 95.6% (95% CI, 88.5-98.3), and NPV was 65.4% (95% CI, 49.1-71.9). In low/intermediate-1 IPSS patients group, the sensitivity was 70.1% (95% CI, 60.2-78.2), specificity was 91.2% (CI-95%, 79.7-96.7), PPV was 94.2% (95% CI, 86.4-97.8), and NPV was 62.1% (95% CI, 53.0-78.7). In the group of patients "without MDS specific markers" (patients without ring sideroblasts, blast excess, or chromosomal abnormalities), the sensitivity was 66.7% (CI-95%, 55.8-76.0), specificity was 91.2% (95% CI, 79.7-96.7), PPV was 92.3% (95% CI, 82.2-97.1), and NPV was 63.5% (95% CI, 51.9-73.5). CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic power found in this study was similar to the reported by Della-Porta et al. Also in LA, the analysis was made in modern equipment with acquisition of at least 100 000 events which permits a good reproducibility of the results.

Aumento significativo de la colonización por Staphylococcus aureus entre los estudiantes de medicina durante la realización de las prácticas en el hospital / Significant increase in the colonisation of Staphylococcus aureus among medical students during their hospital practices

INTRODUCCIÓN: La vigilancia y el control de Staphylococcus aureus resistente a la meticilina (SARM) debe ser una prioridad para todos los centros, incluyendo la detección activa de portadores. En este marco nuestro primer objetivo fue determinar la prevalencia de portadores nasales de Staphylococcus aureus sensible a la meticilina (SASM) y SARM entre los estudiantes de medicina del Hospital Clínico San Carlos. Al ser la prevalencia entre el personal sanitario superior a la de la población general, establecimos la hipótesis de que entre los estudiantes aumentaría durante las prácticas clínicas de los 3 últimos años. Métodos En 2008 llevamos a cabo una estimación epidemiológica de prevalencia de portadores, realizando un exudado nasal a los estudiantes de tercer curso, y en 2012 se la realizamos a los de la misma promoción cuando estaban en sexto. Resultados Se encontró un aumento significativo (p < 0,03) de portadores de SASM, pasando del 27 al 46%. No hubo portadores de SARM en tercero, y sí un caso en sexto. El 89% de S. aureus fueron resistentes a la penicilina y el 27% a la eritromicina y la clindamicina. Se aislaron 19 Staphylococcus coagulasa negativos RM que representan un reservorio para la transferencia horizontal de genes, concretamente el gen mecA, a S. aureus. Conclusiones Aumenta la colonización por SASM de forma significativa entre los estudiantes de medicina durante su estancia en el hospital. Adquieren y pueden ser una fuente de patógenos nosocomiales y, por lo tanto, deberían prestar especial cuidado a las medidas higiénicas, como el lavado correcto de manos, durante su actividad hospitalaria

INTRODUCTION: Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogen of major concern. The emergence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has increasingly complicated the therapeutic approach of hospital-acquired infections. Surveillance of MRSA and control measures must be implemented in different healthcare settings, including screening programs for carriers. Our first aim was to determine the prevalence of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and MRSA nasal carriage in medical students from the Clínico San Carlos Hospital (Madrid). As the MRSA carrier rate in healthcare workers is higher than in the general population, we hypothesised that carrier rate could be increased during their clinical practice in their last three years. METHODS: We performed an epidemiologic al study of the prevalence of S. aureus colonisation among a group of medical students, who were sampled in 2008 in their third-year, and in 2012 when this class was in its sixth year. RESULTS: We have found a significant increase in MSSA carriage, from 27% to 46%. There were no MRSA colonisations in the third-year, but one was found in the sixth-year group. The large majority of strains (89%) of strains were resistant to penicillin, and 27% to erythromycin and clindamycin. As 19 coagulase-negative Staphylococcus MR were also identified, a horizontal transfer of genes, such as mecA gene to S. aureus, could have occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Medical students are both, at risk for acquiring, and a potential source of nosocomial pathogens, mainly MSSA. Therefore, they should take special care for hygienic precautions, such as frequent and proper hand washing, while working in the hospital

[Significant increase in the colonisation of Staphylococcus aureus among medical students during their hospital practices]. / Aumento significativo de la colonización por Staphylococcus aureus entre los estudiantes de medicina durante la realización de las prácticas en el hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogen of major concern. The emergence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has increasingly complicated the therapeutic approach of hospital-acquired infections. Surveillance of MRSA and control measures must be implemented in different healthcare settings, including screening programs for carriers. Our first aim was to determine the prevalence of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and MRSA nasal carriage in medical students from the Clínico San Carlos Hospital (Madrid). As the MRSA carrier rate in healthcare workers is higher than in the general population, we hypothesised that carrier rate could be increased during their clinical practice in their last three years. METHODS: We performed an epidemiologic al study of the prevalence of S. aureus colonisation among a group of medical students, who were sampled in 2008 in their third-year, and in 2012 when this class was in its sixth year. RESULTS: We have found a significant increase in MSSA carriage, from 27% to 46%. There were no MRSA colonisations in the third-year, but one was found in the sixth-year group. The large majority of strains (89%) of strains were resistant to penicillin, and 27% to erythromycin and clindamycin. As 19 coagulase-negative Staphylococcus MR were also identified, a horizontal transfer of genes, such as mecA gene to S. aureus, could have occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Medical students are both, at risk for acquiring, and a potential source of nosocomial pathogens, mainly MSSA. Therefore, they should take special care for hygienic precautions, such as frequent and proper hand washing, while working in the hospital.

Histerectomia: efeitos emocionais na identidade feminina / Hysterectomy: emotional effects in the female identity

Partindo de um estudo de caso, investigou-se algumas interferências na identidade feminina decorrentes da histerectomia. O significado do útero para a paciente, a formaçäo religiosa e a educaçäo sexual recebidas, as informaçöes que teve sobre sexualidade, foram analisadas e relacionadas com o modo pelo qual a cirurgia foi sentida por ela. O sentimento suscitado pela cirurgia - ter sido diminuída em sua identidade feminina - e as repercussöes disso em sua vida, também foram investigados. Concluindo, o estudo pretende mostrar a necessidade de compreender as pacientes num todo: orgânica e psiquicamente. Procura salientar também, a importância de um trabalho multiprofissional tanto para obtençäo de um maior sucesso na cirurgia como para possibilitar que as pacientes reestruturem sua identidade feminina