Identification of Lower-Limb Motor Tasks via Brain-Computer Interfaces: A Topical Overview.

Recent engineering and neuroscience applications have led to the development of brain-computer interface (BCI) systems that improve the quality of life of people with motor disabilities. In the same area, a significant number of studies have been conducted in identifying or classifying upper-limb movement intentions. On the contrary, few works have been concerned with movement intention identification for lower limbs. Notwithstanding, lower-limb neurorehabilitation is a major topic in medical settings, as some people suffer from mobility problems in their lower limbs, such as those diagnosed with neurodegenerative disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, and people with hemiplegia or quadriplegia. Particularly, the conventional pattern recognition (PR) systems are one of the most suitable computational tools for electroencephalography (EEG) signal analysis as the explicit knowledge of the features involved in the PR process itself is crucial for both improving signal classification performance and providing more interpretability. In this regard, there is a real need for outline and comparative studies gathering benchmark and state-of-art PR techniques that allow for a deeper understanding thereof and a proper selection of a specific technique. This study conducted a topical overview of specialized papers covering lower-limb motor task identification through PR-based BCI/EEG signal analysis systems. To do so, we first established search terms and inclusion and exclusion criteria to find the most relevant papers on the subject. As a result, we identified the 22 most relevant papers. Next, we reviewed their experimental methodologies for recording EEG signals during the execution of lower limb tasks. In addition, we review the algorithms used in the preprocessing, feature extraction, and classification stages. Finally, we compared all the algorithms and determined which of them are the most suitable in terms of accuracy.

Removal of Environmental Nanoparticles Increases Protein Synthesis and Energy Production in Healthy Humans.

Currently, industrial activity causes the environmental release of nanoparticles that have multiple adverse effects on population health. There is a clear correlation between the increase in particulate air pollution and the increases in mortality and morbidity rates in both adults and children, which demonstrates the toxic effects of these particles. However, the effect of particle removal on healthy individuals is unknown. Thus, in this preliminary study, we showed, for the first time, how the filtering equipment that we used significantly reduced a large amount of nanoparticles in a minimum time and induced a reduction of oxidative damage in healthy individuals of both sexes after 25, 50 and 100 days of exposure. These effects led to increased protein synthesis and enhanced mitochondrial efficiency, thus resulting in a highly significant triggering of ATP synthesis. These results not only provide insight into the chronic effects that environmental nanoparticles have on individuals prior to the development of pathologies but also demonstrate a system capable of reversing nanoparticle toxicity and allowing cellular energy recovery.

La fecundidad en Argentina a inicios del siglo XXI: ¿el fin de la meseta? El papel de la educación en los cambios / Fecundidade na Argentina no início do século 21: o fim do plateau? Efeitos da educação nas mudanças / Fertility in Argentina at the beginning of the 21st century: the end of the plateau? Effects of education on changes

Resumen El presente trabajo ofrece un análisis del comportamiento de la fecundidad desagregado por nivel de instrucción de la madre en Argentina en el siglo XXI y presta especial atención a la evolución de la fecundidad adolescente en el mismo período. A diferencia de lo acontecido en otros países de la región en las últimas dos décadas, donde el descenso de la fecundidad fue casi ininterrumpida, en la Argentina la fecundidad tuvo un comportamiento estable, similar a una meseta, desde comienzos del siglo XXI hasta 2014, a partir de cuando comenzó un descenso sostenido análogo al de sus países vecinos. Para este análisis se usan datos de las estadísticas vitales y de las estimaciones y proyecciones de población del INDEC, y para el análisis por nivel de instrucción, datos de las encuestas permanentes de hogares del INDEC y del Censo Nacional de Población y Vivienda de 2010. En el análisis se puede observar una importante brecha en los niveles de fecundidad entre las mujeres más y menos instruidas, principalmente en la fecundidad adolescente. Esta brecha es un reflejo de inequidad, dado que la alta fecundidad afecta sobre todo a las mujeres de los estratos sociales más vulnerables.

Resumo Este documento faz uma análise do comportamento da fecundidade na Argentina no século 21, desagregado por nível de escolaridade da mãe, com especial atenção à evolução da fecundidade na adolescência nesse período. Ao contrário do que aconteceu em outros países da região nas últimas duas décadas, onde a fecundidade diminuiu quase continuamente, na Argentina a fecundidade teve um comportamento estável, semelhante a um plateau, desde o início do século 21 até 2014, quando começou um declínio sustentado semelhante ao observado nos países vizinhos. Utilizamos dados de estatísticas vitais, estimativas e projeções da população do INDEC e, para a análise por nível de educação, dados das Pesquisas Domésticas do INDEC e do Censo Nacional da População e Habitação 2010. A análise mostra uma lacuna significativa nos níveis de fecundidade entre as mulheres mais e menos instruídas, principalmente na fecundidade adolescente. Esta lacuna é reflexo da desigualdade, uma vez que a alta fecundidade afeta principalmente as mulheres dos estratos sociais mais vulneráveis.

Abstract This paper presents an analysis of Argentina's fertility behavior disaggregated by level of education of the mother in the 21st century, and focuses on the evolution of adolescent fertility during the same period. Unlike what other countries from the region have experienced in the last two decades, where fertility decline occurred almost uninterruptedly, Argentina's fertility had a stable behavior, similar to a plateau, from the beginning of the 21st century until 2014. Since then, it began a sustained decline similar to that evidenced in neighboring countries. Data from vital statistics, INDEC population estimates and projections are used, and data from INDEC Household Surveys and the 2010 National Population and Housing Census are used for the analysis by education level. The analysis shows a significant gap in fertility levels between the most and least educated women, mainly in adolescent fertility. This gap is a reflection of inequity, given that high fertility rates mainly affect women from the most vulnerable social strata.

A General Overview on the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Applications, Mechanisms and Translational Opportunities.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) consists of using of pure oxygen at increased pressure (in general, 2-3 atmospheres) leading to augmented oxygen levels in the blood (Hyperoxemia) and tissue (Hyperoxia). The increased pressure and oxygen bioavailability might be related to a plethora of applications, particularly in hypoxic regions, also exerting antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and angiogenic properties, among others. In this review, we will discuss in detail the physiological relevance of oxygen and the therapeutical basis of HBOT, collecting current indications and underlying mechanisms. Furthermore, potential areas of research will also be examined, including inflammatory and systemic maladies, COVID-19 and cancer. Finally, the adverse effects and contraindications associated with this therapy and future directions of research will be considered. Overall, we encourage further research in this field to extend the possible uses of this procedure. The inclusion of HBOT in future clinical research could be an additional support in the clinical management of multiple pathologies.

A Comparison of Deep Learning Models for Detecting COVID-19 in Chest X-ray Images.

COVID-19 has spread around the world rapidly causing a pandemic. In this research, a set of Deep Learning architectures, for diagnosing the presence or not of the disease have been designed and compared; such as, a CNN with 4 incremental convolutional blocks; a VGG-19 architecture; an Inception network; and, a compact CNN model known as MobileNet. For the analysis and comparison, transfer learning techniques were used in forty-five different experiments. All four models were designed to perform binary classification, reaching an accuracy above 95%. A set of different scores were implemented to compare the performance of all models, showing that the VGG-19 and Inception configurations performed the best.

Comparison of mortality attributable to tobacco in selected Latin American countries / Mortalidad atribuible al consumo de tabaco en países seleccionados de América Latina

Abstract Objective: To compare the mortality attributable to tobacco consumption in selected Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Mexico) between the years 2009 and 2013. Methods: In order to estimate the mortality attributable to risk factors, the Comparative Risk Assessment (CRA) methodology was used. Years of Life Expectancy Lost (YLEL) were calculated following the methodology proposed by Arriaga. Secondary data from the national statistics agency of each country were used. Results: The highest percentages of all deaths due tobacco were observed among Argentinian and Chilean men (14.4 and 14.3% of the total deaths, respectively), followed by Mexicans (12.5% of the total deaths). Among women, the highest percentage was registered in Chile (8% of total deaths), followed by Mexico and Argentina (5.3, and 5.1% of total deaths, respectively). For both sexes, Brazil recorded the lowest percentages (5.4 and 2.8% of the total deaths, for men and women). In terms of life expectancy, the most affected by mortality due to tobacco consumption were the men and women of Argentina, who lost 1.77 and 0.65 years of life expectancy, respectively, followed very closely by the Chilean men and women. Conclusions: Men and women of Argentina had the greatest loss of life expectancy due to tobacco; this is consistent with the incipient policy against tobacco implemented in that country. In contrast, in the other countries studied, tobacco control policies were implemented earlier. However, tobacco remains an important cause of mortality in all these countries, despite the great efforts to reduce its consumption.

Resumen Objetivo: Comparar la mortalidad atribuible al consumo de tabaco en países seleccionados de América Latina (Argentina, Brasil, Chile y México) entre los años 2009 y 2013. Método: Se utiliza la metodología de Evaluación Comparativa de Riesgos (CRA) para estimar la mortalidad atribuible; luego se calculó los años de esperanza de vida perdidos (AEVP), siguiendo la metodología propuesta de Arriaga. Se utilizaron datos secundarios de la agencia nacional de estadísticas de cada país. Resultados: Los mayores porcentajes de muerte por tabaco se observaron entre los hombres argentinos y chilenos (14,4 y 14,3 % del total de muertes, respectivamente), seguidos por los mexicanos (12,5 % del total de muertes). Entre las mujeres, el mayor porcentaje se registró en Chile (8 % del total de muertes), seguido por México y Argentina (5,3, y 5,1 % del total de muertes, respectivamente). Para ambos sexos, Brasil registró los menores porcentajes (5,4 y 2,8 % del total de muertes, para hombres y mujeres). En términos de esperanza de vida, los más afectados por la mortalidad debido al consumo de tabaco fueron los hombres y las mujeres de Argentina, quienes perdieron 1,77 y 0,65 años de esperanza de vida, respectivamente, seguidos muy de cerca por los hombres y mujeres chilenas. Conclusiones: Los hombres y mujeres de Argentina presentaron la mayor pérdida de años de vida a causa del tabaco. Este hecho concuerda con la incipiente implementación de la política antitabaco en este país. En cambio, en los otros países estudiados las políticas de control han sido implementadas más tempranamente. Sin embargo, el tabaco sigue siendo una importante causa de mortalidad en todos estos países, a pesar de los grandes esfuerzos para reducir su consumo.

Comparative study of the efficacy and safety of bromfenac, nepafenac and diclofenac sodium for the prevention of cystoid macular edema after phacoemulsification.

AIM: To compare the efficacy, tolerability and safety of bromfenac 0.09%, nepafenac 0.1% or diclofenac 0.1% for the prophylaxis of the cystoid macular edema (CME) after phacoemulsification. METHODS: Group sequential observational comparative study. After phacoemulsification, patients received two months for topical treatment of either diclofenac sodium, bromfenac or nepafenac. All patients received concomitant topical tobramycin 0.3% and topical prednisolone 1%. We measured CME using optical coherence tomography (OCT) central foveal thickness, macular thickness and total macular volume. RESULTS: We enrolled 243 patients from January to June 2015, and 35% received diclofenac, 32.9% bromfenac and 32.1% nepafenac. When we compared pre-operative to three weeks to two months, bromfenac was more effective in reducing foveal volume (21.3 and 35.4 mm3, respectively), compared with the diclofenac (1.3 and 11.5 mm3, respectively), and the nepafenac group, became more edematous 6.4 and 5.3, respectively. Totally 133 patients completed the post-surgical satisfaction questionnaire. Patients complained of eye stickiness in 13.8% whom we gave nepafenac, versus 10.3% whom we gave diclofenac sodium, and in 0 whom we gave bromfenac. CONCLUSION: Bromfenac is the best tolerated and is more effective than diclofenac and nepafenac in reducing CME after phacoemulsification.

Progresos y desafíos en el ejercicio del derecho a la salud sexual y reproductiva en la Argentina de los últimos 40 años. Una aproximación a partir de información relativa a "la primera vez" / Progressos e desafios no exercício dos direitos à saúde sexual e reprodutiva na Argentina nos últimos 40 anos. Uma abordagem a partir da informação relativa à "primeira vez" / Advances and challenges in the exercise of the right to sexual and reproductive health in Argentina for the last 40 years. An analysis from information related to "the first time"

Resumen Este trabajo intenta aproximar la medida en que Argentina ha avanzado, en los últimos 40 años, hacia el pleno ejercicio del derecho a la salud sexual y reproductiva con igualdad de oportunidades. Para ello se utiliza información sobre la primera experiencia sexual, proveniente de la Encuesta Nacional sobre Salud Sexual y Reproductiva, relevada en 2013. En particular, se indaga la proporción de personas iniciadas sexualmente en la adolescencia, según el sexo, el quinquenio de nacimiento y las condiciones en que la experiencia tuvo lugar. Los resultados revelan notables progresos en relación al debut sexual consentido y seguro. Sin embargo, persisten problemas derivados de las diferencias entre sexos, el desconocimiento de mecanismos de protección en determinados casos y, en ocasiones, la falta de acceso a los mismos. Estas cuestiones evidencian la necesidad redoblar los esfuerzos realizados, mediante la incorporación integral de las perspectivas intercultural, de género y de derechos humanos.

Resumo Este trabalho visa determinar em que medida a Argentina tem avançado, nos últimos 40 anos, na direção do pleno exercício do direito à saúde sexual e reprodutiva com iguais oportunidades. Para tal propósito, utilizam-se informações sobre a primeira experiência sexual, proveniente do Survey Nacional sobre Saúde Sexual e Reprodutiva de 2013. Em particular, investiga a proporção de pessoas iniciadas sexualmente na adolescência segundo sexo, quinquênio de nascimento e condições em que ocorreu a experiência. Os resultados revelam notáveis progressos em relação à iniciação sexual consentida e segura. Contudo, persistem problemas derivados das diferenças entre os sexos, o desconhecimento de mecanismos de proteção em determinados casos, e, às vezes, a falta de acesso aos mesmos. Estas questões evidenciam a necessidade de redobrar os esforços realizados de incorporação integral das perspectivas intercultural, de gênero e dos direitos humanos.

Abstract This paper analyzes the extent that Argentina has advanced in the last 40 years towards the full realization of the right to sexual and reproductive health with equal opportunities. For that purpose, information from the National Survey on Sexual and Reproductive Health 2013, related to the first sexual experience is used. In particular, the proportion of people that initiate sexual activity during adolescence is analyzed by sex, quinquennium of birth and conditions in which the experience took place. The results show significant progress regarding safe and consensual sexual initiation. However, there are still some problems related to differences between males and females, lack of information regarding protection mechanisms in certain cases and, sometimes, the impossibility of accessing them. These issues highlight the need to redouble efforts made through intercultural, gender and human rights perspectives.

Factores asociados a la autopercepción de salud en adultos mayores / Health selfperception-related factors in older adults

Objetivo: evaluar el estado de salud en adultos mayores a través del indicador autopercepción de la salud y analizar los factores que influyen en esta autopercepción. Métodos: se estudió un universo compuesto por personas de ambos sexos, de 60 años y más, autoválidos, residentes en la ciudad de Córdoba, Argentina, y que fueron encuestados en el 2011para la investigación Condiciones de Vida y Salud Nutricional en los Adultos Mayores de la ciudad de Córdoba. Se analizó como variable dependiente la autopercepción de salud. Se realizó análisis bivariado y multivariado a través de la técnica árbol de decisiones. Resultados: el 60,1 por ciento de los adultos mayores tuvieron una autopercepción de la salud positiva (excelente, muy buena o buena). El análisis bivariado demostró que la autopercepción de salud negativa se relacionó con ser mujer, no tener cobertura de salud, no tener ingresos o ingresos inferiores a 250 USD, necesitar ayuda, tener más de una enfermedad crónica, nivel educativo bajo o medio e insatisfacción con la vida. En el análisis multivariado, se observó que la variable enfermedades crónicas fue la que tuvo mayor efecto en la autopercepción de salud. Otras variables predictoras, fueron el apoyo recibido y la satisfacción con la vida. Conclusiones: el indicador autopercepción de salud resulta útil para medir el nivel de salud de una población, ya que se relaciona fuertemente con la presencia de enfermedades crónicas. Adicionalmente, la ayuda recibida y la satisfacción con la vida se relacionaron con la autopercepción de salud(AU)

Objectives: to evaluate the health status in old persons through the health self-perception indicator, and to analyze factors affecting such self-perception. Methods: primary data from research Life conditions and nutritional health in Aging of Córdoba City was used. The universe of study was made up of people of both sexes aged 60 years and older, self-sufficient and residents in Cordoba city, Argentina; they had been surveyed in 2011 for the above-mentioned research. Dependent variable was health self-perception. Bivariate analysis and multivariate analysis (through decision tree technique), were conducted. Results: in the study, 60.1 percent of the elderly had positive health self-perception (excellent, very good or good). The bivariate analysis showed that negative health self-perception was related to being a woman, having no medical insurance, having no incomes or less than 250 USD, requiring help, suffering from more than one chronic disease, having low or intermediate schooling and life dissatisfaction. The multivariate analysis showed that the variable chronic diseases causes the highest effect in health self perception. Other predictive variables were received support and life satisfaction. Conclusions: the health self-perception indicator is useful for measuring the health status of a population since it strongly relates with the presence of chronic diseases. Additionally, the received support has an effect on perceived health and life satisfaction is a subjective component related to health self perception(AU)

Mortalidad atribuible al sobrepeso y la obesidad en Argentina: comparación entre los años 2005 y 2009 / Mortalidade atribuível ao sobrepeso e à obesidade na Argentina: comparação entre 2005 e 2009 / Mortality attributable to overweight and obesity in Argentina: comparison between 2005 and 2009

Este artículo tiene como objetivo comparar la mortalidad atribuible al sobrepeso y la obesidad en personas mayores de 20 años de Argentina, según sexo y grupo de edad, entre los años 2005 y 2009. Para este propósito se utilizaron fuentes de datos secundarias: la Encuesta Nacional de Factores de Riesgo (ENFR) de 2005 y 2009 y estadísticas vitales. Para la estimación de la mortalidad atribuible al sobrepeso y la obesidad se empleó el método dependiente de la prevalencia, basado en el cálculo de la Fracción Atribuible Poblacional (FAP), mientras que para determinar el impacto en la esperanza de vida se calcularon los Años de Esperanza de Vida Perdidos (AEVP). Los principales resultados indican que, en 2005, el 5,2% de las muertes de varones y el 6,1% de las de mujeres se debieron al exceso de peso; en 2009 disminuyeron al 4,9% y al 5,5%, respectivamente. En 2009 se produjo además un descenso de las muertes por enfermedades cardiovasculares y diabetes en ambos sexos, al tiempo que aumentaron las neoplasias. Los AEVP atribuibles al exceso de peso fueron de 0,33 años en 2005 y 0,30 años en 2009 en el caso de las mujeres, y de 0,45 años en 2005 y 0,43 años en 2009 en el de los varones. Además, se observó un aumento de los AEVP en las edades más jóvenes. Contrariamente a la hipótesis planteada, no se encontró un aumento de la mortalidad atribuible al sobrepeso y la obesidad en el período analizado, aunque se incrementó la mortalidad por esta causa en los más jóvenes

Este artigo objetiva comparar a mortalidade atribuível ao sobrepeso e à obesidade na Argentina entre 2005 e 2009, em pessoas com mais de 20 anos, segundo sexo e grupo de idade. Foram utilizadas fontes de dados secundários: Pesquisa Nacional de Fatores de Risco (PNFR 2005 e 2009) e estatísticas vitais. Para a estimação da mortalidade atribuível ao sobrepeso e à obesidade, empregou-se o método dependente da prevalência, fundamentado no cálculo da fração atribuível populacional (FAP). Para determinar o impacto na esperança de vida, foram calculados os anos de esperança de vida perdidos (AEVP). Os principais resultados indicam que, em 2005, 5,2% das mortes em homens e 6,1% das mortes em mulheres foram atribuíveis ao excesso de peso. Em 2009, em ambos os sexos observa-se um descenso das mortes por enfermidades cardiovasculares e diabetes, ao mesmo tempo que aumentaram as neoplasias. Os AEVP atribuíveis ao excesso de peso, para as mulheres, foram de 0,33 ano em 2005 e 0,30 ano em 2009 e, para os homens, de 0,45 e 0,43 ano em 2005 e 2009, respectivamente. Por faixa etária, verifica-se um aumento dos AEVP em idades mais jovens. Ao contrário da hipótese formulada, não se constata aumento da mortalidade atribuível ao sobrepeso e à obesidade no período analisado, mas a mortalidade por esta causa incrementa-se entre os jovens

The aim of this paper is to compare mortality attributable to overweight and obesity in Argentina between the years 2005 and 2009, in adults ages 20 and older, by sex and age group. Secondary data were used: The last National Risk Factors Survey (NRFS) of 2005 and 2009, and mortality statistics. Mortality attributable to overweight and obesity was estimated using the prevalence dependent method, based on the calculation of the population attributable fraction (PAF). To determine the impact on life expectancy, years of life expectancy lost (YLEL) were calculated. The main results indicate that in 2005, 5.2% of deaths among men and 6.1% of deaths among women were attributable to overweight and obesity; in 2009, it decreased to 4.9% and 5.5%, respectively. In 2009, for both sexes, there was a decline in deaths due to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, while deaths from cancer have increased. YLEL attributable to weight excess were 0.33 years in 2005 and 0.30 years in 2009 for women; and 0.45 years in 2005 and 0.43 years in 2009 for men. By age group, an increase of YLEL attributable to overweight and obesity was found. In contrast to the initial hypothesis, it was not observed an increase in mortality attributable to overweight and obesity between 2005 and 2009 in Argentina, but an increase at among the youth was noted

Condiciones de vida, estado nutricional y estado de salud en adultos mayores, Córdoba, Argentina / Life conditions, nutritional and health status in elderly population, Córdoba, Argentina

OBJETIVO: Describir y comparar el estado nutricional y el estado de salud en dos grupos de adultos mayores de diferentes condiciones de vida, residentes en la ciudad de Córdoba, Argentina. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal, llevado a cabo en dos grupos: adultos mayores concurrentes a Comedores Sociales de la Provincia de Córdoba CSPC; n=308 y adultos mayores afiliados a la obra social universitaria Dirección de Asistencia Social del Personal Universitario DASPU; n=134. Se determinaron parámetros antropométricos: índice de masa corporal IMC, circunferencia de cintura CC e índice cintura cadera ICC. Para la determinación del estado de salud se utilizaron indicadores subjetivos autopercepción de salud, autoinforme de enfermedades crónicas, obtenidos a través de encuesta. Para la corroboración de hipótesis se utilizó Test de X2, cálculo de Odds Ratio OR, y Prueba T. RESULTADOS: En hombres, se observó mayor sobrepeso y obesidad en el grupo DASPU; mientras que en las mujeres no se encontraron mayores diferencias entre ambas instituciones, salvo un promedio menor de IMC en el grupo DASPU. En relación a los indicadores del estado de salud, se observó en ambos sexos, una mejor percepción de la salud en el grupo DASPU, mayor prevalencia de diabetes en hombres del grupo CSPC, hipertensión en mujeres de CSPC y tumor maligno en hombres del grupo DASPU. CONCLUSIONES: Se observa que las condiciones sociales de vida influyen en el estado nutricional y de salud de los adultos mayores, en especial en hombres. Esto implica riesgos diferentes para ambos grupos.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare nutritional and health status in two groups of elderly population with different life conditions, living in Córdoba city, Argentina. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study in two samples of elderly: aged people of Social Food Program Beneficiary, in Córdoba city SFPB, n=308; and aged people affiliated to University Personal Health Insurance UPHI; n=134. Anthropometric measures were applied: body mass index BMI, waist circumference WC and waist-hip ratio WHR. Health status was determinate with subjective indicators self health perception, chronic conditions self report, measure through questionnaire. Statistical analysis included Chi-Square test, Odds Ratio OR and T test. RESULTS: In men, we observed more overweight and obesity in UPHI group than in SFPB; while in women not differences was find in two groups, excepting a lower mean of BMI in UPHI group. Health indicators show in both sexes a better self-perception health in UPHI group. We observed more diabetes prevalence in men of SFPB group, more hypertension in women of SFPB group, and more malign tumor in men of UPHI group. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that social conditions had influence in nutritional and health status of elderly people, especially in men. For this reason, life conditions conducted to different risks in these groups if elderly people.

The reproductive transition in an indigenous population of northern Argentina.

Latin America has been registering a fast decrease in fertility rates since the mid-twentieth century. This change can be linked to the modernization process these populations have been undergoing. However, research with Latin American indigenous populations, which are undergoing relatively similar lifestyle changes, shows very different trends in fertility. The aim of this study was to analyze fertility patterns in the indigenous Toba community of Cacique Sombrero Negro, which is experiencing a rapid process of economic and social Westernization. Fertility patterns were analyzed between 1981 and 1999, the period for which the most accurate records were found. Results showed an overall increase in fertility rates and changes in the age of peak fertility across time periods. It is hypothesized that the lifestyle transition this population is experiencing leads to better access to resources that, in the absence of contraception, allow for a higher number of offspring. Nevertheless, this higher resource availability would be differential, affecting mostly the fertility of younger mothers.

Envejecimiento poblacional en el siglo XXI: Oportunidades, retos y preocupaciones / Population aging in the twenty-first century: Opportunities, challenges and concerns

Con un enfoque demográfico, esta reflexión buscó evidenciar los retos, oportunidades, transformaciones y preocupaciones que supone el envejecimiento de las poblaciones, lo cual obliga a una visión integral del fenómeno desde diferentes ámbitos. Para ello se describió el comportamiento de las transformaciones poblacionales durante un siglo (1950-2050) en el mundo, en América Latina y el Caribe y en Colombia, evidenciando los cambios en algunos indicadores demográficos. Esta reflexión permitió concluir que las oportunidades, retos y preocupaciones que impone el envejecimiento poblacional en el siglo XXI serán un factor determinante en el desarrollo de los pueblos, que deberán enfrentar una disminución de la fecundidad y aumento en la esperanza de vida, originando cambios en la estructura poblacional, aumentando las demandas en los servicios de salud y a los sistemas económico y de seguridad social para atender a una mayor demanda con nuevas estructuras familiares y relaciones intergeneracionales, pero se aumentará la mano de obra productiva, potenciales aportantes de los dos sistemas.

This discussion tries to show the challenges, opportunities, changes and concerns that an aging population, which requires a holistic view of the phenomenon from different perspectives. For this purpose, described the behaviour of the population changes for a century (1950-2050) in the world, in Latin America and the Caribbean and Colombia, highlighting the changes in demographic indicators. This thinking led to the conclusion that the opportunities, challenges and concerns posed by the aging population in the XXI century will be a factor in the development of peoples, they will face a decline in fertil-ity and increased life expectancy, causing changes in population structure, increasing demands on health services and economic systems and social security to meet increased demand with new family structures and intergenerational relations, but will increase the productive workforce potential contributors of the two systems.

Los patrones espaciales de los comportamientos de riesgo en la ciudad de Córdoba (Argentina)-2001 / Spatial patterns of risk behaviors in Cordoba (Argentina)-2001 / /Padrões espaciais dos comportamentos de risco na cidade de Córdoba (Argentina)-2001

Partiendo de la premisa que los fenómenos sociales no se distribuyen en el espacio geográfico de manera homogénea, este trabajo tiene como objetivo explorar los patrones de localización espacial de los grupos sociales en la ciudad de Córdoba (Argentina) y relacionarlos con algunos comportamientos de riesgo de niños y jóvenes, en particular aquellos que se vinculan con la reproducción de desigualdades, de la pobreza y de la exclusión. Primero, se identifican las diferentes áreas socio-habitacionales que componen la ciudad, a partir del análisis de la distribución de los grupos sociales en el espacio urbano, con especial énfasis en sus características educativas y habitacionales. Segundo, se calculan los diferenciales de los comportamientos de riesgo de niños y jóvenes (insuficiencia educativa, inactividad juvenil y fecundidad adolescente tardía), según áreas de residencia anteriormente mencionadas. Tercero, se evalúa la incidencia del contexto socio-habitacional en dichos comportamientos. La información con la que se trabaja es la proveniente del Censo Nacional de Población, Hogares y Vivienda del año 2001, a nivel de radio censal.

Based on the premise that social phenomena are not evenly distributed in geographic space, this study aims to explore the spatial patterns of social groups in the city of Córdoba (Argentina), associating them with certain risk behaviors among children and adolescents, especially those related to the reproduction of inequality, poverty, and exclusion. First, we identify the different socio-residential areas comprising the city, from the analysis of the distribution of social groups in the urban space, with special emphasis on education and housing characteristics. Second, we calculate the differentials for risk behavior among children and adolescents (school dropout rates, youth inactivity, and late adolescence fertility) according to the aforementioned areas of residence. Third, we evaluate the impact of the socio-housing context in these behaviors. We use Data from the National Demographic and Household Census of 2001, at the census tract level.

Partindo da premissa de que os fenômenos sociais não são distribuídos de maneira homogênea no espaço geográfico, este estudo pretende explorar os padrões de localização espacial dos grupos sociais na cidade de Córdoba (Argentina), relacionando os mesmos com determinados comportamentos de risco de crianças e jovens, em especial aqueles vinculados à reprodução de desigualdades, da pobreza e da exclusão. Primeiro, são identificadas as diferentes áreas socio-habitacionais que compõem a cidade, a partir da análise da distribuição dos grupos sociais no espaço urbano, com especial ênfase nas suas características educacionais e habitacionais. Segundo, são calculados os diferenciais dos comportamentos de risco de crianças e jovens (evasão escolar, inatividade juvenil e fecundidade adolescente tardia), de acordo com as áreas de residência anteriormente mencionadas. Terceiro, é avaliada a incidência do contexto socio-habitacional nestes comportamentos. São utilizados os dados do Censo Demográfico e Domiciliar Nacional, de 2001, a nível do setor censitário.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) serum levels are associated with survival in early stages of lung cancer patients.

AIM: Evaluate the serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in the prognosis of lung cancer patients. METHODS: Fifty-four serum samples were analyzed for VEGF concentrations (79.3% nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 20.7% small cell lung cancer). RESULTS: Patients with serum VEGF-A levels higher than the mean of the patients studied (434.93 pg/mL) presented a shorter median survival time than those with lower levels (p =.04), as in patients with NSCLC tumors (p =.04) and in those with stages I-II (p <.05), and high serum VEGF-A levels. CONCLUSION: Elevated VEGF serum levels have a negative prognostic impact on survival in NSCLC and early stages of lung cancer patients.

Prognostic significance of the expression of vascular endothelial growth factors A, B, C, and D and their receptors R1, R2, and R3 in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the world. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and their receptors (VEGFRs) in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its correlation with the prognosis for patients with lung cancer. METHODS: The expression status of VEGFs and VEGFRs was examined in 48 nonconsecutive specimens of primary lung cancer by immunohistochemistry. Correlations between the expression of VEGFs and VEGFRs and clinicopathologic parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Nineteen of 48 samples (39.6%) were moderately/highly immunoreactive for VEGF-A, 6 samples (12.5%) were reactive for VEGF-B, 14 samples (29.2%) were reactive for VEGF-C, 11 samples (22.9%) were reactive for VEGF-D, 20 samples (41.7%) were reactive for VEGFR1, 26 samples (54.2%) were reactive for VEGFR2, 20 samples (41.7%) were reactive for VEGFR3, and 19 samples (39.6%) were reactive for nuclear expression of VEGFR3. Patients with moderate/high VEGF-C, VEGFR1, and VEGFR2 expression had worse survival, whereas patients with moderate/high VEGF-D and nuclear VEGFR3 expression had better survival. After adjusting according to tumor stage, VEGF-B and VEGF-D expression had a significant correlation with worse survival in patients with stage I and II disease. Patients with stage III and IV disease who had VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 expression had worse survival, whereas the expression of VEGF-D was correlated significantly with better survival. Finally, stage, VEGF-D expression, and VEGFR1 expression were significantly independent prognostic predictors. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study indicated that the over-expression of VEGFs and VEGFRs plays an important role in the survival of patients with NSCLC. The inclusion of angiogenic factors in the standard pathologic study of lung cancer may improve the clinical evaluation of patients with NSCLC.

Mortalidad por causas externas en tres ciudades latinoamericanas: Córdoba (Argentina), Campinas (Brasil) y Medellín (Colombia), 1980-2005 / Mortalidade por causas externas em três cidades latino-americanas: Córdoba (Argentina), Campinas (Brasil) e Medellín (Colômbia), 1980-2005 / Mortality from external causes in three Latin American cities: Córdoba (Argentina), Campinas (Brazil) and Medellín (Colombia), 1980-2005

OBJETIVO: Contribuir a los estudios sobre mortalidad por causas violentas en la América Latina a través de la análisis comparativa de los patrones y tendencias reciente de las muertes por causas externas en tres contextos urbanos regionales. MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo de fuente secundaria, utilizando estadísticas vitales del período 1980 a 2005, de Córdoba (Argentina), Campinas (Brasil), y Medellín (Colombia) en tres períodos entre 1980 y 2005. Destacan los siguientes grupos de causas: homicidios por armas de fuego y otros, accidentes de transportes, suicidios y de intención no determinada; desagregado por edad y sexo, con tasas calculadas con media de trienios próximos a los años censales. RESULTADOS: Los niveles de Medellín aventajan notablemente los de Campinas y Córdoba, en todas las causas estudiadas y en todas ellas son los hombres jóvenes los que ponen la mayor cuota de muertes. Los niveles de Campinas duplican a los de Córdoba, sobre todo en los homicidios y accidentes de tránsito, pero en los suicidios las tasas cordobesas duplican a las de Campinas. Para Medellín las tasas son máximas en torno de 1990, contrario de las otras ciudades donde la tendencia es creciente entre 1980 y 2000, y decreciente entre 2001 y 2005. CONCLUSIONES: La disponibilidad de datos sobre mortalidad con calidad permite comparaciones sobre la salud de las poblaciones estudiadas. Al comparar la mortalidad por causas externas, se evidencian diferencias en el nivel pero no tanto en el comportamiento por edad y sexo; a pesar que se trata de ciudades con algunas características similares por lo porte, además son centros universitarios y de desarrollo industrial de importancia en cada país. Los resultados sugieren que factores socioeconómicos y demográficos no son suficientes para explicar la gran diferencia en las cantidades observadas.

O objetivo deste artigo é contribuir para os estudos sobre mortalidade por causas violentas na América Latina, através de análise comparativa dos padrões e tendências das mortes por causas externas em três contextos urbanos. Trata-se de estudo descritivo de fonte secundária, utilizando estatísticas vitais de Córdoba (Argentina), Campinas (Brasil) y Medellín (Colômbia) em três períodos entre 1980 e 2005. São priorizados os subgrupos de causas externas - homicídios por armas de fogo e outros; acidentes de transportes; suicídios; e eventos cuja intenção é indeterminada -, com os dados desagregados por idade e sexo e taxas calculadas para o ponto médio dos triênios próximos aos anos censitários. Os resultados indicaram que os níveis de Medellín superam os de Campinas e Córdoba para todas as causas externas estudadas, sendo os homens jovens o grupo mais atingido por tais causas. Os níveis de Campinas duplicam os de Córdoba para os homicídios e acidentes de trânsito, mas, para os suicídios, as taxas da cidade argentina são as mais altas. Para Medellín, as taxas máximas se foram verificadas por volta de 1990, ao contrário das demais, em que a tendência é crescente de 1980 a 2000 e decrescente entre 2001 e 2005. A disponibilidade dos dados de boa qualidade sobre mortalidade permite elaborar comparações entre as populações estudadas. A análise da mortalidade por causas externas evidencia diferenças importantes nos níveis e tendências, e menos no comportamento por sexo e idade, apesar de se tratar de cidades com algumas semelhanças, como o fato de constituírem importantes centros universitários e de desenvolvimento industrial de importância regional e para o país. Os resultados sugerem que fatores socioeconômicos e demográficos não são suficientes para explicar as diferenças observadas.

AIM: This article has the objective of contributing to studies on mortality from violent causes in Latin America through a comparative analysis of recent patterns and trends in deaths from external causes in three regional urban contexts. METHODS: A descriptive study from secondary sources is presented, using vital statistics from Cordoba (Argentina), Campinas (Brazil) and Medellin (Colombia) during three different periods between 1980 and 2005. The following subgroups of external causes are studied: homicides by firearms and other weapons, traffic accidents, and suicides and deaths with unspecified intentions. The data was disaggregated by age and sex, with rates calculated for the medians of the next three census years. RESULTS: The levels for Medellin are significantly higher than those seen in Campinas and Cordoba for all external causes studied. Young men constitute the group with the highest mortality. The levels in Campinas are twice those seen in Cordoba, especially in homicides and traffic accidents, but the suicide rates of Cordoba are double those in Campinas. For Medellin the rates were highest around 1990, unlike the two other cities where the trend grew between 1980 and 2000 and declined between 2001 and 2005. CONCLUSIONS: The availability of quality data on mortality allows comparisons among the populations studied. When comparing mortality from external causes, considerable differences in the levels and trends can be seen, but there are fewer differences observed on the data for age and sex. These data were collected from cities with similarities, as they are all three important university centers with industrial development that has been important for their countries. The results suggest that socioeconomic and demographic factors are insufficient to explain the great differences in the data reported.

Taponamiento cardiaco como manifestación de un carcinoma de pulmón / Cardiac taponade as inicial symptom of lung carcinoma

No disponible

Bloqueo aurículo-ventricular completo por enfermedad de Chagas / Complete atrial-ventricular block as a consequence of Chaga´s disease

No disponible