Preoperative axillary ultrasonography in patients with breast cancer: a prospective study to evaluate its ability to predict axillary tumor load.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the ability of axillary ultrasonography to predict the number of lymph nodes with metastases found in sentinel node axillary surgery or axillary lymph node resection in patients recently diagnosed with breast cancer after percutaneous biopsy. METHODS: This prospective study included patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer by percutaneous biopsy. Axillary lymph nodes were classified at ultrasound examination as suspicious or not suspicious, and the number of suspicious nodes was compared with the number classified as suspicious in the surgical specimen. RESULTS: We included 142 patients, 4 of whom had bilateral cancer; 133 of the 146 tumors were clinically classified as T1-T2 N0. The median number of suspicious lymph nodes at ultrasound was 2 (1-6), and the median number of suspicious lymph nodes in the surgical biopsy specimen was 1 (1-16); the difference was not significant (p = 0.1). The correlation between the number of positive lymph nodes on axillary ultrasound and the number of metastatic lymph nodes in the surgical specimen was 72.7% p = 0.0002 and the concordance was 79% (95%CI 62.4%-95.6%) p = 0.0001. For diagnosing high axillary tumor load (≥3 metastatic lymph nodes) versus low axillary tumor load (<3 metastatic lymph nodes), axillary ultrasound had 86.6% sensitivity, 83.3% specificity, 92% PPV, and 71.4% NPV. CONCLUSION: Our results show that preoperative axillary ultrasound can differentiate between low and high tumor load and can be used as a tool to select the type of treatment. These results need to be confirmed in randomized multicenter studies.

Preoperative axillary ultrasonography in patients with breast cancer: a prospective study to evaluate its ability to predict axillary tumor load. / Ecografía axilar prequirúrgica en pacientes con cáncer de mama. Estudio prospectivo para valorar la capacidad de predecir la carga tumoral axilar.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the ability of axillary ultrasonography to predict the number of lymph nodes with metastases found in sentinel node axillary surgery or axillary lymph node resection in patients recently diagnosed with breast cancer after percutaneous biopsy. METHODS: This prospective study included patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer by percutaneous biopsy. Axillary lymph nodes were classified at ultrasound examination as suspicious or not suspicious, and the number of suspicious nodes was compared with the number classified as suspicious in the surgical specimen. RESULTS: We included 142 patients, 4 of whom had bilateral cancer; 133 of the 146 tumors were clinically classified as T1-T2 N0. The median number of suspicious lymph nodes at ultrasound was 2 (1-6), and the median number of suspicious lymph nodes in the surgical biopsy specimen was 1 (1-16); the difference was not significant (p=0.1). The correlation between the number of positive lymph nodes on axillary ultrasound and the number of metastatic lymph nodes in the surgical specimen was 72.7% p=0.0002 and the concordance was 79% (95%CI 62.4%-95.6%) p=0.0001. For diagnosing high axillary tumor load (≥3 metastatic lymph nodes) versus low axillary tumor load (<3 metastatic lymph nodes), axillary ultrasound had 86.6% sensitivity, 83.3% specificity, 92% PPV, and 71.4% NPV. CONCLUSION: Our results show that preoperative axillary ultrasound can differentiate between low and high tumor load and can be used as a tool to select the type of treatment. These results need to be confirmed in randomized multicenter studies.

MPP(+)-induced degeneration is potentiated by dicoumarol in cultures of the RCSN-3 dopaminergic cell line. Implications of neuromelanin in oxidative metabolism of dopamine neurotoxicity.

We have tested the idea that oxidative metabolism of dopamine may be involved in MPTP toxicity using the RCSN-3 cell line derived from the substantia nigra of an adult rat. Treatment with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) (10 microM), MPTP combined with 40 microM dicoumarol (an inhibitor of DT-diaphorase) and dicoumarol alone, did not induce toxicity in RCSN-3 cells after 72 h incubation. The lack of toxicity in MPTP-treated RCSN-3 cells may be explained by the fact that they are unable to metabolize MPTP to 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridinium ion (MPP+ as determined by HPLC. Incubation for 72 h with 100 microM MPP+ induced a 6.6 +/- 1.4% cell death of RCSN-3 cells compared to 3.5 +/- 0.4 observed in control cells. However, when the cells were treated with 100 microM MPP+ and 40 microM dicoumarol, cell death increased 4-fold compared to that of cells treated solely with MPP+ (27 +/- 2%; P<0.001). Under these conditions, a significant increase in DNA fragmentation (3-fold compared to MPP+ alone; P<0.01) and in calpain activation (P<0.05 compared to control) was evident. The inhibition of DT-diaphorase by dicoumarol supports the idea that oxidative metabolism of dopamine is involved in MPP+ toxicity in RCSN-3 cells.

Behavioral effects of aminochrome and dopachrome injected in the rat substantia nigra.

The exact mechanism of cell death in neurodegenerative diseases remains obscure, although there is evidence that their pathogenesis may involve the formation of free radicals originating from the oxidative metabolism of catecholamines. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the degree of neurodegenerative changes and behavioral impairments induced by unilateral injection into the rat substantia nigra of cyclized o-quinones, aminochrome and dopachrome, derived from oxidizing dopamine and L-DOPA, respectively, with Mn(3+)-pyrophosphate complex. The behavioral changes were compared with those induced after selective lesions of dopaminergic neurons with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Intranigral injection of aminochrome and dopachrome produced impairment in motor and cognitive behaviors. The behavioral impairment was also revealed by apomorphine-induced rotational asymmetry. Apomorphine (0.5 mg/kg sc) significantly increased rotational behavior in rats injected with aminochrome and dopachrome. These rats presented a clear motor bias showing a significant contralateral rotation activity, similar but less vigorous that in rats injected with 6-OHDA. The avoidance conditioning was seriously impaired in rats injected with aminochrome and dopachrome although only dopachrome-injected rats showed a similar hypomotility to 6-OHDA-injected rats. The behavioral effects were correlated to the extent of striatal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive fiber loss. Rats receiving unilateral intranigral aminochrome and dopachrome injections exhibited a 47.9+/-5.1% and a 39.7+/-4.4% reduction in nigrostriatal TH-positive fiber density. In conclusion, this study provided evidence that oxidizing DA and L-DOPA to cytotoxic quinones, aminochrome and dopachrome appears to be an important mediator of oxidative damage in vivo.

Clinical significance of rebound nystagmus in neuro-otological diagnosis.

The present study is concerned with a clinical analysis of 17 patients with "rebound nystagmus" examined over a period of three years. All of them have shown a short duration second degree nystagmus evoked by changes in the direction of fixation, from the lateral to straight ahead gaze. This nystagmus was a fixation nystagmus, that is to say, it was enhanced in the presence of active optic fixation and inhibited in its absence. Almost all the patients (16 out of 17) had cerebellar signs on neurological examination (in one subject rebound nystagmus was the first sign suggesting cerebellar involvement and appeared several months before any other cerebellar sign was present). Rebound nystagmus was far more common than the other neuro-otological signs suggesting cerebellar dysfunction (vestibular hyperexcitability, dysrhythmia in postcaloric nystagmus and ocular dysmetria). In three out of four patients with unilateral lesions rebound nystagmus was ipsilateral with respect to the side of the lesion. Postmortem studies were carried out upon five cases and showed either pathological changes in the cerebellum or a lesion involving the cerebellar peduncles in the brain stem.

[Surgical treatment of vertebral metastasis]. / Tratamiento quirúrgico de las metástasis vertebrales.

Spinal metastases may cause pain and neurologic dysfunction secondary to bone destruction and spinal cord compression. The new oncology therapy have prolonged life expectancy of many patients with different primary tumors. The treatment of metastases is frequently necessary to enhance quality of life. We reviewed 121 patients with spinal metastases of different primary tumors operated between 1982 and 1995. We employed different approach and instrumentation depending on particular case, metastases location and life expectancy. We analysed primary tumor location, spinal pain, neurologic function, pre and post surgical treatment, complications and development. Spinal stabilization and cord decompression gives excellent results for pain relief, neurological improvement and quality of life, always helping to medical treatment of a patient with metastatic disease.

Prognostic factors for amputation in severe burn patients.

INTRODUCTION: Amputation is a rare procedure among burned patients. However, it has significant physical and psychological consequences which impact quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence, etiology and prognostic factors associated with amputation among burned patients in Chile. METHODS: Cohort study of patients admitted to the Reference Burn Center of Chile from 2006 to 2011. Association of demographic, event and injury variables with the likelihood of amputation were evaluated by using multivariable analysis. RESULTS: Amputation incidence was 5.8% in 1090 admitted patients. Male amputee patients were significantly more frequent (p=0.01), with more electrical and high voltage burns (p<0.01) and had greater frequency of impaired consciousness (p=0.03). Multivariable analysis identified electrical burns (OR 13.7; 95% CI 6.7-28.1) and impaired consciousness (OR 2.8; 95% CI 1.4-5.7) as prognostic factors for amputation. CONCLUSION: Amputation is a low incidence procedure among burned patients. Patients who underwent amputations are frequently at working age. Patients with high-voltage electrical burns and impaired consciousness are more likely to undergo amputation. Since these are highly incapacitating injuries, it is very important to implement preventive measures.

Influencia de la Actividad Física en la Sintomatología del Síndrome Premenstrual en universitarias / Influence of Physical Activity on Symptoms of the Syndrome Premenstrual in college girls

RESUMEN Objetivo: Determinar la influencia de la actividad física en la sintomatología del síndrome premenstrual en un grupo de mujeres de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Concepción. Métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal, realizado en 340 mujeres escogidas al azar de edades entre 18 a 27 años, estudiantes de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Concepción. Se utilizaron instrumentos validados para población chilena, como los criterios para el diagnóstico del trastorno disfórico premenstrual DSM-IV-TR, la Escala Visual Análoga (EVA) para la medición del dolor y el Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física (IPAQ) para la intensidad de esta. Los datos se obtuvieron por medio de encuestas autoadministradas y los resultados se analizaron mediante pruebas estadísticas. Resultados: Un 55,9% (n=190) presenta Síndrome premenstrual según los criterios utilizados. Los principales síntomas manifestados fueron: fatiga y falta de energía en un 64,7% (n=220), hipersensibilidad mamaria, cefalea e hinchazón en un 62,9% (n=214) y ansiedad, tensión, agobio y colapso en un 60,9% (n=207). Del total de encuestadas, el mayor porcentaje (42,6%) (n=145) realiza actividad física moderada. Al cruzar las variables de actividad física y la sintomatología del síndrome premenstrual se estableció que no existía relación entre ellas (valor p=0,605). Conclusiones: la actividad física no tiene influencia sobre la disminución de la sintomatología del síndrome premenstrual en la población estudiada.

ABSTRACT Objectives: Determine the influence of physical activity on the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome in females students of the Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción Campus in 2014 Methods: A cross sectional study was applied to 340 randomly selected women aged between 18-27 years old belonging to the Faculty of Medicine of the Universidad de Concepción. Data were obtained through self-administered surveys and the results were analyzed by the respective statistical techniques. Results: Of the sample (n = 340), 55.9% (n = 190) had premenstrual syndrome according to the canon used. The main symptoms manifested were fatigue and lack of energy in 64.7% (n = 220), breast tenderness, headache and swelling in 62.9% (n = 214) and anxiety, stress, overwhelm and collapse into a 60.9% (n = 207). Of the total of the participants, the highest percentage (42.6%) (n = 145) performs moderate physical activity. When the variables of physical activity and premenstrual syndrome were crossed, was established that it did not exist relationship between them (p value = 0.605). Conclusions: With the obtaining and analyzing of the results, it seems that physical activity does not have major influence on the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome in the population studied.

Cloning and spatiotemporal expression of RIC-8 in Xenopus embryogenesis.

RIC-8 is a highly conserved protein that promotes G protein signaling as it acts as a Guanine nucleotide Exchanging Factor (GEF) over a subset of Gα subunits. In invertebrates, RIC-8 plays crucial roles in synaptic transmission as well as in asymmetric cell division. As a first step to address further studies on RIC-8 function in vertebrates, here we have cloned a ric-8 gene from Xenopus tropicalis (xtric-8) and determined its spatiotemporal expression pattern throughout embryogenesis. The xtric-8 transcript is expressed maternally and zygotically and, as development proceeds, it shows a dynamic expression pattern. At early developmental stages, xtric-8 is expressed in the animal hemisphere, whereas its expression is later restricted to neural tissues, such as the neural tube and the brain, as well as in the eye and neural crest-derived structures, including those of the craniofacial region. Together, our findings suggest that RIC-8 functions are related to the development of the nervous system.

Adhesión discal de la articulación temporomandibular: Revisión de la literatura / Intraarticular adhesion of the temporomandibular joint: A review

Los trastornos temporomandibulares son un conjunto amplio de patologías dentro de las cuales están las adherencias discales. Estas son una fijación permanente del disco articular a una de las superficies, debido a un aumento de la carga estática articular y posterior colapso del espacio articular superior o inferior, siendo provocado por una unión fibrótica entre estas superficies. Es necesario aumentar el reconocimiento de esta patología para su diagnóstico y tratamiento oportuno, por lo que el objetivo de este artículo es realizar una revisión en cuanto a la epidemiología, etiopatogenia, diagnóstico y tratamiento de la adhesión discal de la articulación temporomandibular (AU)

Temporomandibular joint disorders are a wide range of conditions where there are the intraarticular adhesions of the temporomandibular joint. These are a permanent attachment to the articular disk surface due to an increase of static load and collapse articular joint space above or below, being caused by a fibrotic joint between these surfaces. It´s necesary increase the recognition of this disease for an appropiate diagnosis and treatment, so the aim of this paper is to review regarding the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of the discal adherence of the temporomandibular joint (AU)

Isolation of viable porcine islets by selective osmotic shock without enzymatic digestion.

Islet transplantation is a potential cure for type 1 diabetes, but clinical results have been disappointing. Currently, islet isolation is by enzymatic digestion of the pancreas which has significant pitfalls: warm ischemia exposure, collagenase-induced damage to the islet mass and viability, poor reproducibility, high cost, a relatively low number of islets obtained per whole pancreas, and selection of islets for collagenase resistance rather than for glucose responsiveness. In the present study we performed a series of experiments in a porcine model to demonstrate the feasibility of a new isolation method based on selective osmotic shock (SOS) using very high glucose solutions, doubling or tripling physiological osmotic strength. The SOS method can be carried out at room temperature or in the cold eliminating warm ischemia time which damages the islets. The SOS method does not depend on the texture of the pancreas so all pancreases can be processed identically and the process can be fully automated. The SOS method isolates all the islets of the pancreas regardless of size and shape allowing a greater number of islets to be harvested. The SOS method avoids exposure to toxins in collagenase solutions, is inexpensive and selects for islets with high concentrations of Glut 2 transporters, representing the best glucose responding islets. The SOS method showed a comparable recovery of islets from young pig pancreas and the islets showed improved viability. We conclude that the selective osmotic shock (SOS) method of separating islets from the pancreatic tissue is superior to the collagenase method.

[Definition of priorities in health research for the Ministry of Health]. / Proceso para priorizar las líneas de investigación esencial de interés para el Ministerio de Salud de Chile.

Health research oriented to solve the most relevant sanitary problems in Chile must be encouraged. In 2001, the National Health Research Fund (FONIS) was created by the National Research Council of the Ministry of Health and the National Scientific Research Commission, to stimulate relevant health research that contributes to develop health care policies. In 2008 an experts meeting proposed eighty research areas. These areas were grouped in twelve thematic containers. Each of these containers were classified as having maximal, intermediate or minimal priority. The seven most important containers were grouped in three areas. Among the latter, two were selected. One is evaluation of the Ministry programs and, within this area, with the following priorities in decreasing importance: primary prevention, health care priorities, and diseases included in the Explicit Guarantees plan. The second area corresponds to diseases with high prevalence, incidence, costs or impact, including the following priorities in diminishing importance: mental health, diseases of high prevalence and problems with social impact.

Interactions of Trametes versicolor, Coriolopsis rigida and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus deserticola on the copper tolerance of Eucalyptus globulus.

The presence of high levels of Cu in soil decreases the shoot and root dry weights of Eucalyptus globulus. However, higher plant tolerance of Cu has been observed in the presence of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus Glomus deserticola. The hyphal length of G. deserticola was sensitive to low Cu concentrations, and the percentage of AM root colonisation and the metabolic activity of the AM fungus were also decreased by Cu. Therefore, a direct effect of Cu on the development of the AM fungus inside and outside the root cannot be ruled out. E. globulus colonised by G. deserticola had higher metal concentrations in the roots and shoots than do non-mycorrhizal plants; however, the absence of a higher root to shoot metal ratio in the mycorrhizal plants (1.70+/-0.11) indicated that G. deserticola did not play a filtering/sequestering role against Cu. The saprobe fungi Coriolopsis rigida and Trametes versicolor were able to remove Cu ions from the asparagine-glucose growth media. However, plants inoculated with C. rigida and T. versicolor did not accumulate more Cu than non-inoculated controls, and the growth of the plant was not increased in the presence of these fungi. However, C. rigida increased the shoot dry weight, AM root length colonisation, and metabolic mycelial activity of plants colonised with G. deserticola in the presence of Cu; only this saprobe-AM fungus combination increased the tolerance of E. globulus to Cu. Inoculation with G. deserticola and C. rigida increased the E. globulus Cu uptake to levels reached by hyperaccumulative plants.

Improvement of growth of Eucalyptus globulus and soil biological parameters by amendment with sewage sludge and inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal and saprobe fungi.

Sewage sludge is widely used as an organic soil amendment to improve soil fertility. We investigated the effects of sewage sludge (SS) application on certain biological parameters of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. The plant was either uninoculated or inoculated with saprobe fungi (Coriolopsis rigida and Trichoderma harzianum) or arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi (Glomus deserticola and Gigaspora rosea). Sewage sludge was applied to the surface of experimental plots at rates of 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 g 100 g(-1) of soil. Inoculation with both AM and saprobe fungi in the presence of SS was essential for the promotion of plant growth. The AM, saprobe fungi and SS significantly increased dry shoot weight. The AM fungi induced a significant increase in Fluorescein diacetate (FDA) activity but did not increase beta-glucosidase activity. Addition of SS to AM-inoculated soil did not affect either FDA or alpha-glucosidase activities in plants from soil that was either uninoculated or inoculated with the saprobe fungi. SS increased beta-glucosidase activity when it was applied at 4 g 100 g(-1). SS negatively affected AM colonization as well as the mycelium SDH activity for both mycorrhizal fungi. SS increased Eucalyptus shoot biomass and enhanced its nutrient status. Inoculation of the soil with G. deserticola stimulated significant E. globulus growth and increases in shoot tissue content of N, P, K, Ca, Mg and Fe. Dual inoculation with G. deserticola and either of the saprobe fungi had positive effects on K, Ca, Mg and Fe contents. The application of 8 g 100 g(-1) of SS had no positive effects on plant nutrition. The experimental setup provided a suitable tool for evaluating SS in combination with saprobe and AM fungi as a biological fertiliser for its beneficial effects on E. globulus plant growth.

Contribution of the saprobic fungi Trametes versicolor and Trichoderma harzianum and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomus deserticola and G. claroideum to arsenic tolerance of Eucalyptus globulus.

The presence of high concentrations of arsenic (As) decreased the shoot and root dry weight, chlorophyll and P and Mg content of Eucalyptus globulus colonized with the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi Glomus deserticola or G. claroideum, but these parameters were higher than in non-AM plants. As increased the percentage of AM length colonization and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity in the root of E. globulus. Trichoderma harzianum, but not Trametes versicolor, increased the shoot and root dry weight, chlorophyll content, the percentage of AM root length colonization and SDH activity of E. globulus in presence of all As concentrations applied to soil when was inoculated together with G. claroideum. AM fungi increased shoot As and P concentration of E. globulus to higher level than the non-AM inoculated controls. The contribution of the AM and saprobe fungi to the translocation of As from root to shoot of E. globulus is discussed.

Compromiso intestinal por quemadura eléctrica de alto voltaje. Caso clínico / Intestinal involvement by high voltage electrical burn. Case report

Las quemaduras son una de las causas más importantes de discapacidad y mortalidad en todo el mundo. En las producidas por electricidad de alto voltaje, las manifestaciones sistémicas más frecuentes son la insuficiencia renal y las arritmias. La lesión visceral secundaria a una quemadura eléctrica es infrecuente y su tratamiento quirúrgico constituye un desafío. En este artículo presentamos el caso clínico de un paciente con quemadura eléctrica de alto voltaje con compromiso de la pared abdominal y lesión intestinal secundaria (AU)

Burns are one of the leading causes of disability and mortality worldwide. In high-voltage electrical burns most common systemic manifestations are renal failure and arrhythmias. Visceral injury secondary to electrical burn is rare and its surgical management is challenging. This article presents a case of a patient with highvoltage electrical burn with involvement of the abdominal wall and secondary bowel injury (AU)

Rol de las características clínicas e histológicas como factores pronósticos para la sobrevida en pacientes con carcinoma de células escamosas de la cavidad oral / Oral squamous cell carcinoma: restrospective analysis of 36 cases

Background: Survival of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma is low and depends mostly on TNM staging of the tumor. Aim: To perform a retrospective analysis of a series of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Material and Methods: Retrospective review of patients with the diagnosis, seen between 1995 and 2006 in a regional hospital. Host inflammatory response and pattern of tumor invasion were assessed using the staging proposed by Bryne et al. Results: The medical records of 36 patients aged 39 to 89 years, were reviewed. During the study period, 15 patients died. Better survival was associated to a low pattern of tumor invasion and a high inflammatory response and the topographic location of the tumor. Conclusions: Inflammatory response, tumor invasion and location are associated with survival in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Introducción: El carcinoma de células escamosas de la cavidad oral (CCECO) es una patología cuyo comportamiento es producto de interrelaciones con el huésped, esto es, por el patrón de invasión (PI) histopatológica y la respuesta inflamatoria (RI). El objetivo de este estudio es analizar las características clínicas e histopatológicas como factores pronóstico, en términos de supervivencia (SV) en pacientes con CCECO. Material y Método: Serie de casos. Se incluyeron pacientes diagnosticados en el Hospital Regional de Talca y Hospital Base de Curicó entre los años 1995 y 2006. Se revisaron las fichas clínicas y biopsias de 36 pacientes con CCECO. Se determinó el Frente Invasivo Tumoral (FIT), evaluándose los parámetros propuestos por el sistema de graduación de Bryne (PI y RI) y factores de importancia clínica como localización topográfica de la lesión, edad y género, relacionándolos con SV mediante curvas de Kaplan-Meier y Log Rank test. Posteriormente, se aplicó una regresión de Cox para obtener un análisis multivariado y cálculo de RR. Del total de casos del estudio, 15 pacientes fallecieron por CCECO. Resultados: La mayor SV se asoció a un bajo escore de PI y una alta RI respectivamente (RR 1,5). La localización topográfica de la lesión se relacionó significativamente con la SV, no así el grupo de edad. Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados sugieren que la ubicación de la lesión es un factor importante en el pronóstico de la enfermedad y que una respuesta inmune/inflamatoria adecuada, expresada en un bajo escore de RI, mejora el pronóstico de SV en pacientes con CCECO.

Estimación del volumen orbitario mediante imágenes de TC y el principio de cavalieri / Estimation of the orbital volume with ct images and cavalieris principle

Determination of the orbital volume has significance in cases such as facial injuries and lens implants where it is necessary to restore the normal position of the structures, since providing the patient with a volume-deficient orbit may result in enophthalmos. The aim of this study is to assess the volume of the orbit by using the Cavalieri s principle supplemented with sequential analysis of CT images on the computer screen. We conducted a series of CT images with a thickness of 1mm on 10 human skulls. After selection, initially random and then sequential, images were analyzed on a computer screen with a mesh test chart to determine orbital area. Once having identifed both area and thickness, we measured the volume of segments, and the total volume of the orbit was extrapolated by using a mathematical formula based on the Cavalieri s principle. Results were compared with the actual volume obtained by the displacement of fuid from printouts of the orbits. The result of this comparison suggests that the method is statistically reliable when considering that we assessed seven images of a randomly chosen orbit and then in a known sequence with a straightforward technique for orbital volume estimation.

Conocer el volumen de la órbita es importante en traumatismos faciales o implantes oculares, donde es necesario restablecer la posición normal de las estructuras y devolver un volumen deficiente puede traducirse en enoftalmo. El objetivo del presente trabajo es realizar estimación del volumen orbitario utilizando el principio de Cavalieri complementado con análisis secuencial de imágenes de TC en la pantalla del computador. Se realizó imágenes de TC de 1mm de espesor a 10 cráneos humanos. Luego de la selección, inicialmente aleatoria y luego secuencial, las imágenes se analizaron sobre la pantalla del computador con un test de malla de puntos para determinar área orbitaria. Conociendo el área y el grosor, determinamos el volumen de los segmentos y se extrapola al volumen total de la órbita, utilizando fórmula matemática basada en el principio de Cavalieri. Los resultados fueron comparados con el volumen real obtenido por el desplazamiento de fluidos de impresiones de las órbitas. Esta comparación sugiere que el método es estadísticamente confable al evaluar 7 imágenes de una órbita escogida aleatoriamente y luego en una secuencia conocida, con una manera simple de estimación del volumen.

Proceso para priorizar las líneas de investigación esencial de interés para el Ministerio de Salud de Chile / Definition of priorities in health research for the Ministry of Health

Health research oriented to solve the most relevant sanitary problems in Chile must be encouraged. In 2001, the National Health Research Fund (FONIS) was created by the National Research Council of the Ministry of Health and the National Scientifc Research Commission, to stimulate relevant health research that contributes to develop health care policies. In 2008 an experts meeting proposed eighty research areas. These areas were grouped in twelve thematic containers. Each of these containers were classifed as having maximal, intermediate or minimal priority. The seven most important containers were grouped in three areas. Among the latter, two were selected. One is evaluation of the Ministry programs and, within this area, with the following priorities in decreasing importance: primary prevention, health care priorities, and diseases included in the Explicit Guarantees plan. The second area corresponds to diseases with high prevalence, incidence, costs or impact, including the following priorities in diminishing importance: mental health, diseases of high prevalence and problems with social impact.