Prevalencia de síntomas de enfermedad de la superficie ocular en pacientes que acuden a consulta oftalmológica.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of symptoms of ocular surface disease (OSDI) surface disease and its relationship with associated risk factors in patients of ophthalmic practices using OSDI questionnaire. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was conducted Between September and December 2014 to assess the prevalence and risk factors for OSDI. RESULTS: The OSDI average value was 40.46 ± 23.62 points, with 86.4% of patients (1967) having a OSDI score higher than 12 points. Women had OSDI symptoms more frequently than men (odds ratio: 1.17; 95% confidence interval: 1.08-1.28) and higher OSDI score (42.12 ± 24.03 vs. 38.01 ± 22.81 points). Patients without disease were younger than the patients with severe disease (45.30 ± 18.32 vs. 50.62 ± 18.86). CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmological patients have a prevalence of 80.4% of OSDI. Female and older age was associated with ocular surface disease.

Efficacy of a fixed combination of 0.09 % xanthan gum/0.1 % chondroitin sulfate preservative free vs polyethylene glycol/propylene glycol in subjects with dry eye disease: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Dry eye disease (DED) is multifactorial, affecting 5-34 % of the global adult population and reducing quality of life. The artificial tears or lubricants are the therapy most used for the treatment of DED, due to their low side effect profile, which attempt to modify the properties of the tear film. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a fixed combination of xanthan gum and chondroitin sulfate preservative free on the ocular surface of patients with dry eye disease during 60 days of intervention. METHODS: A phase III, double-blind, masked, controlled, multicenter, clinical trial of 148 subjects, randomized to either a fixed combination of xanthan gum 0.09 % and chondroitin sulfate 0.1 % (XG/CS) ophthalmic solution (n = 76) or a fixed combination of polyethylene glycol 400 0.4 % and propylene glycol 0.3 % (PEG/PG) (n = 72). Subjects self-dosed four times daily during 60 days. Follow-up was set on days 2, 7, 15, 30 and 60. Assessments of anterior/posterior segment ocular signs were performed. The outcome measures included Schirmer test, tear film break-up time and OSDI score. Security variables included intraocular pressure, lisamine green and fluorescein ocular surface stains. RESULTS: The primary efficacy endpoints were similar between groups at baseline. After intervention time Schirmer test increased in both groups compared to baseline, XG/CS (6.4 ± 2.2 vs 11.0 ± 6.6; p = 0.002) and PEG/PG (6.5 ± 2.5 vs 10.5 ± 5.6; p = 0.019) respectively. Similar results were reported in the tear film break-up time in XG/CS (5.5 ± 2.1 vs 7.4 ± 2.9; p = 0.027) and PEG/PG (5.2 ± 2.0 vs 7.4 ± 2.7; p = 0.046) respectively. The OSDI score decreased to normal values in both groups, XG/CS (19.3 ± 7.4 vs 7.3 ± 5.9; p = 0.001) and PEG/PG (19.3 ± 7.5 vs 7.9 ± 8.2; p = 0.001) respectively. There was no significant difference between treatments for any parameter. Moreover, both groups decreased the presence of burning sensation, tearing, foreign body sensation, conjunctival hyperemia and photophobia. The adverse events were not related to the interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Xanthan gum/chondroitin sulfate preservative free showed similar clinical efficacy, evaluated with OSDI score, TBUT and Schirmer test compared to polyethylene glycol/propylene glycol in the treatment of dry eye disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01657253 . Date of registration May 19, 2014.

Droplet-droplet interactions investigated using a combination of electrochemical and dynamic light scattering techniques. The case of water/BHDC/benzene:n-heptane system.

In this contribution the electrochemistry of [Fe(CN)6](4-/3-) as the probe molecule was investigated in benzyl-n-hexadecyldimethylammonium chloride (BHDC) reverse micelles (RMs) varying the composition of the external solvent (benzene:n-heptane mixtures) and the surfactant concentration, at a fixed water content and probe concentration. The electrochemical and dynamic light scattering results show that in water/BHDC/benzene:n-heptane systems the aggregate sizes increase on increasing BHDC concentration. This behavior was unexpected since it is known that for water/BHDC/benzene RM systems keeping the water content constant and the surfactant concentration below 0.2 M, the droplet sizes are independent of the concentration of the surfactant. We explain the results considering that on changing the external solvent to benzene:n-heptane mixtures, RMs tend to associate in clusters and equilibrium between free RMs and droplet clusters is established. A model is presented which, using electrochemical and dynamic light scattering data, allows calculating the aggregation number of the RMs, the number of RMs that form the droplet clusters and the standard electron transfer heterogeneous rate constant.

Efficacy and Safety of Sodium Hyaluronate/chondroitin Sulfate Preservative-free Ophthalmic Solution in the Treatment of Dry Eye: A Clinical Trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of a preservative free sodium hyaluronate/chondroitin sulfate ophthalmic solution (SH/CS-PF) in patients with dry eye disease (DED).Methods: This was a randomized phase IV, multicentric, prospective, double-blind clinical trial. Intent-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses were performed. Patients were assigned to receive either SH/CS-PF, Systane® Ultra (PEG/PG) or Systane® Ultra PF (PEG/PG-PF) for 90 days. A total of 326 patients were included in the ITT, and 217 in the PP analysis. Efficacy endpoints were goblet cell density, Nelson's grades (conjunctival impression cytology), tear break-up time (TBUT), Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), and Schirmer's test. Other parameters included were tolerability, measured by the ocular symptomatology; and safety, measured through corneal staining, intraocular pressure, visual acuity and adverse events.Results: In the ITT, there was a significant increase in mean goblet cell density in all treatments compared with their baseline (28.4% vs 21.4% and 30.8%), without difference between arms (p = .159). Eyes exposed to SH/CS-PF, PEG/PG and PEG/PG-PF showed Grade 0-I squamous metaplasia (85.5%, 87.9% and 93.2%, respectively). Similar improvements were observed for TBUT (1.24 ± 2.3s vs 1.27 ± 2.4s and 1.39 ± 2.3s) and OSDI scores at day 90 (-8.81 ± 8.6 vs -7.95 ± 9.2 and -8.78 ± 9.8), although no significant intergroup difference was found. Schirmer's test also presented improvement compared to baseline (1.38 ± 4.9 vs 1.50 ± 4.7 and 2.63 ± 5.9), with a significantly higher variation for PEG/PG-PF. There were no significant differences between treatments for any tolerability and safety parameter, nor between ITT and PP analyses for any outcome.Conclusions: The topical application of SH/CS-PF is as effective, safe and well tolerated as that of PEG/PG or PEG/PG-PF. The results suggest that SH/CS-PF may lead to normalization of clinical parameters and symptom alleviation in patients treated for DED.

Analytical Performance of a Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay for Leishmania DNA Detection in Sandflies and Direct Smears of Patients with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis.

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is ideal for the detection of Leishmania DNA as it is a quick and easy-to-perform test that does not require complex or sophisticated equipment or infrastructure. However, the application of this technique in the detection of Leishmania DNA has not been comprehensively analyzed to date (analytical validation). Our objective was to evaluate the sensitivity and analytical specificity (anticipated reportable range [ARR], the limit of detection [LoD], and accuracy) of LAMP targeting the 18S rRNA gene in the diagnosis of six New World Leishmania species. We then applied the validated LAMP assay across 50 samples of sandflies and 50 direct smears from a recent outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Colombia to determine its diagnostic performance. The LAMP assay exclusively amplified the DNA of Leishmania spp., and an ARR of between 1 × 104 and 1 × 10-2 equivalent parasites/mL was determined. An LoD of 1 × 10-2 equivalent parasites/mL was established and there was no statistically significant variation in terms of accuracy. Finally, a sensitivity of 100% in direct smears and sandflies samples was calculated and a specificity of 90.9% for direct smears using microscopy as reference and 96.8% for sandflies using real-time polymerase chain reaction as reference were determined. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to analytically validate a LAMP test to detect Leishmania DNA, which showed good diagnostic potential from sandflies and direct smear samples.

Efficacy and Safety of 0.6% Pazufloxacin Ophthalmic Solution Versus Moxifloxacin 0.5% and Gatifloxacin 0.5% in Subjects with Bacterial Conjunctivitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of a novel ophthalmic solution of pazufloxacin on the ocular surface of patients with bacterial conjunctivitis after 7 days of intervention. METHODS: This is a phase 2, double-blind, controlled, multicenter, clinical trial of 300 subjects, randomized to either a 3 dosing regimen of pazufloxacin 0.6% ophthalmic solution (twice a day [BID], n = 90; 3 times a day [TID], n = 76; 4 times a day [QID], n = 68), moxifloxacin 0.3% TID (n = 82), or gatifloxacin 0.5% TID (n = 72). Follow-up was set on days 0, 3, and 7. Assessments of ocular signs were performed, both anterior and posterior segments. The primary outcome measures included conjunctival culture and clinical signs. Safety variables included adverse events (AEs), lisamine green, fluorescein ocular surface stains, and clinical signs of tolerability. RESULTS: After intervention, bacterial eradication was reported in all groups: pazufloxacin BID 79%, pazufloxacin TID 84%, pazufloxacin QID 84%, moxifloxacin 80%, and gatifloxacin 82%. There were no significant differences between treatments. Similar results were reported in clinical remission: pazufloxacin BID 89%, pazufloxacin TID 98%, pazufloxacin QID 92%, moxifloxacin 91%, and gatifloxacin 92% (P = 0.03 comparing pazufloxacin BID vs. TID). There were no differences between female and male responses. The AEs were not related to the interventions. CONCLUSIONS: A simplified dosing regimen was selected to follow the development of ophthalmic pazufloxacin based on its efficacy and safety profile. Pazufloxacin, 1 drop 3 times daily, showed similar rates of bacterial eradication and clinical remission compared with other fluoroquinolones.

Molecular Epidemiology of Giardia, Blastocystis and Cryptosporidium among Indigenous Children from the Colombian Amazon Basin.

The incidence and prevalence of intestinal parasites in children is most likely due to lack of natural or acquired resistance and differences in behavior and habits closely related to environmental and socioeconomic determinants. The most important protozoa that parasitize humans are Giardia, Entamoeba, Blastocystis, and Cryptosporidium. These parasites present wide intraspecific genetic diversity and subsequently classified into assemblages and subtypes. The Amazon basin is the largest in the world and is the fifth freshwater reserve on the planet. Contradictorily, people living in these areas (Indigenous populations) have poor quality of life, which favors the infection of diseases of fecal-oral transmission. The aim of this work was to unravel the molecular epidemiology of Giardia, Blastocystis and Cryptosporidium across four communities (Puerto Nariño, San Juan del Soco, Villa Andrea and Nuevo Paraíso). We obtained 284 fecal samples from children under 15 years old that were analyzed by direct microscopy (261 samples) and Real Time PCR (qPCR) (284 samples). The positive samples for these protozoa were further characterized by several molecular markers to depict assemblages and subtypes. We observed a frequency of Giardia infection by microscopy of 23.7% (62 samples) and by qPCR of 64.8% (184 samples); for Blastocystis by microscopy of 35.2% (92 samples) and by qPCR of 88.7% (252 samples) and for Cryptosporidium only 1.9% (5 samples) were positive by microscopy and qPCR 1.8% (5 samples). Regarding the Giardia assemblages, using the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) marker we observed AI, BIII and BIV assemblages and when using triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) we observed assemblages AI, AII, BIII and BIV. In contrast, Blastocystis STs detected were 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. Lastly, the species C. viatorum, C. hominis (with the subtypes IdA19 and IaA12R8) and C. parvum (with the subtype IIcA5G3c) were identified. We observed a high profile of zoonotic transmission regarding the Giardia assemblages and Blastocystis STs/alleles. Also, we highlight the elevated frequency of infection by these two protozoans suggesting an active transmission in the area. Our findings reinforces the need to deploy better epidemiological surveillance systems for enteric pathogens in the area.

[Profiles of intestinal polyparasitism in a community of the Colombian Amazon region].

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal parasite infections and polyparasitism are highly prevalent in the most vulnerable populations of developing countries due to environmental, biological and social determinants common in the transmission of parasites. Children between 1 and 15 years of age are the most affected population. OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence and profiles of intestinal polyparasitism in 1 to 15 year-old children from native communities in the Colombian Amazon region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a non-probability sampling of 300 children between 1 and 15 years of age from several rural settlements and the main urban area of Puerto Nariño, Amazonas, Colombia, who participated voluntarily in the study. We obtained fecal samples that were analyzed by the direct method (0.85% saline solution-lugol) and the Kato-Katz technique. The most prevalent polyparasitism profiles were identified using Cohen's kappa coefficient with a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: The prevalence of polyparasitism, defined as the presence of at least two intestinal pathogenic parasites, was 84% (95 % CI: 79.35-87.96). Polyparasitism by two or three of the following parasites: Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Blastocystis sp., Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus from the Ancylostomatidae family, and Entamoeba histolytica, E. dispar and E. moshkovskii of the Entamoeba complex, had the highest prevalence. CONCLUSION: Several intestinal polyparasitism profiles were found, although in most cases fewer than six parasites were involved. Better prevalence estimations and identification of determinant factors will allow to priorize and direct resources to control these infections.

[Knowledge and perceptions of glaucoma among adults living in an urban area]. / Conocimiento y percepción acerca del glaucoma entre adultos residentes de una zona urbana.

OBJECTIVE: To assess knowledge and opinions on glaucoma among subjects screened in a campaign for ocular disease detection in western Mexico. METHODS: Cross-sectional, comparative and descriptive study. During a two-week period, adults of at least 40 years of age underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination. A questionnaire containing general and demographic data, as well as a set of questions related to both general and ocular health status were administered to all participants; specific questions assessing the level of knowledge and awareness on glaucoma were also included. A comprehensive battery of functional and structural tests was administered. Comparisons among subgroups according to different demographic characteristics were carried out. RESULTS: 492 subjects were screened, 389 (79.1%) completed all tests; 166 participants (42.6%) reported having completed grade school education; 174 subjects (44.7%) identified glaucoma, but 52 (29.9%) were unable to describe it correctly. Four (14.3%) out of 28 glaucomatous subjects were not able to correctly describe glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: The level of knowledge and awareness of glaucoma is low among adults assessed in an urban region in western Mexico. Low levels of schooling among participants seem to have an impact on glaucoma knowledge and awareness.

Gold nanoparticles covalently assembled onto vesicle structures as possible biosensing platform.

In this contribution a strategy is shown to covalently immobilize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) onto vesicle bilayers with the aim of using this nanomaterial as platform for the future design of immunosensors. A novel methodology for the self-assembly of AuNPs onto large unilamellar vesicle structures is described. The vesicles were formed with 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) and 1-undecanethiol (SH). After, the AuNPs photochemically synthesized in pure glycerol were mixed and anchored onto SH-DOPC vesicles. The data provided by voltammetry, spectrometry and microscopy techniques indicated that the AuNPs were successfully covalently anchored onto the vesicle bilayer and decorated vesicles exhibit a spherical shape with a size of 190 ± 10 nm. The developed procedure is easy, rapid and reproducible to start designing a possible immunosensor by using environmentally friendly procedures.

Una aproximación a la tuberculosis resistente a isoniazida: ¿un problema subestimado en Colombia? / An appraisal of the isoniazid resistant tuberculosis in Colombia: a underestimated problem in Colombia?

Objetivo: Describir las características clínicas y desenlaces al tratamiento de los pacientes con tuberculosis resistente a isoniazida (Hr-TB) en una institución del suroccidente colombiano. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional retrospectivo. Se incluyeron pacientes con confirmación diagnóstica, aislamiento microbiológico, pruebas de susceptibilidad a fármacos y evidencia de Hr-TB. Resultados: Se incluyeron 32 pacientes con Hr-TB entre 2006-2018 que corresponden al 6% (32/528) de resistencia del total de casos. El 78% (n=25) fueron casos nuevos, resistencia primaria, y el 22% (n=7) previamente tratados, resistencia adquirida. La comorbilidad más frecuente fue infección por VIH (n=9). El patrón de Hr-TB mostró en 23 (72%) casos con alto nivel, 4 (12%) de bajo nivel y 5 (16%) con bajo y alto nivel. El análisis de resultados al tratamiento se realizó a 22 pacientes, presentando el 50% cura, el 41% tratamiento completo y 9% muerte relacionada con la tuberculosis. Conclusiones: La Hr-TB predomina en los casos nuevos, lo que supone un obstáculo al tratamiento donde no se realizan las pruebas de susceptibilidad de forma rutinaria.

Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes to the treatment of patients with isoniazid-resistant tuberculosis (Hr-TB) in an institution in southwest Colombia. Materials and methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. Patients with diagnostic confirmation, microbiological isolation, drug susceptibility tests, and evidence of Hr-TB were included. Results: Thirty-two patients with Hr-TB were included between 2006-2018, corresponding to 6% (32/528) of resistance in total cases. 78% were new cases, primary resistance, and 22% previously treated, acquired resistance. The most frequent comorbidity was HIV infection (n = 9). The pattern of Hr-TB showed in 23 (72%) cases with high level, 4 (12%) of low level and 5 (16%) with low and high level. The analysis of treatment results was performed on 22 patients, presenting 50% cure, 41% completed treatment, and 9% death related to tuberculosis. Conclusions: Hr-TB predominates in new cases, which is an obstacle to treatment where susceptibility tests are not performed routinely.

Preservación de huevos de Necator americanus con acetato de sodio-ácido acético-formalina (SAF). Estudio de caso / Preservation of Necator americanus eggs with sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin(SAF). Case study

Resumen Introducción. La técnica de Kato Katz es el método recomendado para realizar el recuento de huevos en materia fecal y determinar la intensidad parasitaria por helmintos. La calidad de los resultados se ve afectada por la tardanza en el procesamiento de la muestra, por lo que se requiere de preservantes que faciliten la lectura posterior a las 24 horas de recolección de la muestra. Objetivo. Demostrar validez de la solución con acetato de sodio-ácido acético-formalina (SAF) como preservante de huevos de Necator americanus por medio del estudio de un caso clinico. Materiales y métodos. Descripción de caso clínico con diagnóstico de parásitos intestinales por coprológico, intensidad de la infección por la técnica de Kato Katz, evaluación de la presencia de huevos N. americanus por la técnica de Kato Katz durante 10 meses en muestra preservada en SAF y determinación de especie de Uncinaria sp. por qPCR. Resultados. Los huevos de N. americanus se conservan de manera adecuada en morfología durante los primeros cinco meses. Conclusiones. A fin de ejecutar la técnica de Kato Katz, la fijación con SAF demostró ser adecuada para el mantenimiento de la intensidad parasitaria y morfología de los huevos de N. americanus en un período de hasta cinco meses.

Abstract Introduction: The Kato Katz technique is the recommended method for fecal egg counts and determining the intensity of parasitic helminths. The quality of the results is affected by the delay in the analysis of the sample. Therefore, fixatives are necessary to make the reading easier 24 hours after sample collection. Objective: To prove the usefulness of sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin (SAF) solution as a fixative for Necator americanus eggs by means of a clinical case study. Materials and methods: Clinical case description and intestinal parasites diagnosis by direct stool microscopic analysis and parasite infection intensity by means of the Kato Katz technique. N. americanus eggs were detected by Kato Katz method for 10 months on a SAF-fixed stool sample. Identification of Uncinaria sp. by qPCR. Results: N. americanus eggs are adequately preserved in SAF during the first five months. Conclusions: SAF fixative is suitable for Kato Katz method and proved to be capable of maintaining parasite intensity and N. americanus egg morphology over a period of up to five months.

Perfiles de poliparasitismo intestinal en una comunidad de la Amazonia colombiana / Profiles of intestinal polyparasitism in a community of the Colombian Amazon region

Resumen Introducción. Las infecciones parasitarias y el poliparasitismo intestinal son muy prevalentes en las poblaciones más vulnerables de los países en desarrollo debido a la existencia de factores ambientales, biológicos y sociales determinantes en la transmisión de parásitos. La población entre uno y 15 años de edad es la más afectada por dicha situación. Objetivo. Describir las prevalencias y los perfiles del poliparasitismo intestinal en la población de uno a 15 años de edad de comunidades indígenas de la Amazonia colombiana. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un muestreo no probabilístico de 300 niños entre uno y 15 años de edad, procedentes de varios asentamientos rurales y de la cabecera urbana de Puerto Nariño, Amazonas, quienes participaron voluntariamente en el estudio. Las muestras de materia fecal se analizaron mediante el método directo (solución salina al 0,85 % y lugol) y la técnica de Kato-Katz. Se determinaron los perfiles más prevalentes de poliparasitismo intestinal con el coeficiente kappa de Cohen y un intervalo de confianza de 95 %. Resultados. La prevalencia de poliparasitismo, definida como la presencia de, por lo menos, dos parásitos intestinales patógenos, fue de 84 % (IC95 %: 79,35-87,96). Los casos con presencia de dos o tres agentes incluyeron los parásitos Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Blastocystis sp., los ancilostomídeos Ancylostoma duodenale yNecator americanus, así como Entamoeba histolytica,E. dispar y E. moshkovskii del complejo Entamoeba, y fueron los de mayor prevalencia. Conclusión. Se encontraron varios perfiles de poliparasitismo intestinal, aunque la mayoría de los casos involucraron menos de seis especies. Una mejor estimación de la prevalencia y los factores determinantes del poliparasitismo intestinal permitirían priorizar y orientar los recursos para su control.

Abstract Introduction: Intestinal parasite infections and polyparasitism are highly prevalent in the most vulnerable populations of developing countries due to environmental, biological and social determinants common in the transmission of parasites. Children between 1 and 15 years of age are the most affected population. Objective: To describe the prevalence and profiles of intestinal polyparasitism in 1 to 15 year-old children from native communities in the Colombian Amazon region. Materials and methods: We used a non-probability sampling of 300 children between 1 and 15 years of age from several rural settlements and the main urban area of Puerto Nariño, Amazonas, Colombia, who participated voluntarily in the study. We obtained fecal samples that were analyzed by the direct method (0.85% saline solution-lugol) and the Kato-Katz technique. The most prevalent polyparasitism profiles were identified using Cohen's kappa coefficient with a 95% confidence interval. Results: The prevalence of polyparasitism, defined as the presence of at least two intestinal pathogenic parasites, was 84% (95 % CI: 79.35-87.96). Polyparasitism by two or three of the following parasites: Ascaris lumbricoides,Trichuris trichiura, Blastocystis sp., Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus from the Ancylostomatidae family, and Entamoeba histolytica,E. dispar and E. moshkovskii of the Entamoeba complex, had the highest prevalence. Conclusion: Several intestinal polyparasitism profiles were found, although in most cases fewer than six parasites were involved. Better prevalence estimations and identification of determinant factors will allow to priorize and direct resources to control these infections.

Herniation of renal pelvis and ureteropelvic junction resulting from superior lumbar triangle hernia.

A 79-year-old female admitted as a result of respiratory insufficiency due to pneumonia presented with a painful swelling in the left lumbar region and acute ureteral colic pain. The diagnosis of Grynfeltt's bilateral hernia was made by means of CT, which revealed herniation in the left side of the renal pelvis and proximal ureter.

Cariotipo del tití gris (Saguinus leucopus): similitudes con el cariotipo humano / Karyotype of gray marmoset (Saguinus leucopus): similarities with the human karyotype

El tití gris (Saguinus leucopus) es un primate endémico de Colombia cuyo cariotipo se describe en el presente estudio a partir de una pareja de individuos ubicados en el Centro de Rehabilitación de Fauna Silvestre del Oriente de Caldas, Colombia. Las muestras de sangre fueron recolectadas de la vena femoral y anticoaguladas con heparina de sodio. Los cromosomas se obtuvieron por el método clásico de cultivo de linfocitos y bandeamiento Q y G Los individuos presentan 46 cromosomas (2n = 46: 30Bi, 14A); cromosomas sexuales XX en la hembra y XY en el macho (quimerismo 46,XX/46,XY en este último). Se propone un ideograma para el cariotipo del Tití Gris. Se observan amplias semejanzas en los cromosomas X y 5 de S. leucopus con los cromosomas X y 19 humanos, respectivamente. Otras similitudes parciales se evidenciaron entre los cromosomas 1 de ambas especies, 2 y 14 de S. leucopus con el 7 humano. La comparación del tamaño de regiones exónicas de dos genes de S. leucopus y Homo sapiens no arrojó diferencia.

Salud y riesgos ocupacionales por el manejo de plaguicidas en campesinos agricultores, municipio de Marinilla, Antioquia, 2009 / Helth and occupational risk due to pesticide handling among agricultural in marinilla, antioquia 2009

El sector agrícola ha representado un importante polo dedesarrollo para las comunidades campesinas y la economíacolombiana. El municipio de Marinilla de la región deloriente de Antioquia fundamenta su economía en la actividadagropecuaria, actividad que obliga a la utilización de variadosproductos químicos cuyo empleo conlleva riesgos para la salud.Objetivo: describir los riesgos sanitarios y ocupacionales de losagricultores que usan plaguicidas en Marinilla. Metodología:estudio descriptivo y transversal, con muestreo polietápico ymuestra de 157 agricultores. Resultados: 64,9% combinanmás de dos químicos; 83% no ha recibido capacitación respectodel manejo seguro de agroquímicos; alrededor del 80% delos agricultores no utilizan equipo de protección adecuadopara realizar la labor. Solo 2,5% están afiliados a riesgosprofesionales y la morbilidad más frecuente fue infecciónrespiratoria aguda (78%); 22,3% ha sufrido intoxicación aguday 14% (11) de las mujeres de los campesinos que alguna vezse han intoxicado presentaron abortos, partos prematuros oengendraron niños con algún tipo de discapacidad. Se encontródiferencia estadística significativa entre la edad del agricultory el tiempo de uso de plaguicida, y no se encontró diferenciaestadística entre el bajo nivel educativo y el conocimiento de losriesgos de los químicos. Conclusión: los cultivadores no hansido capacitados en su mayoría y realizan su labor omitiendotodo tipo de normas de seguridad, con actos inseguros y sinuso de hábitos de higiene personal.

The agricultural sector has played a key role in the developmentof Colombia’s economy and rural communities. The Marinillamunicipality, located in the eastern area of the departmentof Antioquia, bases its economy in agriculture and livestockactivities. This requires the use of a wide variety of chemicalproducts that pose health risks. Objective: to describe theoccupational and health risks of the farmers who use pesticidesin Marinilla. Methodology: a descriptive study with multistagesampling and a sample of 157 farmers. Results: 64.9% of thefarmers combine more than two chemicals. 83% of them havereceived no training on safe handling of agricultural chemicalproducts. Approximately 80% of these individuals do not usethe appropriate protective equipment to perform this task.Only 2.5 % of the farmers have occupational risks insurance.The most common disease was acute respiratory infection(78%). 22.3% have suffered from acute intoxication, and 14%(11) of the female farmers who have ever been intoxicatedhad abortions, premature births, or bore children with somekind of disability. A statistically significant difference wasfound between the age of farmers and pesticide usage time.No statistical difference was found between low schoolinglevel and knowledge of the risks posed by chemical products.Conclusion: most agricultural workers have not been trainedin safety standards; therefore, they disregard all kinds of safetymeasures during their work, and act without safety in mind andwithout personal hygiene habits.

Leucemia linfoide aguda: estudio citogenético en niños atendidos en el Hospital Universitario San Vicente de Paúl de Medellín en el período 1998-2001 / Acute lymphoid leukemia: cytogenetic study in children treated at the San Vicente de Paúl University Hospital in Medellín in the period 1998-2001

Las investigaciones citogenéticas en Leucemia Linfoblástica Aguda (LLA) permiten identificar alteraciones recurrentes específicas en los cromosomas y correlacionarlas con la información biológica. Además, contribuyen a la comprensión de los mecanismos de leucogénesis, como factores pronósticos independientes, y aportan bases para futuras investigaciones terapéuticas.Se analizaron las alteraciones cromosómicas adquiridas en la médula ósea de 44 niños (entre un mes y 14 años) con LLA, diagnosticada clínica e histopatológicamente entre 1998 y 2001 en la Unidad de Hematología Infantil, Hospital San Vicente de Paúl, de Medellín, y cuyas muestras de médula ósea fueron procesadas y analizadas en la Unidad de Genética Médica, de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Antioquia.El estudio reveló que 17 pacientes (41,5 por ciento) presentaban cariotipo normal y 24 (58,5 por ciento) lo tenían anormal. De estos últimos 18 (75 por ciento) tenían un mosaicismo cromosómico, 4 (16,7 por ciento) exhibían cariotipos hiperdiploides y 2 (8.3 por ciento) presentaban otras alteraciones cromosómicas.No se encontraron asociaciones significativas entre los tipos de leucemia (L1,L2,L3) y el cariotipo.

Aplicación de la teleoftalmología en la estimación de la profundidad de la cámara anterior / Using teleophthalmology in athe assessment of the anterior chamber depth

Propósito: Investigar el desempeño de la evaluación de imágenes digitalizadas del segmento anterior como una herramienta de teleoftalmología, en comparación con la gonioscopia convencional y la valoración clínica de la profundidad del segmento anterior mediante biomicroscopia. Métodos: Las imágenes de 770 ojos (385 individuos) fueron obtenidas con una cámara analógica acoplada a un biomicroscopio y enviadas a través de una red local a una computadora, a través de cuya pantalla (17 pulgadas) dos expertos determinaron la profundidad de la cámara anterior empleando la técnica de Van Herick. Se analizaron las concordancias con dos aproximaciones (estadística kappa no ponderada) entre las descripciones de los dos examinadores y las de estos con la de gonioscopia y de profundidad de cámara anterior realizadas durante una campaña de detección de enfermedades oculares. Se estimaron la sensibilidad y especificidad de los examinadores de la profundidad de la cámara anterior. Resultados: La concordancia entre los examinadores de la profundidad de la cámara anterior y la gonioscopia fue muy reducida (k<0.204, P=0.0001), la de los examinadores de las imágenes digitalizadas fue mayor, especialmente cuando se recategorizaron las escalas del ángulo y de la profundidad de cámara anterior (OD, k=0.576; OI, k=0.552; ambos ojos con P=0.0001). La sensibilidad de los examinadores para reconocer ángulos estrechos fue deficiente (menor a 55 por ciento), aunque fue considerablemente más elevada la especificidad (mayor de 80 por ciento). Conclusiones: Nuestros hallazgos sugieren que empleo de la técnica de Van Herick para describir imágenes digitalizadas en un sistema de teleoftalmología parece tener un papel limitado debido a su baja concordancia entre examinadores y con la gonioscopia convencional.