Electroencephalographic activity during direct breastfeeding and breast milk expression in primiparous mothers.

Breastfeeding is recognized worldwide as the best option for infant feeding. Expressing breast milk is an alternative for mothers to provide their infants all the benefits of maternal milk. During breast milk expression, mothers receive a distinct kind of sensory stimulation, because there is no direct bodily or affective interaction with their infants, many women report feeling isolated, generating a love-hate relation with pumping, and even low levels of satisfaction while expressing breast milk. While it is well known that the prefrontal, parietal, and temporal cortices play important roles in the emotional and cognitive processing of maternal stimuli, knowledge about how these cortical areas function during breastfeeding is lacking. This study was designed to characterize EEG activity in the prefrontal and parietal cortices and the affective scores of primiparous breastfeeding mothers during two conditions of milk expression: breast milk expression and direct breastfeeding. Participants reported higher valence and arousal and a pleasant state during direct breastfeeding. In the direct breastfeeding condition, both prefrontal areas showed a higher absolute power (AP) of the slow bands, with a lower AP of the alpha band in the parietal cortex. A lower correlation between frontopolar and dorsolateral areas with a higher correlation between prefrontal and parietal cortices was obtained mainly in the right hemisphere. This EEG activity could be linked to an internal state of focused attention and, simultaneously, open monitoring of the environment that suggests an integration of the motive-emotional and cognitive processes necessary for adequate mother-baby interaction during direct breastfeeding.

Utilidad del tromboelastograma en pediatría: correlación con pruebas habituales de la coagulación / Usefulness of the thromboelastogram in children: correlation with habitual coagulation tests

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los exámenes habituales de coagulación evalúan distintos elementos de la hemostasia en forma par cial, y no traducen las interacciones celulares, lo que es especialmente sensible en pacientes críticos. Las técnicas viscoelásticas, como el tromboelastograma (TEG) muestran el proceso de coagulación completo, y están siendo evaluadas como exámenes de la coagulación global. OBJETIVO: determinar la correlación de los exámenes habituales de coagulación con los valores del TEG, en niños atendidos en una unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI). PACIENTES Y MÉTODO: Se revisaron 238 TEG de pacientes <18 años, con evidencia de alteración de coagulación clínica y/o de laboratorio, hospitalizados en UCI. Se correlacionaron los valores de los parámetros del TEG con cada uno de los valores de los exámenes habituales de coagulación. Los exámenes se obtuvieron según protocolo, utilizando una muestra de sangre de 4,5 ml para TEG con equipo TEG® 5000 Thrombelastograph Hemostasis Sys tem, mediante un transductor electromagnético que permite la medición de la resistencia durante la formación y lisis del coágulo. El recuento de plaquetas se obtuvo utilizando método automatizado o microscopía con contraste de fase; el fibrinógeno, tiempo de protrombina y de tromboplastina parcial activada por métodos nefelométricos. RESULTADOS: 201 TEGs correspondientes a 59 pacientes. Se evidenció una correlación moderada a baja en todos los parámetros medidos. No se encontró co rrelación entre porcentaje de lisis del coágulo, ni firmeza del coágulo. CONCLUSIONES: Existe una baja correlación entre la información entregada por TEG y los exámenes de coagulación habituales, esto sugiere que el TEG aporta información diferente acerca del estado de coagulación de los pacientes críticos evaluados.

INTRODUCTION: Usual coagulation tests partially evaluate different elements of hemostasis, and do not translate cell interactions, which is an especially sensitive issue in critically ill patients. Viscoelastic measurement techniques, such as thromboelastogram (TEG) show the complete coagulation pro cess and are being evaluated as global coagulation tests. OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation of the usual coagulation tests with the TEG values, in children treated in an intensive care unit (ICU). PATIENTS AND METHOD: We reviewed 238 TEGs of patients under 18 years of age, with evidence of clinical and/or laboratory coagulation alterations, who were hospitalized in the ICU. The TEG para meter values were correlated with each of the usual coagulation test values. The tests were obtained according to the protocol, using a 4.5 ml blood sample for TEG with TEG® 5000 Thrombelastograph Hemostasis System, through an electromagnetic transducer that allows the measurement of resis tance during the clot formation and lysis. Platelet count was obtained using an automated method or phase-contrast microscopy, and fibrinogen levels, prothrombin time, and partial thromboplastin time activated by nephelometric methods. RESULTS: 201 TEGs corresponding to 59 patients were re viewed. A moderate to low correlation was observed in all the measured parameters. No correlation was found between the percentages of clot lysis or clot firmness. CONCLUSIONS: There is a low corre lation between the information provided by TEG and the usual coagulation tests. This suggests that the TEG provides different information about the coagulation status of the evaluated critical patients.

Usefulness of the thromboelastogram in children: correlation with habitual coagulation tests. / Utilidad del tromboelastograma en pediatría: Correlación con pruebas habituales de la coagulación.

INTRODUCTION: Usual coagulation tests partially evaluate different elements of hemostasis, and do not translate cell interactions, which is an especially sensitive issue in critically ill patients. Viscoelastic measurement techniques, such as thromboelastogram (TEG) show the complete coagulation pro cess and are being evaluated as global coagulation tests. OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation of the usual coagulation tests with the TEG values, in children treated in an intensive care unit (ICU). PATIENTS AND METHOD: We reviewed 238 TEGs of patients under 18 years of age, with evidence of clinical and/or laboratory coagulation alterations, who were hospitalized in the ICU. The TEG para meter values were correlated with each of the usual coagulation test values. The tests were obtained according to the protocol, using a 4.5 ml blood sample for TEG with TEG® 5000 Thrombelastograph Hemostasis System, through an electromagnetic transducer that allows the measurement of resis tance during the clot formation and lysis. Platelet count was obtained using an automated method or phase-contrast microscopy, and fibrinogen levels, prothrombin time, and partial thromboplastin time activated by nephelometric methods. RESULTS: 201 TEGs corresponding to 59 patients were re viewed. A moderate to low correlation was observed in all the measured parameters. No correlation was found between the percentages of clot lysis or clot firmness. CONCLUSIONS: There is a low corre lation between the information provided by TEG and the usual coagulation tests. This suggests that the TEG provides different information about the coagulation status of the evaluated critical patients.

Asynchronous brain-computer interface for cognitive assessment in people with cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVE: Typically, clinical measures of cognition require motor or speech responses. Thus, a significant percentage of people with disabilities are not able to complete standardized assessments. This situation could be resolved by employing a more accessible test administration method, such as a brain-computer interface (BCI). A BCI can circumvent motor and speech requirements by translating brain activity to identify a subject's response. By eliminating the need for motor or speech input, one could use a BCI to assess an individual who previously did not have access to clinical tests. APPROACH: We developed an asynchronous, event-related potential BCI-facilitated administration procedure for the peabody picture vocabulary test (PPVT-IV). We then tested our system in typically developing individuals (N = 11), as well as people with cerebral palsy (N = 19) to compare results to the standardized PPVT-IV format and administration. MAIN RESULTS: Standard scores on the BCI-facilitated PPVT-IV, and the standard PPVT-IV were highly correlated (r = 0.95, p < 0.001), with a mean difference of 2.0 ± 6.4 points, which is within the standard error of the PPVT-IV. SIGNIFICANCE: Thus, our BCI-facilitated PPVT-IV provided comparable results to the standard PPVT-IV, suggesting that populations for whom standardized cognitive tests are not accessible could benefit from our BCI-facilitated approach.

Listening to a baby crying induces higher electroencephalographic synchronization among prefrontal, temporal and parietal cortices in adoptive mothers.

Women who adopt babies show caring behaviors and respond to stimuli from their infants just as biological mothers do, but several studies have shown that the cerebral functionality of biological mothers (BM) and adoptive mothers (AM) changes in relation to the type and emotional mean of the stimuli they receive from their babies. The complex perception and processing of different stimuli with emotional content (such as those emitted by babies) require functional synchronization among different cortical and subcortical brain areas. To determine whether the degree of functional synchronization between cortices varies when they perceive such stimuli, this study characterized the degree of cortical electroencephalographic (EEG) synchronization (correlation) among prefrontal, temporal and parietal areas in BM, AM and non-mothers while listening to a recording of a baby crying. BM showed a decreased EEG synchronization between the prefrontal and temporal cortices that may indicate a decrease in the modulatory control that the former exerts on the posterior cortices, and could be associated with deeper emotional involvement and increased sensitivity to the baby crying. The AM, in contrast, had higher degree of EEG synchronization between cortical areas in both hemispheres, likely associated with a greater modulation of the affective information of the crying baby, which allowed them to perceive it as less unpleasant. These data enrich our knowledge of the neurofunctional changes involved in motherhood, and of the neural processes that allow mothers (biological and adoptive) to be sensitive to their infants' cues and respond appropriately.

Colestasis en pediatría / Cholestasis in Pediatrics

La colestasis indica siempre un proceso patológico que puede dejar secuelas como disfunción hepática crónica, necesidad de trasplante hepático o muerte (1). La colestasis es un proceso en el que existe disminución del flujo biliar, evidencia histológica de depósito de pigmentos biliares en los hepatocitos y conductos biliares, y aumento de la concentración sérica de los productos excretados en la bilis. La colestasis puede presentarse a cualquier edad y la causa es la alteración de la formación de bilis por el hepatocito o la obstrucción del flujo en la vía biliar intrahepática o extrahepática. Nos referimos a colestasis neonatal cuando se presenta en los primeros 3 meses de vida con elevación de niveles séricos de bilirrubina directa, colesterol y ácidos biliares (2). En nuestro medio la principal causa es la hepatitis neonatal idiopática, seguida de las causas infecciosas. Las causas obstructivas son las de peor pronóstico; dentro de estas la más común es la atresia de vías biliares, donde hay obliteración progresiva de la vía biliar extrahepática, daño del parénquima y vía biliar intrahepática, lo que causa cirrosis y muerte antes de los 3 años de vida (1-3). El pronóstico mejora con el manejo quirúrgico si este se realiza antes de los 45 a 60 días de vida (3). La forma de presentación más usual es en un recién nacido a término sano que entre las semanas 2 y 6 de vida presenta ictericia, hipocolia, hepatomegalia firme y esplenomegalia. El diagnóstico se apoya con la elevación de gamma glutamiltransferasa como principal marcador sérico, la ecografía de hígado con ayuno que tiene la mayor sensibilidad y especificidad, siendo el único método confirmatorio la laparotomía exploratoria con visión directa de la vía biliar mediante la realización intraoperatoria de colangiografía (4). En el manejo de todo paciente con colestasis, además de corregir la causa y tratar la colestasis, está el manejo nutricional con una dieta que ofrezca alto aporte de triglicéridos de cadena media y de vitaminas liposolubles (5).

Cholestasis always indicates a pathological process that can result in chronic liver dysfunction, the necessity of liver transplantation and even death. (1) Cholestasis is a process in which there is a decrease in biliary flow, histological evidence of deposition of bile pigments in hepatocytes and bile ducts, and an increase in the serum concentrations of products excreted in bile. Cholestasis can occur at any age. It is caused by alteration of the formation of bile by the hepatocytes or by obstruction of the flow in the intrahepatic or extrahepatic biliary tracts. Neonatal cholestasis occurs in the first (3) months of life with elevated serum levels of direct bilirubin, cholesterol and bile acids. (2) In our environment, the most frequent cause is idiopathic neonatal hepatitis, followed by infectious causes. Obstructive causes have the worst prognoses. Among them, the most common is biliary atresia in which progressive obliteration of the extra hepatic biliary tract, parenchymal damage and intrahepatic biliary tract cause cirrhosis and death before the patient reaches three years of age. (1-3) The prognosis improves with surgical management if it is performed within the first 45 to 60 days of life. (3) The most common presentation is a healthy full-term newborn who develops jaundice, hypocolony, firm hepatomegaly and splenomegaly between the 2nd and 6th weeks of life. The principal serum marker that supports diagnosis is elevation of gamma glutamyltransferase while ultrasound of the liver following fasting has the greatest sensitivity and specificity. The only method for confirming the diagnosis is exploratory laparotomy with direct vision of the bile duct by intraoperative cholangiography. (4) In addition to correcting the cause and treating cholestasis, nutritional management with an adequate diet with high levels of medium chain triglycerides and fat-soluble vitamins is important for management of all patients with cholestasis. (5)

Observing videos of a baby crying or smiling induces similar, but not identical, electroencephalographic responses in biological and adoptive mothers.

It is well-known that adoptive mothers respond to cues from their babies in similar ways to biological mothers, and that cortical processing is critical for adequate motive-emotional maternal responses. This study used electroencephalographic activity (EEG) to characterize prefrontal, parietal and temporal functioning in biological mothers (BM), adoptive mothers (AM), and non-mothers (NM), while viewing videos of a baby smiling or crying. The BM presented higher absolute power (AP) in the delta and theta bands (associated with pleasant, positive emotional experiences) in the frontal and parietal areas under all conditions. In response to the smiling video, both types of mothers presented a lower AP in alpha1 in the three cortices (indicative of increased attention) and, mainly in temporal areas, a higher AP in the fast frequencies (beta and gamma, reflecting increased alertness to sensory stimuli and cognitive processing). This EEG pattern in the BM and AM could reflect the greater attention and, probably, the positive mood caused by the smiling video, showing that both are sensitive to these pleasant stimuli. When viewing the video of a baby crying, the AM had higher AP in the fast frequencies (temporal and parietal areas), indicating that they were more reactive to this unpleasant video, while the NM presented only a lower AP in alpha1 in all cortices, a finding that could be associated with the general activation induced by these unpleasant stimuli as a consequence of their lack of maternal experience. These findings should help improve our understanding of the neural mechanisms involved in the processing of sensorial stimuli that establish affective-emotional links during motherhood.

Atresia biliar sindrómica en un paciente pediátrico: Reporte de caso / Case Report of Syndromic Biliary Atresia in a Pediatric Patient

La atresia de vías biliares es una colangiopatía obstructiva neonatal de etiología desconocida que produce una lesión del parénquima hepático y de la vía biliar intrahepática y extrahepática. Representa la causa más común de colestasis neonatal y trasplante hepático en la población pediátrica y se manifiesta como malformación aislada en la mayoría de los casos. Se presenta un caso de un paciente de 75 días de vida con atresia de vías biliares asociado a heterotaxia abdominal. El síndrome de atresia biliar y malformación esplénica ha sido descrito previamente como atresia de vías biliares asociado a malformaciones anatómicas del bazo, páncreas, alteraciones cardíacas y en menor frecuencia malformaciones genitourinarias. El pronóstico de los pacientes con atresia de vías biliares ha mejorado notoriamente con el reconocimiento temprano de los signos semiológicos y con la realización de la portoenterostomía (Kasai) en forma oportuna para lograr mejorar la sobrevida de los pacientes con atresia de vías biliares sindrómica.

Biliary atresia is an obstructive neonatal cholangiopathy of unknown etiology that produces damage to the parenchyma of the liver and to the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts. It is the most common cause of neonatal cholestasis and liver transplantation in the pediatric population. In most cases it manifests as an isolated malformation. This article presents the case of a 75 day old patient with biliary atresia associated with abdominal heterotaxy. Biliary atresia syndrome together with splenic malformation has been previously described, as have biliary atresia associated with anatomical malformations of the spleen, pancreas, and heart. It occurs with genitourinary malformations less frequently. The prognosis of patients with biliary atresia has significantly improved with early recognition of signs and symptoms and timely performance of hepatoportoenterostomy (Kasai portoenterostomy).

Novel hold-release functionality in a P300 brain-computer interface.

Assistive technology control interface theory describes interface activation and interface deactivation as distinct properties of any control interface. Separating control of activation and deactivation allows precise timing of the duration of the activation. Objective. We propose a novel P300 brain-computer interface (BCI) functionality with separate control of the initial activation and the deactivation (hold-release) of a selection. Approach. Using two different layouts and off-line analysis, we tested the accuracy with which subjects could (1) hold their selection and (2) quickly change between selections. Main results. Mean accuracy across all subjects for the hold-release algorithm was 85% with one hold-release classification and 100% with two hold-release classifications. Using a layout designed to lower perceptual errors, accuracy increased to a mean of 90% and the time subjects could hold a selection was 40% longer than with the standard layout. Hold-release functionality provides improved response time (6-16 times faster) over the initial P300 BCI selection by allowing the BCI to make hold-release decisions from very few flashes instead of after multiple sequences of flashes. Significance. For the BCI user, hold-release functionality allows for faster, more continuous control with a P300 BCI, creating new options for BCI applications.

Seed germination of Agave species as influenced by substrate water potential.

BACKGROUND: Plants of Agave spp. perform Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) and are highly drought-tolerant, but little is known concerning seed germination under low water availability. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of substrate water potential (ΨW) on seed germination and contrast hydrotime parameters of seven valuable and commercially-important Agave species from different geographical distributions and climatic regions of Mexico. Our hypothesis was that seed germination of Agave species is not affected by low water availability independently of seed biomass and the climate of their distribution area. RESULTS: Seed germination (at 25°C and in the dark) between 85 and 100% for all species occurred within 80-180 h at -0.03 MPa and 250-430 h at -1.0 MPa. Seed germination at -1.5 MPa declined to less than 50% (p < 0.05) for A. asperrima and A. cupreata but did not change significantly for A. americana var. marginata, A. lechuguilla and A. striata, although they showed the lowest mean base water potential (-2.01 to -2.64 MPa). Seed germination of 40% Agave species, from arid and semi-arid climates in this study, was not affected by the lower ΨW. CONCLUSION: Germination of seeds of Agave species is moderately affected by low water availability, is partially dependent of their ecological distribution, and is independent of seed mass.

[Reverse shoulder arthroplasty: complications and prevention]. / Artroplastía de hombro reversa: complicaciones y prevención.

The total shoulder prosthesis in reverse was designed as a treatment for patients with arthropathy deficiency rotator cuff because the conservative treatment failed. The indications for its use have evolved; these include arthropathy deficient rotator cuff, reconstruction humeral head fractures, hemiarthroplasties revision and reconstruction after tumor resection. Successful placement depends on the patient having a function adequately and good quality deltoid in the glenoid bone and in the proximal humerus. Until a few years ago data was no clear on the success of this procedure, currently encouraging results have been reported, however, they have had a high cost due to the high rate of complications, which are divided into specific and common to the prosthesis shoulder surgeries. The primary objective of this review is to assess the most common complications of the prosthesis in reverse, how to treat them and how we can avoid them.

Caracterización epidemiológica y clínica de pacientes operados con diagnóstico de quiste branquial / Epidemiological and clinical characterization of operated patients diagnosed with branchial cyst

Branchial Cysts are uncommon anomalies in regular clinical practice. However, among congenital cervical cysts, they represent about 30% from total. Objective: Characterize patients diagnosed with operated branquial cyst in our clinical center, and correlate clinic, imaging and final diagnose. Material and methods: Retrospective descriptive study of discharged patients diagnosed as cervical cysts, between January 2005 and July 2011, at Hospital Clinico Universidad de Chile. Selection of Clinical records with final diagnose of branchial cyst were selected. Age, sex, clinical story, imaging exams, pre-operative and post-operative diagnoses, and biopsy report were registered. Results: from a total of 149 cervical cysts, 31 (20,8%) were branchial cysts. Man 45% and women 55%. By age, 9 (29%) were < 15 years old (average: 6,69 years) and 22 (70,9%) > 15 years (average: 33,7 years). Lateral cervical mass was the most common clinical manifestation. Regarding Imaging study, 15 cervical ultrasounds (sensibility 0,86 and specificity 0,98) and 13 cervical CTA scans (sensibility 0,92 and specificity 0,94) were conducted. In 9 patients, imaging studies weren't conducted for the clinical diagnose (sensibility 0,77 and specificity 0,98). Correlation of pre-operative and post-operative diagnose was 87%. Discussion: According to literature, presentation age is generally during childhood; however, in our statistics it presented during adult age, which could be explained due to the main focus our medical center has for adult population. Most common clinical presentation was lateral neck mass, which had a good clinical correlation, however improves with imaging studies. (AU)

Xilitol y prevención de otitis media aguda / Xylitol and acute otitis media prevention

La otitis media aguda (OMA) es una patología extraordinariamente frecuente en escolares y lactantes, siendo la primera causa de uso de antibióticos en este último grupo. Elprincipal agente involucrado es el S. pneumoniae. Se ha postulado la hipótesis de que el xilitol, un poliol presente en la corteza de abedules, podría tener efectos inhibitorios sobre ésta y otras bacterias otopatógenas en el momento en que se encuentran en la rinofaringe, lo que podría resultar efectivo a la hora de prevenir la invasión de la cavidad timpánica y por ende el desarrollo de OMA. En esta revisión se analizan los estudios realizados que respaldan el uso del xilitol como profilaxis de OMA.

Acute otitis media (AOM) is an extremely common disease in school children and infants, which is the first cause of antibiotic use in this latter group. The main agent involved is S pneumoniae. It has proposed the hypothesis thatxylitol, a polyol which is present in the bark of birch, may have inhibitory effects on this bacteria and another otopathogen at the time found in the nasopharynx, which may be effective in preventing the invasion of the tympanic cavity and thus the development of AOM. In this review, is it discussed the studies supporting the use of xylitol prophylaxisof AOM.

Efectos de la toxina botulínica A (Botox®) intraarticular en la artrosis de rodilla avanzada / No disponible

Objetivos: la osteoartritis es la enfermedad articular más común y una de los problemas de salud más frecuentes y sintomáticos en la madurez y senectud. Este trabajo describe nuestra experiencia clínica con inyecciones intraarticulares de toxina botulínica tipo A (TBA) en dolor de rodilla artrósico y refractario. Materiales y métodos: doce mujeres con gonartrosis avanzada y refractaria, acudieron a consulta para el manejo del dolor de rodilla de moderado a severo. Las pacientes estuvieron en seguimiento 16 semanas, durante las que la mejoría de su estado fue valorado comparando el dolor basal respecto al dolor en el momento de la visita mediante diferentes escalas estandarizadas. Simultáneamente, se evaluaron la funcionalidad, la cantidad de medicación analgésica diaria y los efectos secundarios. Resultados: el consumo de medicación decreció de 3,6 a 2 tomas/día. No se observaron efectos secundarios. Conclusión: se evidenció un alivio del dolor que se inició en la semana 2 y se mantuvo hasta 12 semanas tras la inyección de TBA. La mediana del cambio de la escala total de WOMAC y de la EVA fue de –7,5 y –1,9 respectivamente, con una disminución significativa del dolor a las 16 semanas. No se registraron cambios en la escala WOMAC en 5 pacientes, mientras que 3 casos mostraron un descenso en dicha escala mayor del 20% y los en los 4 restantes fue superior al 40%. Las que respondieron a la infiltración notaron una mejora en las actividades de la vida diaria gracias a este alivio. El consumo de medicación decreció de 3,6 a 2 tomas/ día. No se observaron efectos secundarios (AU)

Objective: osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease and it is among the most disabling health problems for middle aged and older people. Purpose: to test the effects of a single intraarticular injection of Botulinum Toxin A (BTA) on refractory knee osteoarthritis. Material and method: twelve women (mean age: 72) with refractory knee osteoarthritis who had failed other treatments and without possibilities of arthroplasty were injected with 100 units of BTA (Botox®-Allergan). Patients were followed-up for 16 weeks. They were assessed by means of VAS, WOMAC questionnaire, daily analgesic consumption, and a verbal relief scale. Side effects were also evaluated. Results: a peak of pain relief was evident 2 weeks after BTA injection and lasted typically for 16 weeks. The median change in WOMAC total score and VAS were –7.5 and –1.9 respectively, with a statistically significant pain decrease over 16 weeks. Five out of 12 do not found any decrease in total Womac score; 3 patients described at least 20% of relief and the remaining 4 found more than 40% of reduction in that scale. Those cases who responded to the BTA injection noted improved function in activities of daily living. Daily analgesic necessity droped from 3.6 to 2 doses. No side effects were noted. Conclusion: beneficial effects lasted for at least 12 weeks and gave pain relief. Based on the positive findings of this study, we believe that further, randomized, controlled trials for the use of BTA in knee osteoarthritic pain would be warranted (AU)

Influencia de las macrófitas sobre la estructura poblacional de rotíferos y microscrustáceos en un plano de inundación tropical

The influence of macrophytes on rotifer and microcrustacean assemblage in a tropical floodplain. Most studies on zooplankton ecology have been conducted in open waters. However, it has been considered of great importance to extend such studies to other habitats, such as those generated of macrophytes. We studied the spatial and temporal variation of the microcrustacean and rotifer assemblage structures associated with macrophytes, and compare them with the variation exhibited in open waters. Integrated samples were collected for zooplankton and phytoplankton biomass using a Schindler bottle, in four open water sites and four other sites covered by macrophytes in the floodplain complex of Ayapel (Córdoba, Colombia) during different limnimetric levels. The significant differences in the structure were evaluated using Kruskal & Wallis and discriminant analyses, and the similarity among sampling sites was evaluated using Bray & Curtis analysis. Zooplanktonic richness was favored by macrophytes. However, we did not find a constant spatial pattern for density, and only particular trends apparently conditionated by flood pulses. The presence of Eichhornia azurea (Pontederiaceae) contributed in a significant way with an increase in the diversity and density of benthic taxa. The density of some zooplanktonic groups was related with environmental conditions and phytoplanktonic biomass. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (2): 853-870. Epub 2011 June 01.

La mayoría de estudios ecológicos del zooplancton se han realizado en aguas abiertas. No obstante, es importante ampliar la exploración hacia hábitats como el de las macrófitas. En este estudio se evaluó la variación espacio-temporal de la estructura del ensamble de rotíferos y microcrustáceos asociados a macrófitas y se comparó con la variación de su estructura en aguas abiertas, para lo cual se tomaron muestras integradas de zooplancton y biomasa de fitoplancton usando una botella Schindler de 5L en cuatro sitios de aguas abiertas y en cuatro sitios cubiertos por macrófitas durante diferentes niveles limnimétricos en el complejo cenagoso de Ayapel (Córdoba, Colombia). Las diferencias significativas de la estructura se evaluaron mediante Kruskal & Wallis y discriminantes; y la similitud entre sitios de muestreo mediante Bray & Curtis. Las macrófitas favorecieron la riqueza zooplanctónica; sin embargo, no hubo un patrón espacial constante en la densidad, pero sí tendencias particulares condicionadas por el pulso de inundación. La presencia de Eichhornia azurea (Pontederiaceae) contribuyó significativamente a la mayor diversidad y densidad de taxones bentónicos y sólo la densidad de algunos taxones y grupos del zooplancton se relacionó con las condiciones ambientales y la biomasa de fitoplancton.

Amigdalectomía en pacientes con asimetría amigdalina: análisis histopatológico y factores de riesgo de malignidad / Tonsillectomy in patients with tonsillar asymmetry: histopathological analysis and risk factors for malignancy

Introduction: Tonsillectomy is the most frequent ENT (ear nose and throat) surgery. An absolute indication is suspicion of a malignant tumor. Therefore the importance of determine whose patients are inherent to that risk. Objective: To conduct a histopathological analysis of asymmetrical tonsillar biopsies, correlate clinical suspicion of tumor with biopsy results, and compare patients with exclusive tonsillar asymmetry versus tonsillar asymmetry plus others symptoms or signs suggestive of malignant pathology. Methods: Retrospective analysis of tonsillar biopsies processed from patients diagnosed with tonsillar asymmetry at HCUCH (Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile), February 2003 through June 2006 period. Two groups were selected: Exclusive tonsillar asymmetry (Group A) and asymmetry associated with clinical findings suggestive of malignancy (Group B). Results: 2083 Tonsillectomies, from which 135 (6,48 percent) where sent to biopsy. Of these, 41 (30,3 percent) had been diagnosed as tonsillar asymmetry (2 percent from total). 23 female and 18 male, age range: 2- 73 years old, (Average age: 27 years), 9patients had tonsillar asymmetry associated to a clinical suspicion finding of malignant pathology, while 32 patients had exclusive asymmetry. Group A histopathological analysis informed as Chronic Inflammation in 24 cases (75 percent), chronic inflammation plus actinomyces presence in 8 cases (25 percent), no malignant pathology; correlation Obs. Tumor/Real tumor: 4/0 = 0 percent. Group Bhistopathological analysis informed as chronic inflammation: 4 (44,4 percent), chronic Inflammation plus actinomyces presence 2 (22,2 percent), Squamous papilloma 1 (11,1 percent), Squamous Carcinoma 1 (11,1 percent), Lymphoma 1 (11,1 percent); correlation Obs. Tumor/Real Tumor: 6/3 = 50 percent. Discussion: Tonsillar asymmetry corresponded to 31 percent of tonsillectomies prescriptions in our center.

Epidemiología de la patología otorrinolaringológica ambulatoria y quirúrgica en población mayor de 65 años en el Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile / Epidemiology otorhinolaryngological pathology ambulatory and surgery in population over 65 years at the Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile

Introduction: The otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat (ENT)) pathology is a common ambulatory cause of consultation in an elderly country as Chile. Aims: Characterize the ENT diagnosis in ambulatory elderly population more than 65 years old consultant on ENT clinic of HCUCH (Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile) during 2009. Patients and Methods: descriptive transversal retrospective study. ENT diagnosis was rescued of clinical archives. Anatomical functional groups, specific diagnosis and sex were tabulated. A patient could have more than one diagnosis. STATA statistical analysis was performed. Results: 148 elderly (204 diagnosis) consulted during 2009, average age 74,08+/-6,87 years old, 65,54 percent women. The most frecuent groups were the vestibular-auditive (n=133; 65,20 percent), naso-sinusal (n=36; 17,64 percent) and pharingo-laryngeal (n=17; 8,33 percent). The most frecuent specific diagnosis were prebycusis(n=43; 21,08 percent), earwax (n=28; 13,73 percent), allergic rhinitis (n=17; 8,33 percent) and unspecified vertigo (n=13; 6,37 percent). There were not significant differences between gender in any specific diagnosis. Discussion: The diagnostic profile is consistent to age group. Results agree with the high frequency of presbycusis, but differ in the high presence of earwax and allergic rhinitis above other expected diagnostics. Conclusion: new Chilean epidemiologic information of ambulatory and surgical ENT pathology was provided.

[Nictemeral variation of physical and chemical variables in the Paticos wetland, Ayapel swamp complex, Colombia]. / Cambios nictemerales de variables físicas y químicas en la Ciénaga de Paticos, complejo cenagoso de Ayapel, Colombia.

The nictemeral variation of abiotic factors in a key factor for tropical organisms. We evaluated some climatic, physical and chemical variables during four surveys of the hydrologic cycle in the Paticos wetland (8 degrees 21'08.2" N, 75 degrees 08'45.7" W). Of climatic variables, pluviosity presented the highest variation (C.V. = 1 022%) followed by air temperature (C.V. = 19.7%). There was a high relation in the coefficients of variation for these variables (84:1). This relation may be associated with altitude. Throughout the day-night cycle, most variables presented significant differences; except for pluviosity, air and water temperature (because of their high variability). Variables most related with nictemeral variation were pluviosity, wind speed and direction, air temperature and dissolved oxygen.

Cambios nictemerales de variables físicas y químicas en la Ciénaga de Paticos, complejo cenagoso de Ayapel, Colombia

Nictemeral variation of physical and chemical variables in the Paticos wetland, Ayapel swamp complex, Colombia. The nictemeral variation of abiotic factors in a key factor for tropical organisms. We evaluated some climatic, physical and chemical variables during four surveys of the hydrologic cycle in the Paticos wetland (8º21’08.2" N, 75º08’45.7" W). Of climatic variables, pluviosity presented the highest variation (C.v. = 1 022 %) followed by air temperature (C.V. = 19.7%). There was a high relation in the coefficients of variation for these variables (84:1). This relation may be associated with altitude. Throughout the day-night cycle, most variables presented significant differences; except for pluviosity, air and water temperature (because of their high variability). variables most related with nictemeral variation were pluviosity, wind speed and direction, air temperature and dissolved oxygen. Rev. Biol. Trop. 57 (3): 635-646. Epub 2009 September 30.

Se evaluó la variación nictemeral de algunas variables climáticas, físicas y químicas durante cuatro muestreos dentro del ciclo hidrológico en la Ciénaga de Paticos (8º21’08.2" N, 75º08’45.7" W). Entre las variables climáticas, la pluviosidad presentó la mayor variación (C.V. = 1 022 %) seguida por la temperatura del aire (C.V. = 19.7 %). La elevada relación entre los coeficientes de variación de estas variables (84:1) está asociada a un incremento de esta relación con la disminución de la altura en la zona tropical. A través del ciclo día-noche la mayoría de las variables presentaron diferencias estadísticas significativas (excepto la pluviosidad, la temperatura del aire y del agua, lo cual se debe a su elevada variación). El análisis de correlación mostró que las variables más relacionadas con la variación nictemeral fueron la pluviosidad, la velocidad y dirección del viento, la temperatura del aire y del agua, el pH y la concentración de oxígeno disuelto.