How I do it: en-bloc subaxial cervical laminectomy using a high-speed drill with a footplate attachment.

BACKGROUND: Cervical laminectomy is a common strategy to decompress the spinal canal. METHODS: The anatomy of the cervical spine and surrounding critical structures as viewed from the posterior approach is described. The use of a high-speed drill with a footplate attachment to make laminar troughs with an en-bloc subaxial cervical laminectomy is described with a discussion on surgical technique and complication avoidance. CONCLUSION: This technique allows for a safe, comfortable, and rapid decompression of the cervical spine with minimal risk. For routine cases, this may potentially be more safe and cost-effective than using a cutting bur or bone scalpel attachment.

Niveles de literacidad en jóvenes universitarios: entrevistas cualitativas y análisis sociolingüístico / Literacy levels in University Students: Qualitative Interviews and Sociolinguistic Analysis / Níveis de literacidade em jovens universitários: entrevistas qualitativas e análise sociolinguística

Resumen (descriptivo): Se presentan algunos hallazgos emanados de la investigación denominada "Análisis sociolingüístico de los niveles de literacidad en jóvenes de la Institución Universitaria de Envigado", realizada por uno de los autores, para optar al título de "Doctor en Ciencias Sociales, Niñez y Juventud" de la Universidad de Manizales-Cinde. Pretende ser una contribución en una doble dirección. Por una parte, denunciar que es común que los jóvenes comiencen sus estudios universitarios con unos niveles de literacidad extremadamente bajos, lo que exige unos esfuerzos especializados en el proceso de enseñanza/aprendizaje de esta población. Por otra, aportar a los aspectos metodológicos, al examinar las posibilidades que ofrece el análisis sociolingüístico de las entrevistas en la investigación empírica. El diseño de la investigación incluyó una intervención académica realizada a una muestra experimental compuesta por 21 estudiantes que ingresaban a la universidad a los cuales se les pidió que diligenciaran una encuesta elemental de perfil sociocultural. Esto se complementó con 5 entrevistas cualitativas. Se concluye que el contexto biográfico desde la infancia y las instituciones involucradas como la familia y la escuela son preponderantes en la adquisición de las competencias en comprensión lectora, producción escritural y apropiación discursiva.

Abstract (descriptive): Findings from a research study on sociolinguistic analysis of the literacy levels of students from the University of Envigado are presented in this article, which is based on one of the author's thesis for a Doctorate in Social Science, Childhood and Youth at University of Manizales-Cinde. This paper aims to make two distinct contributions to this field. On one hand, it highlights that it is common that young students start their university studies with extremely low literacy levels, which requires specialized efforts in the learning/teaching process of this population. On the other hand, the study provides some interesting methodological aspects, examining the possibilities offered by a sociolinguistic analysis of interviews in empirical research. The research design included an academic intervention, which was carried out with an experimental sample consisting of by 21 students who were in their first semester of an undergraduate degree. These students filled out a basic sociocultural profile survey, which was complemented with 5 qualitative interviews. In conclusion, the study identifies that a student's biographical context since infancy and the institutions involved in their lives, such as family and school, are prevailing factors in the acquisition of reading comprehension and writing production competencies and discursive appropriation.

Resumo (descritivo): São apresentados alguns achados que fazem parte da pesquisa chamada de "Análise sociolinguística dos níveis de literacidade em jovens da Institución Universitaria de Envigado", realizada por um dos autores, para a obtenção do título de "Doutorado em ciências sociais, infância e juventude" da Universidade de Manizales-Cinde. O trabalho visa ser uma contribuição em dupla direção. No primeiro lugar, visa expor o fato de ser comum para os jovens o começo do ensino universitário com níveis de literacidade extremamente baixos, o que exige esforços especiais no processo de ensino/aprendizado para essa população. Alem disso, a pesquisa aporta aspectos metodológicos, ao examinar as possibilidades oferecidas pela análise sociolinguística nas entrevistas da pesquisa empírica. O projeto de investigação incluiu uma intervenção acadêmica feita com uma amostra experimental de 21 estudantes que entraram na universidade para a qual foram convidados, que deve processar uma pesquisa elementar de perfil sociocultural. Esta foi complementada por cinco entrevistas qualitativas. Concluiu-se que o contexto biográfico desde a infância e instituições envolvidas neste contexto como a família e a escola são preponderantes na aquisição de competências em compreensão de leitura, produção literária e apropriação discursiva.

In vivo expression of Helicobacter pylori virulence genes in patients with gastritis, ulcer, and gastric cancer.

The best-studied Helicobacter pylori virulence factor associated with development of peptic ulcer disease or gastric cancer (GC) rather than asymptomatic nonatrophic gastritis (NAG) is the cag pathogenicity island (cagPAI), which encodes a type IV secretion system (T4SS) that injects the CagA oncoprotein into host epithelial cells. Here we used real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) to measure the in vivo expression of genes on the cagPAI and of other virulence genes in patients with NAG, duodenal ulcer (DU), or GC. In vivo expression of H. pylori virulence genes was greater overall in gastric biopsy specimens of patients with GC than in those of patients with NAG or DU. However, since in vitro expression of cagA was not greater in H. pylori strains from patients with GC than in those from patients with NAG or DU, increased expression in GC in vivo is likely a result of environmental conditions in the gastric mucosa, though it may in turn cause more severe pathology. Increased expression of virulence genes in GC may represent a stress response to elevated pH or other environmental conditions in the stomach of patients with GC, which may be less hospitable to H. pylori colonization than the acidic environment in patients with NAG or DU.