Effect of Sonication Batch on Electrical Properties of Graphitic-Based PVDF-HFP Strain Sensors for Use in Health Monitoring.

In this study, flexible nanocomposites made from PVDF-HFP reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) are manufactured using a sonication and solvent casting method for monitoring purposes. More specifically, the effect of the volume batch under the sonication process is explored. For CNT-based composites, the electrical conductivity decreases as the batch volume increases due to less effective dispersion of the CNTs during the 30-min sonication. The maximum electrical conductivity achieved in this type of sensor is 1.44 ± 0.17 S/m. For the GNP-based nanocomposites, the lower the batch volume is, the more breakage of nanoplatelets is induced by sonication, and the electrical response decreases. This is also validated by AC analysis, where the characteristic frequencies are extracted. Here, the maximum electrical conductivity measured is 8.66 ± 1.76 S/m. The electromechanical results also show dependency on the batch volume. In the CNT-based nanocomposites, the higher gauge factor achieved corresponds to the batch size, where the sonication may be more effective because it leads to a dispersed pathway formed by aggregates connected by tunneling mechanisms. In contrast, in the CNT-based nanocomposites, the GF depends on the lateral size of the GNPs. The biggest GF of all sensors is achieved with the PVDF-HFP/GNP sensors, having a value of 69.36 × 104 at 35% of strain, while the highest GF achieved with a PVDF-HFP/CNT sensor is 79.70 × 103 at 70%. In addition, cycling tests show robust electromechanical response with cycling for two different strain percentages for each type of nanocomposite. The sensor with the highest sensitivity is selected for monitoring two joint movements as proof of the applicability of the sensors manufactured.

Calidad de vida en familias con pacientes pediátricos discapacitados matriculados en una unidad educativa ecuatoriana / Quality of life in families with disabled pediatric patients enrolled in an Ecuadorian educational unit

La estructura y funcionamiento familiar puede ser afectada por acontecimientos del ciclo vital o eventos estresantes. Se realizó un estudio con enfoque cuantitativo, siguiendo un modelo no experimental correlacional de corte transversal. Se trabajó con la totalidad de la población, la que estuvo constituida por las 245 familias con pacientes pediátricos discapacitados, que asistían a una unidad educativa especializada ecuatoriana. Los datos fueron recolectados a partir de la aplicación de la Escala de calidad de Vida Familiar a los individuos identificados como cabezas de hogar (sin contactar a los pacientes pediátricos de las familias involucradas de manera directa en ningún caso, respetando los principios bioéticos establecidos en Ecuador en relación con una población vulnerable). Las dimensiones con mayor necesidad de intervención por tener más del 50% de casos enmarcados como críticos fueron: recursos familiares (75,5%), apoyo a la discapacidad (68,6%) y salud y seguridad (66,9%). Los resultados de la prueba estadística Odds Ratio permitieron establecer que las variables: edad, tipo de familia, nivel de instrucción y nivel socioeconómico constituyen factores de riesgo para la dimensión interacción familiar. así como: grado y tipo de discapacidad para el rol parental y apoyo a la discapacidad. El grado de discapacidad se estableció como factor de riesgo para la dimensión salud y seguridad; además del nivel de instrucción, grado y tipo de discapacidad para los recursos familiares.

Family structure and functioning can be affected by life cycle events or stressful ones. A cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was performed, following a non-experimental correlational mode. The entire population made up of the 245 families with disabled pediatric patients, who attended an Ecuadorian specialized educational unit participated in this research. The data were collected from the application of the Family Life Quality Scale to individuals identified as heads of household (the pediatric patients of the families directly involved in any case were not contacted at any time, respecting the bioethical principles established in Ecuador. in relation to a vulnerable population). The dimensions with the greatest need for intervention due to having more than 50% of cases framed as critical were: family resources (75.5%), support for isability (68.6%) and health and safety (66.9%). The results of the statistical Odds Ratio test established that the variables: age, family type, educational level and socioeconomic level constitute risk factors for the family interaction dimension, as well as: degree and type of disability for the parental role and support for disability. The degree of disability, the level of education, degree and type of disability for family resources were established as a risk factor for the health and safety dimension.

Variación de la abundancia de Lama guanicoe en el Parque Nacional Bosque Fray Jorge, Coquimbo, Chile y su relación con la cobertura vegetal / Variation of the abundance of Lama guanicoe in Bosque Fray Jorge National Park Coquimbo, Chile, and its relation with plant cover

Lama guanicoe se distribuyó en los Andes de Chile desde Arica y Parinacota hasta Magallanes. Actualmente su distribución está fragmentada con poblaciones en las regiones de Tarapacá, Coquimbo, Aysén y Magallanes. En el Parque Nacional Bosque Fray Jorge (Coquimbo), las últimas poblaciones de guanacos silvestres se observaron el año 1920. En 1994 se liberaron ocho individuos en el Parque de los cuales cinco sobrevivieron. Desde entonces se realizaron conteos ocasionales de la población reintroducida. En noviembre de 2013 se elaboró una metodología de monitoreo con base en transectos de conteo. Los objetivos fueron analizar los cambios históricos de la abundancia poblacional de guanacos en el Parque y determinar el uso y selección de hábitat. Se emplearon modelos lineales para analizar las tendencias poblacionales y el Cociente de Selección de Manly para la selección de hábitat. Se evidenció incremento de la población hasta 33 individuos. El principal uso que dieron a los tipos de cobertura fue la alimentación y seleccionaron el Matorral Desértico Mediterráneo Interior de Heliotropium stenophyllum y Fluorensia thurifera. Se recomienda marcar los guanacos con collares satelitales para hacer un seguimiento de los movimientos de las tropas, establecer territorios y medir el tamaño poblacional.

Lama guanicoe was distributed in the Andes of Chile from Arica and Parinacota to Magallanes. Currently its distribution is fragmented with populations in Tarapaca, Coquimbo, Aysen and Magallanes Regions. In the Bosque Fray Jorge National Park (Coquimbo), the last populations of wild guanacos were observed in the year 1920. In 1994, eight individuals were released in the Park, of which five survived. Since then, occasional counts of the reintroduced population were made. In November 2013, a monitoring methodology was developed based on count transects. The objectives were to analyze the historical changes in the population of guanacos in the Park and determine the use and selection of habitats. Linear models were used to analyze population trends and the Manly Selection Ratio for habitat selection. There was an increase in the population to 33 individuals. The main use that they gave to the types of cover was the feeding and they selected the Mediterranean Mediterranean Desert Scrub of Heliotropium stenophyllum and Fluorensia thurifera. It is recommended to mark the guanacos with satellite collars to monitor the movements of the troops, establish territories and measure the population size.

[Early gastric cancer surgically treated at Rebagliati Hospital: study of 76 cases during 5 years]. / Cáncer gástrico temprano operado en el Hospital Rebagliati: estudio de 76 casos en el quinquenio 2004-2008.

This report describes the characteristics of early gastric cancer surgically treated in the Gastric Cancer Unit at Rebagliati National Hospital between January 2004 and December 2008. Mean age was 68 years; males, distal location, submucosa infiltration and intestinal histological type predominate in these patients. Lymph node involvement was 13%.

Cáncer gástrico temprano operado en el Hospital Rebagliati: estudio de 76 casos en el quinquenio 2004-2008 / Early gastric cancer surgically treated at Rebagliati Hospital: study of 76 cases during 5 years

El presente reporte describe las características del cáncer gástrico temprano sometido a tratamiento quirúrgico en el Servicio de Cirugía de Estómago del Hospital Nacional Rebagliati en el quinquenio comprendido entre enero del 2004 y diciembre del 2008. La edad promedio fue de 68 años; predomina el sexo masculino, la localización distal, la infiltración a submucosa y el tipo histológico intestinal. La metástasis ganglionar se presenta en el 13%.

This report describes the characteristics of early gastric cancer surgically treated in the Gastric Cancer Unit at Rebagliati National Hospital between January 2004 and December 2008. Mean age was 68 years; males, distal location, submucosa infiltration and intestinal histological type predominate in these patients. Lymph node involvement was 13%.

Results of specialization in the surgical treatment of gastric cancer in Peru.

BACKGROUND: The best results in the surgical treatment of gastric cancer are those obtained by the Japanese surgical school that emphasizes D2 lymphadenectomy as a fundamental principle for obtaining better local control of the disease. However, this technique has not gained wide acceptance in the West, owing to the fact that the results of Japanese studies have not been reproduced frequently in Western countries. In recent years, a series of studies have recommended the centralization of gastric cancer treatment in specialized surgical units in order to obtain results similar to those achieved by Japanese centers. The objective of this study was to describe the specialization process and to show the short-term results obtained in the surgical treatment of gastric cancer in the Specialized Unit of the Rebagliati National Hospital, the largest general referral hospital in Lima, Peru. METHODS: In the year 2000 a specialized service was created for the surgical treatment of gastric cancer, initiating a process that included the establishment of surgical treatment guidelines, training in the Japanese surgical technique, and progress along the learning curve for D2 lymphadenectomy. Clinical, surgical, and pathological data were recorded prospectively in a fixed format, considering that strict documentation of cases was also an important step within this process. RESULTS: Between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2005, 243 consecutive patients with a proven diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma were admitted to the operating theater for surgical treatment. During this study period, morbidity was 22.7% and hospital mortality, 2.8%. The numbers (mean +/- SD) of resected lymph nodes for distal gastrectomy and total gastrectomy were 37.3 +/- 12.4 and 45.3 +/- 14.5, respectively. Hospital stay was 13 days for distal gastrectomy as well as for total gastrectomy. CONCLUSION: According to our results, adequate training in the Japanese surgical technique, progress along the learning curve for D2 lymphadenectomy, and the establishment of specialized units are highly recommended for the surgical treatment of gastric cancer in Western referral hospitals.

[Concomitant gastric and pancreatic metastases from renal cell carcinoma: case study]. / Metástasis gástrica y pancreática concomitante por carcinoma de riñón a células claras: reporte de un caso.

This report describes the case of a patient who underwent total gastrectomy, splenectomy and pancreatomy corporo-postero as a consequence of gastric and pancreatic metastasis from carcinoma to clear cells, five years after having undergone radical nephrectomy. Upper digestive bleeding was the first symptom, and pancreatic lesion was detected in previous CT scans. There are many documented cases of pancreatic metastasis, but only eight gastric metastasis in the last 15 years, although we did not find reports about surgical treatment for concomitant gastric and pancreatic injury. Surgical treatment which in some reports include highly complex surgeries such as gastrectomies with combined resections of invaded organs and pancreatoduodenectomy, are good options for select cases, because good survival rates have been reported.

Metástasis gástrica y pancreática concomitante por carcinoma de riñón a células claras: Reporte de un caso / Concomitant gastric and pancreatic metastases from renal cell carcinoma: case study

El presente reporte se describe el caso de una paciente sometida a gastrectomía total, esplenectomía y pancreatectomía corporo-caudal por presentar metástasis gástrica y pancreática de carcinoma renal a células claras, 5 años después de haber sido sometida a nefrectomía radical. El cuadro se presentó como una hemorragia digestiva alta, y la lesión pancreática se evidenció en los estudios tomográficos previos a los que fue sometida la paciente. Existen muchos casos reportados en la literatura de metástasis pancreática, pero solo 8 en relación a metástasis gástrica. Sin embargo no encontramos reportado el tratamiento quirúrgico por lesión gástrica y pancreática concomitante. El tratamiento quirúrgico que en algunos reportes incluye cirugías de alta complejidad como gastrectomías con resecciones combinadas de otros órganos y pancreatoduodenectomía, se ofrecen como una buena alternativa para casos seleccionados ya que se han reportado buenas sobrevidas.

This report describes the case of a patient who underwent total gastrectomy,splenectomy and pancreatomy corporo-postero as a consequence of gastric and pancreatic metastasis from carcinoma to clear cells, five years after having undergoneradical nephrectomy. Upper digestive bleeding was the first symptom, and pancreatic lesion was detected in previous CT scans. There are many documented cases of pancreatic metastasis, but only eight gastric metastasis in the last 15 years, althoughwe did not find reports about surgical treatment for concomitant gastric and pancreatic injury. Surgical treatment which in so me reports include highly complex surgeries such as gastrectomies with combined resections of invaded organs andpancreato duodenectomy, are good options for select cases, because good survivalrates have been reported.