[Interpretation of the metabolic study in renal lithiasis and its treatment]. / Interpretación del estudio metabólico en la litiasis renal y su tratamiento.

Urolithiasis is a common disease, and is an important health problem that is associated with a great economic burden. The nature of stone disease varies according by dietary and lifestyle factors, including, among others, climate variations. The majority of patients will suffer a new lithiasic episode at some point in their life, unless preventive measures, such as changing lifestyles and dietary habits, are put in place to avoid it. The risk factors involved in lithogenesis should be evaluated in order to reduce recurrences. In the majority of these patients, metabolic changes are observed in the urine that predispose lithogenesis. The kind of evaluation depends on stone composition and on the clinical presentation. A diagnosis of systemic and renal diseases of lithogenic nature can be diagnosed with these studies, and they also enable the adoption of precise prophylactic measures that achieve control of recurrence in a great number of patients.

Comparative analysis of the expression of metalloproteases (MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-11 and MMP-13) and the tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease 3 (TIMP-3) between previous negative biopsies and radical prostatectomies. / Análisis comparativo de la expresión de metaloproteasas (MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-11 y MMP-13) y del inhibidor tisular de la metaloproteasa 3 (TIMP-3) entre las biopsias previas negativas y las prostatectomías radicales.

Metalloproteases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease-3 (TIMP-3) have been associated to the risk of having cancer and tumor aggressiveness. When facing the difficulties of prostate cancer diagnosis, the expression of MMPs and TIMP-3 in negative biopsies could be helpful to evaluate a diagnostic suspicion. Our objective is to carry out a comparative study of the expression of MMPs and TIMP-3 in previous negative biopsies and radical prostatectomies (RP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a hospital-based cohort including 21 patients with suspicion of prostate carcinoma, whose expressions of MMP-2, 9, 11 and 13 and TIMP-3 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in the tumor area from previous negative biopsies and RP. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining values (Score) for MMPs (-11 and -13) and TIMP-3 showed no significant differences when comparing the areas of negative biopsies where tumors subsequently developed with those of the RP. However, we did observe a significant difference in the increased expression of MMP-2 (P=.002) and MMP-9 (P=.001) in the tumor area of the RP with respect to the corresponding area of the previous negative biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate a higher overall expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the tumor area of the RP compared to the corresponding areas of the negative previous biopsy, which seems to be associated to the process of malignant transformation.

Problemas de la esfera sexual en el paciente renal / Sexual disorders in the renal patient

En la actualidad se considera a la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud como uno de los objetivos terapéuticos primordiales en pacientes que precisan tratamiento sustitutivo para seguir viviendo. La salud sexual es un derecho básico que afecta positivamente a la calidad de vida. Aunque una parte significativa de pacientes crónicos presenta algún tipo de disfunción sexual, esta no se plantea abiertamente en la consulta. Es importante que el médico aborde la dimensión sexual de estos pacientes. Repasamos la fisiopatología de las disfunciones sexuales del paciente renal crónico, tanto en hombres como en mujeres. Explicamos los efectos de la diálisis y el trasplante sobre la función sexual. Y exponemos las principales disfunciones sexuales y su tratamiento

Quality of Life Related to Health is currently considered one of the primary therapeutic objectives in renal failure patients who need substitution treatment as life prolonging therapy. Sexual health is a basic right that positively affects the quality of life. Although a significant percentage of chronic patients have some type of sexual dysfunction, this is not openly discussed, making it important for doctors to address these issues in the clinic. A review is presented on the pathophysiology of sexual dysfunctions in both male and female chronic renal patients. The effects of dialysis and transplantation on sexual function will be addressed, as well as presenting the main sexual dysfunctions and their treatment

[Sexual disorders in the renal patient]. / Problemas de la esfera sexual en el paciente renal.

Quality of Life Related to Health is currently considered one of the primary therapeutic objectives in renal failure patients who need substitution treatment as life prolonging therapy. Sexual health is a basic right that positively affects the quality of life. Although a significant percentage of chronic patients have some type of sexual dysfunction, this is not openly discussed, making it important for doctors to address these issues in the clinic. A review is presented on the pathophysiology of sexual dysfunctions in both male and female chronic renal patients. The effects of dialysis and transplantation on sexual function will be addressed, as well as presenting the main sexual dysfunctions and their treatment.

Resultados de la adrenalectomía en la metástasis del cáncer de pulmón / Results of adrenalectomy in lung cancer metastases

Introducción: El objetivo de este estudio es describir la experiencia en nuestro centro sobre pacientes con carcinoma de pulmón y metástasis adrenal tratados de manera secuencial, resección pulmonar y adrenalectomía, en los últimos 15 años. Pacientes y método: Analizamos una serie retrospectiva de 19 pacientes a los que se les realizó adrenalectomía por metástasis de carcinoma de pulmón. Todos los pacientes fueron operados en un mismo centro, entre octubre de 2000 y octubre de 2015. Se llevó a cabo un análisis descriptivo y de supervivencia global y libre de enfermedad. Resultados: Se incluyeron 13 varones y 6 mujeres. El tumor primario de pulmón más frecuente fue el adenocarcinoma, siendo el 87,5% G3. En 7 pacientes la metástasis adrenal se detectó de forma sincrónica, y en 12 metacrónica. El tamaño mediano de la metástasis fue de 63mm. El 21% de los casos presentaron recidiva local y el 79% metástasis a distancia. La mediana para la SLE fue de 21.5 meses, mientras la estimación de la SLE a 5 años fue del 58,33%. La mediana para la supervivencia global fue de 37,3 meses, mientras la estimación de la supervivencia a los 5 años fue del 42,86%. Ninguno de los factores pronósticos evaluados tuvieron significación estadística. Conclusiones: La adrenalectomía en casos de metástasis aislada de carcinoma de pulmón puede ofrecer una mayor supervivencia global. La edad y el grado de diferenciación del primario pulmonar son los factores que más influirían en una peor supervivencia

Background: The aim of this study was to report our centre's experience over the past 15 years with patients with lung carcinoma and adrenal metastases treated sequentially with lung resection and adrenalectomy. Patients and methods: We analysed a retrospective series of 19 patients who underwent adrenalectomy for lung carcinoma metastasis. All patients were operated on at the same centre, between October 2000 and October 2015. We performed a descriptive analysis and an overall survival and disease-free survival analysis. Results: The study included 13 men and 6 women. The most common primary lung tumour was adenocarcinoma, 87.5% of which were G3. In 7 patients, the adrenal metastasis was detected synchronously, and in 12 patients it was detected metachronously. The median size of the metastasis was 63mm. Twenty-one percent of the cases presented local recurrence, and 79% presented distant metastasis. The median DFS was 21.5 months, while the DFS at 5 years was calculated at 58.33%. The median overall survival was 37.3 months, while survival at 5 years was calculated at 42.86%. None of the prognostic factors evaluated were statistically significant. Conclusions: Adrenalectomy in cases of isolated lung carcinoma metastasis can offer increased overall survival. Age and the degree of differentiation of the primary lung carcinoma are the factors that most influence poorer survival

Qué debe saber el médico de primaria sobre los nuevos marcadores en el cáncer de próstata / What primary care physicians should know about new markers in prostate cancer

La utilización del antígeno prostático específico como herramienta diagnóstica en el cribado del cáncer de próstata se ve reflejada en un incremento en la incidencia, un incremento en el diagnóstico de cánceres más precoces y un aumento en los tratamientos con intención curativa, aun a costa de un sobretratamiento. Sabemos, por datos recogidos en la literatura, que no todo paciente con antígeno prostático específico elevado necesita biopsia, y que no todo paciente con diagnóstico de cáncer de próstata necesita tratamiento. Con los nuevos marcadores prostáticos emergentes vamos a tratar de mejorar la especificidad del antígeno prostático específico en la zona gris (4-10 ng/ml) evitando biopsias innecesarias, de mejorar la sensibilidad en la detección de cáncer de próstata significante con antígeno prostático específico bajo y a intentar reducir el riesgo de sobretratamiento. Por otro lado, los biomarcadores pronósticos con test genómicos nos van a ayudar a elegir la mejor opción terapéutica para el paciente

The use of prostate-specific antigen as a diagnostic tool in the screening of prostate cancer is reflected in an increase in the incidence, an increase in diagnosis at initial stages, and an increase in radical therapies, even at the expense of over-treatment in some cases. It is known from the data collected in the literature that not every patient with high prostate-specific antigen needs a biopsy, and that not every patient diagnosed with prostate cancer needs treatment. With the new emerging prostate markers, we will try to improve the specificity of prostate-specific antigen in the grey area (4-10 ng/ml) should be improved. This should avoid unnecessary biopsies. The sensitivity in the detection of significant prostate cancer with low prostate-specific antigen should also be improved in an attempt to reduce the risk of over-treatment. On the other hand, prognostic biomarkers with genomic tests will help to choose the best therapeutic option for the patient

[What primary care physicians should know about new markers in prostate cancer]. / Qué debe saber el médico de primaria sobre los nuevos marcadores en el cáncer de próstata.

The use of prostate-specific antigen as a diagnostic tool in the screening of prostate cancer is reflected in an increase in the incidence, an increase in diagnosis at initial stages, and an increase in radical therapies, even at the expense of over-treatment in some cases. It is known from the data collected in the literature that not every patient with high prostate-specific antigen needs a biopsy, and that not every patient diagnosed with prostate cancer needs treatment. With the new emerging prostate markers, we will try to improve the specificity of prostate-specific antigen in the grey area (4-10 ng/ml) should be improved. This should avoid unnecessary biopsies. The sensitivity in the detection of significant prostate cancer with low prostate-specific antigen should also be improved in an attempt to reduce the risk of over-treatment. On the other hand, prognostic biomarkers with genomic tests will help to choose the best therapeutic option for the patient.

Results of adrenalectomy in lung cancer metastases. / Resultados de la adrenalectomía en la metástasis del cáncer de pulmón.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to report our centre's experience over the past 15 years with patients with lung carcinoma and adrenal metastases treated sequentially with lung resection and adrenalectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analysed a retrospective series of 19 patients who underwent adrenalectomy for lung carcinoma metastasis. All patients were operated on at the same centre, between October 2000 and October 2015. We performed a descriptive analysis and an overall survival and disease-free survival analysis. RESULTS: The study included 13 men and 6 women. The most common primary lung tumour was adenocarcinoma, 87.5% of which were G3. In 7 patients, the adrenal metastasis was detected synchronously, and in 12 patients it was detected metachronously. The median size of the metastasis was 63mm. Twenty-one percent of the cases presented local recurrence, and 79% presented distant metastasis. The median DFS was 21.5 months, while the DFS at 5 years was calculated at 58.33%. The median overall survival was 37.3 months, while survival at 5 years was calculated at 42.86%. None of the prognostic factors evaluated were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Adrenalectomy in cases of isolated lung carcinoma metastasis can offer increased overall survival. Age and the degree of differentiation of the primary lung carcinoma are the factors that most influence poorer survival.

¿Cómo fijamos el tubo endotraqueal en la unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos? / How to secure the endotracheal tube in the pediatric intensive care unit?

Introducción: Las extubaciones no planeadas son eventos adversos frecuentes en áreas críticas de pediatría. La técnica y el material para llevar a cabo la fijación condicionan la aparición de estos eventos adversos. La evidencia científica que evalúe factores es escasa. Objetivos: El objetivo principal de este trabajo fue obtener datos concretos al respecto de las prácticas de los enfermeros en la fijación del tubo endotraqueal (TET) e identificar técnicas. Métodos: Estudio de carácter descriptivo y prospectivo. Se encuestaron 125 enfermeros de las diferentes Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos durante el mes de noviembre de 2016. Resultados: El 88% de los enfermeros basan su método en la utilización de cinta adhesiva. La técnica de fijación de 3 tiras prevalece por encima de las demás (64%). No existen grandes preferencias al respecto del tipo de cinta adhesiva, no obstante, el 22% menciona a la cinta de óxido de zinc. La alternativa de fijación en niños quemados muestra a la venda de tela como una opción (42%). El 27% de los enfermeros consultados coincidió en que no existe una técnica ideal ya que esta va a depender de la circunstancia clínica del niño. Las complicaciones asociadas a la fijación inadecuada son en primer lugar el desplazamiento por introducción (54%) y la extubación (31%). Conclusión: Se evidencia una amplia variedad de criterios al momento de llevar a cabo la técnica de fijación de TET. Finalmente podemos concluir en que los métodos de fijación dependerán exclusivamente de las características clínicas del niño, el criterio del operador y los recursos disponibles en cada institución (AU)

Introduction: Unplanned extubations are frequent adverse events in critical care in pediatrics. The technique of endotracheal tube (ETT) fixation and the materials affect the appearance of these adverse events. Studies that evaluate these factors are scarce. Objectives: The main aim of this study was to collect data on the practices of nurses in the fixation of the ETT and to identify techniques. Methods: A prospective, descriptive study was conducted. A survey was administered to 125 nurses from different Intensive Care Units in November 2016. Results: 88% of the nurses use tape to secure the ETT. The method of fixation with three strips was the most widely used (64%). There was no preference on the type of tape used; however, 22% preferred to use zinc oxide tape. In burned patients an alternative method with a cloth bandage was used (42%). Overall, 27% of the nurses surveyed coincided that an ideal method to secure the ETT is lacking, as this depends on the clinical circumstances of the child. Complications associated with inadequate tube fixation are displacement during fixation (54%) and la extubation (31%). Conclusion: A wide variety of criteria is used in the techniques to secure the ETT. Finally, we may conclude that fixation methods depend exclusively on the clinical characteristics of the child, criteria of the operator, and resources available at the institution (AU)

Actualización en incontinencia urinaria femenina / Female urinary incontinence: an update

La incontinencia urinaria es un síntoma muy prevalente en la población adulta femenina. Genera importantes connotaciones psicosociales y económicas, repercutiendo en la calidad de vida de las pacientes que la padecen. Es un problema infradiagnosticado, ya que las pacientes no siempre consultan por ello, por lo que es importante tenerlo presente y hacer un cribado oportunista desde atención primaria. Es difícil conocer el gasto sanitario que genera, parece que puede llegar a ser hasta el 2% del presupuesto sanitario. Todo esto hace que sea de gran importancia saber diagnosticar esta enfermedad, conocer los diferentes tipos de incontinencia que existen, sus posibles causas y los tratamientos disponibles. Para ello se presenta esta revisión, con el fin de conocer las herramientas diagnósticas y terapéuticas de las que se dispone, ver cuál es el papel de atención primaria en esta enfermedad y cuándo se debe derivar al nivel asistencial correspondiente (AU)

The urinary incontinence is a highly prevalent symptom in the adult female population. It has important psychosocial and economic connotations, and affects the quality of life of these patients. As it is an under-diagnosed problem due to patients not always consulting for it, it is very important to keep this in mind and to provide an opportunistic screening from Primary Health Care. It is difficult to determine the costs of this, but it is estimated to be the 2% of the health budget. Because of all of this, it is very important to know how to make a correct diagnose of this condition, to determine the different types of incontinence, possible causes, and treatments available. The purpose of this review is to show the different diagnostic and therapeutic tools available, to show the Primary Health Care role in this condition, and when to refer to specialist care (AU)

Aspectos actuales sobre el cribado en el cáncer de próstata / Current aspects of prostate cancer screening

Los programas de cribado de cáncer de próstata basados en la determinación sérica del antígeno específico de próstata han llevado a un sobrediagnóstico y, como consecuencia, a un sobretratamiento. Un porcentaje de varones diagnosticados de cáncer de próstata tienen un tumor que no progresará o lo hará lentamente (sobrediagnóstico o pseudoenfermedad). Esta tasa de sobrediagnóstico oscila entre el 17-50%. El cribado poblacional se define como la exploración sistemática de hombres asintomáticos. La detección precoz o cribado oportunista conlleva la búsqueda de casos individuales, siendo iniciada por el médico o el propio paciente. Ante un paciente que acuda a consulta solicitando un antígeno específico de próstata se le deben explicar una serie de cuestiones relativas al sobrediagnóstico, el sobretratamiento y los posibles daños derivados de la biopsia. Con los datos de los estudios aleatorizados sobre el antígeno específico de próstata y el cribado de cáncer de próstata, ninguna sociedad urológica recomienda realizar cribado poblacional (AU)

Screening programs for prostate cancer based on the determination of serum prostate specific antigen has led to overdiagnosis, and consequently overtreatment. A percentage of men diagnosed with prostate cancer have a tumour that will not progress, or do so slowly (overdiagnosis or pseudo-disease). This overdiagnosis rate ranges from 17-50%. Mass screening is defined as the systematic examination of asymptomatic men. Early detection or opportunistic screening involves the pursuit of individual cases being initiated by the doctor or the patient. In the case of a patient who requests a prostate specific antigen from their general practitioner, a number of issues on overdiagnosis, over-treatment and possible damage from the biopsy, should be explained to him. With data from randomised studies on prostate specific antigen and prostate cancer screening, population screening is not recommended by any urological society (AU)

[Female urinary incontinence: An update]. / Actualización en incontinencia urinaria femenina.

The urinary incontinence is a highly prevalent symptom in the adult female population. It has important psychosocial and economic connotations, and affects the quality of life of these patients. As it is an under-diagnosed problem due to patients not always consulting for it, it is very important to keep this in mind and to provide an opportunistic screening from Primary Health Care. It is difficult to determine the costs of this, but it is estimated to be the 2% of the health budget. Because of all of this, it is very important to know how to make a correct diagnose of this condition, to determine the different types of incontinence, possible causes, and treatments available. The purpose of this review is to show the different diagnostic and therapeutic tools available, to show the Primary Health Care role in this condition, and when to refer to specialist care.

[Current aspects of prostate cancer screening]. / Aspectos actuales sobre el cribado en el cáncer de próstata.

Screening programs for prostate cancer based on the determination of serum prostate specific antigen has led to overdiagnosis, and consequently overtreatment. A percentage of men diagnosed with prostate cancer have a tumour that will not progress, or do so slowly (overdiagnosis or pseudo-disease). This overdiagnosis rate ranges from 17-50%. Mass screening is defined as the systematic examination of asymptomatic men. Early detection or opportunistic screening involves the pursuit of individual cases being initiated by the doctor or the patient. In the case of a patient who requests a prostate specific antigen from their general practitioner, a number of issues on overdiagnosis, over-treatment and possible damage from the biopsy, should be explained to him. With data from randomised studies on prostate specific antigen and prostate cancer screening, population screening is not recommended by any urological society.

Facilitation allows plant coexistence in Cuban serpentine soils.

Serpentine soils represent stressful habitats where plants have to cope with heavy metals, moisture limitation and low nutrient availability. We propose that facilitation is an important mechanism structuring plant communities under such stressful conditions. Facilitation has been shown to generate the spatial association of species, forming discrete vegetation patches of phylogenetically distant species. We measured these spatial and phylogenetic signatures left by facilitation in a serpentine plant community of central Cuba. Our results show that seedlings preferentially grow under plants of different species, and that adults are significantly aggregated into vegetation patches. In these patches, adults tend to co-occur with distant relatives, ultimately forming phylogenetically diverse neighbourhoods. We discuss possible mechanisms explaining how species adapted to serpentine areas may be acting as nurses, reducing the stressful conditions for the establishment of other species.

A Langmuir-Hinshelwood approach to the kinetic modelling of catalytic ammonia decomposition in an integral reactor.

The increasing interest in ammonia decomposition is due to the fact that this compound can be used advantageously as a hydrogen carrier, allowing the development of single-step hydrogen generation systems. With the aim of developing efficient reactors for ammonia decomposition, e.g. for fuel cell applications, it is imperative to investigate the kinetics and reaction mechanism in depth. The main goal of this work is to develop reliable kinetic models that are able to predict the performance obtained using integral reactors, e.g. monoliths. In this case, an almost complete NH3 conversion is obtained, with a high H2 concentration at the exit of the reactor. The operating conditions, mainly the gas composition, are very different along the reactor. In addition, the temperatures needed to attain such large conversions are usually high. The kinetic models developed in this contribution are based on the Langmuir isotherm, considering that all the adsorbed species can be kinetically relevant, that the slow step or steps can be partially reversible, and that the surface can be considered as energetically uniform, i.e. ideal. Among other conclusions, the results obtained indicate that the variable kinetic orders and apparent activation energies frequently reported in the literature can be direct consequences of the data analysis and can therefore also be explained without considering any change in the controlling step with the reaction temperature or in the hydrogen or ammonia concentration.

Expanding the use of a fluorogenic method to determine activity and mode of action of Bacillus thuringiensis bacteriocins against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Previously we described a rapid fluorogenic method to measure the activity of five bacteriocins produced by Mexican strains of Bacillus thuringiensis against B. cereus 183. Here we standardize this method to efficiently determine the activity of bacteriocins against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. It was determined that the crucial parameter required to obtain reproducible results was the number of cells used in the assay, that is, ~4 × 10(8) cell/mL and ~7 × 10(8) cell/mL, respectively, for target Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Comparative analyses of the fluorogenic and traditional well-diffusion assays showed correlation coefficients of 0.88 to 0.99 and 0.83 to 0.99, respectively, for Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The fluorogenic method demonstrated that the five bacteriocins of B. thuringiensis have bacteriolytic and bacteriostatic activities against all microorganisms tested, including clinically significant bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes, Proteus vulgaris, and Shigella flexneri reported previously to be resistant to the antimicrobials as determined using the well-diffusion protocol. These results demonstrate that the fluorogenic assay is a more sensitive, reliable, and rapid method when compared with the well-diffusion method and can easily be adapted in screening protocols for bacteriocin production by other microorganisms.

Kinetic study of trichloroethylene combustion on exchanged zeolites catalysts.

In this paper is presented a kinetic study of the catalytic combustion of trichloroethylene (TCE) over Y-zeolites exchanged with several cations. The catalysts, based on zeolite, were prepared by ion exchange and characterized by means of physico-chemical techniques and then tested under kinetic conditions. The kinetic results obtained were interpreted using kinetic models of power-law type and Eley-Rideal. The results obtained indicate that catalyst Y-Cr is more active than Y-Co catalyst. The greater activity of catalyst exchanged with Cr can be attributed to the higher acidity that presented these catalysts.

Pneumomediastinum as a complication of emphysematous cholecystitis: case report.

BACKGROUND: Emphysematous cholecystitis is a variant of acute cholecystitis which is generally caused by gas-forming organisms. Emphysematous cholecystitis may cause gas spreading within the subcutaneous tissue, peritoneal cavity and retroperitoneum. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of emphysematous cholecystitis in a middle-aged diabetic patient who, postoperatively, presented edema in both flanks and left chest crepitation on palpation, associated with hemodynamic worsening. Computed tomography scan of the chest and abdomen revealed a large pneumomediastinum, pneumoretroperitoneum, gas in subcutaneous tissue and flank abscesses. In both blood and surgical wound exudate cultures, Escherichia coli was found. CONCLUSION: Emphysematous cholecystitis should be considered as a possible cause of pneumomediastinum.