The state of food systems worldwide in the countdown to 2030.

This Analysis presents a recently developed food system indicator framework and holistic monitoring architecture to track food system transformation towards global development, health and sustainability goals. Five themes are considered: (1) diets, nutrition and health; (2) environment, natural resources and production; (3) livelihoods, poverty and equity; (4) governance; and (5) resilience. Each theme is divided into three to five indicator domains, and indicators were selected to reflect each domain through a consultative process. In total, 50 indicators were selected, with at least one indicator available for every domain. Harmonized data of these 50 indicators provide a baseline assessment of the world's food systems. We show that every country can claim positive outcomes in some parts of food systems, but none are among the highest ranked across all domains. Furthermore, some indicators are independent of national income, and each highlights a specific aspiration for healthy, sustainable and just food systems. The Food Systems Countdown Initiative will track food systems annually to 2030, amending the framework as new indicators or better data emerge.

Análisis no-lineal de la onda gamma del electroencefalograma en una prueba de atención e inhibición / Non-linear analysis of the electroencephalogram gamma wave in an attention and inhibition test

Introducción: Durante las últimas décadas se ha estudiado la señal del electroencefalograma desde una perspectiva de matemática no-lineal. Esto permite entender la actividad eléctrica cerebral como un sistema dinámico complejo. Objetivo: Evaluar los exponentes de Hurst y sus correlaciones en la onda gamma durante una tarea de atención alternante e inhibición de la interferencia en estudiantes universitarios. Métodos: La muestra se constituyó por 14 alumnos de educación física. Para evaluar la actividad eléctrica cerebral se utilizó el dispositivo cerebro-interfaz Emotiv Epoc®. La atención alternante se estimó con el test de símbolos y dígitos, mientras que para la inhibición de la interferencia se empleó la prueba de palabras y colores de Stroop. Resultados: En la prueba de atención alternante, cuatro individuos revelaron mayor propensión al caos en el hemisferio derecho, uno presentó más tendencia en el hemisferio izquierdo y dos no tuvieron una predisposición definida. Por otra parte, durante la prueba de inhibición de la interferencia, cinco presentaron variaciones de las medias de Hurst entre las tres láminas del efecto Stroop, sobre todo de la región temporal. Los exponentes Hurst en ambas pruebas fueron inferiores a 0,5. Conclusiones: Durante la prueba de atención se observó un mayor caos de la actividad eléctrica cerebral, sin existir correlaciones entre las regiones estudiadas. Durante la prueba de inhibición las modificaciones de los exponentes de Hurst no presentaron patrones definidos hacia el orden o caos(AU)

Introduction: During the last decades the electroencephalogram signal has been studied from a nonlinear mathematical perspective. This allows understanding brain electrical activity as a complex dynamical system. Objective: To evaluate Hurst exponents and their correlations in the gamma wave during an alternating attention and interference inhibition task in university students. Methods: The sample consisted of 14 physical education students. The Emotiv Epoc® brain-interface device was used to evaluate brain electrical activity. Alternating attention was estimated with the symbols and digits test, while the Stroop words and colors test was used for interference inhibition. Results: In the alternating attention test, four individuals revealed a greater propensity to chaos in the right hemisphere, one showed a greater tendency in the left hemisphere and two had no defined predisposition. On the other hand, during interference inhibition, variations of Hurst average values between the three Stroop effect slices were determined in five subjects, especially in the temporal region. Hurst exponents in both tests were found to be less than 0.5. Conclusions: During the attention test, a greater chaos of brain electrical activity is observed, with no correlations between the regions studied. During the inhibition test, the modifications of the Hurst exponents do not present defined patterns towards order or chaos(AU)

Corticofugal and Brainstem Functions Associated With Medial Olivocochlear Cholinergic Transmission.

Cholinergic transmission is essential for survival and reproduction, as it is involved in several physiological responses. In the auditory system, both ascending and descending auditory pathways are modulated by cholinergic transmission, affecting the perception of sounds. The auditory efferent system is a neuronal network comprised of several feedback loops, including corticofugal and brainstem pathways to the cochlear receptor. The auditory efferent system's -final and mandatory synapses that connect the brain with the cochlear receptor- involve medial olivocochlear neurons and outer hair cells. A unique cholinergic transmission mediates these synapses through α9/α10 nicotinic receptors. To study this receptor, it was generated a strain of mice carrying a null mutation of the Chrna9 gene (α9-KO mice), lacking cholinergic transmission between medial olivocochlear neurons and outer hair cells, providing a unique opportunity to study the role of medial olivocochlear cholinergic transmission in auditory and cognitive functions. In this article, we review behavioral and physiological studies carried out to research auditory efferent function in the context of audition, cognition, and hearing impairments. Auditory studies have shown that hearing thresholds in the α9-KO mice are normal, while more complex auditory functions, such as frequency selectivity and sound localization, are altered. The corticofugal pathways have been studied in α9-KO mice using behavioral tasks, evidencing a reduced capacity to suppress auditory distractors during visual selective attention. Finally, we discuss the evolutionary role of the auditory efferent system detecting vocalizations in noise and its role in auditory disorders, such as the prevention of age-related hearing loss.

A hands-on activity to teach the osmosis phenomenon.

This study proposes a hands-on activity as an experimental alternative method to teach biomedical engineering students the osmosis phenomenon. The students were guided along a learning path that involved their participation in the design and construction of a test device used to measure osmotic flow rate. Thereafter, an experiment was conducted with the test device. The students analyzed the obtained experimental values, which provided them with evidence of the functionality of the device. In addition, they were provided with the opportunity to suggest improvements and to propose alternatives to expand the use of the device to test other transport phenomena such as diffusion. Moreover, a student perception survey was conducted, and the results showed that this proposed plan allows for a better understanding of the phenomenon and stimulates the curiosity of students, improving the receptiveness, key in the learning process of the students.

Management practices for placenta accreta spectrum patients: a Latin American hospital survey.

INTRODUCTION: Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) causes severe morbidity and can result in maternal death. It must be managed in specialized centers with interdisciplinary groups, but few publications have described the usual management within a specific geographic region. We intend to describe the usual approach for PAS in reference centers in Latin America. METHODOLOGY: This was an observational, multicenter, cross-sectional study conducted in Latin American PAS reference centers. A standardized survey was implemented and applied to obstetric service coordinators and leaders of interdisciplinary groups with experience in PAS between September and November 2020. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-four hospitals were included. Most of them (64.3%) handle approximately one case of PAS every two months, and almost all centers (89.6%) believe that their performance could be improved. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the reference centers for PAS in Latin America attend to a small number of cases each year, and almost all of these hospitals identify opportunities to improve the management or approach for PAS in women.

COVID-19 y embarazo: caso clínico de presentación crítica, inflamación placentaria y transmisión vertical fetal demostrada / COVID-19 and pregnancy: clinical case of critical presentation, placental inflammation and demonstrated fetal vertical transmission

ANTECEDENTES: La pandemia global de COVID-19 llega al continente americano en marzo del año 2020 y en menos de dos meses reúne a más de la mitad de los casos a nivel global. OBJETIVO: Caso clínico de una mujer embarazada con una presentación crítica de COVID-19 y embarazo a las 25 semanas de gestación, en el contexto del peak de la pandemia en Chile en el otoño del año 2020. CASO CLÍNICO: El 20 de junio de 2020, una mujer de 34 años, con 25 semanas de embarazo, es trasladada desde Hospital de San Bernardo a Clínica Las Condes en Santiago, Chile, con un cuadro de 10 días de evolución de COVID-19, que evoluciona a una situación crítica con insuficiencia respiratoria severa. Ingresa a unidad de cuidados intensivos para ventilación mecánica. Las imágenes de radiología simple y de tomografía axial computarizada de tórax demuestran una neumopatía bilateral con imágenes características opacidades en vidrio esmerilado, asociado a engrosamiento intersticial, imágenes descritas previamente como características para COVID-19. La paciente permanece en unidad de cuidados intensivos en ventilación mecánica por siete días, con evolución favorable posterior, mejoría del cuadro séptico y alta después de 22 días de hospitalización. El parto ocurre en forma espontánea a las 38 semanas, la madre y el recién nacido evolucionan en buen estado general. El examen histopatológico placentario demuestra compromiso inflamatorio vellositario y los exámenes de anticuerpos en sangre del recién nacido demuestran la presencia de anticuerpos del tipo IgG e IgM. Se trata de uno de los pocos casos demostrados reportados de transmisión transplacentaria vía sanguínea de SARS-CoV-2 de la madre al recién nacido.

BACKGROUND: The global COVID-19 pandemic reaches the American continent in March 2020 and in less than two months it brings together more than half of the cases globally.OBJECTIVE: The clinical case of a 25-week pregnant woman with a critical presentation of COVID-19 and pregnancy at 25 weeks of gestation, is presented in the context of the peak of the pandemic in Chile in the fall of 2020. CLINICAL CASE: On June 20, 2020, a 34-year-old woman, 25 weeks pregnant, is transferred from Hospital de San Bernardo to Clinica Las Condes in Santiago, Chile, with a ten-day evolution of a COVID-19 that evolves to critical with severe respiratory failure. She is admitted to the intensive care unit for mechanical ventilation. Chest computerized axial tomography images demonstrate bilateral pneumopathy with characteristic images of ground-glass opacities, associated with interstitial thickening, images previously described as characteristics for COVID-19. The patient remains in the intensive care unit on mechanical ventilation for seven days, with subsequent favorable evolution, improvement of the septic condition, and discharge after 22 days of hospitalization. Delivery occurs at 38 weeks, the mother and the newborn evolve in good general condition. The placental histopathological examination demonstrates villous inflammatory involvement, and the newborn's blood tests show the presence of IgG and IgM antibodies. It is one of the few reported cases of transplacental transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from the mother to the newborn.

Diferencias inter e intra-hemisféricas de dinámicas no lineales en las señales de electroencefalograma durante la resolución de una prueba de atención / Inter- and intra-hemispheric differences of non-linear dynamics in electroencephalogram signals during the execution of an attention test

Resumen Introducción. La actividad cerebral, teniendo en cuenta su dinámica aperiódica, puede ser estudiada mediante funciones no lineales o sistemas caóticos. Objetivo. Estudiar las diferencias inter e intra-hemisféricas de la relación orden/caos en la actividad cerebral de la onda beta en estudiantes universitarios durante la resolución de un test de atención. Materiales y métodos. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 10 estudiantes universitarios de educación física, todos hombres, a quienes se les aplicó la prueba de atención de Toulouse-Piéron para registrar, mediante electroencefalograma, su actividad cerebral por 8 minutos durante la ejecución de la prueba. Para el registro de la actividad cerebral se usó el dispositivo Emotiv Epoc®. Resultados. Se observaron diferencias intra e inter-hemisfericas en la relación orden/caos entre los participantes en las regiones prefrontales, temporales y occipitales (p<0.05), así como diversas correlaciones entre estas regiones (r>0.600), las cuales variaron tanto entre los sujetos, como a nivel individual a medida que avanzaba la ejecución de la prueba. Conclusión. A medida que la ejecución de la prueba avanzaba, las asimetrías hemisféricas aumentaban, por lo que es posible concluir que la participación en procesos cognitivos continuos produce diferencias en la actividad cerebral; sin embargo, es necesario realizar estudios similares en muestras con diferentes características (diversos grupos etarios, mujeres, etc.) y donde se apliquen otras pruebas de atención para poder confirmar o contrastar los resultados aquí reportados.

Abstract Introduction: Considering its aperiodic dynamics, brain activity can be studied by means of non-linear functions or chaotic systems. Objective: To analyze the inter- and intra-hemispheric differences of the order/chaos relationship observed in the beta waves of university students during their participation in an attention test. Materials and methods: The sample was composed of 10 university physical education students, all males, who were administered the Toulouse-Piéron Concentrated Attention Test to record, by means of electroencephalogram, their brain activity for 8 minutes during the execution of the test. The Emotiv Epoc® device was used to record brain activity. Results: Intra- and inter-hemispheric differences were observed in the order/chaos relationship among the participants in the prefrontal, temporal and occipital regions (p<0.05), as well as various correlations between these regions (r>0.600), which varied both between participants and individually as the execution of the test progressed. Conclusion: As the test progressed, hemispheric asymmetries increased, which allows concluding that engaging in continuous cognitive processes causes brain activity differences. However, it is necessary to carry out similar studies in samples with different characteristics (different age groups, women, etc.) in which other attention tests are used to confirm or contrast the results reported here.

Tumores cardiacos primarios fetales: revisión de la literatura / Primary fetal cardiac tumors: review of the literature

Los tumores cardiacos primarios fetales representan una entidad de baja incidencia en la práctica clínica. La gran mayoría corresponde a lesiones benignas, siendo el rabdomioma el tipo más común. Si bien, es frecuente la regresión espontánea de este tipo de lesiones durante el embarazo, los tumores cardiacos fetales pueden asociarse a complicaciones como obstrucción del flujo cardíaco, insuficiencia valvular, arritmias, insuficiencia cardíaca e hidrops fetal, pudiendo conducir incluso a la muerte fetal. El mayor desarrollo de técnicas imagenológicas ha permitido un aumento en el número y precisión de los diagnósticos prenatales de tumores cardiacos, generando al mismo tiempo, nuevos desafíos y alternativas en relación al abordaje terapéutico. El objetivo del presente artículo de revisión es exponer la evidencia actual en relación al diagnóstico prenatal, manejo, complicaciones y condiciones asociadas de los tumores cardiacos fetales más frecuentes.

Fetal primary cardiac tumors represent a low incidence entity in clinical practice. The vast majority corresponds to benign lesions, with rhabdomyoma being the most common type. Although spontaneous regression of this type of lesions during pregnancy is frequent, fetal cardiac tumors can be associated with complications such as obstruction of cardiac flow, valvular insufficiency, arrhythmias, heart failure and fetal hydrops, which can even lead to fetal death. The greater development of imaging techniques has allowed an increase in the number and precision of prenatal diagnoses of cardiac tumors, generating at the same time, new challenges and alternatives in relation to the therapeutic approach. The objective of this review article is to present the current evidence regarding the prenatal diagnosis, management, complications and associated condition s of the most frequent fetal cardiac tumors.

First trimester screening for preterm and term pre-eclampsia by maternal characteristics and biophysical markers in a low-risk population.

AIM: To develop a combined predictive model for preterm and term pre-eclampsia (PE) during the first trimester of pregnancy. METHODS: This investigation was a nested case-control study in singleton pregnancies at the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit, University of Chile Hospital. A priori risks for preterm and term PE were calculated by multivariate logistic regression analyses. Biophysical markers were log10 -transformed and expressed as multiples of the median. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate a combined predictive model of preterm and term PE. Detection rates at different cut-off points were determined by a receiver operator curve analysis of a posteriori risks. RESULTS: First trimester mean arterial pressure and uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index were significantly higher in women who develop PE than in the unaffected group. The detection rate of preterm PE based on maternal characteristics and biophysical markers was 72% at a 10% false-positive rate, corresponding to a cut-off risk of 1 in 50. The detection rate for term PE was 30% at a 10% false-positive rate. CONCLUSION: Preterm PE can be predicted by a combination of maternal characteristics and biophysical markers. However, first trimester screening is less valuable for term PE.

Second-Trimester Anterior Cervical Angle in a Low-Risk Population as a Marker for Spontaneous Preterm Delivery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to assess the use of the anterior cervical angle (ACA) as a predictor of spontaneous preterm delivery (sPTD) at 20+0-24+6 weeks of gestation in an unselected population. METHODS: We conducted a nested case-control study that included 93 women who later delivered spontaneously <34 weeks of gestation and 225 controls. The ACA was assessed retrospectively on all selected images using ImageJ® software. The concordance correlation coefficient was determined for the assessment of interobserver variability. Continuous variables were adjusted by maternal characteristics and expressed as the z-score or multiples of the expected normal median (MoM) of the unaffected group. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate whether any maternal characteristics and ultrasound variables were significantly associated with sPTD <34 weeks. RESULTS: ACA z-score values were significantly greater in women who later delivered <34 weeks compared to controls (ACA z-score = 1.32 ± 0.57 vs. -0.09 ± 0.35; p = 0.035). The best prediction of sPTD <34 weeks was provided by a model that combined cervical length (CL) MoM, ACA z-score and maternal characteristics. For a fixed false-positive rate of 10%, the detection rate for this model was 37.6%. CONCLUSION: A model combining maternal history, CL and ACA at 20+0-24+6 weeks of gestation can predict approximately 40% of the severe preterm births.

Spectrum of classes of point emitters: new tool for nonparaxial optical field modeling.

Numerical modeling of optical fields provides valuable support to both theoretical research and technological development in many optics fields. Fourier methods have been the most widely used tools of numerical modeling. However, important limitations have restricted their application in contemporary research that involve high numerical apertures, short propagation distances, and spatially partially coherent states of light, for instance. The spectrum of classes of point emitters is introduced as a numerical tool that overcomes such limitations for the design, analysis, and synthesis of nonparaxial optical fields in arbitrary states of spatial coherence. In this context, optical processing is realized as the filtering on the spectrum of classes of point emitters performed by the complex degree of spatial coherence that could be implemented dynamically by using programmable devices.

Propofol concentration to induce general anesthesia in children aged 3-11 years with the Kataria effect-site model.

BACKGROUND: The propofol pharmacokinetic model derived by Kataria et al. was recently modified to perform effect-site target-controlled infusion (TCI). Effect-site concentration (Ce) targets to induce general anesthesia with this model in children have not been described. The aim of this study was to identify propofol Ce targets associated with success rates of 50% (Ce50) and 95% (Ce95) among children 3-11 years of age. METHODS: Forty-two children were assigned to one of seven groups of six patients each according to propofol target Ce. After fentanyl administration propofol TCI was started with an assigned Ce target. A successful response was defined as loss of eyelash reflex and bispectral index < 50, 45 s after reaching the assigned Ce. Logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate propofol Ce50 and Ce95. RESULTS: Twenty-eight children had a successful response with the assigned propofol Ce. In these patients, a significant decrease in mean arterial blood pressure (79-59, P < 0.0001) and in heart rate (95-83, P < 0.0001) was observed. Propofol Ce and age showed a statistically significant effect in the logistic regression model. The overall calculated propofol Ce50 and Ce95 were 3.8 µg·ml(-1) (95% CI: 3.1-4.4 µg·ml(-1) ) and 6.1 µg·ml(-1) (95% CI: 4.6-7.6 µg·ml(-1) ), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results identified useful propofol targets to be used with the Kataria effect-site model to induce anesthesia in children between 3 and 11 years. The recommended targets should be reduced progressively with increasing age most probably due to PK model misspecifications.

Dexmedetomidine-ketamine combination and caudal block for superficial lower abdominal and genital surgery in children.

BACKGROUND: The use of dexmedetomidine-ketamine combination to perform different diagnostic and surgical pediatric procedures has increased. The optimal ketamine dose to combine with dexmedetomidine has not been determined. The goal of this study was to determine the ED50 and ED95 of ketamine, which in combination with, dexmedetomidine (1 µg · kg(-1)) provides an adequate anesthetic effect to perform a caudal block and then the ensuing superficial lower abdominal or genital surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients, aged 1-8 years, scheduled for superficial lower abdominal or genital surgery, were studied. All patients received an intravenous dose of dexmedetomidine 1 µg · kg(-1) and a random dose of ketamine from 1 mg · kg(-1) to 2 mg · kg(-1). After ketamine administration, a caudal block was performed and then surgery was initiated. Hemodynamics, respiratory variables, sedation level, and postoperative complications were recorded. The ED50 and ED95 of ketamine were calculated using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The ED50 and ED95 of ketamine to perform a caudal block were 1.53 (1.29-1.76) mg · kg(-1) and 2.25 (1.63-2.88) mg · kg(-1), respectively. The ED50 and ED95 of ketamine to perform a caudal block and to complete the entire procedure were 1.76 (1.57-1.95) mg · kg(-1), and 2.21 (1.77-2.64) mg · kg(-1), respectively. Three patients presented mild, self-limited, intraoperative bradycardia. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that adding ketamine 2 mg · kg(-1) to dexmedetomidine 1 µg · kg(-1) should produce an effective anesthetic level to perform a caudal block and the ensuing superficial lower abdominal or genital surgery in children.

Eicosanomic profiling reveals dominance of the epoxygenase pathway in human amniotic fluid at term in spontaneous labor.

Lipid mediators play an important role in reproductive biology, especially, in parturition. Enhanced biosynthesis of eicosanoids, such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and PGF2α, precedes the onset of labor as a result of increased expression of inducible cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in placental tissues. Metabolism of arachidonic acid results in bioactive lipid mediators beyond prostaglandins that could significantly influence myometrial activity. Therefore, an unbiased lipidomic approach was used to profile the arachidonic acid metabolome of amniotic fluid. In this study, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used for the first time to quantitate these metabolites in human amniotic fluid by comparing patients at midtrimester, at term but not in labor, and at term and in spontaneous labor. In addition to exposing novel aspects of COX pathway metabolism, this lipidomic study revealed a dramatic increase in epoxygenase- and lipoxygenase-pathway-derived lipid mediators in spontaneous labor with remarkable product selectivity. Despite their recognition as anti-inflammatory lipid mediators and regulators of ion channels, little is known about the epoxygenase pathway in labor. Epoxygenase pathway metabolites are established regulators of vascular homeostasis in cardiovascular and renal physiology. Their presence as the dominant lipid mediators in spontaneous labor at term portends a yet undiscovered physiological function in parturition.

Sensibilidad, especificidad y valores predictivos de los índices cardíacos de Goldman, Detsky y Lee / Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of the Goldman, Detsky and Lee cardiac indices

Introducción: Reconocer oportunamente las variables de riesgo perioperatorio permite predecir la frecuencia de morbimortalidad, así como tomar medidas a fin de reducir complicaciones. Para ello se han creado varias escalas de riesgo en pacientes portadores de enfermedad cardiovascular. Objetivo: Determinar la sensibilidad, la especificidad y los valores predictivos de los índices de riesgo cardíaco de Goldman, Detsky y Lee para cirugía no cardíaca. Método: Se realizó un estudio observacional, analítico, longitudinal y prospectivo del total de pacientes portadores de enfermedad cardiovascular con enfermedad quirúrgica no cardíaca en el período comprendido entre enero de 2011 y enero de 2013 en el Hospital Universitario Manuel Ascunce Domenech de la ciudad de Camagüey. La muestra estuvo constituida por 88 pacientes comprendidos en el universo que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. Las variables estudiadas fueron: edad, sexo, tipo de cirugía, tipo de complicación, y la presencia o no de estas en relación con el riesgo catalogado según los índices de Goldman, Detsky y Lee. Se aplicó prueba de sensibilidad, especificidad y valores predictivos. Resultados: Predominaron los pacientes mayores de 70 años, el sexo masculino, la cirugía ortopédica; la arritmia cardíaca fue la principal complicación. Fue frecuente encontrar pacientes de alto riesgo, en los cuales la mayoría sufrieron complicaciones. Conclusiones: Los índices de Goldman y Detsky mostraron alta sensibilidad y especificidad, y el índice de Lee, mayor valor predictivo positivo. No obstante, deben aplicarse los 3 índices predictivos para lograr una óptima estratificación del riesgo cardíaco en cirugía no cardíaca.

Introduction: Timely recognition of perioperative risk variables helps predict morbidity and mortality frequency, as well as adopt measures to reduce complications. Several risk scores have been developed for this purpose in patients with cardiovascular disease. Objective: To determine the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of the Goldman, Detsky and Lee cardiac risk indices for non-cardiac surgery. Methods: Observational, analytical, longitudinal prospective study of the total number of patients with cardiovascular disease undergoing non-cardiac surgery between January 2011 and January 2013 at Hospital Universitario Manuel Ascunce Domenech in Camagüey. The sample consisted of 88 patients included in the universe of patients who met the inclusion criteria. The variables studied were: age, gender, type of surgery, type of complication, and the presence or absence of complications in relation to the risk assessed on the basis of the Goldman, Detsky and Lee indices. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive value test was applied. Results: There was a predominance of males in patients over 70 years of age coming for orthopaedic surgery; cardiac arrhythmiawas the main complication. High-risk patients were a frequent finding and the majority suffered complications. Conclusions: The Goldman and Detsky indices showed high sensitivity and specificity, while the Lee index showed higher positive predictive value. However, the three predictive indices must be applied in order to optimize cardiac risk stratification in non-cardiac surgery.

Phase-space non-paraxial propagation modes of optical fields in any state of spatial coherence.

The non-paraxial marginal power spectrum is decomposed in propagation modes, so that the zeroth-order mode is only emitted by the radiant point sources at the aperture plane, while the modes of higher orders than zero are only emitted by the virtual point sources. It allows representing the non-paraxial propagation of optical fields in arbitrary states of spatial coherence and along arbitrary distances from the aperture plane without approximations, by simply using the power distribution and the spatial coherence state at the aperture plane as entries. This modal expansion is potentially useful in micro-diffraction and spatial coherence modulation.

The effective effect-site propofol concentration for induction and intubation with two pharmacokinetic models in morbidly obese patients using total body weight.

BACKGROUND: Most pharmacokinetic (PK) models used for propofol administration are based on studies in normal-weight patients. Extrapolation of these models for morbidly obese patients is controversial. Using 2 PK models and a target-controlled infusion system, we determined the predicted propofol effect-site concentration (Ce) needed for induction of anesthesia in morbidly obese subjects using total body weight. METHODS: Sixty-six morbidly obese subjects from 18 to 50 years of age were randomized to receive propofol to reach and maintain a predetermined propofol Ce, based on the PK models of either Marsh or Schnider. All patients were monitored with a Bispectral Index electroencephalographic monitor. Fentanyl 3 µg/kg total body weight was administered before starting the propofol infusion. After loss of consciousness, vecuronium was administered to facilitate endotracheal intubation. Groups of 6 patients each received propofol at a different, predetermined target propofol Ce. An "effective Ce" (ECe) was defined as the propofol Ce that provided adequate hypnosis (Bispectral Index <60) during the complete induction period (45 seconds after reaching the predetermined target Ce until 5 minutes after tracheal intubation). Heart rate and arterial blood pressure were measured every 1 minute throughout the study period. Probit regression analysis was performed to calculate the effective propofol Ce values to induce hypnosis in 50% (ECe(50)) and 95% (ECe(95)) of patients with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Patient characteristics were similar between models and across the propofol target concentration groups. The ECe(50) of propofol was 3.4 µg/mL (95% CI: 2.9, 3.7 µg/mL) with the Marsh model and 4.5 µg/mL (95% CI: 4.1, 4.8 µg/mL) with the Schnider model (P < 0.001). The ECe(95) values were 4.2 µg/mL (95% CI: 3.8, 6.2 µg/mL) and 5.5 µg/mL (95% CI: 5.0, 7.2 µg/mL) with Marsh and Schnider models, respectively. At the ECe(95), hemodynamic effects were similar with the 2 PK models. CONCLUSION: Different propofol target concentrations for each PK model must be used for induction when using total body weight in morbidly obese patients.

[Effects on blood glucose of prophylactic dexamethasone for postoperative nausea and vomiting in diabetics and non-diabetics]. / Dexametasona para profilaxis de náuseas y vómitos postoperatorios: efecto sobre la glicemia en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 y en no diabéticos sometidos a cirugía laparoscópica.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) prophylaxis with dexamethasone may produce significant hyperglycemia in the postoperative period. AIM: To evaluate if this effect is of greater severity in type 2 diabetics compared with non-diabetic patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty non-diabetic and thirty type 2 diabetic patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were studied in a prospective and double-blind fashion manner. Patients were randomly distributed into 4 groups: Group I, non-diabetics control (n = 20), Group II, non-diabetics dexamethasone (n = 20), Group III, type 2 diabetics control (n = 15), and Group IV, type 2 diabetics dexamethasone (n = 15). Immediately after induction, patients in groups I and III received isotonic saline and patients in the dexamethasone groups received 8 mg i.v. of the steroid. Capillary blood glucose concentrations were measured at baseline and every 2 hours during the first 12 hours since the start of surgery. A linear mixed effect model, adjusted for baseline capillary glucose concentration, age and duration of surgery was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: No effect of the presence of diabetes mellitus was observed in the evolution of glucose concentrations. There was a difference in capillary glucose concentrations between patients who received dexamethasone and placebo that started 2 hours post-intervention, reaching a mean maximum difference of 34 mg/dl (adjusted model, p < 0.001) at 10 hours post-intervention. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, Type 2 diabetic patients did not show a higher susceptibility than non-diabetics to develop postoperative hyperglycemia after the use of prophylactic dexamethasone for PONV.

First-trimester adiponectin and subsequent development of preeclampsia or fetal growth restriction.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The evidence regarding the utility of assessing first-trimester adiponectin (ApN) serum levels in early prediction of preeclampsia (PE) and fetal growth restriction (FGR) is contradictory. This study aims to determine the role of maternal serum ApN levels as an early predictor of PE and FGR. METHODS: A prospective case-control study among a pregnant population who attended their 11- to 14-week ultrasound scan at the University of Chile's Clinical Hospital's Fetal Medicine Unit. We included patients who developed PE or FGR (10 cases per group) and 35 healthy controls. We determined ApN levels in blood samples from these 55 patients using a commercial ELISA kit and assessed the relationship of ApN levels with variables like development of PE, FGR, weight at birth and maternal BMI. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among first-trimester ApN serum levels in the groups. Average concentrations were 8, 6.8 and 10.8 ng/ml for the control, PE and FGR groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: In our study, maternal serum ApN levels were not useful in predicting subsequent development of PE and FGR. However, maternal serum ApN concentration adjusted by BMI was significantly higher during the first trimester in women who later developed FGR.