A hybrid inorganic-biological artificial photosynthesis system for energy-efficient food production.

Artificial photosynthesis systems are proposed as an efficient alternative route to capture CO2 to produce additional food for growing global demand. Here a two-step CO2 electrolyser system was developed to produce a highly concentrated acetate stream with a 57% carbon selectivity (CO2 to acetate), allowing its direct use for the heterotrophic cultivation of yeast, mushroom-producing fungus and a photosynthetic green alga, in the dark without inputs from biological photosynthesis. An evaluation of nine crop plants found that carbon from exogenously supplied acetate incorporates into biomass through major metabolic pathways. Coupling this approach to existing photovoltaic systems could increase solar-to-food energy conversion efficiency by about fourfold over biological photosynthesis, reducing the solar footprint required. This technology allows for a reimagination of how food can be produced in controlled environments.

Infección por Herpes virus Humano tipo 6 relacionado con manifestaciones dermatológicas y fatiga crónica: serie de casos / Human Herpesvirus type 6 infection related to dermatological manifestations and chronic fatigue: case series

Resumen Introducción: Las manifestaciones clínicas más frecuentes causadas por el Herpes Virus Humano Tipo 6 (HHV-6) ocurren en niños menores de 2 años, presentan lesiones en piel tipo roséola o exantema súbito. En adultos, las manifestaciones clínicas relacionadas a HHV-6 son muy variables, y pueden sobreponerse con otras afecciones. Objetivo: Presentar una serie de casos de pacientes diagnosticados con infección activa por HHV-6, quienes mostraban manifestaciones neurológicas, dermatológicas y de fatiga crónica. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó análisis de historias clínicas de 6 pacientes que fueron diagnosticados con infección activa por HHV-6, a través de métodos moleculares. Resultados: Se reportan 6 pacientes que fueron diagnosticados con infección activa por HHV-6 mediante métodos moleculares, quienes presentaron manifestaciones clínicas comunes tales como: fiebre, cefalea, depresión, decaimiento, pérdida de memoria y concentración, dolor fibromuscular, dolor poliarticular, sueño no reparador, exantema, nevus rubí, liquen plano y parestesias. Conclusiones: A través de esta serie de casos se espera resaltar la importancia de identificar la infección activa por HHV-6 a través de métodos moleculares, y sensibilizar a la comunidad médica sobre el papel que juega el virus en la evolución de diversas patologías.

Abstract Introduction: The most frequent clinical manifestations of Human Herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) in children under 2 years of age are roseola-like skin lesions and sudden rash. In adults, the clinical manifestations associated with HHV-6 are highly variable and can overlap with other conditions. Objective: To present a case series of patients diagnosed with active HHV-6 infection, who showed neurological, dermatological and chronic fatigue manifestations. Materials and methods: An analysis of medical records of 6 patients who were diagnosed with active HHV-6 infection through molecular methods was performed. Results: 6 patients were diagnosed with active HHV-6 infection using molecular methods, who had common clinical manifestations such as fever, headache, depression, tiredness, loss of memory and concentration, fibromuscular pain, polyarticular pain, nonrestorative sleep, rash, ruby nevus, lichen planus and paresthesia. Conclusions: This case series highlights the importance of identifying active HHV-6 infection through molecular methods and creating awareness in the medical community of the role that the virus plays on the development of diverse pathologies.

Magnetic Liver Retraction Decreases Postoperative Pain and Length of Stay in Bariatric Surgery Compared to Nathanson Device.

Objective: Retrospective case-matched comparison of magnetic liver retraction to a bedrail-mounted liver retractor in bariatric surgery specifically targeting short-term postoperative outcomes, including pain and resource utilization. Background: Retraction of the liver is essential to ensure appropriate visualization of the hiatus in bariatric surgery. Externally mounted retractors require a dedicated port or an additional incision. Magnetic devices provide effective liver retraction without the need of an incision. Methods: The sample consisted of primary and revisional bariatric surgery patients, including Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), sleeve gastrectomy (SG), and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) operations. Propensity score analysis was used to match patients with magnetic retraction to patients with a bedrail-mounted retractor with a 1:2 ratio using preoperative characteristics. Baseline characteristics and postprocedure outcomes were compared using two-sample t-tests or Wilcoxon rank sum tests and chi-square or Fisher's exact test as appropriate. Results: One hundred patients met inclusion criteria for the use of magnetic liver retraction (45 RYGB, 35 SG, 20 BPD-DS) with 196 suitable matched external retractor patients identified. Patients were matched and comparable for all preoperative characteristics except for transversus abdominus plane block (27% versus 47%). Patients in the magnet cohort had significantly decreased mean 12-hour postoperative pain scores (2.9 versus 4.2, P = .004) and decreased hospital length of stay (LOS) (1.5 versus 1.9 days, P = .005) while operating room supply were higher in the magnet cohort ($4600 versus $4213, P = .0001). Conclusions: Magnetic liver retraction in bariatric surgery is associated with decreased postoperative pain scores, decreased hospital LOS, and increased operating supply costs.

Clinical outcomes in elderly patients with Morquio a syndrome receiving enzyme replacement therapy - experience in a Colombian center.

INTRODUCTION: Mucopolysaccharidosis type IV A (MPS IVA) or Morquio A syndrome is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease caused by GALNS gene mutations that lead to a deficiency of the N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase enzyme and the accumulation of two glycosaminoglycans in cell lysosomes, namely, chondroitin and keratan sulfate. OBJECTIVE: To present two female patients with Morquio A syndrome in their late adult years (over 50 years of age) with a classical phenotype, treated with enzyme replacement therapy; and to present a summary of the natural history and the characteristics of the disease, and the benefit of comprehensive management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive clinical study before and after the treatment with enzyme replacement therapy as part of the comprehensive management of MPS IVA. RESULTS: Enzyme replacement therapy with elosulfase alfa was effective, with an adequate safety profile in these two patients, showing evidence of sustained improvement in terms of endurance and gait patterns. CONCLUSION: We present two cases of MPS IVA, with longer survival than reported previously in classical phenotypes associated with this disease condition. There is a paucity of reports of similar cases in the literature. We believe that the clinical heterogeneity of the disease manifesting with the classical phenotype, together with comprehensive management, have played a role in the survival of these two patients. Therapy with elosulfase alfa as part of comprehensive management has been crucial; we suspect a clinical response and infer a better quality of life and reduced burden for the caregiver, supporting its use in older patients.

Síndrome de Ellis Van Creveld / Ellis Van Creveld syndrome

Resumen El síndrome de Ellis van Creveld es un trastorno autosómico recesivo, caracterizado por mutaciones en los genes ECV y ECV2, los cuales son importantes para el desarrollo osteocondral. A nivel mundial, se han reportado aproximadamente 300 casos ,presentándose con mayor frecuencia en poblaciones endogámicas. Se caracteriza por distrofias óseas, displasias ectodérmicas y malformaciones cardíacas. El diagnóstico clínico puede ser confirmado mediante pruebas moleculares. A continuación, se presenta el caso de una paciente diagnosticada con el síndrome, la cual fue evaluada de manera interdisciplinaria. Esta revisión permitió dar a conocer un nuevo caso de la patología, relacionar las manifestaciones clínicas de la paciente con la literatura y describir nuevos hallazgos que pueden correlacionarse con el síndrome.

Abstract Ellis Van Creveld syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by mutations of the genes ECV and ECV2, which are very important in the osteochondral development. Worldwide, there have been reported around 300 cases that are commonly evidenced in populations where endogamy is typical. It is clinically characterized by bone dystrophies, ectodermal dysplasias, and congenital heart defects; the diagnosis can be confirmed by molecular tests. In the lines below, a case of a patient that suffers from this syndrome, and that was examined in an interdisciplinary way will be presented. This review allows us to show a new case of this pathology, to relate the clinical symptoms of the patient with the existing literature, and to describe new findings that can be correlated with the Ellis Van Creveld condition.

[Diagnostic accuracy of a hysteroscopic score for the detection of endometrial cancer in patients with postmenopausal bleeding and endometrial thickening].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of hysteroscopic scores in endometrial cancer. METHODS: Diagnostic accuracy study assembled within a cross-sectional study that included patients with postmenopausal bleeding and endometrial thickening greater than 5 mm in whom hysteroscopy was performed and then compared with endometrial biopsy as the diagnostic gold standard, in two high complexity hospitals. Clinical, sociodemographic variables, as well as hysteroscopic scores and the results of endometrial tissue histopathology were measured. Sensitivity and specificity, likelihood ratios and area under the curve with their respective confidence intervals were estimated in the analysis. RESULTS: With a 9 % prevalence of endometrial cancer, the hysteroscopic assessment system was shown to have 75 % sensitivity (95 % CI; 30.1- 95.43), 95,1 % specificity (95 % CI; 83.9-98.7), a positive likelihood ratio of 15.38 (95 %; CI 3.55- 66.56), a negative likelihood ratio of 0.26 and area under the curve of 85 %. CONCLUSIONS: The standardized hysteroscopic assessment system was found to have an acceptable sensitivity for screening in patients with postmenopausal bleeding and endometrial thickening (≥ 5 mm). Further studies with larger sample sizes are required in order to arrive at a more precise estimation of the operational characteristics of the hysteroscopic assessment system for the detection of endometrial cancer.

TITULO: EXACTITUD DIAGNÓSTICA DE UNA ESCALA HISTEROSCÓPICA PARA LA DETECCIÓN DE CÁNCER ENDOMETRIAL EN PACIENTES CON SANGRADO POSMENOPÁUSICO Y ENGROSAMIENTO ENDOMETRIAL. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la exactitud diagnóstica del sistema de puntaje histeroscópico de cáncer endometrial. METODOS: Estudio de exactitud diagnóstica ensamblado en estudio transversal, que incluyó pacientes con sangrado posmenopáusico y engrosamiento endometrial mayor o igual a 5 mm, a quienes se practicó histeroscopia, cuyo resultado se comparó con la biopsia endometrial como patrón de oro diagnóstico, en dos hospitales de alta complejidad. Se midieron variables sociodemográficas, clínicas, puntaje de evaluación histeroscópica y resultado histopatológico de tejido endometrial. En el análisis se estimó sensibilidad, especificidad, razones de probabilidades y área bajo la curva con sus respectivos intervalos de confianza. RESULTADOS: Con una prevalencia del cáncer endometrial del 9 %, el sistema de evaluación por histeroscopia mostró una sensibilidad de 75 % (IC 95 %: 30,1-95,43), especificidad de 95,1 % (IC 95 %: 83,9- 98,7), una razón de probabilidades positiva de 15,38 (IC 95 %: 3,55-66,56), una razón de probabilidades negativa de 0,26 y un área bajo la curva del 85 %. CONCLUSIONES: el sistema de evaluación endometrial histeroscópico estandarizado mostró una sensibilidad aceptable para hacer la tamización en pacientes con sangrado posmenopáusico y engrosamiento endometrial (≥ 5 mm). Se requiere la realización de estudios con un mayor tamaño muestral que permitan hacer una estimación más precisa de las características operativas de este sistema de evaluación histeroscópico para la detección de cáncer endometrial.

Diagnostic accuracy of a hysteroscopic score for the detection of endometrial cancer in patients with postmenopausal bleeding and endometrial thickening / Exactitud diagnóstica de una escala histeroscópica para la detección de cáncer endometrial en pacientes con sangrado posmenopáusico y engrosamiento endometrial

RESUMEN Objetivo: evaluar la exactitud diagnóstica del sistema de puntaje histeroscópico de cáncer endometrial. Materiales y métodos: estudio de exactitud diagnóstica ensamblado en estudio transversal, que incluyó pacientes con sangrado posmenopáusico y engrosamiento endometrial mayor o igual a 5 mm, a quienes se practicó histeroscopia, cuyo resultado se comparó con la biopsia endometrial como patrón de oro diagnóstico, en dos hospitales de alta complejidad. Se midieron variables sociodemográficas, clínicas, puntaje de evaluación histeroscópica y resultado histopatológico de tejido endometrial. En el análisis se estimó sensibilidad, especificidad, razones de probabilidades y área bajo la curva con sus respectivos intervalos de confianza. Resultados: con una prevalencia del cáncer endometrial del 9 %, el sistema de evaluación por histeroscopia mostró una sensibilidad de 75 % (IC 95 %: 30,1-95,43), especificidad de 95,1 % (IC 95 %: 83,9- 98,7), una razón de probabilidades positiva de 15,38 (IC 95 %: 3,55-66,56), una razón de probabilidades negativa de 0,26 y un área bajo la curva del 85 %. Conclusión: el sistema de evaluación endometrial histeroscópico estandarizado mostró una sensibilidad aceptable para hacer la tamización en pacientes con sangrado posmenopáusico y engrosamiento endometrial (≥ 5 mm). Se requiere la realización de estudios con un mayor tamaño muestral que permitan hacer una estimación más precisa de las características operativas de este sistema de evaluación histeroscópico para la detección de cáncer endometrial.

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of hysteroscopic scores in endometrial cancer. Materials and methods: Diagnostic accuracy study assembled within a cross-sectional study that included patients with postmenopausal bleeding and endometrial thickening greater than 5 mm in whom hysteroscopy was performed and then compared with endometrial biopsy as the diagnostic gold standard, in two high complexity hospitals. Clinical, sociodemographic variables, as well as hysteroscopic scores and the results of endometrial tissue histopathology were measured. Sensitivity and specificity, likelihood ratios and area under the curve with their respective confidence intervals were estimated in the analysis. Results: With a 9 % prevalence of endometrial cancer, the hysteroscopic assessment system was shown to have 75 % sensitivity (95 % CI; 30.1- 95.43), 95,1 % specificity (95 % CI; 83.9-98.7), a positive likelihood ratio of 15.38 (95 %; CI 3.55- 66.56), a negative likelihood ratio of 0.26 and area under the curve of 85 %. Conclusion: The standardized hysteroscopic assessment system was found to have an acceptable sensitivity for screening in patients with postmenopausal bleeding and endometrial thickening (≥ 5 mm). Further studies with larger sample sizes are required in order to arrive at a more precise estimation of the operational characteristics of the hysteroscopic assessment system for the detection of endometrial cancer.

[Endoscopy after bariatric surgery: what the endoscopist must know]. / Endoscopía luego de cirugía bariátrica: Lo que debe saber el endoscopista.

Endoscopy is essential in the assessment and treatment of the bariatric patient, especially in the postoperative state. Since bariatric surgery is increasing exponentially, endoscopists should be familiar with the anatomy and how to manage possible complications. New less invasive therapeutic tools will have a major impact on the prognosis of these patients. Dreaded complications such as leaks, stenosis or weight regain can be successfully assessed and treated by endoscopy. Postoperative evaluation of symptoms requires the precise search of details that can change patient's management.

Racial Disparities in Bariatric Surgery Complications and Mortality Using the MBSAQIP Data Registry.

BACKGROUND: Racial disparities in postoperative complications have been demonstrated in bariatric surgery, yet the relationship of race to complication severity is unknown. STUDY DESIGN: Adult laparoscopic primary bariatric procedures were queried from the 2015 and 2016 MBSAQIP registry. Adjusted logistic and multinomial regressions were used to examine the relationships between race and 30-day complications categorized by the Clavien-Dindo grading system. RESULTS: A total of 212,970 patients were included in the regression analyses. For Black patients, readmissions were higher (OR = 1.39, p < 0.0001) and the odds of a Grade 1, 3, 4, or 5 complication were increased compared with White patients (OR = 1.21, p < 0.0001; OR = 1.21, p < 0.0001; OR = 1.22, p = 0.01; and OR = 1.43, p = 0.04) respectively. The odds of a Grade 3 complication for Hispanic patients were higher compared with White patients (OR = 1.59, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Black patients have higher odds of readmission and multiple grades of complications (including death) compared with White patients. Hispanic patients have higher odds of a Grade 3 complication compared with White patients. No significant differences were found with other races. Specific causes of these disparities are beyond the limitations of the dataset and stand as a topic for future inquiry.

Endoscopic septotomy as a treatment for leaks after sleeve gastrectomy: Meeting presentations: Digestive Disease Week 2019.

Background and study aims Sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most commonly performed bariatric procedure in the world. Leaks are the most feared complications after this procedure. Endoscopic septotomy has been described as a resolution technique that could be useful in the setting of late and chronic leaks. We present our experience in the management of gastric leaks with this advanced endoscopic technique. Patients and methods Retrospective review of patients who have been admitted to our hospital from January 2016 to December 2018. Results Five patients were found. All had their index surgery in outside hospitals. The average age was 51 years (range 40 - 69), and four patients were female. Mean time from LSG to leak presentation was 15 days (range 7 - 25). Mean time from leak presentation to septotomy procedure was 61 days (range 21 - 110). All patients were treated with sleeve dilatation before septotomy using endoscopic achalasia balloons. Mean procedure time was 79 minutes (range 55 - 125). Success was achieved in 80 % of patients, and no complications related to the procedure were identified. One patient underwent total gastrectomy for definitive management. Mean follow-up time was 14.25 months (range 6 - 26), and the average time for fistula closure was 60.25 days. Conclusion Endoscopic septotomy is safe and effective for management of chronic leaks after LSG. Associated non-selective dilatation may be a crucial step to allow distal patency and axis rectification for appropriate leak closure.

Endoscopía luego de cirugía bariátrica: Lo que debe saber el endoscopista / Endoscopy after bariatric surgery: what the endoscopist must know

Endoscopy is essential in the assessment and treatment of the bariatric patient, especially in the postoperative state. Since bariatric surgery is increasing exponentially, endoscopists should be familiar with the anatomy and how to manage possible complications. New less invasive therapeutic tools will have a major impact on the prognosis of these patients. Dreaded complications such as leaks, stenosis or weight regain can be successfully assessed and treated by endoscopy. Postoperative evaluation of symptoms requires the precise search of details that can change patient's management.

Ultrasonido para la valoración del contenido gástrico: revisión sistemática de la literatura / Ultrasound for the assessment of gastric content: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION: Pneumonic aspiration of gastric contents is an important complication of anesthetic practice. : OBJECTIVE: To determine the applicability of ultrasound for the assessment of the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of gastric contents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review was carried out, based on a structured search of the literature published in the databases: Pubmed, EMBASE, SciELO, Cochrane Library, OVID and Google Scholar, from the foundation of these until December 2018 Boolean connectors were used to locate information from the terms: anesthesiology, ultrasonography, gastrointestinal Contents. The quality of the information was assessed using different tools according to each type of study. RESULTS: We found 23 relevant studies for inclusion in the systematic review. The overall risk of bias was low. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric ultrasound seems to correspond to a tool that is easy to perform at the patient's bedside, but there is uncertainty about its applicability in uncontrolled settings, different from those applied in the studies described in this review. More research is needed with different populations and scenarios, in favor of establishing the behavior in these, of the variables that can be determined by ultrasound. The implications for clinical practice and long-term outcomes may have the measurements achieved by ultrasound are still uncertain.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La aspiración neumónica del contenido gástrico es una complicación importante de la práctica anestésica. OBJETIVO: Determinar la aplicabilidad del ultrasonido para la valoración de las características cualitativas y cuantitativas del contenido gástrico. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó una revisión sistemática, a partir de una búsqueda estructurada de la literatura publicada en las bases de datos: Pubmed, EMBASE, SciELO, Cochrane Library, OVID y Google Scholar, desde la fundación de las mismas hasta diciembre de 2018. Se utilizaron conectores booleanos para localizar información a partir de los términos: anesthesiology, ultrasonography, gastrointestinal Contents. La calidad de la información fue valorada mediante diferentes herramientas de acuerdo a cada tipo de estudio. RESULTADOS: Se encontraron 23 estudios pertinentes para su inclusión en la revisión sistemática. El riesgo global de sesgo fue bajo. CONCLUSIONES: El ultrasonido gástrico parece corresponder a una herramienta de fácil realización a la cabecera del paciente, pero existe incertidumbre sobre su aplicabilidad en contextos no controlados, diferentes a los aplicados en los estudios descritos en la presente revisión. Se necesita más investigación con distintas poblaciones y escenarios, en favor de establecer el comportamiento en estos, de las variables que pueden determinarse por ultrasonido. Las implicaciones que para la práctica clínica y desenlaces a largo plazo puedan tener las mediciones logradas mediante ecografía son aún inciertas.

Porfiria intermitente aguda como desencadenante de síndrome de Guillain-Barre / Acute intermittent porphyria as a trigger for Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Resumen Introducción. La porfiria es un conjunto de enfermedades metabólicas que tienen como base fisiopatológica la acumulación de precursores tóxicos. Su similitud clínica con enfermedades como el síndrome de Guillain-Barre puede retrasar el diagnostico, aumentando la posibilidad de complicaciones. Presentación del caso. Paciente femenino quien presentó síntomas inespecíficos de porfiria y síndrome de Guillain-Barre. La mujer fue evaluada de manera integral y recibió tratamiento para ambas patologías, respondiendo de manera inusual. Conclusión. La respuesta farmacológica atípica encontrada y la relación causa-efecto entre ambas entidades se justifica a la luz de sus procesos fisiopatológicos y la respuesta inmune desencadenada por los mismos.

Abstract Introduction: Porphyria is a group of metabolic diseases whose physiopathological basis is the accumulation of toxic precursors. Its clinical similarity to diseases such as Guillain-Barré Syndrome may delay diagnosis, increasing the possibility of complications. Case presentation: Female patient who presented nonspecific symptoms of porphyria and Guillain-Barré syndrome. The woman was comprehensively assessed and treated for both conditions, and had an unusual response. Conclusion: The atypical pharmacological response found and the cause-effect relationship between both entities is explained by their physiopathological processes and the immune response triggered by them.