Lusory dysphagia: Unusual cause of intermittent dysphagia.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Lusory dysphagia (LD) is a rare disorder resulting from extrinsic vascular compression of the esophagus, is often associated with an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA). LD is characterized by abnormal development of the right fourth aortic arch during embryonic stages, leading to posterior coursing of the artery in 80 % of cases. Predominantly presenting as dysphagia, LD can occasionally manifest with laryngeal stridor or dyspnea, yet it often remains asymptomatic and incidentally discovered. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of LD in a 24-year-old male with Down syndrome, experiencing prolonged dysphagia and recurrent aspiration episodes. Emergency upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed food impactation beyond the upper esophageal sphincter, and subsequent imaging studies confirmed an aberrant right subclavian artery causing extrinsic compression. DISCUSSION: LD is a rare condition. It is a challenging diagnosis often necessitating a combination of endoscopy, contrasted imaging and angiography. Treatment strategies vary, with conservative approaches for mild symptoms involving dietary modifications, and surgical intervention considered for persistent or severe cases. CONCLUSION: Recognizing LD in the context of long-standing dysphagia is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management. Further research is needed to establish standardized diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for this uncommon condition.

Descripción de la situación epidemiológica del cáncer vesical en Chile durante los años 2016 - 2022 / Description of the epidemiological situation of bladder cancer in Chile during the years 2016 - 2022

Introducción: El cáncer vesical es una neoplasia maligna común en hombres mayores de 55 años, que se ve propiciada principalmente por el tabaquismo y exposición ambiental ocupacional. Corresponde a la octava causa de muerte por cáncer a nivel mundial y es la decimocuarta causa de muerte en Chile, estando incluído en las Garantías Explícitas en Salud. Dado lo anterior, esta investigación busca recopilar datos y contribuir al conocimiento médico y la salud pública. Metodología: Estudio observacional descriptivo retrospectivo sobre defunciones por tumor maligno de la vejiga urinaria en Chile (a nivel nacional-regional). Datos analizados del DEIS entre 2016-2022. No se requirió consentimiento informado ni revisión ética. Uso de Microsoft Excel para el análisis. Resultados: Durante el periodo estudiado, las defunciones por tumor maligno de la vejiga urinaria en Chile mostraron un aumento en 2018 y una disminución a partir de 2019. La relación entre hombres y mujeres fue de aproximadamente 2:1. Las tasas de mortalidad por región disminuyeron en general, con aumentos en 2022 en regiones como Del Libertador B. O'higgins, Ñuble y Biobío. La región de Antofagasta tuvo la tasa más alta durante todo el periodo. El tipo de tumor más común fue el no especificado, con tasas variables a lo largo del tiempo. Discusión: Este trabajo destaca la importancia de fortalecer las medidas preventivas y terapéuticas del cáncer de vejiga en Chile, en que el tabaquismo y la contaminación minera son factores de riesgo significativos. Se ha determinado, que es común en adultos mayores predominantemente masculinos. Las tasas de mortalidad se han mantenido estáticas en los últimos años. Salvo entre los años 2020-2021, en que se registró una tendencia a la baja. Lo anterior, desprende lo importante de seguir investigando y desarrollando tratamientos efectivos, así protocolos de manejo y prevención.

Introduction: Bladder cancer is a common malignancy in men over 55 years of age, which is mainly caused by smoking and environmental occupation. It corresponds to the eighth cause of death from cancer worldwide and is the fourteenth cause of death in Chile, being included in the Explicit Health Guarantees. Given the above, this research seeks to collect data and contribute to medical knowledge and public health. Methodology: Retrospective descriptive observational study on deaths from malignant tumors of the urinary bladder in Chile (at the national-regional level). Data analyzed from the DEIS between 2016-2022. No informed consent or ethical review was required. Use of Microsoft Excel for analysis. Results: Retrospective descriptive observational study on deaths from malignant tumors of the urinary bladder in Chile (at the national-regional level). Data analyzed from the DEIS between 2016-2022. No informed consent or ethical review was required. Use of Microsoft Excel for analysis. Discussion: This work highlights the importance of strengthening preventive and therapeutic measures for bladder cancer in Chile, where smoking and mining contamination are significant risk factors. It has been determined that it is common in predominantly male older adults. Mortality rates have remained static in recent years. Except between the years 2020-2021, in which a downward trend was registered. The foregoing shows the importance of continuing to investigate and develop effective treatments, as well as management and prevention protocols.

Una aproximación actualizada hacia el tratamiento de la esclerosis múltiple / An updated approach to the treatment of multiple sclerosis

La presente es una revisión bibliográfica actualizada sobre el manejo de la Esclerosis Múltiple (EM), enfermedad neurológica progresiva de tipo desmielinizante más frecuente a nivel mundial. En Chile, su presentación remitente-recurrente (RRMS) es patología GES, por lo que se vuelve relevante para el médico general y estudiantes del área de la salud reconocer e identificar las terapias disponibles para el control de esta patología. Si bien la EM no es un cuadro frecuente, su sintomatología es alarmante e incapacitante, por lo que, con frecuencia, el primer acercamiento del paciente es a los servicios de urgencia, tornándose necesario contar con nociones básicas sobre el tratamiento y manejo. La presente revisión recopiló artículos publicados entre 2019 y 2023 de distintos motores de búsqueda con énfasis en el tratamiento farmacológico y no farmacológico de esta enfermedad. Además de describir el tratamiento convencional como la inmunomodulación, las terapias biológicas, el soporte con glucocorticoides y los fármacos remielinizantes, se abordan nuevas líneas de investigación prometedoras, como el rol inmunogénico de la microbiota intestinal, la capacidad epigenética de la dieta, estrategias de rehabilitación cognitiva y el potencial uso de cannabinoides para el manejo paliativo del dolor. Se concluye que un tratamiento oportuno con fármacos modificadores de la enfermedad, tanto de primera línea como de segunda, son imprescindibles para el manejo de la EM, sin embargo, la calidad de vida puede verse significativamente acrecentada por la incorporación de estrategias que se encuentran al alcance del médico general y que no requieren de derivación a nivel secundario.

This is an updated bibliographical review on the management of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the most common progressive neurological disease of demyelinating disorders worldwide. In Chile, its relapsing-remitting presentation (RRMS) is a state-covered illness pathology, so it becomes relevant for the general practitioner and med students to recognize and identify therapies available for the control of this desease. Although MS is not a frequent condition, its symptoms are alarming and disabling, which is why, frequently, the first approach of the patient is to the emergency services, making it necessary to have basic knowledge about treatment and management. The present review compiled articles published between 2019 and 2023 from different search engines with an emphasis on the pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of the MS. In addition to describing conventional treatment such as immunomodulation, biological therapies, glucocorticoid support and remyelinating drugs, new promising lines of research are addressed, such as the immunogenic role of the intestinal microbiota, the epigenetic capacity of the diet, strategies on cognition rehabilitation and the potential use of cannabinoids for the palliative management of pain. It is concluded that the classic treatment with disease-modifying drugs, both first-line and second-line, are essential for the management of MS; however, quality of life can be significantly increased by incorporating strategies found at the reach of the general practitioner and do not require referral at a greater complexity center.

Otomastoiditis por mycobacterium tuberculosis: un diagnóstico desafiante / Tuberculous otomastoiditis: a challenging diagnosis

RESUMEN La otomastoiditis tuberculosa es una presentación extremadamente rara de la forma extrapulmonar de la enfermedad y puede ser difícil llegar a su diagnóstico. Presentamos el caso de una paciente de 35 años con otomastoiditis tuberculosa bilateral acompañado de vértigo, hipoacusia mixta bilateral y paresia del nervio facial bilateral, como debut de una tuberculosis. Cultivos de Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) y prueba de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) de otorrea fueron inicialmente negativos. La tomografía computarizada de oídos y resonancia magnética mostraron cambios inflamatorios otomastoídeos bilaterales sin evidencia de erosión ósea ni extensión a partes blandas. Se realizó una mastoidotomía, las muestras del tejido obtenido evidenciaron osteomielitis crónica, bacterias ácido-alcohol resistentes y PCR positiva para MTB. La paciente recibió tratamiento con drogas antituberculosas durante 12 meses logrando una recuperación completa de la otalgia y vértigo, y mejoría parcial de audición y paresia facial. En resumen, los hallazgos clínicos e imagenológicos de la otomastoiditis tuberculosa son inespecíficos por lo cual se requiere de un alto índice de sospecha clínica para lograr el diagnóstico adecuado e iniciar el tratamiento de la infección subyacente.

ABSTRACT Tuberculous otomastoiditis is an extremely rare form of extrapulmonary disease that can be easily misdiagnosed. We hereby report the case of a previously healthy 35-yearold female with bilateral tuberculous otomastoiditis associated with vertigo, bilateral mixed hearing loss, and bilateral facial nerve palsy as the initial clinical presentation. Repeated Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) culture and molecular testing of otorrhea aspirates were initially negative. High-resolution temporal bone computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed partial opacification of the mastoid air cells without signs of bone erosion. A mastoidotomy was performed with mastoid tissue showing chronic osteomyelitis, positivity in acid-fast staining and MTB PCR. The patient was treated with a 12 month antituberculous treatment, with complete recovery of otalgia and vertigo, and improvement in hearing levels and facial nerve palsy. In summary, clinical and imaging findings for tuberculous otomastoiditis are non-specific, hence a high degree of suspicion is required in order to diagnose and promptly treat the underlying infection.

Analysis of alternariol and alternariol monomethyl ether in foodstuffs by molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

Molecularly imprinted porous polymer microspheres selective to Alternaria mycotoxins, alternariol (AOH) and alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), were synthesized and applied to the extraction of both mycotoxins in food samples. The polymer was prepared using 4-vinylpiridine (VIPY) and methacrylamide (MAM) as functional monomers, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA) as cross-linker and 3,8,9-trihydroxy-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-one (S2) as AOH surrogate template. A molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction (MISPE) method has been optimized for the selective isolation of the mycotoxins from aqueous samples coupled to HPLC with fluorescence (λex=258nm; λem=440nm) or MS/MS analysis. The MISPE method was validated by UPLC-MS/MS for the determination of AOH and AME in tomato juice and sesame oil based on the European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Method performance was satisfactory with recoveries from 92.5% to 106.2% and limits of quantification within the 1.1-2.8µgkg-1 range in both samples.

Análisis de casos de adenocarcinoma apendicular y su manejo en una serie de 10 años en el Hospital Doctor Sótero del Río / Analysis of cases of appendicular adenocarcinoma and its management in a series of 10 years in Hospital Doctor Sótero del Río

Introducción: Los tumores del apéndice cecal son una patología infrecuente. De ellos, los adenocarcinomas apendiculares no superan el 0,1% de las apendicectomías. Objetivos: Describir el manejo y la sobrevida de pacientes con diagnóstico de adenocarcinoma apendicular en el Complejo Asistencial Dr. Sótero del Río. Materiales y métodos: Análisis retrospectivo descriptivo de pacientes operados de apendicectomía y diagnóstico patológico de adenocarcinoma apendicular entre enero de 2003 y diciembre de 2013. Se evaluaron características demográficas, síntomas, manejo y sobrevida. Resultados: Se analizaron un total de 14.582 apendicectomías. Se obtuvieron 84 biopsias positivas para tumores apendiculares primarios (0,58%). De este grupo, 9 biopsias correspondían a un adenocarcinoma apendicular (0,06%). Siete de los 9 pacientes poseían registro completo. La mediana de edad fue de 53 años. Seis pacientes cursaron con un cuadro de abdomen agudo. Se realizó una hemicolectomía derecha en 6 pacientes posterior al diagnóstico de adenocarcinoma. De ellos, 4 recibieron quimioterapia adyuvante. La sobrevida a 3 años fue del 58%. Conclusiones: El adenocarcinoma apendicular es un hallazgo poco frecuente durante una apendicectomía y se asocia a una sobrevida similar a la reportada internacionalmente.

Introduction: Appendiceal tumors are a rare pathology, not exceeding 0.1% of appendectomies. Objectives: Describe the management and survival of patients diagnosed with appendiceal adenocarcinoma at the Complejo Asistencial Doctor Sótero del Río. Materials and methods: Descriptive retrospective analysis of patients underwent appendectomy, with histopathologic diagnosis of appendiceal adenocarcinoma, in the period from January 2003 to December 2013. Demographic characteristics, symptoms, management and survival were evaluated. Results: Data from 14,582 appendectomies was analyzed; 84 positive biopsies for primary appendiceal tumors (0.58%) were obtained. Of this group, 9 biopsies corresponded to an appendiceal adenocarcinoma (0.06%). Seven of the 9 patients had complete record. The median age was 53 years. Six patients presented with an acute abdomen. Right hemicolectomy underwent 6 patients. Of these, 4 received adjuvant chemotherapy. The 3-year survival was 58%. Conclusions: Appendiceal adenocarcinoma is a rare finding during an appendectomy and is associated with a low overall survival.

Cáncer de laringe: serie de casos en 6 años en el Complejo Asistencial Doctor Sótero del Río / Laryngeal cancer: report of 6 years cases in Complejo Asistencial Doctor Sótero del Río

Introducción: El cáncer de laringe es la segunda causa de muerte en otorrinolaringología. Su tratamiento en estadios avanzados es agresivo y controversial. Objetivo: Reportar los datos de pacientes atendidos en el Complejo Asistencial Doctor Sótero del Río entre los años 2005-2011. Material y método: Análisis retrospectivo descriptivo. Resultados: Total de 38 pacientes, 30 (79%) hombres, mediana de edad 66 años. Los principales motivos de consulta fueron dificultad respiratoria en 18 pacientes (47%) y disfonía en 14 (37%). Se realizó estudio y etapificación con nasofibroscopía y tomografía computarizada. El 71% se presentó en estadio avanzado, de ellos, el 30% recibió quimiorradioterapia exclusiva. La sobrevida global a 2 y 5 años fue de 56% y 42% respectivamente en estadio avanzado y de 100% y 71% respectivamente en estadio precoz. Discusión: El cáncer de laringe es una enfermedad con sobrevida baja a pesar de tratamientos agresivos. Se han planteado alternativas al tratamiento estándar como terapia conservadora con quimiorradioterapia exclusiva o microcirugía láser transoral. Conclusiones: La epidemiología del cáncer laríngeo se ha mantenido relativamente estable y la clasificación TNM sigue siendo fundamental para el tratamiento, especialmente en contexto de nuevas alternativas de manejo de cáncer avanzado. Se espera evaluar estas terapias.

Introduction: Laryngeal cancer is the second cause of death in otolaryngology. Its treatment in advanced stage is aggressive and controversial. Aim: To report data from patients treated in Complejo Asistencial Doctor Sótero del Río in the period between 2005-2011. Material and method: Descriptive retrospective analysis. Results: 38 patients in total, 30 (79%) men, median age 66 years. The main symptoms were breathing difficulty in 18 patients (47%) and dysphonia in 14 (37%). Every patient completed study and disease staging with nasofibroscopy and computed tomography. 71% presented in advanced stage, among them, 30% received exclusive chemoradiotherapy. Overall survival for 2 and 5-year in advanced stage was 56% and 42% respectively; and 100% and 71% in early stage. Discussion: Advanced laryngeal cancer has low survival rate in spite of aggressive treatments. Alternatives to standard care have been proposed, such as conservative therapy with exclusive chemoradiotherapy or transoral laser microsurgery. Conclusions: Laryngeal cancer's epidemiology remains relatively unchanged and TNM classification still remains fundamental for treatment, specially in the context of new therapeutic alternatives for advanced cancer. Evaluation of these therapies is expected.

Manejo del cáncer de cabeza y cuello: ¿radioterapia a quién, cuándo y por qué? / Management of head and neck cancer: when, why, and to whom give radiotherapy

Revisión del enfrentamiento del paciente con cáncer escamoso de la vía aerodigestiva superior, orientada a la radioterapia. Las principales alternativas de tratamiento para los pacientes con cáncer escamoso de cabeza y cuello son la cirugía y la radioterapia (RT). La planificación del tratamiento debe considerar el tumor primario y la diseminación linfática cervical. La enfermedad subclínica es significativa en este grupo de pacientes. Cuando ésta es mayor a 20%, la disección cervical electiva ha mostrado mejorar la sobrevida libre de enfermedad y la sobrevida global. La RT por Intensidad Modulada (IMRT) permite mayor protección de los tejidos vecinos. El fenómeno de repoblación acelerada implica que dosis insuficientes o períodos largos de interrupción traducen persistencia o recidiva tumoral. Por esta razón, la adyuvancia con RT debe iniciarse precozmente. Para esto, es fundamental una evaluación dental oportuna. Los efectos adversos de la RT se dividen en agudos y tardíos, pudiendo estos últimos presentarse meses o años posterior a la terapia. Los pacientes con indicación de RT deben ser derivados tempranamente y con previa evaluación dental. La IMRT es una excelente herramienta terapéutica cuando es correctamente indicada y aplicada. Los principales beneficios en relación a la cirugía son menor morbilidad y mejor costo-efectividad por lo que suele ser la terapia de elección en enfermedad localizada y una alternativa a la disección cervical electiva.

Radiation therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract: review of management. Head and neck cancer treatment includes several treatment options. Surgery and radiotherapy are the most important local treatments. When planning the local treatment, the choices for the primary tumor, and the lymphatic spread to the neck must be considered. Subclinical metastatic disease to the neck is present in about 20% of patients, and can be controlled equally with surgery or radiation therapy. In a randomized trial, elective neck dissection has been shown to improve disease-free, and overall survival when compared with observation and salvage. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) allows a better sparing of normal tissues in the neck, and less morbidity from the treatment. Accelerated repopulation is a main determinant of poor local control in patients treated with radiotherapy who undergo treatment interruptions or a delay in its start. Thus, adjuvant radiotherapy must begin as early as possible, within six weeks of resection. Irradiated patients are at significant risk of dental complications, even when IMRT is used. That makes mandatory a dental evaluation and treatment prior to radiotherapy. Adverse radiation effects can occur during treatment (early reactions), or months to years after completion (late reactions). Patients with indication of radiotherapy must be referred early, preferably after dental evaluation. IMRT is an excellent tool when correctly indicated and uses. Main benefits of elective neck irradiation are less morbidity and higher cosst-effectiveness, making it a very useful treatment alternative to elective neck dissection in patients with localized disease.

Multiresidue analysis of cephalosporin antibiotics in bovine milk based on molecularly imprinted polymer extraction followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

This work reports the preparation of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) selective to cephalosporin (CF) antibiotics, and their application as molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE) sorbents for the determination of these antimicrobials in milk samples. Several functional monomers and cross-linkers have been screened to select the best combination that provides high selectivity for the simultaneous multiresidue extraction of cefthiofur (THIO), cefazolin (AZO), cefquinome (QUI), cephapirin (API), cephalexin (ALE) and cephalonium (ALO) from the samples. The novel MIPs were prepared by a non-covalent imprinting approach in the form of spherical microparticles using the synthetic surrogate molecule sodium 7-(2-biphenylylcarboxamido)-3-methyl-3-cepheme-4-carboxylate, N-3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl-N'-4-vinylphenyl urea (VPU) as functional monomer, and divinylbenzene (DVB) as crosslinking agent in a 1:2:20 molar ratio. The optimized MISPE method allowed the extraction of the target antimicrobials from raw cow milk samples using a selective washing with 5mL methanol/2-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) buffer (0.1M, pH 7.5) (2:98, v/v) to remove the non-specifically retained compounds, followed by elution with 1mL of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in methanol (0.1:99.9, v/v). The extracts have been analysed by UHPLC-MS/MS and the analytical method has been validated according to EU guideline 2002/657/EC. The limits of quantification (S/N=10) were in the 1.7-12.5µgkg-1 range, well below the maximum residue limits (MRLs) currently established for the quantified cephalosporins in milk samples. The developed MIP allows mutiresidual determination of the six cephalosporin antibiotics mentioned above, significantly broadening the application to food analysis of MISPE methods.

Molecular recognition with nanostructures fabricated by photopolymerization within metallic subwavelength apertures.

The first demonstration of fabrication of submicron lateral resolution molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) patterns by photoinduced local polymerization within metal subwavelength apertures is reported. The size of the photopolymerized MIP features is finely tuned by the dose of 532 nm radiation. Rhodamine 123 (R123) has been selected as a fluorescent model template to prove the recognition capability of the MIP nanostructures, which has been evaluated by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) with single photon timing measurements. The binding selectivity provided by the imprinting effect has been confirmed in the presence of compounds structurally related to R123. These results pave the way to the development of nanomaterial architectures with biomimetic artificial recognition properties for environmental, clinical and food testing.

A balanced sleep/wakefulness classification method based on actigraphic data in adolescents.

Several research groups have developed automated sleep-wakefulness classifiers for night wrist actigraphic (ACT) data. These classifiers tend to be unbalanced, with a tendency to overestimate the detection of sleep, at the expense of poorer detection of wakefulness. The reason for this is that the measure of success in previous works was the maximization of the overall accuracy, disregarding the balance between sensitivity and specificity. The databases were usually sleep recordings, hence the over-representation of sleep samples. In this work an Artificial Neural Network (ANN), sleep-wakefulness classifier is presented. ACT data was collected every minute. An 11-min moving window was used as observing frame for data analysis, as applied in previous sleep ACT studies. However, our feature set adds new variables such as the time of the day, the median and the median absolute deviation. Sleep and Wakefulness data were balanced to improve the system training. A comparison with previous studies can still be done, by choosing the point in the ROC curve associated with the corresponding data balance. Our results are compared with a polysomnogram-based hypnogram as golden standard, rendering an accuracy of 92.8%, a sensitivity of 97.6% and a specificity of 73.4%. Geometric mean between sensitivity and specificity is 84.9%.

To be or not to be: disección endoscópica submucosa o resección endoscópica de la mucosa en el tratamiento de las neoplasias gastrointestinales / To be or not to be: endoscopic sub-mucosal dissection or endoscopic mucosal resection for treatment of gastrointestinal neoplasia

Endoscopic treatment of early gastrointestinal neoplasias has become the standard treatment in Japan and other Asia-Pacific countries, while it is still a developing technology in the West. The advent of endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic sub-mucosal dissection in the last decade has allowed early treatment of malignancies in a manner that preserves the organ, avoiding major surgery with less morbidity and mortality, and overall survival rates compared to standard surgery. In Japan and other Asia-Pacific countries, submucosal dissection has shifted over endoscopic mucosal resection as the technique of choice in the recent years, because of the possibility of treating deeper and larger lesions, with higher rates of bloc and curative resections, and lower recurrence rates, but with a higher rate of complications and a longer learning curve.

El tratamiento endoscópico de las neoplasias gastrointestinales precoces se ha convertido en el estándar de tratamiento en Japón y otros países del Asia-Pacífico, siendo aún una técnica en desarrollo en occidente. La aparición de la resección endoscópica de la mucosa y la disección endoscópica submucosa en la última década, ha permitido tratar las neoplasias precoces, logrando preservar el órgano, y evitando así una cirugía mayor, con menor morbi-mortalidad y cifras de sobrevida comparables con el tratamiento quirúrgico convencional. En Japón y otros países del Asia-Pacífico, la disección sub-mucosa ha desplazado en los últimos años a la resección endoscópica de la mucosa como técnica de elección, debido a la posibilidad de resecar lesiones más profundas y de mayor tamaño, con mayor tasa de resección en bloque y curativa, y menor recidiva. Sin embargo, con una mayor tasa de complicaciones y una curva de aprendizaje más larga.

Immuno-like assays and biomimetic microchips.

Biomimetic assays with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are bound to be an alternative to the traditional immuno-analytical methods based on antibodies. This is due to the unique combination of advantages displayed by the artificial materials including the absence of animal inoculation and sacrifice, unnecessary hapten conjugation to a carrier protein for stimulated production, the possibility of manufacturing MIPs against toxic substances, excellent physicochemical stability, reusability, ease of storage, and recognition in organic media. If the selectivity and affinity of MIPs are increased, many more immuno-like assays will be developed using radioactive, enzymatic, colorimetric, fluorescent, chemiluminescent, or electrochemical interrogation methods. This chapter provides a comprehensive comparison between the bio- and biomimetic entities and their usage.

Incontinencia fecal del adulto / Fecal incontinence in adults

The aim of this paper is to review the knowledge of this pathology by highlighting the clinical evolution, study and treatment. These different aspects need a multidisciplinar approach, because of their complex physiopathology, possible association with urinary incontinence and prolapse of the three compartments of the pelvis. The fecal incontinence (FI) constitutes a highly prevalent pathology that affects at least 2 percent of the population and up to 45 percent of the patients in nursing homes. This pathology can cause serious problems in physical, psychological, social, and economical levels. The clinical evaluation may identify or suspect the cause, and guide the study of FI. The initial treatment of the FI should always be medical one, often associated to biofeedback and the surgical treatment should be only reserved for refractory FI. Sphincteroplasty is indicated by defined defaults of the external sphincter, with good initial results (at least 70 percent) that fall to 50 percent in 5 years. The artificial neosphincter and the dynamic graciloplasty represent an option for patient without sufficient sphincter mass for a plasty. In the last few years new techniques have appear with promising results, as the neuromodulation that uses electrodes in the sacral plexus or applied to the posterior tibial nerve. In conclusion the IF is a problem of large prevalence but kept in shadows because the patients tend to have reticence to declare it, and the doctors to inquire about. The focus should be multidisciplinary and the initial treatment must be medical one. The surgical treatment should be reserved for refractory FI.

El propósito de esta revisión es actualizar los conocimientos sobre esta patología, destacando su evolución clínica, estudio y tratamiento, aspectos que ameritan un enfoque multidisciplinario, ya que, además de su compleja fisiopatología, puede asociarse a incontinencia urinaria y prolapso de los tres compartimentos de la pelvis. La incontinencia fecal (IF) constituye una patología altamente prevalente que afecta al menos un 2 por ciento de la población y hasta el 45 por ciento de los pacientes en casas de reposo; cuyas consecuencias pueden ocasionar al paciente serios problemas físicos, psicológicos, sociales y económicos. La evaluación clínica puede identificar o sospechar la causa de la IF, y guiar el estudio de la misma. El tratamiento inicial de la IF debe ser siempre médico, a menudo asociado a biofeedback, y el tratamiento quirúrgico reservarse para la IF refractaria a estas medidas. La esfinteroplastía está indicada en defectos definidos del esfínter externo, con buenos resultados iniciales (al menos 70 por ciento) que caen hasta el 50 por ciento al cabo de 5 años. El neoesfínter artificial y la graciloplastía dinámica representan opciones para pacientes sin masa esfinteriana suficiente para una plastía. En los últimos años han aparecido técnicas más promisorias como la neuromodulación que utiliza electrodos en el plexo sacro o aplicados al tibial posterior. En conclusión la IF es un problema de gran prevalencia, pero soterrado, ya que los pacientes son reticentes a declararla y los médicos a indagarla. Su enfoque debe ser multidisciplinario y su tratamiento inicial, médico, reservando la cirugía para casos refractarios.

Manejo nutricional en los programas de rehabilitación respiratoria de los pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica / Nutritional management in pulmonary rehabilitation programs for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

It is estimated that at least one third of patients with moderate to severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) have a significant alteration of their body composition, which is associated with deleterious clinical effects and higher mortality. However, there is a lack of evidence to support that dietary, pharmacological or both nutritional interventions have significant clinical benefits in COPD patients who are participating in a pulmonary rehabilitation program. At the present time the recommendation is to establish a nutritional diagnosis of the COPD patients from the beginning of the pulmonary rehabilitation program using the measurement of body mass index (BMI) and the estimation of the nutritional risk, which means a significant weight loss during a given period of time, followed by an individualized dietary and educational supplementation guide during at least 12 weeks.

Se estima que al menos un tercio de los pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica moderada y severa tienen una alteración significativa en su composición corporal, lo cual se asocia con efectos clínicos deletéreos y con una mayor mortalidad. Sin embargo, hay evidencia insuficiente para respaldar que los pacientes que participan en un programa de rehabilitación respiratoria se beneficien en forma significativa de las intervenciones nutricionales dietarias, farmacológicas o la asociación de ambas, aunque aparentemente los últimos estudios publicados parecen sugerirlo. La recomendación actual es establecer desde que el paciente ingresa a un programa de rehabilitación respiratoria tanto el diagnóstico nutricional mediante la determinación del índice de masa corporal como el riesgo nutricional que corresponde a una baja involuntaria significativa de peso en determinado intervalo de tiempo, entregando al paciente un plan de alimentación y educación individualizado que debiera tener una duración mínima de 12 semanas.

Photoinactivation of F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis using the ruthenium-based RD3 sensitizer and a conventional halogen lamp.

OBJECTIVE: The photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an alternative method to suppress oral pathogens by the activation of a photosensitizer with laser light. The aim of this study was to investigate the phototoxic effect of three ruthenium-based photosensitizers on Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis. METHODS: In this in vitro study F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis were incubated with three photosensitizers: (i) a hydrophobic tris-(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline)-ruthenium(II)-dication (RD3), (ii) a hydrophilic tris-[(1,10-phenanthroline-4,7-diyl)-bis-(benzenesulfonato)]-ruthenate tetra-anion (RSD3) and (iii) a lower hydrophilic tris-(2,2'-bipyridine)-ruthenium(II) dication (RBY). The subsequent irradiation was done with blue-band halogen light (450-485nm) for 20s using a conventional polymerizer. Control samples consisted of bacterial cell suspension irradiated and non-irradiated in the absence of photosensitizer or incubated with the photosensitizer without irradiation. Bacterial inactivation was determined by the numbers of colony-forming units (cfu/ml) after anaerobic cultivation. RESULTS: The RD3 photosensitizer reduced the viability of F. nucleatum by 4-log10 and of P. gingivalis completely after irradiation for 20s. The viability loss correlated significantly with the concentration of the RD3 photosensitizer and reached a peak at a concentration of 12.5µM (p<0.05). The RSD3 and RBY photosensitizers had distinctly lower phototoxic effects in comparison to RD3. CONCLUSION: The RD3 photosensitizer showed a phototoxic effect on F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis. The results suggest that the application of the RD3 photosensitizer under visible light may be helpful as an adjunct treatment approach to the inactivation of periodontopathogenic bacteria.

[Atypical antipsychotic induced weight gain and metabolic disorders]. / Alteraciones metabólicas asociadas al uso de terapia antipsicótica.

The advent of new antipsychotic drugs has improved the treatment of schizophrenic patients as well as those suffering from other severe psychiatric disorders. Its widespread use, however, has been associated to the development of obesity and metabolic disturbances such as diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and increased coronary risk. This has caused a serious concern, due to the high cardiovascular mortality that prematurely affects these patients. The etiology of these abnormalities is still a matter of debate, although it is generally believed that the new antipsychotic drugs have a control stimulating effect on appetite, and their use is associated to an increased level of cortisol and to an insulin-resistance state. In addition, there is an increase in inflammatory mediator and cytokine production, induced by the pathophysiology of the schizophrenic process itself and also caused by the direct action of the antipsychotic drugs. In spite of the mounting evidence, the metabolic management of these patients is still deficient. A close follow-up in the initial stages of the antipsychotic treatment is recommended, as well as giving advice about diet and physical exercise. Finally, when obesity or other conditions associated to metabolic syndrome appear, the recommendation is to switch to drugs with less secondary effects or to add adjuvant medications to improve the overall evolution of these patients.

Neumatosis intestinal: caso clínico-radiológico / Pneumatosis intestinalis: a case report

The case of a women 89 year old with an apparent partial intestinal obstruction is presented. The CT scan of abdomen and pelvis shows evident pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) within gas in the portal system. Expectant medical treatment was performed. Eight days later, a second CT scan showed almost complete remission of pneumatosis and gas in the portal system. The presence of gas in the bowel wall is a sign that can be find in benign to life threatening conditions. A review of the pathogenesis, radiological presentation and the different causes of PI are presented, based in the case report.

Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 89 años que ingresa por un probable cuadro de suboclusión intestinal. El estudio con TAC de abdomen y pelvis revela extensa neumatosis intestinal (NI) asociada a la presencia de gas en el sistema porta. Se realiza manejo médico de la paciente. Al octavo día se hace un control tomográfico, observándose regresión casi completa de la NI y del gas en sistema porta. La presencia de gas en la pared intestinal es un hallazgo que puede tener múltiples significados, desde lo más benigno hasta situaciones que ponen en riesgo la vida. A continuación revisamos las diferentes causas y teorías que explican la NI, su presentación radiológica e interpretación clínica, en base al presente caso clínico.

Alteraciones metabólicas asociadas al uso de terapia antipsicótica: [revisión] / Atypical antipsychotic induced weight gain and metabolic disorders: [revision]

The advent of new antipsychotic drugs has improved the treatment of schizophrenic patients as well as those suffering from other severe psychiatric disorders. Its widespread use, however, has been associated to the development of obesity and metabolic disturbances such as diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and increased coronary risk. This has caused a serious concern, due to the high cardiovascular mortality that prematurely affects these patients. The etiology of these abnormalities is still a matter of debate, although it is generally believed that the new antipsychotic drugs have a control stimulating effect on appetite, and their use is associated to an increased level of cortisol and to an insulin-resistance state. In addition, there is an increase in inflammatory mediator and cytokine production, induced by the pathophysiology of the schizophrenic process itself and also caused by the direct action of the antipsichotic drugs. In spite of the mounting evidence, the metabolic management of these patients is still deñcient. A cióse follow-up in the initial stages of the antipsychotic treatment is recommended, as well as giving advice about diet and physical exercise. Finally, when obesity or other conditions associated to metabolic syndrome appear, the recommendation is to switch to drugs with less secondary effects or to add adjuvant medications to improve the overall evolution of these patients.

[Constipation in adults: an update]. / Manejo de la constipación crónica del adulto: Actualización.

Constipation affects 2% to 27% of individuals. It is associated to irritable bowel syndrome in 59% of cases, to a pelvic floor dysfunction in 29% and to a low transit time in 13%. During assessment of patients with constipation the effects of medications and chronic diseases must be discarded and the ideal is to determine which type of functional disorder it present. An algorithm for the management of chronic idiopathic constipation, that includes a recommendation to increase fiber and liquid intake as an initial approach and an orientation to the use of different laxatives, is presented. The usefulness of biofeedback in patients with pelvic floor dysfunction and without organic cause of constipation, is also discussed.