Usefulness of UF-5000 automatic screening system in UTI diagnosis.

We have evaluated the Sysmex UF-5000 cytometer use in microbiology for the screening of negative urines, looking for cut-off points to detect bacteria and leukocytes. The number of processed urines was 3569, the highest to date in these studies. The best general cut-off point has been 100 bact/µl, giving an area under the ROC curve of 0.868, a sensitivity of 96%, a specificity of 50%, 1.17% of false negatives, and saving 40% of cultures. The PPV and NPV have been 35.5 and 95.4 respectively. The leukocyte count has not been useful. Finally, we have evaluated urine screening usefulness, concluding that in laboratories such as ours (284 urines/working day) or smaller, it is not cost-effective.

System Based on an Inertial Measurement Unit for Accurate Flight Time Determination in Vertical Jumps.

The world of elite sports has always been characterized by intense competition, where victories are often determined by minimal differences. This means that every little detail in the preparation of top-level athletes is crucial to their performance at the highest level. One of the most significant aspects to monitor is the jumping capacity, as it enables the measurement of performance, progression, and helps prevent injuries. Herein, we present the development of a system capable of measuring the flight time and height reached by the user, reporting the results through a smartphone using an Android ad-hoc application, which handles all the data processing. The system consists of an affordable and portable circuit based on an accelerometer. It communicates with the smartphone via UART using a Bluetooth module, and its battery provides approximately 9 h of autonomy, making it suitable for outdoor operations. To evaluate the system's precision, we conducted performance tests (counter-movement jumps) with seven subjects. The results confirmed the system's potential for monitoring high-level sports training sessions, as the average deviation obtained was only 2.1% (~0.01 s) in the analysis of flight time and 4.6% (~0.01 m) in jump height.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip screening programme in Chile.

PURPOSE: Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) encompasses a wide pathological spectrum, from mild acetabular dysplasia to complete congenital hip dislocation at birth. Screening policies have been implemented in an effort to effectively identify and treat patients with DDH. Since 2009 there has been a national DDH programme in Chile. The current study evaluates the results of the programme in patients born between 2010 and 2015. METHODS: Records of patients hospitalized from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2019 were retrieved from national databases. Those born from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2015 who underwent a procedure for DDH under general anaesthesia during their first five years of life were selected. Sex, first surgical procedure and age at first surgical procedure were analyzed. The incidence of DDH that required major surgical treatment was calculated. RESULTS: A total of 961 children born from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2015 underwent a procedure for DDH during their first five years of life. The number of major procedures was significantly lower than the number of minor procedures (269 vs 692). The incidence of major procedures was 0.18 per 1000 live births. Girls underwent a higher number of procedures than boys (831 vs 130), whereas 39.2% of the boys and 26.2% of the girls had major procedures. The mean age at the time of the first procedure was 15.35 months (sd 10.09; range 0.03 to 55.92 months). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that the Chilean National DDH Screening Program is an appropriate programme with substantial benefits with respect to public health. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Detection of factors influencing circadian rhythms on Intensive Care inpatients and hospitalization: Protocol for an observational study.

AIMS: Identify the prevalence of circadian health disorders in ICU and hospitalized patients. Stablish the relationship of the circadian system with light, temperature, noise and nursing activities. BACKGROUND: Commonly, self-assessment through subjective questionnaires is used for research about sleep quality. However, more reliable and valid measures should be applied objectively to find out the real prevalence of the problem. There is a negative relationship between circadian rhythms and hospitalization. In this study, we will analyse sleep patterns and hospital environments to implement measures to improve the quality of care related to sleep. DESIGN: Descriptive observational study. It is estimated that 975 patients from 13 hospitals need to be recruited from ICU and hospitalization units. The sample should meet the following criteria: Patients over 18 admitted to ICU and medical units, length of stay between 96-148 hr, with no visual, hearing or moderate-severe cognitive impairment. Variables: Sleep variables are collected with an electronic device (named Kronowise® and Kronobed®), circadian and infrared light exposure, environmental noise, temperature, unit structural characteristics, nursing care (from 0 to 6 a.m.) and, characteristics of hospitalization period. The study, registered on Clinical Trials, initiated in December 2019 and it will continue up to December 2022. DISCUSSION: Using objective and subjective measures of sleep and circadian rhythms, this study will shed light on the factors that negatively affect the hospitalized patients' sleep quality and circadian health. The ultimate goal is to design hospital guidelines to minimize the adverse effects on the dependent variables studied. Arguably, these guidelines will contribute to reducing the risk of these alterations and it will also serve to improve the nursing activities. CONCLUSION: We expect to obtain adequate results for the creation of a protocol to improve the circadian health, quality of care and health outcomes related to sleep in patients.

Closed loop administration of propofol based on a Smith predictor: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Delay in the propofol pharmacodynamics effect is commonly observed in total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA). To face the delay in the hypnosis control, we have proposed a proportional-integral (PI) controller with a Smith predictor (PI+Smith). We have evaluated the feasibility of this closed-loop control for propofol administration and compared the performance with manual administration guided by the Bispectral Index (BIS). METHODS: Fifty-seven adult patients under TIVA with propofol and remifentanil were randomly assigned to a PI+Smith or a manual control (MC) group. The BIS target was set to 50. The performance was compared through the global score (GS), median performance error (MDPE), median absolute performance error (MDAPE), offset and Wobble. RESULTS: A total of 29 patients in the MC and 25 in the PI+Smith groups completed this study. Performance was significantly better in the PI+Smith group: global score was 25 (19 to 37) for PI+Smith versus 44 (32 to 57) for MC (P<0.001); MDPE was -0.9 (-5.6 to 2) for PI+Smith versus -11 (-16 to -4.3) for MC (P<0.001); MDAPE was 10.8 (8.8 to 14.3) for PI+Smith versus 17 (12.8 to 19.2) for MC (P<0.001); offset was -0.6 (-3.2 to 0.06) for PI+Smith versus -3.7 (-7.0 to -0.8) for MC (P=0.01). The percentage time of BIS within the 40-60 range during the maintenance phase was higher in the PI+Smith group 80.8 (68.7 to 87.9) than in the MC group 59.1 (53.4 to 72.5) (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of a specific mechanism in the PI controller to deal with the delay outperformed satisfactorily manual practice. The controller was able to regulate propofol administration, maintaining the BIS value within a desirable range and coping with oscillations.

Delayed Presentation and Prolonged Survival of a Child with Surfactant Protein B Deficiency.

Surfactant protein B encoding gene mutations have been related to early onset fatal respiratory distress in full-term neonates. We report a school-aged male child homozygous for a surfactant protein B encoding gene missense mutation who presented after the neonatal period. His respiratory insufficiency responded to high dose intravenous methylprednisolone and hydroxychloroquine.

Atorvastatin and fenofibrate combination induces the predominance of the large HDL subclasses and increased apo AI fractional catabolic rates in New Zealand white rabbits with exogenous hypercholesterolemia.

The anti-atherogenic properties of high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) may be related to their structure and metabolism. The HDL physicochemical characteristics that determine their plasma clearance during treatment with statins and fibrates are not well understood. In this study, we analyzed HDL-apo AI fractional catabolic rates (FCRs), size distributions, and the lipid composition of the HDL subclasses in New Zealand white rabbits with exogenous dyslipidemia that received low doses of atorvastatin and fenofibrate. Hypercholesterolemia decreased only partially with the combination of both drugs. HDL size distribution shifted toward larger particles among the groups of rabbits that received atorvastatin, fenofibrate, or their combination, compared with both the control group and the dyslipidemic group. The HDL subclasses were significantly rich in cholesterol in each of the groups compared with controls. The structural changes noted in the HDL subclasses were not associated with impaired plasma paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity. The groups receiving monotherapy and the drug combination group were all associated with a higher apo AI FCR value compared with both the dyslipidemic rabbits and the control group. In conclusion, the combination of atorvastatin and fenofibrate induced a more favorable HDL subclass profile than did the individual use of these drugs. Similarly, the apo AI FCR values were augmented in every group receiving drug treatment (either monotherapy or combination therapy) in the setting of hypercholesterolemia. The anti-atherogenic properties of HDLs, excluding their capacity to bind PON1, may be enhanced by the structural and metabolic modifications induced by the combination of atorvastatin and fenofibrate.

Determination of dipyrone in pharmaceutical preparations based on the chemiluminescent reaction of the quinolinic hydrazide-H2O2-vanadium(IV) system and flow-injection analysis.

A rapid, economic and sensitive chemiluminescent method involving flow-injection analysis was developed for the determination of dipyrone in pharmaceutical preparations. The method is based on the chemiluminescent reaction between quinolinic hydrazide and hydrogen peroxide in a strongly alkaline medium, in which vanadium(IV) acts as a catalyst. Principal chemical and physical variables involved in the flow-injection system were optimized using a modified simplex method. The variations in the quantum yield observed when dipyrone was present in the reaction medium were used to determine the concentration of this compound. The proposed method requires no preconcentration steps and reliably quantifies dipyrone over the linear range 1-50 µg/mL. In addition, a sample throughput of 85 samples/h is possible.

Stimulation of the bradykinin B(1) receptor induces the proliferation of estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells and activates the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Kinin peptides exert multiple biological effects by binding to two types of G protein-coupled receptors known as B(1) (B(1)R) and B(2) receptors. Expression of the B(1)R in human breast cancer was recently reported, but up to now the consequences of its stimulation are unknown. Our aims were (1) to investigate the capacity of B(1)R to trigger cell proliferation in breast cancer cells, (2) to explore some of the downstream events occurring after B(1)R stimulation that may be linked to cell proliferation, and (3) to determine whether human breast tumors express potentially active B(1)R assessed by the binding of a radiolabeled agonist. Breast cancer cells expressed both the mRNA and the immunoreactive protein of B(1)R that once stimulated triggered cell proliferation at nanomolar concentrations of the ligand. Inhibitor studies suggested that the proliferative effects depend on the activity of epidermal growth factor receptor and subsequent ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinases phosphorylation. B(1)R binding sites, were detected in 3/4 fibroadenomas, in 4/4 ductal carcinomas in situ and in 11/13 invasive ductal carcinomas. The B(1)R-epidermal growth factor receptor crosstalk may be a key interaction that maintains tumor growth, and antagonism of B(1)R may be a valuable alternative for the treatment of breast cancer.

Mixing against culture vs mixing against nature: ontologization of prohibited interethnic relationships.

In this paper, we develop the theory of ontologization: Social representations that prevent members of minority and majority groups who are living in contact with each other to mingle. The process of ontologization consists of separating some humans from their own species, and anchoring them in another environment, that of an animal, for example. We propose that underlying the famous slogan "equal but separate" is the social representation of interracial mixing as a "counter-nature" phenomenon. It is predicted that a sexual relationship between people of different "races" leads to a greater degree of ontologization, and, as such, this miscegenation will be explained in terms of biologistic thinking, like an instinctive nature or atavistic animal impulse. An experiment (N = 360) features the case of a woman who, though already in a stable relationship, is unfaithful to her partner. In a 2×3 factor design, the ethnic-national identity of this woman (in-group: Spanish/Italian vs out-group: Senegalese) and the ethnic-national identity of her lovers (in-group: Spanish/Italian vs out-group: Rumanian vs out-group: Senegalese) were manipulated. In general, results fit the hypothesis of ontologization in interracial conditions better, rather than the customary in-group favouritism and/or out-group discrimination bias. We then go on to discuss the way in which a biologistic way of thinking enables a differentiation at the human level, in terms of culture groups and nature groups, in "races," so that an interracial sexual relationship is seen as evidence of a wild and irrepressible impulse, which stigmatizes the people involved in these relationships. This research was supported by the Italian/Spanish Integrated Action Program HI2004_0241 and the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología BSO2003-00476/PSCE. Dans cet article, nous développons la théorie de l'ontologisation: des représentations sociales qui empêchent les membres des groupes minoritaire et majoritaire qui vivent en contact les uns avec les autres d'intergir ensemble. Le processus d'ontologisation consiste à séparer quelques humains de leur propre espèce et de les ancrer dans un autre environnement, celui des animaux, à titre d'exemple. Nous proposons que ce qui est sous-jacent au fameux slogan «égaux mais distincts¼ est la représentation sociale de mélange inter-racial comme un phénomène «contre-nature¼. Il est prédit qu'une relation sexuelle entre des gens de différentes «races¼ amènerait à un plus grand degré d'ontologisation et en tant que tel, ce mélange sera expliqué en termes de pensée biologistique, à l'instar d'une nature instinctuelle ou une impulsion animale atavistique. Une expérimentation (N = 360) présente le cas d'une femme qui, même si elle est déjà dans une relation stable, elle est infidèle à son partenaire. Dans un devis 2×3, l'identité ethno-nationale de cette femme (endogroupe-espagnol/italien vs. exogroupe-sénégalais) et l'identité ethno-nationale de ses amants (endogroupe-espagnol/italien vs. exogroupe-roumain vs. exogroupe-sénégalais) ont été manipulées. En général, les résultats soutiennent l'hypothèse de l'ontologisation mieux dans les condition inter-raciales plutôt que le favoritisme de l'endogroupe coutumier et/ou le biais de la discrimination de l'exogroupe. Ensuite, nous poursuivons en discutant la manière dont la façon de penser biologistique permet une différentiation au niveau humain, en termes de groupes culturels et de groupes naturels, dans des «races¼, de manière à ce qu'une relation sexuelle inter-raciale est vue comme une preuve d'une impulsion sauvage et irrépressible qui peut stigmatiser les gens impliqués dans ces relations. En el presente artículo se discute la teoría de la ontologización: representaciones sociales que prevenien la fusión entre los miembros de grupos minoritarios o mayoritarios que viven en contacto unos con otros. El proceso de ontologización consiste en la separación de algunos seres humanos de sus propias especies y en la reubicación de estos en otro medio ambiente, por ejemplo el de un animal. Nosotros suponemos basados en el famoso eslogan "igual pero diferente" que la representación social de una mixtura interracial es un fenómeno "antinatural". Se ha observado que relaciones sexuales entre personas de "razas" diferentes conllevan a un elevado nivel de ontologización. Desde una perspectiva biologista se explica esta mezcla racial en términos de un instinto natural o de impulsos animales ancestrales. En un experimento (N =  360) se presenta el caso de una mujer, que a pesar de estar en una relación estable, no es fiel a su pareja. En un dieseño con 2×3 factores se manipuló la identidad étnica-nacional de esta mujer (intragrupo español/italiano vs. exogrupo senegalés) y la identidad étnica-nacional de sus amantes (intragrupo español/italiano vs. exogrupo rumano vs. exogrupo senegalés). En general los resultados apoyan más claramente la hipótesis de la ontologización en condiciones interraciales, que la acostumbrada hipótesis relacionada con sesgos de favoritismo hacia el intragrupo y/o de discriminación hacia el exogrupo. Posteriormente se discutió en que medida un aproximación de tipo biologista posibilita una diferenciación a nivel humano, en términos de grupos culturales y grupos naturales, en "razas", de tal medida que relaciones sexuales interraciales son vistas como evidencia de un impulso salvaje e incontrolable, el cual estigmatiza a las personas envueltas en estas relaciones.

The taboo against group contact: Hypothesis of Gypsy ontologization.

The concept of this article is that the symbolic relationships between human beings and animals serve as a model for the relationships between the majority and the ethnic minority. We postulate that there are two representations that serve to organize these relationships between human beings and animals: a domestic and a wild one. If the domestic animal is an index of human culture, the wild animal is an index of nature which man considers himself to share with the animal. With the wild representation, contact with the animal will be taboo, as it constitutes a threat to the anthropological difference. We offer the hypothesis that ontologization of the minority, that is, the substitution of a human category with an animal category, and thus its exclusion from the human species, is a method the majority use when the taboo against contact with the wild nature is necessary. Three experiments confirm the hypothesis that the Gypsy minority (as compared with the Gadje majority) is more ontologized when the context (a monkey or a clothed dog) threatens the anthropological differentiation of the Gadje participants.