Physician practices and attitudes towards atopic dermatitis in Latin America: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) is increasing in developing countries. Different worldwide guidelines have been proposed, but their applicability for AD specialists in Latin American (LA) countries is unknown. Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the medical approach to treating AD in LA countries. Methods: The study population comprised AD specialists (allergists and dermatologists). They completed an electronic survey containing questions about the health system, diagnostic criteria, and pharmacotherapy approach to treating AD. The survey was constructed and validated by the Atopic Dermatitis Committee of the Latin American Society of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (SLAAI) in Spanish and Portuguese. Each member was responsible for distributing the questionnaire through different networks in their respective countries. Results: A total of 284 AD specialists from 13 LA countries completed the questionnaire; among them, 67% were allergists and 33% were dermatologists. Less than 50% of the AD specialists strictly followed guideline recommendations. Among the AD specialists, the European and North American guidelines were more frequently used, and only 16% followed LA guidelines. Dermatologists used the local guidelines less frequently than allergists. Most physicians did not routinely use AD assessment tools (55%). The frequency of the diagnostic tests depends on symptom severity. The availability of some systemic treatments, such as biologics and Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors, is not universal in all LA countries. Conclusion: There were marked differences between the specialists, and these differences seemed to be affected by their specialty and each country's healthcare system. New AD education strategies that consider the particularities of the region could allow patients to be more accurately managed. AD assessment tools may provide a way to enhance AD treatment and allow for shared decision-making, patient empowerment, and standardized care.

Latin American anaphylaxis registry.

Background: Recent data about clinical features, triggers and management of anaphylaxis in Latin America is lacking. Objective: To provide updated and extended data on anaphylaxis in this region. Method: An online questionnaire was used, with 67 allergy units involved from 12 Latin-American countries and Spain. Among data recorded, demographic information, clinical features, severity, triggering agents, and treatment were received. Results: Eight hundred and seventeen anaphylactic reactions were recorded. No difference in severity, regardless of pre-existing allergy or asthma history was found. Drug induced anaphylaxis (DIA) was most frequent (40.6%), followed by food induced anaphylaxis (FIA) (32.9%) and venom induced anaphylaxis (VIA) (12%). FIA and VIA were more common in children-adolescents. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and beta-lactam antibiotics (BLA) were the most frequent drugs involved. Milk (61.1% of FIA) and egg (15.4% of FIA) in children, and shellfish (25.5% of FIA), fresh fruits (14.2% of FIA), and fish (11.3% of FIA) in adults were the most common FIA triggers. Fire ants were the most frequent insect triggers, and they induced more severe reactions than triggers of FIA and DIA (p < 0.0001). Epinephrine was used in 43.8% of anaphylaxis episodes. After Emergency Department treatment, epinephrine was prescribed to 13% of patients. Conclusions: Drugs (NSAIDs and BLA), foods (milk and egg in children and shellfish, fruits and fish in adults) and fire ants were the most common inducers of anaphylaxis. Epinephrine was used in less than half of the episodes emphasizing the urgent need to improve dissemination and implementation of anaphylaxis guidelines.

In-vivo characterisation of an implanted microphone and totally implantable active middle ear implant.

OBJECTIVE: To objectively evaluate acoustic sensitivity of the implanted microphone, and maximum stable gain of a totally implantable active middle ear implant. DESIGN: Prospective, single centre evaluation. STUDY SAMPLE: Fourteen adult patients. RESULTS: Microphone sensitivity is approx. 10 dB lower than an externally worn conventional hearing aid, at frequencies up to 4000 Hz, and substantially lower at higher frequencies. The masking level due to microphone noise, which determines the softest test tones that can be detected, is estimated at <20 to <30 dB HL up to 1000 Hz, and <40 dB HL at higher frequencies. Maximum stable effective gain is the maximum amplification achievable without causing feedback whistling. In sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) cases, it is 30-40 dB at frequencies up to 2000 Hz, allowing to compensate for even the maximum recommended hearing loss (60-70 dB HL). In both SNHL and mixed hearing loss (MHL) cases, maximum stable effective gain is lower (+20 to -30 dB) around 3000-6000 Hz. CONCLUSIONS: Microphone sensitivity is high enough to achieve aided thresholds of 20-40 dB HL. A strong correlation between actuator coupling efficiency and maximum stable effective gain implies that any effort to improve actuator efficiency should also increase the available gain.

Deferral due to low hemoglobin and predictors of permanence in the blood donation system of repeat female blood donors.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the deferral rate due to low hemoglobin (Hb) in repeat female blood donors and identify the factors affecting their permanence in the blood donation system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 8,368 repeat female blood donors who donated from January 2012 to December 2018 were included. Bivariate analysis and Kaplan-Meier curves were used to identify the covariates possibly associated with developing low Hb, and Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to adjust for all confounders. RESULTS: The global deferral rate due to low Hb was 2.4 %. According to baseline Hb, the frequency of low Hb was 0.7-4.1 %, and it was higher in platelet donors (5.8-9.1 %) than in whole blood donors (1.9 %). The main predictors were baseline Hb (compared to the first quartile; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.487 for the second quartile; 0.234 for the third; and 0.095 for the fourth); change in Hb (HR = 2.689 for a >0.49 g/dL change, compared to smaller changes); the type of donation (compared to whole blood donors, HR = 2.317 for platelet donors); and donation interval (compared to >12.5 month intervals; HR = 2.220 for 8.0-12.5 months; HR = 5.658 for 5.4-8.0 months; and HR = 9.452 for <5.4 months). CONCLUSIONS: In female blood donors at moderate altitude, the probability of developing low Hb increases with a baseline Hb of 13.5-14.0 g/dL, with a change in Hb >0.49 g/dL, in platelet donors, and with donation intervals <12.5 months. These four predictive factors can be used together for early identification of donors at risk of developing low Hb, to institute appropriate measures.

Foreign modeling agent reaction; managed with two staged surgical reconstruction. Case report and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: In Mexico, body modeling with injectable biomaterials such as liquid silicone is a common practice in non-certified clinics by non-medical personnel; These materials produces a series of complications described as Foreign modeling agent reaction (FMAR) with variable spectrum of severity. CASE PRESENTATION: 38-year-old female with history of biomaterial injection in a non-certified cosmetic clinic 10 years prior to evaluation. Presents with intermittent symptoms characterized by fever, erythema, induration and pain in the gluteal region. An exhaustive debridement and resection with primary closure was performed. Thereafter, reconstruction was done using a combined technique with gluteal implants and autologous fat graft, evolving without complications. DISCUSSION: The use of biomaterials has been widely documented throughout history; liquid silicone being one of the protagonists. Used for aesthetic purposes and modeling areas such as buttocks and breasts. They have been associated with an assortment of early or late onset complications, sometimes resulting in fatal outcomes. Various treatment modalities have been described depending on the severity of presentation, from conservative to surgical management. CONCLUSION: There is a shortage of treatment guidelines regarding FMAR due to its wide variety of presentation, treatment must be individualized to obtain adequate results. Although conservative treatment has shown good results, the anatomical alterations usually condition dissatisfaction that should be addressed with reconstructive techniques [10].

Utilidad de un cuestionario de factores pronósticos en la evaluación de pacientes con artritis reumatoide / Utility of a questionnaire of prognostic factors in the evaluation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

El Objetivo fue elaborar un cuestionario para evaluar factores pronósticos (PPS) al inicio de la enfermedad, clasificarla según la severidad y correlacionarlo con variables conocidas de desenlace como la discapacidad, mortalidad y utilización de servicios de salud y cirugía. Pacientes y Métodos: se revisaron los factores pronósticos que han mostrado asociación con peores desenlaces de la AR en los diferentes estudios. Estas asociaciones se clasificaron en leves, moderadas y fuertes de acuerdo a los riesgos relativos publicados en la literatura o por consenso entre investigadores cuando no había suficientes elementos de juicio. Para el cuestionario se excluyeron variables de laboratorio costosas para el medio como los anticuerpos anticitrulina o el HLA. De acuerdo al puntaje, los pacientes se clasificaron en leves: menos de diez puntos en el puntaje; moderados, de once a veinte puntos y severos, más de veinte puntos. Los resultados se compararon con las variables de desenlace. Resultados: las variables escogidas para el cuestionario fueron: Asociación Leve: un punto: edad, sexo, menopausia temprana, tabaquismo, bachillerato incompleto, estrato social, depresión. Asociación Moderada: dos puntos: VSG mayor de 40, PCR mayor de 6, inflamación en rodillas, codos y manos y duración de la AR más de seis meses sin tratamiento modificador. Asociación fuerte: tres puntos: Factor reumatoide, presencia de erosiones radiográficas, más de veinte articulaciones afectadas al inicio, HAQ mayor de 1 y presencia de manifestaciones extra-articulares. El mayor puntaje de PPS se correlacionó de manera importante con estrato social (P: 0.004), compromiso de grandes articulaciones (p: 0.0008), duración de la AR sin tratamiento (p: 0.0007), HAQ mayor de 1 (p: 0.0001), FR positivo (p: 0.0008), PCR (p: 005) y erosiones radiográficas (p: 0.00003). Cuando se analizaron los grupos por discapacidad (HAQ mayor de 1) comparando leves frente a moderados a severos se encontró únicamente asociación con sexo femenino (p: 0.1), y presencia de más de veinte articulaciones inflamadas (p: 0.009). No hubo asociación con otras variables de desenlace. Conclusiones El PPS correlacionó con variables diferentes a las del HAQ, lo que sugiere evaluación de aspectos diferentes de la AR considerando la multifactorialidad de la enfermedad y su repercusión en el desenlace

Análisis crítico de AASANA: tecnología recursos humanos factores de cambio estratégico / ssss

AASANA, entidad descentralizada es la organización que presta servicios de protección al vuelo. Su estructura organizacional data de 1980. Los cambios requeridos para la implantación de nueva tecnología de navegación satelital, ha sido de preocupación de OACI. Estas determinaciones de orden internacional exigen que AASANA inicie un proceso de cambio en sus recursos humanos y su tecnología. El presente estudio tiene por objeto: la formulación de un plan estratégico de cambio para AASANA basado en el análisis de dos factores críticos como son la tecnología y los recusos humanos, cuya interacción de desarrolla en una estructura organizacional...

Evaluacion de alternativas energeticas en sistemas aeroportuarios aislados

El presente proyecto pretende llevar adelante, un estudio de las diferentes alternativas energeticas no convencionales de acuerdo a las caracteristicas propias de cada aerodromo, considerado fundamentalmente el analisis economico en la implementacion y puestas en marcha de cualquiera de estas alternativas.