Conductas de salud en estudiantes universitarios: un análisis bayesiano / Health behaviors in college students: a Bayesian analysis / Comportamentos de saúde em estudantes universitários: uma análise bayesiana

En la actualidad, diversos estudios han explorado las diferencias de las conductas de salud en los estudiantes universitarios de acuerdo con características como edad, sexo y ciclo de estudio, no obstante, estos se han centrado en un enfoque frecuentista basado en la prueba de significancia de la hipótesis nula (NHST). Objetivo. Explorar las diferencias de las conductas de salud de acuerdo con el sexo, edad y ciclo académico, así como establecer la relación entre estas y la percepción de salud general en estudiantes universitarios peruanos, desde un enfoque bayesiano. Materiales y métodos. Se ejecutó un estudio cuantitativo, comparativo, correlacional y transversal, en una muestra de 708 universitarios seleccionados de manera intencional. Se utilizó el cuestionario de conductas de salud (CEJUV-R) y una ficha de datos sociodemográficos. Resultados. Los hallazgos muestran que los hombres tienen mejores hábitos de actividad y condición física y organización del sueño, con respecto a las mujeres. Asimismo, se observa una evidencia moderada a favor de la hipótesis alternativa del autocuidado en función de la edad y el ciclo académico. Finalmente, la actividad física, la organización del descanso, el autocuidado y la organización del sueño presentan evidencias muy fuertes (BF>100) de su relación con la percepción general de salud. Conclusión. El análisis bayesiano mostró evidencia a favor de la hipótesis alterna en algunas de las conductas de salud en función del sexo, edad y ciclo académico, lo que resaltan la importancia de promover conductas más saludables entre los estudiantes universitarios peruanos atendiendo a sus características personales.

Currently, several studies have explored the differences in health behaviors in university students according to characteristics such as age, sex and study cycle; however, these have focused on a frequentist approach based on the null hypothesis significance test (NHST). Objective. To explore the differences in health behaviors according to sex, age and academic cycle, as well as to establish the relationship between these and the perception of general health in Peruvian university students, from a Bayesian approach. Materials and methods. A quantitative, comparative, correlational and cross-sectional study was carried out in a sample of 708 intentionally selected university students. The health behaviors questionnaire (CEJUV-R) and a sociodemographic data sheet were used. Results. The findings show that men have better habits of activity and physical condition and sleep organization, with respect to women. Likewise, there is moderate evidence in favor of the alternative hypothesis of self-care as a function of age and academic cycle. Finally, physical activity, rest organization, self-care and sleep organization present very strong evidence (BF>100) of their relationship with the general perception of health. Conclusion. The Bayesian analysis showed evidence in favor of the alternative hypothesis in some of the health behaviors as a function of sex, age and academic cycle, which highlights the importance of promoting healthier behaviors among Peruvian university students according to their personal characteristics.

Atualmente, vários estudos exploraram as diferenças nos comportamentos de saúde em estudantes universitários de acordo com características como idade, gênero e ciclo de estudos; no entanto, eles se concentraram em uma abordagem frequentista baseada no teste de significância da hipótese nula (NHST). Objetivo. Explorar as diferenças nos comportamentos de saúde de acordo com o sexo, a idade e o ciclo acadêmico, bem como estabelecer a relação entre eles e a percepção da saúde geral em estudantes universitários peruanos, a partir de uma abordagem bayesiana. Materiais e métodos. Foi realizado um estudo quantitativo, comparativo, correlacional e transversal em uma amostra de 708 estudantes universitários selecionados intencionalmente. Foram utilizados o questionário de comportamento de saúde (CEJUV-R) e uma planilha de dados sociodemográficos. Resultados. Os achados mostram que os homens têm melhores hábitos de atividade física, condicionamento físico e organização do sono do que as mulheres. Também há evidências moderadas a favor da hipótese alternativa de autocuidado em função da idade e do ciclo acadêmico. Por fim, a atividade física, a organização do descanso, o autocuidado e a organização do sono mostram evidências muito fortes (BF>100) de sua relação com a percepção geral da saúde. Conclusão. A análise bayesiana mostrou evidências a favor da hipótese alternativa em alguns dos comportamentos de saúde em função do sexo, da idade e do ciclo acadêmico, destacando a importância de promover comportamentos mais saudáveis entre os estudantes universitários peruanos de acordo com suas características pessoais.

Punctal and Canalicular Stenosis Following Topical 1% 5-Fluorouracil Eye Drop Therapy for Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia.

PURPOSE: To present the first known cases of punctal and canalicular stenosis following topical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) eye drops for ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN). METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients with OSSN receiving topical 1% 5-FU eye drops as a primary or adjuvant treatment between 2013 and 2021 was performed. Individuals diagnosed with punctal or canalicular stenosis during or after topical 5-FU use were included in this study. Four individuals met these criteria; we report clinical findings and treatment course for each patient. RESULTS: We reviewed 303 patients (316 eyes) with OSSN. All patients were treated with topical 1% 5-FU eye drops in cycles, given 4 times daily for 1 week with 3 weeks off. Four patients (5 eyes) developed punctal stenosis, for a frequency of 1.3%. The mean age at 5-FU initiation in the 4 individuals was 61 years (range 53-69). Most individuals were male (75%), White (75%), and non-Hispanic (100%). The most common presenting symptom of stenosis was epiphora, noted 4.6 ± 3 months after initiating topical 5-FU (after 4.9 ± 2.0 cycles). This occurred in 4 eyes while on therapy (3, 2, 4, and 4 months since 5-FU initiation) and in 1 eye after stopping therapy (10.3 months since 5-FU initiation). In 1 eye, punctal stenosis and epiphora resolved spontaneously after stopping 5-FU. Punctal dilation led to symptom resolution in 2 eyes. Surgical intervention (punctoplasty and external dacryocystorhinostomy) was needed in 2 eyes for punctal and canalicular stenosis, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Punctal or canalicular stenosis is a rare and previously unreported adverse effect of topical 5-FU that may require surgical treatment.

Medical treatment for ocular surface squamous neoplasia.

Ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) is the most common non-melanocytic tumour of the ocular surface. Surgical excision with wide margins using the "no-touch" method was originally the most popular treatment for OSSN. However, in the past two decades, the use of topical medications for OSSN treatment has gained a reputation amongst ophthalmologists for being an effective alternative to surgical excision. Furthermore, technological advancements, such as those seen in high-resolution optical coherence tomography (HR-OCT) for the anterior segment, have facilitated the diagnosis and monitoring of OSSN. When selecting a topical agent, interferon alpha-2b (IFNα-2b) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) are two of the gentlest medications used for OSSN and are often considered first line therapies due to their high-resolution rates and mild side effect profiles. Mitomycin C (MMC), on the other hand, has a highly toxic profile; therefore, while effective, in our hands it is considered as a second-line treatment for OSSN if the other modalities fail. In addition, newer and less studied agents, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, retinoic acid, aloe vera, and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor have anti-neoplastic properties and have shown potential for the treatment of OSSN. We enclose an updated literature review of medical treatments for OSSN.

A General Use QSAR-ARX Model to Predict the Corrosion Inhibition Efficiency of Drugs in Terms of Quantum Mechanical Descriptors and Experimental Comparison for Lidocaine.

A study of 250 commercial drugs to act as corrosion inhibitors on steel has been developed by applying the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) paradigm. Hard-soft acid-base (HSAB) descriptors were used to establish a mathematical model to predict the corrosion inhibition efficiency (IE%) of several commercial drugs on steel surfaces. These descriptors were calculated through third-order density-functional tight binding (DFTB) methods. The mathematical modeling was carried out through autoregressive with exogenous inputs (ARX) framework and tested by fivefold cross-validation. Another set of drugs was used as an external validation, obtaining SD, RMSE, and MSE, obtaining 6.76%, 3.89%, 7.03%, and 49.47%, respectively. With a predicted value of IE% = 87.51%, lidocaine was selected to perform a final comparison with experimental results. By the first time, this drug obtained a maximum IE%, determined experimentally by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements at 100 ppm concentration, of about 92.5%, which stands within limits of 1 SD from the predicted ARX model value. From the qualitative perspective, several potential trends have emerged from the estimated values. Among them, macrolides, alkaloids from Rauwolfia species, cephalosporin, and rifamycin antibiotics are expected to exhibit high IE% on steel surfaces. Additionally, IE% increases as the energy of HOMO decreases. The highest efficiency is obtained in case of the molecules with the highest ω and ΔN values. The most efficient drugs are found with pKa ranging from 1.70 to 9.46. The drugs recurrently exhibit aromatic rings, carbonyl, and hydroxyl groups with the highest IE% values.

Role of Caspase-1 as a Biomarker of Ocular Surface Damage.

PURPOSE: To examine the potential of caspase-1 as a biomarker for ocular surface damage. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: A total of 113 tear samples (64 subjects) were analyzed. Sixty-one samples were from individuals with dry eye disease (DED), defined as Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) ≥13 and/or corneal staining (CS) ≥3; 32 were from individuals who used glaucoma medication, irrespective of DED metrics; and 20 were from controls (CS <3 and OSDI <13). All individuals completed a medical history form and underwent an ocular surface assessment. Protein levels of caspase-1 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay off Schirmer's strips. The primary analysis compared caspase-1 levels in individuals with signs of ocular surface damage (CS ≥3) in both case groups and controls. Secondary correlational analyses were conducted to examine relationships between caspase-1 levels and ocular signs and symptoms. Finally, area under the curve (AUC) analyses were performed to examine relationships between inflammatory markers and CS. RESULTS: The mean age of the population was 58±18 years; 70% were female. Tear samples from individuals with ocular surface damage presented higher caspase-1 levels than the control group. Caspase-1 levels showed a moderate positive correlation with CS (Spearman r = 0.31; P = .001) and eye redness (Spearman r = 0.39; P = .004), and a negative correlation with Schirmer's (Spearman r = -0.46; P < .001) and tear break-up time (Spearman r = -0.33; P = .0006). Caspase-1 showed higher sensitivity and AUC for detecting ocular surface damage than InflammaDry, and its expression was not affected by anti-inflammatory agents. CONCLUSION: Caspase-1 levels were higher in the tears of individuals with ocular surface damage, suggesting its potential to be used as a biomarker and/or therapeutic target.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma induce inflammasome-mediated corneal endothelial cell death.

PURPOSE: Chronic corneal endothelial cell (CEC) loss results in corneal edema and vision loss in conditions such as pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK), Fuchs' dystrophy, and corneal graft failure. Low CEC density has been associated with an elevation of intraocular pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (INF)-γ. These cytokines are capable of triggering pyroptosis, a programmed cell death mechanism mediated by the inflammasome, prompting the activation of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1ß, the perpetuation of inflammation, and subsequent damage of corneal endothelial tissue. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the deleterious contribution of the inflammasome and pyroptosis to CEC loss. METHODS: CECs from human donor corneas were treated ex vivo with TNF-α and IFN-γ for 48 h. Levels of caspase-1 and IL-1ß were then assayed by ELISA, and the expression of caspase-1 and gasdermin-D (GSDM-D) were confirmed by immunofluorescence. Endothelial cell damage was analyzed by a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay, and oxidative stress was determined by measuring the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the culture media. RESULTS: Inflammasome activation and oxidative stress were elevated in CECs following exposure to TNF-α and IFN-γ, which resulted in cell death by pyroptosis as determined by LDH release which was inhibited by the caspase-1 inhibitor Ac-YVAD-cmk. CONCLUSION: CEC death is induced by the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ, which contribute to inflammasome activation. Moreover, the inflammasome is a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of chronic CEC loss.

Hamartoma de las glándulas de Brunner como causa inusual de sangrado gastrointestinal

RESUMEN Los tumores benignos del intestino delgado son infrecuentes. Entre ellos, los hamartomas de las glándulas de Brunner se localizan en su mayoría en el bulbo duodenal, generalmente son asintomáticos y detectados mediante una endoscopía de manera incidental. Cuando son de mayor tamaño, clínicamente se pueden presentar con sintomatología obstructiva o manifestaciones hemorrágicas. El tratamiento para este tipo de lesiones benignas es mediante su resección endoscópica o quirúrgica. Reportamos un caso infrecuente de sangrado gastrointestinal producido por un hamartoma de las glándulas de Brunner que fue tratado de manera exitosa mediante resección endoscópica.

ABSTRACT Benign tumors of the small intestine are infrequent. Among them, the Brunner's glands hamartomas are located mostly in the duodenal bulb, are usually asymptomatic and incidentally detected by an endoscopy. When they are larger, clinically they can present obstructive symptoms or hemorrhagic manifestations. The treatment for this type of benign lesions is the endoscopic or surgical resection. We report an infrequent case of gastrointestinal bleeding produced by a Brunner's gland hamartoma that was successfully treated by endoscopic resection.

Papel de las endoprótesis autoexpandibles en el tratamiento de la dehiscencia intratorácica tras el procedimiento de Ivor Lewis / Role of self-expanding stents in the treatment of intrathoracic dehiscence after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy

INTRODUCCIÓN: El papel que desempeñan las endoprótesis autoexpandibles en el tratamiento de las dehiscencias tras la esofagectomía transtorácica no está bien definido y resulta controvertido. Nuestro objetivo es mostrar la experiencia en un hospital de tercer nivel con el empleo de estos dispositivos en las dehiscencias tras la esofagectomía de Ivor Lewis. MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional descriptivo de los pacientes que han presentado una dehiscencia de anastomosis tras una esofagectomía transtorácica y, en especial, de aquellos tratados mediante endoprótesis, en el periodo comprendido entre 2011 y 2016 en nuestro centro hospitalario. RESULTADOS: Diez pacientes (11,8%) presentaron una dehiscencia anastomótica, 8 de los cuales recibieron endoprótesis. Un paciente portador de endoprótesis falleció por causas ajenas a la misma. En un paciente se objetivó migración del dispositivo, manteniéndose una media de permanencia de 47,3 días. La prótesis no fue efectiva en un paciente que tuvo una dehiscencia precoz por isquemia aguda gástrica. Fallecieron los 2 pacientes que no recibieron endoprótesis después de la reintervención. CONCLUSIONES: Las endoprótesis son dispositivos seguros y efectivos que no asocian mortalidad en nuestra serie. Están especialmente indicadas en dehiscencias intermedias o tardías y en pacientes frágiles, pues, junto con el drenaje mediastínico y pleural, evitan reintervenciones gravadas con morbimortalidad. Por tanto, las endoprótesis deben formar parte del arsenal terapéutico habitual para la resolución de la mayoría de las dehiscencias de sutura tras la esofagectomía de Ivor Lewis. La puesta en marcha de estudios prospectivos aleatorizados ayudaría a determinar con mayor precisión el papel que desempeñan estos dispositivos en el tratamiento de las dehiscencias tras una esofagectomía transtorácica

INTRODUCTION: The role that self-expanding stents play in the treatment of dehiscence after transthoracic esophagectomy is not well defined and controversial. Our aim is to describe the experience in a tertiary care hospital using these devices for treating dehiscence after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. METHODS: Descriptive observational study of patients who suffered anastomotic dehiscence after a transthoracic esophagectomy, and especially those treated with stents, in the period between 2011-2016 at our hospital. RESULTS: Ten patients (11.8%) presented anastomotic dehiscence. Eight patients received stents, one of them died due to causes unrelated to the device. Stent migration was observed in one case, and the devices were maintained an average of 47.3 days. The stent was not effective only in one patient who suffered early dehiscence due to acute ischemia of the stomach. The two patients who did not receive stents died after reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Stents are safe and effective devices that did not associate mortality in our series. They are especially indicated in intermediate or late-onset dehiscence and in fragile patients. The use of stents, together with mediastinal and pleural drainage, avoid reoperations with morbidity and mortality. Therefore, stents should be part of the usual therapeutic arsenal for the resolution of most suture dehiscences after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. Randomized prospective studies would help to more precisely determine the role played by these devices in the treatment of dehiscence after transthoracic esophagectomy

Prevalence of refractive errors in Colombia: MIOPUR study.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of refractive errors in Colombia and its relations with demographic and socioeconomic variables. METHODS: A cross-sectional study performed in 10 Colombian administrative districts (MIOPUR study), including children and adolescents from 8 to 17 years old and adults from 35 to 55 years old. RESULTS: 3608 individuals (100% of whom agreed to participate) were included. Prevalence estimates of refractive errors were: hyperopia 32.3% (95% CI 30.7 to 33.8), myopia 12.9% (95% CI 11.8 to 14.0), mixed astigmatism 2.8% (95% CI 2.2 to 3.3) and anisometropia 1.9% (95% CI 1.4 to 2.3). Prevalence of myopia in 15-year-old adolescents was 14.7%. In children and adolescents, the hyperopia prevalence decreased while myopia prevalence increased with age. In the adults group, the tendency was the contrary. Myopia prevalence reached 15.7% in urban and 9.2% in rural areas, and for hyperopia, the rates were 29.4% in urban and 36.1% in rural areas. In the multivariate analysis, living in an urban area significantly increased the risk of having myopia (OR: 1.45 (1.12 to 1.89); p<0.01). There were significant regional differences among diverse zones of the country. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence estimates of myopia and hyperopia in Colombia were found to be at an intermediate point compared with global data. In adults, myopia frequency was lower than in European and Asian studies. The prevalence of myopia increased during childhood and adolescence and was higher in middle-aged adults (35-39 years) than in older adults. On the other hand, hyperopia rates increased with age, findings that suggest a cohort effect. In the multivariate analysis, residence in urban areas and living in a medium-high socioeconomic status were linked to myopia.

Role of self-expanding stents in the treatment of intrathoracic dehiscence after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. / Papel de las endoprótesis autoexpandibles en el tratamiento de la dehiscencia intratorácica tras el procedimiento de Ivor Lewis.

INTRODUCTION: The role that self-expanding stents play in the treatment of dehiscence after transthoracic esophagectomy is not well defined and controversial. Our aim is to describe the experience in a tertiary care hospital using these devices for treating dehiscence after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. METHODS: Descriptive observational study of patients who suffered anastomotic dehiscence after a transthoracic esophagectomy, and especially those treated with stents, in the period between 2011-2016 at our hospital. RESULTS: Ten patients (11.8%) presented anastomotic dehiscence. Eight patients received stents, one of them died due to causes unrelated to the device. Stent migration was observed in one case, and the devices were maintained an average of 47.3 days. The stent was not effective only in one patient who suffered early dehiscence due to acute ischemia of the stomach. The two patients who did not receive stents died after reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Stents are safe and effective devices that did not associate mortality in our series. They are especially indicated in intermediate or late-onset dehiscence and in fragile patients. The use of stents, together with mediastinal and pleural drainage, avoid reoperations with morbidity and mortality. Therefore, stents should be part of the usual therapeutic arsenal for the resolution of most suture dehiscences after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. Randomized prospective studies would help to more precisely determine the role played by these devices in the treatment of dehiscence after transthoracic esophagectomy.

Unplanned emergency department consultations and readmissions within 30 and 90 days of bariatric surgery. / Consultas a Urgencias y reingresos a 30 y 90 días tras cirugía bariátrica.

INTRODUCTION: Hospital readmission is used as a measure of quality healthcare. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, causes, and risk factors related to emergency consultations and readmissions within 30 and 90 days in patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric bypass and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. METHODS: Retrospective study of 429 patients operated on from January 2004 to July 2015 from a prospectively maintained database and electronic medical records. Demographic data, type of intervention, postoperative complications, length of hospital stay and records of emergency visits and readmissions were analyzed. RESULTS: Within the first 90 days postoperative, a total of 117 (27%) patients consulted the Emergency Department and 24 (6%) were readmitted. The most common reasons for emergency consultation were noninfectious problems related to the surgical wound (n=40, 34%) and abdominal pain (n=28, 24%), which was also the first cause of readmission (n=9, 37%). Postoperative complications, reintervention, associated surgery in the same operation and depression were risk factors for emergency consultation within the first 90 days of the postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the high number of patients who visit the Emergency Department in the first 90 days of the postoperative period, few require readmission and none surgical reoperation. It is important to know the reasons for emergency consultation to establish preventive measures and improve the quality of care.

Consultas a Urgencias y reingresos a 30 y 90 días tras cirugía bariátrica / Unplanned emergency department consultations and readmissions within 30 and 90 days of bariatric surgery

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los reingresos son un indicador de calidad de la cirugía. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la incidencia, las causas y los factores de riesgo relacionados con las consultas a Urgencias y los reingresos a 30 y 90 días en pacientes sometidos a bypass gástrico laparoscópico y gastrectomía vertical laparoscópica. MÉTODOS: Estudio retrospectivo de 429 pacientes intervenidos desde enero de 2004 a julio de 2015 a partir de una base de datos prospectiva y de las historias clínicas electrónicas. Se analizaron datos demográficos, el tipo de intervención, las complicaciones postoperatorias, la duración de la estancia hospitalaria y el registro de las visitas a Urgencias y los reingresos durante el periodo de estudio. RESULTADOS: En los primeros 90 días del postoperatorio, un total de 117 (27%) pacientes consultaron a Urgencias y 24 (6%) reingresaron. Los motivos más frecuentes de consulta a Urgencias fueron los problemas no infecciosos relacionados con la herida quirúrgica (n = 40, 34%) y el dolor abdominal (n = 28, 24%), que además fue la primera causa de reingreso (n = 9, 37%). Las complicaciones postoperatorias, la reintervención, una cirugía asociada en el mismo acto quirúrgico y la depresión fueron factores de riesgo para consultar a Urgencias en los primeros 90 días del periodo postoperatorio. CONCLUSIONES: A pesar del elevado número de pacientes que consulta a Urgencias en los primeros 90 días del periodo postoperatorio, pocos precisan reingreso y ninguno reintervención quirúrgica. Es importante conocer los motivos de las consultas a Urgencias para establecer medidas preventivas y mejorar la calidad asistencial

INTRODUCTION: Hospital readmission is used as a measure of quality healthcare. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, causes, and risk factors related to emergency consultations and readmissions within 30 and 90 days in patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric bypass and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. METHODS: Retrospective study of 429 patients operated on from January 2004 to July 2015 from a prospectively maintained database and electronic medical records. Demographic data, type of intervention, postoperative complications, length of hospital stay and records of emergency visits and readmissions were analyzed. RESULTS: Within the first 90 days postoperative, a total of 117 (27%) patients consulted the Emergency Department and 24 (6%) were readmitted. The most common reasons for emergency consultation were noninfectious problems related to the surgical wound (n = 40, 34%) and abdominal pain (n = 28, 24%), which was also the first cause of readmission (n = 9, 37%). Postoperative complications, reintervention, associated surgery in the same operation and depression were risk factors for emergency consultation within the first 90 days of the postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the high number of patients who visit the Emergency Department in the first 90 days of the postoperative period, few require readmission and none surgical reoperation. It is important to know the reasons for emergency consultation to establish preventive measures and improve the quality of care

Polypill: an affordable strategy for cardiovascular disease prevention in low-medium-income countries.

The simplification of fixed dose medications by using a single 'polypill' is an attractive strategy to improve adherence to medications which has shown benefit to cardiovascular risk factor control and cardiovascular disease prevention or delay in the progression of these diseases. We review the evidence obtained from a series of clinical trials demonstrating an improvement in adherence to the polypill compared to the use of each compound separately, and found similar or better control of the classical cardiovascular risk factors and a similar safety profile. These results suggest that the use of the polypill could have a beneficial impact in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, the polypill has the potential to improve cost effectiveness and is simple to use. However, before recommending the implementation of the polypill in programs aimed at primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention, we are awaiting the results of several current clinical trials aimed at measuring the impact on the frequency of major cardiovascular outcomes, particularly in low-medium-income countries.

Validity of fish, birds and mammals as surrogates for amphibians and reptiles in pesticide toxicity assessment.

Amphibians and reptiles are the two most endangered groups of vertebrates. Environmental pollution by pesticides is recognised as one of the major factors threatening populations of these groups. However, the effects of pesticides on amphibians and reptiles have been studied for few substances, which is partly related to the fact that these animals are not included in the mandatory toxicity testing conducted as part of environmental risk assessments of pesticides. Whether risks of pesticides to amphibians and reptiles are addressed by surrogate taxa used in risk assessment is currently under debate. In order to develop a scientifically sound and robust risk assessment scheme, information needs to be gathered to examine whether fish, birds and mammals are valid surrogates for amphibians and reptiles. We updated a systematic review of scientific literature that was recently published compiling toxicity data on amphibians and reptiles. The outcome of this review was analysed with the purposes to (1) compare endpoints from amphibians and reptiles with the available information from fish, birds and mammals, and (2) develop species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) for those substances tested in at least six amphibian species (no substances were found tested in at least six reptile species) to identify a candidate amphibian model species to be used as surrogate in risk assessment. A positive correlation was found between toxicity recorded on fish and amphibians, the former revealing, in general, to be more sensitive than the latter to waterborne pollutants. In the terrestrial environment, although birds and mammals were more sensitive than amphibians and reptiles to at least 60% of tested substances, just a few weak significant correlations were observed. As a general rule, homoeothermic vertebrates are not good surrogates for reptiles and terrestrial amphibians in pesticide risk assessment. However, some chemical-dependent trends were detected, with pyrethroids and organochlorine insecticides being more toxic to amphibians or reptiles than to birds or mammals. These trends could ultimately help in decisions about protection provided by surrogate taxa for specific groups of substances, and also to determine when risk assessment of pesticides needs to pay special consideration to amphibians and reptiles. The outcome of this review reflects that there is still much information needed to reduce uncertainties and extract relevant conclusions on the overall protection of amphibians and reptiles by surrogate vertebrates.

Refractive errors in children and adolescents in Bucaramanga (Colombia).

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to establish the frequency of refractive errors in children and adolescents aged between 8 and 17 years old, living in the metropolitan area of Bucaramanga (Colombia). METHODS: This study was a secondary analysis of two descriptive cross-sectional studies that applied sociodemographic surveys and assessed visual acuity and refraction. Ametropias were classified as myopic errors, hyperopic errors, and mixed astigmatism. Eyes were considered emmetropic if none of these classifications were made. The data were collated using free software and analyzed with STATA/IC 11.2. RESULTS: One thousand two hundred twenty-eight individuals were included in this study. Girls showed a higher rate of ametropia than boys. Hyperopic refractive errors were present in 23.1% of the subjects, and myopic errors in 11.2%. Only 0.2% of the eyes had high myopia (≤-6.00 D). Mixed astigmatism and anisometropia were uncommon, and myopia frequency increased with age. There were statistically significant steeper keratometric readings in myopic compared to hyperopic eyes. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of refractive errors that we found of 36.7% is moderate compared to the global data. The rates and parameters statistically differed by sex and age groups. Our findings are useful for establishing refractive error rate benchmarks in low-middle-income countries and as a baseline for following their variation by sociodemographic factors.

Refractive errors in children and adolescents in Bucaramanga (Colombia) / Erros refrativos em crianças e adolescents em Bucaramanga (Colombia)

ABSTRACT Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish the frequency of refractive errors in children and adolescents aged between 8 and 17 years old, living in the metropolitan area of Bucaramanga (Colombia). Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of two descriptive cross-sectional studies that applied sociodemographic surveys and assessed visual acuity and refraction. Ametropias were classified as myopic errors, hyperopic errors, and mixed astigmatism. Eyes were considered emmetropic if none of these classifications were made. The data were collated using free software and analyzed with STATA/IC 11.2. Results: One thousand two hundred twenty-eight individuals were included in this study. Girls showed a higher rate of ametropia than boys. Hyperopic refractive errors were present in 23.1% of the subjects, and myopic errors in 11.2%. Only 0.2% of the eyes had high myopia (≤-6.00 D). Mixed astigmatism and anisometropia were uncommon, and myopia frequency increased with age. There were statistically significant steeper keratometric readings in myopic compared to hyperopic eyes. Conclusions: The frequency of refractive errors that we found of 36.7% is moderate compared to the global data. The rates and parameters statistically differed by sex and age groups. Our findings are useful for establishing refractive error rate benchmarks in low-middle-income countries and as a baseline for following their variation by sociodemographic factors.

RESUMO Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi estabelecer a frequência de erros refrativos em crianças e adolescentes com idade entre 8 e 17 anos, residentes na região metropolitana de Bucaramanga (Colômbia). Métodos: Este estudo foi uma análise secundária de dois estudos descritivos transversais que aplicaram levantamentos sociodemográficos e avaliaram a acuidade e a refração visuais. As ametropias foram classificadas como erros miopicos, erros hipermetrópicos e astigmatismo misto. Os olhos eram considerados emétropes se nenhuma dessas classificações fosse feita. Os dados foram coletados usando software livre e analisados com STATA/IC 11.2. Resultados: Mil e duzentos e vinte e oito indivíduos foram incluídos neste estudo. As meninas mostraram uma maior taxa de ametropia do que os meninos. Erros refrativos hipermetrópicos estavam presentes em 23,1% dos indivíduos e erros miópicos em 11,2%. Apenas 0,2% dos olhos apresentavam miopia alta (≤-6,00 D). O astigmatismo misto e a anisometropia eram incomuns e a frequência de miopia aumentava com a idade. Houve leituras queratométricas mais acentuadas estatisticamente significativas em míopes em comparação com os olhos hipermétropes. Conclusões: A frequência de erros de refração que encontramos em 36,7% é moderada em comparação com os dados globais. As taxas e os parâmetros diferiram estatisticamente por sexo e grupos etários. Nossas descobertas são úteis para estabelecer padrões de referência de erro de refração em países de baixa renda média e como base para seguir sua variação por fatores sociodemográficos.

Effects of insecticides on a phytotelmata-breeding amphibian.

Information on the impact of pesticides on amphibian species breeding in phytotelmata (water bodies within plants) is totally lacking. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of the insecticide malathion on larvae of Phyllodytes luteolus. Individuals were exposed to ecologically relevant concentrations of malathion (commercial formulation) for 16 d under laboratory conditions. Malathion had a lethal effect that allowed the authors to hypothesize that phtytotelmata-breeding species are likely as vulnerable to pollution as pond breeders. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:422-428. © 2016 SETAC.