Tratamiento de las fracturas supracondíleas de húmero en niños con fijación interna percutánea versus reducción sin fijación interna / Treatment of supracondylar fractures of humerus in children with percutaneous internal fixation versus reduction without internal fixation

Resumen: Introducción: Las fracturas supracondíleas de húmero constituyen el segundo tipo de fracturas más frecuente en niños. Objetivo: Describir los resultados del tratamiento, los pacientes según edad, sexo, complicaciones y resultados finales. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo, en pacientes con fracturas supracondíleas de húmero durante los años 2018-2019. Se calcularon frecuencias absolutas y porcentajes. Resultados: Las fracturas fueron más frecuentes en el sexo masculino (69.6%) y en el grupo de edad de seis a 10 años para ambos sexos. 60.8% de las fracturas se trataron con reducción más fijación interna con agujas de Kirschner, en el grupo con fijación interna predominan las tipo IV y en el grupo que no necesitó fijación interna predominó el tipo I, la complicación más frecuente fue la pérdida de la reducción en el grupo que no se fijó con agujas. Se obtuvieron mejores resultados cuando se realizó la reducción combinada con fijación interna (91.2%). Conclusiones: Las fracturas predominaron en el sexo masculino y en el grupo de edad de seis a 10 años, fue más frecuente la reducción más fijación interna con agujas de Kirschner, en el grupo con fijación interna predomina las tipo IV, predominó la pérdida de la reducción en el grupo que no se fijó con agujas. Se obtuvieron mejores resultados cuando se realizó la reducción combinada con fijación interna.

Abstract: Introduction: Supracondylar fractures of humerus are the second most frequent type of fractures in children. Objective: To describe the results of the treatment, the patients according to age, sex, complications, and final results. Material and methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted in patients with supracondylar fractures of humerus during the years 2018-2019. Absolute frequencies and percentages were calculated. Results: Fractures were more frequent in males (69.6%) and in the age group of six to 10 years for both sexes. 60.8% of the fractures were treated with reduction plus internal fixation with Kirschner needles, in the group with internal fixation type IV predominates and in the group that does not need internal fixation predominate type I, the most frequent complication was the loss of reduction in the group that was not fixed with needles. Better results were obtained when the reduction was performed combined with internal fixation (91.2%). Conclusions: Fractures predominated in the male sex and in the age group of six to 10 years, the reduction was more frequent more internal fixation with Kirschner needles, in the group with internal fixation predominates type IV, predominated the loss of reduction in the group that was not fixed with needles. Better results were obtained when reduction was performed combined with internal fixation.

[Treatment of supracondylar fractures of humerus in children with percutaneous internal fixation versus reduction without internal fixation]. / Tratamiento de las fracturas supracondíleas de húmero en niños con fijación interna percutánea versus reducción sin fijación interna.

INTRODUCTION: Supracondylar fractures of humerus are the second most frequent type of fractures in children. OBJECTIVE: To describe the results of the treatment, the patients according to age, sex, complications, and final results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted in patients with supracondylar fractures of humerus during the years 2018-2019. Absolute frequencies and percentages were calculated. RESULTS: Fractures were more frequent in males (69.6%) and in the age group of six to 10 years for both sexes. 60.8% of the fractures were treated with reduction plus internal fixation with Kirschner needles, in the group with internal fixation type IV predominates and in the group that does not need internal fixation predominate type I, the most frequent complication was the loss of reduction in the group that was not fixed with needles. Better results were obtained when the reduction was performed combined with internal fixation (91.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Fractures predominated in the male sex and in the age group of six to 10 years, the reduction was more frequent more internal fixation with Kirschner needles, in the group with internal fixation predominates type IV, predominated the loss of reduction in the group that was not fixed with needles. Better results were obtained when reduction was performed combined with internal fixation.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las fracturas supracondíleas de húmero constituyen el segundo tipo de fracturas más frecuente en niños. OBJETIVO: Describir los resultados del tratamiento, los pacientes según edad, sexo, complicaciones y resultados finales. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo, en pacientes con fracturas supracondíleas de húmero durante los años 2018-2019. Se calcularon frecuencias absolutas y porcentajes. RESULTADOS: Las fracturas fueron más frecuentes en el sexo masculino (69.6%) y en el grupo de edad de seis a 10 años para ambos sexos. 60.8% de las fracturas se trataron con reducción más fijación interna con agujas de Kirschner, en el grupo con fijación interna predominan las tipo IV y en el grupo que no necesitó fijación interna predominó el tipo I, la complicación más frecuente fue la pérdida de la reducción en el grupo que no se fijó con agujas. Se obtuvieron mejores resultados cuando se realizó la reducción combinada con fijación interna (91.2%). CONCLUSIONES: Las fracturas predominaron en el sexo masculino y en el grupo de edad de seis a 10 años, fue más frecuente la reducción más fijación interna con agujas de Kirschner, en el grupo con fijación interna predomina las tipo IV, predominó la pérdida de la reducción en el grupo que no se fijó con agujas. Se obtuvieron mejores resultados cuando se realizó la reducción combinada con fijación interna.

Comparison of the Carlsson-Dent and GERD-Q questionnaires for gastroesophageal reflux disease symptom detection in a general population. / Comparación de los cuestionarios Carlsson-Dent y GERD-Q para detección de síntomas de enfermedad por reflujo gastroesofágico en población general.

INTRODUCTION: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is an extremely common pathology in the general population and one of the main reasons for consultation in gastroenterology. There are different instruments for detecting its symptoms, but few studies comparing one tool with another have been conducted in Mexico. AIMS: To compare the effectiveness of the Carlsson-Dent questionnaire (CDQ) and the GERD-Q questionnaire (GQQ) in detecting GERD symptoms in a general population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on 220 individuals in an open population within the time frame of May-June 2015. The subjects were evaluated through the self-assessment CDQ and GQQ. The positive scores from the CDQ (≥ 4) were compared with those of the GQQ (≥ 8), to determine which of the two instruments more easily detected patients with GERD symptoms. RESULTS: Fifty-seven percent of the patients were men and the mean patient age was 38.1 years. Fifty percent of the subjects presented with GERD symptoms with a positive score in at least one questionnaire; 45% had positive CDQ results and 23% had positive GQQ results. Fifty-seven percent of the patients with a positive CDQ score presented with overweight/obesity, as did 72% of the patients with a positive GQQ result. Finally, 20% of the individuals had positive results for reflux symptoms in both questionnaires. CONCLUSIONS: There was a prevalence of GERD symptoms in 50% of the individuals studied from a general population. The GQQ detected a greater number of GERD symptoms in patients that presented with overweight/obesity and the CDQ was considered easier for patients to understand and answer. It is striking that there was only 20% agreement between the two questionnaires, suggesting that they may be useful for identifying GERD symptoms in different populations.

Estandarización de técnicas para el diagnóstico molecular de flavivirus y alfavirus / Standarization of molecular techniques for diagnosis of flavivirus and alphavirus

Los flavivirus y alfavirus afectan la salud de los humanos. En Venezuela y de forma particular en Aragua, las comunidades se han visto afectadas por algunos de los miembros de estos géneros, como Dengue (DENV), y Chikungunya (CHIKV). DENV circula en Aragua desde 1989 causando brotes de importancia clínica, mientras que CHIKV hizo su aparición en 2014. En Aragua, el diagnóstico se había dirigido hacia la detección de DENV, sin embargo la situación con CHIKV generó la necesidad de ampliar el espectro diagnóstico hacia otros agentes virales. En el Laboratorio Regional de Diagnóstico e Investigación del Dengue y otras Enfermedades Virales se adaptaron dos protocolos de RT-PCR previamente descritos para detectar miembros de estos géneros haciendo uso de cepas controles para flavivirus (DENV y Zika) y alfavirus (CHIKV). Ambas técnicas sufrieron modificaciones en la concentración de algunos reactantes (MgCl2, dNTP´s, y cebadores) utilizados en la segunda reacción de PCR. El resto de las condiciones se mantuvieron iguales a las descritas originalmente. Las metodologías estandarizadas permitieron amplificar hasta 1 fg de ARN viral de los controles empleados (Zika y CHIKV) con posibilidad de amplificar cantidades menores a esta. En todos los casos se obtuvieron bandas nítidas e íntegras de acuerdo a los tamaños esperados haciendo uso de cepas previamente identificadas de DENV, CHIKV y Zika. La puesta en marcha de estas metodologías permitirá fortalecer el diagnóstico oportuno de miembros de estos géneros en el marco del sistema de vigilancia epidemiológica de enfermedades virales.

Flavivirus and alphavirus affect the health of humans. In Venezuela and particularly in Aragua, the communities have been affected by some members of these genus, such as dengue (DENV), and Chikungunya (CHIKV). DENV circulating in Aragua since 1989 generating outbreaks of clinical importance, while CHIKV made its appearance in 2014. In Aragua state, the diagnosis had been directed toward the detection of DENV, however the situation with CHIKV generates the need to expand the diagnosis spectrum to other viral agents. In the LARDIDEV we adapted two methodology of RT-PCR´s previously de scribed to detect members of these genus using flavivirus (DENV y Zika) and alphavirus (CHIKV) control strains. Both techniques were modified in the concentration of some reactants (MgCl2, dNTP´s, and primers) in the second reaction of PCR. The other conditions are kept equal to those originally described. Both techniques allowed amplified up to 1 fg of RNA of viral strains (Zika and CHIKV virus), but it could to amplify smaller amounts. In all cases, sharp bands according to the expected sizes using previously identified strains of DENV, CHIKV and Zika virus were obtained. The implementation of these methodologies will strengthen the timely diagnosis of members of this genus within the system of epidemiological surveillance of viral diseases.

[Impact of Lean methodology to improve care processes and levels of satisfaction in patient care in a clinical laboratory]. / Impacto de la metodología Lean en la mejora de procesos asistenciales y niveles de satisfacción en la atención de pacientes en un laboratorio clínico.

INTRODUCTION: The application of the Lean methodology in health institutions is an effective tool to improve the capacity and workflow, as well as to increase the level of satisfaction of patients and employees. OBJECTIVE: To optimise the time of outpatient care in a clinical laboratory, by implementing a methodology based on the organisation of operational procedures to improve user satisfaction and reduce the number of complaints for delays in care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental before and after study was conducted between October 2011 to September 2012. XBar and S charts were used to observe the mean service times and standard deviation. The user satisfaction was assessed using service questionnaires. RESULTS: A reduction of 17 minutes was observed in the time of patient care from arrival to leaving the laboratory, and a decrease of 60% in complaints of delay in care. Despite the high staff turnover and 38% increase in the number of patients seen, a culture of empowerment and continuous improvement was acquired, as well as greater efficiency and productivity in the care process, which was reflected by maintaining standards 12 months after implementation. CONCLUSION: Lean is a viable methodology for clinical laboratory procedures, improving their efficiency and effectiveness.

Distribution and feeding habitat characterization of whale sharks Rhincodon typus in a protected area in the north Caribbean Sea.

The relationship between the distribution of the whale shark Rhincodon typus and hydrobiological variables in the Caribbean Sea during 2005-2009 was analysed. Monthly trips were made to the R. typus aggregation area during the months when this species is present in the region (May to September) to record sightings and hydrological data and to collect samples to determine nutrients, chlorophyll a (Chl a) and zooplankton biomass. A total of 2104 R. typus were counted and three zones of high abundance were identified: Cabo-Catoche, Contoy (both within the Whale Shark Biosphere Reserve, WSBR) and the zone knows as Afuera. The zones of greatest R. typus density within the WSBR were characterized by high Chl a concentrations (median: 1·1 mg m-3 , interpercentile range: 0·5-1·8 mg m-3 ) and high nutrient concentrations, such as ammonium (median: 2·5 µmol l-1 , interpercentile range: 0·5-6·4 µmol l-1 ), due to the influence of local upwelling. A generalized additive model (GAM) was used to explore the relationship between R. typus distribution and the environmental variables inside WSBR. Zooplankton biomass was the most influential environmental variable, supporting the close relationship between R. typus distribution and biological productivity. Copepods were the dominant zooplankton group within the WSBR. In the Afuera zone, there were large R. typus aggregations (>80 individuals) associated with zooplankton dominated by fish eggs and significantly higher mean ± s.d. biomass (3356·1 ± 1960·8 mg m-3 ) compared with that recorded inside the WSBR (103·5 ± 57·2 mg m-3 ). The differences among zones generated changes in R. typus distribution patterns and provided opportunities to develop local management strategies for this species.

Vasectomía sin bisturí: resultados de una cohorte de 309 pacientes / No-scalpel vasectomy

Introducción: La vasectomía es una técnica segura y efectiva para el control de la fertilidad masculina. A pesar de esto, en el mundo se realizan el doble de esterilizaciones femeninas respecto a vasectomías, lo cual es más acentuado en países en vías de desarrollo. Objetivos: El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar nuestra experiencia y resultados en pacientes sometidos a una vasectomía sin bisturí. Materiales y Métodos: Se incluyó un total de 309 pacientes sometidos a una vasectomía sin bisturí entre junio de 2009 y mayo de 2010. En cada caso se evaluó la edad, tiempo operatorio, espermiograma a los 3 y 6 meses (en caso de ser necesario) y la morbilidad perioperatoria. Resultados: 281 pacientes (91 por ciento) se controlaron con al menos un espermiograma. En 189 pacientes (67 por ciento) se evidenció azoospermia en el espermiograma a los 3 meses. En 81 pacientes (29 por ciento) se evidenció un recuento con < 100.000 espermatozoides 100 por ciento inmóviles. En 9 pacientes (3,2 por ciento) se necesitó un segundo espermiograma para obtener menos de 100.000 espermatozoides 100 por ciento inmóviles. Seis pacientes (2 por ciento) consultaron por complicaciones menores: orquialgia, epididimitos o hematoma del sitio operatorio. A 2 años de seguimiento, no se registraron embarazos. Conclusiones: La vasectomía sin bisturí es un método seguro y reproducible de anticoncepción masculina, presentando tasas de efectividad superiores al resto de los métodos anticonceptivos. Un espermiograma de control debe ser realizado a los 3 meses de realizado el procedimiento. La tasa de falla temprana se estima en 0,3 por ciento de los pacientes.

Introduction: Vasectomy is a safe and effective technique of male fertility control. Despite this, in the world are carried out more than double female sterilization in comparison with vasectomies, that is more pronounced in less developed countries. Aims: To present our experience and results in patients undergoing a no-scalpel vasectomy. Methods and Material: A total of 309 patients undergoing a no-scalpel vasectomy between June 2009 and May 2010 were included. For each case was record age, operative time, sperm count at 3 months post vasectomy and peri-operative morbidity. Results: 309 vasectomies were performed, 281 patients (91%) were controlled with at least one sperm count. Azoospermia was obtained in the first sperm count at 3 months in 189 patients (67%). In 81 patients (29%) were observed ≤ 100,000 sperm 100% immobile. 9 patients (3.2%) needed a second semen analysis and 2 patients a third one for less than 100,000 sperm that were 100% immobile. 6 patients (2%) consulted by minor complications such as postoperative pain, epididymitis or hematoma with spontaneous resolution. Conclusions: Vasectomy is a safe and reproducible method of male contraception, presenting an effectiveness rates higher than others contraceptive methods. There are no absolute contraindications for performing the procedure. A sperm count should be done at 3 months of the procedure. The early failure rate in our study is 0.3%.

Realidad actual del screening para cáncer de próstata: ¿se llevan a cabo las recomendaciones? / Current reality of the screening for prostate cancer: are we carrying out the recommendations?

INTRODUCCIÓN: El cáncer de próstata es la segunda causa de muerte por cáncer en hombres, al igual que en países desarrollados. A pesar de la alta prevalencia y mortalidad, no existen programas de amplia cobertura para detección precoz en la población masculina. OBJETIVO: Determinar la prevalencia del tamizaje para cáncer de próstata en hombres de diversos centros de salud de Santiago de Chile. METODOLOGÍA: Encuesta dirigida a hombres mayores o igual de 40 años que consultaron a centros de salud por causas no urológicas. Se preguntó respecto a edad, realización de exámenes de detección de cáncer de próstata e inicio de controles para pesquisa. RESULTADOS: Respondieron a la encuesta 517 hombres, con una edad promedio de 59 años. Un 50,3 por ciento de los encuestados refirieron haber tenido control para detección de cáncer de próstata alguna vez en su vida. Se observó una mayor proporción de pacientes controlados en un centro de alto nivel socioeconómico de la ciudad, y de un Hospital, en comparación a otros 3 centros. La mayor parte de los controlados tenían más de 60 años, y sólo un tercio inició los controles antes de los 50 años. Finalmente, sólo un 50 por ciento de los controlados se habían realizado tanto medición de antígeno prostático específico como el examen digital rectal. CONCLUSIÓN: La cobertura del screening para cáncer de próstata es baja en la población masculina de Santiago de Chile. Además, la mayor parte de los pacientes inician los controles a edades tardías.

BACKGROUND: In Chile, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, similar to developed countries. Despite the high prevalence and mortality, there are no established screening programs for early detection. AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of the prostate cancer screening method in different centers of Santiago. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was applied to men 40 years or older to determine age, performing some prostate screening, age at first screening, and which type of screening has been performed. RESULTS: The questionnaire was answered by 517 men, mean age 59 years. 50,3 percent reported had control for detection of prostate cancer at least one time in their life. A higher proportion of patient controlled was observed in a high socioeconomic center of the city and a hospital, compared to other 3 centers. Most of the controlled were over 60 years, and only one third of the controlled started before 50 age. Finally, only 50 percent had done prostate specific antigen plus digital rectal examination. CONCLUSION: The screening for prostate cancer is low in the male population of Santiago de Chile. Furthermore, most patients stars controls at later ages.

Embolectomía pulmonar y bypass cardiopulmonar durante el embarazo / Pulmonary embolectomy and cardiopulmonary bypass during pregnancy

La cirugía cardiaca con circulación extracorpórea en pacientes obstétricas representa un capítulo especial, debido a los cambios fisiológicos producidos por el embarazo y factores como el manejo anestésico, la monitorización y la perfusión durante el bypass cardiopulmonar que se producen sobre el binomio madre-feto, organismos en situaciones diferentes y con intereses opuestos. Describimos el manejo anestésico de una paciente de 26,2 semanas de embarazo con un tromboembolismo pulmonar y trombo auricular adherido a catéter central con comunicación interauricular.

Cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation in obstetric patients is a separate chapter because of the physiological changes brought about by pregnancy and factors such as anesthetic management, monitoring and perfusion during the cardiopulmonary bypass that affects both the mother and the child; both experience different circumstances and have dissimilar interests. The paper discusses the anesthetic management of a patient in her 26.2weeks of gestation with a pulmonary thromboembolism and atrial intracavitary thrombus attached to the central catheter with atrial septal defect.

Therapeutic effect of an altered peptide ligand derived from heat-shock protein 60 by suppressing of inflammatory cytokines secretion in two animal models of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease mediated by T cells. Productive engagement of T cell receptors by major histocompatibility complex-peptide leads to proliferation, differentiation and the definition of effector functions. Altered peptide ligands (APL) generated by amino acid substitutions in the antigenic peptide have diverse effects on T cell response. We predicted a novel T cell epitope from human heat-shock protein 60, an autoantigen involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Three APLs were designed from this epitope and it was demonstrated that these peptides induce the activation of T cells through their ability to modify cell cycle phase's distribution of CD4+T cells from RA patients. Also, IL-17, TNF-α and IL-10 levels were determined in PBMC from these patients. Unlike the wild-type peptide and the other two APLs, APL2 increased the IL-10 level and suppressed IL-17 secretion in these assays. Therapeutic effect of this APL in adjuvant arthritis (AA) and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) models was also evaluated. Clinical score, histopathology, inflammatory and regulatory cytokine concentration were monitored in the animals. APL2 efficiently inhibited the progression of AA and CIA with a significant reduction of the clinical and histopathologic score. Therapeutic effect of APL2 on CIA was similar to that obtained with MTX; the standard treatment for RA. This effect was associated with a decrease of TNF-α and IL-17 levels. These results suggest that the therapeutic effect of APL2 is mediated in part by down-regulation of inflammatory cytokines and support the potential use of APL2 as a therapeutic drug in RA patients.

Elimination of a pressure ulcer with electrical stimulation--a case study

Pressure ulcers, also called decubitus ulcers, are a common challenge of humanity and are exceptionally difficult to heal. They are wounds that are initiated by relatively short periods of pressure on the skin that blocks blood circulation causing the skin and underlying tissues to die, leading to an open wound. Pressure release can prevent further tissue degeneration, and some ulcers heal and disappear by themselves. However, many pressure ulcers never heal and continue to grow in diameter and depth. By one year, such unhealing ulcers are referred to as chronic ulcers. Chronic ulcers frequently jeopardize the life of the patient due to infections that become increasingly deep until they invade bones and the circulatory system. We report on a patient with a chronic pressure ulcer at his coccyx prominence. Fourteen months after the ulcer had appeared, a surface pulse electromagnetic force (PEMF) stimulator was applied over T7-T8, 45 cm cephalic to the ulcer, as part of a nerve stimulation study. Although the ulcer had continued to grow both in diameter and depth for 14 months and showed no signs of healing, within 6 days of applying the PEMF stimulator, the ulcer began to heal and was fully eliminated after 3 months. We concluded that the electrical stimulation induced the healing of the pressure ulcer. The ulcer elimination is quite surprising due to the exceptionally low electric field-force being generated by the stimulator at a distance of 45 cm.

Extracellular pH defense against lactic acid in untrained and trained altitude residents.

The assumption that buffering at altitude is deteriorated by bicarbonate (bi) reduction was investigated. Extracellular pH defense against lactic acidosis was estimated from changes (Delta) in lactic acid ([La]), [HCO3-], pH and PCO2 in plasma, which equilibrates with interstitial fluid. These quantities were measured in earlobe blood during and after incremental bicycle exercise in 10 untrained (UT) and 11 endurance-trained (TR) highlanders (2,600 m). During exercise the capacity of non-bicarbonate buffers (betanbi=-Delta[La]. DeltapH(-1)-Delta[HCO3-]. DeltapH(-1)) amounted to 40+/-2 (SEM) and 28+/-2 mmol l(-1) in UT and TR, respectively (P<0.01). During recovery beta (nbi) decreased to 20 (UT) and 16 (TR) mmol l(-1) (P<0.001) corresponding to values expected from hemoglobin, dissolved protein and phosphate concentrations related to extracellular fluid (ecf). This was accompanied by a larger decrease of base excess after than during exercise for a given Delta[La]. betabi amounted to 37-41 mmol l(-1) being lower than at sea level. The large exercise betanbi was mainly caused by increasing concentrations of buffers due to temporary shrinking of ecf. Tr has lower betanbi in spite of an increased Hb mass mainly because of an expanded ecf compared to UT. In highlanders betanbi is higher than in lowlanders because of larger Hb mass and reduced ecf and counteracts the decrease in [HCO3-]. The amount of bicarbonate is probably reduced by reduction of the ecf at altitude but this is compensated by lower maximal [La] and more effective hyperventilation resulting in attenuated exercise acidosis at exhaustion.

Comparación de complicaciones por sangrado en resección transuretral de próstata con y sin participación de residentes / Comparison of complications for bleeding in transurethral resection of prostate with and without participation of residents

Introduction: transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is still the gold standard treatment of prostatic obstruction. The objective of the present study is to compare the bleeding complications of TURP with and without the participation of residents. Material and methods: The data was obtained from a prospective protocol that included 200 patients submitted to TURP. Eleven patients were excluded from the study (5,5 percent). No patient was lost from follow-up. Results: Were viewed 189 surgeries, 46 with resident participation (24,3 percent). The operations performed by residents were more prolonged, and required more days with bladder drainage. The following bleeding complications were observed: 1) Bladder catheter washing to solve obstruction by clots: 11,6 percent, 2) Endoscopic revision in severe hematuria: 2,6 percent, 3) Readmission to the hospital in complete urinary retention secondary to clots: 2,1 percent and 4) Blood transfusion: 2,1 percent. The transfusion rate was significantly higher in resident surgeries (6,5 percent versus 0,7 percent, p=0,045), without differences in the other bleeding complications. Conclusion: The rate of bleeding complications is comparable to that recently published. Applying strict criterion for blood transfusion, no difference was observed between the groups. At our institution, the process of teaching and learning TURP does not increase significantly the risk of bleeding complications.

A novel technique leading to complete sensory and motor recovery across a long peripheral nerve gap

Sensory nerve grafts are the [quot ]gold standard[quot ] for inducing neurological recovery in peripheral nerves with a gap. However, the effectiveness of sensory nerve grafts is variable, generally not leading to complete sensory and motor recovery, with good recovery limited to gaps shorter than 2 cm, and the extent of recovery decreasing with increasing graft length. An alternative technique using a conduit filled with pure fibrin to bridge a nerve gap leads to only limited neurological recovery. We tested the effectiveness of a novel nerve repair technique in which a 5-cm long radial nerve gap was repaired using two sural nerve graft surrounded by a collage tube filled with pure fibrin. By 1 1/2 years post surgery, the patient recovered complete sensory and motor function. In conclusion, this study suggests that the combination of pure fibrin surrounding sural nerve grafts is responsible for inducing the extensive neurological recovery induced by either pure fibrin or sural grafts alone. This technique is presently being tested in a clinical trial.

Formación de valores de estudiantes, papel de los profesionales de la información

El trabajo ofrece una revisión de los diferentes criterios acerca del concepto de valores y la importancia de la formación de estos en los estudiantes que acuden a los Centros de Información y Bibliotecas Médicas. La educación de valores es un proceso continuo que comienza con la atención y educación del niño en la familia y se extiende hasta la Universidad y es ahí donde juegan un papel primordial los profesionales de la Información. Para los estudiantes no sólo es importante recibir una educación rica en valores que coadyuve al fortalecimiento de su formación humanista, sino también comprender en su totalidad el proceso de la valoración en la relación profesional de la salud-paciente, además se identifican los principales valores morales que deben primar en los profesionales de la salud, ofreciéndose conclusiones. [AU]

Morphological characterization of six subpopulations of adult human DRG neurons at the light microscopic level

Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons are composed of physiologically distinct subpopulations, each responding to a different sensory stimulus. One can morphologically discriminate between two broad populations of adult rat and frog DRG neurons by their appearance under the light microscope. These groups are called large clear and small dark. However, additional subpopulations have not been identified by visual observation. Such identification requires application of immunochemistry or biophysical techniques. Although these are useful techniques, they do not allow the rapid discrimination of different neuron subpopulations, which would be useful for pharmacological studies on unique neuron subpopulations. Such experiments would be greatly facilitated if viable DRG neuron subpopulations could be identified based on their morphology at the light microscopic level. Just as for adult frog and rat DRG neurons, when adult human DRG neurons are observed under phase optics, two subpopulations can be seen, small dark and large light. However, under bright-field illumination, six distinct subpopulations can be distinguished based solely on morphological features. Five subpopulations contain rusty-colored cytoplasmic inclusions with different sized granules and differences in the size and density of the granule clusters, while one is granule-free. Analysis of the soma diameter distribution shows each of the six granule-containing and the non-granule-containing (clear) neuron subpopulations has a statistically significant difference in size distribution. We propose that neurons with different morphologies correspond to unique physiological subpopulations of DRG neurons. Experiments are underway using immunochemical techniques to determine whether neurons with the unique morphologies correspond with unique physiological functions.

Neuroprotection of adult human neurons against ischemia by hypothermia and alkalinization

Ischemia of intact dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in situ leads to massive neuron death due to ischemia-triggered secondary events, such as massive release of excitatory amino acids from the neurons, their excessive accumulation and activation of neuron NMDA and other receptors, acidification, and loss of calcium homeostasis. The present experiments tested whether hypothermia and alkalinization, separately or combined, provide neuroprotection against 1-4 hours of ischemia to the neurons within intact DRG acutely removed from organ donors. DRG under hypothermic (20-15 degrees C) or alkaline (pH 8.0-9.3) conditions yielded more viable neurons than DRG maintained under physiological conditions (37 degrees C/pH 7.4), 4.1-fold vs. 7.8-fold respectively, but, hypothermia and alkalinization combined (20 degrees C/pH 9.3) increased the yield of viable neurons 26-fold compared to DRG maintained under physiological conditions. These results show that combined hypothermia and alkalinization provide adult human DRG neurons significant neuroprotection against ischemia, and ischemia-induced causes of neuron death.

Advances in spinal cord repair techniques

Daily US accidents result annually in over 20,000 cases of traumatic spinal cord injury associated with complete and permanent paraplegias and quadriplegias frequently associated chronic pain. This amounts to new annual health care a costs of dollar 3.2 billion, and a total annual cost for all such individuals in the US of dollar 96 billion. Tens of thousands of additional people suffer lesser degrees of permanent debilitating lost spinal cord function. To help these people recover neurological functions, and simultaneously reduce the enormous suffering, and the associated medical expenses, requires developing techniques that induce the regeneration of lesioned adult human spinal cord axons. A number of techniques lead to varying degrees of axon regeneration and neurological recovery in the rat, but the recovery is invariably limited. While other approaches show potential, they have not led reliable neurological recovery. Most spinal cord repair techniques cannot be applied clinically because they require materials that are not FDA-approved. However, several FDA-approved materials are available that hold great promise for inducing axon regeneration, especially when used simultaneously. Here we review efforts to induce the regeneration of spinal cord axons, how what is known about promoting regeneration of axons across peripheral nerve gaps may be applied to repairing spinal cord lesions, and finally, how several readily available materials may induce axons to regenerate in the spinal cord and restore neurological function.

Promoting neurological recovery following a traumatic peripheral nerve injury

If a peripheral nerve is crushed, or if the nerve is cut and the ends sutured together soon after the lesion (anastomosed), neurological recovery is good. When a length of a peripheral nerve is destroyed, and anastomosis is not possible, the standard surgical repair technique is to graft a length/s of sensory nerve from the patient, into the gap. For gaps 4 cm recovery is limited to non-existent. The limited recovery is because sensory nerves act as passive scaffolds for axon regeneration and do not actively promote axon regeneration. However, such grafts remain the [quot ]gold standard[quot ] for nerve repairs. New techniques are required that induce improved neurological recovery. This paper reviews current clinical and basic research techniques for inducing neurological recovery following traumatic peripheral nerve injuries.