Pilot-scale phycoremediation using Muriellopsis sp. for wastewater reclamation in the Atacama Desert: microalgae biomass production and pigment recovery.

Municipal wastewater phycoremediation represents a promising circular economy-based process for wastewater reclamation used to recover water and produce biomass. This study aimed to evaluate a pilot-scale phycoremediation system, using the most efficient strain of microalgae for wastewater reclamation in the Atacama Desert. Nitrogen and phosphorus removal, as well as biomass growth, were compared in different microalgae treatments, namely Muriellopsis sp., Scenedesmus almeriensis, Chlamydomonas segnis, Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Chlorella vulgaris. The most efficient treatments, Muriellopsis sp. and S. almeriensis, were scaled up to 20-L bubble column reactors to evaluate nutrient removal and biomass biochemical profile for potential biotechnological application. Finally, Muriellopsis sp. was selected for a pilot-scale phycoremediation experiment (800-L raceway), which removed 84% of nitrogen, 93% of phosphorus and other chemical compounds after 4 days of treatment to meet most of the Chilean standards for irrigation water (NCh. 1333. DS. MOP No. 867/78). Faecal coliforms count was reduced by 99.9%. Furthermore, biomass productivity reached 104.25 mg·L-1·day-1 value with 51% protein, and pigment content of 0.6% carotenoid, with 0.3% lutein. These results indicate the potential of wastewater phycoremediation at an industrial scale for the production of irrigation water and carotenoid using Muriellopsis sp.

Costos totales asociados a úlceras por presión y caídas en usuarios de los servicios clínicos de cirugía y medicina, en un establecimiento de alta complejidad, primer semestre del 2017 y primer semestre 2018, Chile / Total costs associated with pressure ulcers and falls in users of clinical surgery and medical services, in a highly complex establishment, first half of 2017 and first semester 2018, Chile

INTRODUCCIÓN: las actividades asistenciales relacionadas con la atención de pacientes en servicios clínicos tienen diferentes grados de riesgos para las personas que los reciben, el error en la atención sanitaria se denomina evento adverso y/o centinelas los que, según su gravedad, pueden llegar a causar la muerte de los usuarios. OBJETIVO: determinar los costos totales de úlceras por presión y caídas ocurridos en los usuarios de los servicios clínicos de cirugía y medicina en un establecimiento de alta complejidad durante el primer semestre del 2017 y primer semestre del 2018, en Chile. MÉTODO: estudio descriptivo retrospectivo. La ocurrencia de eventos relacionados a úlceras por presión y caídas son notificados a través del sistema informático Phoenix y son recepcionados por el Departamento de Calidad y Seguridad del Paciente del establecimiento, los datos económicos fueron proporcionados por el departamento de Finanzas. Los datos fueron procesados por programa computacional Excel. RESULTADOS: los costos totales asociado a úlceras por presión y caídas:Servicio de Cirugía, primer semestre del 2017:-Ulceras por presión $44.086.872 (U$ 57.557 dólares)-Caídas $39.630.517 (U$51.739 dólares)-Costo total $ 83.717.389 (U$109.297 dólares)Servicio de Medicina, primer semestre del 2017:-Úlceras por presión $22.654.894 (U$29.803 dólares)-Caídas $32.023.185 (U$41.807 dólares)-Costo total $ 54.678.079 (U$71.385 dólares)Servicio de Cirugía, primer semestre del 2018:-Ulceras por presión $76.979.440 (U$100.500 dólares)-Caídas $18.522.927 (U$24.182 dólares)-Costo total $ 95.502.367 (U$124.683 dólares)Servicio de Medicina, primer semestre del 2018:-Ulceras por presión $14.981.255 (U$19.558 dólares)-Caídas $55.258.625 (U$72.142 dólares)-Costo total $ 70.239.880 (U$91.701 dólares) CONCLUSIÓN: se logró levantar información actual sobre los recursos financieros y clínicos que determinan el impacto económico que generan los eventos adversos en los pacientes atendidos en un centro asistencial público. Es por esto, que el presente estudio, permitió cuantificar y evidenciar el impacto económico de dos eventos ocurridos en los servicios clínicos de un hospital de alta complejidad de Chile.

INTRODUCTION: healthcare activities related to the care of patients in clinical services, have different degrees of risks for the people who receive them, the error in health care is called an adverse event and / or sentinels which, depending on their severity, can arrive to cause the death of users. OBJECTIVE: to determine the total costs of pressure ulcers and falls that occurred in users of clinical services of surgery and medicine in a highly complex establishment during the first half of 2017 and the first half of 2018, in Chile. METHOD: retrospective descriptive study. The occurrence of events related to pressure ulcers and falls are notified through the Phoenix computer system and are received by the Department of Quality and Patient Safety of the establishment, the economic data were provided by the Department of Finance. The data were processed by Excel computer program. RESULTS: the total costs associated with pressure ulcers and falls:Surgery Service, first semester of 2017: -Pressure ulcers $ 44,086,872 (U$ 57,557)-Falls $ 39,630,517 (U$ 51,739) -Total cost$ 83,717,389 (U$ 109,297)Medicine Service, first semester of 2017: -Pressure ulcers $ 22,654,894 (U$29,803 dollars) -Falls $ 32,023,185 (U$41,807 dollars) -Total cost $ 54,678,079 (U$71,385 dollars)Surgery Service, first semester of 2018: -Pressure ulcers $ 76,979,440 (U$100,500 dollars) -Falls $ 18,522,927 (U$24,182 dollars) -Total cost $ 95,502,367 (U$124,683 dollars)Medicine Service, first semester of 2018: -Pressure ulcers $ 14,981,255 (U$19,558 dollars) -Falls $ 55,258,625 (U$72,142dollars) -Total cost $ 70,239,880 (U$91,701 dollars) CONCLUSIONS: it was possible to collect current information on financial and clinical resources that determine the economic impact generated by adverse events in patients treated in a public healthcare center. This is why the present study made it possible to quantify and demonstrate the economic impact of two events that occurred in the clinical services of a highly complex hospital in Chile.

Cirugía ambulatoria electiva en patología proctológica: experiencia prospectiva de 14 años en un hospital público docente / Elective ambulatory surgery in proctological pathology: 14 years of prospective experience in a public teaching hospital

INTRODUCCIÓN: Se presenta nuestra experiencia en cirugía ambulatoria en patología proctológica. MATERIALES Y MÉTODO: La serie corresponde al análisis de 1.399 pacientes tratados entre agosto de 2003 y diciembre de 2017 en forma prospectiva, RESULTADOS: Fueron intervenidos por fístula anorrectal (20%), enfermedad hemorroidaria (19%), enfermedad pilonidal sacro coccígea (EPSC) (15%), fisura anal (13%), biopsia rectal quirúrgica o resección local endoanal (12%), condilomas (10%) y otras (10%). La morbilidad inmediata es de un caso, por un hematoma luego de una cirugía por EPSC que requirió hemostasia y cierre primario. La tasa de hospitalización inmediata fue de 0,3% y corresponde a 5 casos de retención aguda de orina. La hospitalización tardía fue de un 1,6% y corresponde a 22 pacientes, hospitalizados por sangrado tardío (9), dolor intratable (9) y fiebre (4). Todos fueron tratados en forma conservadora con resolución entre los 2 y 5 días. No se registra morbilidad mayor en esta serie. CONCLUSIONES: La cirugía ambulatoria en patología proctológica es factible y segura.

INTRODUCTION: We present our prospective experience in ambulatory anorectal surgery between August 2003 and December 2017. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The series corresponds to the analysis of 1399 patients treated between August 2003 and December 2017 prospectively. RESULTS: The etiology of the surgerys were anal fistula (20%), hemorrhoidal disease (19%), sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease (15%), anal fissure (13%), rectal surgical biopsy or local resection (12%), condylomata (10%) and others (10%). The immediate morbidity was seen one case, a hematoma after an EPSC surgery that required hemostasis and primary closure. The immediate hospitalization rate was 0.3% and corresponds to 5 cases of acute urinary retention. The late hospitalization was 1.6% and corresponds to 22 patients, due to late bleeding (9), severe pain (9) and fever (4). All were treated conservatively with resolution between 2 and 5 days. No major morbidity is recorded in this series. CONCLUSION: We concluded that outpatient surgery in proctologic pathology is feasible and safe.

Revisión del género Boletus L. (Boletales, Basidiomycota) en Chile / Review of the genus Boletus L. (Boletales, Basidiomycota) in Chile

El género Boletus cuenta con alrededor de 300 especies, las cuales se encuentran ampliamente distribuidas en el mundo, formando micorrizas con diversos árboles. En Chile se han documentado seis especies: Boletus loyo, B. loyita, B. chilensis, B. putidus, B. bresinskyanus y B. araucariae, asociadas exclusivamente a Nothofagus spp., siendo Boletus loyo actualmente clasificada en el género Butyriboletus. En esta revisión, se describen los caracteres macro y microscópicos junto con la distribución climática de las seis especies nativas presentes en nuestro país de acuerdo a la literatura. Además, se presenta una clave dicotómica basada en bibliografía relevante para ayudar a su determinación.(AU)

The genus Boletus has around 300 species, which are distributed throughout the world, forming mycorrhizae with different trees. In Chile six species have been documented: Boletus loyo, B. loyita, B. chilensis, B. putidus, B. bresinskyanus and B. araucariae, which belong to Nothofagus spp., being Boletus loyo currently classified in the genus Butyriboletus. In this review, the macro and microscopic characters and climatic distribution of the six native species present in our country are described according to the literature. In addition, a dichotomous key based on relevant literature is presented to aid in its determination.(AU)

Tratamiento de la enfermedad hemorroidaria con desarterialización y pexia guiada por doppler (THD®): experiencia inicial / Treatment of haemorrhoidal disease with desarterialization and fixing guided by Doppler

Resumen Introducción: La enfermedad hemorroidaria puede ser tratada de múltiples formas. Una alternativa es la ligadura de las ramas terminales de la arteria rectal y pexia de los paquetes guiados por Doppler (THD®). Objetivo: Presentar nuestra experiencia inicial con esta técnica. Material y Método: Serie prospectiva, consecutiva, no aleatoria. Incluye a los pacientes tratados por enfermedad hemorroidaria que no responde al manejo no quirúrgico. Resultados: La serie corresponde a 11 pacientes, 7 de género masculino. Todos fueron operados en forma ambulatoria. El tiempo quirúrgico promedio fue de 35 min y la evaluación del dolor posoperatorio inmediato no superó un EVA de 3 en todos los pacientes. El seguimiento promedio es de 12 meses y solo un paciente requirió una ligadura con banda elástica por sangrado hemorroidario. Conclusión: La técnica de ligadura y pexia guiada por Doppler es sencilla, con buenos resultados iniciales y con mínimo dolor posoperatorio.

Introduction: Hemorrhoidal disease can be treated by many surgical options. One of them are Transanal Haemorroidal Dearterialization (THD®). Objective: To present our initial experience with this technique. Material and Methods: Prospective, consecutive, non-random series. It includes patients treated for haemorrhoidal disease unresponsive to no operative management. Results: The series consists of 11 patients, 7 male gender. All were operated on an outpatient basis. The average operating time was 35 minutes and the immediate post-operative pain assessment did not exceed an AVS of 3 in all patients. The average follow up was 12 month. Only one patient needed a rubber band ligation for hemorrhoidal bleeding control. Conclusion: The THD technique is simple, with good initial results and minimal post-operative pain.

Effect of once-daily generic ciclesonide on exhaled nitric oxide in atopic children with persistent asthma.

BACKGROUND: Ciclesonide (CIC) is an effective inhaled corticosteroid for treating asthmatic children. However, its effect on airway inflammation assessed by the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) in children with persistent asthma is virtually unknown. We aimed to assess the effect of once-daily generic CIC, 80 or 160 µg, on FENO, lung function, asthma control and bronchial hyperresponsiveness, in atopic children with persistent asthma. METHODS: This was a 12-week, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group study. Sixty children with mild-to-moderate persistent asthma were recruited. Changes in FENO, asthma control score, lung function (FEV1) and bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine (BHR) were used to assess the effects of both CIC doses. Non-normally distributed variables were log-transformed to approximate normality, and parametric tests were used for comparisons within and between groups at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: In the CIC 80 µg group, FENO decreased from 45.0 ppb (95% CI 37.8-53.7) to 32.7 ppb (95% CI 21.0-47.3) at the end of study (P=0.021), whereas in the CIC 160 µg group, FENO decreased from 47.3 ppb (95% CI 40.4-55.3) to 30.5 ppb (95% CI 24.1-38.7) (P<0.001). The difference between groups in FENO at the end of study was not significant (P=0.693). There was a significant improvement of asthma control with both CIC doses but there was no significant change in BHR or FEV1 in either group. CONCLUSION: Once-daily generic ciclesonide (80 µg or 160 µg), for 12 weeks, is effective to improve airway inflammation and asthma control in atopic children with persistent asthma.

Fraction of exhaled nitric oxide in healthy Chilean schoolchildren aged 8-15 years.

BACKGROUND: The fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) measured using portable devices is increasingly used in the clinical setting to assess asthmatic children. However, there is little and variable information on the reference values obtained using these devices in healthy children from different populations. METHODS: 190 healthy non-smoker children (8-15 years old) were randomly selected from public schools participating in this study. The objective was to determine FENO reference values for healthy Chilean schoolchildren. Healthy individuals were identified by medical interview and parent questionnaire on the use of asthma medications, and current and past symptoms of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema. FENO was measured at schools using a portable device with electrochemical sensor (NIO MINOX). Reference values of FENO were expressed as geometric mean and upper limit of the 95% reference interval (right-sided). The relationship of FENO with gender, age, height, body mass, and other factors was assessed by multiple regression, and the difference between groups was contrasted by ANOVA. RESULTS: The FENO geometric mean was 15.4ppb with a 95% reference interval upper limit (right-sided), of 27.4ppb (90%CI 25.6-29.2). The 5th and 95th percentiles were 9.0ppb and 28.0ppb, respectively. Height was the only factor significantly associated to FENO (p=0.022). There was no significant difference in mean FENO regarding age, gender, weight, parent reported rhinoconjunctivitis and eczema. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that FENO values higher than 27ppb are likely to be abnormal and would reflect airway inflammation in children as those in the present study.

Alloxenic distribution of cystacanths of two Profilicollis species in sympatric crustacean hosts in Chile.

The taxonomic status of Profilicollis ( = Falsifilicollis Webster, 1948) species in crustaceans in Chile is examined. Mole crabs, Emerita analoga (Stimpson 1857), living in the splash zone of a sandy beach at Lenga off the coast of central Chile, harbor Polymorphus (Profilicollis) bullocki Mateo, Córdova and Guzmán 1982, while the estuarine crabs, Hemigrapsus crenulatus (Milne-Edwards, 1837), living in an oligohaline inlet at the same site, harbor Profilicollis spp. cystacanths which cannot be distinguished specifically to either Profilicollis antarcticus or P. chasmagnathi Holcman-Spector, Mañé-Garzón and Dei-Cas 1977. We found no morphological data supporting records of P. altmani along the coast of Chile. Therefore, and after examination of both their morphology and the literature, we consider that P. bullocki must be reinstated as a valid species in the genus. There is a widespread distribution of habitats, such as sandy beaches and inlets, as well as a variety of host taxa involved in the life cycle of Profilicollis spp. Consequently, they provide an interesting scenario for testing hypotheses regarding the coevolution and host specificity of these parasites.

Conocimientos y hábitos de exposición solar de la población chilena / Sun exposure behaviors and knowledge among Chileans

Background: Ultraviolet light exposure has a pathogenic effect on the development of skin cancer, whose prevalence increases worldwide. In Chile and the rest of the world, preventive educational campaigns are carried out to change high risk sun exposure behaviors. Aim: To study the behavior of the Chilean population towards skin cancer prevention and to identify erroneous preventive practices and concepts. Material and methods: A survey containing 17 questions about sun exposure behaviors, photoprotective measures and knowledge about ultraviolet radiation and skin cancer was used. It was applied during January and February 2004, to 1,143 subjects (mean age 30 years, 409 males), taking vacations in beach resorts in Chile. Results: The hours of higher sun exposure ranged from 12 AM to 4 PM. Thirty seven percent of subjects were exposed more than 2 hours during this high risk lapse. Women and subjects aged less than 25 years were those with the riskiest behaviors. Fifty four percent used some type of photoprotection and 50% used ocular protection. Seventy percent used creams with sun screen and 74% used a sun protection factor higher than 15. Seventy percent applied the sun screen as recommended. Thirty eight percent had at least one sun burn in the last two years. More than 90% of subjects were aware of the relationship between sun exposure and skin cancer but 60% did not know the hours of higher ultraviolet radiation. The information about sun exposure was obtained from television in 57% of surveyed individuals. Conclusions: More educational campaigns about the risk of sun exposure are needed to reduce risky behaviors in the Chilean population.

Antisense inhibition of decorin expression in myoblasts decreases cell responsiveness to transforming growth factor beta and accelerates skeletal muscle differentiation.

Decorin is a member of the family of the small leucine-rich proteoglycans. In addition to its function as an extracellular matrix organizer, it has the ability to activate the epidermal growth factor receptor, and it forms complexes with various isoforms of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta). Decorin is expressed during skeletal muscle differentiation and is up-regulated in dystrophic muscle. In this study we investigated the role of decorin in TGF-beta-dependent inhibition of myogenesis. To probe the function of decorin during myogenesis, C(2)C(12) myoblasts were stably transfected with a plasmid expressing antisense decorin mRNA. The resulting inhibition of decorin expression led to the expression of myogenin, a master transcription factor for muscle differentiation, under growth conditions and accelerated skeletal muscle differentiation as determined by the expression of creatine kinase. In contrast myogenin expression was inhibited by adenovirally induced decorin expression or by adding exogenous decorin. Reduced synthesis of decorin resulted in a 7-fold decreased sensitivity to TGF-beta-mediated inhibition of myogenin expression. In contrast, adenovirally induced decorin expression in wild type cells resulted in a 5-fold increased sensitivity to TGF-beta-mediated inhibition of myogenin expression. Transfection studies with the TGF-beta-dependent promoter of the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 coupled with luciferase revealed that the transducing receptors for TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2 were involved in the different responses of wild type and antisense decorin myoblasts. These results demonstrate that a reduction of decorin expression or of decorin availability results in a decreased responsiveness to TGF-beta. These findings strongly suggest a new role for decorin during skeletal muscle terminal differentiation by activating TGF-beta-dependent signaling pathways.

Association of Aeromonas hydrophila and Vibrio alginolyticus with Larval Mortalities of Scallop (Argopecten purpuratus)

A bacteriological study was carried out in a hatchery of Argopecten purpuratus located in northern Chile which had been affected by severe larval mortalities. The phenotypic characterization of the bacterial strains revealed that Vibrio alginolyticus was the predominant species isolated in the majority of samples taken from the different units of the hatchery (microalgae, swimming larvae, seawater of larval culture tanks, and a reservoir tank of 50-µm filtered seawater). However, the bacterial population of dying larvae was composed of only Aeromonas hydrophila strains which proved to be resistant to most of the chemotherapeutic agents tested. The bioassays conducted to evaluate the effect of these bacteria on larval survival showed that all of the isolated Vibrio and Aeromonas strains possessed a high degree of pathogenicity, since they produced dying larvae on concentrations ranging from 5.5 x 10(4) to 5.5 x 10(2) cells/ml. The possible virulence mechanism of these bacteria is discussed, as well as the potential use of drugs to prevent larval mortalities.