Sustentabilidad hospitalaria, calidad y seguridad del paciente en el Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile / Hospital sustainability, quality and patient safety in Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile

The sustainability of the Universidad de Chile Clinical Hospital must be understood comprehensively; providing higher quality and safety for our patients, ensuring highest standards of medical care. The quality of care must be understood not only in complying with the minimum standards to accredit and grant GES benefits, establish agreements with health insurers and be financially competitive; It must be incorporated into its management the dimensions of quality - effectiveness, efficiency, accessibility, safety, equity and patient-centered care- minimizing the costs of non-quality work. Our Clinical Hospital, as our country's main training center in healthcare professions, must include training at the undergraduate students' curriculum in quality and patient safety issues. (AU)

Gastroprotective and cicatrizing activity of the Ziziphus joazeiro Mart. leaf hydroalcoholic extract.

Ziziphus joazeiro Mart., popularly known as 'juazeiro', is a species used in popular medicine for the treatment of bronchitis, gastric ulcers, skin wounds, and in the manufacture of cosmetic and food products. The objective of this study is to evaluate the gastroprotective and cicatrizing activity of the Z. joazeiro Mart. leaf hydroalcoholic extract (EHFZJ). The acute pre-clinical toxicity was determined by the single administration of the EHFZJ (2000 mg/kg/p.o.) and by assessing clinical signs of toxicity, according to established criteria by Malone, or mortality. Gastroprotective activity was identified through classical models of acute gastric lesions induced by indomethacin, absolute and acidified ethanol (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/per os) and the physical barrier mechanism (400 mg/kg/per os or intraperitoneally). The cicatrizing activity of the EHFZJ was investigated by measuring the speed of wound closure and the percentage of contraction. The acute pre-clinical toxicity of EHFZJ showed no signs of toxicity and mortality. The EHFZJ demonstrated a gastroprotective effect at the 400 mg/kg dose in the classical models of acute gastric injury induced by indomethacin, absolute and acidified ethanol. The EHFZJ administration (orally) demonstrated significant inhibition, suggesting a possible physical barrier mechanism exists. The EHFZJ showed no significant differences in terms of percentage of contraction or the speed of wound closure during the observation times (0, 3, 7, 11 and 14 days). The results obtained in this study provide evidence of a potential gastroprotective activity for the Ziziphus joazeiro Mart. Leaf hydroalcoholic extract.

Predictors of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in neutropenic patients with bloodstream infection.

OBJECTIVES: To assess risk factors for multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDR-PA) infection in neutropenic patients. METHODS: Single-centre retrospective analysis of consecutive bloodstream infection (BSI) episodes (2004-2017, Barcelona). Two multivariate regression models were used at BSI diagnosis and P. aeruginosa detection. Significant predictors were used to establish rules for stratifying patients according to MDR-PA BSI risk. RESULTS: Of 661 Gram-negative BSI episodes, 190 (28.7%) were caused by P. aeruginosa (70 MDR-PA). Independent factors associated with MDR-PA among Gram-negative organisms were haematological malignancy (OR 3.30; 95% CI 1.15-9.50), pulmonary source of infection (OR 7.85; 95% CI 3.32-18.56), nosocomial-acquired BSI (OR 3.52; 95% CI 1.74-7.09), previous antipseudomonal cephalosporin (OR 13.66; 95% CI 6.64-28.10) and piperacillin/tazobactam (OR 2.42; 95% CI 1.04-5.63), and BSI occurring during ceftriaxone (OR 4.27; 95% CI 1.15-15.83). Once P. aeruginosa was identified as the BSI aetiological pathogen, nosocomial acquisition (OR 7.13; 95% CI 2.87-17.67), haematological malignancy (OR 3.44; 95% CI 1.07-10.98), previous antipseudomonal cephalosporin (OR 3.82; 95% CI 1.42-10.22) and quinolones (OR 3.97; 95% CI 1.37-11.48), corticosteroids (OR 2.92; 95% CI 1.15-7.40), and BSI occurring during quinolone (OR 4.88; 95% CI 1.58-15.05) and ß-lactam other than ertapenem (OR 4.51; 95% CI 1.45-14.04) were independently associated with MDR-PA. Per regression coefficients, 1 point was assigned to each parameter, except for nosocomial-acquired BSI (3 points). In the second analysis, a score >3 points identified 60 (86.3%) out of 70 individuals with MDR-PA BSI and discarded 100 (84.2%) out of 120 with non-MDR-PA BSI. CONCLUSIONS: A simple score based on demographic and clinical factors allows stratification of individuals with bacteraemia according to their risk of MDR-PA BSI, and may help facilitate the use of rapid MDR-detection tools and improve early antibiotic appropriateness.

Trends of maxillofacial trauma: An update from the prospective register of a multicenter study in emergency services of Chile.

BACKGROUND: Determine the behavior of the maxillofacial trauma of adults treated in 3 tertiary care centers in the central zone of Chile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: descriptive, cross-sectional, multicenter study, based on the prospective records of maxillofacial trauma cases attended between May 2016 and April 2017 by dental and maxillofacial clinical teams of Adult Emergency Units of hospitals Dr. Sótero del Río (metropolitan region), Carlos Van Buren and Dr. Gustavo Fricke (region V). Age, sex, date of occurrence, type of trauma according to ICD-10, etiology, legal medical prognosis and associated injuries were recorded, stratifying by sex and age. Chi square and unpaired Wilcoxon tests were used to compare by groups. RESULTS: 2.485 cases and 3.285 injuries were investigated. The male: female ratio was 1.7: 1 with age under 30 predominant, followed by older adults. Variability was observed in the yearly, weekly and daily presentation. The highest frequencies were in January and September, weekends and at night. The main etiologies were violence (42.3%), falls (13.1%) and road traffic crashes (12.9%) with differences by age and sex (p <0.05). 31,9% of the injuries occurred in hard tissue, being fractures in nasal bones predominant (S02.2). CONCLUSIONS: the profile of the maxillofacial trauma in Chile seems to be mixed by age, affecting young people and the elderly. The male sex predominates; the main cause, which varies by age group, is violence. Their surveillance is possible from hospital emergency records.

Clinical and epidemiological features of myasthenia gravis in Chilean population.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an estimated prevalence and describe the clinical features of myasthenia gravis (MG) in Chile. METHOD: We carried out (i) a prevalence study of MG using the capture-recapture method and the hospital register of pyridostigmine prescription in South-East Santiago (ii) a nationwide survey of MG patients. RESULTS: Prevalence in adults in South-East Santiago was estimated to be 8.36/100 000 inhabitants (CI: 95%, 7.98-8.80). From the nationwide survey, 405 questionnaires were analysed, there was a female/male ratio of 2.2:1. The mean age of onset of symptoms was 38.7 years (range 1-89). The onset was ocular in 46.4%, oculobulbar in 11.6%, bulbar in 8.9%, limbs in 11.6% and generalized in 21.4%. Of the 13.3% of patients who had had a diagnosis of thymoma, only four of these patients were >60 years old at onset. Thymomas were commoner in patients living in mining counties. Patients ≥60 years old at onset of MG formed 19.5% of the sample, female/male ratio 0.97:1. Associated autoimmune diseases were reported in 14% of patients and in family members of 31.8% of patients. A total of 78 patients had to change work due to MG and 68 needed help in carrying out daily activities. CONCLUSIONS: This study reduces the gap in information about MG in South America. The prevalence of MG in Chile is within the range described worldwide. We did not see an increase in male frequency in the older age of onset group and thymoma was more frequent in the fifth and sixth decades.

[Pretibial pseudocyst after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with a biocomposite screw]. / Seudoquiste pretibial tras la reconstrucción del ligamento cruzado anterior con tornillo biocomposite.

We report the case of a patient who presented a pretibial extra-articular cyst two years after an arthroscopically assisted ACL reconstruction using an autologous bone-patellar tendon-bone graft. The tibial fixation was achieved with a bioabsorbable screw made of poly-L, D-lactic and -tricalcium phosphate (-TCP). A subcutaneous pseudocystic lesion was excised. It consisted of a capsular fibrous tissue with minimal milky fluid (1 ml) centrally. It penetrated into the tibial tunnel but did not communicate with the knee joint space. The histopathological analysis demonstrated fibrous tissue with multinucleated giant cells and refractile particles which suggested a foreign body reaction. After the surgery, the patient recovered perfectly well and he returned to his pre-injury level of physical activity in two months. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of this complication in a patient with a biocomposite screw made of poly-L, D-lactic and -tricalcium phosphate (-TCP).

Presentamos el caso de un paciente con un nódulo subcutáneo pretibial de unos 20 × 15 mm dos años después de la reconstrucción del ligamento cruzado anterior con un injerto autólogo hueso-tendón-hueso de tendón rotuliano fijado en la tibia con un tornillo de interferencia reabsorbible de ácido poli-D, L-láctico y fosfato -tricálcico. Se resecó una lesión seudoquística subcutánea con contenido líquido blanquecino y abundante fibrosis circundante, que penetraba en el túnel tibial sin comunicar con la articulación. El análisis anatomopatológico describió tejido fibroso con células multinucleadas y partículas refringentes, que sugería una reacción a cuerpo extraño. Después de la intervención, la sintomatología remitió y el individuo pudo recuperar su actividad deportiva previa en menos de dos meses. No se ha encontrado en la literatura médica publicada hasta la fecha ningún trabajo que describa esta complicación en un sujeto con un tornillo de interferencia tibial de ácido poli-D, L-láctico y fosfato -tricálcico.

Phosphoric acid concentration affects dentinal MMPs activity.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the concentration of phosphoric acid (PA) has an effect on the proteolytic activity of sound human demineralized dentin. It is hypothesized that the activity of matrix-bound and extracted enzymes depends on the PA concentration used to demineralize dentin. METHODS: One-gram aliquots of mid-coronal human dentin powder were demineralized with 1wt%, 10wt% and 37wt% PA. Concentrations of released calcium were measured for each set of demineralization. Extracted MMP-2 was immunologically identified by western blot and its activity was determined by conventional gelatin zymography. Analysis of released hydroxyproline (HYP) and in situ zymography were performed to evaluate the activity of insoluble, bound-matrix enzymes. RESULTS: The amount of released calcium from dentin powder treated with 37wt% PA was significantly higher (p≤0.05) than that obtained by dentin demineralization with 10wt% and 1wt% PA. Expression and activity of endogenous enzymes, extracted from or bound to dentin matrix, were detected for all samples regardless of the PA concentration. However, the expression and activity of extracted MMP-2 were significantly higher when dentin was treated with 10wt% PA (p<0.05), followed by 1wt% and 37wt% PA. Similarly, the highest concentration of released HYP (i.e. meaning higher percentage of collagen degradation) and the highest activity in in situ zymography were observed when dentin samples were treated with 10wt% PA (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It was confirmed that PA does not denature endogenous enzymes of dentin matrices, but it may somehow modulate the expression and activity of these enzymes in a concentration-dependent manner. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Endogenous proteases have been identified and suggested to be responsible for the digestion of dentin matrix when activated by the acidic components of dental adhesives. Proteolytic activity of dentinal MMPs showed to be dependent on phosphoric acid concentration. The clinically-used concentration (37%) does not inhibit MMPs activity, but slows it.

Seudoquiste pretibial tras la reconstrucción del ligamento cruzado anterior con tornillo biocomposite / Pretibial pseudocyst after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with a biocomposite screw

Resumen: Presentamos el caso de un paciente con un nódulo subcutáneo pretibial de unos 20 × 15 mm dos años después de la reconstrucción del ligamento cruzado anterior con un injerto autólogo hueso-tendón-hueso de tendón rotuliano fijado en la tibia con un tornillo de interferencia reabsorbible de ácido poli-D, L-láctico y fosfato β-tricálcico. Se resecó una lesión seudoquística subcutánea con contenido líquido blanquecino y abundante fibrosis circundante, que penetraba en el túnel tibial sin comunicar con la articulación. El análisis anatomopatológico describió tejido fibroso con células multinucleadas y partículas refringentes, que sugería una reacción a cuerpo extraño. Después de la intervención, la sintomatología remitió y el individuo pudo recuperar su actividad deportiva previa en menos de dos meses. No se ha encontrado en la literatura médica publicada hasta la fecha ningún trabajo que describa esta complicación en un sujeto con un tornillo de interferencia tibial de ácido poli-D, L-láctico y fosfato β-tricálcico.

Abstract: We report the case of a patient who presented a pretibial extra-articular cyst two years after an arthroscopically assisted ACL reconstruction using an autologous bone-patellar tendon-bone graft. The tibial fixation was achieved with a bioabsorbable screw made of poly-L, D-lactic and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). A subcutaneous pseudocystic lesion was excised. It consisted of a capsular fibrous tissue with minimal milky fluid (1 ml) centrally. It penetrated into the tibial tunnel but did not communicate with the knee joint space. The histopathological analysis demonstrated fibrous tissue with multinucleated giant cells and refractile particles which suggested a foreign body reaction. After the surgery, the patient recovered perfectly well and he returned to his pre-injury level of physical activity in two months. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of this complication in a patient with a biocomposite screw made of poly-L, D-lactic and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP).

Abundance of MMPs and cysteine cathepsins in caries-affected dentin.

Degradation of dentin matrix components within caries dentin has been correlated with the activity of host-derived proteases, such as matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and cysteine cathepsins (CTs). Since this relationship has not been fully established, we hypothesized that the abundance of MMPs and CTs in caries-affected dentin must be higher than in intact dentin. To test this premise, we obtained 5 slices (200 µm) from 5 intact teeth and from 5 caries-affected teeth (1 slice/tooth) and individually incubated them with primary antibodies for CT-B, CT-K, MMP-2, or MMP-9. Negative controls were incubated with pre-immune serum. Specimens were washed and re-incubated with the respective fluorescent secondary antibody. Collagen identification, attained by the autofluorescence capture technique, and protease localization were evaluated by multi-photon confocal microscopy. The images were analyzed with ZEN software, which also quantitatively measured the percentages of collagen and protease distribution in dentin compartments. The abundance of the test enzymes was markedly higher in caries-affected than in intact dentin. CT-B exhibited the highest percentage of co-localization with collagen, followed by MMP-9, MMP-2, and CT-K. The high expression of CTs and MMPs in caries-affected teeth indicates that those host-derived enzymes are intensely involved with caries progression.

Salivary Parameters (Salivary Flow, pH and Buffering Capacity) in Stimulated Saliva of Mexican Elders 60 Years Old and Older.

OBJECTIVE: To compare a limited array of chewing-stimulated saliva features (salivary flow, pH and buffer capacity) in a sample of elderly Mexicans with clinical, sociodemographic and socio-economic variables. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 139 adults, 60 years old and older, from two retirement homes and a senior day care centre in the city of Pachuca, Mexico. Sociodemographic, socio-economic and behavioural variables were collected through a questionnaire. A trained and standardized examiner obtained the oral clinical variables. Chewing-stimulated saliva (paraffin method) was collected and the salivary flow rate, pH and buffer capacity were measured. The analysis was performed using non-parametric tests in Stata 9.0. RESULTS: Mean age was 79.1 ± 9.8 years. Most of the subjects included were women (69.1%). Mean chewing-stimulated salivary flow was 0.75 ± 0.80 mL/minute, and the pH and buffer capacity were 7.88 ± 0.83 and 4.20 ± 1.24, respectively. Mean chewing-stimulated salivary flow varied (p < 0.05) across type of retirement home, tooth brushing frequency, number of missing teeth and use of dental prostheses. pH varied across the type of retirement home (p < 0.05) and marginally by age (p = 0.087); buffer capacity (p < 0.05) varied across type of retirement home, tobacco consumption and the number of missing teeth. CONCLUSIONS: These exploratory data add to the body of knowledge with regard to chewing-stimulated salivary features (salivary flow rate, pH and buffer capacity) and outline the variability of those features across selected sociodemographic, socio-economic and behavioural variables in a group of Mexican elders.

Tooth bleaching increases dentinal protease activity.

Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidative agent commonly used for dental bleaching procedures. The structural and biochemical responses of enamel, dentin, and pulp tissues to the in vivo bleaching of human (n = 20) premolars were investigated in this study. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to observe enamel nanostructure. The chemical composition of enamel and dentin was analyzed by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The enzymatic activities of dental cathepsin B and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were monitored with fluorogenic substrates. The amount of collagen in dentin was measured by emission of collagen autofluorescence with confocal fluorescence microscopy. The presence of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in the pulp was evaluated with a fluorogenic 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) probe. Vital bleaching of teeth significantly altered all tested parameters: AFM images revealed a corrosion of surface enamel nanostructure; FTIR analysis showed a loss of carbonate and proteins from enamel and dentin, along with an increase in the proteolytic activity of cathepsin-B and MMPs; and there was a reduction in the autofluorescence of collagen and an increase in both cathepsin-B activity and ROS in pulp tissues. Together, these results indicate that 35% hydrogen peroxide used in clinical bleaching protocols dramatically alters the structural and biochemical properties of dental hard and soft pulp tissue.

Análisis del significado de las ocupaciones atribuidas a ser mujer y madre para mujeres con discapacidad intelectual en la cuidad de Punta Arenas / Analysis of the meaning of occupations attributed to be women and mothers for women with intellectual disability in the city of Punta Arenas

Esta investigación pretende dar a conocer cuáles son los significados que las mujeres con discapacidad intelectual le brindan a las experiencias de ser mujer y madre, junto con los factores que les facilitan y obstaculizan este proceso. Se utilizó una metodología cualitativa desde la mirada del paradigma interpretativo con un enfoque metodológico descriptivo-exploratorio; el tipo de diseño que se utilizó es el interaccionismo simbólico, en base a estudio de caso, donde la muestra está compuesta por tres mujeres con discapacidad intelectual y los resultados se analizaron según la Teoría Fundamentada. La principal conclusión obtenida en esta investigación es que, los significados atribuidos por este grupo de mujeres estudiadas al ser mujer y madre son la feminidad y tareas domésticas, unidos a factores emocionales y de cuidados básicos. Un hallazgo importante es, que este colectivo de personas es vulnerable a que haya una transgresión de género; al igual que la violación de sus derechos humanos más básicos en su vida diaria. Ellas no ejercen sus ocupaciones significativas de forma independiente, siendo víctimas de una situación de Apartheid Ocupacional e Injusticia Ocupacional.

This research aims to show what are the meanings that women with intellectual disabilities give to the experiences of being a woman and mother, alongside with the factors that facilitate and hinder this process. A qualitative methodology from the perspective of the interpretive paradigm was used, with a descriptive exploratory methodological approach, the type of design that was used is symbolic interactionism, based on case study, where the sample is composed of three women with intellectual disabilities and the results were analyzed according to Grounded Theory. The principal conclusion obtained in this investigation is that the meanings attributed by this group of women studied on having been woman and mother are the femininity and domestic tasks, joined emotional factors and of taken care basic. An important finding is that this group of persons is vulnerable to that there is a transgression of kind as the violation of his more basic human rights in his daily life, they do not exercise his significant occupations of independent form, being victims of a situation of Occupational Apartheid and Occupational Injustice.

Chlorhexidine inhibits the activity of dental cysteine cathepsins.

The co-expression of MMPs and cysteine cathepsins in the human dentin-pulp complex indicates that both classes of enzymes can contribute to the endogenous proteolytic activity of dentin. Chlorhexidine (CHX) is an efficient inhibitor of MMP activity. This study investigated whether CHX could also inhibit cysteine cathepsins present in dentin. The inhibitory profile of CHX on the activity of dentin-extracted and recombinant cysteine cathepsins (B, K, and L) was monitored in fluorogenic substrates. The rate of substrate hydrolysis was spectrofluorimetrically measured, and inhibitory constants were calculated. Molecular docking was performed to predict the binding affinity between CHX and cysteine cathepsins. The results showed that CHX inhibited the proteolytic activity of dentin-extracted cysteine cathepsins in a dose-dependent manner. The proteolytic activity of human recombinant cathepsins was also inhibited by CHX. Molecular docking analysis suggested that CHX strongly interacts with the subsites S2 to S2' of cysteine cathepsins B, K, and L in a very similar manner. Taken together, these results clearly showed that CHX is a potent inhibitor of the cysteine cathepsins-proteolytic enzymes present in the dentin-pulp complex.

Detección de incrementos de dimensión vertical oclusal mediante análisis cefalométrico de Ricketts / Detection of increases of vertical occlusal dimension by Ricketts cephalometric analysis

Introducción: La rehabilitación de pacientes con desgastes severos es compleja cuando se determina un aumento de Dimensión Vertical. Los métodos de evaluación de Dimensión Vertical no entregan una información precisa para definir cuánto incremento es necesario. El análisis cefalométrico aparece como una opción adicional a las herramientas clínicas, específicamente el análisis de Ricketts contiene mediciones verticales del tercio inferior, a través del ángulo Altura Facial Inferior, cuyo valor normal es de 47o, pero con una desviación estándar alta. Objetivo: Determinar si el ángulo Altura Inferior de Ricketts es sensible a incrementos de Dimensión Vertical Oclusal (DVO). Método: A nueve sujetos entre 20 y 30 años se les realizó un análisis cefalométrico con el fin de medir el ángulo Altura Inferior de Ricketts, en posición MIC, y luego con incrementos de la Dimensión Vertical de 1, 3 y 5 mm. Resultados: Los resultados mostraron que el valor del ángulo Altura Inferior de Ricketts (AFI) aumentó con los incrementos de la Dimensión Vertical Oclusal de 1, 3 y 5 mm en todos los sujetos. Al análisis estadístico no paramétrico de Friedman, estos resultados son significativos (p=0.000). A la prueba Post Hoc de Siegel y Castellon la variación del ángulo Altura Inferior de Ricketts con el incremento de 1 mm de DVO no es significativa. Conclusiones: Se puede sugerir que el análisis cefalométrico de Ricketts, a través de la medición del ángulo AFI, es capaz de detectar incrementos en la DVO, pero la variación que se produce con 1 mm de incremento no es estadísticamente significativa.

Introduction: Oral rehabilitation of patients with severe wear, becomes complex when there is a need to increase Vertical Dimension. Evaluation methods of Vertical Dimension do not deliver accurate information to define as increase is necessary. The cephalometric analysis appears as an additional option to the clinical tools, specific Ricketts analysis containing vertical measurements of the lower third, through the Lower Facial Height angle, whose normal value is 47o, but with a high-standard deviation. Objective: To determine whether the Lower Height Ricketts angle is sensitive to increases in Oclusal Vertical Dimension (OVD). Method: Nine subjects aged 20 to 30 years-old underwent cephalometric analysis in order to measure the Lower Height Ricketts angle in centric occlusion position, then increasing OVD in 1, 3 and 5 mm. Results: Lower Height Ricketts angle showed an increase as OVD of 1, 3 and 5 mm augmented in all subjects. Nonparametric Friedman´s statistical analysis was applied, being the results statistically significant (p=0.000). According to Post Hoc test of Siegel and Castellon, Lower Height Ricketts angle variation of 1 mm is not statistically significant. Conclusions: It may be suggested that the Ricketts cephalometric analysis by measuring the Lower Height angle is able to detect increases in the OVD, but the change that occurs within 1 mm increase is not statistically significant.

Air pollution and hospitalization for venous thromboembolic disease in Chile.

BACKGROUND: Ambient air pollution is a risk factor for stroke and myocardial infarction, possibly because of alterations in coagulation that influence the arterial circulation. Whether air pollution influences diseases associated with peripheral venous thrombogenesis remains largely unknown. OBJECTIVES: To determine the association between air pollution and venous thromboembolic disease (VTE) in a sample of the general population. METHODS: A time-series analysis was used to test the association between daily air pollution and VTE hospitalizations in Santiago between 2001 and 2005. Results were adjusted for long-term trends, day of the week and average daily humidex. RESULTS: From a population of 5.4 million, there were, on average, 2.3 admissions for VTE per day. Pooled estimates of relative risk (RR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] of hospitalization for venous disease were: 1.07 (1.05, 1.09) for a 58.4 p.p.b. increase in ozone (O(3)); 1.06 (1.02, 1.09) for a 5.85 p.p.b. increase in sulphur dioxide (SO(2)); 1.08 (1.03, 1.12) for a 29.25 microg/m(3) increase in nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)); and 1.05 (1.03, 1.06) for a 20.02 microg/m(3) increase in particulate matter < or = 2.5 microm in mean aerodynamic diameter (PM(2.5)). For pulmonary embolism (PE) results were: 1.10 (1.07, 1.13) for O(3); 1.05 (1.02, 1.08) for SO(2); 1.07 (1.04, 1.09) for NO(2); and 1.05(1.03, 1.06) for PM(2.5), respectively. CONCLUSION: Air pollution appears to be a risk factor for venous thrombosis and PE, a disease with a significant fatality rate.

Mutational analysis of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in Mexican breast cancer patients.

Germline mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes predispose to breast and ovarian cancer. A variable incidence of mutations has been reported for these genes. The contribution of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations to Mexican women with breast and/or ovarian cancer is not known. Because of the increasing prevalence of breast cancer in this population, it is necessary to study the presence of mutations in both genes. We screened BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in 40 patients: 29 patients with a history of breast and/or ovarian cancer, and 11 patients with early-onset breast cancer (< 40 years), through denaturing high performance liquid chromatography analyses. We found two frameshift mutations in BRCA1 and one missense mutation in each gene. Additionally we found several intronic variants as well as synonymous mutations. We found 5% of deleterious mutations in the BRCA genes. Larger studies are needed to establish the significance and prevalence of BRCA mutations among Mexican women.

[Vancomycin-resistant enterococci: prevalence and factors associated with intestinal colonization in oncology patients from Hospital de Niños de Córdoba]. / Enterococos resistentes a vancomicina: prevalencia y factores asociados a la colonización intestinal en pacientes oncológicos del Hospital de Niños de Córdoba.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have an important impact on pediatric oncology population. The objectives of this study were: to know the prevalence of VRE intestinal colonization in oncology patients, to identify the risk factors that predispose hospitalized patients to VRE intestinal colonization, and to determine the VRE resistance profile to different antimicrobial agents. We studied all children with oncological disease aged 1 month to 16 years that had joined the protocol and had been hospitalized from October 2006 to April 2007. VRE intestinal colonization was analyzed when the patient was admitted to hospital, 72 hours later, and weekly during hospitalization. A total of 333 samples were taken from 67 patients. From these, VRE were isolated in 12 patients, with a prevalence of 17.9%. Of the 28 isolates studied, taking one per patient, 10 were Enterococcus faecium and 2 Enterococcus faecalis, both with resistance phenotype VanA (CIM90 512 microg/ml to vancomycin and CIM90 256 microg/ml to teicoplanin). The use of vancomycin (p = 0.02), duration of neutropenia greater than 7 days (p = 0.03) and prolonged hospitalization (42.8 days on average) (p = 0.0001) were risk factors significantly related to VRE colonization. We considered it necessary to carry out an epidemiological surveillance and to implement prevention and control measures.

Comparison of nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time PCR and viral culture for the detection of cytomegalovirus in subgingival samples.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to compare nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time PCR, and shell vial for the detection of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in subgingival samples in periodontitis patients. METHODS: A group of 44 patients and 24 individuals without periodontitis were included in the study. A full periodontal examination was conducted in each subject. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was collected by pocket lavage and used for viral culture (shell vial). Additional subgingival samples were obtained with paper points and used for molecular analysis. Nested PCR and real-time PCR were used to detect and quantify HCMV. Student's t-test and chi-squared test were used to compare groups. The sensitivity and specificity for the tests were calculated on 2 x 2 tables considering the nested PCR as the gold standard. RESULTS: The detection of HCMV was greater using nested PCR than with either real-time PCR or shell vial (P < 0.0001). However, the frequency detection of both molecular techniques was higher than in viral culture (P < 0.0001). Only one case of chronic periodontitis was positive by viral culture. Agreement between nested PCR and real-time PCR was observed 47.7% and 4.1% of the time in the periodontitis and control groups, respectively. The sensitivity of real-time PCR was 60%, compared with 2.8% for the shell vial technique. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this study confirmed that active HCMV infection occurs in human periodontitis; however, its frequency seems to be low. In contrast, latent periodontal HCMV infection seems to be a more frequent event.

Promoting health in response to global tourism expansion in Cuba.

The ability of communities to respond to the pressures of globalization is an important determinant of community health. Tourism is a rapidly growing industry and there is an increasing concern about its health impact on local communities. Nonetheless, little research has been conducted to identify potential mitigating measures. We therefore took advantage of the 'natural experiment' provided by the expansion of tourism in Cuba, and conducted four focus groups and key informants interviews in each of two coastal communities. Participants expressed concerns about psycho-social impacts as well as occupational and environmental concerns, and both infectious and chronic diseases. A wide array of programs that had been developed to mitigate potential negative were described. Some of the programs were national in scope and others were locally developed. The programs particularly targeted youth as the most vulnerable population at risk of addictions and sexually transmitted infections. Occupational health concerns for workers in the tourism sector were also addressed, with many of the measures implemented protecting tourists as well. The health promotion and various other participatory action initiatives implemented showed a strong commitment to address the impacts of tourism and also contributed to building capacity in the two communities. Although longitudinal studies are needed to assess the sustainability of these programs and to evaluate their long-term impact in protecting health, other communities can learn from the initiatives taken.