Universal and Versatile Magnetic Connectors for Microfluidic Devices.

World-to-chip interfacing remains a critical issue for microfluidic devices. Current solutions to connect tubing to rigid microfluidic chips remain expensive, laborious, or require specialized skills and precision machining. Here, we report reusable, inexpensive, and easy-to-use connectors that enable monitoring of the connection ports. Our magnetic connectors benefit from a simple one-step fabrication process and low dead volume. They sustain pressures within the high range of microfluidic applications. They represent an essential tool for rapid thermoplastic (PMMA, PC, COC) prototyping and can also be used with glass, pressure-sensitive adhesive, or thin PDMS devices.

Robust and rapid partitioning in thermoplastic.

Partitioning is the core technology supporting digital assays. It divides a sample into thousands of individual reactors prior to amplification and absolute quantification of target molecules. Thermoplastics are attractive materials for large scale manufacturing, however they have been seldomly used for fabricating partitioning arrays. Patitioning in thermoplastic devices has proven difficult due to the challenge of efficiently displacing the air trapped in the nanoliter structures during priming of thousands of chambers. Here, we report the design of an array of chambers made of thermoplastics where the progression of the liquid-air interface is controlled by capillary effects. Our device performs robust partitioning over a wide range of pressures and can be actuated at low pressure by a simple micropipette. Our thermoplastic device lays the foundation to cost-effective and instrument-free partitioning platforms, which could be deployed in low-resource settings.

Electroencephalographic and morphometric abnormalities in psychopath offenders.

The main goals of the present study were to replicate and extend current knowledge related to paralimbic dysfunctions associated with psychopathy. The research evaluated the quantitative electroencephalography, current density (CD) source and synchronization likelihood analysis during the rest condition and structural magnetic resonance imaging images to compare volumetric and cortical thickness, in inmates recruited from two prisons located in Havana City. The Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) was used as a quantitative measure of psychopathy. This study showed most beta energy and less alpha activity in male psychopath offenders. Low-resolution electromagnetic tomography signified an increase of beta activity in psychopath offender groups within paralimbic regions. The superior temporal gyrus volume was associated with the F1 factor while the fusiform, anterior cingulate and associative occipital areas were primarily associated with the F2 factor of PCL-R scale. Cortical thickness in the left dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and the temporal pole was negatively associated with PCL-R total score.

Sex Differences in QEEG in Psychopath Offenders.

Introduction. Functional brain differences related to sex in psychopathic behavior represent an important field of neuroscience research; there are few studies on this area, mainly in offender samples. Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of electrophysiological differences between male and female psychopath offenders; specifically, we wanted to assess whether the results in quantitative EEG, low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA), and changes in synchronous brain activity could be related to sex influence. Sample and Methods. The study included 31 male and 12 female psychopath offenders, according to the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised criteria from 2 prisons located in Havana City. The EEG visual inspection characteristics and the use of frequency domain quantitative analysis techniques are described. Results. The resting EEG visual analyses revealed a high percentage of EEG abnormalities in both studied groups. Significant statistical differences between the mean parameters of cross spectral measures between psychopathic offender groups were found in the beta band at bilateral frontal derivation and centroparietal areas. LORETA showed differences especially in the paralimbic and parieto-occipital areas Synchronization likelihood revealed a significant group effect in the 26 to 30 Hz band. These results indicate that combining quantitative EEG, LORETA analysis, and synchronization likelihood may improve the neurofunctional differentiation between psychopath offenders of both sexes.

Production of fumonisins by endophytic strains of Tolypocladium cylindrosporum and its relation to fungal virus infection.

Fumonisins were first discovered in Fusarium verticillioides, a fungus associated to disease and asymptomatic infections in maize. Afterwards, other fungal taxa have been found to produce fumonisins. The entomopathogenic ascomycete Tolypocladium cylindrosporum has been isolated from soil and also as an endophyte from leaves of grasses. The objectives of this work were to determine the in vitro production of fumonisin B (FB) mycotoxins and the immunosuppressive compound cyclosporine A (CyA) in several strains of T. cylindrosporum, and to examine the effect of fungal virus infection and temperature in FB production. FB1 was detected in 30% of the strains, ranging from 0.16 to 5.52 µg cm-2 in solid media, and FB2 was detected in 78% of the strains, ranging from 0.764 to 40.92 µg cm-2. CyA was not detected in any strain. The mean FB2 concentration of the endophytic strain Tc37W was three times greater (p < 0.05) than that of any other strain. Up to 34% more of FB2 was detected in strains infected by the virus TcV3 than in the corresponding virus-free versions. The effect of temperature on FB2 content was interactively significantly dependent on fungal strain and growth medium; in the YES medium, the FB2 of virus-infected strains Tc37-1V and Tc37W increased by 67 and 16%, respectively, at 26 °C as compared to 20 °C. The FB concentration in some fungal strains was similar to that in fungi associated to food and feed intoxications.

QEEG and LORETA in Teenagers With Conduct Disorder and Psychopathic Traits.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated the impact of the psychopathic traits on the EEG of teenagers with conduct disorder (CD). To date, there is no other research studying low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) technique using quantitative EEG (QEEG) analysis in adolescents with CD and psychopathic traits. OBJECTIVE: To find electrophysiological differences specifically related to the psychopathic traits. The current investigation compares the QEEG and the current source density measures between adolescents with CD and psychopathic traits and adolescents with CD without psychopathic traits. METHODS: The resting EEG activity and LORETA for the EEG fast spectral bands were evaluated in 42 teenagers with CD, 25 with and 17 without psychopathic traits according to the Antisocial Process Screening Device. All adolescents were assessed using the DSM-IV-TR criteria. The EEG visual inspection characteristics and the use of frequency domain quantitative analysis techniques (narrow band spectral parameters) are described. RESULTS: QEEG analysis showed a pattern of beta activity excess on the bilateral frontal-temporal regions and decreases of alpha band power on the left central-temporal and right frontal-central-temporal regions in the psychopathic traits group. Current source density calculated at 17.18 Hz showed an increase within fronto-temporo-striatal regions in the psychopathic relative to the nonpsychopathic traits group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that QEEG analysis and techniques of source localization may reveal differences in brain electrical activity among teenagers with CD and psychopathic traits, which was not obvious to visual inspection. Taken together, these results suggest that abnormalities in a fronto-temporo-striatal network play a relevant role in the neurobiological basis of psychopathic behavior.

EEG abnormalities in psychopath and non-psychopath violent offenders.

UNLABELLED: Previous EEG studies attempted to examine violent behavior as homogeneous construct. Up to date, there is no other research studying Low-Resolution Brain Electromagnetic Tomography (LORETA) technique in psychopath offenders. OBJECTIVE: To find electrophysiological differences specifically related to the psychopathy construct and independent of the violent behavior. The current investigation compares the QEEG and the current source density measures of violent psychopath offenders to a non-psychopath violent group. METHODS: The resting EEG activity and LORETA for the EEG spectral fast bands were evaluated in 58 violent offenders, 31 with and 27 without psychopathy according to the Hare Psychopathy Checklist - Revised. All subjects were assessed using the DSM IV-R criteria. The EEG visual inspection characteristics and the use of frequency domain quantitative analysis techniques (Narrow band spectral parameters) are described. RESULTS: QEEG analysis showed a pattern of excess of beta activity on the left parieto-temporal regions and bilateral occipital areas and decrease of alpha band on the left centro-temporal and parieto-central derivations in the psychopath group. LORETA signified an increase of beta activity (17.18 Hz) in psychopath group relative to a non- psychopath group within fronto-temporo-limbic regions. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that QEEG analysis and techniques of source localization may reveal differences in brain electrical activity among offenders with psychopathy, which was not obvious to visual inspection. Taken together, these results suggest that abnormalities in a fronto-temporo-limbic network play a relevant role in the neurobiological basis of psychopathy.

Relación de la Escala de Psicopatía de Hare con escalas que evalúan rasgos de la personalidad / Psychopathy checklist-revised and intruments to evaluate personality traits relationship

Introducción: la Escala de Psicopatía Revisada o Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) es el instrumento más utilizado para evaluar la psicopatía. Diferentes estudios han publicado la relación entre el PCL-R e instrumentos autoaplicados que evalúan rasgos de personalidad.Objetivo: los objetivos de este estudio se basaron en identificar si el PCL-R y sus modelos de dos factores y el de cuatro facetas pueden estar relacionados con estos instrumentos que evalúan rasgos de personalidad afines a la psicopatía. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo durante los años 2004 y 2005 en una muestra compuesta por 124 sujetos sancionados por delitos violentos. El coeficiente de correlación de Pearson fue el modelo estadístico utilizado para examinar la relación entre el PCL-R, sus modelos de dos factores y cuatro facetas y los instrumentos autoaplicados. Resultados: se encontró una alta correlación entre el total del PCL-R y rasgos como agresividad, impulsividad, búsqueda de sensaciones y autoestima. En relación a los modelos de dos y cuatro facetas, la faceta Estilo de vida fue la más correlacionada mientras que la Búsqueda de emociones y Búsqueda de excitación fueron las escalas menos correlacionadas.Conclusiones: este estudio confirma que el PCL-R puede ser validado con escalas externas y su importancia clínica está dada en que, en la muestra cubana, los factores y facetas que la componen tienen rasgos que la caracterizan(AU)

Introduction: the psychopathy checklist- revised (pcl-r) is the gold standart instrument to evaluate the psychopathy. Several studies have been investigating the relationship between personality traits measured with standardized instruments and psychopathy. Objective: the objectives of this study was based on identifying if the pcl-r and its models of two factors and four facets can be related to instruments that evaluate personality traits related to the psychopathy. Methods: the sample was compound by 124 male inmates sanctioned for committing violent crimes. Pearson correlation was applied to examine the association between the pcl-r and all the self-report instruments used in this study. Results: the results provide further evidence of the relative independence of the factors: behavioral lifestyle facet was the most correlated and thrill and adventure seeking and experience seeking from the sensation-seeking scale were the less correlated. Conclusions: this research confirms that the pcl-r two factors model and four-facet model can be validated with external scales and their clinical relevance will be based on the fact, that each factor or facet has distinguishing characteristic traits(AU)

Electroencephalographic abnormalities in antisocial personality disorder.

The presence of brain dysfunction in violent offenders has been frequently examined with inconsistent results. The aim of the study was to assess the EEG of 84 violent offenders by visual inspection and frequency-domain quantitative analysis in 84 violent prisoners. Low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) was also employed for theta band of the EEG spectra. Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) was present in 50 of the offenders and it was absent in the remaining 34. The prevalence of EEG abnormalities, by visual inspection, was similar for both the ASPD group (82%) and non-ASPD group (79%). The brain topography of these anomalies also did not differ between groups, in contrast to results of the EEG quantitative analysis (QEEG) and LORETA that showed remarkable regional differences between both groups. QEEG analysis showed a pattern of excess of theta-delta activities and decrease of alpha band on the right fronto-temporal and left temporo-parietal regions in the ASPD group. LORETA signified an increase of theta activity (5.08 Hz) in ASPD group relative to non-ASPD group within left temporal and parietal regions. Findings indicate that QEEG analysis and techniques of source localization may reveal differences in brain electrical activity among offenders with ASPD, which was not obvious to visual inspection.

Comportamiento de la hipoacusia neurosensorial en niños / Behavior of neurosensory hypoacusis in children

La hipoacusia neurosensorial en el niño produce graves consecuencias en la adquisición del lenguaje, atributo importante para un aprendizaje y desempeño social adecuados. Objetivo: estudiar el comportamiento de la hipoacusia neurosensorial en niños en la provincia de Camagüey. Método: se realizó un estudio descriptivo sobre el comportamiento de la hipoacusia neurosensorial en niños de la provincia de Camagüey en el período comprendido de enero de 2007 a diciembre de 2009. El universo lo conformaron 250 niños hipoacúsicos y sordos, reportados por el centro de diagnóstico y orientación, la escuela de sordos e hipoacúsicos José María Heredia y la consulta de audiología del Hospital Pediátrico Universitario Eduardo Agramonte Piña. La aplicación de los criterios de exclusión determinó una muestra no probabilística de 83 niños. Las variables estudiadas fueron edad a la que se detectó el deterioro auditivo, sexo, causas, uni o bilateralidad, cuantía de la disfunción auditiva por audiometría liminar, electroaudiometría y potenciales auditivos evocados del tallo cerebral. Resultados: en el análisis de los resultados no existió predominio en el sexo, la edad a la que se diagnosticaron mayor número de pacientes fue de 0-5 años, en 43 pacientes. La categoría severa fue la pérdida auditiva más diagnosticada, en 31 enfermos y la profunda la menos, en sólo cinco pacientes; el sufrimiento fetal, neonato bajo peso, antimicrobianos ototóxicos y el síndrome de Usher fueron las causas más interrelacionadas. El sufrimiento fetal fue la causa de hipoacusia bilateral más frecuente.

Neurosensory hypoacusis in the child produces serious consequences in language acquisition, important attribute to appropriate learning and social performance. Objective: to study the behavior of neurosensory hypoacusis in children at Camagüey's province. Method: a descriptive study on the behavior of neurosensory hypoacusis in children at Camagüey's province was accomplished, from January 2007 to December 2009. The universe was constituted by 250 hypacusic children and deaf persons, reported by the Center for diagnosis and guidance, the deaf persons and hypacusic school José María Heredia and the audiology consultation at the University Paediatric Hospital Eduardo Agramonte Piña. The application of the exclusion criteria determined a non-probabilistic sample of 83 children. The studied variables were age at which hearing impairment was detected, sex, etiology, uni- or bilateralism, amount of auditory dysfunction by preliminary audiometry, electroaudiometry and auditory potentials evoked of the brainstem. Results: there was no predominance in sex in the analysis of results; the age in which a greater number of patients were diagnosed was 0-5 years, in 43 patients. Severe hearing loss was the most diagnosed, in 31 cases and in the deep one, just five patients; fetal distress, low birth weight, ototoxic antimicrobials and Usher's syndrome were the most interrelated causes. Fetal distress was the most frequent cause of bilateral hearing loss.

Comportamiento de la hipoacusia neurosensorial en niños / Behavior of neurosensory hypoacusis in children

La hipoacusia neurosensorial en el niño produce graves consecuencias en la adquisición del lenguaje, atributo importante para un aprendizaje y desempeño social adecuados. Objetivo: estudiar el comportamiento de la hipoacusia neurosensorial en niños en la provincia de Camagüey. Método: se realizó un estudio descriptivo sobre el comportamiento de la hipoacusia neurosensorial en niños de la provincia de Camagüey en el período comprendido de enero de 2007 a diciembre de 2009. El universo lo conformaron 250 niños hipoacúsicos y sordos, reportados por el centro de diagnóstico y orientación, la escuela de sordos e hipoacúsicos José María Heredia y la consulta de audiología del Hospital Pediátrico Universitario Eduardo Agramonte Piña. La aplicación de los criterios de exclusión determinó una muestra no probabilística de 83 niños. Las variables estudiadas fueron edad a la que se detectó el deterioro auditivo, sexo, causas, uni o bilateralidad, cuantía de la disfunción auditiva por audiometría liminar, electroaudiometría y potenciales auditivos evocados del tallo cerebral. Resultados: en el análisis de los resultados no existió predominio en el sexo, la edad a la que se diagnosticaron mayor número de pacientes fue de 0-5 años, en 43 pacientes. La categoría severa fue la pérdida auditiva más diagnosticada, en 31 enfermos y la profunda la menos, en sólo cinco pacientes; el sufrimiento fetal, neonato bajo peso, antimicrobianos ototóxicos y el síndrome de Usher fueron las causas más interrelacionadas. El sufrimiento fetal fue la causa de hipoacusia bilateral más frecuente (AU)

Neurosensory hypoacusis in the child produces serious consequences in language acquisition, important attribute to appropriate learning and social performance. Objective: to study the behavior of neurosensory hypoacusis in children at Camagüey's province. Method: a descriptive study on the behavior of neurosensory hypoacusis in children at Camagüey's province was accomplished, from January 2007 to December 2009. The universe was constituted by 250 hypacusic children and deaf persons, reported by the Center for diagnosis and guidance, the deaf persons and hypacusic school José María Heredia and the audiology consultation at the University Paediatric Hospital Eduardo Agramonte Piña. The application of the exclusion criteria determined a non-probabilistic sample of 83 children. The studied variables were age at which hearing impairment was detected, sex, etiology, uni- or bilateralism, amount of auditory dysfunction by preliminary audiometry, electroaudiometry and auditory potentials evoked of the brainstem. Results: there was no predominance in sex in the analysis of results; the age in which a greater number of patients were diagnosed was 0-5 years, in 43 patients. Severe hearing loss was the most diagnosed, in 31 cases and in the deep one, just five patients; fetal distress, low birth weight, ototoxic antimicrobials and Usher's syndrome were the most interrelated causes. Fetal distress was the most frequent cause of bilateral hearing loss (AU)

Uso de ceftriaxona en monodosis para el tratamiento de la otitis media aguda supurada en pacientes de edad pediátrica / Ceftriaxone´s use in monodoses for the treatment of otitis media acute suppurativa in pediatric age patients

La otitis media aguda supurada es muy frecuente en pediatría. El 80 por ciento de los niños en edad preescolar y el 50 por ciento de los lactantes hacen un cuadro de supuración de oídos dos veces al año. Objetivo: evaluar la efectividad de la ceftriaxona en dosis única en pacientes pediátricos con otitis media aguda supurada. Método: se realizó un ensayo clínico, fase IV, durante el segundo semestre del año 2008, a 51 niños ingresados con el diagnóstico de Otitis Media Aguda Supurada, en el Hospital Pediátrico Provincial de Camagüey Eduardo Agramante Piña. Resultados: se encontró un ligero aumento del sexo masculino; con predominio significativo de la raza blanca. Existió una alta incidencia en los pacientes menores de un año. El 58,8 por ciento de los pacientes recibieron tratamiento previamente con antimicrobianos. El tratamiento antimicrobiano utilizado con mayor frecuencia fue la amoxicillina, la penicilina y el Claforan. Más del 66 por ciento presentó una evolución favorable dentro de las 72h siguientes al tratamiento con la monodosis de ceftriaxona. En 48 de los pacientes estudiados se obtuvo una evolución otoscópica favorable, lo que correspondió a un 94,12 por ciento de los casos estudiados. Al estudiar el comportamiento de los pacientes según edad y otras enfermedades asociadas, se pudo observar que sólo dos pacientes no presentaron otras enfermedades asociadas. Conclusiones: se logró una evolución favorable dentro de las 72h siguientes al tratamiento con la monodosis de ceftriaxona en casi la totalidad de los casos.

Otitis media acute suppurativa is very frequent disease in pediatrics. The 80 percent of children in preschool age and 50 percent of infants make ear suppuration twice a year. Objective: to evaluate the efficacy of an only dose of ceftriaxone in pediatric patients with otitis media acute suppurativa. Method: a phase IV clinical trial was performed, during the second semester of 2008 to 51 children admitted with otitis media acute suppurativa as diagnosis, at the provincial pediatric hospital of Camagüey Eduardo Agramonte Piña. Results: a slight increase of the masculine sex was found; with significant prevalence of the white race (44,86 percent). There was a high incidence in patients under one year (29) for 56,9 percent. The 58,8 percent (30) of patients previously received antimicrobial treatment. The most frequent antimicrobial treatment used was amoxicillin (44,1 percent), penicillin (20,5 percent) and claforan (11,7 percent). More than the 66 percent presented a favorable evolution within 72 hours next to the treatment with ceftriaxone monodoses. In 48 of studied patients a favorable otoscopic evolution was obtained, what corresponded to 94,12 percent of studied cases. Conclusions: a favorable evolution was achieved within 72 hours following to the treatment with ceftriaxone monodoses in more than the half of cases.

Uso de ceftriaxona en monodosis para el tratamiento de la otitis media aguda supurada en pacientes de edad pediátrica / Ceftriaxone´s use in monodoses for the treatment of otitis media acute suppurativa in pediatric age patients

La otitis media aguda supurada es muy frecuente en pediatría. El 80 por ciento de los niños en edad preescolar y el 50 por ciento de los lactantes hacen un cuadro de supuración de oídos dos veces al año. Objetivo: evaluar la efectividad de la ceftriaxona en dosis única en pacientes pediátricos con otitis media aguda supurada. Método: se realizó un ensayo clínico, fase IV, durante el segundo semestre del año 2008, a 51 niños ingresados con el diagnóstico de Otitis Media Aguda Supurada, en el Hospital Pediátrico Provincial de Camagüey Eduardo Agramante Piña. Resultados: se encontró un ligero aumento del sexo masculino; con predominio significativo de la raza blanca. Existió una alta incidencia en los pacientes menores de un año. El 58,8 por ciento de los pacientes recibieron tratamiento previamente con antimicrobianos. El tratamiento antimicrobiano utilizado con mayor frecuencia fue la amoxicillina, la penicilina y el Claforan. Más del 66 por ciento presentó una evolución favorable dentro de las 72h siguientes al tratamiento con la monodosis de ceftriaxona. En 48 de los pacientes estudiados se obtuvo una evolución otoscópica favorable, lo que correspondió a un 94,12 por ciento de los casos estudiados. Al estudiar el comportamiento de los pacientes según edad y otras enfermedades asociadas, se pudo observar que sólo dos pacientes no presentaron otras enfermedades asociadas. Conclusiones: se logró una evolución favorable dentro de las 72h siguientes al tratamiento con la monodosis de ceftriaxona en casi la totalidad de los casos (AU)

Otitis media acute suppurativa is very frequent disease in pediatrics. The 80 percent of children in preschool age and 50 percent of infants make ear suppuration twice a year. Objective: to evaluate the efficacy of an only dose of ceftriaxone in pediatric patients with otitis media acute suppurativa. Method: a phase IV clinical trial was performed, during the second semester of 2008 to 51 children admitted with otitis media acute suppurativa as diagnosis, at the provincial pediatric hospital of Camagüey Eduardo Agramonte Piña. Results: a slight increase of the masculine sex was found; with significant prevalence of the white race (44,86 percent). There was a high incidence in patients under one year (29) for 56,9 percent. The 58,8 percent (30) of patients previously received antimicrobial treatment. The most frequent antimicrobial treatment used was amoxicillin (44,1 percent), penicillin (20,5 percent) and claforan (11,7 percent). More than the 66 percent presented a favorable evolution within 72 hours next to the treatment with ceftriaxone monodoses. In 48 of studied patients a favorable otoscopic evolution was obtained, what corresponded to 94,12 percent of studied cases. Conclusions: a favorable evolution was achieved within 72 hours following to the treatment with ceftriaxone monodoses in more than the half of cases (AU)

Caracterización de una muestra de presos violentos utilizando la Escala de Psicopatía Revisada de Hare (PCL-R) / Characterization of a Cuban violent offender sample using the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R)

La importancia del concepto de Psicopatía tanto en la clínica como en la Psicología forense ha quedado bien establecida. La escala de Psicopatía Revisada (Psychopathy Checklist-Revised, PCL-R) es, desde hace más de 20 años, el instrumento más importante para el diagnóstico de esta entidad. En esta investigación se evalúa si el PCL-R se puede aplicar en una muestra de 124 presos por conductas muy violentas y a partir de los ítems significativos de la misma, caracterizar la muestra. Como proceder inicial del estudio y basado en los criterios del DSM-IV-TR (2000) se investigó si los probandos eran portadores de alguna patología del eje 2. Diferentes análisis estadísticos fueron aplicados: Correlación de Pearson para conocer la relación entre los ítems y el total de la escala. Tabla de frecuencias para identificar los ítems de la escala que fueron calificados con la máxima puntuación (2 puntos) y observar la distribución de los mismos y Tabulación cruzada para evaluar cómo se relacionan los tres ítems con mayor puntaje en los psicópatas. Este estudio confirma que el los ítems del PCL-R pueden caracterizar a la población carcelaria cubana(AU)

Psychopathys importance in clinical forensic and correctional psychology has been well established.The PCL-R (Psychopathy Checklist-Revised) is the most important instrument for the diagnosis of psychopathy since the last twenty years. This investigation evaluates if the PCL-R can be applicable in 124 Cubans male violent offenders and evaluates the more significant items to describe the sample. Previous DSM-IV-TR (2000) diagnoses to investigate personality disorder in the sample, different statistical analyses were applied to assess the functioning of the PCL-R: Pearson correlation to evaluate the relation among the items and the PCL-R total value. Frequency table was used to investigate the items value distribution. A Crosstabulation model was applied to identify the relationships between the most representative items in psychopath. This research confirms that the items of the PCL-R can describe the Cuban offender population(AU)

Comportamiento de la otitis externa en pacientes diabéticos / Behavior of otitis externa in diabetic patients

Fundamento: la otitis, con sus diferentes formas de presentación, constituye una de las enfermedades más frecuentes a las que tiene que enfrentarse el médico general a diario. Objetivo: describir el comportamiento de la otitis externa del paciente diabético. Método: se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo y prospectivo en los pacientes diabéticos mayores de dieciocho años que acudieron a la consulta de otorrinolaringología del Hospital Integral Comunitario Chacaltaya. La Paz, Bolivia. Desde de enero hasta diciembre de 2007. El universo estuvo constituido por ciento cuarenta y siete pacientes con el diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus y la muestra la constituyeron ochenta y dos pacientes. Resultados: predominó el grupo de edades entre treinta y ocho y cuarenta y siete años con cuarenta y uno pacientes que representa el 50 por ciento de la muestra estudiada, predominando en este grupo el sexo masculino con veinte y uno pacientes (42,86 por ciento). El 95,12 por ciento presentó diabetes mellitus tipo II, predominando el sexo masculino en el 59,75 por ciento. Los factores predisponentes que mayormente predominaron fueron la falta de higiene personal en el 89,02 por ciento y del autorrascado o limpieza con objetos contaminados para un 39,02 por ciento. El dolor y el prurito se presentaron en más del 70 por ciento de los pacientes estudiados. Conclusiones: predominó la diabetes mellitas tipo II y la otitis externa maligna en pacientes con mal control metabólico. Los malos hábitos higiénicos y la poca educación sanitaria. Existió una alta incidencia de Otitis externa crónica y Otomicosis por cándida y aspergillus.

Background: otitis, with its different presentation forms, constitutes one of the most frequent pathologies has to face the general doctor daily. Objective: to describe the behavior of otitis externa in the diabetic patient. Method: an observational descriptive and prospective study in diabetic patients older than eighteen years was conducted who assisted to the otorhinolaryngology consultation of the Community Integral Hospital of Chacaltaya La Paz, Bolivia from January to December 2007. The universe was constituted by one-hundred forty-seven patients with diabetes mellitus as diagnosis and the sample was made up of eighty-two patients. Results: the age groups between thirty-eight and forty-seven years prevailed with forty-one patients that represents 50 percent of the studied sample, predominating in this group the masculine sex with twenty-one patients (42,86 percent). The 95,12 percent presented type II diabetes mellitus, prevailing the masculine sex with the 59,75 percent. Predisposing factors that mostly predominated were the lack of personal hygiene in 89,02 percent and the autoscratched or cleaning with contaminated objects in 39,02 percent. Pain and pruritus were presented in more than 70 percent of the studied patients. Conclusions: prevailed type II diabetes mellitus and otitis externa malignant in patients with bad metabolic control also the bad hygienic habits and the little sanitary education. A high incidence of otitis externa chronic and otomycosis by candidus and aspergillus existed.

Comportamiento de la otitis externa en pacientes diabéticos / Behavior of otitis externa in diabetic patients

La otitis, con sus diferentes formas de presentación, constituye una de las enfermedades más frecuentes a las que tiene que enfrentarse el médico general a diario. Objetivo: describir el comportamiento de la otitis externa del paciente diabético. Método: se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo y prospectivo en los pacientes diabéticos mayores de dieciocho años que acudieron a la consulta de otorrinolaringología del Hospital Integral Comunitario Chacaltaya. La Paz, Bolivia. Desde de enero hasta diciembre de 2007. El universo estuvo constituido por ciento cuarenta y siete pacientes con el diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus y la muestra la constituyeron ochenta y dos pacientes. Resultados: predominó el grupo de edades entre treinta y ocho y cuarenta y siete años con cuarenta y uno pacientes que representa el 50 por ciento de la muestra estudiada, predominando en este grupo el sexo masculino con veinte y uno pacientes (42,86 por ciento). El 95,12 por ciento presentó diabetes mellitus tipo II, predominando el sexo masculino en el 59,75 por ciento. Los factores predisponentes que mayormente predominaron fueron la falta de higiene personal en el 89,02 por ciento y del autorrascado o limpieza con objetos contaminados para un 39,02 por ciento. El dolor y el prurito se presentaron en más del 70 por ciento de los pacientes estudiados (AU)

Otitis, with its different presentation forms, constitutes one of the most frequent pathologies has to face the general doctor daily. Objective: to describe the behavior of otitis externa in the diabetic patient. Method: an observational descriptive and prospective study in diabetic patients older than eighteen years was conducted who assisted to the otorhinolaryngology consultation of the Community Integral Hospital of Chacaltaya La Paz, Bolivia from January to December 2007. The universe was constituted by one-hundred forty-seven patients with diabetes mellitus as diagnosis and the sample was made up of eighty-two patients. Results: the age groups between thirty-eight and forty-seven years prevailed with forty-one patients that represents 50 percent of the studied sample, predominating in this group the masculine sex with twenty-one patients (42,86 percent ). The 95,12 percent presented type II diabetes mellitus, prevailing the masculine sex with the 59,75 percent . Predisposing factors that mostly predominated were the lack of personal hygiene in 89,02 percent and the autoscratched or cleaning with contaminated objects in 39,02 percent . Pain and pruritus were presented in more than 70 percent of the studied patients (AU)

Adherencia a las guías de prácticas clínicas sobre neumonía adquirida en la comunidad y su relación con la mortalidad / Adherence to clinical practice guidelines on community acquired pneumonia and its relation to mortality rates

Fundamento: La neumonía adquirida en la comunidad es una enfermedad frecuente que se asocia a una significativa mortalidad y morbilidad. En el Hospital General Universitario Gustavo Aldereguía Lima de Cienfuegos, existen guías para el manejo de los pacientes con neumonía adquirida en la comunidad, pero no existen trabajos donde se haya estudiado si el cumplimiento de ellas, tiene relación con la mortalidad. Objetivo: evaluar la adherencia a las guías de diagnóstico y tratamiento y su relación con la mortalidad en pacientes hospitalizados con neumonía adquirida en la comunidad. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo observacional, prospectivo de series de casos. Se estudiaron todos los pacientes con diagnóstico principal al ingreso y egreso de neumonía o bronconeumonía en el periodo comprendido entre el primero de junio del 2006 hasta el treinta y uno de mayo del 2007. Se analizó la relación existente entre las diferentes variables y la mortalidad según las disímiles clases de riesgo y el cumplimiento global de las guías por clases de riesgo con la mortalidad. Se realizó un análisis multivariado (Regresión Logística), con un intervalo de confianza del 95 por ciento. Resultados: Los resultados se presentaron en forma de tablas de número y porciento. Las variables relacionadas independientemente con la mortalidad fueron la edad (de más de 65 años), las lesiones radiológicas en más de un lóbulo o bilaterales, el debut como neumonía atípica, la evaluación de mal en el cumplimiento de las guías y el tratamiento inadecuado. Conclusión: Las variables consideradas en el estudio fueron suficientes para explicar el desenlace final de los pacientes, por lo que se pudo determinar, por primera vez en Cienfuegos, que el no cumplimiento de las guías de buenas prácticas clínicas tiene relación con la mortalidad(AU)

Background: Community acquired pneumonia is a common disease that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. In the General University Hospital Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Lima in Cienfuegos, there are guidelines for the management of patients with community-acquired pneumonia, but no studies have been conducted as to the relation between their compliance and the mortality rate. Objective: To assess the adherence to guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of community-acquired pneumonia and its relation to mortality in hospitalized patients. Methods: A descriptive, observational and prospective case series study was conducted in all patients with a diagnosis of pneumonia or bronchopneumonia at the moment of admission and discharge from June 2006 to May 31, 2007. The relation between the different variables and the mortality rate was analyzed as to the different types of risks and the overall compliance with the guidelines for each risk with mortality. A multivariate analysis (logistic regression) was performed, with a 95% confidence interval. Results: The results are presented in tables of numbers and percent. Variables independently associated with mortality were: age (over 65 years old people), radiological lesions in more than one lobe or bilateral, atypical pneumonia debut, negative assessments as to the adherence to guidelines and inadequate treatments. Conclusion: The variables included in the study were enough to explain the final outcome of the patients, so it could be determined, for the first time in Cienfuegos, that the non-compliance with the guidelines of good clinical practice is related to mortality rates(AU)

Evaluación del cumplimiento de la guía de práctica clínica para el tratamiento de la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad / Fulfilment assessment of the good clinical practices guidelines for community acquired pneumonia

Fundamento: La neumonía adquirida en la comunidad es la causa más común de infecciones encontradas en la práctica médica. Objetivo: Evaluar el cumplimiento de la guía de práctica clínica para el tratamiento de la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, prospectivo, de serie de casos realizado en el Hospital Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Lima desde el 1 de enero al 30 de junio del 2006, sobre 500 pacientes con diagnóstico principal al ingreso y egreso de neumonía o bronconeumonía. Se aplicó el instrumento de evaluación vigente en el centro. Se realizó un análisis univariado, con un intervalo de confianza de 95 por ciento. Se midió el cumplimiento de las guías en excelente, bien, regular y mal, así como el desenlace en vivos y fallecidos. Resultados: Los mayores de 65 años son los que más ingresan por esta causa y en ellos es más alta la letalidad; el 40, 6 por ciento de los pacientes que ingresan se estratifican en la clase III. La no realización de la radiografía de tórax y el tratamiento inadecuado constituyeron mayor riesgo de muerte. El 53, 2 por ciento de los expedientes clínicos reflejan mal cumplimiento de la guía, así mismo la mayor letalidad se encontró en ese grupo. Conclusiones: Las neumonías no graves son las que más ingresan en el centro, con una letalidad no despreciable, aunque la más elevada se encontró en las clases IV y V, consideradas las neumonías más graves. La adherencia global a la guía se puede relacionar con el desenlace final del enfermo(AU)

Background: Community acquired pneumonia is the most common cause of infections found during the medical practice. Objective: To assess the fulfilment of the good clinical practices guidelines for the treatment ofcommunity acquired pneumonia. Methods: Prospective, descriptive study of series of cases developed in the Hospital Dr. Gustavo Aldereguía Lima between January, 1st and June 30th, 2006. 500 patients were studied which main diagnosis was pneumonia orbronchial pneumonia. The assessment tool includes four questions. A single-varied analysis was performed, witha confidence interval of 95 percent. The final result of this measurement was the fulfilment of the guidelines asexcellent, fine, acceptable and not well, as well as the outcome in living and dead patients. Results: Patientsolder than 65 years of age are the most affected by this disease and fatality is also higher in this age group; 40,6 percent of admitted patients are classified as type III. Not performing thoracic radiography and inappropriatetreatment led to a higher lethality risk. 53, 2 percent of the clinical histories reflects a bad fulfillment of the guide, likewise the biggest lethality was found in that group 36,8 percent. Conclusions: The patients with pneumonias non serious are those that more are admitted in the center, with a non negligible lethality, although the highest was found in the classes IV and Vof pnemonia, that were considered the most serious pneumonias. The global adherence to the guide can berelated with the final outcome of the patient(AU)

[Anatomic and topographic models of the cerebral areas that activates during the linguistic functions]. / Modelos anatomotopográficos de las áreas cerebrales que se activan durante la función lingüística.

AIM: A brief revision was performed in order to develop a topographic model of cerebral activation during silent reading, syllable's repetition and emotional prosody, based in recent neuroimaging studies. DEVELOPMENT: It has been reported that the words are analyzed in both occipital hemispheres during silent reading, after they are 'written' in the right temporal cortex while the integration of the semantic and phonologic processes are integrated on different left temporal areas and also in the left frontal lower part. The understanding is achieved in the left-middle temporal cortex. In the other hand, activation during articulatory movements is carried out in the left supratemporal gyrus and the left motor and premotor cortex, the left putamen and part of both hemispheres of the cerebellum. Finally, recognition of the emotional prosody occurs in three stages: obtaining of the acoustic information in some areas of the right temporal lobe, representation of acoustic sequences in the right posterio-superior temporal area, and an evaluation of the emotional prosody in the lower frontal bilateral cortex, with the involvement of the basal ganglia in the emotional expression. CONCLUSIONS: The location and synchrony of the areas that activate during the language processing is lateralized toward the left hemisphere and it involves cortical and subcortical areas, except for the emotional prosody. The understanding of the language processes will open the field for to take advantage of the plastic mechanisms for the speech therapy and rehabilitation.

Modelos anatomotopográficos de las áreas cerebrales que se activan durante la función lingüística / Anatomic and topographic models of the cerebral areas that activates duringthe linguistic functions

Objetivo. Con el fin de elaborar modelos topográficos de activación cerebral asociados a los procesos de lecturasilenciosa, repetición de sílabas y prosodia emocional, se realiza una breve revisión bibliográfica de los avances recientes en estudios de neuroimagen. Desarrollo. Se ha comunicado que durante la lectura silenciosa, las palabras se analizan en amboshemisferios occipitales, después la palabra se ‘redacta’ en la corteza temporal derecha, mientras que la integración del proceso semántico y el fonológico se realiza en distintas áreas temporales izquierdas y en la parte inferior frontal izquierda. La comprensión se logra en la corteza temporal media izquierda. Por otro lado, la activación durante los movimientos articulatorios se lleva a cabo en el giro supratemporal izquierdo y las cortezas motora y premotora izquierdas, el putamen izquierdo y parte del cerebelo en forma bilateral. Finalmente, el reconocimiento de la prosodia emocional sucede en tres etapas: obtención de la información acústica en áreas del lóbulo temporal derecho, representación de secuencias acústicas en el surco temporal posterosuperior derecho y evaluación de la prosodia emocional en la corteza bilateral frontal inferior, junto con la participación de los ganglios basales en lo que respecta a la expresión emocional. Conclusiones. La localización y sincronizaciónde las áreas que se activan durante los procesos del lenguaje, con excepción de la prosodia emocional, está lateralizada preferentemente hacia el hemisferio izquierdo e implica áreas corticales y subcorticales. El entendimiento de los procesos del lenguaje abrirá el campo para el aprovechamiento de los mecanismos plásticos en la rehabilitación logopédica

Aim. A brief revision was performed in order to develop a topographic model of cerebral activation during silentreading, syllable’s repetition and emotional prosody, based in recent neuroimaging studies. Development. It has been reported that the words are analyzed in both occipital hemispheres during silent reading, after they are ‘written’ in the right temporal cortex while the integration of the semantic and phonologic processes are integrated on different left temporal areas and alsoin the left frontal lower part. The understanding is achieved in the left-middle temporal cortex. In the other hand, activation during articulatory movements is carried out in the left supratemporal gyrus and the left motor and premotor cortex, the left putamen and part of both hemispheres of the cerebellum. Finally, recognition of the emotional prosody occurs in three stages:obtaining of the acoustic information in some areas of the right temporal lobe, representation of acoustic sequences in the right posterio-superior temporal area, and an evaluation of the emotional prosody in the lower frontal bilateral cortex, with the involvement of the basal ganglia in the emotional expression. Conclusions. The location and synchrony of the areas thatactivate during the language processing is lateralized toward the left hemisphere and it involves cortical and subcortical areas, except for the emotional prosody. The understanding of the language processes will open the field for to take advantage of the plastic mechanisms for the speech therapy and rehabilitation