Empirical validation of the CRAFFT Abuse Screening Test in a Spanish sample. / Validación empírica del CRAFFT Abuse Screening Test en una muestra de adolescentes españoles.

The CRAFFT Substance Abuse Screening Instrument, developed by the Center for Adolescents Substance Abuse Research (CeASAR) (Knight et al., 1999), is a screening tool for high-risk alcohol and drug risk consumption designed for use with adolescents. Since its publication it has been the subject of translations and validations in different countries, populations and contexts that have demonstrated its enormous potential. However, there is still no empirical validation study that would ensure its good psychometric performance in Spain. The aim of this paper is to develop an adapted version of the CRAFFT in Spanish and to analyze its psychometric properties in a sample of Spanish adolescents. For this purpose an individual interview was conducted on 312 adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years of age (M = 15.01; SD = 1.83) from the Galician community. The interview included a part of the Adolescent Diagnostic Interview (ADI) and the Problem Oriented Screening Instrument for Teenagers (POSIT). The results obtained, similar to those found in other countries, allow us to report that the Spanish version of the CRAFFT has a good psychometric behaviorproperties. It was found to have a satisfactory internal consistency with a Cronbach’s alpha value of .74. In terms of sensitivity and specificity, values of 74.4% and 96.4% respectively, were obtained and the area under the ROC curve was .946. The Spanish version of the CRAFFT is made available to researchers and professionals in the field of addictive behaviors, so that it can be used with the necessary psychometric guarantees.

El CRAFFT Abuse Screening Test, desarrollado por el Center for Adolescents Substance Abuse Research (CeASAR) (Knight et al., 1999), es una herramienta de cribado del consumo de riesgo de alcohol y otras sustancias diseñada para su uso con adolescentes. Desde su publicación ha sido objeto de numerosas traducciones y validaciones en diferentes países, poblaciones y contextos que han dado cuenta de su enorme potencial. No obstante, seguimos sin disponer de estudios de validación empírica que garanticen su adecuado comportamiento psicométrico en España. El objetivo del presente trabajo consiste en desarrollar una versión adaptada del CRAFFT en castellano y analizar sus propiedades psicométricas en una muestra de adolescentes españoles. Para ello, se realizó una entrevista individual a 312 adolescentes de entre 12 y 18 años (M = 15,01; DT = 1,83) de la comunidad gallega, que incluyó una parte de la Adolescent Diagnostic Interview (ADI) y del Problem Oriented Screening Instrument for Teenagers (POSIT). Los resultados obtenidos, similares a los encontrados en otros países, permiten informar que la versión española del CRAFFT presenta un buen comportamiento psicométrico. A nivel de consistencia interna se obtuvo un a de Cronbach satisfactorio de ,74. En cuanto a la sensibilidad y especificidad se obtuvieron unos valores del 74,4% y el 96,4% respectivamente, con un área bajo la curva COR de ,946. Por lo tanto, queda a disposición de investigadores y profesionales del ámbito de las conductas adictivas la versión española del CRAFFT, para que pueda ser utilizada en adelante con las garantías psicométricas necesarias.

Adolescente con teratoma mediastinal y compromiso pericárdico / Adolescente com teratoma mediastinal e envolvimento pericárdico / Adolescent with mediastinal teratoma and pericardial involvement

Se presentó un paciente de 14 años con antecedentes de salud que acudió a consulta por presentar dolor torácico de 6 días de evolución sin irradiación y con ausencia de fiebre, disnea u otros síntomas. En la radiografía de tórax se observó una masa mediastinal anterior y media que se confirmó con la tomografía computarizada y donde la localización y las características imagenológicas sugirieron el diagnóstico de teratoma mediastinal. Se realizó exéresis del tumor que comprometía también parte del pericardio, confirmándose histológicamente por anatomía patológica la presencia de un teratoma quístico maduro del mediastino(AU)

A 14-year-old patient with a history of health who attended the clinic due to chest pain that lasted six days without irradiation and with absence of fever, dyspnea or other symptoms. The chest radiograph showed an anterior and middle mediastinal mass that was confirmed with computed tomography and where the location and imaginal characteristics suggested the diagnosis of mediastinal teratoma. The excision of the tumor that also compromised part of the pericardium was performed, confirming histologically by pathological anatomy the presence of a mature cystic mediastinal teratoma(AU)

Um paciente de 14 anos de idade, com histórico médico que se apresentou na clínica devido a dor torácica de seis dias de evolução sem irradiação e sem febre, dispnéia ou outros sintomas, foi apresentado. A radiografia de tórax mostrou uma massa mediastinal anterior e média que foi confirmada com tomografia computadorizada e onde a localização e características de imagem sugeriram o diagnóstico de teratoma mediastinal. O tumor foi extirpado, o que também comprometeu parte do pericárdio, e a presença de um teratoma cístico mediastinal maduro foi confirmado histologicamente por anatomia patológica(AU)

Validación empírica del CRAFFT Abuse Screening Test en una muestra de adolescentes españoles / Empirical validation of the CRAFFT Abuse Screening Test in a Spanish simple

El CRAFFT Abuse Screening Test, desarrollado por el Center for Adolescents Substance Abuse Research (CeASAR) (Knight et al., 1999), es una herramienta de cribado del consumo de riesgo de alcohol y otras sustancias diseñada para su uso con adolescentes. Desde su publicación ha sido objeto de numerosas traducciones y validaciones en diferentes países, poblaciones y contextos que han dado cuenta de su enorme potencial. No obstante, seguimos sin disponer de estudios de validación empírica que garanticen su adecuado comportamiento psicométrico en España. El objetivo del presente trabajo consiste en desarrollar una versión adaptada del CRAFFT en castellano y analizar sus propiedades psicométricas en una muestra de adolescentes españoles. Para ello, se realizó una entrevista individual a 312 adolescentes de entre 12 y 18 años (M = 15,01; DT = 1,83) de la comunidad gallega, que incluyó una parte de la Adolescent Diagnostic Interview (ADI) y del Problem Oriented Screening Instrument for Teenagers (POSIT). Los resultados obtenidos, similares a los encontrados en otros países, permiten informar que la versión española del CRAFFT presenta un buen comportamiento psicométrico. A nivel de consistencia interna se obtuvo un a de Cronbach satisfactorio de ,74. En cuanto a la sensibilidad y especificidad se obtuvieron unos valores del 74,4% y el 96,4% respectivamente, con un área bajo la curva COR de ,946. Por lo tanto, queda a disposición de investigadores y profesionales del ámbito de las conductas adictivas la versión española del CRAFFT, para que pueda ser utilizada en adelante con las garantías psicométricas necesarias

The CRAFFT Substance Abuse Screening Instrument, developed by the Center for Adolescents Substance Abuse Research (CeASAR) (Knight et al., 1999), is a screening tool for high-risk alcohol and drug risk consumption designed for use with adolescents. Since its publication it has been the subject of translations and validations in different countries, populations and contexts that have demonstrated its enormous potential. However, there is still no empirical validation study that would ensure its good psychometric performance in Spain. The aim of this paper is to develop an adapted version of the CRAFFT in Spanish and to analyze its psychometric properties in a sample of Spanish adolescents. For this purpose an individual interview was conducted on 312 adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years of age (M = 15.01; SD = 1.83) from the Galician community. The interview included a part of the Adolescent Diagnostic Interview (ADI) and the Problem Oriented Screening Instrument for Teenagers (POSIT). The results obtained, similar to those found in other countries, allow us to report that the Spanish version of the CRAFFT has a good psychometric behaviorproperties. It was found to have a satisfactory internal consistency with a Cronbach’s alpha value of .74. In terms of sensitivity and specificity, values of 74.4% and 96.4% respectively, were obtained and the area under the ROC curve was .946. The Spanish version of the CRAFFT is made available to researchers and professionals in the field of addictive behaviors, so that it can be used with the necessary psychometric guarantees

Diagnosis of sleep apnea in patients with stable chronic heart failure using a portable sleep test diagnostic device.

PURPOSE: ApneaLink is a portable device for the screening of sleep apnea, a prevalent and underdiagnosed comorbidity in heart failure patients. A prospective cross-sectional study in patients with chronic heart failure was carried out to assess the sensitivity and specificity of apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) measurements using ApneaLink against the standard polysomnography test. METHODS: Adult patients with a prior hospitalization in an acute heart failure hospital unit were recruited for the study. All participants were tested for sleep apnea using ApneaLink and polysomnography simultaneously during an overnight stay at a sleep laboratory. Global sleep apnea was evaluated according to the AHI, which was analyzed and compared. Subpopulation comparison based on ejection fraction was not realized due to population size. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients with stable chronic heart failure completed the study (mean age 70.9 ± 10.5 years and body mass index 30.0 ± 4.7 kg/m2). Two patients were excluded due to insufficient study duration. ApneaLink had a sensitivity greater than 80% for all AHI measurements, and a specificity greater than 80% for all AHI measurements, except for AHI ≥ 5 events/h (61.5%). The results showed higher sensitivities and specificities at AHI values of ≥ 10 events/h (sensitivity 81.3% and specificity 84.2%) and ≥ 15 events/h (sensitivity 83.3% and specificity 91.3%). Correlation analysis showed that AHI measurements using ApneaLink and polysomnography had a strong and significant correlation (r = 0.794; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that ApneaLink could be used in clinical practice to identify heart failure patients with high (AHI ≥ 15 events/h) and low (AHI < 5 events/h) probability of having sleep apnea, sparing the need for a diagnostic polysomnography and thus potentially impacting prognosis by providing a more cost-effective and timely diagnosis of this non-cardiac comorbidity.

Psychometric validation of the POSIT for screening alcohol and other drugs risk consumption among adolescents. / Validación psicométrica del POSIT para el cribado del consumo de riesgo de alcohol y otras drogas entre adolescentes.

Early detection of alcohol and drug abuse among adolescents is decisive not only for rapid referral and intervention in cases of risk, but also as an indicator for use in the evaluation of prevention programs and public policies to reduce consumption. One of the most widely-used screening instruments in the world is the Problem Oriented Screening Instrument for Teenagers (POSIT) (Rahdert, 1991), whose substance use and abuse subscale (POSITUAS) is a brief tool of enormous applied potential. However, there is still no empirical validation study that would ensure its good psychometric performance in Spain. The aim of this paper is to analyse the psychometric properties of POSITUAS among Spanish adolescents. For this purpose, 569 students aged between 12 and 18 years (M = 14.71; SD = 1.79) were personally interviewed. The study sample was selected through two-stage sampling. The results obtained, using the Adolescent Diagnostic Interview (Winters & Henly, 1993) as the gold criterion, allow us to inform that the Spanish version of the POSITUAS has excellent psychometric behaviour, both at the level of internal consistency (a  = .82) as well as regards sensitivity (94.3%) and specificity (83.9%), with an area under the ROC curve of .953. Also, the realisation of a Confirmatory Factor Analysis allows for verifying the one-dimensional character of the scale. As a result, POSITUAS is made available to researchers and professionals in the field of addictive behaviours for use with a minimum of psychometric guarantees.

La detección precoz del consumo abusivo de alcohol y otras drogas en adolescentes resulta decisiva no sólo para una derivación e intervención rápida en los casos de riesgo, sino también como un indicador a utilizar en la evaluación de los programas de prevención y en las políticas públicas de reducción del consumo. Uno de los instrumentos de screening más utilizados a nivel internacional es el Problem Oriented Screening Instrument for Teenagers (POSIT) (Rahdert, 1991), cuya subescala de Uso y Abuso de Sustancias (POSITUAS) constituye una herramienta breve de enorme potencial aplicado. Sin embargo, en España no existe todavía ningún estudio de validación empírica que permita garantizar su adecuado funcionamiento psicométrico. El objetivo del presente trabajo consiste precisamente en analizar las propiedades psicométricas del POSITUAS en adolescentes españoles. Para ello fueron entrevistados de forma personal 569 estudiantes de entre 12 y 18 años (M = 14,71; DT = 1,79), seleccionados a partir de un muestreo bietápico. Los resultados obtenidos, utilizando la Adolescent Diagnostic Interview (Winters & Henly, 1993) como criterio, permiten informar que la versión española del POSITUAS posee un excelente comportamiento psicométrico, tanto a nivel de consistencia interna (a=,82), como de sensibilidad (94,3%) y especificidad (83,9%), con un área bajo la curva ROC de ,953. Asimismo, la realización de un Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio permite constatar el carácter unidimensional de la escala. Como consecuencia se pone a disposición de investigadores y profesionales del ámbito de las conductas adictivas el POSITUAS, que puede ser utilizado en adelante con las garantías psicométricas requeridas.

Validación psicométrica del POSIT para el cribado del consumo de riesgo de alcohol y otras drogas entre adolescentes / Psychometric validation of the POSIT for screening alcohol and other drugs risk consumption among adolescents

La detección precoz del consumo abusivo de alcohol y otras drogas en adolescentes resulta decisiva no sólo para una derivación e intervención rápida en los casos de riesgo, sino también como un indicador a utilizar en la evaluación de los programas de prevención y en las políticas públicas de reducción del consumo. Uno de los instrumentos de screening más utilizados a nivel internacional es el Problem Oriented Screening Instrument for Teenagers (POSIT) (Rahdert, 1991), cuya subescala de Uso y Abuso de Sustancias (POSITUAS) constituye una herramienta breve de enorme potencial aplicado. Sin embargo, en España no existe todavía ningún estudio de validación empírica que permita garantizar su adecuado funcionamiento psicométrico. El objetivo del presente trabajo consiste precisamente en analizar las propiedades psicométricas del POSITUAS en adolescentes españoles. Para ello fueron entrevistados de forma personal 569 estudiantes de entre 12 y 18 años (M = 14,71; DT = 1,79), seleccionados a partir de un muestreo bietápico. Los resultados obtenidos, utilizando la Adolescent Diagnostic Interview (Winters & Henly, 1993) como criterio, permiten informar que la versión española del POSITUAS posee un excelente comportamiento psicométrico, tanto a nivel de consistencia interna (a=,82), como de sensibilidad (94,3%) y especificidad (83,9%), con un área bajo la curva ROC de ,953. Asimismo, la realización de un Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio permite constatar el carácter unidimensional de la escala. Como consecuencia se pone a disposición de investigadores y profesionales del ámbito de las conductas adictivas el POSITUAS, que puede ser utilizado en adelante con las garantías psicométricas requeridas

Early detection of alcohol and drug abuse among adolescents is decisive not only for rapid referral and intervention in cases of risk, but also as an indicator for use in the evaluation of prevention programs and public policies to reduce consumption. One of the most widely-used screening instruments in the world is the Problem Oriented Screening Instrument for Teenagers (POSIT) (Rahdert, 1991), whose substance use and abuse subscale (POSITUAS) is a brief tool of enormous applied potential. However, there is still no empirical validation study that would ensure its good psychometric performance in Spain. The aim of this paper is to analyse the psychometric properties of POSITUAS among Spanish adolescents. For this purpose, 569 students aged between 12 and 18 years (M = 14.71; SD = 1.79) were personally interviewed. The study sample was selected through two-stage sampling. The results obtained, using the Adolescent Diagnostic Interview (Winters & Henly, 1993) as the gold criterion, allow us to inform that the Spanish version of the POSITUAS has excellent psychometric behaviour, both at the level of internal consistency (a = .82) as well as regards sensitivity (94.3%) and specificity (83.9%), with an area under the ROC curve of .953. Also, the realisation of a Confirmatory Factor Analysis allows for verifying the one-dimensional character of the scale. As a result, POSITUAS is made available to researchers and professionals in the field of addictive behaviours for use with a minimum of psychometric guarantees

Prevalence and prognostic impact of anemia and iron deficiency in patients hospitalized in an internal medicine ward: The PRO-IRON study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess prevalence, predictive factors, and prognostic impact on in-hospital mortality of anemia, iron deficiency anemia (IDA), iron deficiency with or without anemia (ID), and iron deficiency without anemia (IDWA) in patients admitted to an internal medicine ward. METHODS: This 1-year prospective study collected data on demographics, medical history, and blood tests in 771 consecutive patients on admission. RESULTS: Most patients were ≥65 years old (80%) and had hypertension (63%), moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD) (43%), and heart failure (41%). Prevalence of anemia, IDA, ID, and IDWA was 67%, 41%, 58%, and 18%, respectively. Anemia was independently associated with age ≥65 years (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.15-2.70), active cancer (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.42-4.39), and moderate CKD (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.12-2.43). ID was independently associated with female gender (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.64-3.22), heart failure (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.16-2.37), and moderate CKD (OR 2.95, 95% CI 2.04-4.30). Incidence of in-hospital mortality was 21% and independently associated with anemia (RR 1.82, 95% CI 1.21-2.74). CONCLUSIONS: Anemia and iron deficiency were highly prevalent in internal medicine patients. As anemia negatively impacts on in-hospital mortality, awareness should be raised for effective diagnosis and management of these comorbidities in hospitalized patients.

A case of fulminant Type 1 diabetes following anti-PD1 immunotherapy in a genetically susceptible patient.

Programmed cell death-1 protein (PD-1) is an immune checkpoint that has gained popularity in the treatment of several advanced cancers. Inhibiting this checkpoint is known to enhance immune response, but is also known to diminish immune tolerance and to increase autoimmune toxicity. We discuss a case of rapid onset fulminant Type 1 diabetes induced by treatment with anti-programmed cell death-1 monoclonal antibody, nivolumab, in a patient with late-stage non-small-cell lung adenocarcinoma. The patient had no history of previous diabetes but did reveal a high-risk genotype for Type 1 diabetes development (DR3-DQ2; DR4-DQ8). This finding supports that acute Type 1 diabetes can be an important adverse effect of immunotherapies targeting T-cell activation regulation. Because of the severity of this adverse effect, physicians should be aware of it, and studies directed to the detection of new biomarkers for early risk stratification (e.g., HLA) should be sought.

Hernia diafragmática traumática en un niño / Diaphragmatic traumatic hernia in the little boy

La hernia diafragmática traumática es una afección poco frecuente sobre todo en edades pediátricas. El objetivo de este trabajo es reportar un caso de hernia diafragmática secundaria a un trauma toracoabdominal cerrado. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 12 años, masculino ingresado en el Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica de la Provincia de Santiago de Cuba, por haber sufrido un accidente en el hogar (caída de una pared de ladrillos sobre su cuerpo), que produjo traumatismos a nivel craneal, torácico y lumbar. Los estudios radiológicos confirmaron el diagnóstico de hernia diafragmática traumática izquierda. En el acto quirúrgico se comprueba defecto del diafragma izquierdo de aproximadamente 15 cm, con hernia de estómago, bazo y colon. Se realizó reducción y frenorrafia con puntos de colchonero usando poliéster 0, más pleurostomía mínima baja izquierda. El paciente evolucionó satisfactoriamente y egresó a los 10 días para seguimiento en la consulta externa durante 6 meses hasta el alta definitiva(AU)

Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is a rare illness at pediatric ages. The objective of this paper was to report a case of diaphragmatic hernia secondary to closed thoracoabdominal trauma. This patient is a 12 years-old boy admitted to the pediatric surgery service of Santiago de Cuba province because of an accident at home (a brick wall fell down upon his body) that caused him cranial, thoracic and lumbar traumas. The radiological studies confirmed the diagnosis of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia on the left side. During the surgical act, there was observed an almost 15cm left diaphragm defect with hernias in stomach, spleen and colon. Reduction and phrenorraphy were performed using mattress sewing stitch type, polyester 0 plus left low minimal pleurostomy. The progression of the patient was satisfactory and was discharged from hospital ten days after surgery to be followed up in the outpatient service for 6 months until his complete recovery(AU)

Hernia diafragmática traumática en un niño / Diaphragmatic traumatic hernia in the little boy

La hernia diafragmática traumática es una afección poco frecuente sobre todo en edades pediátricas. El objetivo de este trabajo es reportar un caso de hernia diafragmática secundaria a un trauma toracoabdominal cerrado. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 12 años, masculino ingresado en el Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica de la Provincia de Santiago de Cuba, por haber sufrido un accidente en el hogar (caída de una pared de ladrillos sobre su cuerpo), que produjo traumatismos a nivel craneal, torácico y lumbar. Los estudios radiológicos confirmaron el diagnóstico de hernia diafragmática traumática izquierda. En el acto quirúrgico se comprueba defecto del diafragma izquierdo de aproximadamente 15 cm, con hernia de estómago, bazo y colon. Se realizó reducción y frenorrafia con puntos de colchonero usando poliéster 0, más pleurostomía mínima baja izquierda. El paciente evolucionó satisfactoriamente y egresó a los 10 días para seguimiento en la consulta externa durante 6 meses hasta el alta definitiva(AU)

Traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is a rare illness at pediatric ages. The objective of this paper was to report a case of diaphragmatic hernia secondary to closed thoracoabdominal trauma. This patient is a 12 years-old boy admitted to the pediatric surgery service of Santiago de Cuba province because of an accident at home (a brick wall fell down upon his body) that caused him cranial, thoracic and lumbar traumas. The radiological studies confirmed the diagnosis of traumatic diaphragmatic hernia on the left side. During the surgical act, there was observed an almost 15cm left diaphragm defect with hernias in stomach, spleen and colon. Reduction and phrenorraphy were performed using mattress sewing stitch type, polyester 0 plus left low minimal pleurostomy. The progression of the patient was satisfactory and was discharged from hospital ten days after surgery to be followed up in the outpatient service for 6 months until his complete recovery(AU)

Quiste tímico cervical en un niño / Cervical thymic cyst in a child

Se presenta el caso clínico de un paciente de 7 años de edad con antecedentes de buena salud, quien fue ingresado a los 5 años en el Hospital Infantil Sur de Santiago de Cuba por presentar aumento de volumen en la región lateral izquierda del cuello, doloroso, sobre todo al ingerir alimentos, y fiebre de 38 °C. Luego del tratamiento indicado egresó a los 10 días, pero con seguimiento por consulta externa. Al cabo de los 2 años y medio acudió a la consulta de Cirugía con aumento de volumen en la región lateral derecha del cuello. Se realizó la exéresis del tumor y los resultados del estudio anatomopatológico confirmaron que se trataba de un quiste tímico cervical.

The case report of a 7 years patient is presented with a history of good health who was admitted when he was 5 years in the Southern Pediatric Hospital from Santiago de Cuba for presenting increase of volume mainly in the left lateral region of the painful neck, when ingesting foods, and fever 38 °C. After the prescribed treatment he was discharged 10 days later, but with follow up through out-patient department. After 2 and a half years he came to the Surgery Department with an increase of volume in the right lateral region of the neck. The exeresis of the tumor was carried out and the results of the pathological study confirmed that it was a thymic cervical cyst.

Quiste tímico cervical en un niño / Cervical thymic cyst in a child

Se presenta el caso clínico de un paciente de 7 años de edad con antecedentes de buena salud, quien fue ingresado a los 5 años en el Hospital Infantil Sur de Santiago de Cuba por presentar aumento de volumen en la región lateral izquierda del cuello, doloroso, sobre todo al ingerir alimentos, y fiebre de 38 °C. Luego del tratamiento indicado egresó a los 10 días, pero con seguimiento por consulta externa. Al cabo de los 2 años y medio acudió a la consulta de Cirugía con aumento de volumen en la región lateral derecha del cuello. Se realizó la exéresis del tumor y los resultados del estudio anatomopatológico confirmaron que se trataba de un quiste tímico cervical(AU)

The case report of a 7 years patient is presented with a history of good health who was admitted when he was 5 years in the Southern Pediatric Hospital from Santiago de Cuba for presenting increase of volume mainly in the left lateral region of the painful neck, when ingesting foods, and fever 38 °C. After the prescribed treatment he was discharged 10 days later, but with follow up through out-patient department. After 2 and a half years he came to the Surgery Department with an increase of volume in the right lateral region of the neck. The exeresis of the tumor was carried out and the results of the pathological study confirmed that it was a thymic cervical cyst(AU)

Mutagenic assessment of Prestige fuel oil spilled on the shore and submitted to field trials of bioremediation.

The mutagenicy of the slightly weathered fuel oil from the Prestige oil spill and the effects of different bioremediation products (nutrients and/or microorganisms and biodiesel) on the potential mutagenic activity of this heavy fuel oil spilled on the shore were evaluated for a period of 1 year using the Ames Salmonella assay with strains TA98, TA100, TA1535 and TA1537 in the absence and presence of exogenous metabolic activation (S9 fraction from rat liver). The in situ bioremediation experiment was performed using tiles located in the supra-littoral and intertidal zones of a beach seriously affected by the fuel oil spill. The results obtained showed the mutagenic activity of the slightly weathered fuel oil extracts at the beginning of the experiment in strain TA98 that persisted for more than 150 days in both the untreated control and treated tiles independently of the zone of the beach considered. However, after 360 days neither the control nor the treated tiles in the intertidal zone showed mutagenic activity and a weak positive response in strain TA98 was detected for the control fuel oil extracts from supra-littoral tiles. The application of biodiesel to accelerate the biodegradation of this type of fuel oil may constitute a further genotoxic hazard to the environment, since the mutagenic response achieved from the biodiesel-fuel oil mixture in the first samplings (days 0 and 30) was more potent than that obtained from the control tiles. The mutagenic activity was detected along the study with S. typhimurium TA98 in both the presence and absence of S9 microsomal fraction, but the addition of S9 fraction in the assay always increased the number of revertants induced. In general, these findings suggest that the bioremediation strategies used were not effective in eliminating the genotoxic hazard associated with this heavy fuel oil attached to rocky substrate since they did not achieve a decrease in the mutagenic response with respect to the untreated control tiles. These data also confirm that genotoxicity assays should be used to evaluate the effectiveness of bioremediation efforts associated with oil spills for a better risk assessment.

Comparison among pulmonary function test results, the Shwachman-Kulczycki score and the Brasfield score in patients with cystic fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To study correlations among pulmonary function, chest radiology and clinical status in cystic fibrosis. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate chest X-rays and clinical charts of patients treated at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Spirometry findings, Shwachman-Kulczycki (S-K) scores and Brasfield scores were analyzed. RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 40 patients (mean age 9.72 +/- 3.27). The following mean S-K scores were obtained: total, 80.87 +/- 10.24; general activity, 24.75 +/- 1.1; physical examination, 18.87 +/- 4.59; nutrition, 21.87 +/- 4.18; radiology, 15.37 +/- 5.23. The mean Brasfield score was 18.2 +/- 4. The pulmonary function test results, in percentage of predicted, were as follows: forced vital capacity (FVC), 82.99 +/- 14.36%; forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), 83.62 +/- 18.26%; and forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of FVC (FEF25-75), 74.63 +/- 2.53%. The S-K score correlated moderately with FVC, whereas it correlated strongly with FEV1 and FEF25-75. The Brasfield score correlated strongly with the S-K total and radiology score, whereas it correlated moderately with pulmonary function. Physical examination correlated moderately with FVC, FEV1 and FEF25-75; as did nutrition with FEF25-75; and radiology with FEV1 and FEF25-75. General activity was the domain that had the greatest influence on the total S-K score. CONCLUSIONS: These two scoring systems are complementary, correlating with each other, as well as with pulmonary function tests. The radiology domain of the S-K scoring system is a good alternative to the Brasfield score.

Comparação entre provas de função pulmonar, escore de Shwachman-Kulczycki e escore de Brasfield em pacientes com fibrose cística / Comparison among pulmonary function test results, the Shwachman-Kulczycki score and the Brasfield score in patients with cystic fibrosis

OBJETIVO: Estudar as relações entre função pulmonar, radiologia de tórax e estado clínico em fibrose cística. MÉTODOS: Em estudo transversal e retrospectivo, analisaram-se prontuários e radiografias de pacientes do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Foram estudados as espirometrias e os escores de Shwachman-Kulczycki (S-K) e de Brasfield. RESULTADOS: A amostra final constituiu-se de 40 pacientes com média de idade de 9,72 ± 3,27. Foram obtidas as seguintes médias dos escores de S-K: total, 80,87 ± 10,24; atividade geral, 24,75 ± 1,1; exame físico, 18,87 ± 4,59; nutrição, 21,87 ± 4,18; e radiologia, 15,37 ± 5,23. A média do escore de Brasfield foi de 18,2 ± 4. As médias das variáveis espirométricas foram, em porcentagem do previsto: capacidade vital forçada (CVF), 82,99 ± 14,36 por cento; volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1), 83,62 ± 18,26 por cento; e fluxo expiratório forçado entre 25 e 75 por cento da CVF (FEF25-75), 74,63 ± 2,53 por cento. O escore de S-K correlacionou-se moderadamente com a CVF e fortemente com VEF1 e FEF25-75. O escore de Brasfield correlacionou-se fortemente com o escore de S-K total e da radiologia, e moderadamente com a função pulmonar. O escore do exame físico correlacionou-se moderadamente com CVF, VEF1 e FEF25-75, bem como o da nutrição com FEF25-75 e o da radiologia com VEF1 e FEF25-75. A atividade geral foi a categoria que mais contribuiu para a pontuação total do S-K. CONCLUSÕES: Esses escores utilizados para a monitorização da fibrose cística são complementares, correlacionando-se entre si e com as provas funcionais. A categoria radiologia do escore de S-K é um bom substituto para o escore de Brasfield.

OBJECTIVE: To study correlations among pulmonary function, chest radiology and clinical status in cystic fibrosis. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate chest X-rays and clinical charts of patients treated at the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Spirometry findings, Shwachman-Kulczycki (S-K) scores and Brasfield scores were analyzed. RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 40 patients (mean age 9.72 ± 3.27). The following mean S-K scores were obtained: total, 80.87 ± 10.24; general activity, 24.75 ± 1.1; physical examination, 18.87 ± 4.59; nutrition, 21.87 ± 4.18; radiology, 15.37 ± 5.23. The mean Brasfield score was 18.2 ± 4. The pulmonary function test results, in percentage of predicted, were as follows: forced vital capacity (FVC), 82.99 ± 14.36 percent; forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), 83.62 ± 18.26 percent; and forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75 percent of FVC (FEF25-75), 74.63 ± 2.53 percent. The S-K score correlated moderately with FVC, whereas it correlated strongly with FEV1 and FEF25-75. The Brasfield score correlated strongly with the S-K total and radiology score, whereas it correlated moderately with pulmonary function. Physical examination correlated moderately with FVC, FEV1 and FEF25-75; as did nutrition with FEF25-75; and radiology with FEV1 and FEF25-75. General activity was the domain that had the greatest influence on the total S-K score. CONCLUSIONS: These two scoring systems are complementary, correlating with each other, as well as with pulmonary function tests. The radiology domain of the S-K scoring system is a good alternative to the Brasfield score.

Increased frequency of micronuclei in peripheral blood lymphocytes of subjects infected with Helicobacter pylori.

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated a close association between infection with Helicobacter pylori and the development of gastric carcinoma and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas in humans. The cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay was performed on peripheral blood lymphocytes of H. pylori-infected patients in order to investigate the possible induction of genotoxic damage. The study group consisted of 70 infected subjects including 33 women and 37 men, and 66 healthy controls (37 females and 29 males). Our results indicate that in the infected group the overall frequency of binucleated micronucleated cells (BNMN) per 1000 cells was higher (17.65+/-1.55) than in the controls (7.39+/-0.66), this difference being statistically significant. No differences were found between the infected and control groups regarding the cytokinesis-block proliferation index (CBPI). When the effect of different counfounding factors was evaluated, mutivariate statistical analysis revealed that age and alcohol consumption modulated the frequency of BNMN in infected people, and the interaction between alcohol use-smoking-infection also affected the BNMN frequency in H. pylori patients. Our results indicate that infection by H. pylori is associated with an increased level of cytogenetic damage in the cells of the host.

Study on mutagenic effects of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) and its derivatives in the Escherichia coli tryptophan reverse mutation assay.

The di-epoxy compound bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE), its first and second hydrolysis products (BADGE.H2O and BADGE.2H2O, respectively) and its bis-chlorohydrin derivative (BADGE.2HCl) were examined for their mutagenicity in the Escherichia coli tryptophan reverse mutation test with strains WP2, WP2uvrA and IC3327. The assays were performed in the presence and absence of exogenous metabolic activation (S9 fraction from rat liver). The di-epoxy compound BADGE was able to induce mutagenic effects in strains WP2uvrA and IC3327 and the epoxy-diol BADGE.H2O also showed a positive response with these strains, although the latter was less potent than the former. On the other hand, the lack of mutagenic activity of BADGE.2H2O and BADGE.2HCl was also demonstrated.

Mutagenic and genotoxic evaluation of bisphenol F diglycidyl ether (BFDGE) in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems.

The epoxy resin bisphenol F diglycidyl ether (BFDGE), was examined for its mutagenicity in prokaryotic assays (Salmonella typhimurium His(-) and Escherichia coli Trp(-) tests) and its genotoxicity in eukaryotic systems (sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronucleus tests in human lymphocytes), in the presence or absence of an exogenous metabolizing system (S9 from rat liver). In the prokaryotic tests, the concentrations of BFDGE ranged between 100 and 5000 micro g per plate, and in the eukaryotic assays from 12.5 to 62.5 micro g/ml. The compound is able to induce mutagenic effects in bacterial strains TA100, TA1535, WP2uvrA and IC3327, as revealed by the increase observed in the number of induced revertants. With respect to the genotoxicity assays, BFDGE induces an increase in the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges and micronuclei in human peripheral blood lymphocytes.