Hydrodynamic cavitation through a bio-inspired fast-closing plunger mechanism: experiments and simulations.

Experimental and numerical results are reported for the internal and external flow fields evolving in a bio-inspired snapping plunger. The experimental evidence underlines the nature of the dynamic-coupling between the processes taking place inside and outside the device. Two main structures dictate the properties of the external flow field: a strong jet which is followed by a vortex ring. Internally, complex patterns of cavitating structures are simultaneously produced in the chamber and the venturi-like conduit. We find the cavitation cycle to be suitably described by the Rayleigh-Plesset model and, thus, proceed to characterize the coupling of both fields in terms of the fluctuations of the velocity. All main parameters, as well as the energy released to the fluid during the collapse, are found to be within the same order-of-magnitude of previously known experimental results for isolated bubbles of comparable size.

Bioinspired snapping-claw apparatus to study hydrodynamic cavitation effects on the corrosion of metallic samples.

A creative low-cost and compact mechanical device that mimics the rapid closure of the pistol shrimp claw was used to conduct electrochemical experiments, in order to study the effects of hydrodynamic cavitation on the corrosion of aluminum and steel samples. Current-time curves show significant changes associated with local variations in dissolved O2 concentration, cavitation-induced erosion, and changes in the nature of the surface corrosion products.

Viral metacommunities associated to bats and rodents at different spatial scales.

One of the main goals of community ecology is to measure the relative importance of environmental filters to understand patterns of species distribution at different temporal and spatial scales. Likewise, the identification of factors that shape symbiont metacommunity structures is important in disease ecology because resulting structures drive disease transmission. We tested the hypothesis that distributions of virus species and viral families from rodents and bats are defined by shared responses to host phylogeny and host functional characteristics, shaping the viral metacommunity structures at four spatial scales (Continental, Biogeographical, Zoogeographical, and Regional). The contribution of host phylogeny and host traits to the metacommunity of viruses at each spatial scale was calculated using a redundant analysis of canonical ordering (RDA). For rodents, at American Continental scale the coherence of viral species metacommunity increased while the spatial scale decreased and Quasi-Clementsian structures were observed. This pattern suggests a restricted distribution of viruses through their hosts, while in the Big Mass (Europe, Africa, and Asia), the coherence decreased as spatial scale decreased. Viral species metacommunities associated with bats was dominated by random structures along all spatial scales. We suggest that this random pattern is a result of the presence of viruses with high occupancy range such as rabies (73%) and coronavirus (27%), that disrupt such structures. At viral family scale, viral metacommunities associated with bats showed coherent structures, with the emergence of Quasi- Clementsian and Checkerboard structures. RDA analysis indicates that the assemblage of viral diversity associated with rodents and bats responds to phylogenetic and functional characteristics, which alternate between spatial scales. Several of these variations could be subject to the spatial scale, in spite of this, we could identify patterns at macro ecological scale. The application of metacommunity theory at symbiont scales is particularly useful for large-scale ecological analysis. Understanding the rules of host-virus association can be useful to take better decisions in epidemiological surveillance, control and even predictions of viral distribution and dissemination. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: Supplementary material is available for this article at 10.1556/168.2018.19.2.9 and is accessible for authorized users.

Cytotoxic, mutagenic and genotoxic evaluation of crude extracts and fractions from Piper jericoense with trypanocidal action.

The current Chagas disease treatment is based on two drugs, nifurtimox and benznidazole, which is considered unsatisfactory, not only because of the narrow therapeutic range but also because of the associated toxicity. Natural products are considered an important source of biologically active compounds against various infectious organisms. Numerous Piper species are used in traditional medicine to treat parasitic diseases. In this paper, we study the activity of extracts and fractions obtained from Piper jericoense plant against epimastigote, trypomastigote and amastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. In addition, we evaluated the cytotoxic, mutagenic and genotoxic activities of the F4 fraction obtained from one of the more promising extracts. We obtained four extracts, one of which presented low toxicity and high trypanocidal activity. This extract was separated into eight fractions, and the F4 fraction presented better results than the other extracts and had a higher selectivity index than the reference drug, benznidazole. This fraction was not cytotoxic, mutagenic or genotoxic.

Coronaviruses in bats from Mexico.

Bats are reservoirs for a wide range of human pathogens including Nipah, Hendra, rabies, Ebola, Marburg and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (CoV). The recent implication of a novel beta (ß)-CoV as the cause of fatal respiratory disease in the Middle East emphasizes the importance of surveillance for CoVs that have potential to move from bats into the human population. In a screen of 606 bats from 42 different species in Campeche, Chiapas and Mexico City we identified 13 distinct CoVs. Nine were alpha (α)-CoVs; four were ß-CoVs. Twelve were novel. Analyses of these viruses in the context of their hosts and ecological habitat indicated that host species is a strong selective driver in CoV evolution, even in allopatric populations separated by significant geographical distance; and that a single species/genus of bat can contain multiple CoVs. A ß-CoV with 96.5 % amino acid identity to the ß-CoV associated with human disease in the Middle East was found in a Nyctinomops laticaudatus bat, suggesting that efforts to identify the viral reservoir should include surveillance of the bat families Molossidae/Vespertilionidae, or the closely related Nycteridae/Emballonuridae. While it is important to investigate unknown viral diversity in bats, it is also important to remember that the majority of viruses they carry will not pose any clinical risk, and bats should not be stigmatized ubiquitously as significant threats to public health.

Note: design of a novel rotating magnetic field device.

A novel device to produce a rotating magnetic field was designed, constructed, and tested. The system consists of a Helmholtz coil pair which is mechanically coupled to a dc electric motor whose angular velocity is controlled. The coil pair generates a uniform magnetic field; the whole system is rotated maintaining the coils energized using brushes. The magnetic field strength is uniform (≈5.8 mT) for a workspace of about 100 mm along the rotation axis. The system remains free of undesirable high amplitude mechanical vibrations for rotation frequencies below 10 Hz. We verified the performance of the apparatus by conducting experiments with magnetic swimmers.

Trends in exhaust emissions from in-use Mexico City vehicles, 2000-2006. A remote sensing study.

A remote sensing study was conducted in year 2006 in four locations of the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City (MAMC). Two of the sites were the same studied back by us in year 2000 and by others in year 1994. A database was compiled containing 11,289 valid measurements for the carbon monoxide (CO), total hydrocarbons (THC), and nitric oxide (NO) exhaust vehicles emissions. Valid measurements were binned for each pollutant by the vehicle specific power (between -5 and 20 kW tonne(-1)) for the 2000 and 2006 databases. The mean average CO, THC, and NO emissions for year 2006 were determined to be 1.10 +/- 0.18 vol.%, 299 +/- 88.4 ppm, and 610 +/- 115.0 ppm, respectively. Matching the vehicle driving patterns of the fleet measured in year 2000 with the emissions factors obtained in this work, allows estimating the trends in the exhaust emissions of vehicles in the MAMC. The adjusted results of the remote sensing study performed in year 2006 shows that the fleet has decrease 22% in CO and 17% in NO emissions, with small change in total hydrocarbons emissions. The improvements could be related with the introduction in year 2001 of vehicles that met tighter emissions standards, particularly for nitrogen oxides.

Características del consumo y aporte de energía y nutrientes de una papilla a la dieta de niños de 6 a 36 meses de edad beneficiarios de un programa de complementación alimentaria / Characteristics of energy and nutrient intake and supply with the addition of papilla to diet in 6 to 36 month old children who participate in a complementary feeding program

Objetivo: Describir las características del consumo y aporte de energía y nutrientes de una papilla en la dieta de niños de 6 a 36 meses de edad beneficiarios de un Programa de Complementación Alimentaria. Materiales y Métodos: El diseño fue descriptivo y transversal. Se aplicó el método retrospectivo de recordatorio del consumo de alimentos de 24 horas. La muestra estuvo conformada por 432 niños beneficiarios del programa. Los requerimientos y recomendaciones de energía y nutrientes fueron determinados a partir de lo establecido por FAO/OMS/ONU para energía y proteínas, y por RDA para hierro y vitamina A. Resultados: El 42,1 por ciento de los beneficiarios de 6 a 11 meses cubrieron en promedio menos de 90 por ciento de sus requerimientos energéticos, esta proporción fue 47 por ciento entre los beneficiarios de 12 a 23 meses y 64,4 por ciento entre los beneficiarios de 24 a 36 meses. La brecha calórica fue directamente proporcional a la edad de los beneficiarios. La mediana del consumo de la papilla osciló entre 30 y 90 g en el grupo de 6 a 11 meses, 45 y 69 g en el grupo de 12 a 23 meses y de 34 a 90 g en el grupo de 24 a 36 meses. Conclusiones: Se evidenció que la papilla mejoró el aporte de energía, vitamina A y hierro en la dieta del niño, llegando a cubrir los requerimientos en la mayoría de los grupos etáreos.

Objectives: To describe the characteristics of energy and nutrients intake and supply with the addition of «papilla¼to diet in 6 to 36 month old children who participate in a complementary feeding program. Materials and Methods:The study design was descriptive and cross-sectional. The retrospective method of the 24 hours food intake recallsurvey was used. The sample included all 432 children participating in the program. Energy and nutrient requirementsand recommendations were determined according to FAO/WHO/UN parameters for energy and protein intake; andaccording to RDA for iron and vitamin A. Results: 42,1% of 6 to 11 month old participating children had their 90% andless of their energy requirements fulfilled. This rate was 47% in 12 to 23 month old participants and 64,4% in 24 to 36month old participants. The calorie gap was directly proportional to the participants’ age. Median of «papilla¼ intakefluctuated between 30 and 90 g in the 6 to 11 month old group, 45 to 69 g in the 12 to 23 month old group, and 34 to90 g in the 24 to 36 month old group. Conclusions: It was evidenced that the «papilla¼ improved energy, vitamin A,and iron supply in children’s diet, complying with nutritional requirements in most age groups studied.

Remote sensing study of emissions from motor vehicles in the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City.

Remote sensing was employed for the first time to measure nitric oxide (NO) levels of on-road light-duty motor vehicles of the Metropolitan Area of Mexico City (MAMC). The sensor placed at 12 different sites also measured the concentration of CO2, CO, and total hydrocarbons (THC) in the exhaust emissions. A database was compiled containing 122 800 readings, of which 84 650 (69%) records were valid emissions measurements. CO, HC, and NO valid readings were 68.9, 63.4, and 62.9%, respectively, of the total attempted measurements. Furthermore, 42 822 vehicles were number-plate-matched to model year with the information provided by the Inspection/Maintenance Program. The mean emissions of total valid readings for CO, HC, and NO were determined to be 1.31 vol %, 440 ppm (propane), and 914 ppm, respectively. In 1991 and 1994, remote sensing measurements of CO and HC tailpipe emissions were performed in the MAMC in five different locations (30 000 valid readings). Large drops in both pollutants were observed for the intervening years, but sufficient vehicle information was not available at that time to fully explain the observed trends. Compared with those reports, our results point out to a steady decrease in CO and HC exhaust emissions with vehicle model year. The fleet emissions measured exhibit a gamma-distribution, with 10% of the most polluting fleet studied being responsible for 45%, 25%, and 29% of the CO, HC, and NO emissions, respectively. NO emissions in taxis are the highest among the vintage of vehicles, a matter of concern since according to the distance traveled per year, they represent 22% of the total activity in the MAMC.

Subcellular localization of Dp71 dystrophin isoforms in cultured hippocampal neurons and forebrain astrocytes.

It has been suggested that the absence or altered structure of Dp71, a C-terminal dystrophin gene encoded protein, is responsible for mental alterations observed in about 30% of Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients. Most of these patients have premature translational termination or point mutations at the C-terminal domain of this gene. In brain, Dp71 is the major protein product of the dystrophin gene. To determine the function of Dp71 isoforms in this organ, it is important to document their presence and intracellular localization in brain cells. Extracts from cultured hippocampal neurons and forebrain astrocytes and 5F3 and Dys 2 monoclonal antibodies were thus used for western blots. In these conditions, two Dp71 isoforms spliced or not at exon 78 were detected in both cells (Dp71f and Dp71d, respectively). By immunocytochemistry, we mapped Dp71f and Dp71d in the Golgi complex (GC) and in neuronal nuclei. Only Dp71d was found in cytoplasmic neurofilaments. In astrocytes, these isoforms were detected in the GC. These cell localization data suggest that these Dp71 isoforms may have different functions in the same cell or organelle, as well as in the two different cells analyzed.

[Prognostic significance of tumor size in the survival of patients with advanced gastric carcinoma]. / Significancia pronóstica del tamaño tumoral en la sobrevida de pacientes con carcinoma gástrico avanzado.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prognostic significance of size tumor in the survival of patients with advanced gastric carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated 95 patients with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma with a diameter smaller than 7 centimeters (Group I) and 85 cases with lesions equal or greater than 7 centimeters (Group II) whom underwent radical gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy D0-D1 (n=148) or D2-D3-D4 (n=32) at Belen Hospital, Trujillo, Peru, between 1966 and 1998. RESULTS: The median age of the Group I and II was of 58.1 12.9 and 58.5 15.3 years, respectively. The patients of the group II had a lower level of seric hemoglobin (p=0.007) and more frequency of lesions Borrmann type II and IV (p= 0.003). Using the log-rank test, there was no statistically significant difference with relation to five-year survival between both groups using the multivariate analysis of Cox regression. There was not statistically significance difference between the size tumoral and the survival but there were independent factors statistically related with the survival: depth of invasion (p=0.017) and lymph nodes compromised (p=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: Clinically the size of the tumor was not a factor to take as parameter in the prediction of the actuarial survival in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

[Intestinal obstruction by Meckel's diverticulum: a case study]. / Obstrucción intestinal por divertículo de Meckel: A propósito de un caso.

The intestinal obstruction by Meckel s diverticulum is caused by an adherence, volvulus or invagination affecting this diverticulum. This is not a very frequent event and our purpose is to describe a case of intestinal obstruction by a bridle formed by Meckel s diverticulum. Clinically, the patient experienced pain in the periumbilical region, abdominal distension and bilious vomits. The exploratory laparotomy evidenced the existence of Meckel s diverticulum without signs of inflammation.

Mitochondrial expression of a short dystrophin-like product with molecular weight of 71 kDa.

In the brain, Dp71 is the most abundant protein product of the DMD gene and by alternative splicing of exon 78 two isoforms can be expressed, Dp71d and Dp71f. To explore the subcellular distribution of these Dp71 isoforms, specific monoclonal antibodies were used. Dp71d (with exon 78) was found in microsomes, while Dp71f (without exon 78) was detected in mitochondria. To determine the alterations which the absence of dystrophin proteins induces, we compared the expression of Dp71d in microsomes and Dp71f in mitochondria from mdx and mdx(3CV) mice. Dp71d in microsomes of mdx was similar to that of wild-type mice and, as expected, in mdx(3CV) this protein was undetectable. However, in mitochondria from mdx(3CV), Dp71f was overexpressed in comparison to mitochondria from mdx mice. Because in mdx(3CV) mice all the dystrophin proteins are mutated or diminished, we concluded that the protein detected in mitochondria is not a Dp71f but a novel product named Dp71f-like protein.

Testing for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 breast-ovarian cancer susceptibility genes: a decision analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The authors developed a Markov decision model to evaluate the health implications of testing for mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 breast-ovarian cancer susceptibility genes. Prophylactic measures considered included various combinations of immediate and delayed bilateral mastectomy and oophorectomy or taking no action. METHODS: The model incorporated the likelihood of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer, survival, and quality of life. Parameter values were taken from public databases, the published literature, and a survey of cancer experts. Outcomes considered were additional life expectancy and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Results are reported for 30-year-old cancer-free women at various levels of hereditary risk. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The vast majority of women will not benefit from testing because their pre-test risks are low and surgical prophylaxis is undesirable. However, women who have family histories of early breast and/or ovarian cancer may gain up to 2 QALYs by allowing genetic testing to inform their decisions.

The role of alpha-MSH, its agonists, and C-AMP in in vitro avian melanocytes.

Little is known about the effect of alpha-MSH and other melanogenic stimulators on avian melanocytes. Tissue cultures of Barred Plymouth Rock regenerating feather melanocytes were established and the culture medium contained selected concentrations of alpha-MSH and other melanogenic stimulators in Ham's F-10 medium supplemented with antibiotics and 10% new born calf serum. Cultures were maintained at 37 degrees C in 95% air/5% CO2. No increase in melanogenesis over control levels due to the addition of 10(-5) M Forskolin, 10(-4) M IBMX, 10(-3) M c-GMP, and 10(-3) M db-c-AMP was observed in the cultures on days 5 and 7. However, 2.5 (optimum), 5, and 10 micrograms/ml alpha-MSH and 10(-3) M 8-bromo-c-AMP significantly increased melanogenesis over control levels on days 5 and 7. The stimulation of melanogenesis was detectable by a significantly increased number of melanocytes containing numerous stage IV melanosomes. No increase in melanocyte cell number was observed in any of the experimental cultures. The addition of 1, 2 (optimum), or 3 mM calcium did enhance the increased pigmentation effect of 2.5 micrograms/ml alpha-MSH. Two very convincing experiments showed that c-AMP was the second messenger for alpha-MSH in these birds. First, the c-AMP inhibitor, 10(-3) M Rp-c-AMPS, completely inhibited the stimulatory effect of alpha-MSH in these in vitro melanocytes. Second, direct measurements of c-AMP levels in feather tissue showed a significant increase in c-AMP levels 10.min after alpha-MSH treatment. Controls received no alpha-MSH. The results showed that these avian melanocytes have alpha-MSH receptors and were able to respond to the hormone. C-AMP was the second messenger in this system. Apparently db-c-AMP was not able to enter these mature, highly-differentiated cells and c-AMP agonists, Forskolin and IBMX, were also either unable to enter these older cells or, if they did enter the cells, were unable to stimulate c-AMP production. Evidently the more lipophilic 8-bromo-c-AMP was able to enter these cells and stimulate melanogenesis.

Intoxicaciones en el Servicio de Pediatría en el Hospital Nacional "Dos de Mayo" / Poisoning at Paediatrics Service of Hospital Nacional \"Dos de Mayo\"

Se hizo un estudio retrospectivo en el Hospital Dos de Mayo, servicio de Pediatría, Lima, de la incidencia de intoxicaciones en niños, intoxicación desde enero de 1993 a Julio de 1995. Durante dicho período se atendieron en emergencia 12449 pacientes, de los cuales 192 (1,54 por ciento) fueron diagnosticados de intoxicación, encontrándose, la mayor incidencia en niños de 1 a 4 años: 154 casos (80,2 por ciento), seguido de mayores de 5 años: 33 casos (17,19 por ciento) y finalmente menores de 1 año con 8 casos (4,17 por ciento). La intoxicación más frecuente fue por hidrocarburos 81 casos (42,19 por ciento), de éstos 73 fueron por kerosene; 29 casos (15,1 por ciento) fueron por hipoclorito de sodio, 25 casos (13 por ciento) por organo fosforados; medicamentosa 17 (8,85 por ciento), carbamatos 12 (6,25 por ciento), plomo 3 (1,56 por ciento) y otros 25 (13 por ciento). Del total de casos, 19 (9,9 por ciento) fueron hospitalizados, ninguno falleció; en cuanto a sexo no se encontró mayor diferencia. Nosotros encontramos que los hidrocarburos son la causa más frecuente de intoxicaciones y el segundo agente en frecuencia fué el hipoclorito de sodio.

Colecistitis aguda acalculosa en el paciente con trauma grave / Acute acalculous cholecistitis in severe trauma patients

Antecedentes: La frecuencia informada de CAA en pacientes con lesiones traumáticas oscila entre 0.5 y 5 por ciento, con una mortalidad que varía entre 7 y 75 por ciento, valores determinados por reporte de casos o series retrospectivas. Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia de colecistitis aguda acalculosa (CAA) en una población de pacientes con trauma contuso grave y las implicaciones clínicas que tiene, así como los factores de riesgo que puedan precipitar su aparición, evaluación de cambios morfológicos tempranos, tratamiento quirúrgico y morbi-mortalidad. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio prospectivo, observacional, longitudinal y descriptivo inferencial conducido entre ocubre de 1994 y junio de 1995. Se incluyeron 28 pacientes adultos consecutivos con trauma contuso al menos en dos regiones corporales. Se estimó la severidad de las lesiones con una escala fisiológica (Revised Trauma Score = RTS) y una anatómica (Injury Severity Score = ISS). Todos los pacientes se sometieron a ultrasonido de hígado y vías biliares a su ingreso y cada 5 a 7 días para la detección temprana de cambios sonográficos o concluyentes de CAA. Cada paciente recibió tratamiento conveniente de acuerdo a sus lesiones. La evaluación fue clínica, laboratorial y de los posibles factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de esta alteración. Mediciones: Prueba exacta de Fisher de dos colas para las variables cualitativas y prueba U de Mann-Withney para las cuantitativas. Resultados: Del total 21 correspondieron al sexo masculino (75 por ciento) y 7 al femenino (25 por ciento) con un promedio de edad de 45.5 años y un período de observación promedio de 22.5 días. Siete de los pacientes (25 por ciento) desarrollaron cambios sonográficos a partir del noveno día de manejo, 4 fueron concluyentes de CAA demostrados histológicamente, de los cuales tres se sometieron a colecistectornía abierta sin morbilidad y mortalidad y mejoría de sus condiciones clínicas. El otro caso falleció por hipovolemia sin ofrecerle tratamiento quirúrgico. Los factores de riesgo con significancia estadística fueron: Estancia prolongada, fiebre, dolor abdominal, evaluación de la fosfatasa alcalina, hipoalbuminemia, uso de nutrición parenteral total y casos complicados con neumonía intrahospitalaria (P = < 0.05). Hubo significancia marginal con el uso de analgesia-sedación. La mortalidad global fue del 18 por ciento. Conclusiones: La frecuencia es mayor a la informada previamente y no hubo mortalidad relacionada a la presencia de la CAA. El ultrasonido detecta fácilmente los cambios morfológicos vesiculares. No hubo morbilidad y mortalidad atribuida a la colecistectomía.

[Acute acalculous cholecystitis in patients with severe trauma]. / Colecistitis aguda acalculosa en el paciente con trauma grave.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of AAC on patients with traumatic lesions fluctuates between 0.5 to 5%, with mortality which varies between 7 and 75%. These values are determined by case reports or retrospective series. AIM: To determine the incidence of acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) in a number of patients with severe trauma and its clinical implications, as well as the risk factors that can favour the development of this pathology, evaluation of early morphological changes, surgical treatment and morbidity and mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective, observational, longitudinal and descriptive inferential study conducted from October 1994 to June 1995. Twenty eight consecutive adult patients with contusion severe trauma on at least two corporal regions were included. The severity of lesions was estimated with a physiologic scale (Revised Trauma Score = RTS) and an anatomic one (Injury Severity Score = ISS). All patients were submitted to ultrasound of the liver and biliary tract on their admittance and every 5 or 7 days for an early detection of sonographic changes or conclusive of AAC. Each patient was treated conveniently in accordance with his or her lesions. The patients were evaluated clinically, with laboratory exams, and for possible risk factors for the development of this pathology. MEASUREMENTS: Two Tailed Fisher's Exact Test for qualitative variables and Mann-Withney U Test for the quantitatives. RESULTS: Twenty one patients were male (75%) and 7 were female (25%), average age 45.5 years and an average observation period of 22.5 days. Seven of these patients (25%) developed sonographic changes starting the 9th day after admission, 4 were conclusive of AAC proved histologically, three of these underwent open cholecystectomy with no morbidity and mortality and improvement of their clinical conditions. The other patient died due to hypovolemia without having been offered surgical treatment. The risks factors with statistical significance were: Long in-hospital stay, fever, abdominal pain, elevation of alkaline phosphatase, hypoalbuminemia, use of parenteral nutritional support and nosocomial pneumonia (P = < 0.05). There was a marginal significance with the use of sedatives and analgesics. Global mortality was 18%. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence is more than the one previously informed and there was no mortality related the presence of AAC. The ultrasound easily detects the gallbladder morphological changes. There was no morbidity or mortality due to the cholecystectomy.

Trauma Raquimedular

En este estudio retrospectivo se exponen y se analizan los resultados del tratamiento quirúrgico y conservador para las luxofracturas que involucran la columna vertebral. Las fracturas de columna fueron valoradas en 152 pacientes en un período de 13 años en el Servicio de Ortopedia y Traumatología del Hospital Carlos Andrade Marín de Quito, el 80.90 por ciento de pacientes fueron intervenidos quirurgicamente, mientras que el 19.0 por ciento fueron manejados con tratamiento conservador. El promedio de tiempo al tratamiento quirúrgico fue de 11 días. Los resultados fueron evaluados de acuerdo al déficit neurológico y si eran fracturas estables o inestables o habían fragmentos que invadían canal medular con o sín déficit neurológico. En el grupo con tratamiento quirúrgico un total de 123 pacientes (80.9 por ciento) terminó en instrumentación de Harrington, fusión, alambrado, placas de Roy Camille debido a la inestabilidad de 2 a 3 columnas y si había deterioro de su estado neurológico se les realizó laminectomía. De ellos 32 pacientes (22 por ciento) recuperaron su estado neurológico, el 19.0 por ciento fueron tratados conservadoramente debido a que eran fracturas estables y poe lo tanto no había déficit neurológico.

[Antimicrobial prophylaxis in urologic surgery]. / Profilaxis antimicrobiana en cirugía urológica.

To evaluate the efficacy of preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis, we studied 130 patients who were submitted to prostate surgery. These patients were divided into 3 groups. Overall morbidity was lower for the patient group that had received antibiotic prophylaxis (Netilmicin, 3 doses) than for the group on placebo and the group on antibiotics postoperatively. The incidence of significant bacteriuria for the group on Netilmicin was less at 7 days (7.5%) and at 30 days (20.5%) than for the other groups: (22.55%) and (49.36%) at 7 and 30 days, respectively. The foregoing data indicate that preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis should be used for periods less than 24 h in all noninfected patients undergoing prostate surgery. The cost of antibiotic therapy, presence of opportunistic organisms and the duration of hospital stay are reduced by antimicrobial prophylaxis.