Albúmina en cirrosis: perspectiva inflamatoria / Albumin in cirrhosis: inflammatory perspective

La albúmina sérica humana es la proteína más abundante en el plasma, su estructura molecular le confiere estabilidad, pero también flexibilidad para ligar y transportar un amplio rango de moléculas. Su función oncótica es la propiedad más reconocida que la lleva a introducirse en la terapéutica médica como un expansor de volumen. Sin embargo, en los últimos años se le han adicionado funciones con carácter antioxidante, inmunomodulador y de estabilización endotelial, que hacen presumir que su impacto terapéutico está más allá de sus funciones volumétricas. En los últimos años, específicamente en la cirrosis y la falla hepática aguda sobre crónica, se ha tenido un cambio en el paradigma fisiológico, desde una perspectiva netamente hemodinámica hacia una perspectiva inflamatoria, en donde las funciones oncóticas y no oncóticas de la albúmina están alteradas y tienen un carácter pronóstico en estas entidades. Este conocimiento creciente, desde una perspectiva inflamatoria, hace que se fortalezca el uso terapéutico de la albúmina sérica humana desde las indicaciones tradicionales como prevención de la disfunción circulatoria posparacentesis, prevención y tratamiento de lesión renal aguda, hasta las discusiones para administración a largo plazo en pacientes cirróticos con ascitis.

Human serum albumin is the most abundant protein in plasma, with a molecular structure that provides stability while also allowing flexibility to bind and transport a wide range of molecules. Its oncotic function is the most recognized property, leading to its introduction in medical therapy as a volume expander. However, in recent years, additional functions with antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and endothelial stabilization properties have been identified, suggesting that its therapeutic impact extends beyond its volumetric functions. Specifically, in cirrhosis and acute-on-chronic liver failure, there has been a shift in the pathophysiological paradigm from a purely hemodynamic perspective to an inflammatory perspective, where both oncotic and non-oncotic functions of albumin are altered and have prognostic significance in these conditions. This growing understanding from an inflammatory perspective strengthens the therapeutic use of human serum albumin, not only for traditional indications such as the prevention of post-paracentesis circulatory disfunction, prevention and treatment of acute kidney injury, but also for discussions regarding long-term administration in cirrhotic patients with ascites.

Framework Adaptability and Concerted Structural Response in a Bismuth Metal-Organic Framework Catalyst.

Bismuth metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as heterogeneous catalysts are scarce, and there is little knowledge on the influence of the MOF features on their resulting activity and behavior. Here, we present the synthesis, characterization, and catalytic activity in the one-pot multicomponent Strecker reaction with ketones of three new MOFs prepared with the combination of indium or bismuth and 4,4',4'',4'''-methanetetrayltetrabenzoic acid. One of them, denoted BiPF-7, is very robust and chemically stable, and demonstrates a high activity in the formation of the desired α-aminonitriles. The interaction of the catalytic substrates with the metal centers in this MOF has been crystallographically characterized, showcasing a concerted framework adaptability process that involves structural changes in framework components that are not directly involved in the binding of the guests.

Building a Green, Robust, and Efficient Bi-MOF Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Strecker Reaction of Ketones.

In this work, we present the new [Bi14(µ3-O)9(µ4-O)2(µ3-OH)5(3,5-DSB)5(H2O)3]·7H2O, BiPF-4 (bismuth polymeric framework─4) MOF, its microwave hydrothermal synthesis, as well as its behavior as a heterogeneous catalyst in the multicomponent organic Strecker reaction. The BiPF-4 material shows a three-dimensional (3D) framework formed by peculiar inorganic oxo-hydroxo-bismutate layers connected among them through the 3,5-dsb (3,5-disulfobenzoic acid) linker. These two-dimensional (2D) layers, built by junctions of Bi7 polyhedra SBU, provide the material of many Lewis acid catalytic sites because of the mixing in the metal coordination number. BiPF-4 is a highly robust, green, and stable material that demonstrates an excellent heterogeneous catalytic activity in the multicomponent Strecker reaction of ketones carried out in one-pot synthesis, bringing a reliable platform of novel green materials based on nontoxic and abundant metal sources such as bismuth.

The Effect of Auxiliary Nitrogenated Linkers on the Design of New Cadmium-Based Coordination Polymers as Sensors for the Detection of Explosive Materials.

Three new cadmium-based coordination polymers, denoted [Cd(hfipbb)(4,4'-bipy)] (CdPF-1), [Cd(hfipbb)(2,2'-bipy)] (CdPF-2), and [Cd(hfipbb)(1,10-phen)] (CdPF-3), have been hydrothermally synthesized by using the well-known V-shaped organic linker 4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)bis(benzoic acid) (H2 hfipbb), together with different nitrogenated auxiliary linkers. Considering the d10 configuration of the transition metal selected, the luminescent properties for these CdPF-n materials were explored, finding that materials CdPF-2 and CdPF-3 act as excellent sensors in the detection of explosive nitro aromatic compounds. The photoluminescence properties of CdPF-2 and CdPF-3 revealed that significant and sensitive fluorescence quenching was observed toward NP (nitrophenol) for CdPF-2 and PA (picric acid) for CdPF-3 in MeOH suspensions.

Cooperation in the face of thresholds, risk, and uncertainty: Experimental evidence in fisher communities from Colombia.

Cooperation is thought to be a necessary condition to solve collective action dilemmas such as climate change or the sustainable use of common pool resources. Yet, it is poorly understood how situations pervaded by thresholds shape the behaviour of people facing collective dilemmas. Here we provide empirical evidence that resource users facing thresholds maintain on average cooperative behaviours in the sense of maximising their individual earnings while ensuring future group opportunities. A framed field experiment in the form of a dynamic game with 256 Colombian fishers helped us investigate individual behavioural responses to the existence of thresholds, risk and uncertainty. Thresholds made fishers extract less fish compared to situation without thresholds, but risk had a stronger effect on reducing individual fishing effort. Contrary to previous expectations, cooperation did not break down. If cooperation can be maintained in the face of thresholds, then communicating uncertainty is more policy-relevant than estimating precisely where tipping points lay in social-ecological systems.

Untangling the Mechanochromic Properties of Benzothiadiazole-Based Luminescent Polymorphs through Supramolecular Organic Framework Topology.

Two new luminophore polymorphs of 4-bromo-7-(4-nonylphenyl)benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (1α and 1ß) exhibiting different color emissions, which switch into each other in response to shear force and solvent vapors, are presented and their X-ray structure is determined. Supramolecular organic framework topology (SOFT) studies on the two polymorphic structures led us to conclude that the mechanochromic phase transformation can be explained on the basis of modifications in their respective topological nets: mab and pcu for 1α and 1ß, respectively, as a result of the breaking and restoration of a number of weak supramolecular interactions. The color changes accompanying this transformation have been rationalized with the help of time-dependent density functional theory. We firmly believe that our findings will inspire future research on the design of novel stimuli-responsive organic materials with switchable properties based on their supramolecular interactions by establishing clear SOFT-property relationships.

Development and Evaluation of the Chromatic Behavior of an Intelligent Packaging Material Based on Cellulose Acetate Incorporated with Polydiacetylene for an Efficient Packaging.

Global growth of the food industry and the demand for new products with natural characteristics, safe conditions and traceability have driven researches for the development of technologies such as intelligent packaging, capable to fulfil those needs. Polydiacetylene (PDA) is a synthetic material that has been highlighted in research field as a sensor substance, which can be used to produce intelligent packaging capable to detect chemical or biochemical changes in foods and in their environment due to PDA's color transition from blue to red. This work focused on the development and optimization of an intelligent packaging constituted of a polymeric matrix of cellulose acetate-based incorporated with PDA as the substance sensor. Cellulose acetate films (3% wt.) were developed by a casting method, and the amounts of triethyl citrate plasticizer (TEC) (0-25% wt. of cellulose-acetate) and PDA (0-60 mg) were analyzed to optimize the conditions for the best color transitioning at this study range. The compound amounts incorporated into polymeric matrices were established according to Central Composite Designs (CCD). Three more design variables were analyzed, such as the polymerization time of PDA under UV light exposition (0-60 min), pH values (4-11) and temperature exposure on the film (0-100 °C), important factors on the behavior of PDA's color changing. In this study, film thickness and film color coordinates were measured in order to study the homogeneity and the color transitioning of PDA films under different pH and temperature conditions, with the purpose of maximizing the color changes through the optimization of PDA and TEC concentrations into the cellulose acetate matrix and the polymerization degree trigged by UV light irradiation. The optimal film conditions were obtained by adding 50.48 g of PDA and 10% of TEC, polymerization time of 18 min under UV light, at 100 °C ± 2 °C of temperature exposure. The changes in pH alone did not statistically influence the color coordinates measured at the analyzed ratio; however, variations in pH associated with other factors had a significant effect on visual color changes, and observations were described. PDA films were optimized to maximize color change in order to obtain a cheap and simple technology to produce intelligent packaging capable to monitor food products along the distribution chain in real time, improving the food quality control and consumer safety.

Anionic and neutral 2D indium metal-organic frameworks as catalysts for the Ugi one-pot multicomponent reaction.

Two metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) made of indium and 1,3,5-tris(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene (H3btb) and having a layered structure have been synthesized under solvothermal conditions: [In(btb)(H2O)(DMF)]·L (InPF-50) and [In2(btb)2Cl2]2-·[(CH3)2NH2]22+·L (InPF-51). The structures of both materials have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The synthetic study which has been carried out demonstrates the influence of the selected indium salt in obtaining each MOF. The structure of both materials consists of pairs of catenated layers, where the metal atoms display coordinated solvent ligands that provide potential open metal sites. The accessibility to these sites along with the presence of Lewis basic sites in the form of uncoordinated oxygen atoms make InPF-50 and -51 efficient catalysts for the four-component Ugi reaction. We attribute this high activity not only to the presence of both acid and basic sites, but also to their convenient locations in the MOF structures. This is further supported by the comparison with [In3O(btb)2(HCO2)]·L, InPF-110, a highly porous indium MOF that only displays Lewis acid sites, and shows lower activity.

Revisión de las prácticas de enfermería en cuidado paliativo de pacientes con heridas oncológicas / Revision of the Nursing Practices in the Palliative Care to Patients with Oncologic Injuries / Revisão das práticas de enfermagem nos cuidados paliativos de pacientes com chagas oncológicas

Introducción: los pacientes con heridas oncológicas o tumorales tienen unas necesidades específicas de cuidado, por dolor, exudado y mal olor; por lo tanto, los profesionales de enfermería deben brindar un cuidado integral y proporcionar confort y alivio de síntomas, a fin de mejorar la calidad de vida del paciente y su familia. Objetivo: consolidar hallazgos de la literatura sobre prácticas de enfermería en cuidado paliativo de pacientes con heridas oncológicas en el manejo del exudado, dolor y olor. Método: revisión integrativa mediante la búsqueda electrónica de artículos bajo la pregunta orientadora: ¿cuáles son las prácticas de enfermería en cuidado paliativo de pacientes con heridas oncológicas en cuanto al manejo del exudado, dolor y olor?, en el periodo 2000-2017, idioma inglés, español o portugués, en las bases de datos IdeA, Pubmed, ScienceDirect, SciELO, ProQuest y Dialnet. Resultados: se identificaron 52 artículos, de los cuales 22 se ajustaban a la pregunta y presentaban información relevante. Esta revisión logró consolidar aspectos importantes sobre las prácticas de enfermería en cuidado paliativo, siendo de utilidad para profesionales de enfermería como un referente de intervenciones dirigidas a esta población con necesidades especiales de cuidado. Conclusión: se requieren más estudios sobre el manejo de estos síntomas; no obstante, las prácticas documentadas hasta el momento se basan en una adecuada técnica, limpieza de la herida y control de carga bacteriana, elección de apósito atraumático de alta capacidad de absorción y múltiples intervenciones no farmacológicas.

Introduction: Patients with oncologic injuries or tumors have specific care needs due to pain, exudate and smelliness. Therefore, nursing professionals must provide them with integral care, comfort and symptom relief in order to improve the quality of life of both the patient and the family. Objective: To consolidate the findings in the literature regarding nursing practices of palliative care to patients with oncologic injuries for dealing with exudate, pain and smelliness. Method: This is a unifying review after an online search of articles answering the research question: Which are the nursing practices of palliative care in patients with oncologic injuries regarding the management of exudate, pain and smelliness? The search covered the term 2000-2017 and the English, Spanish and Portuguese languages. The databases included IdeA, Pubmed, ScienceDirect, SciELO, ProQuest amd Dialnet. Results: Fifty-two articles were identified and 22 of them did answer the question and showed relevant information. This review managed to consolidate some important aspect related to the nursing practices of palliative care, which is quite useful for nursing professionals as an intervention benchmark when dealing with the study population having special care needs. Conclusion: More studies are required on the management of these symptoms. However, the practices documented so far are based on an appropriate technique, injury cleaning, bacterial load control, choosing a high-absorption non-traumatic dressing, and multiple non-pharmacological interventions.

Introdução: Os pacientes com chagas oncológicas ou tumorais têm necessidades específicas de cuidado, devido à dor, exsudado e mau odor; portanto, os profissionais de enfermagem devem prestar atendimento integral e fornecer conforto e alívio de sintomas, a fim de melhorar a qualidade de vida do paciente e da sua família. Objetivo: Consolidar achados da literatura sobre práticas de enfermagem em cuidados paliativos de pacientes com chagas oncológicas no manejo do exsudado, dor e odor. Método: Revisão integrativa de artigos sob a pergunta norteadora: quais as práticas de enfermagem em cuidados paliativos de pacientes com chagas oncológicas em quanto a manejo do exsudado, dor e odor? Através da busca eletrônica no período 2000-2017, idioma inglês, espanhol ou português, nas bases de dados IdeA, Pubmed, ScienceDirect, SciELO, ProQuest e Dialnet. Resultados: Identificaram-se 52 artigos, dos quais 22 se enquadraram na questão e presentaram informações relevantes. Esta revisão conseguiu consolidar aspectos importantes sobre as práticas de enfermagem no cuidado paliativo, sendo útil para profissionais de enfermagem como referente de intervenções direcionadas para essa população com necessidades especiais de cuidado. Conclusão: mais estudos sobre o manejo destes sintomas são precisos; no entanto, as práticas documentadas até hoje se baseiam em adequada técnica, limpeza de feridas e controle de carga bacteriana, escolha de curativo atraumático de alta capacidade de absorção e intervenções não farmacológicas múltiplas.

Efficacy of gamification-based smartphone application for weight loss in overweight and obese adolescents: study protocol for a phase II randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity are significant public health concerns that are prevalent in younger age cohorts. Preventive or therapeutic interventions are difficult to implement and maintain over time. On the other hand, the majority of adolescents in the United States have a smartphone, representing a huge potential for innovative digitized interventions, such as weight loss programs delivered via smartphone applications. Although the number of available smartphone applications is increasing, evidence for their effectiveness in weight loss is insufficient. Therefore, the proposed study aims to assess the efficacy of a gamification-based smartphone application for weight loss in overweight and obese adolescents. The trial is designed to be a phase II, single-centre, two-arm, triple-blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a duration of 6 months. METHOD: The intervention consists of a smartphone application that provides both tracking and gamification elements, while the control arm consists of an identically designed application solely with tracking features of health information. The proposed trial will be conducted in an urban primary care clinic of an academic centre in the United States of America, with expertise in the management of overweight and obese adolescents. Eligible adolescents will be followed for 6 months. Changes in body mass index z score from baseline to 6 months will be the primary outcome. Secondary objectives will explore the effects of the gamification-based application on adherence, as well as anthropometric, metabolic and behavioural changes. A required sample size of 108 participants (54 participants per group) was calculated. DISCUSSION: The benefits of the proposed study include mid-term effects in weight reduction for overweight and obese adolescents. The current proposal will contribute to fill a gap in the literature on the mid-term effects of gamification-based interventions to control weight in adolescents. This trial is a well-designed RCT that is in line with the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement.

Efficient Rare-Earth-Based Coordination Polymers as Green Photocatalysts for the Synthesis of Imines at Room Temperature.

Five new rare-earth coordination polymers (CPs) were designed in order to offer a remarkable platform that contains light-harvesting antennas and catalytic active centers to achieve solar-energy conversion as green alternatives in the synthesis of imines. These five new spirobifluorene-containing Ln-CPs, named [Er3(Hsfdc)3(sfdc)3(H2O)]· xH2O (RPF-30-Er), [Ln(Hsfdc)(sfdc)(EtOH)]·S (RPF-31-Ln, where Ln = La, Nd, and Sm and S = H2O or EtOH), and [Ho(Hsfdc)(sfdc)(H2O)] (RPF-32-Ho) (RPF = rare-earth polymeric framework and H2sfdc = 9,9'-spirobi[9 H-fluorene]-2,2'-dicarboxylic acid), have been solvothermally synthesized, and their structural features can be described as follows: (i) RPF-30-Er shows a 3D framework in which the inorganic trimers (secondary building units) are cross-linked by Hsfdc- and sfdc2- linkers displaying a pcu topology. (ii) The isostructural RPF-31-Ln series of materials, together with RPF-32-Ho, exhibit a 1D network of chains growing along the a axis with a ribbon-of-rings topology type. The photocatalytic activity of the RPF- n materials was tested in the oxidative coupling of amines using molecular oxygen and air as oxidizing agents under warm light. Among the materials investigated, RPF-31-Nd was chosen to further investigate the approach in the selectivity of different amine derivates.

A Mesoporous Indium Metal-Organic Framework: Remarkable Advances in Catalytic Activity for Strecker Reaction of Ketones.

With the aim of developing new highly porous, heterogeneous Lewis acid catalysts for multicomponent reactions, a new mesoporous metal-organic framework, InPF-110 ([In3O(btb)2(HCOO)(L)], (H3btb = 1,3,5-tris(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene acid, L = methanol, water, or ethanol), has been prepared with indium as the metal center. It exhibits a Langmuir surface area of 1470 m(2) g(-1), and its structure consists of hexagonal pores with a 2.8 nm aperture, which allows the diffusion of multiple substrates. This material presents a large density of active metal sites resulting in outstanding catalytic activity in the formation of substituted α-aminonitriles through the one-pot Strecker reaction of ketones. In this respect, InPF-110 stands out compared to other catalysts for this reaction due to the small catalyst loadings required, and without the need for heat or solvents. Furthermore, X-ray single crystal diffraction studies clearly show the framework-substrate interaction through coordination to the accessible indium sites.

Synchronizing Substrate Activation Rates in Multicomponent Reactions with Metal-Organic Framework Catalysts.

A study on the influence of the cation coordination number, number of Lewis acid centers, concurrent existence of Lewis base sites, and structure topology on the catalytic activity of six new indium MOFs, has been carried out for multicomponent reactions (MCRs). The new indium polymeric frameworks, namely [In8 (OH)6 (popha)6 (H2 O)4 ]⋅3 H2 O (InPF-16), [In(popha)(2,2'-bipy)]⋅3 H2 O (InPF-17), [In3 (OH)3 (popha)2 (4,4'-bipy)]⋅4 H2 O (InPF-18), [In2 (popha)2 (4,4'-bipy)2 ]⋅3 H2 O (InPF-19), [In(OH)(Hpopha)]⋅0.5 (1,7-phen) (InPF-20), and [In(popha)(1,10-phen)]⋅4 H2 O (InPF-21) (InPF=indium polymeric framework, H3 popha=5-(4-carboxy-2-nitrophenoxy)isophthalic acid, phen=phenanthroline, bipy=bipyridine), have been hydrothermally obtained by using both conventional heating (CH) and microwave (MW) procedures. These indium frameworks show efficient Lewis acid behavior for the solvent-free cyanosilylation of carbonyl compounds, the one pot Passerini 3-component (P-3CR) and the Ugi 4-component (U-4CR) reactions. In addition, InPF-17 was found to be a highly reactive, recyclable, and environmentally benign catalyst, which allows the efficient synthesis of α-aminoacyl amides. The relationship between the Lewis base/acid active site and the catalytic performance is explained by the 2D seven-coordinated indium framework of the catalyst InPF-17. This study is an attempt to highlight the main structural and synthetic factors that have to be taken into account when planning a new, effective MOF-based heterogeneous catalyst for multicomponent reactions.

Tunable catalytic activity of solid solution metal-organic frameworks in one-pot multicomponent reactions.

The aim of this research is to establish how metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) composed of more than one metal in equivalent crystallographic sites (solid solution MOFs) exhibit catalytic activity, which is tunable by virtue of the metal ions ratio. New MOFs with general formula [InxGa1-x(O2C2H4)0.5(hfipbb)] were prepared by the combination of Ga and In. They are isostructural with their monometal counterparts, synthesized with Al, Ga, and In. Differences in their behavior as heterogeneous catalysts in the three-component, one pot Strecker reaction illustrate the potential of solid solution MOFs to provide the ability to address the various stages involved in the reaction mechanism.

Optimization of door-to-electrocardiogram time within a critical pathway for the management of acute coronary syndromes at a teaching hospital in Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Door-to-electrocardiogram (D2E) time is recognized as one of the quality parameters in the attention of acute coronary syndromes. Electrocardiogram realization within periods below 10 minutes increases the possibility to achieve quick and effective reperfusion, which has an impact on outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To describe the results of a strategy whose goal is to improve the fulfillment of the D2E deadline below 10 minutes in adults who attend the emergency service due to chest pain with clinical suspicion of acute coronary syndromes. METHODS: Before-and-after study that assesses D2E time upon the implementation of actions for the reorganization of the process of attention of the patients with chest pain within the context of the implementation of a critical pathway. RESULTS: A total of 373 patients were assessed, 204 in the before stage and 169 in the after stage. The median D2E time was 16 minutes in the before stage, in 41% of the cases it was below 10 minutes; upon the implementation of the change in the process of attention of chest pain the median was 5 minutes, with 63% of the cases below 10 minutes, exhibiting a statistically significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: The actions taken led to a lower median of D2E time and a higher percentage of patients with times below 10 minutes. However, further interventions are required to assure a higher number of patients with D2E times below 10 minutes.

Performance validation of a modified magnetic resonance imaging-compatible temperature probe in children.

INTRODUCTION: During magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), children are at risk for body temperature variations. The cold MRI environment that preserves the MRI magnet can cause serious hypothermia. On the other hand, hyperthermia may also develop because of radiofrequency-induced heating of the tissues, particularly in prolonged examinations. Because of a lack of MRI-compatible core temperature probes, temperature assessment is unreliable, and specific absorption rate-related patient heat gain must be calculated to determine the allowable scan duration. We compared an MRI-compatible temperature probe and a modification thereof to a standard esophageal core body temperature probe in children. METHODS: Children undergoing general anesthesia were recruited, each patient serving as his/her own control. Core body temperature was measured using 3 different devices: (1) a fiberoptic MRI-compatible skin surface temperature probe (MRI-skin) located on the child's skin surface; (2) a fiberoptic MRI-compatible temperature probe modified with a single-use sleeve at the tip (MRI-core), located in the nasopharynx; and (3) a standard temperature monitor (STRD) located in the esophagus or nasopharynx. The Bland-Altman method was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: We enrolled 60 children aged 7.8 ± 6 years (mean ± SD) weighing 32.4 (±26.4) kg. The estimated difference between the STRD and MRI-core measurements of core temperature was 0.06°C (confidence interval [CI]: -0.02, 0.15), and between the STRD and the MRI-skin 1.19°C (CI: 0.97, 1.41). According to the Bland-Altman analysis, the 95% limits of agreement ranged from -0.9 to 3.4 and from -1.3 to 1.2 between the STRD and the MRI-skin probe and the MRI-core probe, respectively. DISCUSSION: Our results show good agreement between standard esophageal measurements of core temperature and core temperature measured using a modified MRI-core probe during general anesthesia in a general surgical pediatric population. The ability to accurately assess core temperature in the MRI suite may safely allow longer scan times and therefore reduce repeat anesthetic exposure, improve patient safety, and enhance the quality of care in children.

Prevalencia de partos en la adolescencia y factores asociados en el Hospital Universitario de Santander, Bucaramanga (Colombia) 2006: estudio de corte transversal / A cross-sectional study of childbirth prevalence in adolescents and associated factors in the Santander Teaching Hospital, Bucaramanga, Colombia, 2006

Introducción: el embarazo en la adolescencia es la gestación que ocurre entre los 10 y los 19 años de edad. En nuestro medio se ha convertido en un problema de salud pública, evidenciándose en este estudio un aumento de la prevalencia hasta superar las cifras locales y nacionales. Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia de partos y los factores asociados en madres adolescentes que ingresaron al Hospital Universitario de Santander (HUS) durante el año 2006-2007. Metodología: estudio de corte transversal de 273 mujeres seleccionadas de forma aleatoria sistemática que presentaron parto vaginal o por cesárea, en el HUS desde julio de 2006 hasta julio de 2007. Se aplicó una encuesta, donde se incluyeron variables de interés, (sociodemográficas, familiares, psicológicas); se completó la información con la historia clínica y se analizaron en el programa Epi Info® 2000 y Stata® 8.0. Resultados: la prevalencia de partos fue de 31,14% (IC95% 25,8-37,0) en pacientes menores de 20 años. Los factores protectores fueron: tener preocupación por el futuro (OR = 0,5), inicio tardío de relaciones sexuales (OR = 0,51) y no recibir educación sexual por parte de los padres (OR = 0,3). Los factores de riesgo fueron: no planear el embarazo (OR = 2,35) y no planificar (OR = 2,35). Conclusiones: la prevalencia encontrada es muy superior a la hallada en otros estudios locales, nacionales e internacionales.

Objective: adolescent pregnancy refers to gestation occurring between age 10 and 19; this has become a public health problem in Colombia. This study sought to determine the prevalence of births in teenagers admitted to the Santander Teaching Hospital (STH) over a year-long period (2006 and 2007) and the factors associated with the likelihood of teenage pregnancy for this region. Methodology: this was a cross-sectional study of 273 systematically and randomly selected females who underwent vaginal and caesarean births in the STH between July 2006 and July 2007. A survey was applied which included variables of interest (sociodemographic, family, psychological); the information was completed with the females’ clinical history and Epi InfoTM 2000 and StataTM 8.0 were used for analysing the data. Results: there was 31.14% (25.8-37.0 95%CI) prevalence for deliveries in patients aged less than 19. Factors disposing against teenage pregnancy included: being worried about the future (OR = 0.5), late onset of sexual activity (OR = 0.51) and not having received sexual education from parents (OR = 0.3). Risk factors were unplanned pregnancy (OR = 2.35) and not using contraceptive methods (OR = 2.35). Conclusions: the findings revealed a prevalence which was far higher than that found in similar local, national and international studies.

Análisis de la oontaminación microbiológica (coiformes totales y fecales) en lla bahía de santa marta, caribe Colombiano / Analysis Of The Microbiological Contamination (Total And Fecales Coliforms) In The Bay Of Santa Marta, Colombian Caribbean

Con el fin de realizar un análisis del nivel de contaminación microbiológica y de las principales fuentes de contaminación en la Bahía de Santa Marta (BSM), se colectaron muestras de agua para medir las concentraciones de coliformes totales y fecales en 11 estaciones y dos niveles de profundidad (1 y 20 m). Para la época de mayores precipitaciones se encontraron altos valores de coliformes totales y fecales, en los dos niveles de profundidad; presentándose una condición similar para la época seca. Con base a una escala conceptual se obtuvo que la BSM presenta un grado de contaminación medio para actividades de contacto primario (natación y buceo), sin embargo, existen varias fuentes de contaminación (emisario submarino, río, puerto marítimo, entre otras) que están generando un alto impacto sobre este ecosistema. Los altos valores de contaminación que se registran en la BSM se encuentran asociados a la proximidad que tiene esta a las zonas urbanas.

With the purpose of making an analysis of the microbiological level of contamination and the main sources of contamination in the Bay of Santa Marta (BSM), water samples were collected to measure the concentrations of total and fecals coliforms in 11 stations and two levels of depth (1 and 20 m). For the time of greater precipitations were stops values of total and fecals coliforms, in both depth levels; appearing a similar condition for the dry time. Based on a conceptual scale it was obtained that the BSM presents an average degree of contamination for activities of primary contact (swimming and diving), nevertheless, exist several sources of contamination (submarine emissary, river, seaport, among others) that are generating a high impact on this ecosystem. The high values of contamination that are registered in the BSM find associate to the proximity that has this to the urban zones.

Germline ATBF1 mutations and prostate cancer risk.

BACKGROUND: ATBF1 has been recently identified as a candidate prostate tumor suppressor gene. In addition to more unique mutations, two somatic mutations (shortening of a polypyrimidine tract [Poly(T)n] and a deletion beginning at codon 3381 (3381del)) were each observed in multiple prostate cancer samples and both appear to have an impact on ATBF1 gene function and expression. METHODS: We assayed two recurrent sequence variants in germline DNA from prostate cancer cases and controls, and examined whether carriers of these variants are at increased risk for prostate cancer. RESULTS: We found Poly(T)n variants in both normal and matched tumor DNA samples from multiple patients, indicating a germline origin in each case. Genotyping germline DNA samples indicated that 3381del was significantly associated with prostate cancer risk among sporadic cases (P = 0.03), but not among men with hereditary disease. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that the germline 3381del allele may influence prostate cancer susceptibility.