Valoración multidisciplinar de las secuelas al mes del alta hospitalaria por neumonía grave COVID-19, ¿existen diferencias en función de la terapia respiratoria empleada durante su ingreso en Cuidados Intensivos? / Multidisciplinary approach of the sequelae one month after hospital discharge in patients with severe bilateral COVID-19 pneumonia, are there differences depending on the respiratory therapy used during admission to intensive care?

Objetivo Describir las secuelas al mes del alta hospitalaria en pacientes que precisaron ingreso en Cuidados Intensivos por neumonía grave COVID-19 y analizar las diferencias entre los que recibieron terapia exclusivamente con oxigenoterapia con alto flujo con respecto a los que precisaron ventilación mecánica invasiva (VMI). Diseño Estudio de cohorte, prospectivo y observacional. Ámbito Consulta multidisciplinar pos Cuidados Intensivos. Pacientes o participantes Pacientes que superaron el ingreso en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) por neumonía grave COVID-19 desde abril 2020 hasta octubre 2021. Intervenciones Inclusión en el programa multidisciplinar pos UCI. Variables de interés principales Secuelas motoras, sensitivas, psicológicas/psiquiátricas, respiratorias y nutricionales tras el ingreso hospitalario. Resultados Se incluyeron 104 pacientes. 48 pacientes recibieron oxigenoterapia nasal de alto flujo (ONAF) y 56 VMI. Las principales secuelas encontradas fueron la neuropatía distal (33,9% VMI vs. 10,4% ONAF); plexopatía braquial (10,7% VMI vs. 0% ONAF); disminución de fuerza de agarre: mano derecha 20,67 kg (± 8,27) en VMI vs. 31,8 kg (± 11,59) en ONAF y mano izquierda 19,39 kg (± 8,45) en VMI vs. 30,26 kg (± 12,74) en ONAF; y balance muscular limitado en miembros inferiores (28,6% VMI vs. 8,6% ONAF). Las diferencias observadas entre ambos grupos no alcanzaron significación estadística en el estudio multivariable. Conclusiones Los resultados obtenidos tras el estudio multivariable sugieren no existir diferencias en cuanto a las secuelas físicas percibidas al mes del alta hospitalaria en función de la terapia respiratoria empleada, ya fuera ONAF o ventilación mecánica prolongada, si bien son precisos más estudios para poder obtener conclusiones al respecto (AU)

Objective To describe the sequelae one month after hospital discharge in patients who required admission to intensive care for severe COVID-19 pneumonia and to analyze the differences between those who received therapy exclusively with high-flow oxygen therapy compared to those who required invasive mechanical ventilation. Design Cohort, prospective and observational study. Setting Post-intensive care multidisciplinary program. Patients or participants Patients who survived admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) for severe COVID-19 pneumonia from April 2020 to October 2021. Interventions Inclusion in the post-ICU multidisciplinary program. Main variables of interest Motor, sensory, psychological/psychiatric, respiratory and nutritional sequelae after hospital admission. Results One hundred and four patients were included. 48 patients received high-flow nasal oxygen therapy (ONAF) and 56 invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). The main sequelae found were distal neuropathy (33.9% IMV vs. 10.4% ONAF); brachial plexopathy (10.7% IMV vs. 0% ONAF); decrease in grip strength: right hand 20.67 kg (± 8.27) in VMI vs. 31.8 kg (± 11.59) in ONAF and left hand 19.39 kg (± 8.45) in VMI vs. 30.26 kg (± 12.74) in ONAF; and limited muscle balance in the lower limbs (28.6% VMI vs. 8.6% ONAF). The differences observed between both groups did not reach statistical significance in the multivariable study. Conclusions The results obtained after the multivariate study suggest that there are no differences in the perceived physical sequelae one month after hospital discharge depending on the respiratory therapy used, whether it was high-flow nasal oxygen therapy or prolonged mechanical ventilation, although more studies are needed to be able to draw conclusions (AU)

Multidisciplinary approach of the sequelae one month after hospital discharge in patients with severe bilateral COVID-19 pneumonia, are there differences depending on the respiratory therapy used during admission to intensive care?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the sequelae one month after hospital discharge in patients who required admission to Intensive Care for severe COVID 19 pneumonia and to analyze the differences between those who received therapy exclusively with high-flow oxygen therapy compared to those who required invasive mechanical ventilation. DESIGN: Cohort, prospective and observational study. SETTING: Post-intensive care multidisciplinary program. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS: Patients who survived admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) for severe COVID 19 pneumonia from April 2020 to October 2021. INTERVENTIONS: Inclusion in the post-ICU multidisciplinary program. MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Motor, sensory, psychological/psychiatric, respiratory and nutritional sequelae after hospital admission. RESULTS: 104 patients were included. 48 patients received high-flow nasal oxygen therapy (ONAF) and 56 invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). The main sequelae found were distal neuropathy (33.9% IMV vs 10.4% ONAF); brachial plexopathy (10.7% IMV vs 0% ONAF); decrease in grip strength: right hand 20.67kg (±8.27) in VMI vs 31.8kg (±11.59) in ONAF and left hand 19.39kg (±8.45) in VMI vs 30.26kg (±12.74) in ONAF; and limited muscle balance in the lower limbs (28.6% VMI vs 8.6% ONAF). The differences observed between both groups did not reach statistical significance in the multivariable study. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained after the multivariate study suggest that there are no differences in the perceived physical sequelae one month after hospital discharge depending on the respiratory therapy used, whether it was high-flow nasal oxygen therapy or prolonged mechanical ventilation, although more studies are needed to be able to draw conclusions.

[Multidisciplinary approach of the sequelae one month after hospital discharge in patients with severe bilateral COVID-19 pneumonia, are there differences depending on the respiratory therapy used during admission to intensive care?] / Valoración multidisciplinar de las secuelas al mes del alta hospitalaria por neumonía grave COVID-19, ¿existen diferencias en función de la terapia respiratoria empleada durante su ingreso en Cuidados Intensivos?

Objective: To describe the sequelae one month after hospital discharge in patients who required admission to intensive care for severe COVID-19 pneumonia and to analyze the differences between those who received therapy exclusively with high-flow oxygen therapy compared to those who required invasive mechanical ventilation. Design: Cohort, prospective and observational study. Setting: Post-intensive care multidisciplinary program. Patients or participants: Patients who survived admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) for severe COVID-19 pneumonia from April 2020 to October 2021. Interventions: Inclusion in the post-ICU multidisciplinary program. Main variables of interest: Motor, sensory, psychological/psychiatric, respiratory and nutritional sequelae after hospital admission. Results: One hundred and four patients were included. 48 patients received high-flow nasal oxygen therapy (ONAF) and 56 invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). The main sequelae found were distal neuropathy (33.9% IMV vs. 10.4% ONAF); brachial plexopathy (10.7% IMV vs. 0% ONAF); decrease in grip strength: right hand 20.67 kg (± 8.27) in VMI vs. 31.8 kg (± 11.59) in ONAF and left hand 19.39 kg (± 8.45) in VMI vs. 30.26 kg (± 12.74) in ONAF; and limited muscle balance in the lower limbs (28.6% VMI vs. 8.6% ONAF). The differences observed between both groups did not reach statistical significance in the multivariable study. Conclusions: The results obtained after the multivariate study suggest that there are no differences in the perceived physical sequelae one month after hospital discharge depending on the respiratory therapy used, whether it was high-flow nasal oxygen therapy or prolonged mechanical ventilation, although more studies are needed to be able to draw conclusions.

Implantación de un protocolo de recuperación precoz en artroplastia total de rodilla. Ensayo clínico aleatorizado / Implementation of a rapid recovery protocol in total knee arthroplasty. A randomized controlled trial

Introducción: Los programas de recuperación precoz (rapid recovery, RP) en artroplastia total de rodilla pueden mejorar la funcionalidad a la vez que se reducen los costes. El objetivo del estudio es comparar los resultados de un programa de rehabilitación precoz con nuestro protocolo habitual. Pacientes y métodos: Se realizó un ensayo clínico aleatorizado (NCT03823573) en pacientes operados de artroplastia total de rodilla. El grupo intervención (RP) recibió infiltración periarticular con levobupivacaína e inició deambulación supervisada a las 4-6 h tras la intervención. El grupo control (C) empleó drenaje y recibió un bloqueo femoral e inició la deambulación al retirar el drenaje. Los pacientes completaron un cuestionario Oxford Knee Score preoperatorio y a los 6 meses. La incidencia de trombosis venosa profunda asintomática se analizó mediante ecodoppler. El seguimiento mínimo fue de 6 meses. Resultados: Fueron incluidos 175 pacientes (92 pacientes en el grupo C y 83 en el RP). No hubo diferencias en sexo, edad, tipo de prótesis, descenso de hemoglobina, necesidad de transfusiones, balance articular activo al alta (C: 82,6°; RP: 85°) ni al finalizar el seguimiento (C: 105,1°; RP: 106,6°), mejoría del cuestionario (C: 17,5 puntos; RP: 19,3 puntos), satisfacción del paciente o reatenciones hospitalarias (C: 7,6%; RP: 10,8%). Se observó significación en el tiempo de isquemia (C: 81,29 min; RP: 85,35 min; p=0,03), necesidad de rescate con opioides (C: 19,7%; RP: 38,6%; p=0,007), estancia media (C: 3,84 días; RP: 2,54 días; p<0,0001) y demora en la deambulación (C: 2,46 días; RP: 0,23 días; p<0,0001). Conclusión: El protocolo RP puede reducir la estancia hospitalaria sin aumentar las complicaciones ni las reatenciones.(AU)

Background: Rapid recovery (RP) in total knee arthroplasty may increase the functionality while reducing costs. The aim of this study is to prove the benefits of a rapid recovery program compared to our classic protocol. Patients and methods: We performed a RCT (NCT03823573) in patients undergoing otal knee arthroplasty. Intervention group (RP protocol) received local infiltration of levo-bupivacaine in the periarticular tissue and supervized ambulation 4-6h after surgery. Control (C) group received a femoral nerve block with levo-bupivacaine, while a drain was used. Ambulation after its removal. All the patients completed an Oxford Knee Score prior to surgery and 6 months after discharge. An ecodoppler to assess the presence of deep vein thrombosis was made one month after discharge. Minimum follow-up was of 6 months. Results: A total of 175 patients were included in the trial (92 patients in the control group, 83 patients in the RP group). There were no differences in sex, age, implanted prosthesis, hemoglobin drop, need for transfusion, range of motion on discharge (C: 82.6°, RP: 85°) and at the end of the follow-up (C: 105.1, RP: 106.6), Oxford Knee Score improvement (C: 17.5 points; RP: 19.3 points), patient satisfaction or re-admissions at the emergency department (C: 7.6%; RP: 10.8%).Significancy was found on time of ischemia (C: 81.29min; RP: 85.35min; P=0.03), need for morphine shots (C: 19.7%; RP: 38.6%; P=0.007), hospital stay (C: 3.84 days; RP: 2.54 days, P<0.0001) and time until ambulation (C: 2.46 days; RP: 0.23 days; P<0.0001). Conclusion: Rapid recovery protocols can reduce hospital stay without increasing complications or need for re-admission.(AU)

[Translated article] Implementation of a rapid recovery protocol in total knee arthroplasty. A randomised controlled trial / Implantación de un protocolo de recuperación precoz en artroplastia total de rodilla. Ensayo clínico aleatorizado

Introducción: Los programas de recuperación precoz (rapid recovery, RP) en artroplastia total de rodilla pueden mejorar la funcionalidad a la vez que se reducen los costes. El objetivo del estudio es comparar los resultados de un programa de rehabilitación precoz con nuestro protocolo habitual. Pacientes y métodos: Se realizó un ensayo clínico aleatorizado (NCT03823573) en pacientes operados de artroplastia total de rodilla. El grupo intervención (RP) recibió infiltración periarticular con levobupivacaína e inició deambulación supervisada a las 4-6 h tras la intervención. El grupo control (C) empleó drenaje y recibió un bloqueo femoral e inició la deambulación al retirar el drenaje. Los pacientes completaron un cuestionario Oxford Knee Score preoperatorio y a los 6 meses. La incidencia de trombosis venosa profunda asintomática se analizó mediante ecodoppler. El seguimiento mínimo fue de 6 meses. Resultados: Fueron incluidos 175 pacientes (92 pacientes en el grupo C y 83 en el RP). No hubo diferencias en sexo, edad, tipo de prótesis, descenso de hemoglobina, necesidad de transfusiones, balance articular activo al alta (C: 82,6°; RP: 85°) ni al finalizar el seguimiento (C: 105,1°; RP: 106,6°), mejoría del cuestionario (C: 17,5 puntos; RP: 19,3 puntos), satisfacción del paciente o reatenciones hospitalarias (C: 7,6%; RP: 10,8%). Se observó significación en el tiempo de isquemia (C: 81,29 min; RP: 85,35 min; p=0,03), necesidad de rescate con opioides (C: 19,7%; RP: 38,6%; p=0,007), estancia media (C: 3,84 días; RP: 2,54 días; p<0,0001) y demora en la deambulación (C: 2,46 días; RP: 0,23 días; p<0,0001). Conclusión: El protocolo RP puede reducir la estancia hospitalaria sin aumentar las complicaciones ni las reatenciones.(AU)

Background: Rapid recovery (RP) in total knee arthroplasty may increase the functionality while reducing costs. The aim of this study is to prove the benefits of a rapid recovery program compared to our classic protocol. Patients and methods: We performed a RCT (NCT03823573) in patients undergoing otal knee arthroplasty. Intervention group (RP protocol) received local infiltration of levo-bupivacaine in the periarticular tissue and supervized ambulation 4-6h after surgery. Control (C) group received a femoral nerve block with levo-bupivacaine, while a drain was used. Ambulation after its removal. All the patients completed an Oxford Knee Score prior to surgery and 6 months after discharge. An ecodoppler to assess the presence of deep vein thrombosis was made one month after discharge. Minimum follow-up was of 6 months. Results: A total of 175 patients were included in the trial (92 patients in the control group, 83 patients in the RP group). There were no differences in sex, age, implanted prosthesis, hemoglobin drop, need for transfusion, range of motion on discharge (C: 82.6°, RP: 85°) and at the end of the follow-up (C: 105.1, RP: 106.6), Oxford Knee Score improvement (C: 17.5 points; RP: 19.3 points), patient satisfaction or re-admissions at the emergency department (C: 7.6%; RP: 10.8%).Significancy was found on time of ischemia (C: 81.29min; RP: 85.35min; P=0.03), need for morphine shots (C: 19.7%; RP: 38.6%; P=0.007), hospital stay (C: 3.84 days; RP: 2.54 days, P<0.0001) and time until ambulation (C: 2.46 days; RP: 0.23 days; P<0.0001). Conclusion: Rapid recovery protocols can reduce hospital stay without increasing complications or need for re-admission.(AU)

[Translated article] Implementation of a rapid recovery protocol in total knee arthroplasty. A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Rapid recovery (RP) in total knee arthroplasty may increase the functionality while reducing costs. The aim of this study is to prove the benefits of a rapid recovery programme compared to our classic protocol. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a RCT (NCT03823573) in patients undergoing otal knee arthroplasty. Intervention group (RP protocol) received local infiltration of levo-bupivacaine in the periarticular tissue and supervized ambulation 4-6h after surgery. Control (C) group received a femoral nerve block with levo-bupivacaine, while a drain was used. Ambulation after its removal. All the patients completed an Oxford Knee Score prior to surgery and 6 months after discharge. An ecodoppler to assess the presence of deep vein thrombosis was made 1 month after discharge. Minimum follow-up was of 6 months. RESULTS: A total of 175 patients were included in the trial (92 patients in the control group, 83 patients in the RP group). There were no differences in sex, age, implanted prosthesis, haemoglobin drop, need for transfusion, range of motion on discharge (C: 82.6°, RP: 85°) and at the end of the follow-up (C: 105.1, RP: 106.6), Oxford knee score improvement (C: 17.5 points; RP: 19.3 points), patient satisfaction or re-admissions at the emergency department (C: 7.6%; RP: 10.8%). Significancy was found on time of ischaemia (C: 81.29min; RP: 85.35min; p=.03), need for morphine shots (C: 19.7%; RP: 38.6%; p=.007), hospital stay (C: 3.84 days; RP: 2.54 days, p<.0001) and time until ambulation (C: 2.46 days; RP: 0.23 days; p<.0001). CONCLUSION: Rapid recovery protocols can reduce hospital stay without increasing complications or need for re-admission.

Implementation of a rapid recovery protocol in total knee arthroplasty. A randomized controlled trial. / Implantación de un protocolo de recuperación precoz en artroplastia total de rodilla. Ensayo clínico aleatorizado.

BACKGROUND: Rapid recovery (RP) in total knee arthroplasty may increase the functionality while reducing costs. The aim of this study is to prove the benefits of a rapid recovery program compared to our classic protocol. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a RCT (NCT03823573) in patients undergoing otal knee arthroplasty. Intervention group (RP protocol) received local infiltration of levo-bupivacaine in the periarticular tissue and supervized ambulation 4-6h after surgery. Control (C) group received a femoral nerve block with levo-bupivacaine, while a drain was used. Ambulation after its removal. All the patients completed an Oxford Knee Score prior to surgery and 6 months after discharge. An ecodoppler to assess the presence of deep vein thrombosis was made one month after discharge. Minimum follow-up was of 6 months. RESULTS: A total of 175 patients were included in the trial (92 patients in the control group, 83 patients in the RP group). There were no differences in sex, age, implanted prosthesis, hemoglobin drop, need for transfusion, range of motion on discharge (C: 82.6°, RP: 85°) and at the end of the follow-up (C: 105.1, RP: 106.6), Oxford Knee Score improvement (C: 17.5 points; RP: 19.3 points), patient satisfaction or re-admissions at the emergency department (C: 7.6%; RP: 10.8%). Significancy was found on time of ischemia (C: 81.29min; RP: 85.35min; P=0.03), need for morphine shots (C: 19.7%; RP: 38.6%; P=0.007), hospital stay (C: 3.84 days; RP: 2.54 days, P<0.0001) and time until ambulation (C: 2.46 days; RP: 0.23 days; P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Rapid recovery protocols can reduce hospital stay without increasing complications or need for re-admission.

Non-Invertible Public Key Certificates.

Post-quantum public cryptosystems introduced so far do not define a scalable public key infrastructure for the quantum era. We demonstrate here a public certification system based on Lizama's non-invertible key exchange protocol which can be used to implement a secure, scalable, interoperable and efficient public key infrastructure (PKI). We show functionality of certificates across different certification domains. Finally, we discuss a method that enables non-invertible certificates to exhibit perfect forward secrecy (PFS).

Beyond the Limits of Shannon's Information in Quantum Key Distribution.

We present a new post-processing method for Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) that raises cubically the secret key rate in the number of double matching detection events. In Shannon's communication model, information is prepared at Alice's side, and it is then intended to pass it over a noisy channel. In our approach, secret bits do not rely in Alice's transmitted quantum bits but in Bob's basis measurement choices. Therefore, measured bits are publicly revealed, while bases selections remain secret. Our method implements sifting, reconciliation, and amplification in a unique process, and it just requires a round iteration; no redundancy bits are sent, and there is no limit in the correctable error percentage. Moreover, this method can be implemented as a post-processing software into QKD technologies already in use.

[The severity of rheumatoid arthritis as a timely predictor of instability in the asymptomatic cervical spine]. / La severidad de la artritis reumatoide como predictor oportuno de inestabilidad de la columna cervical asintomática.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical spine involvement is common in patients with RA, risk factors such as disease activity may be related to asymptomatic cervical instability. OBJECTIVE: To determine the associated factors for asymptomatic cervical spine instability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Case and control study from the external spine and rheumatology consultation of a level II trauma center to identify all patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and asymptomatic cervical instability. With simple X-rays of the cervical spine, carrying out radiographic measurements, the diagnosis of cervical instability was performed, risk factors such as the presence of rheumatoid factor (FR), previous articular surgeries, elevations of the C-reactive protein (PCR) values were evaluated. The severity and activity of the disease measured in the activity index of 28 articulations (DAS 28) in addition to the index of activity of the simplified disease (SDAI). RESULTS: We assessed 32 patients, nine patients (28.1%) met the criteria for instability of the anterior cervical spine atlantoaxial subluxation (SAAa) (100%), also one patient with SAAa presented vertical subluxation (SV), risk factors more relevant: DAS 28 with an OR = 3.54, SDA with an OR = 2.34 and finally the PCR 1.0 its OR = 2.88. CONCLUSION: The risk factors associated opportunely in our population are the severity of the activity of the disease that we can see in the DAS and SDAI when applied in patients and PCR 1.0.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La afectación de la columna cervical es común en pacientes con artritis reumatoide (AR), factores de riesgo como la actividad de la enfermedad puede estar relacionada con inestabilidad cervical asintomática. OBJETIVO: Determinar los factores asociados a la inestabilidad de la columna cervical asintomáticos en pacientes con artritis reumatoide. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio de casos y controles provenientes de la consulta externa de reumatología y columna de un centro de trauma de nivel II para identificar a todos los pacientes diagnosticados con AR e inestabilidad cervical asintomáticos. Con radiografías simples de la columna cervical que hacen mediciones radiográficas, se realizó el diagnóstico de inestabilidad cervical, se evaluaron los factores de riesgo como la presencia de factor reumatoide (FR), cirugías articulares previas, las elevaciones de los valores de proteína C reactiva (PCR), la severidad y actividad de la enfermedad medida en el índice de actividad de la enfermedad de 28 articulaciones (DAS 28), además del índice de actividad de la enfermedad simplificada (SDAI). RESULTADOS: Se evaluaron 32 pacientes, nueve (28.1%) cumplieron con los criterios para inestabilidad de la columna cervical con subluxación atlantoaxial anterior (SAAa) (100%), también un paciente con SAAa presentaba subluxación vertical (SV), los factores de riesgo más relevantes: el DAS 28 con un OR = 3.54, SDA con un OR = 2.34 y por último el PCR 1.0 su OR = 2.88. CONCLUSIÓN: Los factores de riesgo asociados oportunamente en nuestra población son la severidad de la actividad de la enfermedad que podemos observar en el DAS y SDAI al aplicarlos en los pacientes y PCR 1.0.

Black hole physics. Black hole lightning due to particle acceleration at subhorizon scales.

Supermassive black holes with masses of millions to billions of solar masses are commonly found in the centers of galaxies. Astronomers seek to image jet formation using radio interferometry but still suffer from insufficient angular resolution. An alternative method to resolve small structures is to measure the time variability of their emission. Here we report on gamma-ray observations of the radio galaxy IC 310 obtained with the MAGIC (Major Atmospheric Gamma-ray Imaging Cherenkov) telescopes, revealing variability with doubling time scales faster than 4.8 min. Causality constrains the size of the emission region to be smaller than 20% of the gravitational radius of its central black hole. We suggest that the emission is associated with pulsar-like particle acceleration by the electric field across a magnetospheric gap at the base of the radio jet.

The SIM Time Network.

The Sistema Interamericano de Metrologia (SIM) is a regional metrology organization (RMO) whose members are the national metrology institutes (NMIs) located in the 34 nations of the Organization of American States (OAS). The SIM/OAS region extends throughout North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean Islands. About half of the SIM NMIs maintain national standards of time and frequency and must participate in international comparisons in order to establish metrological traceability to the International System (SI) of units. The SIM time network (SIMTN) was developed as a practical, cost effective, and technically sound way to automate these comparisons. The SIMTN continuously compares the time standards of SIM NMIs and produces measurement results in near real-time by utilizing the Internet and the Global Positioning System (GPS). Fifteen SIM NMIs have joined the network as of December 2010. This paper provides a brief overview of SIM and a technical description of the SIMTN. It presents international comparison results and examines the measurement uncertainties. It also discusses the metrological benefits that the network provides to its participants.

[A comparison of the growth of 2 species of Pomacea from the Antilles area useful as an agent to control tropical diseases]. / Comparación del crecimiento de 2 especies de Pomacea del área antillana, útiles como agente de control de enfermedades tropicales.

A comparative study was made on the growth of 2 Pomacea species (P. glauca and P. paludosa) of the Caribbean area. The occurrence of ecological differences reflected on the growth parameters is noted. These discrepancies may be influenced by differences in the physical-chemical and environmental status of the localities under study, but a clear-cut ecological difference between both species can be observed. Growth parameters (K and L phi), as well as the growth curves, suggest they are slow-growing species with a long life range. Differently from intermediate hosts, which are fast-growing species with a short life range, Pomacea species may keep stable populations in permanent bodies of water. It means an important advantage as biological control agents.

Hypoglobulinemia in acromegaly.

We have observed an apparent hypoglobulinemia in 17 of 35 patients (48.6%) with acromegaly. This unexpected finding was persistent and reproducible up to six years for five acromegalic patients, and more than one year for nine other patients. Serum globulin was analyzed by three different methods, and the deficiency was most noticeable in the alpha globulin fraction (alpha1 greater than alpha2). When hypoglobulinemia occurred in control hospital in-patients (11%) it was associated with chronic or severe illnesses, and limited nutritional intake, but similar medical problems were absent in the acromegalic patients. There was no correlation of the hypoglobulinemia in the 35 acromegalic patients to their growth hormone (GH) concentration (r = 0.07), ages, sex, treatment status, or to the seriousness or duration of the acromegaly. The pathophysiology of the apparent hypoglobulinemia in acromegaly is unknown, but may be related to transport and/or disposal of excess growth hormone, or a defect in protein synthesis.