Información preoperatoria en población pediátrica: ¿Cuál es la perspectiva de los niños? Revisión narrativa de la literatura / Preoperative information in the pediatric population: What is the children's perspective? A narrative review of the literature

INTRODUCTION: Timely and appropriate preoperative information is beneficial for the child, parents, and the health team. Few preoperative information delivery programs exist based on the information needs of children. OBJECTIVE: To review the available evidence on the children's perspective about the characteristics of the desired preoperative information. METHOD: In the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases a search was performed, using the descriptors: "anesthesia"; "pediatric anesthesia"; "pediatric surgery"; "child"; "pediatry"; "information needs"; "perioperative information"; "preoperative information"; "questionnaires"; "surveys". Articles in English and Spanish that met the inclusion criteria were selected. RESULTS: Articles founded were 3,438, and nine were selected. Most children would like more preoperative information, especially about pain, accompaniment, food, surgery, and anesthesia (content). Using brochures that include images or photos would be the preferred way of receiving the information (format). There was no consensus on when they would like to receive the information (opportunity). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric patients would like more detailed preoperative information on their procedures; through brochures with images, but there is no clarity on when to receive the information.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La información preoperatoria oportuna y apropiada tiene beneficios para el niño, los padres y el equipo de salud. Existen pocos programas de entrega de información preoperatoria basadas en las necesidades de información de los niños. OBJETIVO: Revisar la evidencia disponible sobre la perspectiva de los niños en relación a las caraterísticas de la información preoperatoria deseada. MÉTODO: Se realizó una búsqueda en las bases de datos PubMed, Embase y Web of Science, utilizando los descriptores: "anesthesia", "pediatric anaesthesia", "paediatric surgery", "child", "pediatry", "information needs", "perioperative information", "preoperative information", "questionnaires", "surveys". Se seleccionaron artículos en inglés y español que cumplieran con los criterios de inclusión. RESULTADOS: Se encontraron 3.438 artículos, 9 fueron seleccionados. La mayoría de los niños desearía más información preoperatoria, especialmente en relación al dolor, acompañamiento, comida, cirugía y anestesia (contenido). Utilizar folletos que incluyan imágenes o fotos sería la forma preferida de recibir la información (formato). No hubo concenso sobre cuando desearían recibir la información (oportunidad). CONCLUSIONES: Los pacientes pediátricos desearían información preoperatoria más detallada sobre sus procedimientos, a través de folletos con imágenes; pero no hay claridad sobre cuando recibir la información.

Evaluation of haematological, serum biochemical and histopathological parameters of growing rabbits fed Amaranthus dubius.

Amaranthus dubius is an alternative source of fibre and protein for the feed formulation for growing rabbits, although its effects on their health status are yet unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of three dietary levels (0, 160 and 320 g/kg) of A. dubius on haematological, serum biochemical and histopathological parameters of fattening rabbits. One hundred and thirteen New Zealand White rabbits were fed ad libitum from weaning (35 days) to slaughter (87 days). The health status of the animals was monitored, and mortality was recorded. Before slaughtering, 30 rabbits were randomly selected for haematological and serum biochemical analysis. During slaughter, 18 rabbits were randomly selected for histopathological study in heart, liver, lung and small intestine. The health status of rabbits was good, with no differences among treatments in mortality. Diet and sex did not affect the values of most haematological and serum biochemical parameters. Fibrinogen, glucose and high-density lipoprotein values increased significantly from 0 to 320 g/kg A. dubius diets. The white blood cell count and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase values decreased significantly from 0 to 320 g/kg A. dubius diets. The organs showed histologically well-structured tissues. However, in all experimental groups several samples with lesions were observed, always highly focalized in small tissue areas. The main lesions observed, probably related to conditions of thermal stress affecting the rabbits, were cholesterolosis (heart), steatosis (liver), inflammatory lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate (lung) and chronic inflammatory tissue damage (small intestine). In conclusion, the inclusion of up to 320 g/kg A. dubius in diet did not jeopardize the health status of growing rabbits. Therefore, A. dubius can become an alternative raw material for the formulation of feeds in tropical and subtropical countries where this plant is widespread.

Optimization of carbon dioxide supply in raceway reactors: Influence of carbon dioxide molar fraction and gas flow rate.

Influence of CO2 composition and gas flow rate to control pH in a pilot-scale raceway producing Scenedesmus sp. was studied. Light and temperature determined the biomass productivity whereas neither the CO2 molar fraction nor the gas flow rate used influenced it; because pH was always controlled and carbon limitation did not take place. The CO2 molar fraction and the gas flow rate influenced carbon loss in the system. At low CO2 molar fraction (2-6%) or gas flow rate (75-100l·min(-1)) the carbon efficiency in the sump was higher than 95%, 85% of the injected carbon being transformed into biomass. Conversely, at high CO2 molar fraction (14%) or gas flow rate (150l·min(-1)) the carbon efficiency in the sump was lower than 67%, 32% of the carbon being fixed as biomass. Analysis here reported allows the pH control to be optimized and production costs to be reduced by optimizing CO2 efficiency.

Linfoma de Burkitt en pacientes HIV positivo tratados con quimioterapia intensiva en el Hospital del Salvador entre 2011 y 2014: Protocolo Nacional de Cáncer del Adulto, Chile / Intensive chemotherapy for Burkitt lymphoma in HIV positive patients

Background: Burkitt lymphoma has a low incidence, is highly aggressive, may be endemic, sporadic or associated with immunodeficiency and it has a high frequency of extranodal involvement. Overall and relapse free survival in HIV patients is 72 and 71% respectively. However, the current protocol in Chile considers a positive HIV serology as an exclusion criterion for intensive chemotherapy. Aim: To analyze the response to Burkitt lymphoma treatment among HIV positive patients. Material and Methods: All HIV positive patients with a Burkitt lymphoma treated using PANDA protocol in a public hospital were analyzed. Results: Eight male patients aged between 25 and 43 years, 63% in stage IV, were analyzed. All patients received an intensified chemotherapy regime, three of them without Rituximab. Complete remission was achieved in 87%. One patient was refractory to treatment and one patient relapsed at 5 months and died. Overall and relapse free survival were 58 and 60% respectively. All patients had episodes of high risk febrile neutropenia, but it did not cause deaths. Conclusions: In this group of HIV patients, intensive chemotherapy for Burkitt lymphoma had a high degree of effectiveness with a low relapse rate and high cure rate.

[Intensive chemotherapy for Burkitt lymphoma in HIV positive patients]. / Linfoma de Burkitt en pacientes HIV positivo tratados con quimioterapia intensiva en el Hospital del Salvador entre 2011 y 2014: Protocolo Nacional de Cáncer del Adulto, Chile.

BACKGROUND: Burkitt lymphoma has a low incidence, is highly aggressive, may be endemic, sporadic or associated with immunodeficiency and it has a high frequency of extranodal involvement. Overall and relapse free survival in HIV patients is 72 and 71% respectively. However, the current protocol in Chile considers a positive HIV serology as an exclusion criterion for intensive chemotherapy. AIM: To analyze the response to Burkitt lymphoma treatment among HIV positive patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All HIV positive patients with a Burkitt lymphoma treated using PANDA protocol in a public hospital were analyzed. RESULTS: Eight male patients aged between 25 and 43 years, 63% in stage IV, were analyzed. All patients received an intensified chemotherapy regime, three of them without Rituximab. Complete remission was achieved in 87%. One patient was refractory to treatment and one patient relapsed at 5 months and died. Overall and relapse free survival were 58 and 60% respectively. All patients had episodes of high risk febrile neutropenia, but it did not cause deaths. CONCLUSIONS: In this group of HIV patients, intensive chemotherapy for Burkitt lymphoma had a high degree of effectiveness with a low relapse rate and high cure rate.

A quantitative and humane tail bleeding assay for efficacy evaluation of antihaemophilic factors in haemophilia A mice.

The tail bleeding model using haemophilic mice has been used as one of the standard assays for efficacy evaluation of novel antihaemophilic therapies at the preclinical level. A number of different configurations and endpoints have been proposed in the literature for this model, hindering interlaboratory comparisons. A particular configuration, known as the tail bleeding survival assay (TBS), adopted by several groups, involves measuring the ability of conscious haemophilic mice to survive exsanguination following tail transection. Major limitations to this configuration include ethical constraints and impaired quantitative determinations. The aim of this study was to standardize and validate a quantitative haemostatic assay for evaluation of antihaemophilic therapies employing an alternative to TBS, which involves a more humane endpoint associated with stable clot formation. Haemophilic mice were treated with vehicle or different doses of two antihaemophilic reference products licensed in Brazil. The haemostatic response was evaluated by our quantitative tail bleeding haemostatic assay (qTBA) over a period of 120 min and then quantified by dose-response modelling. We demonstrate that our qTBA method allows a direct relationship between the number of animals which achieved full haemostatic response and the dosage of both antihaemophilic factors evaluated over 120 min. In addition, the method sensitivity is suitable to demonstrate the conversion from a severe to a moderate haemophilia phenotype. Our proposed qTBA is easy to implement and constitutes an alternative and more ethical endpoint, which could be effectively used as a surrogate to the commonly employed survival endpoint, allowing quantitative haemostatic response evaluation associated with stable clot formation.

Adrenalectomía bilateral laparoscópica por metástasis asincrónica de melanoma: comunicación de un caso con sobrevida prolongada / Bilateral adrenalectomy for asynchronous metastases of a malignant melanoma

Clinical case: we report a 70 years old male with a history of an ear lobe melanoma with was excised seven years ago, who had a bronchial relapse and required a right pneumonectomy. During a follow up abdominal CAT scan, a 9 cm tumor in the left adrenal gland was detected. The patient was operated, performing a left adrenalectomy and nephrectomy. The pathologic study confirmed the presence of a fusocellular melanoma. One year later, a right adrenal mass was detected and excised. The pathological study of the piece again confirmed a metastasis of a malignant melanoma. The patient died due to progression of the disease, 10 years after the adrenalectomy.

Objetivo: presentar un caso de metástasis suprarrenal bilateral asincrónica de melanoma cutáneo tratado con adrenalectomía laparoscópica bilateral. Caso clínico: paciente de 70 años con antecedente de melanoma del pabellón auricular extirpado 7 años antes de su consulta urológica. Posteriormente, presenta una recidiva bronquial tratada con quimioterapia, radioterapia y neumonectomía derecha. En sus exámenes de seguimiento una Tomografía computada muestra el hallazgo incidental de una lesión tumoral de 9 cm en la glándula suprarrenal izquierda. Se realizó nefrectomía y adrenalectomía izquierda laparoscópica en bloque sin incidencias. El análisis histopatológico confirmó el hallazgo de una metástasis de melanoma fuso-celular. Un año después el paciente presenta un nuevo hallazgo incidental de un tumor de 3 cm en la glándula suprarrenal derecha, la cual fue tratada con adrenalectomía laparoscópica, y cuyo análisis histopatológico demostró metástasis de melanoma maligno. El paciente fallece por progresión de su enfermedad 10 años después de su cirugía suprarrenal. Conclusiones: en los pacientes con metástasis suprarrenal de melanoma, la adrenalectomía incrementa la supervivencia cáncer especifica en relación a los pacientes tratados sin cirugía. El abordaje laparoscópico constituye una alternativa terapéutica con menor morbilidad que la cirugía abierta en cirujanos con experiencia laparoscópica.

Compliance with dietary and nutrient recommendations in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Granada cohort at recruitment.

BACKGROUND: The overall intake of energy and nutrients in the Granada EPIC-cohort (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition) is examined in order to assess compliance with the Spanish Nutritional Objectives (NO) and the Recommended Intakes (RI). METHODS: During recruitment (1992-1996), 7,789 participants, aged 35-69, were asked about diet through a validated diet history questionnaire. Nutrient intake is compared to the NO and RI that were valid at that time. Risk of inadequate intake is estimated as the percentage of the sample with intakes: ≤ 1/3 RI (high risk), ≤ 2/3 RI- > 1/3 RI (moderate risk), ≤ RI- > 2/3 RI, > RI. Differences in intakes have been analyzed by sex and age, and by smoking status and BMI. RESULTS: The daily intake of nutrients did not meet the NO as the total contribution of energy from proteins and fats exceeded these guidelines. Whilst intake of most nutrients was above the RI, the amount of iron, magnesium and vitamins D and E provided by the diet was not enough to meet the RI: in women aged 20-49 years, about 55% were at moderate risk for iron inadequacy, and a 20% of women for magnesium. Both sexes were at high risk of inadequacy for vitamin D, although sunlight exposure may supply adequate amounts. Never smokers showed a higher compliance to the NO. CONCLUSION: At recruitment, the nutrient profile of the diet was unbalanced. The observed nutrient inadequacy for iron, magnesium and vitamin E might be attributed to inappropriate dietary habits, and may have implications for future disease risk.

Effects of long distance transportation and CO2 stunning on critical blood values in pigs.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of two stressful stimuli, long transportation and 80% CO(2) stunning on metabolic-physiological variables, hemodynamic and gas exchange in slaughter pigs imported from the U.S. to Mexico City with a journey time of 27 h, with 8 h of lairage at the abattoir. A total of 589 pigs from three genders were monitored. Overall results show that both stimuli caused metabolic and physiological disturbance. Gilts were more efficient in controlling glycemia after a long transport journey (24h), than castrated males (P<0.05), whose glucose was increased above the 30 mg/dL basal level. Females on arrival had 23mg/dL more lactate compared to basal levels (P<0.05). Stunning caused more physiological effects compared to transportation. Regarding the gender factor, females and entire males were more susceptible to transport stress and stunning compared to the castrated pigs, and entire males showed more complications restoring the gas exchange compared to females and barrows.

Resultados de profilaxis con itraconazol 800 mg/día vía oral en adultos con leucemia aguda y neutropenia de alto riesgo: Hospital del Salvador 2006-2008 / Itraconazole 800 mg for the prophylaxis of fungal infections in patients with acute leukemia and severe neutropenia

Background: Systemic fungal infections and specifically invasive aspergillosis (IA) are associated with a high morbi-mortality rate in patients with hematologic malignancies. Itraconazole kinetic studies show that plasma levels are not satisfactory, even though there is a reduction of the severity in clinical cases. Aim: To evaluate the results of oral prophylaxis with high dose itraconazole, 400 mg bid, among patients with adult acute leukemia. Material and Methods: Prospective analysis of 93 high risk febrile episodes (with an absolute neutrophil count of less than 500 x mm3 for more 10 days), that occurred in 76 patients. Results: Seventy five percent of episodes occurred in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and 25 percent in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Fifty two percent occurred during the induction of chemotherapy. Median duration of severe neutropenia was 21 days (range 10-48). Median duration of itraconazole prophylaxis was 17 days (range 6-34). A low frequency of invasive fungal infections was observed (17 percent). According to diagnostic criteria, 5 percent of episodes corresponded to persistent fever , 1 percent and 11 percent of episodes, to probable or possible IA, respectively. No confirmed or proven IA was observed. Mortality of IA was 18 percent. No serious adverse events due to itraconazole were observed. Conclusions: The use of high dose itraconazole prophylaxis in adult patients with acute leukemia and severe neutropenia was associated to low incidence and mortality of invasive mycoses.

[Itraconazole 800 mg for the prophylaxis of fungal infections in patients with acute leukemia and severe neutropenia]. / Resultados de profilaxis con itraconazol 800 mg/día vía oral en adultos con leucemia aguda y neutropenia de alto riesgo: Hospital del Salvador 2006-2008.

BACKGROUND: Systemic fungal infections and specifically invasive aspergillosis (IA) are associated with a high morbi-mortality rate in patients with hematologic malignancies. Itraconazole kinetic studies show that plasma levels are not satisfactory, even though there is a reduction of the severity in clinical cases. AIM: To evaluate the results of oral prophylaxis with high dose itraconazole, 400 mg bid, among patients with adult acute leukemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective analysis of 93 high risk febrile episodes (with an absolute neutrophil count of less than 500 x mm3 for more 10 days), that occurred in 76 patients. RESULTS: Seventy five percent of episodes occurred in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and 25% in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Fifty two percent occurred during the induction of chemotherapy. Median duration of severe neutropenia was 21 days (range 10-48). Median duration of itraconazole prophylaxis was 17 days (range 6-34). A low frequency of invasive fungal infections was observed (17%). According to diagnostic criteria, 5% of episodes corresponded to persistent fever , 1% and 11% of episodes, to probable or possible IA, respectively. No confirmed or proven IA was observed. Mortality of IA was 18%. No serious adverse events due to itraconazole were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The use of high dose itraconazole prophylaxis in adult patients with acute leukemia and severe neutropenia was associated to low incidence and mortality of invasive mycoses.

Análisis de la expresión del receptor del estrógeno en endometrio de ovejas alimentadas con dieta normal y dieta suplementada / Analysis of the expression of estrogen receptors in the endometrium of ewes fed with normal and supplementary diet

Los efectos de la nutrición en reproducción ovina han sido estudiados por numerosos autores. Principalmente, el interés se ha centrado en los efectos de la calidad de la dieta ya que en ovinos sometidos a planos nutricionales bajos se ha observado anormalidades del embrión, fase lutea inadecuada, deficiencia en el aporte de progesterona al útero y falla en los mecanismos que comprenden el reconocimiento materno a la preñez. Existen trabajos sobre la relación alimentación-hormonas sin embargo la información existente sobre los receptores de hormonas esteroidales endometriales, indispensables para que ellas actúen, es muy escasa. El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar comparativamente la expresión del receptor de estrógenos (RE) en el endometrio de ovejas en ciclo alimentadas con dieta suplementada y dieta normal. La expresión de la proteína receptora y del transcrito se detectó mediante análisis inmunohistoquímico y RT-PCR en tiempo real respectivamente. Los resultados muestran expresión inmunohistoquímica en zonas glandulares y carunculares, destacándose una intensa inmunorreacción en núcleos de células estromales y del epitelio glandular. Se detecto mayor expresión del transcrito del RE en endometrio de ovejas alimentadas con suplemento respecto a las que no recibieron suplemento alimenticio. Se discute el posible uso de esta información para aplicarla en programas de mejoramiento reproductivo en ovinos.

The effects of nutrition on sheep reproduction have been studied by many authors. The interest has focused on the effects of diet quality in sheepin in which low plans n have low plane nutrition can cause abnormalities of the ovum or the embryo, luteal inadequancy and failure of the supply of progesterone to the uterus or failurein the mechanisms involved maternal of pregnancy. There are papers about the relation food-hormones, however, the existing information on endometrial steroid hormone receptors, which are essential for them to act, is very scarce. The aim of this study was to comparatively analyze the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) in endometrial cycle of sheep fed diet supplemented and normal diet. The expression of the receptor protein and the transcript were detected by immunohistochemical analysis and RT real-time PCR, respectively. The results showed immunohistochemical expression of RE in glandular and carunculares areas, especially in an intense inmunorreacción stromal cell nuclei and glandular epithelium. Detected increased expression of transcripts of RE in sheep fed a supplement with respect to not receiving a dietary supplement. We discuss the possible use of this information for application in breeding sheeps programs.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours.

INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (PNT) are infrequent epithelial neoplasms associated with a better outcome than pancreatic adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analysed our 22 years of experience in managing PNT. Forty-nine patients (27 women and 22 men) with a mean age of 49 years were studied. There were 28 insulinomas, eight glucagonomas, three gastrinomas, one VIPoma and one carcinoid. Eight patients presented with nonfunctional tumours. Enucleation was performed in 20 patients, distal pancreatectomy in 16, middle pancreatic resection in four, cephalic pancreatoduodenectomy in two and total pancreatoduodenectomy in one. In six patients, the tumour was not resected. RESULTS: Postoperative complication rate was 22%: six pancreatic fistulas, three intra-abdominal collections, one remnant pancreatitis and one pancreatic pseudocyst. There was no mortality. 39 cases showed benign histologic features and ten malignant ones. Symptomatic palliation was achieved in 94% of the cases. Five patients presented recurrences: three liver metastases and two pancreatic recurrences. Actuarial mean survival was 163 months and was longer in insulinomas, in those tumours completely resected and in tumours with benign histological features. CONCLUSION: Conservative surgery of the pancreas is preferred, but aggressive surgery is indicated when the primary tumour can be controlled. Despite of minimising pancreatic resection, there is a high complication rate, mainly pancreatic fistulas, though they can often be conservatively managed. Insulinomas are the PNT with better outcome; those completely resected also associate a better prognosis.

Supplementation with bypass fat in silvopastoral systems diminishes the ratio of milk saturated/unsaturated fatty acids.

This study was conducted to evaluate if supplementing bypass fat to cows under silvopastoral systems, increases the concentration of unsaturated fatty acids in milk, thus improving the saturated/ unsaturated ratio without a negative effect on total milk yield in fat or protein. Two concentrations of two different sources of bypass fat were evaluated for 40 days, each in a group of 24 multiparous Lucerna (Colombian breed) cows. A cross-over design of 8 Latin squares 3 x 3 was used. The variables submitted to analysis were body condition, daily milk production and milk composition. Body condition, milk yield and milk quality were not different but there was a significant decrease in the amount of saturated fatty acid in both experiments while the unsaturated fat increased significantly in experiment 1 and remained stable in experiment 2. Results, such as these have as far as we know, not been reported previously and they provide an approach for the improvement of milk as a "functional food".

Pseudomyxoma peritonei secondary to epithelial appendicular neoplasms. Experience in a non-specialised centre.

INTRODUCTION: Pseudomyxoma peritonei is an infrequent entity, defined by collections of gelatinous material in the abdomen and pelvis and mucinous implants on peritoneum, secondary to the rupture of a mucinous lesion, usually of ovarian or appendiceal origin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present our experience of 11 cases (6 males and 5 females) diagnosed with pseudomyxoma peritonei secondary to epithelial appendicular neoplasms over 27 years. The mean age of the patients was 68 years. Clinical manifestations were abdominal distension (55%), right lower quadrant pain (45%) suggesting acute appendicitis and constitutional syndrome (36%). An abdominal mass was detected at physical examination in 4 patients. CT scan revealed a tumour in right iliac fossa in 4 patients, peritoneal enlargement in 1 and a liquid collection in 1. Preoperative diagnosis was acute abdomen in 5 patients, peritoneal carcinomatosis in 3 and undetermined abdominal mass in 3. RESULTS: Surgical findings suggested pseudomyxoma peritonei in 8 patients and peritoneal carcinomatosis in 3. Appendicectomy was performed in 9 patients, and in 3 of them bilateral anexectomy was also performed. One patient underwent ileocaecal resection and another a right hemicolectomy. In all the cases, mucinous material was eliminated as much as possible. Pathology revealed mucinous cystoadenoma in 6 cases, mucinous cystoadenocarcinoma in 3 and epithelial hyperplasia in 2 patients. Median survival was 54 months, with a 5- year survival rate of 40%. The last case we treated was sent to a reference centre for the treatment of pseudomyxoma peritonei. CONCLUSIONS: There is no consensus on the best treatment for pseudomyxoma peritonei. We recommend avoiding incomplete surgical resections in non-reference centres and submitting patients to a reference centre to undergo adequate treatment.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis secondary to carcinoid tumour.

Carcinoid tumours are neuroendocrine neoplasms that can appear in every location of the digestive tract. They are low aggressive tumours, although they often produce local invasion and hepatic metastases, whose resection allows long-term survival. We report a case of a 64-year-old man with ileal carcinoid tumour, that underwent ileal resection and metastasectomy of one lesion in liver segment II. Surgical findings indicated peritoneal carcinomatosis. Carcinoid dissemination as peritoneal carcinomatosis has been rarely described in the literature. Cytoreductive surgery, always when complete resection is aimed, achieves asymptomatic long-term survivals.

Tiburones y rayss (subclase elasmobranchii) desartados por la flota de arrastrre camaronero en el caribe de Colombia / Sharks and Rays (Subclass Elasmobranchii) Discarded from Commercial Shrimp Trawlers at the Caribbean Sea of Colombia

Con el fin de obtener una aproximación a la estructura del ensamblaje de peces cartilaginosos extraídos por la flota de arrastre camaronero en la costa norte de Colombia, se evaluó la composición y abundancia de tiburones y rayas descartados en dos sectores del Caribe colombiano, entre agosto y noviembre de 2004. Mensualmente se analizaron lances de la flota de arrastre camaronero al interior de cada sector (norte: La Virgen y Portete; sur: Barú, cabo Tiburón, Cascajal, Cispatá, Morrosquillo, Ceycén, Mestizo, río Cedro, Tigua y Tortuguilla). Observadores a bordo de la flota comercial de arrastre camaronero muestrearon 1/5 de la captura previamente homogenizada, tomada al azar de una de las cuatro redes de la embarcación. En 30 lances se registró la presencia de 47 peces cartilaginosos, correspondientes a seis familias y ocho especies. La mayor Captura por Unidad de Esfuerzo (CPUE) en términos de biomasa se registró en ambas zonas durante septiembre, la menor en noviembre en la zona sur; el mayor valor del número de individuos se presentó en septiembre en la zona sur y el menor en noviembre, lo cual puede atribuirse a la mayor disponibilidad del recurso objetivo que está asociado al periodo de mayores lluvias que enriquece las aguas de los ambientes costeros y son usados como hábitat y zonas de alimentación por los peces cartilaginosos.

In order to have an approximation to the cartilaginous fishes assemblage structure exploited by commercial shrimp trawlers from the north coast of Colombia, composition and abundance of the discarded sharks and rays on two zones of the Colombian Caribbean, between August and November of 2004 were evaluated. Each month, a number of trawls were analyzed in each zone (north: La Virgen and Portete; south: Barú, Cabo Tiburón, Cascajal, Cispatá, Morrosquillo, Ceycén, Mestizo, Cedro river, Tigua and Tortuguilla). Observers were placed on board commercial shrimp trawlers, sampling 1/5 from the total capture, previously homogenized, which was randomly taken from one of the four nets of the vessel. Within 30 trawls, there were 47 cartilaginous fishes registered, belonging to six families and eight species. The largest capture per effort unit (CPUE) in biomass was registered on September in both zones, whereas the smallest happened on November in the south one. The greatest value in number of units was in September within the south zone and the opposite occurred in November, registering the smallest values. This could explain the great availability of the objective resource, directly associated with the heavier rainy season that enriches the waters of the coastal environment and characterizes the region, probably used as habitat and feeding grounds for the cartilaginous fishes.

Estudio de sensibilidad in vitro de cepas de streptococcus pneumoniae de infecciones respiratorias bajas en el Instituto Nacional del Tórax / In vitro susceptibility of streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated from lower respiratory infections at the Instituto Nacional del Tórax

Background: The rising antimicrobial resistance of streptococcus pneumonió, requires permanent surveillance. Antimicrobial treatments of invasive infections must be modified accordingly. Aim: To assess the in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of streptococcus pneumonió strains isolated from lower respiratory infections. Material and methods: Seventy five strains isolated during three periods in consecutive years were studied. In vitro susceptibility towards penicillin, erythromycin and ceftriaxone was studied using E-test technique minimal inhibitory concentrations. Results: Five percent of strains were penicillin resistant and 11 percent had an intermediate sensitivity. Erythromycin resistance was observed in 1.3 percent of strains. Eight percent of strains had an intermediate sensitivity towards ceftriaxone and no resistance was observed. Comparing susceptibility in the three studied periods, it remained low and stable. Conclusions: High and intermediate resistance of Strepfococcus pneumonió towards penicillin is less prevalent than in other countries. A close surveillance must be maintained

[Trigonocervicoprostatotomy. Results in 205 cases]. / Trigonocervicoprostatotomía. Resultados en 205 pacientes.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results of transurethral incision of the prostate in 205 patients with prostatic obstruction. METHODS: 205 patients comprised the study. The clinical records and surgical reports were reviewed for patient age, pre and postoperative symptoms, physical examination (principally digital rectal examination), ultrasound findings (prostate weight), endoscopy, type of surgery (type of incision), operating time, hospital stay and complications. RESULTS: 37.07% were aged 60-69 years, 59.51% were grade I according to the DRE and ultrasound findings, and prostatic weight. Bilateral incision was performed in 65.36%. The operating time was 15 minutes in 79.02% of the cases and the length of stay was 3 days in 89.75% of the cases. Postoperative hematuria was the most common complication. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic transurethral incision of the prostate is an alternative minimal invasive surgery in the treatment of early onset benign hyperplasia of the prostate with small prostates and short urethras.

Mesorhizobium chacoense sp. nov., a novel species that nodulates Prosopis alba in the Chaco Arido region (Argentina).

Low-molecular-weight RNA analysis was performed for the identification and classification of 20 Argentinian strains isolated from the root nodules of Prosopis alba. SDS-PAGE of total cellular proteins, determination of the DNA base composition, DNA-DNA reassociation experiments and physiological and biochemical tests were also carried out for these strains and the whole 16S rRNA gene was sequenced from one of the strains, strain LMG 19008T. Results of the genotypic and phenotypic characterization showed that the strains isolated in this study belong to a group that clustered in the genus Mesorhizobium. The results of DNA-DNA hybridizations showed that this group is a novel species of this genus. The name Mesorhizobium chacoense sp. nov. is proposed for this species. The type strain is LMG 19008T (= CECT 5336T).