Chronic venous disease patients show increased IRS-4 expression in the great saphenous vein wall.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic venous disease (CVeD) is a multifactorial and debilitating condition that has a high prevalence in Western countries and an important associated socioeconomic burden. Varicose veins (VVs) are the most common manifestations of CVeD. Pathologically, many morphological and functional changes have been described in VVs, which most notably affect venous wall integrity. Previous studies have found several molecular alterations that negatively affect normal cell signaling pathways. Insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-4 is a central adaptor protein that is closely related to insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling upstream, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt or mitogen-activated protein kinases downstream, and other proteins. These molecular pathways have been implicated in CVeD pathogenesis. Thus, the aim of our study was to identify the role of IRS-4 in VV tissue. METHODS: We conducted a histopathological study to analyze IRS-4 protein expression in CVeD patients compared with healthy controls. RESULTS: Our results demonstrate a significant increase in IRS-4 expression in VV tissue. CONCLUSIONS: IRS-4 may be implicated in CVeD development and progression. Therefore, IRS-4 could be a potential diagnostic or therapeutic target for patients with this condition.

Clopidogrel and Low-Dose Aspirin, Alone or Together, Reduce Risk of Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The antiplatelet effect of low-dose aspirin, via inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1, might contribute to its ability to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Antiplatelet agents with a different mechanism, such as clopidogrel, might have the same effects. We aimed to quantify the effects of low-dose aspirin and clopidogrel on the risk of CRC in a Mediterranean population. METHODS: We performed a nested case-control study using a primary care database (Base de datos para la Investigación Farmacoepidemiológica en Atención Primaria) in Spain. We collected data, from 2001 through 2014, on 15,491 incident cases of CRC and 60,000 randomly selected individuals (controls), frequency-matched to cases by age, sex, and year. To estimate the association between exposure to different antiplatelet agents and the risk of colorectal cancer, we built multiple logistic regression models and computed the adjusted-odds ratios (AORs) and their respective 95% CIs. RESULTS: Use of low-dose aspirin was associated with a reduced risk of CRC overall (AOR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.78-0.89) and in patients receiving treatment for more than 1 year (AOR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.73-0.85). Use of clopidogrel was associated with a decreased risk of CRC overall (AOR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.69-0.93) and in patients receiving treatment for more than 1 year (AOR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.55-0.78). Dual antiplatelet therapy had the same effect as either drug taken as monotherapy. No modification by sex or age was observed. CONCLUSIONS: In a nested case-control study of a primary care database in Spain, we found clopidogrel use, alone or in combination with low-dose aspirin, to reduce the risk of CRC by 20% to 30%, a magnitude similar to that of low-dose aspirin alone. These data support the concept that inhibiting platelets is an effective strategy for prevention of CRC.

[Gastric tricobezoar: a rare cause of tumoral syndrome and pyloric obstruction]. / Tricobezoar gástrico: una causa poco frecuente de síndrome tumoral y de obstrucción pilórica.

UNLABELLED: A Trichobezoar is a rare tumoral mass of the gastrointestinal tract, formed mainly from the ingestion of hair. It contains also mucus and foods debris. CASE PRESENTATION: A 22 years old female with a 10 years history of surgery secondary to gastric foreign body (trichobezoar), presents with abdominal pain, swelling, nausea and vomiting. Physical examination of the abdomen revealed a palpable mass in the epigastric and left upper quadrant regions. It was also noted areas of alopecia of the scalp. DISCUSSION: Ninety percent of the trichobezoars present in females with a high frequency between 10-19 years. The treatment of bezoars (unless small in size) is mainly surgical. A psychiatric evaluation and follow up is important after surgery hence in most cases there is a psychological disorder that lead to the ingestion of hair.

Tricobezoar gástrico: una causa poco frecuente de síndrome tumoral y de obstrucción pilórica / Gastric Tricobezoar: a rare cause of tumoral syndrome and pyloric obstruction

El tricobezoar es una rara formación tumoral gástrica causada por un cuerpo extraño compuesto fundamentalmente por pelo; también contiene moco y fragmentos de alimentos. Presentación del caso: Paciente de 22 años que hace 10 años fue intervenida por cuerpo extraño gástrico (tricobezoar), ahora refiere cuadro de dolor abdominal, distensión, náuseas y vómitos, al examen físico presencia de masa abdominal palpable en epigástrico y cuadrante superior izquierdo. En la cabeza se observaron zonas alopécicas. Discusión: El 90% de los tricobezoares se presentan en el sexo femenino. Su máxima frecuencia es entre 10 y 19 años. El tratamiento de los bezoares, excepto los más pequeños, es quirúrgico. El control psiquiátrico postoperatorio es fundamental ya que en casi todos los casos existe en el fondo un conflicto afectivo que perpetúa el hábito de ingerir cabello.

A Trichobezoar is a rare tumoral mass of the gastrointestinal tract, formed mainly from the ingestion of hair. It contains also mucus and foods debris. Case presentation: A 22 years old female with a 10 years history of surgery secondary to gastric foreign body (trichobezoar), presents with abdominal pain, swelling, nausea and vomiting. Physical examination of the abdomen revealed a palpable mass in the epigastric and left upper quadrant regions. It was also noted areas of alopecia of the scalp. Discussion: Ninety percent of the trichobezoars present in females with a high frequency between 10 - 19 years. The treatment of bezoars (unless small in size) is mainly surgical. A psychiatric evaluation and follow up is important after surgery hence in most cases there is a psychological disorder that lead to the ingestion of hair.

Evaluación de la aplicación de normas de bioseguridad en consultorios dentales en CESAMOS, región metropolitana de salud, Honduras. Primer Trimestre 2006 / Evaluation of the application of norms of bioseguridad in dental doctor´s ofices in we stopped, metropilitan region of health, Honduras. First Trimester 2006

Investigacion descriptiova de evaluacion sobre la aplicacion de normas de bioseguridad en las clinicas dentales de los CESAMOS de la Región Metropolitana de Salud.

Experiencia con la fusión de empresas sociales del Estado (ESE) durante el año 2000 en Bogotá, D. C. / Experience with the merger of state social enterprises (ESE) during the year 2000 in Bogotá, D. C.

Este artículo documenta la experiencia llevada a cabo en Bogotá (Colombia) con la fusión de 17 instituciones hospitalarias en siete nuevos hospitales, en el año 2000, desde la perspectiva de los autores, quienes tuvieron a cargo la coordinación del proceso en la Secretaría Distrital de Salud. Se presentan los antecedentes del proceso y los pasos llevados a cabo para lograr la estructuración de entidades más eficientes y modernas, analizando la justificación en los órdenes jurídico, técnico, económico y organizacional, haciendo especial énfasis en los pasos llevados a cabo para desarrollar el proceso. A la fecha de publicación del artículo la fusión de los hospitales culminó su fase de estructuración y se encuentra en proceso de consolidación lo que requerirá un monitoreo permanente para evaluar en el mediano plazo los logros alcanzados.

This article documents the experience carried out in Bogotá (Colombia) with the merger of 17 hospital institutions into seven new hospitals in 2000, from the perspective of the authors, who were in charge of coordinating the process in the District Health Secretariat. The background of the process and the steps taken to achieve the structuring of more efficient and modern entities are presented, analyzing the legal, technical, economic and organizational justification, with special emphasis on the steps taken to develop the process. As of the date of publication of this article, the merger of the hospitals has completed its structuring phase and is in the process of consolidation, which will require permanent monitoring to evaluate the achievements in the medium term.