[Norms for authors of Mexican medical journals in 1994 and 1995]. / Normas para los autores de revistas médicas mexicanas en 1994 y 1995.

OBJECTIVE: To find out how much information of the Vancouver Norms (VANNOR) are given to prospective authors in the Instructions for Authors (IFA) in a sample of Mexican medical journals (MMJ) published in 1994 and 1995. DESIGN: Prospective, cross sectional, descriptive, observational. MEASUREMENTS: The IFA in the last issue of the MMJ that were published in 1994 and 1995, were reviewed and 121 characteristics in the VANNOR were scored in nine categories (characteristics, presentation, title page, summary and key words, text order and contents, references, tables, illustrations and other instructions). A one point score was given to any characteristic present in order to obtain a score for each category and a total score for each journal. The total scores in the VANNOR affiliated journals (N = 33) versus the non-affiliated ones (N = 27) were evaluated by the Mann-Whitney and exact Fisher test with alpha = 0.05 (two-tailed). RESULTS: A statistically significant higher score was found in the IFA of VANNOR journals in 22 of the 121 characteristics, in six of the nine categories, as well as in the total score. CONCLUSION: VANNOR affiliated journals offer a significantly higher amount of information regarding the IFA than those not affiliated.

[Observer variability in the radiologic interpretation of interstitial lung disease]. / Variabilidad de observadores en la interpretación radiológica de la afección pulmonar intersticial.

OBJECTIVES: To study intra and interobserver variability of two pediatric neumologists in X-ray readings of interstitial lung disease (ILD), to determine the effect of clinical data on the readings, and to evaluate their interpretation in terms of the histopathology diagnosis. DESIGN: Prospective, cross sectional, comparative, blinded. SETTING: The Instituto Nacional de Pediatria of Mexico City. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Chest X-rays of 45 ILD pediatric patients with diagnosis confirmed by open lung biopsy were read by the two observers three times at two weeks intervals and in a randomized fashion. The observers were blinded to previous readings of both observers as well as to the diagnosis. The first two readings were done with no clinical information given to the observers, but some was given for the third reading (age of inception, length of evolution, and main symptoms at time of the X-rays). A classification in one of 5 patterns (lineal, reticular, reticulonodular, grounded glass, honeycomb) was established by the observers. Associations of patterns with anatomopathological diagnosis was explored. Weighted kappa was used in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: With one exception, good agreement (Kw 0.57-0.88) was found intra and interobservers. CONCLUSION: We believe the low variability is the result of the 15 years of shared experience of the two observers participating in this study.

[Eradication of Helicobacter pylori in patients with recurrent abdominal pain using a triple drug treatment]. / Erradicación del Helicobacter pylori en pacientes con dolor abdominal recidivante con un triple esquema de tratamiento.

BACKGROUND: Different antibiotics, antagonist H2 and others have been used for elimination and/or eradication of Helicobacter pylori. AIMS: Evaluate elimination of Helicobacter pylori with amoxicillin, bismuth subsalicylate and ranitidine; and the improvement of recurrent abdominal pain. METHOD: 20 children with recurrent abdominal pain associated to gastritis and histologic identification of Helicobacter pylori were studied under a period of 18 months (January 1992 to June 1993), at Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, México, D.F. All children were treated simultaneously with: Amoxicillin, 15 days, plus ranitidine and bismuth subsalicylate for one month. RESULTS: Helicobacter pylori was eliminated in 14 of 20 children studied. All these children had an important improvement of recurrent abdominal pain. CONCLUSION: Elimination of Helicobacter pylori and clinical improvement was present in 14 of 20 children studied (70%).

[Comparison of instructions to authors of Mexican medical journals and the Vancouver requirements]. / Comparación de las normas para autores de revistas médicas mexicanas con las normas de Vancouver.

OBJECTIVE: To find out how much information of the Vancouver norms (VANNOR) are given to prospective authors in the instructions for authors (IFA) in some Mexican medical journals (MMJ). DESIGN: Prospective, cross sectional, descriptive, observational. MEASUREMENTS: To score the IFA in the MMJ published between 1989 and 1991. The scoring was done on the basis of presence in the IFA of the VANNOR characteristics grouped in categories (characteristics and presentation of the manuscript, title page, summary and keywords, text order and contents, references, tables, illustrations, and other instructions). A total score of 60 characteristics (grouped in nine categories) was obtained for each journal. Statistical differences as a function of VANNOR affiliation were investigated by means of Student's t test, chi-square, and exact Fisher tests using a 0.05 alpha level (two-tailed). RESULTS: 50 MMJ were included (21 affiliated to VANNOR). No statistical difference was found for VANNOR affiliation and registration in bibliographic data bases. But statistically significant higher scores were found in the affiliated journals in 12 of 60 characteristics (three of nine categories) and in the total score. CONCLUSIONS: Independently of VANNOR affiliation, there were deficiencies in the IFA of all journals, particularly in instructions regarding the manuscript's contents. Possibly, some inadequacies in manuscripts might be prevented with IFA that comply more thoroughly with the VANNOR requirements.