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Para disminuir contagios por la pandemia de COVID-19, las instituciones educativas peruanas migraron a entornos digitales, evidenciándose que, aun cuando las generaciones actuales son diestras en el uso de tecnología para la socialización, no todos la emplean correctamente en procesos de aprendizaje. El objetivo de este artículo es determinar la relación entre competencias digitales y rendimiento académico en estudiantes de una institución de educación técnica-productiva peruana. Para ello, se contextualizó el cuestionario de Gutiérrez-Castillo et al. (2017), validado por expertos locales, y aplicado de forma virtual a través de la plataforma digital a una muestra representada por 52 estudiantes de la especialidad de “Operación de computadoras” del Centro de educación técnico-productiva “Tarma” por tener la mayor cantidad de estudiantes en el momento de la investigación. Se obtuvo como resultado que el 46% y 44% de los estudiantes presentaron un nivel bueno o superior de competencias digitales y rendimiento académico respectivamente; además, que existe relación estadísticamente significativa positiva entre competencias digitales y rendimiento académico (0.572). Se concluye que las competencias digitales son un factor relacionado con el rendimiento académico en los estudiantes de la especialidad analizada, por lo que, si un estudiante tiene mayores competencias digitales, presentará un mejor rendimiento académico.

Se estudió la aplicación de voltamperometría de onda cuadrada (SWV por sussiglas en inglés) para la cuantificación de paracetamol (PAR) utilizando un electrodode platino como electrodo de trabajo. Se determinó la confiabilidad del método mediante la determinación de parámetros analíticos como el límite dedetección, límite de cuantificación y porcentaje de recuperación. El compor-tamiento electroquímico de PAR fue evaluado en soluciones buffer de acetato y fosfato, a niveles de pH entre 4 y 6 en un rango de potencial de 0 a + 2 V vs Ag/AgCl, a una velocidad de escaneo de 50 mVs-1 mediante voltametría cíclica (VC). La aparición del pico anódico del analito ocurrió a un potencial de 0,6 V. Se optimizaron los parámetros analíticos encontrándose mejores respuestas electroquímicas a una frecuencia de 10 Hz con un pulso de amplitud de 100 mV y un incremento en el barrido de 10 mV. Los límites de detección y cuantificaciónobtenidos fueron 0,6 mM y 2,0 mM, respectivamente. El porcentaje de recuperación de PAR estuvo comprendido entre 96,97 hasta 104,54 %. Finalmente, la aplicación de esta técnica es una alternativa fiable, sencilla, y rápida.

RESUMEN El vértigo posicional paroxístico benigno (VPPB) es reconocido como la principal causa de vértigo de origen periférico en adultos, ya que, si bien la etiología del VPPB aún no se ha demostrado plenamente y se clasifica como la mayoría de los casos, se puede identificar el desprendimiento de otolitos y su desplazamiento en uno de los tres canales semicirculares. Una anamnesis cuidadosa puede abordar el diagnóstico clínico del VPPB, pero la confirmación se obtendrá por medio de maniobras de diagnóstico especificas de acuerdo a cuál de los canales está involucrado. Este trastorno altera la capacidad de llevar a cabo actividades de la vida cotidiana que determinan un aumento significativo en el riesgo de caídas y las consiguientes lesiones. La mayoría de los pacientes se recuperan después del tratamiento, sin embargo, hasta dos tercios de éstos pueden percibir inestabilidad prolongada, aturdimiento y malestar definidos como mareo residual. Esta sintomatología residual después de la resolución del VPPB es variable entre los pacientes, siendo el tiempo de duración de los síntomas residuales de aproximadamente de 1 a 3 semanas, existiendo algunos pacientes que pueden recuperarse más tardíamente. En esta revisión analizaremos el mareo residual, describiendo su expresión clínica, diagnóstica, fisiopatológica y tratamientos actuales de esta entidad clínica.

BACKGROUND: Aortic stenosis is one of the most prevalent valve diseases but is rarely accompanied by tricuspid regurgitation. Our objective was to analyze the impact of tricuspid regurgitation severity and its surgical treatment on prognosis of patients undergoing aortic valve replacement. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study including all patients presenting with aortic stenosis with some degree of tricuspid regurgitation between 2001 and 2018. Patients were grouped according to the degree of tricuspid regurgitation. RESULTS: From a sample of 8080 patients with aortic stenosis, 143 (1.8%) presented with more than trace tricuspid regurgitation. Among patients with mild, moderate, or severe tricuspid regurgitation, we observed no differences in 30-day (15.1% vs 14.8% vs 8.7%; P = .727), 12-month (51.2% vs 56% vs 55%; P = .892), or 5-year (64% vs 73.3% vs 66.7%; P = .798) survival. Aortic valve replacement plus tricuspid annuloplasty, when compared with aortic valve replacement only was associated with longer intensive care unit stay (9 vs 3 days; P = .043) but not higher 30-day (0% vs 15.5%; P = .112), 12-month (38.5% vs 54.3%; P = .278), or 5-year mortality (57.1% vs 67.1%; P = .594). Only history of liver disease and postoperative major morbidity were independent predictors of survival 30 days, 12 months and 5 years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Severity of tricuspid regurgitation in patients with aortic stenosis was not associated with increased mortality. Tricuspid annuloplasty did not improve survival in this subset of patients but was associated with increased postoperative morbidity.

OBJECTIVES: Gonococcal infection is one of the most reported sexually transmitted infections and antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) is challenging for the treatment of this infection. This observational study aimed to describe antimicrobial resistance of NG and epidemiological data from patients with gonococcal infection in eight regions of Spain, for updating the local therapeutic guidelines. METHODS: MICs of penicillin, cefixime, ceftriaxone, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, fosfomycin and gentamicin were determined by Etest for all NG isolates recovered from 1 April 2018 to 30 September 2019 from 10 hospitals in Spain. Resistance determinants were identified using logistic regression analysis. Differences with a P value

Background: We aimed to examine whether using a high fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) in the context of an individualised intra- and postoperative open-lung ventilation approach could decrease surgical site infection (SSI) in patients scheduled for abdominal surgery. Methods: We performed a multicentre, randomised controlled clinical trial in a network of 21 university hospitals from June 6, 2017 to July 19, 2018. Patients undergoing abdominal surgery were randomly assigned to receive a high (0.80) or conventional (0.3) FIO2 during the intraoperative period and during the first 3 postoperative hours. All patients were mechanically ventilated with an open-lung strategy, which included recruitment manoeuvres and individualised positive end-expiratory pressure for the best respiratory-system compliance, and individualised continuous postoperative airway pressure for adequate peripheral oxyhaemoglobin saturation. The primary outcome was the prevalence of SSI within the first 7 postoperative days. The secondary outcomes were composites of systemic complications, length of intensive care and hospital stay, and 6-month mortality. Results: We enrolled 740 subjects: 371 in the high FIO2 group and 369 in the low FIO2 group. Data from 717 subjects were available for final analysis. The rate of SSI during the first postoperative week did not differ between high (8.9%) and low (9.4%) FIO2 groups (relative risk [RR]: 0.94; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59-1.50; P=0.90]). Secondary outcomes, such as atelectasis (7.7% vs 9.8%; RR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.48-1.25; P=0.38) and myocardial ischaemia (0.6% [n=2] vs 0% [n=0]; P=0.47) did not differ between groups. Conclusions: An oxygenation strategy using high FIO2 compared with conventional FIO2 did not reduce postoperative SSIs in abdominal surgery. No differences in secondary outcomes or adverse events were found.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity of peptides obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis from the reserve proteins of chia seeds. The contents of the protein fractions of albumins, globulins, prolamins and glutelinsin the seeds were 3.1, 3.2, 2.6 and 3.8 mg/g of chia flour respectively. Treatment with the Eap1 protease made it possible to obtain peptides from 1.4 mg/g of chia flour. The fractions with the highest amounts of released peptides were globulin, prolamin and glutelin. Allthe fractions of protein and peptides were inhibited by two radicals:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhidazil (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS). The glutelin and prolamin peptides inhibited the DPPH and ABTS radicals at 59 and 4%. Chia seeds contain reserve proteins that were inhibited by the DPPH and ABTS radicals, as were the peptides released from them by enzymatic hydrolysis. Therefore, they may have potential applications in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.

BackgroundIn multiple sclerosis (MS), half of affected people are unemployed within 10years of diagnosis. The aim of this study was to assess the economic impact of MS in adult subjects with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and primary progressive MS (PPMS).MethodsA multicenter, non-interventional, cross-sectional study was conducted. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the 23-item Multiple Sclerosis Work Difficulties Questionnaire (MSWDQ-23) were used to assess disability and work performance, respectively. Only indirect costs were considered using the human capital method, including work costs. Professional support costs and informal caregivers' costs were also estimated.ResultsA total of 199 subjects were studied (mean age: 43.910.5years, 60.8% female, 86.4% with RRMS). Median EDSS score was 2.0 (interquartile range: 1.0-3.5) and median MSWDQ-23 total score was 31.5 (15.2, 50.0). The number of employed subjects decreased after MS diagnosis from 70.6 to 47.2%, and the number of retired people increased (23.6%). Mean age of retirement was 43.6 +/- 10.5years. Ten percent of the population had sick leaves (absenteeism was seen in 90.9% of the student population and 30.9% of the employed population). Professional support in their daily life activities was needed in 28.1% of subjects. Costs for sick leave, work absenteeism, premature retirement and premature work disability/pensioner were Euro416.6 +/- 2030.2, Euro763.4 +/- 3161.8, Euro5810.1 +/- 13,159.0 and Euro1816.8 +/- 9630.7, respectively. Costs for professional support and informal caregiving activities were Euro1026.93 +/- 4622.0 and Euro1328.72, respectively.Conclusions p id=Par4 MS is responsible for a substantial economic burden due to indirect and informal care costs, even in a population with low physical disability.

Objective: The aim of this clinical trial is to examine whether it is possible to reduce postoperative complications using an individualized perioperative ventilatory strategy versus using a standard lung-protective ventilation strategy in patients scheduled for thoracic surgery requiring one-lung ventilation. Design: International, multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting: A network of university hospitals. Participants: The study comprises 1,380 patients scheduled for thoracic surgery. Interventions: The individualized group will receive intraoperative recruitment maneuvers followed by individualized positive end-expiratory pressure (open lung approach) during the intraoperative period plus postoperative ventilatory support with high-flow nasal cannula, whereas the control group will be managed with conventional lung-protective ventilation. Measurements and Main Results: Individual and total number of postoperative complications, including atelectasis, pneumothorax, pleural effusion, pneumonia, acute lung injury; unplanned readmission and reintubation; length of stay and death in the critical care unit and in the hospital will be analyzed for both groups. The authors hypothesize that the intraoperative application of an open lung approach followed by an individual indication of high-flow nasal cannula in the postoperative period will reduce pulmonary complications and length of hospital stay in high-risk surgical patients. (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier Inc.

Colombia has an important Tahiti lime production, but despite the adequate edaphoclimatic and seasonal advantages for its production, its competitiveness is limited by appearance affectations and the short useful post-harvest life caused by inadequate handling. Different symptomatology can be identified in the external appearance of the fruit that can be triggered by either preharvest, or postharvest factors. In the current study, the effect of the location (Lebrija and Villavicencio), the rootstocks (Citromelo, Kryder and Volkameriana), the crop season (dry and rainy seasons) and the storage conditions (temperature and disinfection) on fruit quality were assessed. The relationship between the damage affecting the appearance and the evaluation factors were identified using a Pearson Chi-square statistical analysis. The best quality was observed in fruit from Lebrija, harvested in the dry season, disinfected, and stored at 10 °C. In the identification of the biological factors that affect the appearance of the Tahiti lime fruit, fungi developed during pre- and post-harvest phase were isolated, and strains of the genera Colletotrichum spp., Fusarium spp., Alternaria spp., Penicillium spp., Acremonium spp., Trichoderma spp., Curvularia spp., Phoma spp., Stachybotrys spp., and Ulocladium spp.,were identified.

Vista desde una didáctica de las ciencias, es necesario abordar la enseñanza basada en la elaboración de modelos explicativos. Así, el artículo que se propone a continuación tiene como objetivo explorar la construcción de modelos de pensamiento causal en estudiantes de 6° grado de primaria, 3er. grado de secundaria, y 3er. grado de bachillerato, como instancias necesarias para conocer la evolución de su aprendizaje. Para tal efecto se diseño una actividad experimental que consiste en inflar un globo adentro de una botella, evidenciando lo importante de tomarlos en cuenta para la promoción del pensamiento científico.

Aim. Most calcium antagonists do not seem to reduce microalbuminuria or proteinuria. We have tried to assess the antiproteinuric effect of a calcium channel blocker, lercanidipine, in patients previously treated with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers.Design and methods. The study included 68 proteinuric (>500 mg/day) patients (age 63,1±12,9 years, 69,1 % males and 30,9 % females). All patients were receiving ACE inhibitors (51,4 %) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (48,6 %) therapy but had higher blood pressure (BP) than recommended for proteinuric patients (Results. BP significantly decreased from 152±15/86±11 mm Hg to 135±12/77±10 mm Hg at six months of follow-up (ppp=0,022). Basal proteinuria was 1,63±1,34 g/day; it was significantly (pConclusion. Lercanidipine at 20 mg dose, associated with renin-angiotensin axis-blocking drugs, showed a high antihypertensive and antiproteinuric effect. This antiproteinuric effect seems to be dose-dependent as compared with previous reports and proportionally higher than blood pressure reduction.

Comparative Study; English Abstract; Journal Article; INTRODUCTION Few studies have evaluated the efficacy and reliability of weight loss-focussed prepared food dishes in obese post-menopausal women. OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy of a weight loss programme based on a balanced hypocaloric diet using prepared dishes* with that of a similar programme based on standard commercially available foods and with a non-intervened control group. A further aim was to evaluate the subjectivity of participants in the preparation of the diet-adjusted dishes based on usually consumed products. SUBJECTS Obese post-menopausal women aged between 55 and 65 years. DESIGN Controlled longitudinal interventional study. METHOD The sample of 75 female volunteers were divided into three groups of 25 women: a control group, who continued to consume their usual non-dietary adjusted meals (CG), an intervened group, treated with a diet adjusted to their individual requirements and based on standard commercially available food (SG), and another intervened group, treated with a similarly adjusted diet but based on prepared dishes (PG). Data were gathered on anthropometric variables, consumption habits and physical activity levels, and clinical-nutritional controls were conducted at the start and every two weeks to the end of the 8-week study in order to evaluate biochemical changes. RESULTS The weight loss was slightly higher in the prepared-dishes group (PG) than in the standard food diet group (SG), but the difference was not statistically significant, whereas it was considerably higher in both groups than in the non-dietary adjusted control group (CG) and this difference was highly significant (losses of 7.60 kg in PG and 7.01 kg in SG versus 2.10 kg in CG (p < 0.01). However, the PG showed a significantly higher (p < 0.01) loss of fatty mass and abdominal circumference versus the SG women. CONCLUSION More weight was lost by the two groups treated with a diet based on prepared dishes or usual food items in comparison to untreated controls, but the diet based on prepared dishes obtained more reliable and higher quality outcomes, achieving a positive change at fatty compartment level and in the abdominal circumference. Yes Introducción: Son escasos los estudios que hayan evaluado la eficacia y la fiabilidad de los platos de comidas preparadas* enfocadas a la pérdida de peso en la mujer posmenopáusica obesa. Objetivo: Evaluar la eficiencia de un programa de pérdida de peso basado en una ingesta hipocalórica equilibrada, a partir de platos preparados* comparando con otra basada en alimentos de consumo habitual en el mercado y con un grupo control no intervenido. En el presente estudio se pretende, además, valorar la subjetividad de la participante a la hora de preparar los platos ajustados a la dieta de restricción basada en productos de consumo habitual. Sujetos de estudio: mujeres posmenopáusicas obesas, con edad comprendida entre 55-65 años. Diseño del estudio: Estudio longitudinal de intervención y controlado. Metodología: La muestra de 75 mujeres voluntarias se divide en tres grupos de 25 mujeres; uno con alimentación habitual, sin dieta ajustada (GC), otro intervenido mediante tratamiento con una dieta ajustada a los requerimientos individuales, pero con productos de consumo habitual en mercado (GE) y un tercero intervenido con dieta ajustada del mismo modo al anterior, pero con platos preparados (GD). Se registraron datos antropométricos, hábitos de consumo y nivel de actividad física. También se realizaron controles clínico-nutricionales para evaluar cambios bioquímicos al inicio del estudio, cada 2 semanas y al final del estudio, durante 8 semanas. Resultados: El grupo basado en platos preparados GD muestra resultados de pérdida de peso ligeramente mayores, aunque no estadísticamente significativos, al grupo de dieta estándar GE, mostrando, sin embargo, ambos, descensos muy significativos respecto al grupo no ajustado GC (con una pérdida de 7,60 kg en GD, 7,01 kg en el grupo GE y 2,10 kg en GC). Sin embargo, éste grupo de mujeres alimentadas con dieta hipocalórica basada en platos preparados GD, presenta (p < 0,01) una mayor pérdida significativa, tanto de masa grasa como de perímetro abdominal. Conclusión: Las mujeres tratadas con dieta basada en platos preparados GD y las tratadas con dieta ajustada habitual GE presentan una mayor pérdida de peso, pero el grupo GD mostró unos resultados más fiables y de calidad, dado el cambio positivo encontrado a nivel de compartimento graso y en el perímetro abdominal de las participantes del grupo objeto del estudio.

El artículo trata el proceso salud-enfermedad, partiendo de los principios y las teorías que lo han interpretado y de los distintos modelos que se han utilizado en las prácticas, desde el mecanicista hasta el social. Se rescatan los conceptos de la heterogeneidad de las cosas, la totalidad del hombre y la interconexión de las partes de la realidad. Palabras claves:Salud-enfermedadEnfermedad Salud holísticaHistoria de la medicina.

Epidemiological procedures can be organised under disaster conditions by means of a simple surveillance system and with few personnel. In the aftermath of the 4 February 1976 earthquake in Guatemala, an information system was organized by which the requisite information for decision-making was obtained with adequate speed and promptness. The initial epidemiologic informution was based on reports collected during the early days on symptoms observed at hospitals and health centers and in localities and villages in the stricken area. At a second, post-emergency stage a more elaborate surveillance system was instituted to provide guidance in the investigntwn of outbreaks, evaluate the health activities and establish basic criteria for preventive and control measures.

Objetivo: La nefropatía hipertensiva es la segunda causa más común de entrada en tratamiento renal sustitutivo en España, con una incidencia que parece estable desde 1997. Los datos sobre incidencia de nuevos diagnósticos de nefropatía hipertensiva en consulta son escasos al no existir registros similares a los usados en el tratamiento renal sustitutivo. Diseño y métodos: Se ha revisado retrospectivamente la incidencia de este diagnóstico en la base de datos de la Consulta de Nefrología del Hospital Infanta Cristina de Badajoz entre el 1 de enero de 1991 y el 31 de diciembre de 2007. El diagnóstico se hizo en la mayor parte de los casos por criterios clínicos. En 60 casos se realizó biopsia renal por proteinuria superior a 1 g/24 h. Resultados: Durante ese tiempo fueron atendidos en consulta 5.071 pacientes, de los cuales 479 fueron diagnosticados de nefropatía hipertensiva. La incidencia media de nefroangioesclerosis ha sido 44,0 casos pmp, con una edad media de 66,6 ± 12,1 años, siendo el 43,0% mujeres. Se aprecia una tendencia progresiva desde 16,7 pmp en 1991 hasta 89,5 pmp en 2007. Las tasas medias fueron 31,8 pmp en el período 1991-1995; 32,1 pmp entre 1996 y 2000, y 54,4 en el período 2001-2006. La edad media de los pacientes incidentes a lo largo del período estudiado ha seguido una curva en "J"; 53 pacientes (11,6%) han iniciado tratamiento renal sustitutivo durante estos años. La supervivencia estimada antes de llegada a tratamiento renal sustitutivo fue el 96,0% al año, el 85,9% a los 5 años de seguimiento y el 81,6% a los 7 años de seguimiento. Conclusiones: La incidencia de nefropatía hipertensiva parece tender a crecer significativamente en los últimos años a pesar del perfeccionamiento de los tratamientos preventivos utilizados. La mayor permisividad en la edad para la derivación podría influir en estos resultados.

La dislipemia es un reconocido factor de riesgo cardiovascular en la población general, pero no así en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica (ERC). Los objetivos del presente estudio han sido determinar si las alteraciones lipídicas más comunes, así como las concentraciones de apolipoproteína (apo) A y B, son capaces de predecir la mortalidad y el desarrollo de nuevos episodios cardiovasculares (CV) en pacientes con ERC en estadios previos a la diálisis. Se trata de un estudio de observación prospectivo histórico en el que se incluyeron 331 pacientes con ERC en estadios 4-5 prediálisis. Se determinaron los siguientes parámetros lipídicos: colesterol total, triglicéridos, HDL, LDL, apo A-I y apo B. Se analizó la asociación de estas variables con la mortalidad global y con el desarrollo de episodios CV. La mediana de seguimiento fue 985 días, y durante este período hubo 105 fallecimientos y 54 nuevos episodios CV. En un modelo multivariable de Cox ajustado al resto de covariables de reconocida importancia pronóstica, la razón de riesgo (RR) por cada 10 mg/dl de apo A fue de 0,915 (IC 95%: 0,844 a 0,992; p = 0,031). Los pacientes con una relación apo A/apo B elevada (tercil superior, >1,42) también tuvieron una supervivencia significativamente mejor que la del resto de los pacientes estudiados (RR = 0,592, IC 95%: 0,3680-0,953; p

Reflexión sobre la necesidad de apuntalar esfuerzos locales y globales en la formación y fortalecimiento de espíritus científicos en Enfermería. Explora tres elementos centrales: uno, alrededor del papel de la educación superior en la formación de investigadoras; dos, acerca del significado de ser investigadora, y tres, el papel que han de desempeñar las instituciones formadoras y empleadoras en este ejercicio pedagógico y de vida al formar y consolidar el ser investigador. En estos elementos se encuentra un reto de transformación para el presente y futuro de la enfermería, y por ello la reflexión se centra en el análisis de tres dimensiones complementarias: el deseo del sujeto, la voluntad política de la institución y el campo del saber en la investigación, presentando sus obstáculos y desafíos y entendiendo que lo que se expresa es un deseo propositivo para abonar el terreno donde han de germinar las semillas que darán frutos científicos, quizá con esperanzas en el pregrado, pero con certezas en niveles de formación avanzada, como maestrías y doctorados. A reflection about the necessity to prop up local and global efforts in formation and strengthening of scientific spirits inside nursing. It explores three central elements: one, around the upper education’s role in the researches formation; two, about the meaning of to be researcher, and three, the role that training and employment institutions should play in this exercise of pedagogy and of life to form and fortify to be researcher. Into these elements it is found a challenge of transformation for present and future in nursing, and for that, the reflection’s core is the analysis of three complementary dimensions: the individual wish, the political will of the institution, and the knowledge in the research, showing its handicaps and challenges, and understanding the expressed things are wishes that are proposed to fertilize the ground where the seeds that are going to germinate will give scientific fruits, maybe with hope inside bachelors, but with certainty in levels of advanced formation, like Masters and Doctoral programs.

Acute rejection episodes (AREs) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children following renal transplantation. For the purpose of this study, the diagnosis of early rejection was established when it developed within the first 6 months post-transplantation. The impact of an early ARE on patient and graft survival areas was studied in 44 patients who received their grafts between January 1987 and December 1995. Group I (GI) was comprised of 25 patients who developed 30 ARE. They were compared to 19 age- and sex-matched controls without ARE, group II (GII), who were transplanted during the same time-period and received similar long-term immunosuppressive triple therapy, oral prednisone, azathioprine and cyclosporine A. The ARE was confirmed by renal biopsy in 83% of the cases. Morbidity, mortality and graft function were assessed statistically at baseline, 12 and 24 months after transplantation. Seven GI patients lost their grafts during an ARE; in 4 cases death that was related to opportunistic infections presenting during or soon after anti-rejection therapy, whereas 3 patients who survived lost their grafts due to thromboses or infections, also as a consequence of ARE. The GI graft survival rates were 76% and 72% at 12 and 24 months post-transplant, respectively, whereas the graft survival rate of GII patients was 100% at both evaluation periods. The patient survival rate was 84% in GI and 100% in GII patients at 24 months. No statistically significant differences of renal function were found between and/or within groups at 12 and 24 months. Recipients of living related donor (LRD) and cadaveric donor (CD) kidneys were evaluated independently of the group to which they were allocated. The acute rejection ratio (number of AREs/number of transplants) was 0.61 in LRD and 0.38 in CD (differences non-significant). This study concludes that AREs are an important cause of patient and graft loss, with opportunistic infections being a major threat to be considered during aggressive anti-rejection therapy. The renal function was normal after long-term follow-up in both groups of patients, regardless of ARE.

The generation of gravitational radiation by coherent excitation of a long row of oscillators is investigated. In particular we have considered diatomic linear chains as an idealization of thin piezoelectric crystals. We find a highly focussed superradiant beam of gravitational radiation in direction of the row and a total radiation power larger than the incoherent superposition of the oscillator radiation by the factor λ̲/a (λ̲ wavelength*, a distance between neighbouring oscillators). In spite of these optimum conditions it seems to us that the attainable magnitude of the radiation power of approximately 10-22 erg/sec is not high enough for a successful laboratory experiment.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Using perfusion- and diffusion-weighted MR imaging in acute ischemic stroke of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), previous studies have shown a typical pathophysiologic pattern that is characterized by a perfusion deficit larger than the diffusion lesion (mismatch), with the final lesion usually comprising the initial diffusion lesion (core) plus parts of the initial mismatch area. Little is known about underlying pathophysiology in small ischemic stroke. In this study, we used perfusion- and diffusion-weighted MR imaging to investigate the underlying pathophysiology of small subcortical ischemia. METHODS: Six consecutive patients (age range, 42–76 years) with small subcortical ischemia were examined by using a 1.5-T MR system 2–5, 22–55, and 144–392 hours after the onset of symptoms. T2-weighted, diffusion-weighted imaging at b=0 s/mm(2) and b=1000 s/mm(2), and bolus-track perfusion-weighted imaging were performed. Lesion sizes were determined on the basis of T2-weighted findings as well as those of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps and CBF. RESULTS: In every patient, the initial CBF lesion was smaller than the initial ADC lesion. Both the CBF lesion and the ADC lesion increased in size from first to second examination. In all instances, however, the CBF lesion remained smaller than the ADC lesion. The CBF lesion observed during the acute phase and the one seen on the following days were both smaller than the final T2 lesion. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that in contrast to previous findings in MCA ischemia in small subcortical infarcts tissue damage may spread beyond the area of the initial perfusion disturbance. In light of the small number of patients, further studies will have to address the relevance of this observation.

Background: The present multicentre study was aimed at determining the effect of preoperative atrial fibrillation (preop-AF) as stroke risk factor in coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) during the perioperative period.

El benceno es un hidrocarburo frecuentemente utilizado en la industria química, considerado de alto riesgo toxicológico, por lo que el monitoreo biológico de los trabajadores expuestos es una importante medida para la prevención de la intoxicación ocupacional. El objetivo fue evaluar los niveles de ácido trans, trans-mucónico (t,t-MA) en orina como indicador biológico de exposición a benceno y el perfil hepático, hematológico y renal en trabajadores de gasolineras de San Felipe, estado Yaracuy. Se realizó un estudio de diseño no experimental, tipo descriptivo, correlacional, transversal y de campo; participaron 41 trabajadores expuestos (E) al benceno y 31 trabajadores no expuestos (NE). La determinación del biomarcador se realizó mediante la técnica de cromatografía líquida de alta eficiencia en orina tomada al final de la jornada laboral, y los parámetros hematológicos y bioquímicos en muestras de sangre completa y suero. Los resultados mostraron valores de t,t-MA significativamente mayores en E comparados con los (NE) (3,00 vs. 0,23 mg/g creatinina), correlación significativa entre los valores de t,t-MA de los E con el tiempo de exposición (r = 0,565; p

El 1-Hidroxipireno es un metabolito del pireno, considerado como un biomarcador de exposición a Hidrocarburos PolicíclicosAromáticos (HPA), compuestos asociados con cáncer en el hombre; y la industria de la goma constituye una fuente de emisión importante de esos compuestos. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar la asociación entre 1-Hidroxipireno con edad, antigüedad en la empresa, uso de equipo de protección personal, hábito alcohólico y tabáquico en 30 trabajadores de una industria de la goma del estado Carabobo. La investigación fue descriptiva de corte transversal, los sujetos fueron divididos en cuatro grupos de acuerdo al puesto de trabajo con potencial exposición a HPA: GI, área de pesada y mezcla de materia prima; GII, producción; GIII, mantenimiento y GIV, área administrativa. Se utilizó un cuestionario para conocer las variables independientes y se recolectaron muestras de orina puntual para medir el 1-Hidroxipireno, por Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Presión con detección por fluorescencia. El valor promedio total de 1-Hidroxipireno de los cuatro grupos fue de 1,28 μg/g de creatinina y 1,71 y 0,89 μg/g de creatinina en fumadores y no fumadores, respectivamente. En el grupo II de mayor exposición a HPA se encontró un valor de 1,96 μg/g de creatinina superior al promedio total, pero no se halló asociación estadísticamente significativa entre 1-hidroxipireno y el resto de las variables en los trabajadores investigados. Los resultados demuestran la potencial utilidad del 1-Hidroxipireno como biomarcador de exposición a HPA. 1-hydroxypyrene is a metabolite of pyrene, and considered to be a biomarker of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), compounds associated with human carcinogenicity. The rubber industry is considered an important source of emissions of these compounds. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between 1-hydroxypyrene and age, seniority, use of personal protective equipment, and alcoholic and smoking habits in 30 workers at a rubber plant in the State of Carabobo (Venezuela). The study design was cross-sectional; subjects were divided in four groups according to potential exposure to PAH: GI, weighing and mixing of raw materials; GII, production; GIII, maintenance and GIV, administrative area. A questionnaire was used to gather data on independent variables, and spot urine samples were obtained and assayed for 1-hydroxypyrene, by high pressure liquid chromatography with detection by fluorescence. The overall mean concentration of 1-hydroxypyrene for the four groups was 1.28 μg/g of creatinine and 1.71 and 0.89 μg/ g of creatinine in smokers and non-smokers, respectively. In GII, the value was 1.96 μg/g of creatinine, higher than the overall mean value, but no statistically significant associations were found between 1-hydroxypyrene and the remaining study variables. These results demonstrate the potential usefulness of 1-hydroxypyrene as a biomarker of exposure to PAH.

Effective vaccines against tuberculosis (TB) are needed in order to prevent TB transmission in human and animal populations. Evaluation of TB vaccines may be facilitated by using reliable animal models that mimic host pathophysiology and natural transmission of the disease as closely as possible. In this study, we evaluated the immunogenicity and efficacy of two attenuated vaccines, BCG and MTBVAC, after each was given to 17 goats (2 months old) and then exposed for 9 months to goats infected with M. caprae. In general, MTBVAC-vaccinated goats showed higher interferon-gamma release than BCG vaccinated goats in response to bovine protein purified derivative and ESAT-6/CFP-10 antigens and the response was significantly higher than that observed in the control group until challenge. All animals showed lesions consistent with TB at the end of the study. Goats that received either vaccine showed significantly lower scores for pulmonary lymph nodes and total lesions than unvaccinated controls. Both MTBVAC and BCG vaccines proved to be immunogenic and effective in reducing severity of TB pathology caused by M. caprae. Our model system of natural TB transmission may be useful for evaluating and optimizing vaccines., This work was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (MINECO, Grant Number: IPT-2012-0327-090000). AR is the recipient of an Industrial Doctorate contract (DI15-08110) funded by the MINECO and the European Social Fund. JB is the recipient of a Juan de la Cierva Incorporation Research contract (IJCI-2015-24805) funded by MINECO.