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Introduction: The accurate estimation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) is crucial for management of patients at risk of cardiovascular events due to dyslipidemia. The LDL is typically calculated using the Friedewald equation and/or direct homogeneous assays. However, both methods have their own limitations, so other equations have been proposed, including a new equation developed by Sampson. The aim of this study was to evaluate Sampson equation by comparing with the Friedewald and Martin-Hopkins equations, and with a direct LDL method. Materials and methods: Results of standard lipid profile (total cholesterol (CHOL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and triglycerides (TG)) were obtained from two anonymized data sets collected at two laboratories, using assays from different manufacturers (Beckman Coulter and Roche Diagnostics). The second data set also included LDL results from a direct assay (Roche Diagnostics). Passing-Bablok and Bland-Altman analysis for method comparison was performed. Results: A total of 64,345 and 37,783 results for CHOL, HDL and TG were used, including 3116 results from the direct LDL assay. The Sampson and Friedewald equations provided similar LDL results (difference ≤ 0.06 mmol/L, on average) at TG ≤ 2.0 mmol/L. At TG between 2.0 and 4.5 mmol/L, the Sampson-calculated LDL showed a constant bias (- 0.18 mmol/L) when compared with the Martin-Hopkins equation. Similarly, at TG between 4.5 and 9.0 mmol/L, the Sampson equation showed a negative bias when compared with the direct assay, which was proportional (- 16%) to the LDL concentration. Conclusions: The Sampson equation may represent a cost-efficient alternative for calculating LDL in clinical laboratories.

Introduction: The accurate estimation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) is crucial for management of patients at risk of cardiovascular events due to dyslipidemia. The LDL is typically calculated using the Friedewald equation and/or direct homogeneous assays. However, both methods have their own limitations, so other equations have been proposed, including a new equation developed by Sampson. The aim of this study was to evaluate Sampson equation by comparing with the Friedewald and Martin-Hopkins equations, and with a direct LDL method. Materials and methods: Results of standard lipid profile (total cholesterol (CHOL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and triglycerides (TG)) were obtained from two anonymized data sets collected at two laboratories, using assays from different manufacturers (Beckman Coulter and Roche Diagnostics). The second data set also included LDL results from a direct assay (Roche Diagnostics). Passing-Bablok and Bland-Altman analysis for method comparison was performed. Results: A total of 64,345 and 37,783 results for CHOL, HDL and TG were used, including 3116 results from the direct LDL assay. The Sampson and Friedewald equations provided similar LDL results (difference ≤ 0.06 mmol/L, on average) at TG ≤ 2.0 mmol/L. At TG between 2.0 and 4.5 mmol/L, the Sampson-calculated LDL showed a constant bias (- 0.18 mmol/L) when compared with the Martin-Hopkins equation. Similarly, at TG between 4.5 and 9.0 mmol/L, the Sampson equation showed a negative bias when compared with the direct assay, which was proportional (- 16%) to the LDL concentration. Conclusions: The Sampson equation may represent a cost-efficient alternative for calculating LDL in clinical laboratories.

Aquest text s’até al lema del Coloquio de Geohumanidades (Barcelona, 2016), “tancant cercles, obrint horitzons”, aplicat a la progressiva inserció de la cultura en la pràctica geogràfica, cosa que ens ha de permetre aproximar-nos al tancament d’un dels nostres cercles intel·lectuals, el del paisatge. S’hi repassa sintèticament la nostra teoria paisatgista, de Humboldt ençà, insistint en les tesis d’alguns autors dedicats a la Geografia cultural, i s’hi fa una reflexió sobre l’interès de l’aportació cultural en la geografia del paisatge, ara i aquí. S’exposa el concepte de paisatge, primer com a morfogeografia, assentada en el caràcter funcional del territori, i, segonament, com a interpretació cultural. Es mostra, a títol d’exemple, la qualitat d’alguns escenaris culturals i es defensa la complementarietat, en aquest camp, entre ciències i humanitats.Paraules clau: geografia, territori, paisatge, cultura., Se atiene este texto al lema del Coloquio de Geohumanidades (Barcelona, 2016), “cerrando círculos, abriendo horizontes”, aplicado a la progresiva inserción de la cultura en la práctica geográfica, lo que nos permitirá aproximarnos al cierre de uno de nuestros círculos intelectuales, el del paisaje. Se repasa sintéticamente nuestra teoría paisajista, de Humboldt a hoy, insistiendo en las tesis de algunos autores dedicados a la Geografía Cultural, y se realiza una reflexión sobre el interés de la aportación cultural en la geografía del paisaje, aquí y ahora. Se expone el concepto de paisaje, primero como morfogeografía, con asiento en el carácter funcional del territorio, y, segundo, como interpretación cultural. Se muestra, a título de ejemplo, la calidad de algunos escenarios culturales y se aboga por la complementariedad en este campo entre ciencias y humanidades.Palabras clave: geografía, territorio, paisaje, cultura., This text follows to the motto of the Colloquium of Geohumanities (Barcelona, 2016), “closing circles, opening horizons”, to explore the progressive insertion of culture in geographical practice, that allow us to close one of our intellectual circles, the landscape.We review synthetically our landscape theory, from Humboldt to today, insisting on of some authors theses dedicated to Cultural Geography, and the interest of the cultural contribution in the geography of the landscape, here and now. The concept of landscape is therefore exposed, first as a morphogeography, based on the functional character of the territory, and, second, as a cultural interpretation. It shows the quality of some cultural scenarios and advocates for complementarity in this field between the sciences and the humanitiesKeywords: Geography, territory, landscape, culture.

ARKIVOC: vol. 2014, no. 2, (issn) 1551-7012, (dlps) 5550190.p008.340, This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 License. Please contact mpub-help@umich.edu to use this work in a way not covered by the license.

ARKIVOC: vol. 2014, no. 2, (issn) 1551-7012, (dlps) 5550190.p008.340, This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 License. Please contact mpub-help@umich.edu to use this work in a way not covered by the license.

[Resumen] El presente artículo ha sido realizado sobre la base de la investigación efectuada en el marco de mis estudios de doctorado en Ciencias Económicas en la cual he abordado el estudio de la gestión eficiente de las Universidades Públicas apoyada en las bases teóricas de la productividad, tomando como punto de partida el caso de la Universidad Nacional de la Matanza de la República Argentina. El objetivo es expresar en esta síntesis, los criterios, conceptualizaciones, indicadores e índices que, según los resultados del estudio citado, priorizan la excelencia académica. El método de la investigación aquí abreviada ha sido de carácter cuantitativo correspondiendo a un diseño hipotético deductivo. La Institución aludida, ha desarrollado desde sus inicios una estructura funcional correspondiente a un modelo alternativo que implica una nueva concepción acerca de la organización y la gestión universitaria. Este nuevo paradigma privilegia una Universidad Pública con Descentralización Académica y Centralización Administrativa. El desarrollo de medidas que potencien una efectiva y sustentable gestión universitaria y el consenso sobre la forma en que los indicadores la miden, constituyen temas de relevancia en agendas de universidades y de gobiernos. La mejora de un sistema de indicadores asociados con resultados de la gestión de las universidades, permite dar respuesta a los imperativos sociales en el marco de políticas públicas. Presento en este artículo los resultados sintetizados obtenidos en la investigación mencionada, exponiendo la conclusión de los mismos, con la finalidad de abrir líneas de investigación y gestión sobre la base de la eficiencia y la calidad en los estudios universitarios

Background Perfluorocarbon (PFC)possesses unique chemical properties that favor the pigment epithelium’s adhesion and allows the drainage of subretinal fluid through retinal holes present in retinal detachment cases. However, PFC as a temporary tamponade agent has been limited due to its high potential for toxicity. Main body We conducted a scoping review regarding the use of PFC in vitreoretinal surgery as a temporary tamponade in subjects with severe ocular trauma or severe retinal detachment who received a therapeutic intervention (vitrectomy via posterior approach with the use of PFC as a temporary tamponade), compared to vitrectomy without the use of PFC as a temporary tamponade. Outcomes of interest were retinal reattachment, visual acuity (VA), postoperative complications and retinal toxicity. The search was performed in Medline, Medline In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, Medline Daily Update, Embase databases. Reference lists from relevant review articles were also included. Two hundred thirty-eight studies were found, with no duplicate entries. In the first selection, 230 articles were eliminated; in the second selection, 6 additional articles were discarded. In total, 8 articles were obtained in this review. Two selected articles corresponded to animal studies and 6 to studies in humans. Regarding study design, 5 were case series, and 1 was a cohort study. Conclusion PFC as a short-term tamponade had high rates of reapplication, improved VA, and the most frequent adverse effects were reversible after PFC withdrawal. Nonetheless, the quality of the studies was poor. Studies with more rigorous methodologies are needed to determine visual and structural outcomes and potential risks of PFC use as a temporary tamponade in vitreoretinal surgery.