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Introduction: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has become the most performed bariatric and metabolic surgery technique in Chile and the world. Although there are a large number of publications on it, there are still topics that are controversial and in which it is necessary to reach agreements among experts. The objective of this paper is to present the results of the first Chilean SG consensus using the Delphi method. Materials and Methods: A national survey was conducted that gathered 60,204 SG with some relevant topics about SG. Based on the survey results, a consensus committee made a set of controversial assertions defined from a GM national survey. These assertions were presented to a group of recognized experts from different centers throughout Chile. The Likert scale was used to establish consensus of agreement or disagreement with a cut-off point of 67%. Results: Two virtual meetings were held where the 36 experts voted on 30 statements. In total, the consensus committee agreed on 24 of the 30 proposed assertions. There was consensus of disagreement in one of them and no consensus was reached in five. Conclusion: In the first Chilean SG consensus with Delphi method, it was possible to bring together experts from all over the country to settle controversial issues and serve as a reference for the daily practice of bariatric and metabolic surgery in the present and the future [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to identify the perception of social exclusion andits demographic, economic, and sociopolitical participationdimensions as well as its association with the Health-RelatedQuality of Life (HRQOL) of people aged 25 to 60 living in thenortheastern area of Medellin - Colombia, 2009. Methodology:a cross-sectional study of association was conducted. Thesample size was calculated with a confidence level of 95%,an error of 4.5%, and a ratio of 0.28 derived from a study onsocial exclusion conducted in Medellín in 2008. The study wasconducted with a total of 404 subjects. The sample was obtainedthrough a probability, cluster, and multistage sampling thatwas proportional by sex and had no replacement. The data wasanalyzed using the spss v.15.0 and Stata 10 software. Results:22.8% of the population was perceived to be in a situation ofsocial exclusion. The assessment of the Health-Related Qualityof Life (hrqol) showed high scores in all the domains of the SF-36 questionnaire. Significant differences were observed inrole physical (p = 0.000), role emotional (p = 0.000), and MentalHealth (p = 0.023) scores. Non-excluded individuals showedhigher scores in these domains. Conclusions: the results suggestthat the perception of social exclusion affects HRQOL andindividual health conditions may affect the perception of socialexclusion. This may be due to the fact that health (disease) initself generates social exclusion or that the healthcare services inthe Colombian health system cause sick people to feel excluded.

Objective: to identify the perception of social exclusion and its demographic, economic, and sociopolitical participation dimensions as well as its association with the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) of people aged 25 to 60 living in the northeastern area of Medellin - Colombia, 2009. Methodology: a cross-sectional study of association was conducted. The sample size was calculated with a confidence level of 95%, an error of 4.5%, and a ratio of 0.28 derived from a study on social exclusion conducted in Medellín in 2008. The study was conducted with a total of 404 subjects. The sample was obtained through a probability, cluster, and multistage sampling that was proportional by sex and had no replacement. The data was analyzed using the SPSS v.15.0 and Stata 10 software. Results: 22.8% of the population was perceived to be in a situation of social exclusion. The assessment of the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) showed high scores in all the domains of the SF-36 questionnaire. Significant differences were observed in role physical (p = 0.000), role emotional (p = 0.000), and Mental Health (p = 0.023) scores. Non-excluded individuals showed higher scores in these domains. Conclusions: the results suggest that the perception of social exclusion affects HRQOL and individual health conditions may affect the perception of social exclusion. This may be due to the fact that health (disease) in itself generates social exclusion or that the healthcare services in the Colombian health system cause sick people to feel excluded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inconel 718 (IN718) is a polycrystalline nickel-based superalloy and one of the most widely used materials in the aerospace industry owing to its excellent mechanical performances at high temperatures, including creep resistance. Interest in additively manufactured components in aerospace is greatly increasing due to their ability to reduce material consumption, to manufacture complex parts, and to produce out-of-equilibrium microstructures, which can be beneficial for mechanical behavior. IN718's properties are, however, very sensitive to microstructural features, which strongly depend on the manufacturing process and subsequent heat treatments. Additive manufacturing and, more specifically, Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) induces very high thermal gradients and anisotropic features due to its inherently directional nature, which largely defines the microstructure of the alloy. Hence, defining appropriate manufacturing parameters and heat treatments is critical to obtain appropriate mechanical behavior. This review aims to present the main microstructural features of IN718 produced by LPBF, the creep mechanisms taking place, the optimal microstructure for creep strength, and the most efficient heat treatments to yield such an optimized microstructure.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in children and adolescents younger than 19 years. An estimated 10 000 deaths are caused by this disease annually in this age group in Latin America and the Caribbean. In high-income countries, the survival of children and adolescents with neoplasms can reach 85%; however, in middle- and low-income countries, despite progress, survival rates are significantly lower (between 10% and 60%). Important inequities exist is survival from childhood cancer that need to be addressed through decisive actions from the health systems. This report describes the work of the ministries of health and the Secretariat of the Andean Health Organization (Organismo Andino de Salud - Convenio Hipólito Unánue (ORAS-CONHU)), to develop the Andean Cancer Prevention and Control Policy, with consideration given to childhood cancers. The policy was based on analysis of the cancer situation in the six Andean countries - Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) - between 2015 and 2020, and it was approved in 2022. An in-depth study is currently being carried out on the situation of childhood cancer in the Andean countries.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to worldwide health service disruptions, due mainly to insufficient staff availability. To gain insight into policy responses and engage with policy-makers, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed a global approach to assess and measure the impact of COVID-19 on the health workforce. As part of this, WHO, together with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), supported an impact analysis of COVID-19 on health workers and policy responses, through country case studies in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)., Methods: We sought to identify lessons learned from policies on human resources for health (HRH) during health emergencies, to improve HRH readiness. First, we performed a rapid literature review for information-gathering. Second, we used the WHO interim guidance and impact measurement framework for COVID-19 and HRH to systematically organize that information. Finally, we used the Health Labour Market Framework to guide the content analysis on COVID-19 response in eight LAC countries and identify lessons learned to improve HRH readiness., Results: Planning and implementing the COVID-19 response required strengthening HRH governance and HRH data and information systems. The results suggest two main aspects for HRH governance crucial to enabling an agile response: (1) aligning objectives among ministries to define and produce regulation and policy actions; and (2) agreeing on the strategy for HRH management between the public and private sectors, and between central and local governments. We identified three areas for improvement: (a) HRH information systems; (b) methodologies to estimate HRH needs; and (c) teams to analyse information for decision-making. Three key actions were identified during countries monitored, reviewed, and updated their response stages: (i) strengthening response through primary health care; (ii); planning HRH needs to implement the vaccination plan; and (iii) securing long-term HRH availability., Conclusion: Countries coordinated and articulated with different stakeholders to align objectives, allocate resources, and agree on policy actions to implement the COVID-19 response. Data and information for HRH preparedness and implementation were key in enabling an agile COVID-19 response and are key areas to explore for improved pandemic preparedness., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Tumor hypoxia and the hypoxia inducible factor-1, HIF-1, play critical roles in cancer progression and metastasis. We previously showed that hypoxia activates the endosomal GTPase Rab5, leading to tumor cell migration and invasion, and that these events do not involve changes in Rab protein expression, suggesting the participation of intermediate activators. Here, we identified ALS2, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor that is upregulated in cancer, as responsible for increased Rab5-GTP loading, cell migration and metastasis in hypoxia. Specifically, hypoxia augmented ALS2 mRNA and protein levels, and these events involved HIF-1α-dependent transcription, as shown by RNAi, pharmacological inhibition, chromatin immunoprecipitation and bioinformatics analyses, which identified a functional HIF-1α-binding site in the proximal promoter region of ALS2. Moreover, ALS2 and Rab5 activity were elevated both in a model of endogenous HIF-1α stabilization (renal cell carcinoma) and by following expression of stable non-hydroxylatable HIF-1α. Strikingly, ALS2 upregulation in hypoxia was required for Rab5 activation, tumor cell migration and invasion, as well as experimental metastasis in C57BL/6 mice. Finally, immunohistochemical analyses in patient biopsies with renal cell carcinoma showed that elevated HIF-1α correlates with increased ALS2 expression. Hence, this study identifies ALS2 as a novel hypoxia-inducible gene associated with tumor progression and metastasis.

The purinergic receptor P2X3 (P2X3-R) plays important roles in molecular pathways of pain, and reduction of its activity or expression effectively reduces chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain sensation. Inflammation, nerve injury, and cancer-induced pain can increase P2X3-R mRNA and/or protein levels in dorsal root ganglia (DRG). However, P2X3-R expression is unaltered or even reduced in other pain studies. The reasons for these discrepancies are unknown and might depend on the applied traumatic intervention or on intrinsic factors such as age, gender, genetic background, and/or epigenetics. In this study, we sought to get insights into the molecular mechanisms responsible for inflammatory hyperalgesia by determining P2X3-R expression in DRG neurons of juvenile male rats that received a Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) bilateral paw injection. We demonstrate that all CFA-treated rats showed inflammatory hyperalgesia, however, only a fraction (14-20%) displayed increased P2X3-R mRNA levels, reproducible across both sides. Immunostaining assays did not reveal significant increases in the percentage of P2X3-positive neurons, indicating that increased P2X3-R at DRG somas is not critical for inducing inflammatory hyperalgesia in CFA-treated rats. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays showed a correlated (R 2  = 0.671) enrichment of the transcription factor Runx1 and the epigenetic active mark histone H3 acetylation (H3Ac) at the P2X3-R gene promoter in a fraction of the CFA-treated rats. These results suggest that animal-specific increases in P2X3-R mRNA levels are likely associated with the genetic/epigenetic context of the P2X3-R locus that controls P2X3-R gene transcription by recruiting Runx1 and epigenetic co-regulators that mediate histone acetylation., (© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Introduction: Breast milk is essential for human development, but it may contain toxics derived from environmental pollution, especially in mining areas. Objective: To assess the prevalence of mercury contamination in breast milk and factors associated with its transfer to nursing mothers living in municipalities with gold mining. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 150 nursing mothers in four municipalities of Antioquia (El Bagre, Segovia, Remedios and Zaragoza) with a mining tradition. We surveyed these mothers to obtain information on their sociodemographic, occupational and environmental factors related to mercury, and we took breast milk, urine and hair samples. We calculated mercury level averages and the contamination prevalence per municipality. Results: Mercury average in breast milk was 2.5 (± standard deviation: 9.2) mg/L. The prevalence of mercury contamination in samples with a high level of mercury was 11.7%. Conclusion: This study shows that there is a serious problem of mercury contamination in gold mining regions of Antioquia, with significant involvement of the most vulnerable population.

Novel bone regeneration approaches aim to obtain immature osteoblasts from somatic stem cells. Umbilical cord Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) are an ideal source for cell therapy. Hence, the study of mechanisms involved in WJ-MSC osteoblastic differentiation is crucial to exploit their developmental capacity. Here, we have assessed epigenetic control of the Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) osteogenic master regulator gene in WJ-MSC. We present evidence indicating that modulation of RUNX2 expression through preventing Jumonji AT-rich interactive domain 1B (JARID1B) histone demethylase activity is relevant to enhance WJ-MSC osteoblastic potential. Hence, JARID1B loss of function in WJ-MSC results in increased RUNX2/p57 expression. Our data highlight JARID1B activity as a novel target to modulate WJ-MSC osteoblastic differentiation with potential applications in bone tissue engineering. Stem Cells 2017;35:2430-2441., (© 2017 AlphaMed Press.)

The ST2/IL33 signalling pathway has been associated with ulcerative colitis (UC). ST2, encoded by the IL1RL1 gene, is expressed as both a membrane-anchored receptor (ST2L) activated by IL33 and as a soluble receptor (sST2) with anti-inflammatory properties. In UC patients, sST2 is further increased by corticosteroid treatment; however, the glucocorticoid-mediated molecular regulation remains unknown. We therefore tested whether genetic variants in the IL1RL1 distal promoter are involved in UC and affect glucocorticoid-mediated ST2 expression. Serum ST2 levels and genetic variants in the IL1RL1 distal promoter were examined by ELISA and PCR sequencing in UC patients receiving corticosteroids. Glucocorticoid-mediated ST2 production was evaluated in intestinal mucosa cultures. Molecular regulation of glucocorticoid-mediated ST2 was assessed by RT-qPCR, ChIP assay and luciferase reporter assay. Dexamethasone effect on ST2 transcript expression was analyzed in leukocytes and related to IL1RL1 variants. Sequencing of a distal IL1RL1 promoter region demonstrated that SNPs rs6543115(C) and rs6543116(A) are associated with increased sST2 in UC patients on corticosteroids. Dexamethasone up-regulated sST2 transcription through interaction with the glucocorticoid-response element (GRE) carrying rs6543115(C) variant. Our data indicate that IL1RL1 SNPs rs6543115(C) confer susceptibility to UC and is contained in the GRE, which may modulate glucocorticoid-induced sST2 expression.

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers are one disabling complication of diabetes mellitus. Pirfenidone (PFD) is a potent modulator of extracellular matrix. Modified diallyl disulfide oxide (M-DDO) is an antimicrobial and antiseptic agent., Aim: To evaluate efficacy of topical PFD + M-DDO in a randomized, double-blind trial versus ketanserin in the treatment of noninfected chronic DFU., Methods: Patients received PFD + M-DDO or ketanserin for 6 months. Relative ulcer volume (RUV) was measured every month; biopsies were taken at baseline and months 1 and 2 for histopathology and gene expression analysis for COL-1 α , COL-4, KGF, VEGF, ACTA2 ( α -SMA), elastin, fibronectin, TGF- β 1, TGF- β 3, HIF-1 α , and HIF-1 β ., Results: Reduction of median RUV in the PFD + M-DDO group was 62%, 89.8%, and 99.7% at months 1-3 and 100% from months 4 to 6. Ketanserin reduced RUV in 38.4%, 56%, 60.8%, 94%, 94.8%, and 100% from the first to the sixth month, respectively. Healing score improved 4.5 points with PFD + M-DDO and 1.5 points with ketanserin compared to basal value. Histology analysis revealed few inflammatory cells and organized/ordered collagen fiber bundles in PFD + M-DDO. Expression of most genes was increased with PFD + M-DDO; 43.8% of ulcers were resolved using PFD + M-DDO and 23.5% with ketanserin., Conclusion: PFD + M-DDO was more effective than ketanserin in RUV reduction.

Introduction: The airport of Bogotá lies within the city and its expansion could produce an increase in adverse effects on the health of the inhabitants of Fontibón and Engativá districts due to the noise it generates., Objective: To determine the prevalence of sleep disturbances and associated factors among residents of Fontibón exposed to this noise., Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used, involving a sample of 205 people aged 18 to 65, selected by means of stratified random sampling. Sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Descriptive statistics were carried out, as well as correlation tests between the different scales., Results: A total of 60% of the residents reported poor quality sleep (PSQI>5), with a mean PSQI of 7.19 (SD=3.931), and the following pathological interruptions were found: subjective sleep quality, 27%; sleep latency, 39%; sleep duration, 33%; habitual sleep efficiency, 37%; sleep alterations, 30%; diurnal dysfunction, 40%, and use of sleeping medication, 5%. According to the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS>10), 28% of residents reported daytime somnolence. Regarding the prevalence of poor quality sleep according to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, 17% of those who reported not being able to sleep because of noise associated this with air traffic. A correlation was observed between the index and the scale ( r =0.329, CI 95%: 0.20-0.44)., Conclusions: Inhabitants of the district reported poor sleep quality due to exposure to noise, airport operations being one of the main generating sources. Noise mitigation strategies in the district need to be reviewed and the public health implications of the El Dorado Airport expansion should be considered.

The acquisition of distinct neuronal fates is fundamental for the function of the cerebral cortex. We find that the development of subcerebral projections from layer 5 neurons in the mouse neocortex depends on the high levels of expression of the transcription factor CTIP1; CTIP1 is coexpressed with CTIP2 in neurons that project to subcerebral targets and with SATB2 in those that project to the contralateral cortex. CTIP1 directly represses Tbr1 in layer 5, which appears as a critical step for the acquisition of the subcerebral fate. In contrast, lower levels of CTIP1 in layer 6 are required for TBR1 expression, which directs the corticothalamic fate. CTIP1 does not appear to play a critical role in the acquisition of the callosal projection fate in layer 5. These findings unravel a key step in the acquisition of cell fate for closely related corticofugal neurons and indicate that differential dosages of transcriptions factors are critical to specify different neuronal identities., (Copyright © 2015 the authors 0270-6474/15/357552-13$15.00/0.)

Prenatal stress causes predisposition to cognitive and emotional disturbances and is a risk factor towards the development of neuropsychiatric conditions like depression, bipolar disorders and schizophrenia. The extracellular protein Reelin, expressed by Cajal-Retzius cells during cortical development, plays critical roles on cortical lamination and synaptic maturation, and its deregulation has been associated with maladaptive conditions. In the present study, we address the effect of prenatal restraint stress (PNS) upon Reelin expression and signaling in pregnant rats during the last 10 days of pregnancy. Animals from one group, including control and PNS exposed fetuses, were sacrificed and analyzed using immunohistochemical, biochemical, cell biology and molecular biology approaches. We scored changes in the expression of Reelin, its signaling pathway and in the methylation of its promoter. A second group included control and PNS exposed animals maintained until young adulthood for behavioral studies. Using the optical dissector, we show decreased numbers of Reelin-positive neurons in cortical layer I of PNS exposed animals. In addition, neurons from PNS exposed animals display decreased Reelin expression that is paralleled by changes in components of the Reelin-signaling cascade, both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, PNS induced changes in the DNA methylation levels of the Reelin promoter in culture and in histological samples. PNS adult rats display excessive spontaneous locomotor activity, high anxiety levels and problems of learning and memory consolidation. No significant visuo-spatial memory impairment was detected on the Morris water maze. These results highlight the effects of prenatal stress on the Cajal-Retzius neuronal population, and the persistence of behavioral consequences using this treatment in adults, thereby supporting a relevant role of PNS in the genesis of neuropsychiatric diseases. We also propose an in vitro model that can yield new insights on the molecular mechanisms behind the effects of prenatal stress.

Nanocomposites based on biopolymers have been recognised as potential materials for the development of new ecofriendly food packaging. In addition, if these materials incorporate active substances in their structure, the potential applications are much higher. Therefore, this work was oriented to develop nanocomposites with antimicrobial activity based on cellulose acetate (CA), a commercial organoclay Cloisite30B (C30B), thymol (T) as natural antimicrobial component and tri-ethyl citrate (TEC) as plasticiser. Nanocomposites were prepared by a solvent casting method and consisted of 5% (w/w) of C30B, 5% (w/w) of TEC and variable content of T (0%, 0.5% and 2% w/w). To evaluate the effect of C30B into the CA matrix, CA films without this organoclay but with T were also prepared. All nanocomposites showed the intercalation of CA into the organoclay structure; furthermore this intercalation was favoured when 2% (w/w) of T was added to the nanocomposite. In spite of the observed intercalation, the presence of C30B inside the CA matrices increased the opacity of the films significantly. On the other hand, T showed a plasticiser effect on the thermal properties of CA nanocomposites decreasing glass transition, melting temperature and melting enthalpy. The presence of T in CA nanocomposites also allowed the control de Listeria innocua growth when these materials were placed in contact with this Gram-positive bacterium. Interestingly, antimicrobial activity was increased with the presence of C30B. Finally, studies on T release showed that the clay structure inside the CA matrix did not affect its release rate; however, this nanofiller affected the partition coefficient KP/FS which was higher to CA nanocomposites films than in CA films without organoclay. The results obtained in the present study are really promising to be applied in the manufacture of food packaging materials.

There are several etiologies of abdominal pain during pregnancy, including an extremely rare: the intestinal volvulus. Have been reported about 78 cases in the literature of intestinal volvulus complicating pregnancy, we reported this case occurred in our hospital and to assess the difficult diagnosis of intestinal volvulus in pregnancy.

To help assess the causes and frequency of acute respiratory illnesses (ARI) during the first 18 months of life in Chile, a cohort of 437 children born in good health between May 1991 and April 1992 was followed at an urban health clinic in northern Santiago. Information was obtained from medical checkups performed at the clinic, from emergency health care services, from private physicians, and from interviews with each child's mother when the child was enrolled in the study and when it was 6, 12, and 18 months old. Followup was completed for 379 (87%) of the children. ARI accounted for 67% of all 3762 episodes of illness recorded for these children in the 18-month study period, 1384 (55%) of the ARI episodes affecting the upper respiratory tract and the remaining 1144 (45%) affecting the lower. The overall rate of ARI observed was 33 episodes per 100 child-months of observation. The incidences of upper, lower, and total ARI episodes decreased significantly in the third six months of life. A statistically significant association was found between upper ARI (> or = 2 episodes) and maternal smoking (> or = 5 cigarettes per day), but no significant associations were found with any of the other risk factors studied. However, lower ARI (> or 2 episodes) was significantly associated with maternal schooling (< 8 years), a family history of atopic allergy, and substandard housing conditions; and lower ARI (> or = 4 episodes) was significantly associated with these factors and also with the existence of one or more siblings, birth in a cold season, limited breast-feeding (< 4 months), and low socioeconomic status. Significant associations were found between obstructive bronchitis episodes and most of the risk factors studied (gender, siblings, season of birth, duration of breast-feeding, maternal schooling, smoking, use of polluting fuels in the home, and a family history of atopic allergy); similarly, significant associations were found between the occurrence of pneumonia and many risk factors (including siblings, season of birth, duration of breast-feeding, maternal schooling, smoking, and socioeconomic level). Overall, 42 of the study children were hospitalized during the study period for lower tract ARI, and two children died of pneumonia at home during their first 6 months of life. The rate of hospitalization fell significantly with increasing age.

Background: Each year, pneumonia is the cause of death of forty thousand children under four years of age in America., Aim: To follow children from birth until two years of age and record episodes of pneumonia, their features and associated factors., Patients and Methods: Four hundred thirty seven healthy newborns were followed in a public out patient clinic of Northern Santiago until two years of age. Pneumonia was diagnosed using clinical or radiological criteria. The mothers of each child were interviewed in each follow up visit., Results: Two hundred ten episodes of pneumonia were detected during the study, 0.6 episodes per child and 1.8 episodes per affected child. Sixty six percent of episodes occurred during the first year of age. Total prevalence was 22.4 and 14.3% during the first and second year of age respectively. Semi annual incidence was 13.8 and 5.5% during the first and fourth semester respectively. Children that had pneumonia, were male in a higher proportion, had a lower birth weight, had higher number of brothers, mothers with less that 8 years of school courses and a lower socioeconomic level. During the first year of life, breast feeding during less than four months and a birth date during spring and summer were associated with a higher incidence of pneumonia. Seventy seven episodes, that occurred in 48 children, required hospitalization. The hospitalization rate for the whole cohort was 13.4% percent and 41.2% for affected children. Mean hospital stay was 5.8 days. Risk factors for hospitalization were male sex, less than four months of breast feeding, low birth weight, to have brothers, a lower mother education and lower socioeconomic level. Two children died., Conclusions: One out of three healthy newborns had pneumonia during the first year of life and a low socioeconomic level was an important risk factor.

Unlabelled: Clinical utility of the Overload Test with 50 g. of Oral Glucose (PSG) is evaluated, in 513 pregnancies with risk factors for diabetes. Of the 933 PSG which were made, 13.7% were positive (limit value: plasma glucose of much less than 150 mg/dl at 1 hour); the test were made after 20 weeks of gestation in 82.8% of the cases. Of the 128 positive PSG, 73 positive Oral Glucose Tolerance Test were obtained (O'Sullivan criteria). The prevalence of gestational diabetes found in this group was 15.2%. There was no difference on the most frequent risk factors (family history, obesity and macrosomia) between the general population in the study and the group of Gestational diabetes., Conclusion: PSG, because of its easy application, low cost and excellent tolerance is a test which should be included among the prenatal routine test as screening for gestational diabetes in our media.

Ninety-four patients with typhoid fever were treated, at random, with three therapeutic regimens: chloramphenicol alone, chloramphenicol plus oxyphenbutazone, and ampicillin plus oxyphenbutazone. The results are evaluated analyzing the body temperature graph and by serial blood had bone marrow cultures taken at intervals until they became negative. Bacteriologic diagnosis was confirmed by blood culture (39.3%) and/or bone marrow culture (77%). The mean duration of fever was 3.3 days for the group treated with chloramphenicol-oxyphenbutazone, 4.3 for those with chloramphenicol alone and 5 days for the group ampicillin-oxyphenbutazone; at the same time, blood cultures became negative at 4.4, 5.5 and 4.4 days respectively. Negativization of bone marrow cultures was not influenced by the addition of oxyphenbutazone. It is concluded that the influence of oxyphenbutazone in shortening the febrile period or in the negativization of blood cultures is not significant. It is considered that oxyphenbutazone is not an important therapeutic tool in this group of diseases.