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Phytochelatins (PCs) are peptides that play an important role in homeostasis and detoxification of heavy metal in plants. Furthermore, they have been proposed as earlier potential biomarkers of aquatic pollution by heavy metals. Nowadays, several researchers have reported on current methods for quantification of glutathione (GSH) and the PCs (phytochelatin 2, phytochelatin 3, phytochelatin 4) quantification in plants. However, no method has reported the uncertainty of the measurement, which helps to improve the accuracy and quality assurance in the PC quantification. In this work, a new methodology using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) to measure with high precision and accuracy the PCs in aquatic plants, was validated. Selectivity, linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision, trueness and uncertainty estimation were examined as parts of the method validation. The described method shows excellent linearity in different ranges for all analytes with coefficients of determination higher than 0.99. The relative standard deviation for intra-day precision was <3% and for inter-day <10%. All LOD and LOQ analytes ranged from 0.02 to 0.08 µg ml-1, and from 0.03 to 0.09 µg ml-1, respectively. The recoveries varied from 61% to 89%. In order to obtain an interval of results with the highest confidence levels, the uncertainty associated with the measurements was evaluated. The calibration curve (>50%) and recovery (19-44%) were the most important contributors to the total uncertainty. The proposed method was applied to quantify GSH and PCs in the aquatic plants Lemna gibba L., Myriophyllum heterophyllum Michx., Arenaria paludicola and Hydrocotyle ranunculoides L. fil., showing statistical differences in the mass fraction of the analytes.

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Background: Severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to COVID-19 is a challenge for nowadays medical practice. Although there is no clarity in the principal mechanism of lung damage and ARDS development, it has been suggested that one of the main reasons of this pathology is the hyperactivation of the immune system, better known as cytokine storm syndrome. Tocilizumab has been proposed to treat COVID-19 severe cases associated to ARDS. Results & methodology: Here we present two successful cases of tocilizumab administration in two COVID-19 patients with prior administration of antiviral therapy (hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, lopinavir and ritonavir) with adequate response and resolution of ARDS, septic shock and severe pneumonia within the first 72 h. Discussion & conclusion: This case supports the usage of tocilizumab as an effective therapy in COVID-19 associated cytokine storm syndrome. Further studies should be done in order to assess its effectiveness and security.

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Resumen: La enfermedad de Creutzfeldt-Jakob (ECJ) es una patología neurodegenerativa transmisible, producida por una proteína anómala infectante denominada prion. Junto con el kuru, el insomnio familiar fatal y el síndrome de Gerstmann-Stráussler-Scheinker, configura el grupo de las llamadas encefalopatías espongiformes. La ECJ es la forma más común en el ser humano: se calcula que afecta a una persona por cada millón, a nivel mundial, y la mayoría de los pacientes presenta síntomas clásicos de demencia y mioclonías, asociadas a cambios específicos en el electroencefalograma (EEG). Conforme la enfermedad progresa, el cuadro demencial empeora y pueden presentarse síntomas visuales, cerebelosos, piramidales y extrapiramidales. El diagnóstico definitivo se logra demostrando la degeneración espongiforme de las neuronas en histopatología. La ECJ siempre es mortal y no tiene tratamiento específico: cerca del 90% de los pacientes fallece dentro del primer año después del diagnóstico. En este artículo, se reporta el caso de un paciente con ECJ esporádica probable, de acuerdo con los criterios diagnósticos actuales de la OMS y se da a conocer una revisión de la literatura.

Abstract: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a transmissible neurodegenerative pathology produced by an infecting abnormal protein called prion. Together with kuru, fatal familial insomnia, and Gerstmann-Stráussler-Scheinker syndrome, it forms the group of so-called spongiform encephalopathies. CJD is the most common form in humans: it is estimated to affect one person per million worldwide and most patients have classic symptoms of dementia and myoclonus, associated with specific changes in the electroencephalogram (EEG). As the disease progresses, the dementia condition worsens and visual, cerebellar, pyramidal, and extrapyramidal symptoms may develop. The final diagnosis is achieved by proving the spongiform degeneration of neurons in the histopathology. CJD is always fatal and has no specific treatment: about 90 % of patients die within the first year of diagnosis. This article reports the case of a patient with probable sporadic CJD, following current who diagnostic criteria, and provides a literature review.

Resumo: A doença de Creutzfeldt-Jakob (DCJ) é uma doença patologia neurodegenerativa transmissível, produzida por uma proteína anormal infectante denominada prion. Juntamente com o kuru, a Insónia familiar fatal e a síndrome de Gerstmann-Stráussler-Scheinker, forma o grupo das chamadas encefalopatias espongiformes. A DCJ é a forma mais comum em humanos: estima-se que ela afete uma em cada um milhão de pessoas em todo o mundo, e a maioria dos pacientes apresenta sintomas clássicos de demência e mioclonia, associados a alterações específicas no eletroencefalograma (EEG). À medida que a doença progride, o quadro de demência piora e podem surgir sintomas visuais, ce-rebelares, piramidais e extrapiramidais. O diagnóstico definitivo é obtido por meio da demonstração da degeneração espongiforme dos neurónios na histopatologia. A dcj é sempre fatal e não possui tratamento específico: cerca de 90% dos pacientes morrem no primeiro ano após o diagnóstico. Neste artigo, é relatado o caso de um paciente com dcj esporádica provável, de acordo com os atuais critérios de diagnóstico da oms, e é apresentada uma revisão da literatura.

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Abstract Although histoplasmosis is generally a self-limited disease, disseminated infection can occur in patients lacking effective cell-mediated immunity, reaching virtually every organ, even the genitourinary tract in rare cases. We report a case of epididymo-orchitis in an immunocompetent 38-year-old bricklayer from the rural area of Villeta, Cundinamarca, Colombia. The patient presented with testicular pain and macroscopic scrotal changes requiring a left orchiectomy, with microbiological isolation and molecular confirmation of Histoplasma capsulatum.

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Although histoplasmosis is generally a self-limited disease, disseminated infection can occur in patients lacking effective cell-mediated immunity, reaching virtually every organ, even the genitourinary tract in rare cases. We report a case of epididymo-orchitis in an immunocompetent 38-year-old bricklayer from the rural area of Villeta, Cundinamarca, Colombia. The patient presented with testicular pain and macroscopic scrotal changes requiring a left orchiectomy, with microbiological isolation and molecular confirmation of Histoplasma capsulatum.

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To estimate the costs and effectiveness measured in quality-adjusted life years (QALY) of kidney transplantation compared with dialysis in adults suffering from end-stage renal disease from the perspective of the Colombian healthcare system, we designed a Markov model with monthly cycles over a five-year time horizon and eight transitional states, including death as an absorbing state. Transition probabilities were obtained from international registries, costs from different local sources [case studies, official tariffs (ISS 2001 + 35%) for procedures and SISMED for medications]. Data were validated by an expert panel and we performed univariate, multivariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Effectiveness indicators were months of life gained, months of dialysis averted and deaths prevented. The annual discount rate was 3% and the cost-utility threshold (willingness to pay) was three times gross domestic product (GDP) = USD 20,000 per QALY. The costs were adopted in US dollars (USD) using the 2012 average exchange rate (1 USD = COP$ 1798). The discounted average total cost for five years was USD 76,718 for transplantation and USD 76,891 for dialysis, with utilities 2.98 and 2.10 QALY, respectively. Additionally, renal transplantation represented 6.9 months gained, 35 months in dialysis averted per patient and one death averted for each of the five patients transplanted in five years. We conclude that renal transplantation improves the overall survival rates and quality of life and is a cost-saving alternative compared with dialysis.

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Objetivo: Determinar cuáles son los desenlaces clínicos empleados en los estudios fase III de tratamiento de neoplasias hematoncológicas y qué proporción de ellos emplean supervivencia global como desenlace primario. Método: Mediante una búsqueda en Pubmed, analizar todos los experimentos clínicos aleatorios publicados en los últimos 10 años, de tratamientos de novo, en población adulta. Resultados: La búsqueda inicial arrojó 310 referencias, entre las que se seleccionaron 90 estudios clínicos. La enfermedad más estudiada fue mieloma múltiple, con 29 estudios, seguida de linfoma no Hodgkin, con 26. Las otras fueron: leucemia mieloide aguda (12), leucemia linfocítica crónica (10), leucemia mieloide crónica (8), síndromes mielodisplásicos (3) y linfoma de Hodgkin (2). En 20 estudios (22%) se empleó la supervivencia global como desenlace primario (en solo 3 de ellos alcanzó significación estadística), en 37 más (41%) se agrupó con otros desenlaces para conformar un desenlace compuesto. En 55 estudios (61%) la supervivencia global fue un desenlace secundario. Conclusiones: Aunque la supervivencia global es el estándar de oro en terapia oncológica, los desenlaces agrupados u otros, como tiempo libre de enfermedad o indicadores paraclínicos de actividad de la enfermedad, son más empleados, quizá por ser buenos predictores y requerir muestras y seguimientos menores. Su capacidad para predecir supervivencia global (en algunos casos calidad de vida) debe ser validada. Solo en las formas más agresivas de cáncer se justifica usar de rutina la supervivencia global como el desenlace primario.

Objective: To describe the clinical outcomes used in phase III studies in Hematology-Oncology malignancies, and to determine what proportion use overall survival as the primary outcome. Methods: Using a systematic literature search in PubMed, an analysis was made of phaseIII randomized clinical trials with de novo treatments of hematology-oncological neoplasias in adult populations published in the last 10 years. Results: The initial search yielded 310 references, 90 of which were finally selected. The overall survival rate was used in 20 studies (22%) as the primary outcome (in 3 of them it reached statistical significance). Grouped intermediate outcomes were used in 37 others (41%). As a secondary outcome the overall survival rate was used in 55 studies (61%). Among the intermediate outcomes used were, response rates, disease-free or relapse-free survival rates, and progression-free survival rate. Multiple myeloma was the most studied disease, with 29 studies (32%), followed by non-Hodgkin lymphoma (28%). Conclusions: Although overall survival rate is the gold standard in cancer therapy, it is not the most often used outcome. Intermediate outcomes, such as disease-free survival or biomarkers are often good predictors, and require smaller samples and less follow-up time. Nevertheless, their predictive capacity for overall survival rate (or, in some cases, quality of life) should also be assessed. The use of the overall survival rate as the routine primary outcome is only justified in the most aggressive forms of cancer.

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Objetivo. Estimar los costos totales y los componentes del costo de la atención hospitalaria en una serie de pacientes con infarto cerebral agudo (ICA) de gran vaso tratados en el Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, comparando aquellos con y sin fibrilación auricular (FA). Materiales y métodos. Se recogió una muestra secuencial de pacientes mayores de 50 años entre diciembre de 2010 y marzo de 2013. Para un análisis separado, se realizó un pareamiento por edad y NIHSS de ingreso en proporción 1:1 de pacientes con y sin FA. A todos los pacientes se les registró: edad, sexo, NIHSS de ingreso y egreso, Rankin modificado, y puntaje de CHAD2S2 VASC. En cada paciente se cuantificó el uso de recursos intrahospitalarios así como el costo total de la atención durante el evento agudo, calculado en pesos colombianos. Resultados. Se recogió información de 166 pacientes (125 sin y 41 con FA). El costo total promedio de la atención fue de $8.635.419 (DE $12.929.905). Este valor fue de $10.341.065 (DE $15.130.716) para los pacientes con FA y $8.056.718 (DE $12.114.840) para los pacientes sin FA. Conclusiones. A pesar de un costo de tratamiento mayor en pacientes con FA, que son de mayor edad y tienen infartos cerebrales más severos, la diferencia no fue estadísticamente significativa cuando se ajustó por edad y por severidad del compromiso neurológico.

Objective. To estimate the total costs and resource use of hospital care in a series of patients with large vessel ischemic stroke treated at the Hospital Universitario San Ignacio. Material and methods. Prospective convenience sample of all patients 50 years of age or older admitted between December 2010 and March 2013 diagnosed with ischemic stroke. Patients with and without atrial fibrillation (AF) were compared. The following variables were measured: age, sex, admission and discharge NIHSS, modified Rankin, and CHA2DS2 VASC score. We also quantified inpatient resource use and total cost of care during the acute event. Results. We analyzed 166 patients, 125 without non-valvular AF and 41 with non-valvular AF. For a separate analysis, we matched patients with and without AF (37 per group) by age and initial NIHSS, in a 1:1 ratio. The average total cost of care in Colombian pesos (as of February 2012, 1 US$= COP$1,805) for all stroke patients was $8,635,419 (SD $12,929,905). This value was $10,341,065 (SD $15,130,716) for patients with AF and $8,056,718 (SD $12,114,840) for patients without AF. Conclusions. Despite higher treatment cost in patients with AF, these are older and severe strokes. The difference is reduced and does not reach statistical significance, when adjusted for age and stroke severity.

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INTRODUCTION: Our aim was to evaluate the impact of hyperproteic hypocaloric enteral feeding on clinical outcomes in critically ill patients, particularly on severity of organic failure measured with the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a double blind clinical trial, 80 critically ill adult patients were randomized to hyperproteic hypocaloric or to isocaloric enteral nutrition; all patients completed follow-up of at least 4 days. Prescribed caloric intake was: Hyperproteic hypocaloric enteral nutrition (15 kcal/kg with 1.7 g/kg of protein) or isocaloric enteral nutrition (25 kcal/kg with 20% of the calories as protein). The main outcome was the differences in delta SOFA at 48 h. Secondary outcomes were intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, days on ventilator, hyperglycemic events, and insulin requirements. RESULTS: There were no differences in SOFA score at baseline (7.5 (standard deviation (SD) 2.9) vs 6.7 (SD 2.5) P = 0.17). The total amount of calories delivered was similarly low in both groups (12 kcal/kg in intervention group vs 14 kcal/kg in controls), but proteic delivery was significantly different (1.4 vs 0.76 g/kg, respectively P ≤ 0.0001). The intervention group showed an improvement in SOFA score at 48 h (delta SOFA 1.7 (SD 1.9) vs 0.7 (SD 2.8) P = 0.04) and less hyperglycemic episodes per day (1.0 (SD 1.3) vs 1.7 (SD 2.5) P = 0.017). DISCUSSION: Enteral hyperproteic hypocaloric nutrition therapy could be associated with a decrease in multiple organ failure measured with SOFA score. We also found decreased hyperglycemia and a trend towards less mechanical ventilation days and ICU length of stay.

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The elimination of organic contaminants in highly complex wastewater was tested using a combination of the techniques: electrocoagulation with aluminum electrodes and phytoremediation with Myriophyllum aquaticum. Under optimal operating conditions at a pH of 8 and a current density of 45.45 A m(-2), the electrochemical method produces partial elimination of contaminants, which was improved using phytoremediation as a polishing technique. The combined treatment reduced chemical oxygen demand (COD) by 91%, color by 97% and turbidity by 98%. Initial and final values of contaminants in wastewaters were monitored using UV-vis spectrometry and cyclic voltammetry. Finally, the morphology and the elemental composition of the biomass were characterized with using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS). The presence of Al in the roots of plants in the system indicates that the aluminum present in the test solution could be absorbed.

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