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INTRODUCTION: Hypertension (HTN) is the leading cause of mortality and disability in the world. In Argentina, almost 44% of hypertensives do not know about their condition and this may be due to the low rate of blood pressure (BP) measurements during the office visit. Our hypothesis is that the measurement and electronic recording of BP (BPMR) is not a routine practice in Argentina. OBJECTIVE: To describe the rate of office BP measurement in Argentina. METHODS: This is a retrospective, multicentre, point prevalence study. We analysed all office visits on 9/19/2019 at 9 medical institutions in 6 provinces of Argentina. RESULTS: Two thousand and eighty-two office visits were analysed. The patients' mean age was 52.1 years (18-103), 1790 (59.7%) were female, and 702 (36.1%) were hypertensives. BP was measured in 420 visits (14.1%; 95% CI 12.8-15.4). In a multivariate logistic regression model, history of HTN (OR 1.91, P<.001) and previous cardiovascular event (OR 1.76, P<.001) were associated with more odds of BPMR. The presence of cancer was associated with fewer odds of BPMR (OR .51, P<.01). Cardiology measured BP up to 49.5% (144/291 visits), followed by internal medicine 30% (152/507 visits). CONCLUSION: BPMR during office visits is deficient in Argentina and represents a missed healthcare opportunity. Different strategies are needed to detect hypertensive patients and reduce cardiovascular events.

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Resumen El uso de escalas de predicción clínica puede incrementar la detección temprana de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC). Su rendimiento en población latinoamericana ha sido pobremente estudiado. Nuestro objetivo fue determinar la validez y reproducibilidad del cuestionario PUMA, como herramienta de tamización en atención primaria en población colombiana, mediante un estudio tipo corte transversal; donde se establecieron las características operativas del cuestionario, área bajo la curva de características operativas del receptor (ACOR) y el mejor punto de corte para esta población. 1.980 sujetos fueron incluidos en el análisis. La prevalencia de EPOC correspondió a 18,9%. La capacidad discriminatoria del cuestionario fue de 0,69 (IC95%: 0,66-0,72), para un punto de corte óptimo mayor de 5, con una sensibilidad del 60%, especificidad 66% y un valor predictivo negativo de 88%. La escala PUMA para tamizaje de pacientes en riesgo de EPOC tiene una capacidad discriminatoria moderada y una excelente reproducibilidad en la población estudiada.

The use of clinical prediction scales may increase the early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The performance characteristics of these scales in the Latin American population is poorly studied. We aimed to evaluate validity and reproducibility of PUMA questionnaire as a screening tool in primary care in a Colombian population. A cross-sectional study was performed. Operational characteristics of the questionnaire, the area under the received operator curve (AUROC), and the best cut-off point of the score were calculated. 1,980 individuals were included in this analysis. Prevalence of COPD was 18.9%. AUROC of the questionary was 0.69 (CI95%: 0.66-0.72), with an optimal cut-off point greater than 5 (sensitivity 60%, specificity 66%); predictive negative value was 88%. PUMA's scale for the screening of patients at risk of COPD has a moderate accuracy and an excellent reproducibility in the studied population.

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Soil radon gas movement depends on soil geology, environmental thermodynamic parameters and, micro-seismic telluric activity. Mapping radon time dependent concentration at the relaxation depth in a selected area, provide transport direction in a seismically high-risk region. Nuclear track methodology is employed to determine main gradient vector for radon transport. Applying the gradient definition, a "radon rose" graph is constructed from which prone area can be promptly identified. Results show that short time interval, Rn-transport direction may change unpredictably, however, the length of each "spoke" around the circle provides information on the soil Rn-gas probable shifts towards or from a direction per time interval. The new graph is a novelty and provide improved approach for environmental protection and radon dosimetry.

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Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) distribution is bounded to a subtropical area in Argentina, while Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) covers both temperate and subtropical regions. We assessed thermal and photoperiod conditions on dormancy status, development time and mortality for these species from subtropical Argentina. Short days (8 light : 16 dark) significantly increased larval development time for both species, an effect previously linked to diapause incidence. Aedes albopictus showed higher mortality than Ae. aegypti at 16 °C under long day treatments (16 light : 8 dark), which could indicate a lower tolerance to a sudden temperature decrease during the summer season. Aedes albopictus showed a slightly higher percentage of dormant eggs from females exposed to a short day, relative to previous research in Brazilian populations. Since we employed more hours of darkness, this could suggest a relationship between day-length and dormancy intensity. Interestingly, local Ae. aegypti presented dormancy similar to Ae. albopictus, in accordance with temperate populations. The minimum dormancy in Ae. albopictus would not be sufficient to extend its bounded distribution. We believe that these findings represent a novel contribution to current knowledge about the ecophysiology of Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti, two species with great epidemiological relevance in this subtropical region.

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RESUMEN El higroma quístico es la malformación del sistema linfático que más frecuentemente se observa en el período prenatal y que se ubica principalmente en el cuello y/o la nuca. Su tasa de detección ha aumentado desde la implementación de la translucencia nucal fetal (TN) en el primer trimestre de embarazo, y su presencia se ha relacionado con anomalías congénitas, aneuploidías, pérdida del embarazo y trastornos en el desarrollo. El objetivo de la presentación de este caso es resaltar la importancia del diagnóstico antenatal del higroma quístico, con el fin de realizar una intervención precoz y evitar la muerte fetal. Se recibe para estudio anatomopatológico, feto de sexo indeterminado producto del primer embarazo de una madre de 19 años de edad sin previos controles prenatales, con presencia de una gran masa quística que se extiende desde el rostro hasta la nuca. Mediante el estudio histológico se confirma el diagnóstico de higroma quístico. Al carecer de análisis de cariotipo no fue posible establecer la preexistencia de alguna anomalía genética. El también conocido como linfangioma quístico, es un tumor vascular benigno cuyo diagnóstico antenatal mediante la ultrasonografía resulta fundamental en la evolución y pronóstico de la enfermedad. Desafortunadamente en nuestro caso, la falta de controles prenatales y la ausencia de estudios ultrasonográficos que permitieran conocer las características de este linfangioma, pudo impactar significativamente en el desenlace fatal.

ABSTRACT The cystic hygroma is the malformation of the lymphatic system that is most frequently observed in the prenatal period and is located mainly in the neck and/or the nape of the neck. Its detection rate has increased since the implementation of fetal nuchal translucency (NT) in the first trimester of pregnancy and its presence has been associated with congenital abnormalities, aneuploidies, pregnancy loss, and developmental disorders. The aim of this case is to highlight the importance of antenatal diagnosis of cystic hygroma in order to perform early intervention and avoid fetal death. It is received, for anatomopathological study, a fetus of undetermined sex product of the first pregnancy of a 19 year-old mother without previous prenatal controls, with the presence of a large cystic mass that extends from the face to the neck. The histological study confirms the diagnosis of cystic hygroma. As there was no karyotype analysis, it was not possible to establish the preexistence of any genetic abnormality. Also known as cystic lymphangioma, is a benign vascular tumor whose antenatal diagnosis by ultrasonography is essential in the evolution and prognosis of the disease. Unfortunately in our case, the lack of prenatal controls and the absence of ultrasonographic studies that would allow knowing the characteristics of this lymphangioma, could significantly impact in the fatal outcome.

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This paper presents three new materials composed of TiXV0,035XCuX-1,035 (X = 2, 4 and 6%), is proposed as Linear Accelerator target. Its response to electron beam based on photoneutron production, is assessed by MC simulation and nuclear track-etch methodology. The outcome is compared to a tungsten target irradiated by energetic 16 MeV electron beam. Photoneutron yield, of two energy groups (thermal and epithermal) were determined via converter matter 10B (98%) and Cd-filter by PADC-track density comparison. The multi-metal Ti2V0,07Cu97.93 target related to therapy beam quality, resulted advantageous in comparison to that provided by W-target, commonly used in the LINAC.

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In this work, the seasonal variation of the concentration of radon in soil and its contribution to concentrations inside of a bunker used for the storage and operation of radioactive material was studied. The measurements obtained inside and outside of the installation allowed establish a method for the calculation of the diffusion coefficient for the concrete, variable that directly influences the concentration of radon gas inside of the bunker. With the obtained results of the gamma dose rate and the concentration of radon inside the bunker, the S-index was calculated in order to determine whether the bunker would require some remediation process. The high radon gas concentration rates to which workers are exposed led to study the relative risk of contracting lung cancer (RRLC).

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Inhaled radon and its progenies induce health concern due to high activity-concentration in selected thermal spas of Boyacá region. Hydrogeothermal water sources in a high risk seismic area, are studied to determine by water bubbling method radon concentration values; their occurrence is between few hundreds and 2000 Bq dm-3. Deposits, existing in this area, reach at the surface soil gas radon concentration up to 210 kBq m-3. Maintenance workers, health tourists and visitor's possible detrimental health effects, are discussed in relation to radon balneotherapy beneficial aspects.

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The biological processes on mosquito could be variable in response to local climatic characteristics. The thermal effects on time and the rate larval development, immature survival and adult size in local populations of Ochlerotatus albifasciatus (Macquart) (Diptera: Culicidae) from cold (Sarmiento) and temperate (Buenos Aires) regions from Argentina were evaluated. This species affects livestock production and human health. Larvae of both regions were placed in breeding thermal baths (11-32 °C range). Development and survival were recorded daily until adult emergence. The development temperature threshold and thermal constant for Sarmiento (4.59 ± 3.08 °C, 204.08 ± 7.83 degree days) was lower and higher than Buenos Aires, respectively (8.06 ± 1.81 °C, 149.25 ± 2.6 degree days). At cold temperatures (11-16 °C), Sarmiento larvae demonstrated 5 days faster development and higher survival (56%) than Buenos Aires (15%), whereas at warm temperatures (20-32 °C) were up to 2 days slower and similar survival (16% vs. 18%). The size did not show differences between populations. An Ochlerotatus albifasciatus population seems to present local thermal responses. The favourable temperature for survival and rate of development would vary within a cold or warm range, and these differential responses would explain the wide geographical distribution in different climatic regions of southern South America.

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En este estudio se realizó la validación de los métodos establecidos por la UNODC para la cuantificación y extracción de benzometilecgonina (cocaína) presente en las hojas de Erythhroxylum coca, en té de coca y en clorhidrato de cocaína. El primer método de extracción, recomendado por la UNODC, es una extracción solido-líquido (ESL), sin embargo, los resultados obtenidos indican que esta no es lo suficientemente eficiente para lograr una señal de analito distinguible de la relación señal a ruido (S/N) para las muestras de hojas de Erythhroxylum coca y té de coca. El segundo método propuesto es la extracción soxhlet, los resultados indican que esta resulta más eficiente para aislar y cuantificar el analito de interés por cromatografía de gases acoplada a un detector de ionización por llama (CG-FID). Después de someter las muestras al proceso de extracción soxhlet y cuantificación por CG-FID se encontró que la hoja de té posee 7,66×10² mg de cocaína/kg de muestra, las hojas de coca 17,15 mg de cocaína/kg de muestra y el clorhidrato de cocaína 7,15×10(5) mg de cocaína/kg de muestra. El método de análisis escogido se caracteriza por arrojar bajos límites de detección (0,169 mg/L) y por poseer parámetros estadísticos y cromatográficos ideales.

In this study validate the methods established by the UNODC for quantification and extraction benzometilecgonina (cocaine) in the leaves of Erythhroxylum coca, coca tea and cocaine hydrochloride. The first extraction method recommended by the UNODC is a solid-liquid extraction (ESL), however, the results indicate that this is not efficient enough to achieve analyte signal distinguishable from the signal to noise ratio (S/N) for samples Erythhroxylum coca leaves and coca tea. The second proposed method is soxhlet extraction, the results indicate that this is more efficient to isolate and quantify the analyte of interest by gas chromatography coupled to a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). After submitting the samples to the soxhlet extraction process and quantification by GC-FID it found that tea leaf has 7.66×10² mg of cocaine/kg sample, coca leaves 17.15 mg of cocaine/kg sample and cocaine hydrochloride concentration corresponded to 7.15×10(5) mg of cocaine/kg sample. The chosen analysis method is characterized by low detection limits shed (1.69 mg/L) and possessing ideal chromatographic and statistical parameters.

Neste estudo validaram-se os métodos estabelecidos pelo UNODC para a quantificação e extração de benzometilecgonina (cocaína) nas folhas de Erythhroxylum coca; em chá de coca e cloridrato de cocaína. O primeiro método de extração recomendado por UNODC é uma extração sólido-líquido (ESL), no entanto, os resultados indicam que esta não é suficientemente eficaz para atingir um sinal de analito distinguível da relação sinal-ruído (S/N) para amostras de folhas Erythhroxylum coca e chá de coca. O segundo método proposto é uma extração soxhlet, os resultados indicam que este é mais eficiente para isolar e quantificar o analito de interesse por cromatografia gasosa acoplada a um detector de ionização de chama (GC-FID). Depois de enviar as amostras para o processo de extração soxhlet e quantificação por GC-FID descobriu-se que as folhas de chá têm 7,66×10² mg de cocaína/kg de amostra, as folhas de coca 17,15 mg de cocaína/kg de amostra e o cloridrato de cocaína 7,15×10(5) mg de cocaína/kg de amostra. O método de análise escolhido é caracterizado por ter baixos limites de detecção (1,69 mg/L) e possuir parâmetros estatísticos e cromatográficos ideais.

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Ochlerotatus albifasciatus (Macquart) is a flood water mosquito whose highest density has been found associated both with natural landscapes (prairies or grazing fields) in temperate and subtropical regions and with rainfall events. In the current study, we aimed to find out how the marked differences between environmental factors of agricultural landscape patches in a steppe arid region affect the relative abundance of this species. In wetland patches, the high activity of adults was closely associated with the flood irrigation system, suggesting that the agricultural activity contributes to the proliferation of this mosquito. The steppe patches would constitute an adverse environment reflected by the abrupt decrease in abundance. Multiple linear regression showed that some explanatory variables, such as wetland patches and moment of the day (midday), did not contribute significantly to the relative abundance variation. In contrast, temperature, wind, and cloud cover seemed to regulate the biting activity of females. Temperature affected the activity of mosquitoes in the steppe but seemed to have no effect in wetland patches, where the activity of mosquitoes was permanent and more stable against changes in temperature. In the steppe, which presents low levels of humidity, scarce vegetation, and greater wind exposure, the activity seemed to be unstable against small thermal variations. The variability of the relative abundance of Oc. albifasciatus in an agricultural landscape was widely explained by temperature in combination with the microenvironment type, wind speed, and cloud cover and indirectly by human activity.

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Aedes (Ochlerotatus) albifasciatus (Macquart) has the capacity to proliferate in different kinds of climates within its distribution range in South America. With the aim of studying local thermal adaptations of eggs, we exposed egg stocks from two climatically different localities: temperate humid pampa (Buenos Aires) and cold arid Patagonian (Sarmiento), to freezing conditions and then evaluated the effect on some features at this level. First, we thermally described the substrate where this species lays its eggs in the arid region. A typical thermal condition during winter was 10 h at -12° C. Second, we evaluated the effect of freezing on primary hatching (vs total hatching) and embryo survival. We also compared the proportion of embryonated eggs from both populations. The proportions of embryonated eggs were not different between localities, with averages of 78% and 83% in Sarmiento and Buenos Aires, respectively. Survival was equally successful after freezing in the two localities with an average range between 94-99%. Whether or not the eggs from Buenos Aires and Sarmiento were under freezing conditions, hatching was more than 98% after the first flooding. The results suggest that eggs of Ae. albifasciatus from Sarmiento and Buenos Aires have the same ability to survive at extreme temperatures (<0° C), showing a regional thermal adaptation rather than a local one.

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En este estudio, se perfilan cromátograficamente sesenta y cinco (65) muestras decomisadas de clorhidrato de cocaína. Se les determina la pureza y se hace análisis cualitativo de adulterantes, diluyentes y solventes residuales ocluidos. En las muestras se detecta la presencia de tropacocaína, norcocaína, cis-cinnamoilcocaína, trans-cinnamoilcocaína, benzoilecgonina, así como de los adulterantes cafeína, fenacetina, levamisol e hidroxicina. En el análisis cuantitativo se encuentra que la pureza de cocaína más baja fue del 64.58% y la más alta del 95.83%. En cuanto a solventes residuales, se detectan 136 compuestos de esta naturaleza, algunos de los cuales fueron identificados preliminarmente. Los anteriores resultados aportan al conocimiento de la química forense y del potencial toxicológico de muestras de clorhidrato de cocaína producidas e incautadas en Colombia.

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Los tensoactivos utilizados como materia activa de productos cosméticos, de higiene, aseo y limpieza, pueden llegar a producir irritación dérmica y lesión en la membrana ocular. En éste trabajo se estudia una prueba asequible, económica y sencilla que permita evaluar la concentración a la cual los tensoactivos pueden producir irritación ocular. La prueba consiste en medir la hemólisis y la desnaturalización de proteínas causada por una concentración de surfactante, en una muestra de eritrocitos previamente caracterizada, empleando como indicador para ambos procesos la liberación de oxihemoglobina, la cual se detecta espectofotométricamente. Los resultados obtenidos en esta prueba, muestran la viabilidad del método, y hacen de este una herramienta alternativa para la evaluación del potencial de irritación ocular que poseen los tensoactivos.

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Monilethrix is an autosomal dominant hair disorder characterized by a beaded appearance of the hair resulting from periodic thinning of the shaft (MIM 158000). The phenotype shows variable penetrance and results in hair fragility and patchy dystrophic alopecia. Mutations of the helix-encoded region in two hair-specific keratins (hHb1 and hHb6) have been identified as responsible for this disorder. We investigated two unrelated families from Russia and Colombia with monilethrix and found two missense mutations in hHb6. In the Russian family, we found a G to A transition at the first base of codon 402, resulting in a lysine substitution (GAG to AAG), designated E402K. In the Colombian family, affected patients carried a missense mutation of codon 413, involving a transition from G to A causing a lysine substitution (GAG to AAG), designated E413K. These two mutations have been identified in other monilethrix families from Europe. Our findings extend the body of evidence implicating recurrent hHb6 and hHb1 mutations in monilethrix families from around the world.

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A patented coprocessed mixture of microcrystalline cellulose (MC) and calcium carbonate (CC) is claimed to perform, as a pharmaceutical excipient, equal or better than pure MC. To investigate it, the tensile strength (T) of tablets made of mixtures of MC type 102, CC, magnesium stearate (MS) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and formed under a compaction pressure (P(c)) ranging up to 618 MPa has been determined. The compactibility of the mixtures was defined through regression parameters obtained with ln(-ln(1-T/T(max)))=slope x lnP(c) + intercept. MC/CC mixtures, P(c)=618 MPa, show a small decrease in tablet tensile strength with CC proportions up to about 20%, falling considerably thereafter. Lower compaction pressures, P(c)< or =332 MPa, show a continuous decrease in tensile strength as the CC proportion increases. A MC drastic fall in tablet tensile strength due to 2%-MS, P(c)=487 MPa, was recovered to 35% of its original value admixing about 25% CC. This maximal value of recovery showed a shift to lower proportions of CC, up to 10%, as compaction pressure decreased. This was attributed to lower CC-particles fragmentation or agglomerates spreading at lower compaction pressures. Mixtures with increased plasticity (MC/CC/PVP and MC/CC/PVP/MS) showed an increased compactibility, which was more evident at higher compaction pressures and higher CC proportions, presumably due to higher deformation and erosion of PVP particles. Inclusion of about 40% CC in a MC/PVP/MS mixture showed 60% recovery of the original MC tablet tensile strength. Lower MS proportions are expected to allow a higher recovery.

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En este trabajo presentamos nuestra experiencia en el manejo de pacientes con toxidad hepática en un período de 4 años en dos instituciones de Santafé de Bogotá. Presentamos dos grupos de pacientes, uno toxicidad hepática aguda y el otro crónica, su forma de presentación, evolución y morbimortalidad asociadas. Encontramos que la toxicidad hepática por fármacos y otros hepatotóxicos, algunos no identificados, continúa siendo una causa importante y poco diagnosticada de consulta y hospitalización

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El Síndrome de Budd Chiari consiste en el desarrollo de hepatomegalia, dolor abdominal y ascitis debido a una obstrucción del flujo de salida venoso hepático. Su presentación es variable desde una falla hepática fulminante aguda hasta la presencia de hepatopatía crónica con cirrosis e insuficiencia hepática. El pronóstico depende fundamentalmente de la enfermedad de base causante de este síndrome. A continuación se presentan dos casos de Síndrome de Budd Chiari en sus formas aguda fulminante y crónica, con una revisión actualizada del tema

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