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Introducción. La insuficiencia respiratoria es la causa más común de paro cardíaco en pediatría; su reconocimiento y el manejo adecuado son cruciales. La simulación se utiliza para mejorar las habilidades médicas. El objetivo del trabajo fue determinar la proporción de residentes de pediatría que reconocieron un paro respiratorio (PR) pediátrico en un centro de simulación. Métodos. Se realizó un estudio observacional con 77 médicos residentes. Se utilizó un caso simulado de un paciente con dificultad respiratoria que progresa a PR. Resultados. De los 77 participantes, 48 reconocieron el paro respiratorio (62,3 %). El tiempo medio para reconocer el PR fue de 34,43 segundos. Conclusión. El 62,3 % de los participantes logró reconocer el paro respiratorio. Entre aquellos que lo identificaron, el tiempo promedio fue de 34,43 segundos. Se observaron graves deficiencias en algunas de las intervenciones esperadas.

Introduction. Respiratory failure is the most common cause of cardiac arrest in pediatrics. Recognizing and managing it adequately is critical. Simulation is used to improve medical skills. The objective of this study was to establish the proportion of pediatric residents who recognized a respiratory arrest in a child at a simulation center. Methods. This was an observational study in 77 residents. A simulation of a patient with respiratory distress that progressed to respiratory arrest was used. Results. Among the 77 participants, 48 recognized respiratory arrest (62.3%). The mean time to recognize respiratory arrest was 34.43 seconds. Conclusion. Respiratory arrest was recognized by 62.3% of participants. Among those who did so, the average time was 34.43 seconds. Severe failures were noted in some of the expected interventions.

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The effective relief of postsurgical pain in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy is important to allow the initiation of activities of daily living. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the analgesic efficacy of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant added to ropivacaine by the intra-articular route. METHOD: Seventy patients underwent knee arthroscopy which were randomly assigned into two groups (n=35). The RD group received ropivacaine 1.5mg/kg plus dexmedetomidine 1µg/kg intra-articularly. Group R received ropivacaine 1.5mg/kg intra-articularly. The analgesic effect was evaluated by measuring the intensity of pain (VAS score) and the duration of analgesia. RESULTS: A longer duration of the analgesic effect was observed in the RD group (655min) compared to the R group (318min) being statistically significant (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to intra-articular ropivacaine improves the quality and duration of postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy.

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Bovines infected by bovine leukemia virus (BLV) are characterized by presenting low proviral load (LPL) or high proviral load (HPL). It is reported that animals with HPL in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) present a decrease in apoptosis, an increase in viability and the proliferation rate, while animals that maintain an LPL have an intrinsic ability to control the infection, presenting an increased apoptosis rate of their PBMCs. However, there is little information on the effect of BLV on these mechanisms when the virus infects somatic milk cells (SC). This study investigates the mechanisms underlying apoptosis in milk and blood from BLV-infected animals with HPL and LPL. Relative levels of mRNA of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), TNF receptor 1 (TNF-RI), TNF receptor 2 (TNF-RII), anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2 protein (Bcl-2), and pro-apoptotic Bcl-2-like protein 4 (Bax) were measured in SC and PBMCs using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay. A significant decrease in the expression of TNF-α in SC from HPL animals vs non-infected bovines was observed, but the infection in SC with BLV did not show a modulation on the expression of TNF receptors. A significant increase in TNF-RI expression in PBMCs from HPL bovines compared to LPL bovines was observed. No significant differences in PBMCs between HPL and LPL compared to non-infected animals concerning TNF-α, TNF-RI, and TNF-RII expression were found. There was a significant increase of both Bcl-2 and Bax in SC from LPL compared to non-infected bovines, but the Bcl-2/Bax ratio showed an anti-apoptotic profile in LPL and HPL bovines compared to non-infected ones. Reduced mRNA expression levels of Bax were determined in the PBMCs from HPL compared to LPL subjects. In contrast, BLV-infected bovines did not differ significantly in the mRNA expression of Bax compared to non-infected bovines. Our data suggest that the increased mRNA expression of Bax corresponds to the late lactation state of bovine evaluated and the exacerbated increase of mRNA expression of Bcl-2 may be one of the mechanisms for the negative apoptosis regulation in the mammary gland induced by BLV infection. These results provide new insights into the mechanism of mammary cell death in HPL and LPL BLV-infected bovine mammary gland cells during lactation.

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Introduction. Respiratory failure is the most common cause of cardiac arrest in pediatrics. Recognizing and managing it adequately is critical. Simulation is used to improve medical skills. The objective of this study was to establish the proportion of pediatric residents who recognized a respiratory arrest in a child at a simulation center. Methods. This was an observational study in 77 residents. A simulation of a patient with respiratory distress that progressed to respiratory arrest was used. Results. Among the 77 participants, 48 recognized respiratory arrest (62.3%). The mean time to recognize respiratory arrest was 38.16 seconds. Conclusion. Respiratory arrest was recognized by 62.3% of participants. Among those who did so, the average time was 38.16 seconds. Severe failures were noted in some of the expected interventions.

Introducción. La insuficiencia respiratoria es la causa más común de paro cardíaco en pediatría; su reconocimiento y el manejo adecuado son cruciales. La simulación se utiliza para mejorar las habilidades médicas. El objetivo del trabajo fue determinar la proporción de residentes de pediatría que reconocieron un paro respiratorio (PR) pediátrico en un centro de simulación. Métodos. Se realizó un estudio observacional con 77 médicos residentes. Se utilizó un caso simulado de un paciente con dificultad respiratoria que progresa a PR. Resultados. De los 77 participantes, 48 reconocieron el paro respiratorio (62,3 %). El tiempo medio para reconocer el PR fue de 38,16 segundos. Conclusión. El 62,3 % de los participantes logró reconocer el paro respiratorio. Entre aquellos que lo identificaron, el tiempo promedio fue de 38,16 segundos. Se observaron graves deficiencias en algunas de las intervenciones esperadas.

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Fluorophores with optimized nonlinear optical properties have become prominent as contrast labels in laser scanning microscopy (LSM). The purpose of this work is to report on a novel benzothiadiazole derivative, namely 4,7-bis(5-((9,9-dioctyl-9H-fluoren-2-yl)ethynyl)thiophen-2-yl)benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (EFBT) and its optical performance when it is loaded into organic nanostructures intended as labels for LSM. Four different nanostructured labels were prepared: i) EFBT-loaded silica nanoparticles (SiNPs); ii) folate-bioconjugated SiNPs (SiNPs-FA); iii) EFBT-loaded PEGylated nanoparticles (NPs-PEG); and iv) EFBT-loaded folate-terminated PEGylated nanoparticles (NPs-PEG-FA). All these nanostructures are reported through a comparative study of their linear and nonlinear optical properties, including their performance as exogenous label agents in the cervical cancer cell line HeLa. This assessment of the performance of a specific fluorophore loaded into different nanostructured matrices (labels), and fairly compared under the same characterization conditions, including the LSM settings, is less common while previous reports had focused in comparing silica and PEGylated nanoparticles but loaded with different fluorophores. The results show that the internal molecular organization into each type of organic nanostructure impacted differently the properties of EFBT, where the silica matrix tend to preserve the optical performance of the fluorophore by preventing intermolecular interactions; in contrast, PEGylated nanoparticles favored molecular interactions and introduced non-radiative decay channels that degrades drastically the optical performance. Nevertheless, the use of functionalized ends entities produced a better cellular label uptake with PEGylated that with silica nanoparticles. In overall, the NPs-PEG-FA label produced the best HeLa imaging.

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OBJECTIVE: To identify the ocular pathologies that are reported as causes of low vision in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The systematic search was carried out in Medline (PubMed), Embase and Lilacs. Observational studies with populations between 0-18 years of age, reporting visual acuity data between 20/60-20/400 and reporting the frequency of ocular pathologies were selected. Studies in which the diagnosis of the condition had not been verified by a professional, or which covered only cases of blindness, uncorrected refractive errors, or amblyopia, were excluded. The methodological quality of the articles was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute instrument for prevalence studies. RESULTS: 27 studies conducted in Asia (13 publications), Africa (6 studies), Oceania (4 studies), Europe and South America (2 studies each) were included. The most reported causes of low vision were: cataract, with prevalence between 0.8% and 27.2%; albinism with from 1.1% to 47%; nystagmus, with prevalence between 1.3% and 22%; retinal dystrophies between 3.5% and 50%; retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) with prevalence between 1.1% and 65.8%, optic atrophy between 0.2% and 17.6%, and glaucoma from 2.4% to 18.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Cataract, albinism and nystagmus are the ocular pathologies most mentioned by studies as a cause of low vision in children, as well as retinal diseases such as ROP and optic nerve diseases such as atrophy. However, there are numerous eye conditions that can result in low vision in the pediatric population.

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AIM: To identify Prediabetes (PreD) as early and serious diabetes step using clinical-biochemical characteristics in the population of the Primary Prevention Diabetes Buenos Aires (PPDBA) study. METHODS: PPDBA Study evaluated benefits of adopting healthy lifestyles to prevent T2D. It recruited people 45-75 years of age with PreD (impaired fasting glycaemia [IFG], impaired glucose tolerance [IGT] or both, American Diabetes Association criteria), using an opportunistic approach. They completed a FINDRISC questionnaire, and those with a score ≥13 points were invited to participate. When they accepted, we performed an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with a complete lipid profile and HbA1c while physicians completed a clinical history. We recruited 367 persons, and depending on OGTT results, the sample was divided into normals (NGT), PreD, or with diabetes (last one was excluded in our analysis). Data were statistically analyzed using parametric and nonparametric tests and logistic regression to identify parameters associated with PreD. RESULTS: From the recruited (n = 367) 47.7% have NGT, 48.5% PreD and 3.8% unknown T2D (excluded). People with PreD were significantly older, with a higher percentage of overweight/obesity, BMI, and larger waist circumference than NGT. They also showed significantly higher fasting and 2 h post glucose load, HbA1c, and triglyceride levels. No significant differences were recorded in the blood pressure, lipid profile though both groups had abnormally high LDL-c values. They also had a larger percentage of TG/HDL-c ratios (insulin resistance indicator) (55% vs. 37.5%). Logistic regression analysis showed that PreD was significant associated with age, waist circumference, and triglyceride above target values. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that clinical and biochemical parameters were significantly different between people with PreD and those with NGT. This evidence supports the concept that PreD is a serious dysfunction, which should be early diagnosed and treated properly to prevent its transition to T2D and its complications.

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La simulación constituye un instrumento beneficioso para la adquisición de destrezas quirúrgicas. Su disponibilidad en países en vías de desarrollo representa un obstáculo importante en la educación quirúrgica contemporánea.Objetivo : Identificar centros de capacitación quirúrgica en Venezuela que utilicen la simulación para el entrenamiento de habilidades técnicas y conocer la opinión de los miembros de la Sociedad Venezolana de Cirugía (SVC) acerca de su uso para desarrollar habilidades en cirugía abierta.Métodos : Estudio transversal y descriptivo. Se enviaron encuestas por correo electrónico a todos los miembros activos de la SVC. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva para el análisis y presentación de los datos.Resultados : De 1115 encuestas enviadas, 111 fueron completadas; 67,6 % de los participantes no tienen conocimientos sobre la existencia de centros de entrenamiento basados en simulación quirúrgica; el 99,1 % están de acuerdo con implementar la simulación como método de capacitación complementario y consideran importante el entrenamiento de habilidades en cirugía abierta; 94,6 % manifestó que el entrenamiento debe estructurarse y ejecutarse en módulos que inicien con tareas básicas para luego avanzar hacia procedimientos más complejos; 75 % de los procedimientos avanzados que deben practicarse con mayor frecuencia corresponden al sistema gastrointestinal, destacando las anastomosis intestinales (74,7 %).Conclusión : la gran mayoría de los cirujanos en las Instituciones de salud de Venezuela no tienen acceso a la simulación como herramienta educativa, a pesar de estar de acuerdo con que su implementación es altamente potenciadora para el desarrollo de habilidades técnicas(AU)

Simulation represents a beneficial tool for acquiring surgical skills. Its availability in developing countries poses a significant obstacle in contemporary surgical education.Objective : To identify surgical training centers in Venezuela that use simulation for technical skills training, and to understand the opinion of members of the Venezuelan Society of Surgery (SVC) regarding its use for developing open surgical skills.Methods : A cross-sectional, descriptive study. Surveys were sent via email to all active SVC members. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis and presentation.Results : Of the 1,115 surveys sent, 111 were completed. 67.6% of the participants were unaware of the existence of simulation-based surgical training centers. 99.1% agreed with implementing simulation as a complementary training method and considered training in open surgery skills important. 94.6% stated that training should be structured and conducted in modules starting with basic tasks and progressing to more complex procedures; 75% of the advanced procedures that should be practiced more frequently were related to the gastrointestinal system, with intestinal anastomoses (74.7%) being particularly highlighted.Conclusion : The majority of surgeons in Venezuelan healthcare institutions do not have access to simulation as an educational tool, despite agreeing that its implementation is highly beneficial for the development of technical skills(AU)

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La simulación es la técnica de replicar un proceso o situación. El objetivo de la simulación quirúrgica es transferir de manera efectiva las habilidades adquiridas en el laboratorio al quirófano, reduciendo las curvas de aprendizaje y los costos operativos. Objetivos : Describir la utilización, ventajas, desventajas, y estado actual de la práctica basada en simulación como método de enseñanza y aprendizaje para la capacitación de residentes y cirujanos en los programas de formación quirúrgica, según lo reportado en la literatura científica actual. Métodos : Se realizó una búsqueda en la literatura utilizando palabras claves. Se sintetizaron los hallazgos de cada estudio en una revisión narrativa. Resultados : La simulación quirúrgica es una herramienta educativa que confiere ventajas únicas. Permite el desarrollo de programas de formación flexibles e individualizados, enfatiza el aprendizaje basado en problemas, basado en competencias y basado en destrezas, y acelera el proceso de aprendizaje al ofrecer entornos seguros para practicar procedimientos quirúrgicos complejos. Además, respalda la retroalimentación y el análisis posterior, fomenta la formación multidisciplinaria y facilita la investigación y la innovación, mejorando en última instancia la calidad de la atención médica. Conclusiones : Las ventajas prácticas de los programas de formación estructurados han convertido a la educación basada en la simulación en un método de enseñanza factible, confiable y altamente atractivo. La simulación no solo contribuye al desarrollo profesional de los residentes, sino que también mejora la seguridad del paciente y la calidad general de los servicios de salud(AU)

Simulation is the act of replicating a process or situation. The objective of surgical simulation is to effectively transfer the skills acquired in the laboratory to the operating room, reducing the learning curves and operational costs. Objectives: To describe the use, advantages, disadvantages, and current state of simulation-based practice as a method of teaching and learning for the training of residents and surgeons in surgical training programs, as reported in the current scientific literature. Methods: A literature search was conducted using keywords. The findings of each study were synthesized in a narrative review. Results: Surgical simulation is an educational tool that offers unique advantages. It allows for the development of flexible and individualized training programs, emphasizes problem-based, competency-based, and skill-based learning, and accelerates the learning process by providing safe environments to practice complex surgical procedures. Furthermore, it supports feedback and post-analysis, encourages multidisciplinary training, and facilitates research and innovation, ultimately enhancing the quality of healthcare. Conclusions: The practical benefits of structured training programs have made simulation-based education a feasible, reliable, and highly attractive teaching method. Simulation not only contributes to the professional development of residents but also improves patient safety and the overall quality of healthcare services(AU)

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Objetivo: Describir la prevalencia de diagnóstico autorreportado de asma, comorbilidades, patrones de tratamiento y calidad de vida (CdV) autopercibida en la población chilena, utilizando datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud (ENS) de 2016-2017. Métodos: Se analizó la población de la ENS 2016-2017 con ≥ 15 años. Los individuos con asma fueron identificados por autorreporte. Se evaluaron variables sociodemográficas, CdV y salud (autopercepción y/o EQ-5D-3L), estado nutricional, comorbilidades y patrón de tratamiento. Resultados: La prevalencia de asma fue de 5,4% (IC 95%: 4,5-6,5). Se reportó una frecuencia casi 2 veces mayor de CdV autopercibida (6,3% [IC 95%: 3,4-11,3] frente a 3,6% [IC 95%: 2,8-4,5]) y de salud (16,4% [IC 95%: 11,4-23,1] frente a 7,7% [IC 95%: 6,6-8,9]) muy mala/mala/menos que regular en el grupo con asma en comparación con el total de individuos de la ENS. El grupo de asma tuvo mayor frecuencia de al menos algunos problemas en todos los dominios EQ-5D-3L. La comorbilidad más frecuente fue la sintomatología depresiva. El 63% de los encuestados que reconocían tener asma no recibían ningún tratamiento en el momento de la encuesta. Con mayor frecuencia el tratamiento para el asma fue prescrito por un médico general (62,4%/55,4%, medicación de rescate/controlador) y el acceso fue a través del sistema público (65,9%/82,5%, medicación de rescate/controlador). Alrededor de un tercio de la población utilizaba monoterapia con SABA (32,8%). Conclusión: La prevalencia de asma fue del 5,4% y los asmáticos relataron peor CdV y salud. Se observó una baja tasa de tratamiento y de los tratados la mayoría usaba solo medicación de rescate.

Objective: To describe diagnosed asthma prevalence, self-reported comorbidities, treatment patterns and self-perceived quality of life (QoL) in Chilean population, using National Health Survey (NHS) data from 2016-2017. Methods: 2016-2017 NHS population aged ≥ 15 years was analyzed. Asthma individuals were identified by self-report. Sociodemographic variables, QoL and health (self-perception and/or EQ-5D-3L), nutritional status, comorbidities and treatment pattern were evaluated. Results: Asthma prevalence was 5.4% (95% CI: 4.5-6.5). Compared with NHS total individuals, asthma group showed almost 2 times higher frequency of self-perceived QoL (6.3% [95% CI: 3.4-11.3] vs 3.6% [95% CI: 2.8-4.5]) and health (16.4% [95% CI: 11.4-23.1] vs 7.7% [95% CI: 6.6-8.9]) named as very bad/bad/less than regular. In addition, asthma group had a greater frequency of at least some problems in all EQ-5D-3L domains. Depressive symptoms were the most frequently observed comorbidity. 63% of respondents who acknowledged having asthma were not receiving any treatment at the time of the survey. Asthma treatment was most frequently prescribed by a general physician (62.4%/55.4%, rescue/controller medication) and the access occurs in the public system (65.9%/82.5%, rescue/controller medication). About one third of the population used SABA monotherapy (32.8%). Conclusion: Asthma prevalence was 5.4% and asthmatics reported worse QoL and health. A very low treatment rate was observed and those treated, most were under rescue medication.

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Objective: To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and behavior regarding antibiotics, use of antibiotics, and antibiotic resistance in students and health care professionals of the district of Barranquilla, Colombia. Study design: Descriptive, cross-sectional. Methods: A sample of 399 respondents was selected, that included health professionals and medical students from 12 health institutions in the district of Barranquilla (Colombia), using an established stratified sampling method. Each of the respondent professionals completed a survey that included 43 items in the Likert scale. A descriptive analysis of the study variables was performed using the software SPSS version 25. Results: Most of the respondents were women (64.4%), aged between 26 and 35 years (47.6%); 28.8% were nurses and 26.1% general practitioners, with ≤10 years of professional experience (63.4%). Overall, the survey revealed that the participants had considerable knowledge about antibiotic use (89.5%-98% correct answers) and the spread of antibiotic resistance (67.4%-89% correct answers). Approximately 74% of the respondents agreed or fully agreed with the questions related to the management of infections and the provision of advice. Conclusions: The present study revealed that most of the health care professionals surveyed had a good knowledge about antibiotic use, although strategies must be developed to strengthen knowledge regarding the spread of antibiotic resistance. Likewise, it is important to identify opportunities for improvement related with access to the guidelines and/or materials necessary to treat infections and to provide advice on antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance.

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Background: The population of South America has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this region, during the year 2020, high seroprevalence percentages were reported, which have been associated with the socioeconomic characteristics of the population, mainly in urban areas. However, a relative lack of information on the dynamics of the pandemic in rural areas of these countries, where the population is more vulnerable, is still present. This study determined antibody prevalence against SARS-CoV-2 in urban and rural food producing workers in Colombia. Methods: A total of 1242 workers, urban and rural, linked to poultry, dairy, and meat production and supply chains, were analyzed through a sociodemographic survey and two serological tests against S and N proteins of SARS-CoV-2. Results: 78.7% were male. 50.9% of the participants were rural inhabitants, with an average age of 40.9 years old. 39.2% had IgM and IgG against SARS-CoV-2 S protein and 31.3% against N protein for the same virus; 83.6% had not been tested with an RT-PCR test for COVID-19 and 75.7% did not report symptoms related to the disease. The associated risk factors were low education, OR: 1.46, greater number of cohabitants, OR: 1.36, and contact with people infected with COVID-19, OR: 2.03. Conclusions: The seroprevalences found suggest an important interconnectivity between rural and urban areas, where asymptomatic subjects and sociodemographic factors facilitate the virus' spread in the population.

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The aim of this study was to determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2 on food surfaces and surfaces in public spaces in 3 districts of Lima, Peru. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in three districts of the Lima metropolitan area. Surfaces that were most exposed to users were selected. Samples were swabbed for 4 weeks and transported to the laboratory to determine the presence of the virus. One thousand ninety-five inert surface samples and 960 food surface samples were evaluated for the identification of SARS-CoV-2 by the real time-PCR molecular test, whereby only one sample from an automated teller machine was positive. Most of the inert and food surfaces evaluated did not show the presence of SARS-CoV-2 during the time of sample collection. Despite the negative results, the frequency of disinfection and hygiene measures on high-contact surfaces should be maintained and increased to prevent other highly contagious infectious diseases.

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Efavirenz (EFV) is a widely used antiretroviral, due to its safety, efficacy, and low cost. However, plasma concentrations have been related with an increased risk of virological failure and the appearance of serious adverse reactions. EFV is metabolized by Cytochrome P450, the main isoenzyme involved is CYP2B6 and the most relevant genetic polymorphisms found in several populations has been the CYP2B6 516G> T. The aim of this study was to identify the frequency of the CYP2B6 516G>T polymorphism and its effect on the plasma concentration of efavirenz (EFV) in a group of people living with HIV (PLWH) and undergoing EFV treatment in Morelos, Mexico. Ninety-six PLWH undergoing EFV treatment, at a daily dose of 600 mg orally in combination with other antiretrovirals (ARVs), were included in this study. The CYP2B6 516G>T polymorphism was detected using PCR-RFLP. The plasma concentrations of EFV were evaluated by high-resolution liquid chromatography coupled to a mass-mass detector, using a protein precipitation method. The median plasma EFV concentration was 4.6 µg/mL (IQR = 4.64) and 64.6% of the subjects had concentrations above the therapeutic range. The CYP2B6 516G>T genotype findings were as follows: 46.9% of the population presented the wild-type genotype (GG), while 45.8 % and 7.3 % showed the heterozygote (GT) and the polymorphic homozygote (TT) genotype, respectively. The homozygote G had the lowest plasma concentrations of EFV (median = 4.1 µg/mL and IQR = 1.7 µg/mL), followed by those with the GT genotype (median = 5.1 µg/mL and IQR = 3.0 µg/mL). Participants with the homozygous T genotype had the highest EFV concentrations (median = 9.7 µg/mL and IQR = 5.8 µg/mL). In conclusion, the CYP2B6 516G>T polymorphism was associated with plasma levels of EFV in PLWH undergoing ARV treatment. EFV plasma concentrations at 600mg doses were outside the therapeutic range in most subjects.

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Boron (B) toxicity is a major agricultural problem that causes a considerable decrease in crop yield and quality. The soil in arid and semi-arid areas is often subjected to excessive B content. Southwestern Perú (department of Tacna) is characterized by high B levels in its agricultural land and irrigation water. This work analyzes the response of two local maize (Zea mays) landraces (Pachía and Sama) from Tacna to B toxicity. Both landraces were, therefore, grown in hydroponic media under control and B toxicity conditions, and after 10 days, seedlings were harvested and B content, B-transporter gene expressions, and several morphological and physiological parameters were determined. The leaf and root soluble B content was lower in Sama than in Pachía when both landraces were subjected to high B concentrations, which could be explained by its higher expression levels of B-efflux transporters. The capacity of Sama to maintain reduced levels of soluble B in its leaves and roots led to decreased leaf damage and higher photosynthetic and growth parameters under B toxicity conditions. These results support the proposal that Sama would perform better than Pachía under excessive B conditions, thus making it a more suitable landrace to be used in soils with toxic levels of B.

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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Neurologic manifestations in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia include an increased incidence of brain abscesses and ischemic strokes due to paradoxic embolization in addition to a wide spectrum of symptoms and complications due to typical brain vascular malformations. Intracranial aneurysms are not part of this brain vascular malformation spectrum. The aim of this study was to determine their prevalence in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single-center, retrospective study. Adult patients from the institutional Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia registry with a definitive diagnosis of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia and an available report or angiographic imaging study were included and reviewed to determine the intracranial aneurysm prevalence. In addition, the morphologic characteristics of intracranial aneurysms and possible associated risk factors were collected. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-eight patients were analyzed. Thirty-seven aneurysms in 33 patients (14.5%; 95% CI, 9.9%-19%) were found. The median diameter of intracranial aneurysms was 3.2 mm (interquartile range, 2.6-4.4 mm). No association between intracranial aneurysm and sex, age, or genetic background was noted. There were no subarachnoid hemorrhagic events due to intracranial aneurysm rupture. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the high prevalence of intracranial aneurysms in adult patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, further studies regarding bleeding risks and monitoring should be addressed.

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AIM: The aim of this study is to determine the validity and reliability of the Care Vulnerability Index (CVI) as a tool to estimate the need and competence of care. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey including a longitudinal component. METHODS: Content validity ratio (CVR) was calculated by interrater agreement of a group of 11 experts in two rounds. The test-retest analysis was measured in an urban population of Colombia with 96 participants through two statistical tests: Pearson's correlation coefficient and the difference in means. RESULTS: Care Vulnerability Index turned out to be valid with a CVR of 0.879. Reliability by Pearson correlation between test-retest was 0.912 (CI95: 0.872-0.941; p-value <.01) and there was no significant mean difference between test and retest in global score and in clustered groups of variables. Validating CVI will make it possible to prioritize healthcare resources in the population and identify people susceptible to care problems.

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