PAPP-A y β-hCG libre como predictores de preeclampsia y bajo peso al nacer en una población latina

Introducción: La Preeclampsia ocurre entre el 2-7% de los embarazos. Previos estudios han sugerido la asociación entre los niveles alterados de PAPP-A y la β-hCG libre con el desarrollo de Preeclampsia (PE) y/o Bajo Peso al Nacer (BPN). Metodología: El diseño del estudio es de Prueba Diagnóstica con enfoque de casos y controles. Las mediciones séricas de PAPP-A y la β-hCG libre, fueron realizadas entre la semana 11-13.6 días durante 2 años. Resultados: La cohorte incluyó 399 pacientes, la incidencia de PE fue de 2,26% y de BPN fue de 14.54%. El punto de corte del percentil 10 fue MoM PAPP-A: 0,368293 y MoM β-hCG libre: 0,412268; la especificidad en PE leve fue de 90,5 y para BPN de 90. Los MoM de la β-hCG libre, la edad y el peso materno se comportan como factores de riesgo, mientras que mayores valores de MoM de la PAPP-A y mayor número de partos factores de protección. Para el BPEG severo la edad materna y la paridad se comportan como factores de riesgo, mientras que un aumento promedio de los valores de los MoM de la PAPP-A y la β-hCG libre, como factores de protección en el desarrollo de BPEG Severo. Conclusiones: Existe una relación significativa entre los valores alterados de PAPP-A y de β-hCG libre, valorados a la semana 11 a 13 con la incidencia de Preeclampsia y de Bajo Peso al nacer en fetos cromosómicamente normales, mostrando unos niveles significativamente más bajos a medida que aumentaba la severidad de la enfermedad.

Primary Prevention and Screening Strategies for Colorectal Cancer: Which Strategy Should Take?

Objective: To explore and define the utility of different strategies for primary prevention (ASA, diet, physical activity) and strategies of screening test (FOBT, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, etc.) for colorectal cancer. Data source: Databases consulted were MEDLINE (1966 to 2006), DARE (1980 to 2006), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Collaboration’s Registry of Clinical Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and LILACS. Study selection: Studies such clinical trial, cohort and case-control studies of the effectiveness of tests for screening and primary prevention adenoma and colorectal cancer were identified by two reviewers. Data Extraction: The extraction of data and its evaluation is done in most of the process so paired. Limitations: Not strictly complies with the methodology of a systematic review and therefore reproducibility is questionable, the conclusions of this study should be extrapolated with caution. Conclusions: The major strategy of screening on the effectiveness of early detection of premalignant lesions or cancer is colonoscopy every 5 years, however it is necessary to evaluate this measure cost-effectiveness studies. For primary prevention, aspirin and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors reduce the incidence of colorectal adenomas. Aspirin can reduce colorectal cancer incidence. However, these medications may be associated with a significant risk of cardiovascular events and gastrointestinal bleeding. The balance between risks and benefits must be evaluated in future studies.

BLOC Screening en una muestra de niños chilenos.

Resumen en inglés

La detección precoz auditiva de los neonatos.

Resumen en inglés

Evaluación del lenguaje mediante la batería BLOC : BLOC Screening y BLOC Info : proceso de diseño, análisis y aplicación.

Resumen basado en el de los autores. Resumen en inglés

Validation of the Spanish version of the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST)

Resumen tomado de la publicaci??n

Central Institute for the Deaf vision screening program

This paper examines the importance of vision screening for hearing-impaired children and proposes and evaluates a vision screening program for the Central Institute for the Deaf.

Hearing screening with otoacoustic emissions and patient age in a pediatrician's practice

This paper presents a study of the effectiveness of a neonatal hearing screener (the GSI AUDIOscreener, which is usually used in hospitals to test newborns), in a pediatrician's offices to test infants and children up to age 5-1/2 years.

Hearing screening with otoacoustic emissions in pediatric outpatient facilities : ages birth through five

This paper discusses the use of otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) in performing outpatient hearing screening for children, birth to age five.

A comparison between maximum length sequence and conventional auditory brainstem responses as a screening tool for auditory sensitivity

This paper compares conventional auditory brainstem response tests (ABRs) and Maximum Length Sequence auditory brainstem response tests (MLS ABRs). The results found that the faster MLS ABRs could prove an accurate screening tool for auditory sensitivity.

A hearing screening protocol in a pediatric practice based on otoacoustic emissions

This paper evaluates the routine of one pediatrics facility interested in incorporating a hearing screening protocol into their practice and suggests such a protocol using distortion product otoacoustic emission tests (DPOAE).

The use of otoscopy and middle-ear measurement as screening procedures

This paper is a review of a study to determine whether the use of otoscopic examination and middle ear impedance measurement are feasible tools for use by an audiologist during a screening program.

Development of multi-electrode array screening for anticonvulsants in acute rat brain slices

The acute hippocampal brain slice preparation is an important in vitro screening tool for potential anticonvulsants. Application of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) or removal of external Mg2+ ions induces epileptiform bursting in slices which is analogous to electrical brain activity seen in status epilepticus states. We have developed these epileptiform models for use with multi-electrode arrays (MEAs), allowing recording across the hippocampal slice surface from 59 points. We present validation of this novel approach and analyses using two anticonvulsants, felbamate and phenobarbital, the effects of which have already been assessed in these models using conventional extracellular recordings. In addition to assessing drug effects on commonly described parameters (duration, amplitude and frequency), we describe novel methods using the MEA to assess burst propagation speeds and the underlying frequencies that contribute to the epileptiform activity seen. Contour plots are also used as a method of illustrating burst activity. Finally, we describe hitherto unreported properties of epileptiform bursting induced by 100M4-AP or removal of external Mg2+ ions. Specifically, we observed decreases over time in burst amplitude and increase over time in burst frequency in the absence of additional pharmacological interventions. These MEA methods enhance the depth, quality and range of data that can be derived from the hippocampal slice preparation compared to conventional extracellular recordings. It may also uncover additional modes of action that contribute to anti-epileptiform drug effects

The use of FT-IR as a screening technique for organic residue analysis of archaeological samples

A range of archaeological samples have been examined using FT-IR spectroscopy. These include suspected coprolite samples from the Neolithic site of Catalhoyuk in Turkey, pottery samples from the Roman site of Silchester, UK and the Bronze Age site of Gatas, Spain and unidentified black residues on pottery sherds from the Roman sites of Springhead and Cambourne, UK. For coprolite samples the aim of FT-IR analysis is identification. Identification of coprolites in the field is based on their distinct orange colour; however, such visual identifications can often be misleading due to their similarity with deposits such as ochre and clay. For pottery the aim is to screen those samples that might contain high levels of organic residues which would be suitable for GC-MS analysis. The experiments have shown coprolites to have distinctive spectra, containing strong peaks from calcite, phosphate and quartz; the presence of phosphorus may be confirmed by SEM-EDX analysis. Pottery containing organic residues of plant and animal origin has also been shown to generally display strong phosphate peaks. FT-IR has distinguished between organic resin and non-organic compositions for the black residues, with differences also being seen between organic samples that have the same physical appearance. Further analysis by CC-MS has confirmed the identification of the coprolites through the presence of coprostanol and bile acids, and shows that the majority of organic pottery residues are either fatty acids or mono- or di-acylglycerols from foodstuffs, or triterpenoid resin compounds exposed to high temperatures. One suspected resin sample was shown to contain no organic residues. and it is seen that resin samples with similar physical appearances have different chemical compositions. FT-IR is proposed as a quick and cheap method of screening archaeological samples before subjecting them to the more expensive and time-consuming method of GC-MS. This will eliminate inorganic samples such as clays and ochre from CC-MS analysis, and will screen those samples which are most likely to have a high concentration of preserved organic residues. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Coronary heart disease risk screening: the community pharmacy Healthy Heart Assessment Service

Objectives We examined the characteristics and CHD risks of people who accessed the free Healthy Heart Assessment (HHA) service operated by a large UK pharmacy chain from August 2004 to April 2006. Methods Associations between participants’ gender, age, and socioeconomics were explored in relation to calculated 10-year CHD risks by cross-tabulation of the data. Specific associations were tested by forming contingency tables and using Pearson chi-square (χ2). Results Data from 8,287 records were analysable; 5,377 were at low and 2,910 at moderate-to-high CHD risk. The likelihood of moderate-to-high risk for a male versus female participant was significantly higher with a relative risk ratio (RRR) 1.72 (P < 0.001). A higher percentage of those in socioeconomic categories ‘constrained by circumstances’ (RRR 1.15; P < 0.05) and ‘blue collar communities’ (RRR 1.13; P < 0.05) were assessed with moderate-to-high risk compared to those in ‘prospering suburbs’. Conclusions People from ‘hard-to-reach’ sectors of the population, men and people from less advantaged communities, accessed the HHA service and were more likely to return moderate-to-high CHD risk. Pharmacists prioritised provision of lifestyle information above the sale of a product. Our study supports the notion that pharmacies can serve as suitable environments for the delivery of similar screening services.