Microstructural and Mechanical Characteristics of Alkali-Activated Binders Composed of Milled Fly Ash and Granulated Blast Furnace Slag with µ-Limestone Addition.

Concrete is the most used construction material, needing large quantities of Portland cement. Unfortunately, Ordinary Portland Cement production is one of the main generators of CO, which pollutes the atmosphere. Today, geopolymers are an emerging building material generated by the chemical activity of inorganic molecules without the Portland Cement addition.

[Cryoglobulinemic vasculitis due to hyperviscosity and cryogel formation as the onset of multiple myeloma. Report of one case].

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is characterized by a clonal expansion of plasma cells in the bone marrow. These cells typically produce a monoclonal immunoglobulin, and its symptoms arise either from plasma cell infiltration in several organs, or secondary to the presence of a monoclonal protein peak. Symptoms can be summarized by the acronym CRAB (hypercalcemia, renal failure, anemia and bone lesions).

[Use of cystatin C to estimate glomerular filtration rate].

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is routinely estimated using endogenous biomarkers due to the complexity of direct measurement methods. Cystatin C is a protease inhibitor produced in all nucleated cells. It is freely filtered and then catabolized by renal tubular cells.

Biomarkers as predictors of renal damage in neonates undergoing cardiac surgery.

Background: Acute Kidney Injury is a complication in children with heart disease undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The aim of this study is to describe the behavior of KIM-1 (Kidney Injury Molecule) and NGAL (Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin) as early predictors of renal damage, comparing them with serum creatinine and creatinine clearance, in neonates undergoing cardiac surgery.

Methods: Twenty-one (21) neonates, under 4 kg, with complex congenital heart diseases, RACHS-1 > 3, without preoperative renal failure, were studied.

A simple RNA preparation method for SARS-CoV-2 detection by RT-qPCR.

The technique RT-qPCR for viral RNA detection is the current worldwide strategy used for early detection of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. RNA extraction is a key pre-analytical step in RT-qPCR, often achieved using commercial kits. However, the magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic is causing disruptions to the global supply chains used by many diagnostic laboratories to procure the commercial kits required for RNA extraction.

[Estimation of glomerular filtration rate with creatinine].

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is the best approximation to global renal function and its estimation is of great relevance for clinical practice. Since the measurement of GFR by reference methods is complex, costly and not widely available, its routine evaluation is performed using endogenous biomarkers. Within these, creatinine is the most commonly used.

[Cardiotoxicity of anticancer therapies. Towards the implementation of cardio-oncology units].

Recently, we have witnessed major improvements in cancer treatment. Early diagnosis and development of new therapies have reduced cancer-related mortality. However, these new therapies, along with greater patient survival, are associated with an increase in untoward effects, particularly in the cardiovascular system.

Atypical presentation of pseudomembranous colitis localized in adenomatous polyps.

The most frequent cause of pseudomembranous colitis is Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection. This type of colitis is characterized by an endoscopic pattern of numerous small, yellowish or whitish plaques diffusely distributed, which typically compromises the rectum extending to proximal colon.

[Quality indicators for blood culture: three years of monitoring at a university hospital in Chile].

Blood culture is considered the "gold standard" for the diagnosis of bacteremia, critical condition with high morbidity and mortality. Because of its importance, it is estimated that the blood culture is a critical test that requires close monitoring on the quality with which the process is performed. The objective of this work is to show the results of the monitoring carried out during the past three years, of 5 quality indicators of blood cultures in the laboratory of the Hospital Clínico de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, considering pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical aspects.

[Susceptibility to azoles and amphotericin B of isolates of Candida spp. Experience of a university health network, between 2004 and 2010].

Objective: To describe antifungal susceptibility testing surveillance (December 2004-September 2010) in Candida spp., for amphotericin B, fluconazole and voriconazole, at the Laboratorio de Microbiología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.

Method: The study was performed utilizing E test and included yeasts from invasive origin and isolates in which antifungal susceptibility testing was asked for by the patient's physician.

The first case of tinea faciei caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. erinacei isolated in Chile.

Background: Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. erinacei is a zoophilic dermatophyte transmitted by hedgehogs which human infections manifest as highly inflammatory and pruritic eruptions.

Methods: We report a 21-year-old woman who presented with a two-week history of a pruritic scaly erythematous plaque on the nose.

Characterization of the plasmidic or chromosomal cpe gene and metabolic activities in Clostridium perfringens isolates from food in San Luis--Argentina.

Food poisoning and non-food poisoning illnesses due to C. perfringens (by enterotoxin production) have been associated to chromosomal or plasmidic location of the cpe gene, respectively. Clostridial pathogenicity has been correlated to protease and azoreductase production.

Pulsed field, PCR ribotyping and multiplex PCR analysis of Yersinia enterocolitica strains isolated from meat food in San Luis Argentina.

The characterization of phenotypic and genotypic virulence markers of Yersinia enterocolitica strains belonging to biotypes (B) 1A, 2 and 3, mostly isolated from food in San Luis, Argentina, and the assessment of their genotypic diversity using PFGE and PCR ribotyping, were performed in our laboratory for the first time. Thirty five Y. enterocolitica strains, two reference strains and 33 strains isolated in our laboratory were studied.

[When two consecutive laboratory results indicate a change in health status in a patient?].

Sources of variation between two serial tests must be considered in interpreting if there was a clinically significant change. The main causes of variation are the biological variation coefficient (CVB) of the test in question, which must be obtained from the literature, and the analytical coefficient of variation (CVA) of the same test, which must be obtained from the internal quality control laboratory data. With both data we can calculate the critical difference or "reference change value" which helps us to decide whether there was a real change in the patient's health.

Risk factors associated with invasive fungal disease in children with cancer and febrile neutropenia: a prospective multicenter evaluation.

Background: Empiric antifungal treatment has become standard of care in children with cancer and prolonged fever and febrile neutropenia (FN), with the downside that it leads to significant over treatment. We characterized epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory features of invasive fungal disease (IFD) in children with cancer and FN with the aim to identify risk factors for IFD that can aid in better selecting children who require antifungal treatment.

Methods: In a prospective, multicenter study, children admitted with FN at high-risk for sepsis, in 6 hospitals in Santiago, Chile were monitored from admission until the end of the FN episode.

[New series on Clinical Laboratory in Revista Médica de Chile].

The Chilean Autonomous Commission for Medical Specialties Certification recognized Clinical Laboratory as a specialty in 1994. This decision was based on the great development of the specialty that incorporated new methodologies and developed automatic computerized methods. The main objective of the Clinical Laboratory specialist is to work as a consultant to define the laboratory diagnostic strategies that have the best cost effectiveness ratio.

Dissemination of Acinetobacter baumannii clones with OXA-23 Carbapenemase in Colombian hospitals.

During 2005, 66 carbapenem-resistant isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii were collected from seven tertiary-care hospitals participating in a nationwide surveillance network in Colombia. The isolates were multidrug resistant and produced the carbapenemases OXA-23 and OXA-51. Forty-five belonged to four clones while 21 were unique pulsotypes.

Prevalence of some bacteria yeasts and molds in meat foods in San Luis, Argentina.

In this work we evaluate the microbiological quality and the hygiene degree of meat foods consumed in the city of San Luis. A total of 515 meat food samples (315 from fresh sausages, 100 from hamburgers and 100 from ground beef) were processed, being the most of them non-industrial products. The microbiological quality was determined by counts of total mesophilic bacteria, coliforms, Escherichia coli, molds and yeasts, and Clostridium perfringens.

Correlation between Yersinia enterocolitica and type I collagen reactivity in patients with arthropathies.

We investigated the association with Yersinia infection in patients with arthropathies in our region. To assess the reactivity to articular antigens, the correlation of anti-Yersinia with anti-type I and type II collagen antibodies was studied. Sera from 124 patients with musculoskeletal symptoms, and 47 synovial fluids (SF) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthopathies (SpA) or osteoarthritis (OA) were examined.

Prevalence and characterization of Clostridium perfringens from spices in Argentina.

Spices can present high microbial counts and Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella and Shigella, among others have been isolated from spices. C. perfringens is an important pathogen agent causing, among other diseases, enteritis in humans caused by C.

[Consensus: Rational approach towards the patient with cancer, fever and neutropenia].

The severity and duration of post chemotherapy neutropenia were recognized during the 1960s as main predisposing factors for infections in cancer patients. At the beginning of the 70's a standard management approach for all febrile neutropenia (FN) episodes was proposed, based on hospitalization and intravenous empirical broad spectrum antibiotic therapy. Widespread use of this approach resulted in a significant reduction in mortality attributable to bacterial infections.

Genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of Yersinia enterocolitica isolated from the surface of chicken eggshells obtained in Argentina.

The prevalence of Yersinia enterocolitica on chicken eggshell surfaces in San Luis, Argentina, was investigated. The pathogenic potential of recovered isolates was assessed by means of phenotypic virulence tests and the presence of the 72-kb pYV plasmid. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the agar diffusion method.