[Sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels during pregnancy as predictors for pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction].

Background: Sex-Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) may be associated to Pre-eclampsia (PE) and Fetal Growth Restriction (RCIU).

Aim: To determine if maternal serum SHBG concentrations during the first and second trimesters are predictive biomarkers of Pre-eclampsia and RCIU.

Patients And Methods: Prospective cohort study carried out in the Fetal Medicine Unit, Universidad de Chile Clinical Hospital between January, 2005 and December, 2006.

Inhibitory effect of nordihydroguaiaretic acid and its tetra-acetylated derivative on respiration and growth of adenocarcinoma TA3 and its multiresistant variant TA3MTX-R.

The effects of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and its tetraacetylated derivative (NDGATA) on the growth, oxygen consumption, adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) level and viability of mouse mammary adenocarcinoma TA3 and its multiresistant variant TA3-MTX-R cell lines were determined. NDGA inhibited mitochondrial carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP)-stimulated oxygen consumption in mouse liver and tumor cells when glutamate plus malate or succinate was added as substrate. The effects were considerably weaker when respiration was supported by duroquinol, indicating that NDGA inhibited primarily mitochondrial electron flow located at some point before ubiquinone.

[Acute and long-term clinical results of bare metal coronary stenting].

Background: Since the introduction of stents in 1994, improved clinical results have boosted the development of coronary angioplasty in Chile. Drug eluting stents, that have a reduced rate of restenosis, are being increasingly used.

Aim: To assess the acute and long-term results of bare metal stent implantation.

Predictive value of white blood cell count and C-reactive protein in children with appendicitis.

Background/purpose: Few studies have addressed the predictive value of white blood cells (WBCs) and C-reactive protein (CRP) at different cutoff values in appendicitis. Our purpose was to determine the cutoff values for WBC and CRP at different periods during clinical evolution of appendicitis and to establish their use for the diagnosis of appendicitis and differentiation of simple from perforated appendicitis.

Methods: We studied 198 patients operated on for appendicitis, which were further divided into 4 subgroups according to the time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis.

[Hierarchical clustering analysis to detect associations between clinical and pathological features of gastric tumors and hypermethylation of suppressor genes].

Background: Methylation is an inactivation mechanism for tumor suppressor genes, that can have important clinical implications.

Aim: To analyze the methylation status of 11 tumor suppressor genes in pathological samples of diffuse gastric cancer.

Material And Methods: Eighty three patients with diffuse gastric cancer with information about survival and infection with Epstein Barr virus, were studied.

Occult pancreaticobiliary reflux in gallbladder cancer and benign gallbladder diseases.

Background And Objectives: It was proposed that occult pancreaticobiliary reflux (OPBR) was associated with precancerous mucosal changes in the gallbladder, hence the importance of this disorder. There are no published reports investigating the incidence of OPBR in patients operated on for the entire spectrum of benign gallbladder diseases and gallbladder cancer. Our aim was to determine the incidence of OPBR and measure the levels of active pancreatic enzymes (amylase and lipase) in gallbladder bile of patients undergoing cholecystectomy for benign and malignant gallbladder diseases.

Posterior pelvic exenteration for primary rectal cancer.

Background: Indications for and the prognosis of posterior pelvic exenteration (PPE) in rectal cancer patients are not clearly defined. The aim of this study was to analyse the indications, complications and long-term results of PPE in patients with primary rectal cancer.

Methods: A retrospective review included patient demographics, tumour and treatment variables, and morbidity, recurrence, and survival statistics.

[Clinical and molecular features of cardial gastric cancer associated to Epstein Barr virus].

Background: Mortality caused by cardial gastric cancer in Chile, is increasing. Previously we demonstrated an association between Epstein Barr virus and this specific location of gastric cancer.

Aim: To perform a clinical and molecular characterization of cardial gastric cancer associated to Epstein Barr virus.

Predictive factors of stenosis after stapled colorectal anastomosis: prospective analysis of 179 consecutive patients.

The incidence, risk factors, and clinical relevance of stenosis of stapled colorectal anastomosis (CRA) were studied prospectively. Anastomotic stricture was defined as the inability of traversing the anastomosis with the rigid proctoscope. The population studied consisted of 179 patients (94 males) with an average age of 59.

[Contemporary practice of the coronary angioplasty in Chile. Final report of the Chilean National Coronary Angioplasty Registry (RENAC) 2001-2002].

Background: Coronary angioplasty was introduced in Chile in 1982, but only after the introduction of stents it became commonplace. However the results of this procedure at the national level remain largely unknown.

Aim: To assess the results and characteristics of coronary angioplasty and develop a national registry in Chile (RENAC).

Early hospital discharge followed by outpatient management versus continued hospitalization of children with cancer, fever, and neutropenia at low risk for invasive bacterial infection.

Purpose: To compare outcome and cost of ambulatory versus hospitalized management among febrile neutropenic children at low risk for invasive bacterial infection (IBI).

Patients And Methods: Children presenting with febrile neutropenia at six hospitals in Santiago, Chile, were categorized as high or low risk for IBI. Low-risk children were randomly assigned after 24 to 36 hours of hospitalization to receive ambulatory or hospitalized treatment and monitored until episode resolution.

[Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) as an independent prognostic factor in colorectal carcinoma].

Background: CEA is widely used in the follow up of patients with colorectal carcinoma.

Aim: To study the value of preoperative CEA as an independent prognostic factor in colorectal carcinoma.

Patients And Methods: Analysis of 373 operated patients (204 females, age range 21-92 years) with colorectal carcinoma and a mean follow up of 53 months.

Alcohol and hemorrhagic stroke in Santiago, Chile. A case-control study.

Background And Purpose: Hemorrhagic stroke (HS) is a major cause of disability and death worldwide. There is a dearth of information on HS from geographically defined populations in Latin America. In this study we assessed the importance of alcohol consumption as a risk factor for HS in Chile.

Effect of chronic exposure to lead on estrogen action in the prepubertal rat uterus.

Lead is a widely spread environmental pollutant known to affect both male and female reproductive systems in humans and in experimental animals. The present study investigated the effect of a chronic exposure to lead on different parameters of estrogen stimulation in the uteri of prepubertal rats. Chronic exposure to lead enhanced some parameters of estrogen stimulation, inhibited other estrogenic responses, while the remainder were unaltered.

Phase III randomized pilot study comparing interferon alpha-2b in combination with radiation therapy versus radiation therapy alone in patients with stage III-B carcinoma of the cervix.

This randomized pilot study was designed to determine whether the addition of interferon alpha-2b to standard radiation therapy offered an advantage in loco-regional control and survival over radiation therapy alone in a homogeneous group of patients with stage IIIB carcinoma of the cervix. Thirty-six patients were treated with a combination of interferon alpha-2b plus radiation therapy, and 38 patients were treated with radiation therapy alone. Patients with evidence of ureteral obstruction were excluded from the study.

[Laparoscopic and classic cholecystectomy in patients with liver cirrhosis].

Background: The prevalence of gallstones is increased in patients with cirrhosis. However the presence of cirrhosis has been generally considered a relative contraindication to cholecystectomy.

Aim: To investigate the complications and the outcomes of laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy in patients with cirrhosis.

[Use of procholinergics in the prevention of postoperative delirium in hip fracture surgery in the elderly. A randomized controlled trial].

Introduction: 40 to 50% of elderly with hip fracture present delirium. The morbimortality increase in patients whose presented delirium.

Objective: To study the use of citicoline (CDP choline) in the prevention of delirium in elderly under hip fracture surgery.

[Prognostic factors in colorectal neoplasm. Multivariate analysis in 224 patients].

Background: Staging of colorectal carcinoma has prognostic value and allows to take decisions about adjuvant therapy and follow up. Prognostic factors are not universally accepted and there are different staging classifications.

Aim: To assess the prognostic value of clinical and pathological variables in 224 patients subjected to a curative resection of a colorectal carcinoma.

[Prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with cerebrovascular occlusive disease].

Background: Hispanics have a greater incidence of stroke and prevalence of intracranial atherosclerosis than whites.

Aim: To study the prevalence of extracranial atherosclerosis among patients admitted to a hospital with an ischemic stroke.

Material And Methods: A prospective study in stroke patients admitted to a Neurology ward in a University Hospital.

[Secondary ionizing radiation generated by digital and analog coronary cineangiographic equipment: influence of external systems of radiologic protection].

Background: Exposure to ionizing radiation is a known hazard of radiological procedures.

Aim: To compare the emission of secondary ionizing radiation from two coronary angiographic equipment, one with digital and the other with analog image generation. To evaluate the effectiveness of external radiological protection devices.

Enalapril and prednisone in children with nephrotic-range proteinuria.

The effect of enalapril and low prednisone doses on the urinary protein electrophoretic pattern was studied in 13 pediatric patients with glomerular diseases and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. Enalapril was administered at doses of 0.2-0.

Combitube: a study for proper use.

Unlabelled: The esophageal-tracheal Combitube((R)) (ETC; Kendall-Sheridan Catheter Corp., Argyle, NY) is a new device designed for difficult airways and emergency intubation. The manufacturer recommends that the ETC model 37F SA be used in patients with a height of between 122 and 152 cm.

Quality of life after the menopause: a population study.

Objective: To assess the impact of menopause and some sociodemographic variables on quality of life (QoL).

Materials And Methods: Four hundred and eighty-one women aged 40-59 years attending the Southern Metropolitan Health Service in Santiago de Chile were studied using the Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire for Menopause from Toronto University.

Results: Univariate analysis showed that menopausal women have worse QoL scores than women conserving cycles in the four areas of the questionnaire: They show a 10.