Alejandro Giraldo

Surgical outcomes for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments in phakic and pseudophakic patients: the Retina 1 Project—report 2

Aims: To compare anatomical and functional outcomes for 546 phakic and pseudophakic primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RDs) treated by pars plana vitrectomy or scleral buckling. Methods: Prospective, non-randomised, interventional study in 15 centres in Spain and Portugal, with data from RDs consecutively treated from January 2005 to May 2007. Cases with preoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy grade C-1 or higher and perforating trauma were excluded. Minimum follow-up was 3 months. Twenty-seven pre-, intra- and post-surgical variables for each patient were analysed. Multivariate analysis was carried out by logistic regression analysis with stepwise selection of variables. Results: Data from 546 patients were analysed. Global anatomical success was 94.7%. Logistic regression analysis showed that only the development of postoperative proliferative vitreoretinopathy was associated with a poor anatomical outcome. The poorest functional results were associated with macular involvement, extension of RD, previous RD surgery, time of evolution of RD, and age of patient. Hierarchical log-linear analysis showed no effect of the lens status (phakic versus pseudophakic) on the functional results. However, pars plana vitrectomy was most often performed in pseudophakic eyes and resulted in a worse final visual acuity (p<0.001). Conclusions: No differences in anatomical success between phakic and pseudophakic eyes were found in this series. Pars plana vitrectomy was most often performed in pseudophakic eyes and had a greater probability of a worse final visual acuity than scleral buckling.

Yq deletion, aspermia and short stature

SummaryA large Yq deletion involving both the fluorescent and part of the non-fluorescent segment in a 36-year-old phenotypic normal male is presented. His short stature and aspermia gives strong support, after a complete review of the literature, to the existence of factors involved in the control of both characteristics in the non-fluorescent segment of the long arm of chromosome Y, distally within band 11.

Interaction between surgical procedure for repairing retinal detachment and clinical risk factors for proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Purpose: To asses risk factors of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and a model for predicting it. Methods: Observational, case-control. 335 patients with non-complicated retinal detachment (RD) were included: 134 developed PVR (Cases); 201 patients did not (Controls). Risk factors for PVR were identified by multivariate analysis. Influence of variables was assayed according to the surgical approach. By logistic regression analysis a model to predict the risk of developing PVR and odds ratio (OR) values for each clinical factor were estimated. Results: Risk was higher in patients > 70 years and with intraocular pressure lower than 14 (OR: 3.84; CI 95%: 2.04–7.30) and in retinal breaks larger than “1 clock hour” (OR: 2.54; CI: 1.28–5.05), extended retinal detachments (OR: 4.01; CI: 1.98–8.10) and reinterventions (OR: 1.55; CI: 1.14–9.22). Scleral surgery also was a risk factor (OR: 3.89; CI: 2.12–7.14) and aphakia/pseudophakia when scleral surgery is performed (OR: 3.33; CI: 1.54–7.22). A model to predict PVR was proposed with these results. Conclusions: Surgical approach modifies risk factors of PVR, and should be taken into account to improve the models for predicting it.

Production cost analysis and use of pesticides in the transgenic and conventional corn crop [Zea mays (L.)] in the valley of San Juan, Tolima.

A survey of 10 producers of conventional corn (Hybrids PAC 105 and Maximus) and 10 producers of transgenic corn (Pioneer Hybrid 30T17) was carried out in the municipality of Valle de San Juan in the territorial division of Tolima (Colombia), in order to analyze the differences in production costs and environmental impacts of these two agricultural technologies. The environmental impacts were determined by calculating the field “Environmental Index Quotient” (EIQ). In the production cost analysis, a difference of 15% was found in benefit of the transgenic technology. The structure of costs of the transgenic technology was benefited by the reduced use of pesticides (insecticides and herbicides). In regards to production, the transgenic technology showed a greater yield, 5.22 ton/ha in comparison to 4.25 ton/ha the conventional technology, thus a 22% difference in yield. Finally, the EIQ calculation showed quantitative differences of 196.12 for the conventional technology (EIQ insecticides 165.14 + EIQ herbicides 30.98), while the transgenic technology was of 4.24 (EIQ insecticides 0 + EIQ herbicides 4.24). These results show a minor environmental impact when using the transgenic technology in comparison to the conventional technology, in regards to the use of insecticides and herbicides in a temporal, spatial and genotypical context analysis.

Allele frequencies for 13 STR’s from two Colombian populations: Bogotá and Boyacá

We present information from populations living in Bogotá and Boyacá, for nine short tandem repeats (STRs) already studied and four new alleles not reported in previous Colombian populations.

Genetic Services in Colombia

Medical genetic services, including clinical genetics, cytogenetics, biochemical and molecular genetics and paternity testing, are performed in Colombia in the more developed medical schools or university institutions, in nine major cities of the country. Accessibility to genetic services is limited by medical care reimbursement laws which do not cover clinical genetic services nor genetic tests. Paternity testing is performed free of charge by a governmental welfare institution, if a legal claim is made against an alleged father. Basic teaching of genetics in medical schools is mandatory, but is very uneven and limited to the better schools. Postgraduate medical genetic training is offered by four different programs of similar quality. Research is performed on some of the most prevalent genetic conditions and on population genetic issues.

Factores clínicos de riesgo para el desarrollo de la vitreorretinopatía proliferante (VRP) postquirúrgica: Estudio prospectivo

espanolObjetivo: Identificar los factores de riesgo de VRP, la incidencia y el momento de aparicion de esta complicacion en una serie prospectiva de desprendimientos de retina regmatogenos (DR). Metodos: Se ha realizado un estudio multicentrico y prospectivo de 223 casos de DR. Se han incluido 83 variables referentes a caracteristicas preoperatorias, intraoperatorias y postquirurgicas. Se ha efectuado un analisis de regresion logistica. Resultados: De los 223 casos de DR, 22 desarrollaron una VRP (incidencia 9,9%, intervalo de confianza al 95%: 5,9-13,9). Se han detectado 4 factores con una «odds-ratio» superior a 1,0 (la existencia de un DR de 4 cuadrantes, el empleo de crioterapia, la afaquia o pseudofaquia y la necesidad de utilizar cerclaje). Ninguno de estos factores ha presentado una p EnglishPurpose: To identify clinical risk factors for development of postoperative PVR, to determine the incidence of this complication and its time of onset by a prospective multicentric study. Methods: A multicentric and prospective study of 223 patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) was conducted. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for PVR among 83 variables related to preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative characteristics. Results: 22 out of 223 RD developed PVR (incidence 9.9%, confidence interval 95%: 5.9-13.9). After logistic regression analysis, four variables showed an odds ratio higher than 1.0 (RD affecting 4 quadrants, cryopexy, aphakia/pseudophakia and those RD in which an encircling band was implanted). None of these factors showed a «p» value lower than 0.05. Most of postoperative PVR (77.2%) appeared in the first month after surgery. Conclusions: This study establishes the incidence of PVR, and its time of onset, but it was not effective to identify clinical risk factors with a high level of confidence.

Estándares básicos para los laboratorios de pruebas de paternidad en Colombia, 2005

The Commission for Accreditation and Surveillance of Laboratories Practicing DNA Paternity Tests (created by the Colombian Law 721/2001) set up sub-commission to review the current basic Colombian standards required for paternity testing laboratories and make specific recommendations re the pertinent technical aspects in Colombia, taking ISO 17025 as current reference. This document contains such recommendations for Colombia.

Los cultivos transgénicos y las sociedades latinoamericanas

El advenimiento de los cultivos transgenicos desde mediados de la decada de los 90 ha generado posiciones contrapuestas. Entre quienes se han manifestado en contra se encuentra una gama de sectores sociales que va desde ecologistas radicales hasta lideres religiosos, pasando por asociaciones de consumidores, algunos academicos en busca de notoriedad mediatica, politicos y algun principe europeo, famoso por su pesimo gusto. Ejecutivos de corporaciones multinacionales, academias de ciencia, investigadores cientificos del sector publico y gobiernos soberanos han manifestado publicamente su apoyo al uso de organismos geneticamente modificados (OGM) en la agricultura

Retardo mental ligado al sexo. Presencia y ausencia de X frágil

En tres familias no relacionadas se evaluaron 15 pacientes con un mismo cuadro clinico, consistente en retardo mental, macroorquidismo y anomalias menores, que presentan un patron herencia ligada al sexo. En dos de las familias es evidente una fragilidad del cromosoma X en la banda q27. En la tercera familia fue imposible demostrar la fragilidad del X. En esta se observo la transmision de la enfermedad por un varon normal.