Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Abstract Introduction: CA 15-3 is one of the tumor markers used in breast cancer for: early detection of subclinical metastasis, control and evolution of the disease, oncological therapeutic support, prognosis. The aim of this study is to establish the relationship of this biomarker with biological variables such as age, immunohistochemical (histological grade, progesterone receptors, estrogen receptors, HER2, tumor type) and therapeutic variables associated with non-special type invasive carcinoma of the breast. Methods: Analytical study that was conducted with ninety-four records of oncological patients diagnosed with invasive breast carcinoma of No Special Type, extracted from the Anatomical Pathology service of the “Hospital de Specialties José Carrasco Arteaga” (IESS) that works with the AS400 computer system, in Cuenca, Ecuador, during the period 2018 - 2020. The research related the CA 15-3 marker with biological, immunohistochemical and therapeutic variables pre- and post-treatment. Results: The universe consisted of ninety-four patient records. The mean age was 52 years. CA 15-3 levels were significantly reduced after oncologic treatments in the patients. Their preintervention values ranged from 5.11 - 416.5 U/mL with a mean of 33.12 U/mL and a standard deviation of 67.65 U/mL and their postintervention values ranged from 4.41 - 121.5 U/mL with a mean of 16.54 and a standard deviation of 16.97 U/mL (T-test 2.67, p= 0.009). Statistical association was found between biomarker and progesterone receptors (p=0.009, RR= 6.8, LC: 1.3 - 34.2) and KI-67 (p=0.001, RR= 8.55, LC= 2.0 - 36.4). Conclusions: The CA 15-3 biomarker decreases in levels after oncologic treatments and has statistical association with progesterone receptors and the KI-67 marker.

Objective. To assess the distress main sceneries, based on the needs of the patient during the first vaccination in the veterinary appointment, for that, 24 patients (n=24) of all ages were examined, without difference of sex or race that come from the city of Loja, Ecuador. Materials and methods. The distress, stress, comfort, and physiological gauge signs were examined in three times (before, during, after) for 15 minutes each one; the same procedure was executed in three different sessions, with different sceneries per appointment (traditional, environmental enrichment and home). Results. It was highlighted that the traditional appointment (S3), produces greater canine stress in vaccination with 9.36 (p<0.05), compared to the other sceneries, due to the perceived circumstances were stressful, influencing in signs as: scratching 0.44%, chewing 0.27%, growling 0.23% and yawning 0.21%, making threatening the routine appointment; the appointment with enrichment (S1) has a minor percentage 4.74, making it better to treat patients, which were reflected in comfort and physiological signs: real smile 0.38%, tail wagging 0.28%, heart rate 0.32% and temperature 0.29%. Conclusions. The data indicated that S3, followed by the home appointment (S2) has a higher prevalence of stress, which is why they are less convenient sceneries to interact with pets; on the other hand, it has been verified that S1 is optimal to conduct the needs that the patient requires at the appointment time.

Objective. To compare two methods of diagnosis of Microsporum canis, Wood's lamp (LW) and dermatophyte test metium (DTM). LW is based on the presence of ultraviolet light on dermatophytosis-infected hair in a specific way, it is considered a qualitative test and easy to use, while DTM is an especially useful laboratory test of wide use and more specific, due to the isolation of the genus and species of dermatophyte. Methodology. For the study, two hundred canine patients presenting with generalised dermatological lesions, sampled from skin scrapings, depilation, or brushing, were evaluated. For the identification of the aetiological agent (Microsporum canis), by means of the LW, which is based on emitting yellowish-green fluorescence in the positive case of the presence of M. canis; while the DTM is a culture that allows the growth of the infectious agent which can be seen under the microscope, this is how it is considered a selective and specific microbiological test. Results. They showed that, of the two hundred canine patients analyzed, DTM agar performed 2.26 times better than Wood's lamp in the diagnosis of Microsporum canis, with no significant differences with respect to sex and type of sample taken (hair or scab), with values of 0.069 and 0.145, respectively. Conclusions. We conclude that the most effective method for determining Microsporum canis dermatophytosis is the DTM differential agar.

Objective: to evaluate the effect of Neem essential oil (Azadirachta indica) topically on the skin and coat of cats with dermatophytosis. Methodology: visual assessment was the most important assessment methodology, taking into account the following variables: skin: (inflammation, flaking, excoriation, hyperpigmentation, alopecia, and fur: (oily, dry, brittle, bad smell), interpreted with scales assessment (1: no improvement, 2: slight improvement, 3: moderate improvement and 4: total improvement); the research used a completely randomized design, made up of 4 treatments: T1 (Control), T2 (5 days of application ), T3 (10 days of application) and T4 (15 days of application) and T5 (20 days of application), a total of 30 cats were evaluated, 6 animals for each treatment, with the use of cotton soaked in the oil, all the surface of the skin and hair, each patient underwent a detailed clinical and dermatological record. Results: they showed significant differences in the evaluation criteria of skin and hair as follows: no improvement, slight improvement, moderate improvement, and total improvement, regarding all the variables there was slight, moderate, and total improvement, very few animals did not show improvement. Conclusions: Neem oil (Azadirachta indica) works in the treatment of dermatophytosis and visually improves the skin as well as the fur of dermatologically affected cats, all treatments worked, being T4 and T5 the best, with applications of 15 and 20 days. consecutive, respectively.

Cardiovascular diseases are very common in canines, despite a thorough clinical examination and diagnostic tests such as radiography, electrocardiogram, echocardiography and blood pressure measurement, it is still difficult to estimate the severity and evolution of these pathologies. However, we must also point out that the heart generally shows certain substances called biomarkers, which help to determine its condition and its location, which is why this research was developed, with the sole objective of determining some cardiac biomarkers in canines. As predictors of cardiac involvement, in the present study three cardiac biomarkers were evaluated in thirty canines divided into three age groups grouped between 7 to 9 years (Group A); 9 to 12 years (Group B) and more than 12 years (Group C) respectively; resulting in group C presenting the highest proportion of positivity for the markers under study followed by groups A and B that match positive cases, likewise the Tnl biomarker was the most sensitive (26.6%), followed by TnC (20%). ) and BnP shows less sensitivity (16.6%). It is clear that, although cardiac biomarkers are considered an important aid in cardiological diagnosis, they cannot replace the information provided by a meticulous clinical examination and imaging aids such as echocardiography and radiography.

Objective: to compare the healing effect of matico and propolis in the treatment of post-surgical wounds. Methodology: an observational and comparative study was conducted on the healing effects through three treatments T1 (Matico); T2 (Propolis) and T3 (Saline-placebo solution), assigning each treatment to eight bitches (Canis lupus familiaris) that underwent a surgical process of octubrehysterectomy (OVH), at the "San Fernandos" Veterinary Clinic in the city of Loja -Ecuador. Results: it was shown that the matico and propolis ointment achieved better results in healing time and wound length reduction, and that, although there were differences between these and the control group, there were no statistically significant differences in the results. between the ointment of matico and propolis. In addition, a lower number of patients with inflammation, pain, scab, necrosis, and infection were found in the groups treated with matico and propolis during the 21 days of study, compared to the control group, all important macroscopic characteristics studied in the wounds of the diverse groups. Conclusions: matico and propolis are effective in the treatment of post-surgical wounds, with a reduction in healing time and scar size compared to the control group, which had a longer healing time and little reduction in s

Introduction: This paper presents the design of a protocol for the referral of patients with clinical findings of visual disturbances that require vision therapy through the design of algorithms based on decision trees for their clinical management and visual rehabilitation supported by clinical evidence; the absence of standardization of processes makes it impossible to make a referral decision, which can generate uncertainty in making timely and correct provisions. Objective: Design a protocol to refer to vision therapy from the optometric consultation. Methodology: This research is qualitative, quantitative descriptive, because results were obtained based on the experience of 162 professionals surveyed; This research was conducted in the province of Manabí, although a national survey was applied to visual health professionals; Based on the data obtained, the protocol for referral to vision therapy was designed. Results: the action protocol was designed with five algorithms: amblyopia, remote PPC, strabismus in distant and near vision, and oculomotor dysfunction, accommodation, and decreased stereopsis dysfunctions. Conclusions: The basic tests identified that should be performed based on visual function are visual acuity, refraction, contrast vision and color vision; for visual efficiency: ocular motility, accommodation, and stereopsis; the structure of the protocol for referral to the visual therapy area was established through easy-to-interpret flowcharts. The standardization and management of equality of procedures is a useful tool for conducting research and multicenter studies where there must be equality.

El termino aneurisma de fistula arteriovenosa se utiliza en medicina para definir que es una dilatación vascular localizada, donde participa toda la pared del vaso incrementando el diámetro vascular en un 50% o más.  Objetivo general: Revisar en la evidencia científica sobre determinar los factores de riesgo y prevalencias del aneurisma de fístula arteriovenosa en pacientes de hemodiálisis. Metodología: Se trabajó con un método de enfoque descriptivo en lo que se refiere a las estrategias de búsqueda se utilizó las bases de datos científicas como, PubMed, Scopus, Web off Science, mediante la combinación de palabras clave lo que permitió seleccionar artículos en idioma español e inglés entre los años de publicación 2015 al 2021, se escogerán aquellos que tuvieran alguna relación con la temática a tratar. Resultados principales: El método empleado en la investigación será hipotético deductivo, utilizará un diseño no experimental de nivel descriptivo, que recogerá la información en un período de los 5 últimos años, cuyos resultados serán visualizados en gráfica y textualmente. Conclusión: La evidencia significativa para afirmar los factores observados si están asociados significativamente a la formación de aneurismas en fístula arteriovenosa, con una p-valor < 0.05, afirmando o anulando la hipótesis planteada para dichos factores.

Introduction: Keratoconus has a prevalence of 54.5 per 100,000 people, this figure varies by geographic location. Keratoconus is a corneal alteration that produces significant distortions in vision. There are no data on the presence of this disease at a local level, nor are there studies that indicate the population characteristics of the people who suffer from it. Objectives: To determine the characteristics of patients with keratoconus at the Dr. Emigdio Navia Ophthalmologic Center in the Portoviejo´s city. Methodology: Descriptive-retrospective study, using as an instrument the collection of data in corneal topographies and clinical histories of patients treated at the center. Results: A population of 4527 patients was analyzed during 2018 and 2019. In 2018, only 5 patients with a keratoconus´ diagnosis were identified, 4 were male and 1 female, between 10-75 years old; in 2019, 7 patients showed a keratoconus´ diagnosis, 5 male and 2 female, between 5-39 years old. Patients with a diagnosis of keratoconus, showed one of the most common pathologies´s symptoms referred, blurred vision. In 2018, the keratometric K values are very close to each other (CV<10) for all patients, indicating that mostly these patients have approximately the same disease progression. While, in 2019, these values show a CV>10%, which allows suggesting that keratoconus come from different sources and possess different stages. Conclusions: According to the literature, the degree of keratoconus in patients diagnosed in 2018 correspond to stages 1, 2 and 3, while, in 2019, according to keratometric data, patients with keratoconus up to stage 4 are observed.

Introduction. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is a threat to public health; despite the existence of treatment, it continues to be the infectious disease that causes the most deaths worldwide. Objective. To determine factors associated with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis through a clinical case from the El Paraíso Health Center in the city of Machala. Methodology. This is a 43-year-old male patient, mestizo race, no occupation, with a history of type II diabetes mellitus for 17 years, currently under regular treatment with intermediate-acting insulin 20 IU AM and 10 IU PMI, with poor control and not adhering to treatment, alcohol consumption 4 times per week, tobacco 2 packs per day, cocaine consumption 5 years ago for 6 months, presenting a clinical picture characterized by cough with mucopurulent expectoration, accompanied by weight loss, nocturnal thermal rise, asthenia and anorexia for approximately 1 month. He was diagnosed with treatment-resistant tuberculosis and started a second-line treatment regimen. Results. Patient with rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis with associated risk factors: drug addiction, alcoholism, chronic smoker, insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes, and high psychosocial risk.