Abstract Objective: To evaluate endothelial cell loss in patients after uncomplicated phacoemulsification comparing data from novice surgeons and expert surgeons. Method: An observational and prospective study was conducted in which 50 consecutive randomized eyes were evaluated in two groups of 25 eyes each. An endothelial cell count with specular microscopy was performed preoperatively and one month after surgery. Eyes with complicated cataracts were excluded. Results: Most of the patients were women, with a mean age of 75.5 years. The decrease in endothelial cell density one month after surgery was significant both in eyes operated by expert surgeons and novice surgeons, with a loss of 14.8% and 15.6%, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.491). Furthermore, the correlation between both groups was 0.58 (p = 0.0094). Cell loss in eyes operated by novice surgeons showed a good correlation (0.577) with the cumulative dissipated energy during phacoemulsification (p = 0.0025), contrary to the results obtained with expert surgeons where this correlation could not be demonstrated. The total cumulative dissipated energy used by novice surgeons was significantly higher (p = 0.045); 63% more than expert surgeons. Conclusions: Phacoemulsification resulted in significant corneal endothelial cell damage with similar figures for both groups, showing a good correlation between them. Concerning endothelial cell loss, the safety of the procedure performed by novice surgeons is equivalent to that performed by experts.

Resumen Objetivo: Evaluar la pérdida celular endotelial en pacientes operados mediante facoemulsificación de catarata no complicada, comparando datos de cirujanos noveles y cirujanos expertos. Método: Se realizó un estudio observacional y prospectivo en el que se evaluaron 50 ojos consecutivos aleatorizados en dos grupos de 25 ojos cada uno. Se realizó a cada ojo recuento de células endoteliales mediante microscopía especular preoperatoriamente y al mes de la cirugía. Los ojos con cataratas complicadas fueron excluidos. Resultados: La mayoría de los pacientes eran mujeres, con una edad media de 75.5 años. La disminución de la densidad celular al mes de la cirugía fue significativa tanto en ojos operados por cirujanos expertos como por cirujanos noveles, con una pérdida del 14.8% y el 15.6%, respectivamente, sin diferencia estadísticamente significativa (p = 0.491). Además, la correlación entre la pérdida de ambos grupos fue de 0.58 (p = 0.0094). La pérdida celular en ojos operados por cirujanos noveles demostró una buena correlación (0.577) con la energía acumulada disipada del ultrasonido durante la facoemulsificación (p = 0.0025), frente a los expertos, en los que no pudo demostrarse esta asociación. El total de energía acumulada disipada empleada por cirujanos noveles fue significativamente mayor (p = 0.045), un 63% más que los expertos. Conclusiones: La diferencia en el recuento endotelial tras cirugía de catarata se demuestra asociada a la propia cirugía, con cifras similares para cirujanos noveles y expertos, y se observa una buena correlación entre ambos grupos. Teniendo en cuenta la pérdida de celularidad endotelial corneal, la seguridad del procedimiento realizado por cirujanos noveles es equivalente a la del realizado por expertos.

Resumen Introducción. Los estudios de conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas (CAP) relacionados con la Covid-19 permiten establecer los conceptos erróneos y las prácticas inadecuadas en torno a esta enfermedad, información fundamental para diseñar estrategias eficaces y mejorar el cumplimiento de las medidas de prevención. Objetivo. Establecer los conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas relacionadas con la Covid-19 en pacientes venezolanos cribados en la carpa de triaje del Hospital Universitario de Caracas. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio transversal en 215 pacientes entre el 25 de abril y el 25 de mayo de 2020, mediante entrevistas personales y utilizando una encuesta sobre conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas. Resultados. La mayoría (53,5 %) de los pacientes encuestados se encontraba asintomática; los encuestados tenían un conocimiento adecuado sobre los síntomas y la transmisión de la enfermedad, sin distinción entre sintomáticos y asintomáticos. La mayoría de ellos indicó estar respetando las prácticas de cuarentena, lavado de manos frecuente y uso de tapabocas en público; sin embargo, el reemplazo diario de los tapabocas de tela fue más frecuente en el grupo de los asintomáticos, en tanto que el reemplazo cada tres días fue más común entre los sintomáticos. Por último, más de la mitad de los participantes admitió haber estado en lugares concurridos, siendo esta práctica más frecuente entre los sintomáticos que entre los asintomáticos. Conclusiones. Este es el primer estudio de conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre la Covid-19 en Venezuela. El conocimiento y las prácticas de los venezolanos podrían mejorar mediante el fortalecimiento de los programas de educación y capacitación. Esta información, obtenida durante la fase inicial de la pandemia en Venezuela, podría contribuir al diseño de estrategias de promoción y prevención de la Covid-19.

Abstract Introduction: The studies on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding COVID-19 help to identify erroneous concepts and inadequate practices related to the disease. This baseline information is essential to design effective strategies and improve adherence to prevention measures. Objective: To identify the COVID-19-related KAP in Venezuelan patients screened at the Hospital Universitario de Caracas triage tent. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 215 patients between April 25th and May 25th, 2020, with in-person interviews using a KAP survey. Results: Most surveyed patients (53.5%) were asymptomatic. Most of them, both from the symptomatic and the asymptomatic groups, had adequate knowledge about the symptoms and transmission of the disease and the majority said they were practicing quarantine, frequent handwashing, and the use of face masks in public areas. However, the daily replacement of cloth face masks was more frequent in the asymptomatic group whereas replacement every three days was more frequent in the symptomatic group. Finally, more than half of the participants admitted having been in crowded places, a common practice among the symptomatic compared to the asymptomatic patients. Conclusions: This is the first KAP study in Venezuela about COVID-19. Knowledge and practices among Venezuelans could be improved by strengthening education and training programs. This information from the early phase of the pandemic in Venezuela may contribute to the design of COVID-19 promotion and prevention strategies.

As bactérias anaeróbias estritas e facultativas cultiváveis do trato digestivo de seis urubus (Coragyps atratus Bechstein 1793) foram isoladas e identificadas. Após a captura, as aves receberam uma alimentação de baixa contaminação durante uma semana para eliminar possíveis microorganismos alóctonos. A seguir, amostras colhidas na língua, estomago e intestinos foram pesadas, submetidas a diluições decimais numa câmara anaeróbia, inoculadas em meios de cultura e incubadas em aerobiose e anaerobiose a 37ºC para enumeração, isolamento e identificação. As bactérias isoladas foram usadas posteriormente como produtoras e reveladoras para detectar possíveis fenômenos de antagonismo. A população bacteriana total ao longo do trato digestivo variou de 3,46 ± 0,39 log UFC/g no estômago até 10,75 ± 0,37 log UFC/g no intestino distal. Algumas bactérias foram isoladas pela primeira vez do trato digestivo de C. atratus: Actinomyces bovis, Lactobacillus cellobiosus, Micrococcus luteus, Neisseria sicca, Clostridium bifermentans, Enterobacter agglomerans, Peptostreptococcus sp., Sarcina sp., Serratia odorifera, and Shigella flexneri. Associações entre microorganismos foram observadas durante o isolamento em dois casos, um envolvendo A. bovis e N. sicca, e o outro envolvendo A. bovis e um bastonete Gram-negativo. Hetero-, iso- e autoantagonismos foram observados, sugerindo um papel ecológico para esses microorganismos em termos de autocontrole populacional e de barreira ambiental no trato digestivo dessas aves.

Strict and facultative culturable anaerobic bacteria from the digestive tract of six American black vultures (Coragyps atratus Bechstein 1793) were isolated and identified. After capture, the birds received a non-contaminated diet for one week to eliminate possible allochthonous microorganisms. Then, specimens collected from tongue, stomach and intestines were weighed, submitted to decimal dilution in an anaerobic chamber, inoculated into culture media and incubated aerobically and anaerobically at 37ºC for enumeration, isolation and identification. Isolated bacteria were submitted to tests to detect possible antagonisms between them. The total bacterial population along the digestive tract ranged from 3.46 ± 0.39 log CFU/g in the stomach to 10.75 ± 0.37 log CFU/g in the distal intestine. Some bacteria were isolated for the first time from the digestive tract of C. atratus: Actinomyces bovis, Lactobacillus cellobiosus, Micrococcus luteus, Neisseria sicca, Clostridium bifermentans, Enterobacter agglomerans, Peptostreptococcus sp., Sarcina sp., Serratia odorifera, and Shigella flexneri. Associations between microorganisms were observed during isolation on two occasions, one involving A. bovis and N. sicca, and the other involving A. bovis and a Gram-negative rod. Hetero-, iso- and autoantagonisms were observed, suggesting the ecological role of these indigenous microorganisms in terms of population auto-control and environmental barrier in the digestive tract of carrion-feeding birds.

Introdução: O termo neuropatia auditiva define grupo de alterações auditivas a partir do resultado de exames complementares na avaliação da audição17. Objetivo: Observar a ocorrência de sinais e sintomas auditivos em portadores de neuropatia auditiva. Forma de estudo: Retrospectivo clínico. Material e método: Análise de 30 casos de neuropatia auditiva diagnosticados entre junho de 1995 e junho de 1997, em que o desenvolvimento dos sintomas ocorreu após a aquisição da fala, enfatizando os achados na anamnese, exame físico, exames subsidiários e avaliação audiológica. Resultados: Ocorreu nessa série a prevalência de vários sintomas e sinais associados de forma peculiar. Conclusão: Existem vários sinais e sintomas que, associados ou não, podem sugerir a presença da neuropatia auditiva.

Introduction: The term auditory neuropathy defines a group of alterations based on the results of supplementary hearing tests. Aim: To observe the occurrence of hearing signs and symptoms in subjects with auditory neuropathy. Study design: Retrospective clinical. Material and Method: Analysis of 30 cases of auditory neuropathy diagnosed between June 1995 and June 1997, whose onset of symptoms took place after speech acquisition. We emphasized history, physical exam, supplementary tests and audiological assessment. Results: This series of patients showed the prevalence of various signs and symptoms peculiarly associated. Conclusion: There are a number of signs and symptoms, regardless of being associated or not, that may suggest the presence of auditory neuropathy.