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Los cordomas son tumores óseos primarios, poco frecuentes, derivados de remanentes no diferenciados de la notocorda. Por su origen histológico, suelen ubicarse en la línea media del esqueleto axial, y los lugares de presentación más frecuentes son la base del cráneo y la columna. Se caracterizan por presentar un crecimiento lento, por lo que tienden a ser clínicamente silenciosos hasta alcanzar tamaños que causan manifestaciones que varían según el sitio de presentación; sin embargo, tienen alta agresividad y recurrencia local. El tratamiento es quirúrgico e, idealmente, se busca una resección completa de la lesión. El artículo presenta el caso de un hombre de 20 años de edad, quien desarrolló un cordoma en la articulación facetaria superior izquierda de C4, que es una localización rara.

En este artículo se presentan unos acercamientos iniciales sobre algunas de las tendencias argumentativas que se vienen desarrollando en torno de la globalización. Por razones metodológicas, las mismas se encuentran agrupadas en cuatro apartes, considerados como necesarios para el abordaje de este tipo de estudios; estos son: la necesidad de entender la globalización, a propósito de las interpretaciones históricas de lo global, acerca de las lógicas de la globalización económica, lo local y lo global en la globalización. Por último, y a modo de conclusión, se expone la relación contabilidad y globalización como base para discusión y consolidación de los procesos de investigación en campos de estudio como la contabilidad internacional.

El presente artículo es parte de una propuesta de investigación con la que se pretenden construir elementos para identifi car, analizar y comprender las principales tendencias de la contabilidad internacional en el sector público; haciendo énfasis en aquellas que en Colombia aparecen como respuesta al contexto global, y partiendo de allí interpretar los procesos de normalización y armonización contable. La perspectiva de la investigación está en generar nuevas interpretaciones de las organizaciones socio-económicas, sus dimensiones y actuaciones. Es allí donde resulta válido el acercamiento a las tendencias de los sistemas de información contable.

En este artículo se presentan unos acercamientos iniciales sobre algunas de las tendencias argumentativas que se vienen desarrollando en torno de la globalización. Por razones metodológicas, las mismas se encuentran agrupadas en cuatro apartes, considerados como necesarios para el abordaje de este tipo de estudios; estos son: la necesidad de entender la globalización, a propósito de las interpretaciones históricas de lo global, acerca de las lógicas de la globalización económica, lo local y lo global en la globalización. Por último, y a modo de conclusión, se expone la relación contabilidad y globalización como base para discusión y consolidación de los procesos de investigación en campos de estudio como la contabilidad internacional.

Introduction: Asthma is a chronic and potentially serious disease and 80% of the cases have an allergic etiology. In this sense, allergen-specific immunotherapy is an alternative that modulates the natural course of the disease. Objective: To evaluate the impact of immunotherapy in pediatric asthma patients treated at a health institution in Colombia. Materials and methods: We conducted an observational descriptive study with an analytical cross-sectional component. Sixty-two patients diagnosed with allergic asthma sensitized to dust mites and treated with at least 6 doses of mite immunotherapy were included. We assessed the impact of immunotherapy using the Asthma Control Test (ACT), the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) treatment scale, and spirometry values. Results: The ACT score before the start reported 30% of patients with uncontrolled asthma, 28% with good control, and 4% with totally controlled asthma. Of the patients with uncontrolled asthma, 46.7% achieved good control and 23.3% total control. Regarding patients’ perception of improvement with the immunotherapy, 9.75% perceived a response of less than 50%, 45.2% one between 50% -90%, and 41.9% reported response equal to or greater than 90%. No significant changes in FEV1 values were found in spirometry. Conclusions: Significant changes in the ACT scores and the perception of disease improvement were observed in the population evaluated with specific mite immunotherapy, i.e., it had a positive impact on the natural course of the disease.

Background: Little is known out the sensitization to shrimp in patients with respiratory allergies who are sensitized to mites and about the clinical relevance of that sensitization in the tropical region., Objectives: To determine the prevalence of sensitization to shrimp in patients with rhinitis or asthma who are sensitized to mites, to explore the route of sensitization, its relevance, and the role of sensitization to tropomyosin., Methods: A cross-sectional study in patients with asthma and rhinitis who are sensitized to mites. Through a survey, it was asked about the consumption of shrimp and the control of asthma or rhinitis. Oral provocation tests were carried out with shrimp on individuals who are sensitized to mites and shrimp without consumption, or consumption greater than six months before, without reaction history. In a subgroup, the sIgE was measured for shrimp, Der p and Lit v 1. The patients who are sensitized to mites and shrimp (cases) were compared to the patients who are sensitized only to mites (controls)., Results: Out of 229 patients, 48 (21%) were sensitized to shrimp. There wasn't a statistically significant difference in the intake of shrimp between cases (54.2%) and controls (49.7%); eight cases showed symptoms on contact with shrimp. No statistically significant differences were found in the sIgE for Der p, Lit v1 and shrimp between cases and controls. A medium change was observed in the size of the effect: 0.45, 0.44 and 0.41 respectively., Conclusions: Sensitization to shrimp in patients with asthma or allergic rhinitis caused by mites is high; in 25% it seems to be clinically relevant, mainly in those with asthma. Intake is not the main route of exposure to tropomyosin; cross-reactivity can explain the frequency of sensitization.

Background: Several reports show deficiencies in the knowledge of physicians about the diagnostic criteria and the treatment of anaphylaxis, a condition that can have fatal consequences., Objective: To evaluate the knowledge of physicians in Colombia on the fundamental aspects of anaphylaxis in diagnosis and treatment., Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study, carried out through a survey of 11 questions that evaluate clinical aspects of anaphylaxis, addressed to general practitioners and specialists in different health areas resident in Colombia. The analysis of the results was based on the correct answers. For approval, a score higher than 70% was needed., Results: A total of 447 non-allergic doctors analyzed were included, of which only 110 (24.6%) approved the questionnaire in both the questions aimed at the diagnosis and in the treatment of anaphylaxis. Among the factors that were associated with the failure of the survey were the age of the doctor (p <0.01) and work at the first level of care (p <0.01)., Conclusions: Like previous studies, knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of anaphylaxis is scarce among Colombian physicians. The factors associated with said result are potentially modifiable.

Background: In Latin America there are few data about the factors that influence the control and severity of asthma., Objective: To describe the association between IgE sensitization to intra-home allergens and housing conditions in the severity of asthma., Methods: Sensitization to aero-allergens was evaluated by skin prick test and socio-demographic data by a questionnaire in a population between 6 and 14 years of age with diagnosis of asthma. Asthma control was measured according to spirometric results and to the application of the ACT (Asthma Control Test); the severity and symptom control was evaluated according to the GINA guideline., Results: A total of 150 resident patients from the Aburra Valley (Colombia) were included. The median age of participants was 11 years, 95 (63.3 %) male. 92 % of the patients resided in the urban area. Mite sensitization was the most prevalent in controlled and uncontrolled patients. Sensitization to cockroach and some poverty conditions were risk factors for asthma severity., Conclusion: Poverty conditions appear to favor the development of severe asthma and in turn IgE sensitization to cockroaches. This sensitization could serve as a biomarker of severity.

Introduction: The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an acquired immune disorder defined by the presence of thrombosis (arterial and/or venous) and/or pregnancy morbidity along with the presence of positive antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). There is a clear relationship between aPL and some events not included in the clinical criteria, including haematologic., Objectives: a) to study the probability of developing clinical APS in patients with positive aPL and thrombopenia; b) to identify potential risk factors for thrombosis, and c) to study the association between thrombocytopenia and aPL., Methods: A retrospective study of 138 patients with positive aPL without fulfilling clinical criteria for APS. Thrombocytopenia was defined as a platelet count≤100,000/μl. Patients with other causes of thrombocytopenia were excluded., Results: Seventeen of the 138 (12%) patients in the study had thrombocytopenia. The mean platelet count was 60,000/μl. The risk of developing thrombocytopenia was higher in smokers (OR 2.8; P=.044), in those with lupus anticoagulant (OR 13.5; P<.001) and those with higher burden of aPL (OR 50.8; P<.001). After a mean follow-up of 146±60.3 months, 5 patients with thrombocytopenia (29.4%) developed thrombosis., Conclusions: In our series, the incidence of thrombocytopenia is 12%. aPL-positive patients who develop thrombocytopenia have a potential risk of developing thrombosis. Tobacco could be a risk factor for thrombocytopenia. Autoantibodies load is a risk factor for the development of thrombocytopenia., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: As there are still doubts about brain connectivity in type I bipolar disorder (BID), resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI) studies are necessary during euthymia for a better control of confounding factors., Objective: To evaluate the differences in brain activation between euthymic BID patients and control subjects using resting state- functional-magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI), and to identify the lithium effect in these activations., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 21 BID patients (10 receiving lithium only, and 11 non-medicated) and 12 healthy control subjects, using RS fMRI and independent component analysis (ICA)., Results: Increased activation was found in the right hippocampus (P=.049) and posterior cingulate (P=.040) within the Default Mode Network (DMN) when BID and control group were compared. No statistically significant differences were identified between BID on lithium only therapy and non-medicated BID patients., Conclusions: The results suggest that there are changes in brain activation and connectivity in BID even during euthymic phase and mainly within the DMN network, which could be relevant in affect regulation., (Copyright © 2013 Asociación Colombiana de Psiquiatría. Publicado por Elsevier España. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Ulegyria is a cortical lesion affecting neighbouring vascular zones, which gives the convolutions a mushroom-like appearance. It is an important cause of occipital epilepsy. AIM. To correlate patients diagnosed clinically, electrically and morphometrically with ulegyria and epilepsy by comparing the thickness of the cortex in the zones affected by ulegyria with the normal cortical thickness reported in the literature and the average cortical thickness of healthy subjects., Patients and Methods: Ten patients with ulegyria confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging were included in the study; all of them were submitted to a clinical interview, an electroencephalographic study and cortical morphometric analysis based on volumetric T1 sequences., Results: Findings included a predominance in males, neurodevelopmental retardation and epilepsy. Ulegyria was mainly parietooccipital, frequently bilateral, with statistically significant thinning of the cortical thickness in the site of the lesion and an increase in the thickness of the cortex in the areas surrounding the lesion., Conclusions: We report on a series of patients with ulegyria with characteristics similar to those existing in the literature and by means of morphometry we detected an increase in the thickness of the cortex around the areas affected by ulegyria. These findings could point to the presence of adaptive neuroplasticity in the neurons that surround the scar tissue or they may be the result of mechanical changes of normal tissue in response to the loss of volume of the ulegyria-affected area, although these data need to be replicated in a study with a greater number of patients.

Objective: To measure the vascularization and ovarian volume with three-dimensional sonography in patients diagnosed of polycystic ovary syndrome with stimulated ovulation treatment, and to analyse the differences between the patients treated with clomiphen citrate versus clomiphen citrate and metformin., Material and Method: Therty patients were studied. Twenty ovulation cycles were obtained with clomiphen citrate and 17 with clomiphen citrate plus merformin (added in case of obesity or hyperglucemy/hyperinsulinemia). Ovarian volumes and vascular indexes were studied with 3D-sonography and results were analysed by treatment., Results: There were no statistical differences of ovarian volume by treatment along the cycles, although bigger volume were found in ovulatory cycles compared to non-ovulatory ones (20,36 versus 13,89 ml, p = 0,026). No statistical differences were also found concerning vascular indexes, neither by treatment nor by the obtention of ovulation in the cycle., Conclusions: Ovarian volume and vascular indexes measured with three-dimensional sonography in patients diagnosed of polycystic ovary syndrome do not show differents values in patients treated with clomiphen citrate alone versus clomiphen citrate plus metformin.

Aims: The utility of the valuation-measurement of the nasal bone in the prognosis of chromosomopaties during the second trimester of the pregnancy is demonstrated., Objective: To evaluate the repeatability of nasal bone measurement during second trimester with bidimensional and three-dimensional sonography., Material and Method: Nasal bone was measured in 50 single pregnancies. First observer carried out two measures of nasal bone with bidimensional sonography, and 1 measure with three-dimensional sonography. Second observer carried out just one measure with bidimensional sonography (2D) and just another one with three-dimensional sonography (3D). We studied the intraobserver variability with 2D sonography, and the interobserver variability with 2D and 3D sonography., Results: 2D-sonography: nasal bone measurement showed excellent intraobserver correlation with a correlation coefficient of 0,87 (CI 95%: 0,78-0,93) and a little means difference of 0,18 (SD: 0,74). Indeed, there was a good interobserver correlation with a correlation coefficient of 0,92 (CI 95%: 0,85-0,95), and a means difference of 0,14 (SD: 0,56). 3D-sonography: there was a acceptable interobserver correlation with correlation coefficient of 0,70 (CI 95%: 0,52-0,82)., Conclusion: Nasal bone measurement is highly reproducible by means of bidimensional sonography while using three-dimensional sonography, the results are just acceptable.

Objective: To determine the incidence and causes of perioperative mortality following lung transplant for cystic fibrosis., Patients and Methods: We analyzed the cases of 57 patients. Fifty-five patients received double lung transplants, 1 received a heart-double lung transplant, and 1 received a combined double lung and liver transplant. Information related to the organ donor, recipient, lung graft, and early postoperative period was gathered. Perioperative mortality was defined as death resulting from anesthesia or surgery regardless of how many days had passed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze survival. A Cox logistic regression model was used to determine variables affecting mortality., Results: Survival was 83.7% at 1 year after transplantation, 77.3% at 2 years, and 66.9% at 5 years. Five (8.7%) patients died as a result of anesthesia or surgery. A ratio of PaO2 to inspired oxygen fraction (FiO2) less than 200 mm Hg in the early postoperative period was observed in 8 (14%) patients. Primary graft failure occurred in 4 patients, due to pneumonia in 2 and to biventricular dysfunction in 2. Three of those patients died. Two patients with PaO2/FiO2 greater than 200 mm Hg died after surgery, one from septic shock due to Pseudomonas cepacia and the other from massive cerebral infarction. PaO2/FiO2 upon admission to the recovery care unit was the only variable significantly associated with perioperative mortality in the logistic regression model (P=.0034)., Conclusions: The only factor significantly related to perioperative mortality in patients receiving transplants for cystic fibrosis was PaO2/FiO2 upon admission to the recovery unit.

Objective: Retrospective study on the relation between the use of blood products and survival rates in patients treated surgically for stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)., Patients and Methods: The study included 856 patients who underwent surgical resection from 1969 to 2000 for stage I NSCLC, classified histologically according to the current guidelines of the Spanish Society of Pulmonary and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR). Patients who died in the postoperative period were excluded from the study. A series of clinicopathological variables were recorded, including the perioperative use or not of blood products. Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate statistical analyses were performed. Follow up concluded in December of 2003., Results: One hundred twenty-five patients (14.6%) underwent a perioperative transfusion. A significant association was found between the use of blood products and tumor size (P<.001), pneumectomy (P<.001), and cell type (P<.05). The respective 2, 5, and 10-year survival rates were 78%, 63%, and 54% for the nontransfusion group, and 73%, 59%, and 46% for the transfusion group. Both survival curves were compared and no significant differences were found (P=.23). Multivariate regression analysis included tumor size, patient age, and histologic cell type (squamous cell carcinoma or not); no relation between transfusion and survival was found., Conclusions: In our series, we found no difference in survival rates for patients with stage I NSCLC after perioperative blood transfusion.

Objective: To determine the prognostic factors for the survival in a group of patients operated on for a non-small cell lung cancer classified as T2N1M0., Patients and Methods: Two hundred sixteen patients treated exclusively with surgery were studied. Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox multivariable regression analyses were used., Results: The overall survival rate was 39.8% at 5 years and 29.9% at 10 years. Sex, age, presence or absence of symptoms, type of resection, number, and location of affected lymph nodes had no effect on survival. Tumor size (P=.04) and histologic type (P=.03) did significantly affect prognosis. Both variables entered into the Cox multivariable regression model., Conclusions: Patients operated on for non-small cell lung cancer classified as T2N1M0 have an overall probability of 5-year survival of approximately 40%. However, the prognosis for this group of patients is heterogeneous: in our study it was affected by the histologic type (45.5% for squamous cell and 25% for non-squamous cell cancers) and tumor size (53% for tumors with a diameter of 5 cm).