Retos para el logro de una participación democrática en la gestión en las cooperativas no agropecuarias: reflexiones desde un estudio de caso / Challenges for the Achievement of a Democratic Participation in the Management of Non-Agricultural Cooperatives: Reflections from a Case Study

El artículo identifica los retos que supone una participación democrática en el sector cooperativo no agropecuario. Se toma como referente un estudio de caso de una Cooperativa no Agropecuaria (CNA) textil de origen estatal de Centro Habana, donde se analizan las características de las prácticas participativas cotidianas de la CNA. Entre las técnicas utilizadas se encuentran las entrevistas semiestructuradas a los miembros de la CNA objeto de estudio, expertos en el tema y funcionarios de instituciones gubernamentales que atienden a las CNA, así como un cuestionario sobre participación a los socios y un análisis documental de los Decretos-Leyes 305 y 309 y a las actas de las reuniones de la Asamblea General. The article identifies the challenges of democratic participation in the non-agricultural cooperative sector. A case study of a non-agricultural textile cooperative (CNA) of state origin from Centro Habana is taken as a reference, where the characteristics of the CNA's daily participatory practices are analyzed. Among the techniques used are the semi-structured interviews with the members of the CNA under study, experts on the subject and officials of government institutions that serve the CNA, as well as a questionnaire on participation to the partners and a documentary analysis of the Decrees - Laws 305 and 309 and the minutes of the meetings of the General Assembly

Polymorphisms in DNA-repair genes in a cohort of prostate cancer patients from different areas in Spain: heterogeneity between populations as a confounding factor in association studies

Background: Differences in the distribution of genotypes between individuals of the same ethnicity are an important confounder factor commonly undervalued in typical association studies conducted in radiogenomics. Objective: To evaluate the genotypic distribution of SNPs in a wide set of Spanish prostate cancer patients for determine the homogeneity of the population and to disclose potential bias. Design, Setting, and Participants: A total of 601 prostate cancer patients from Andalusia, Basque Country, Canary and Catalonia were genotyped for 10 SNPs located in 6 different genes associated to DNA repair: XRCC1 (rs25487, rs25489, rs1799782), ERCC2 (rs13181), ERCC1 (rs11615), LIG4 (rs1805388, rs1805386), ATM (rs17503908, rs1800057) and P53 (rs1042522). The SNP genotyping was made in a Biotrove OpenArrayH NT Cycler. Outcome Measurements and Statistical Analysis: Comparisons of genotypic and allelic frequencies among populations, as well as haplotype analyses were determined using the web-based environment SNPator. Principal component analysis was made using the SnpMatrix and XSnpMatrix classes and methods implemented as an R package. Non-supervised hierarchical cluster of SNP was made using MultiExperiment Viewer. Results and Limitations: We observed that genotype distribution of 4 out 10 SNPs was statistically different among the studied populations, showing the greatest differences between Andalusia and Catalonia. These observations were confirmed in cluster analysis, principal component analysis and in the differential distribution of haplotypes among the populations. Because tumor characteristics have not been taken into account, it is possible that some polymorphisms may influence tumor characteristics in the same way that it may pose a risk factor for other disease characteristics. Conclusion: Differences in distribution of genotypes within different populations of the same ethnicity could be an important confounding factor responsible for the lack of validation of SNPs associated with radiation-induced toxicity, especially when extensive meta-analysis with subjects from different countries are carried out

Long-term results of diaphragmatic plication in adults with unilateral diaphragm paralysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In this study we aimed to evaluate the long-term outcome of diaphragmatic plication for symptomatic unilateral diaphragm paralysis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thirteen patients who underwent unilateral diaphragmatic plication (2 patients had right, 11 left plication) between January 2003 and December 2006 were evaluated. One patient died postoperatively due to sepsis. The remaining 12 patients [9 males, 3 females; mean age 60 (36-66) years] were reevaluated with chest radiography, flouroscopy or ultrasonography, pulmonary function tests, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the MRC/ATS dyspnea score at an average of 5.4 (4-7) years after diaphragmatic plication.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The etiology of paralysis was trauma (9 patients), cardiac by pass surgery (3 patients), and idiopathic (1 patient). The principle symptom was progressive dyspnea with a mean duration of 32.9 (22-60) months before surgery. All patients had an elevated hemidiaphragm and paradoxical movement radiologically prior to surgery. There were partial atelectasis and reccurent infection of the lower lobe in the affected side on CT in 9 patients. Atelectasis was completely improved in 9 patients after plication. Preoperative spirometry showed a clear restrictive pattern. Mean preoperative FVC was 56.7 ± 11.6% and FEV1 65.3 ± 8.7%. FVC and FEV1 improved by 43.6 ± 30.6% (p < 0.001) and 27.3 ± 10.9% (p < 0.001) at late follow-up. MRC/ATS dyspnea scores improved 3 points in 11 patients and 1 point in 1 patient at long-term (p < 0.0001). Eight patients had returned to work at 3 months after surgery.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Diaphragmatic plication for unilateral diaphragm paralysis decreases lung compression, ensures remission of symptoms, and improves quality of life in long-term period.</p

Arteria toracica interna: origen, relaciones y ramas

BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertaçõe

Estudo anatômico da artéria torácica interna aplicado à cirurgia cardiovascular

Com a intensa utilização da artéria torácica interna (ATI) na operação de revascularização do miocárdio, estudamos sua anatomia com a finalidade de esclarecer aspectos morfológicos que possibilitem extender sua utilização e prevenir complicações pós-operatórias. Em 100 cadáveres foram retirados os plastrões esternocostais e injetadas as ATIs com Látex Neoprene. A ATI originou-se diretamente da artéria subclávica em 82,5% e de um tronco comum com outras artérias em 17,5%. O comprimento médio foi de 20,4 ± 2,1 cm e o ponto de terminação mais freqüente foi ao nível do 6º espaço intercostal (e.i.) (52,5%). A forma de terminação se fez como bifurcação em 93% e como trifurcação em 7%. A relação da ATI com a margem esternal foi de 10,3 ± 3,2 mm ao nível do 1º e.i. e 19,2 ± 6,0 mm ao nível do 6º e.i. A ATI está recoberta pelo músculo transverso do tórax numa extensão média de 7,5 ± 2,7 cm e apresenta o ramo costal lateral em 15%. O nervo frênico é anterior à ATI em 70% e posterior em 30%. O estudo forneceu subsídios que podem contribuir para minimizar as complicações pós-operatórias.<br>The internal thoracic artery (ITA) was studied because of its increased utilization in myocardial revascularization surgery due to the excellent long-term results. A review of its anatomical characteristics to clear some morphological aspects was made, aiming to help the extension of its utilization and prevent operative complications. The study was carried out in 100 cadavers; the anterior sternocostal wall of the thorax was removed and the arteries were injected with Neoprene Latex. The ITA originated directly from the subclavian artery in 82.5% and from a common trunk with other arteries in 17.5%. Its lenght was 20.4 ± 2.1 cm in average and the most frequent end point was the 6th intercostal space (52.5%). The end point form was as bifurcation in 93% and as trifurcation in 7%. The relation of ITA with the sternal margins was, on average, 10.3 ± 3.2 mm at the level of first intercostal space and 19.2 ± 6.0 mm at the level of 6th intercostal space. It was covered by the transverse muscle of thorax in a distance of 7.5 ± 2.7 cm long (average) and the lateral costal branch was present in 15%. The ITA was crossed anteriorly by phrenic nerve in 70% and posteriorly in 30%. Informations provided by this study may help prevent complications in ITA dissections and to improve our knowledgement on its anatomical characteristics

Surgical anatomy of the internal thoracic artery

Background. the internal thoracic artery (ITA) has become increasingly important in coronary artery bypass grafting due to the excellent long-term results. This study reviews its anatomic characteristics.Methods. the ITAs of 100 cadavers were examined and their origin, relation to the phrenic nerve, presence of lateral costal branch; origin of pericardiacophrenic arteries, length, level and type of ITA termination, relation with the transverse muscle of thorax, collateral parietal branches, and distance between the ITA and sternal margins were studied.Results. the ITA was present in all cases, originating directly from the subclavian artery or from a common trunk with other arteries. Its length was 20.4 cm on average, and the most frequent level of termination was at the sixth intercostal spate, existing as a bifurcation in 93% and as a trifurcation in 7%. the pericardiacophrenic artery originated from the ITA in 89%. the lateral costal branch was present in 15% of the cases. the ITA was covered by the transverse muscle of the thorax for 7.5 cm (average) and was crossed anteriorly by the phrenic nerve in 70.0%.Conclusions. Information provided by this study may contribute to knowledge of its anatomic characteristics and in turn help prevent complications in ITA dissections. (C) 1997 by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons