Planificación estratégica en la Universidad Pública Argentina. Descripción y análisis del proceso de elaboración del documento resultante del proyecto estratégico institucional de la Universidad Nacional de Luján (2009-2012)

El presente artículo fue escrito con la intención de describir y analizar el Plan Estratégico Institucional (PEI) 2009-2012 de la Universidad Nacional de Luján, como documento que exterioriza la Planificación Estratégica elaborada por la propia comunidad universitaria. Se consideró un caso muy interesante para explorar pues, si bien el puntapié para el mismo provino de una demanda externa, la organización emprendió el proceso de sistematizar y redactar un documento que devela los antecedentes, las debilidades, las fortalezas y las propuestas para mejorar la Institución en un horizonte temporal definido. Se pudo observar la naturaleza en extremo compleja y conflictiva que tiene el proceso de Planificación Estratégica en cualquier organización, y en particular en las universidades públicas argentinas, que se caracterizan por ser estructuras profundamente democráticas

Penile and Scrotal Strangulation due to Metal Rings: Case Reports and a Review of the Literature

Penile and scrotal entrapment from a metal ring placed at the base of the penis is a rare, but important clinical dilemma encountered in urology. Emergent presentation to the urologist, after ring placement far longer than safely practiced, risks ischemic and permanent injury to penile, scrotal, and intrascrotal structures. Treating urologists should be aware of the prevalence of metal ring use, their potential complications, and the surgical approach to their safe removal. We present two patients who were identified at our institution with strangulating injuries of retained penile rings. The first patient was a healthy, 43-year-old male with a metal ring retained for 24 hours that was safely removed with industrial bolt cutters. The second patient, a 74-year-old male, died as a result of sepsis from injuries secondary to penoscrotal ischemia after \u3e48 hour ring retention despite prompt removal at emergent presentation. Although rare, sexual practices may include the use of penoscrotal rings. When retained, ischemic injury and edema may lead to strangulation. Emergent removal may require industrial equipment that is not within the confines of normal operating room tools. Tissue injury may be severe and sepsis life-threatening, even after ring removal

Molecular biomarkers in the context of focal therapy for prostate cancer: Recommendations of a delphi consensus from the focal therapy society

BACKGROUND: Focal therapy (FT) for prostate cancer (PCa) is promising. However, long-term oncological results are awaited and there is no consensus on follow-up strategies. Molecular biomarkers (MB) may be useful in selecting, treating and following up men undergoing FT, though there is limited evidence in this field to guide practice. We aimed to conduct a consensus meeting, endorsed by the Focal Therapy Society, amongst a large group of experts, to understand the potential utility of MB in FT for localized PCa. METHODS: A 38-item questionnaire was built following a literature search. The authors then performed three rounds of a Delphi Consensus using DelphiManager, using the GRADE grid scoring system, followed by a face-to-face expert meeting. Three areas of interest were identified and covered concerning MB for FT, 1) the current/present role; 2) the potential/future role; 3) the recommended features for future studies. Consensus was defined using a 70% agreement threshold. RESULTS: Of 95 invited experts, 42 (44.2%) completed the three Delphi rounds. Twenty-four items reached a consensus and they were then approved at the meeting involving (N.=15) experts. Fourteen items reached a consensus on uncertainty, or they did not reach a consensus. They were re-discussed, resulting in a consensus (N.=3), a consensus on a partial agreement (N.=1), and a consensus on uncertainty (N.=10). A final list of statements were derived from the approved and discussed items, with the addition of three generated statements, to provide guidance regarding MB in the context of FT for localized PCa. Research efforts in this field should be considered a priority. CONCLUSIONS: The present study detailed an initial consensus on the use of MB in FT for PCa. This is until evidence becomes available on the subject

Delayed Recognition of an Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction in a Young Adult Female

A percentage of ureteropelvic junction obstruction cases are clinically silent in childhood and manifest symptoms in adults. Herein we present a 25-year-old female with several years of intermittent flank pain and abdominal symptoms with prior inconclusive diagnostic workup including abdominal imaging without hydronephrosis. Ultimately, a CT scan performed during an acute pain crisis clearly identified right-sided hydronephrosis. The keys to diagnosis are awareness of this entity, a detailed history, and obtaining imaging studies during a crisis. The patient subsequently underwent a right robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty with preservation of a lower pole crossing vessel. We highlight noteworthy features of the clinical presentation and surgical repair

Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis of a Lower Pole Moiety in a Duplicated Collecting System Kidney

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is a destructive inflammatory process which is frequently caused by recurrent urinary tract infections or chronic obstruction by kidney stones. We present a 56-year-old female with an extensive retroperitoneal urinoma and xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis of the lower pole moiety in a kidney with a duplicated collecting system due to obstructive nephrolithiasis. After drainage of the urinoma, the patient underwent a definitive lower pole heminephrectomy with preservation of the functional upper pole. We review important clinical features of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis and considerations for surgery on a duplicated kidney

Testicular pure seminoma in a septuagenarian with a left-ventricular assist device

The left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is an implanted mechanical pump that supports circulatory function for patients with advanced heart failure. LVAD survival has continuously improved over the last decade with an increasing number of patients requiring non-cardiac surgeries. We discuss a 77-year-old, LVAD-dependent male with an enlarging, indurated right testicular mass. Radical inguinal orchiectomy confirmed pure seminoma. The case highlights perioperative considerations in this unique cohort of patients

Engaging the primary care community to encourage appropriate prostate cancer screening

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for prostate cancer remains a controversial topic, particularly in the primary care community. Our multidisciplinary prostate screening panel at Duke University Health System, USA created a nuanced PSA screening algorithm, implemented it into the Electronic Health Record of Duke Primary Care, and conducted outreach meetings with primary care practices to support its rollout. Through this project, we identified areas of concern among primary care clinicians regarding PSA screening that we structured into two major categories: ideological opposition and logistical opposition. We outlined specific concerns in each major category and described how our team responded to those concerns. As communication between primary care clinicians and prostate specialists is vital to the success and safety of PSA screening programs, we hope that describing primary care concerns and our responses to them will help other health systems thoughtfully and efficiently implement appropriate PSA screening programs moving forward