Abstract Pozner, R.; F. Cápula, G. Couso & G. Blanco. 2023. The historical building of Instituto de Botánica Darwinion in San Isidro: the silent message of Dr. Cristóbal M. Hicken’s legacy. Darwiniana, nueva serie 11(1): 180-245. The Instituto de Botánica Darwinion (CONICET and ANCEFyN) was founded by the end of 1910 in the San Martín district by Cristóbal María Hicken as his private botanical research laboratory. Its name honors Charles Darwin for his brilliant theory of biological evolution. In 1924, Cristóbal M. Hicken made public his desire to bequeath the Instituto de Botánica Darwinion to the National State, a fact that only materialized in 1934. But in the early ‘30s, he decided to move the Instituto de Botánica Darwinion to a new building located in the San Isidro district, built especially to contain the institute and also his retirement home. After 87 years of existence and five building extensions, the historic building of the Instituto de Botánica Darwinion of San Isidro maintains its integrity and attracts the attention of both the public and architecture and design professionals. Based on the study of building characteristics and the thought of Cristóbal M. Hicken, the main objective of this work is to evaluate whether the external and internal structure of the historic Darwinion building in San Isidro, together with the ornamentation and distribution of original functions of each room, respond only to an aesthetic and functional design or if, in addition, they have a symbolic meaning, a vision of the world, a silent message for those who want (and know how) to understand. With this central purpose as a guide, we carried out a multidisciplinary investigation to reconstruct Cristóbal M. Hicken’s vision in the design of the Instituto de Botánica Darwinion of San Isidro. We started from the analysis of the original building in the San Martín district in search of any possible design background, to then focus the attention entirely on the building in San Isidro. Plans, public documents, correspondence, historical photographs, academic and dissemination articles of the time, pre-Hispanic South American ethnographic information, Argentine historical information between 1860 and 1930, and interviews with relatives and historians were studied. In short, the Instituto de Botánica Darwinion in San Isidro was created as a museum and a laboratory plus a home. The design of the museum agrees with the concept of “temple of Botany” manifested by Cristóbal M. Hicken himself, and whose first sign is observed in the etymology of the name of the institute. Its ornamentation is eclectic, since it combines symbols of Andean pre-Hispanic cultures with symbols of Western civilization, and it is structured according to each room (portal, front rooms, herbarium, library) and orientation (towards the street or towards the inner garden). This ornamentation works like a discourse in symbolic key with multiple messages for the visitor: it reflects an original, foundational, and ancient Argentine identity, which in turn communicates that the Darwinion is a place where a silent and fertile unveiling of the knowledge, of the secrets of evolution, takes place protected from evils and misfortunes by Nature itself. The design plan of the institute, the portal, the access terrace, and the internal garden convey desirable masonic values through the symbolic language, typical and traditional of Freemasonry. Likewise, we show evidence of Dr. Cristóbal M. Hicken’s great interest in Andean pre-Hispanic cultures, of his refined knowledge of Greco-Roman mythology, his belonging to Argentine Freemasonry and consequent ability to symbolic language, and his knowledge of construction, cosmology, and analytic geometry. For these reasons, and considering his participation in the supervision of the building work declared by the newspapers of his time, the probable direct intervention of Cristóbal M. Hicken is proposed both in the design of the building of the Instituto de Botánica Darwinion of San Isidro, as well as in the design of its ornamentation. In addition, evidence is provided of the possible intervention of Arturo Prins and Fernando de Estrada in the project of the building.

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ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the epidemiology of acute kidney injury, its relationship to chronic kidney disease, and the factors associated with its incidence. Methods: A cohort study and follow-up were conducted in an intensive care unit in Montevideo, Uruguay. We included patients admitted between November 2014 and October 2015 who were older than 15 years of age and who had at least two measurements of serum creatinine. We excluded patients who were hospitalized for less than 48 hours, patients who died at the time of hospitalization, and patients with chronic renal disease who were on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. There were no interventions. Acute kidney injury was defined according to the criteria set forth in Acute Kidney Injury Disease: Improving Global Outcomes, and chronic kidney disease was defined according to the Chronic Kidney Disease Work Group. Results: We included 401 patients, 56.6% male, median age of 68 years (interquartile range (IQR) 51-79 years). The diagnosis at admission was severe sepsis 36.3%, neurocritical 16.3%, polytrauma 15.2%, and other 32.2%. The incidence of acute kidney injury was 50.1%, and 14.1% of the patients suffered from chronic kidney disease. The incidence of acute septic kidney injury was 75.3%. Mortality in patients with or without acute kidney injury was 41.8% and 14%, respectively (p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the most significant variables for acute kidney injury were chronic kidney disease (odds ratio (OR) 5.39, 95%CI 2.04 - 14.29, p = 0.001), shock (OR 3.94, 95%CI 1.72 - 9.07, p = 0.001), and severe sepsis (OR 7.79, 95%CI 2.02 - 29.97, p = 0.003). Conclusion: The incidence of acute kidney injury is high mainly in septic patients. Chronic kidney disease was independently associated with the development of acute kidney injury.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Describir la epidemiología de la injuria renal aguda, la relación con la enfermedad renal crónica y los factores asociados a su incidencia. Métodos: Estudio de cohorte y seguimiento en una unidad de terapia intensiva de Montevideo - Uruguay. Se incluyeron pacientes ingresados entre noviembre 2014 a octubre 2015, mayores de 15 años con dos mediciones de creatinina sérica. Se excluyeron pacientes con menos de 48 horas de internación o fallecidos en ese tiempo y portadores de enfermedad renal crónica en hemodiálisis o diálisis peritoneal. No hubo intervenciones. La injuria renal aguda se definió según criterios Acute Kidney Injury Disease Improving Global Outcomes y la enfermedad renal crónica según Cronic Kidney Disease Work Group. Resultados: Se incluyeron 401 pacientes, sexo masculino 56,6%, mediana de edad 68 (rango intercuartílico - RIC 51 - 79) años. El diagnóstico al ingreso fue sepsis grave 36,3%, neurocrítico 16,3%, politrauma 15,2% y otros 32,2%. La incidencia de injuria renal aguda fue de 50,1%. El 14,1% eran portadores de enfermedad renal crónica. La incidencia de injuria renal aguda séptica fue de 75,3%. La mortalidad en los pacientes con o sin injuria renal aguda fue de 41,8 y 14% respectivamente (p < 0,001). En el análisis multivariado las variables de mayor significación para la injuria renal aguda fueron enfermedad renal crónica (odds ratio - OR 5,39 IC95% 2,04 - 14,29 p = 0,001), shock (OR 3,94 IC95% 1,72 - 9,07 p = 0,001) y sepsis grave (OR 7,79 IC 95% 2,02 - 29,97 p = 0,003). Conclusión: La incidencia de injuria renal aguda es elevada principalmente en pacientes sépticos. La enfermedad renal crónica se asoció de forma independiente al desarrollo de injuria renal aguda.

Introducción: la esofagectomía continúa siendo el tratamiento de elección del cáncer esofágico. Objetivos: describir la frecuencia de complicaciones y mortalidad tras esofagectomía por cáncer esofágico. Material y método: estudio retrospectivo, multicéntrico, entre los años 2001 y 2011. Se incluyeron pacientes sometidos a esofagectomía programada por cáncer esofágico durante la estadía en unidades de cuidados intensivos. Resultados: se incluyeron 224 pacientes, hombres 72%, media de edad 61 años y desvío estándar ± 11 años. El abordaje quirúrgico fue transhiatal en 69,7% y transtorácico en 30,3%. La morbilidad fue de 70,5% y la mortalidad de 13,8%. Las complicaciones detectadas fueron respiratorias 50,8%, infecciosas 51,3%, cardiovasculares 27,6% y quirúrgicas 23,6%. El síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda (p = 0,03), fugas anastomóticas (p = 0,001), sepsis grave (p = 0,001), mediastinitis (p = 0,02) e injuria renal aguda (p = 0,01) se asociaron con la mortalidad. La sepsis grave fue la principal causa de muerte a foco mediastinal o respiratorio, o ambos. En el análisis multivariado las variables asociadas de forma independiente con la mortalidad fueron el fracaso de extubación (OR 3,9; IC 95% 1,02-15,30; p = 0,03), radioterapia preoperatoria (OR 6,0; IC 95% 1,70-21,30; p = 0,02), transfusión intraoperatoria (OR 5,6; IC 95% 2,07-15,60; p = 0,001) y sepsis grave (OR 29; IC 95% 1,72-21,30; p = 0,001). Conclusiones: la morbimortalidad en esofagectomía es elevada. Las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron las respiratorias e infecciosas. La principal causa de muerte fue la sepsis grave. Se asociaron a mayor mortalidad el fracaso de extubación, radioterapia preoperatoria, transfusión intraoperatoria y la sepsis grave.

Resumo Introdução: a esofagectomia continua sendo o tratamento de eleição para câncer esofágico. Objetivos: descrever a frequência de complicações e mortalidade depois de esofagectomia por câncer esofágico. Material e método: estudo retrospectivo, multicêntrico, no período 2001- 2011. Foram incluídos pacientes sometidos a esofagectomia programada por câncer esofágico durante internação em unidades de cuidados intensivos. Resultados: foram incluídos 224 pacientes, homens 72%, com idade média 61 anos e desvio padrão ± 11 anos. A abordagem cirúrgica foi transhiatal em 69,7% e transtorácica em 30,3%. A morbilidade foi de 70,5% e a mortalidade de 13,8%. As complicações detectadas foram: respiratórias 50,8%, infecciosas 51,3%, cardiovasculares 27,6% e cirúrgicas 23,6%. A síndrome de dificuldade respiratória aguda (p = 0,03), fugas anastomóticas (p = 0,001), sepse grave (p = 0,001), mediastinite (p = 0,02) e dano renal agudo (p = 0,01) foram associados à mortalidade. A sepse grave foi a principal causa de morte associada a foco mediastinal ou respiratório, ou ambos. A análise multivariada mostrou como variáveis associadas de forma independente com a mortalidade o fracasso de extubaçao (OR 3,9; IC 95% 1,02-15,30; p = 0,03), radioterapia pré-operatória (OR 6,0; IC 95% 1,70-21,30; p = 0,02), transfusão intra-operatória (OR 5,6; IC 95% 2,07-15,60; p = 0,001) e sepse grave (OR 29; IC 95% 1,72-21,30; p = 0,001). Conclusões: a morbimortalidade por esofagectomia é elevada. As complicações mais frequentes foram as respiratórias e infecciosas. A principal causa de morte foi sepse grave. O fracasso de extubação, a radioterapia pré-operatória, a transfusão intra-operatória e a sepse grave foram associados a maior mortalidade.

Abstract Introduction: esophagectomy is still the most widely used treatment for esophageal cancer. Objectives: to describe frequency of complications and mortality after esophagectomy to treat complications and mortality of esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Method: retrospective, multi-center study between 2001 and 2011. The study included patients who underwent programmed esophagectomy to treat esophageal cancer during their stay in intensive care units. Results: 224 patients were included in the study, 72% were men, average age was 61 years old and ± 11 standard deviation. Surgical approach was transhiatal in 69.7% of cases and transthoracic in 30.3%. Morbility was 70.5% and mortality 13.8%. Complications identified were respiratory 50.8%, infectious 51.3%, cardiovascular 27.6% and surgical 23.6%. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (p = 0.03), anostomotic leaks (p = 0.001), severe sepsis (p = 0.001), mediastinitis (p = 0.02) and acute renal injury (p = 0.01) were associated to mortality. Severe sepsis was the main cause of death with mediastinal or respiratory focus, or both. In the multivariate analysis, failure of extubation (OR 3.9; IC 95% 1.02-15.30; p = 0.03), intraoperative transfusion (OR 5.6; IC 95% 2.07-15.60; p = 0.001) and severe sepsis (OR 29; IC 95% 1.72-21.30; p = 0.001) were the variables independently associated. Conclusions: morbimortality rates are high in esophagectomy. The most common complications were respiratory and infectious. Severe sepsis was the main cause of death. Failure to extubate, preoperative radiotherapy, intraoperative transfusion and severe sepsis were associated to greater mortality rates.

Objetivo: describir la frecuencia de complicaciones y mortalidad posoperatorias en una serie de pacientes sometidos a cirugía de resección pulmonar programada que ingresaron a unidades de cuidado intensivo (UCI) en el posoperatorio inmediato. Material y método: estudio observacional, retrospectivo, multicéntrico, realizado entre los años 2009 y 2010 en cuatro centros de Montevideo. Se incluyeron 148 pacientes, se analizaron variables demográficas, antecedentes personales, indicación y procedimiento quirúrgico, complicaciones, estancia en UCI y mortalidad. Se realizó un análisis estadístico descriptivo, bivariado y multivariado, se tomó significativo un intervalo de confianza de 95% y un valor de p < 0,05. Resultados: la mortalidad cruda posoperatoria durante la estancia en la UCI fue de 10,1%. La incidencia de complicaciones posoperatorias fue de 53,3%, siendo la mediana de la estancia en la unidad de tres días con un rango intercuartílico de 3. Las principales complicaciones fueron pulmonares, pleurales y cardiovasculares. La mortalidad fue mayor en resecciones pulmonares extensas, pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica y en los que presentaron complicaciones respiratorias y cardiovasculares. La principal causa de muerte fue la sepsis grave. El desarrollo de sepsis grave (OR 12,9 IC95%, 5,95-21,24 p <0,001) y la necesidad de asistencia respiratoria mecánica (ARM) (OR 3,7 IC95%, 1,80-8,93 p = 0,001) fueron factores de riesgo independiente asociados a mortalidad. Conclusiones: la morbimortalidad posoperatoria durante la estancia en UCI es elevada. Las principales complicaciones son respiratorias y cardiovasculares. El desarrollo de sepsis grave y la necesidad de ARM fueron factores independientes asociados a mayor mortalidad.

Resumo Objetivo: descrever a frequência de complicações e mortalidade pós-operatórias em um grupo de pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de ressecção pulmonar programada que foram admitidos a unidades de tratamento intensivo (UTI) no pós-operatório imediato. Material e método: estudo observacional, retrospectivo, multicêntrico, realizado nos anos 2009 e 2010 em quatro centros de Montevidéu. Foram incluídos 148 pacientes e foram analisadas variáveis demográficas, antecedentes pessoais, indicação e procedimento cirúrgico, complicações, permanência na UTI e mortalidade. Um estudo estatístico descritivo, bivariado e multivariado foi realizado considerando como significativo um intervalo de confiança de 95% e p < 0,05. Resultados: a mortalidade bruta pós-operatória durante a permanência na UTI foi de 10,1%. A incidência de complicações pós-operatórias foi de 53,3%, sendo a mediana da permanência na unidade três dias com um intervalo interquartílico de 3. As principais complicações foram pulmonares, pleurais e cardiovasculares. A mortalidade foi maior nos pacientes com ressecções pulmonares extensas, pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica e pacientes com complicações respiratórias e cardiovasculares. A principal causa de morte fue a sepsis grave. Sepsis grave (OR 12,9 IC95%, 5,95-21,24 p < 0,001) e necessidade de assistência respiratória mecânica (ARM) (OR 3,7 IC95%, 1,80-8,93 p = 0,001) foram fatores de risco independente associados à mortalidade. Conclusões: a morbimortalidade pós-operatória durante a permanência na UTI é alta. As principais complicações foram respiratórias e cardiovasculares. Sepsis grave e necessidade de assistência respiratória mecânica foram fatores independentes associados a uma maior mortalidade.

Abstract Objective: to describe frequency of post-operative complications and mortality in a number of patients undergoing a programmed pulmonary resection surgery who were admitted to intensive care units (ICU) immediately after surgery. Method: observational, retrospective, multi-center study conducted in four health institutions in Montevideo, between 2009 and 2010. One hundred and forty eight patients were included to study demographic variables, personal history, indications and surgical procedure, complications ICU-stay and mortality. A descriptive, statistical, two-variable analysis was conducted, a 95% confidence interval was deemed significant, and p was < 0,05. Results: crude post-surgery mortality rate during stay in the ICU was 10.1%. Incidence of postoperative complications was 53.3%, being average stay three days with a interquartile range of 3. The main complications were pulmonary, pleural and cardiovascular. Mortality was higher in larger pulmonary resections, patients with chronic obstruction pulmonary disease and in those who evidences respiratory and cardiovascular complications. The main cause of death was severe sepsis. The development of severe sepsis (OR 12.9 IC95%, 5.95-21.24 p < 0,001) and the need for mechanical ventilation (OR 3.7 IC95%, 1.80-8.93 p = 0,001) were independent risk factors associated to mortality. Conclusions: postoperative morbi-mortality during stay in the ICU is high. The main complications are respiratory and cardiovascular. Development of severe sepsis la morbi-mortalidad and the need for mechanical ventilation were independent factors associated to a higher mortality.

A cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica sem circulação extracorpórea (CEC) pode estar relacionada com uma potencial redução no número dos microêmbolos (ME) associados com a manipulação da aorta ou gerados pelo equipamento, com consequente redução do risco de complicações neurológicas nestes pacientes. Nosso objetivo foi comparar a frequência de ME e de complicações neurológicas em pacientes operados sem e com CEC. Vinte pacientes selecionados para revascularização miocárdica eletiva sem CEC foram randomizados para cirurgia com e sem CEC. A monitorização contínua com Doppler transcraniano foi realizada durante todo o procedimento nos dois grupos e os pacientes foram examinados antes e após a cirurgia. Os grupos não apresentaram diferenças significativas em relação aos aspectos demográficos, fatores de risco, grau de ateromatose de aorta e número de pontes realizadas. A frequência de ME no grupo operado sem CEC foi significativamente menor do que no grupo operado com CEC, entretanto, nenhum paciente apresentou alterações no exame neurológico no período pós-operatório inicial. Esta observação pode sugerir que as complicações neurológicas possam estar mais relacionadas com o tamanho e a composição, do que com o número de ME. Somente um estudo prospectivo com maior número de pacientes poderá esclarecer este assunto.

Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may potentially reduce the number of microembolic signals (MES) associated with aortic manipulation or generated by the pump circuit, resulting in a better neurologic outcome after surgery. Our aim was to compare the frequency of MES and neurologic complications in CABG with and without CPB. Twenty patients eligible to routine CABG without CPB were randomized to surgery with CPB and without CPB and continuously monitored by transcranial Doppler. Neurologic examination was performed in all patients before and after surgery. The two groups were similar with respect to demographics, risk factors, grade of aortic atheromatous disease and number of grafts. The frequency of MES in the nonCPB group was considerably lower than in CPB patients, however, we did not observe any change in the neurologic examination during the early postoperative period. Neurologic complications after CABG may be related to the size and composition of MES rather than to their absolute numbers. A large prospective multicentric randomized trial may help to elucidate this complex issue.