The aim of this study was to assess the effects of an aerobic training program as complementary therapy in patients suffering from moderate depression. 82 female patients weredivided into a group that received traditional pharmacotherapy (Fluoxetine 20 mg) and a group that received pharmacotherapy plus an aerobic training program. This program was carried out for eight consecutive weeks, three days per week, and included gymnastics, dancing, and walking. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Beck Depression Inventory and the ICD-10 Guide for Depression Diagnosis, both administered before and after treatments. The results confirm the effectiveness of the aerobic training program as a complementary therapy to diminish depressive symptoms in patients suffering from moderate depression.

A 5-year-old boy from a malaria endemic region of our country was admitted to our unit after being diagnosed of Plasmodium vivax malaria and treated with rectal artesunate at a dose of 200 mg bid for 4 days (total dose 1,600 mg; 88 mg/kg/day). After a period of improvement, at the fifth day of treatment he developed unconsciousness, seizures, jaundice and gastrointestinal hemorrhage. New tests for Plasmodium were negative (blood smear, bone marrow examination and two rapid diagnostic tests for Plasmodium falciparum). Blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid bacterial cultures were negative as well as viral tests for central nervous system and liver infections. A computerized tomography scan of the brain demonstrated a diffuse brain swelling. Despite intensive treatment, the clinical condition worsened to status epilepticus, unresponsive hemodynamic collapse, pancytopenia, liver failure, coagulopathy, renal insufficiency and finally death 6 days after admission and 13 days after the first dose of artesunate. The Institutional Review Board waived the need for consent. The safety profile of artemisinin derivatives has been questioned because of their potential neurotoxic effects. In this case, the particular pharmacokinetic profile of artesunate suppositories and prescription error at a dose at seven fold higher than the maximum recommended for the drug, could have caused a protracted central nervous system exposure to very high levels of artesunate leading to toxicity especially to the brain stem, which explains the unresponsive hemodynamic collapse responsible for the death of our patient. To our knowledge, this could be the first reported case of artesunate intoxication in humans. Children are particularly vulnerable to inadvertent prescribing errors. We caution against using adult preparations for pediatric treatment and suggest that hospitals should update their prescribing formulary for pediatric treatment of malaria.

Entrenamiento mental breve en adolescentes con trastorno alimentario no especificado que presentan hábitos exigentes de actividad física Brief mental training in adolescents suffering from a non-specific eating disorder who have demanding habits of physical activity Resumen:El objetivo principal del presente estudio fue examinar el efecto de un programa de entrenamiento mental breve sobre el estado afectivo, las actitudes hacia la alimentación y los niveles de actividad física en adolescentes diagnosticadas con Trastorno Alimentario No Especificado que practicaban una rutina exigente de actividad física. Una muestra de ocho mujeres adolescentes chilenas de 15-17 años de edad realizó un programa de entrenamiento mental breve durante ocho semanas una sesión por semana: 1) Conocimiento y establecimiento de objetivos; 2) Focalización y toma de conciencia mental y corporal; 3) Autocontrol psicobiológico; 4) Reposicionamiento del locus de control; 5) Autogestión y control de los pensamientos; 6-7) Re-focalización y reencuadre motivacional, y 8) Generalización y enfoque responsable de la voluntad. El Inventario de Depresión de Beck, el Cuestionario de Actitudes ante la Alimentación EAT-26 y una entrevista breve sobre los niveles de práctica y motivos de actividad física, se aplicaron antes y después del programa. Los resultados reflejan una influencia favorable del programa en la mejora del estado afectivo, de las actitudes hacia la alimentación y hacia la actividad física en las adolescentes intervenidas. Un programa de entrenamiento mental breve sería recomendable como complemento terapéutico en adolescentes con tales características. Palabras clave: Salud mental, Trastornos de la conducta alimentaria, Adolescencia, Jóvenes, Ejercicio físico. Abstract:e main purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of a brief mental training program on the emotional condition, attitudes toward alimentation and physical activity levels in adolescents suffering from a Non Specific Eating Disorder who have demanding habits of physical activity. A sample of eight Chilean female adolescents aged 15-17 years performed a brief mental training program for eight weeks one session per week: 1) Knowledge and establishment of objectives; 2) Focus and awareness of mind and body; 3) Psychobiological self-control; 4) Repositioning of the control locus; 5) Self-management and control of thoughts; 6-7) Refocusing and reframing of motivation, and 8) Generalization and responsible approach to the will. e Beck Depression Inventory, the Eating Attitudes Test EAT-26 and a brief interview about the practise levels and reasons of physical activity were applied before and aer the program. e results confirmed the effectiveness of the mental training program on the emotional condition and attitudes toward alimentation and physical activity in the female adolescents intervened. A brief mental training program could be recommended as a therapeutic compliment in adolescents with these characteristics.

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