Our evolution in the treatment of hepatic artery and portal vein thrombosis in pediatric liver transplantation: Success with catheter-directed therapies.

BACKGROUND: In pediatric liver transplant recipients, hepatic artery thrombosis and portal vein thrombosis are major causes of acute graft failure and mortality within 30 days of transplantation. There is, however, a strong possibility of graft salvage if flow can be re-established to reduce ischemic injury. The current standard treatment is surgical revascularization, and if unsuccessful, retransplantation. Due to our success in treating these complications with catheter-directed therapies, we sought to summarize and publish the outcomes of all patients who experienced hepatic artery thrombosis or portal vein thrombosis within 30 days of liver transplantation. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of 27 pediatric liver transplant recipients who experienced hepatic artery thrombosis (n = 13), portal vein thrombosis (n = 9), or both (n = 5) between September 2012 and March 2021. We collected and tabulated data on the patients and therapies performed to treat them, including success rates, primary and secondary patency, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Among these patients, 6 were managed with anticoagulation and relisting for transplant and 21 had a primary revascularization attempt. Surgical recanalization was attempted in 7 patients of which 3 had successful recanalization (43%) and catheter-directed recanalization was attempted in 14 patients with 100% success in re-establishing blood flow to the graft. Additionally, patency was increased, and mortality was decreased in patients treated with catheter-directed recanalization compared to surgical revascularization or anticoagulation alone. CONCLUSION: This data illustrates the need to further investigate catheter-directed thrombolysis as a potential first-line treatment for postoperative HAT and PVT in pediatric liver transplant recipients.

Driver's Personality and Behavior for Boosting Automobile Security and Sensing Health Problems Through Fuzzy Signal Detection Case Study: Mexico City.

Automobile security became an essential theme over the last years, and some automakers invested much money for collision avoidance systems, but personalization of their driving systems based on the user's behavior was not explored in detail. Furthermore, efficiency gains could be had with tailored systems. In Mexico, 80% of automobile accidents are caused by human beings; the remaining 20% are related to other issues such as mechanical problems. Thus, 80% represents a significant opportunity to improve safety and explore driving efficiency gains. Moreover, when driving aggressively, it could be connected with mental health as a post-traumatic stress disorder. This paper proposes a Tailored Collision Mitigation Braking System, which evaluates the driver's personality driving treats through signal detection theory to create a cognitive map that understands the driving personality of the driver. In this way, aggressive driving can be detected; the system is then trained to recognize the personality trait of the driver and select the appropriate stimuli to achieve the optimal driving output. As a result, when aggressive driving is detected continuously, an automatic alert could be sent to the health specialists regarding particular risky behavior linked with mental problems or drug consumption. Thus, the driving profile test could also be used as a detector for health problems.

Equivalent success and complication rates of tunneled common femoral venous catheter placed in the interventional suite vs. at patient bedside.

BACKGROUND: Femoral tunneled central line placement in the pediatric population offers an alternative means for intravenous (IV) access, but there is concern for higher complication and infection rates when placed at bedside. OBJECTIVE: To describe the complications and infection outcomes of primary femoral tunneled central venous catheter placement in the interventional radiology suite compared to the portable bedside location at a single tertiary pediatric institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review comparing interventional radiology suites vs. bedside primary tunneled common femoral vein central line placement (January 2014 to December 2015). We identified 244 primary femoral placements in pediatric patients, ages 1 day to 18 years, using our electronic medical record and collected into a Research Electronic Data Capture. We compared categorical variables using the Fisher exact test. We compared continuous variables using the Wilcoxon rank test. RESULTS: In total, 2,375 pediatric patients received peripherally inserted and central lines; 244 of these were primary femoral tunneled central venous catheters (in 140 boys and 104 girls). In 140 children (mean age: 206 days), lines were inserted in the interventional radiology (IR) suite (technical success of 100%), with 14 (10.0%) complications including infection (n=7), malposition (n=2), bleeding (n=0), thrombosis (n=1) and line occlusion (n=4). The infection rate was 2.1 per 1,000 line days. In 104 children (mean age: 231 days), lines were placed at bedside (technical success 100%) with 14 (13.3%) complications including infection (n=3), malposition (n=5), bleeding (n=0), thrombosis (n=2) and line occlusion (n=4). The infection rate was 0.78 per 1,000 line days. The total line days were 7,109, of which 3,258 were in the IR suite and 3,851 in the bedside group. There was no statistical significance for complication rate (P=0.55) or infection rate (P=0.57) between bedside and interventional suite placements. CONCLUSION: In a cohort of children receiving primary femoral tunneled central venous catheters, the complication and infection rates in a bedside setting are not significantly increased compared to the lines placed in an IR suite. The perception of increased infection and complications from bedside-placed tunneled central venous catheters appears to be hyperbolized.

Local Health Service Response to COVID-19 in Mexico: Notes From an Exploratory Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: The main goal of a health system is to maintain or improve people's health. The COVID-19 pandemic showed the fragility of health systems worldwide. In Mexico, the pandemic affected the performance of the health system, along with the presence of contextual conditions such as its segmentation and high prevalence of chronic diseases. AIMS: To analyze from an approach to the functions of the health system, the service delivery, human resources, financing, and stewardship/governance in the local health services of five states of Mexico, from the perspective of the staff working in health centers. METHODS: This is an exploratory qualitative study conducted from November 2020 to August 2021, involving 124 health professionals from 39 health facilities (18 rural and 21 urban). The technique used was the semi-structured interview. Interview guides were developed according to core topics. Subsequently, the thematic analysis method was used. RESULTS: The lack of financial resources delayed prevention efforts and made it difficult for health centers to adapt to the crisis. Inequity was found in the distributive efficiency of staff between rural and urban areas and levels of care. In addition, there was evidence of capacity for coordination, capacity sharing, and joint participation between health institutions, civil authorities, and the population to face the emergency. CONCLUSIONS: We identified relevant public health actions that showed the capacity of local health services to organize a response to the pandemic at the level of the actors responsible for these services.

[Tobacco consumption, mortality and fiscal policy in Mexico]. / Consumo de tabaco, mortalidad y política fiscal en México.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze tobacco consumption in the last 12 years, its impact on chronic diseases mortality and the potential benefits of fiscal policy in Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Through the analysis of national health surveys (ENSA, ENSANUT), records of mortality and economic surveys between 2000 and 2012, smoking prevalence, chronic diseases mortality and consumption were estimated. RESULTS: In 2012, 9.2% and 19% of Mexican youths and adults were current smokers. Between 2000 and 2012, smoking prevalence did not change. However, the average consumption among adolescents and adults declined whilst the special tobacco tax has being increased. Mortality attributable to tobacco consumption for four diseases was estimated in 60 000 in 2010. CONCLUSIONS: Tobacco consumption remains the leading cause of preventable death. Increasing taxes on tobacco products could deter the tobacco epidemic and consequently chronic diseases mortality in Mexico.

[Impact of harmful consumption of alcohol in accident-related mortality and chronic diseases in Mexico]. / Impacto del consumo nocivo de alcohol en accidentes y enfermedades crónicas en México.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze alcohol consumption, and its impact on road traffic-related mortality and chronic diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Through the analysis of national health surveys, registry of traffic collisions, mortality records and economic surveys, we estimated prevalence, mortality and consumption indicators. RESULTS: Between 2000 and 2012, alcohol consumption in adolescents remained stable, with a significant increase among adults. Traffic collision rates related with alcohol were 0.36 and 0.58 among adolescents and adults, respectively; 8.4% of the population who suffered traffic injuries was under alcohol effects when the accident occurred. The trend in mortality from two alcohol-attributable diseases has been constant, with an average of 18 000 deaths per year. CONCLUSION: Alcohol abuse causes serious health damages. Tax raises to alcohol, along with other policies, could reduce harmful alcohol consumption and its associated mortality.

Endovascular treatment of a portosystemic shunt presenting with hypoglycemia; case presentation and review of literature.

Here we present a rare case of hyperinsulinemic-hypoglycemia due to congenital intrahepatic and extrahepatic portosystemic shunts. Performing percutaneous closure of such shunts has been reported to improve symptomatic hypoglycemia in this setting. This case is unique given the type of shunt (both with intrahepatic and extrahepatic components) and the clinical improvement following placement of a single vascular plug to occlude both intrahepatic and extrahepatic connections.

Local health systems resilience in managing the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons from Mexico.

The concept of resilience was applied to the public health field to investigate the way health systems are impacted by health crises, what conditions allow them to mitigate the blow and how they reorganize once the crisis is over. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus represented a global challenge demanding immediate response to an unprecedented health crisis. Various voices drew attention to the intensity of the crisis in countries with greater inequalities, where the pandemic converged with other social emergencies. We documented the experiences of health personnel who faced the pandemic at the primary care level while simultaneously maintaining the functioning of other areas of medical care. Our results derived from a qualitative study comprising 103 participants from five states of Mexico. We aimed to show through inferential analysis their perspective on what we call 'the resilience of local health systems'. We observed three stages of experience during the crisis: (a) Preparation (official guidelines received to organize care, training and planning of epidemiological surveillance); (b) Adaptation (performance of community-based prevention activities, infrastructure modifications, telehealth); and (c) Learning (participatory governance with city councils, business sector and organized population). The study suggests that the local health systems analysed benefited from the initiatives of health personnel that in some cases positively exceeded their duties. In terms of the resilience analysis, they were able to handle the impact of the crisis and cope with it. Their transformative capacity came from the strategies implemented to adapt health services by managing institutional resources. Their experience represents a lesson on the strengthening of the essential functions of health systems and shows a way to address successfully the increasingly complex health challenges of the present and future times.

Ultrasound-guided intraoperative trans-epicardial needle biopsy of an intracardiac tumor.

We describe the use of a novel interventional approach to the histopathologic diagnosis of a ventricular septal tumor using intraoperative ultrasound-guided trans-epicardial biopsy without the need for cardiopulmonary bypass in a 2-year-old child. This novel approach has not been previously reported. Multidisciplinary collaboration between cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, cardiac imaging, and interventional radiology provided the ability to perform cardiac biopsy. This technique may be used in specific cases of cardiac tumors where tissue diagnosis is important, but surgical resection is deemed excessively risky or impossible.

Torsión primaria segmentaria del omento mayor: una causa infrecuente de abdomen agudo quirúrgico / Primary segmental torsion of the greater omentum: an uncommon cause of acute surgical abdomen

El abdomen agudo comprende un amplio grupo de enfermedades con alta incidencia en la práctica quirúrgica habitual. Se presenta el caso de un paciente masculino, de 23 años, con cuadro abdominal agudo, cuyo diagnóstico preoperatorio fue compatible con una apendicitis aguda; al efectuar la laparotomía exploratoria se constató torsión primaria y segmentaria del omento mayor. Esta es una afección de difícil diagnóstico preoperatorio, generalmente diagnosticada durante el acto quirúrgico porque fácilmente se confunde con otras enfermedades del abdomen agudo quirúrgico. Lo indicado en estos pacientes es la remoción del segmento involucrado por lo que se realizó omentectomía parcial y apendicectomía complementaria; el paciente presentó una evolución clínica favorable.

Acute abdomen comprises a wide group of diseases with a high incidence in routine surgical practice. We present a 23-year-old male patient with acute abdominal symptoms, whose preoperative diagnosis was compatible with acute appendicitis; primary and segmental torsion of the greater omentum was found when performing the exploratory laparotomy. This condition is difficult to diagnose preoperatively; it is generally evident during surgery because it is confused with other diseases of the acute surgical abdomen. The removal of the involved segment is indicated in these patients that is why partial omentectomy and complementary appendectomy were performed; the patient had a favourable clinical evolution.

Factores asociados al incremento de cesáreas en México, 2011-2014 / Factors associated with the increase in cesareans in Mexico, 2011-2014

Resumen Introducción: analizamos la prevalencia del parto vía cesárea en México para 2011-2014, buscando identificar algunos de los factores asociados a la presencia de cesárea durante el parto. Metodología: se realizó un análisis descriptivo y un modelo logístico multinivel con los registros de nacimientos del periodo 2011-2014, que incluye las características de la madre y del contexto. Resultados: se identificó que la presencia de factores relacionados con una mayor posibilidad de que el parto resulte en cesárea son mujeres que habitan municipios con población indígena, mayor escolaridad, mayor número de consultas prenatales, inicio temprano de estas y atenderse en clínicas privadas. También se identificó una mayor posibilidad de estancias prolongadas de hospitalización del parto si es por cesárea. Conclusiones: se observa un incremento en el número de cesáreas en hospitales públicos a partir del esquema de aseguramiento del Seguro Popular y se confirma la relación directa entre los múltiples factores analizados y la cesárea, entre ellos, mayor escolaridad, habitar en municipios predominantemente indígenas, así como en municipios con mayor índice de desarrollo humano.

Abstract Introduction: The objective is to analyze the prevalence of delivery by cesarean section in Mexico among 2011-2014, to identify some of the factors associated with its occurrence. Methods: A descriptive analysis and a multilevel logistic model was conducted among the data for Birth Information Subsystem, characteristics for the mother and context. Results: Identified that the factors associated with a greater likelihood that delivery result in cesarean section, are higher levels of education, greater number of prenatal visits, an early start to prenatal visits, giving birth in private health. Also a greater likelihood of prolonged hospitalization when delivery is by cesarean section. Conclusions: An increase in the number of caesarean sections in public hospitals is observed from the Popular Insurance assurance scheme; and the direct relationship between the multiple factors analyzed and the caesarean section is confirmed, including higher education, living in predominantly indigenous municipalities, as well as in municipalities with the highest human development index.

Estado nutricional y neurodesarrollo en la primera infancia / Nutritional Status and Neurodevelopment in Early Childhood

RESUMEN Este artículo de revisión, resultado de una investigación mayor titulada "Caracterización de la seguridad alimentaria y nutricional en menores que cursan su primera infancia", tiene como objetivo develar la relación existente entre el estado nutricional y el neurodesarrollo en esta fase de la vida del niño, etapa comprendida entre el nacimiento y los 5 años de edad. Se realizó siguiendo lineamientos de la indagación teórica bibliográfica desde la clave hermenéutica. Se seleccionaron 60 artículos correspondientes a los 15 últimos años, con la finalidad de rastrear el abordaje en torno a las temáticas de estado nutricional y neurodesarrollo y su interacción e incidencia en el ciclo vital de la primera infancia. Como resultado se clarifica conceptualmente los términos de estado nutricional, malnutrición, evaluación del estado nutricional y neurodesarrollo infantil. Asimismo, se revisaron las características e implicaciones de los conceptos en el desarrollo del niño y sus procesos adaptativos. En los textos se evidencian puntos de encuentro entre el estado nutricional y neurodesarrollo en la primera infancia, aunque si bien la mayoría de estudios objeto de revisión proponen una relación directa entre los estados nutricionales y el neurodesarrollo en la primera infancia, hay autores que afirman que de existir esa relación, no es tan determinante como algunos de los procesos fisiológicos y endocrinos que se realizan durante este periodo. La invitación es a continuar buscando respuestas alrededor de esta relación. Es posible concluir que el estado nutricional es uno de los factores ambientales implicado en el neurodesarrollo del niño, potencia las habilidades neuronales para un crecimiento equilibrado y, por tanto, se necesita un sustento neurobiológico impulsado por nutrientes para activarlo, lo que poermitiría al niño adquirir habilidades para su adaptación.

ABSTRACT This review article, which is the result of a larger research entitled "Characterization of food and nutritional security in children in early childhood", aims to reveal the relationship between nutritional status and neurodevelopment in this phase of children's life, from birth to 5 years of age. The guidelines of the bibliographic theoretical inquiry from the hermeneutical key were followed when preparing this review. Sixty articles were selected from the last 15 years, in order to track the approach around the topics of nutritional status and neurodevelopment and their interaction and incidence in the life cycle of early childhood. As a result, the terms of nutritional status, malnutrition, evaluation of nutritional status and child neurodevelopment are conceptually clarified. Likewise, the characteristics and implications of the concepts in the development of the child and its adaptive processes were reviewed. These texts show points of encounter between nutritional status and neurodevelopment in early childhood. Although most of the studies reviewed propose a direct relationship between nutritional status and neurodevelopment in early childhood, there are authors who state that if this relationship exists, it is not as determinant as some of the physiological and endocrine processes that are carried out during this period. The invitation is to continue looking for answers around this relationship. It is possible to conclude that the nutritional status is one of the environmental factors involved in the neurodevelopment of children, potentiates the neuronal abilities for a balanced growth and, therefore, a neurobiological sustenance is needed driven by nutrients to activate it, which could allow children to acquire skills for adaptation.

The use of ultrasound to determine timing of Pavlik harness discontinuation in treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip.

The timing of Pavlik harness removal in patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip is typically determined by clinical examination. Ultrasound is considered more sensitive than clinical examination in diagnosis of instability of the hip, but it is not routinely used in cases of developmental dysplasia of the hip, especially when determining the timing of Pavlik harness removal. The purpose of this study is to investigate if ultrasound examination is more effective than clinical examination alone in determining completion of Pavlik harness treatment. Fifty consecutive infants with developmental dysplasia of the hip were given both a clinical examination and dynamic ultrasound examination to determine if Pavlik harness treatment could be discontinued. A pediatric orthopedist conducted the physical examinations. Both a radiologist and a pediatric orthopedist interpreted the ultrasounds. Cost estimates for ultrasound and operative procedures were obtained at our institution and compared. The average age at the time of Pavlik harness placement was 5.3 days, and the average age at the time of ultrasound was 54.3 days. There were 35 females and 15 males and 31 left hips, 4 right hips, and 15 bilateral hips. All 50 patient hips were deemed clinically stable prior to obtaining an ultrasound. The ultrasound interpretations by a radiologist and pediatric orthopedist were in agreement in all cases. In one case, the ultrasound results did not correlate with results of the clinical examination. In that one case, the hip was clinically stable, but dynamic ultrasound revealed that the hip was located, but dislocatable. The Pavlik harness was reapplied to the patient for an additional 42 days. At 1-year follow-up the hip is stable and developing normally as determined by radiographs. The cost comparison revealed that the cost of 50 ultrasounds is less than the cost of a single operative procedure. The use of ultrasound to determine the timing of Pavlik harness cessation is justified from both a financial and a patient outcome perspective in this small study. Larger studies are needed before ultrasound examination used to help determine Pavlik cessation is considered standard of care.

Consumo de tabaco, mortalidad y política fiscal en México / Tobacco consumption, mortality and fiscal policy in Mexico

Objetivo. Analizar el tabaquismo, su impacto en mortalidad por enfermedades crónicas y su política fiscal en México. Material y métodos. Se analizaron las encuestas nacionales de salud (ENSA, ENSANUT), registros de mortalidad y encuestas económicas para el periodo 2000-2012 y se estimaron prevalencia, mortalidad y consumo. Resultados. En 2012, 9.2% de los adolescentes y 19% de los adultos son fumadores activos. Entre 2000 y 2012 la prevalencia de tabaquismo permaneció estable. Sin embargo, la cantidad de cigarros promedio consumida se redujo, al tiempo que se han implementado incrementos al impuesto especial a los productos de tabaco. Las muertes atribuibles al consumo de tabaco por cuatro enfermedades se calculó en cerca de 60 000 para 2010. Conclusiones. El tabaquismo es la principal causa de muerte prevenible. El incremento sustancial de los impuestos a los productos de tabaco puede abatir la epidemia de tabaquismo y en consecuencia la mortalidad por enfermedades crónicas en México.

Objective. To analyze tobacco consumption in the last 12 years, its impact on chronic diseases mortality and the potential benefits of fiscal policy in Mexico. Materials and methods. Through the analysis of national health surveys (ENSA, ENSANUT), records of mortality and economic surveys between 2000 and 2012, smoking prevalence, chronic diseases mortality and consumption were estimated. Results. In 2012, 9.2% and 19% of Mexican youths and adults were current smokers. Between 2000 and 2012, smoking prevalence did not change. However, the average consumption among adolescents and adults declined whilst the special tobacco tax has being increased. Mortality attributable to tobacco consumption for four diseases was estimated in 60 000 in 2010. Conclusions. Tobacco consumption remains the leading cause of preventable death. Increasing taxes on tobacco products could deter the tobacco epidemic and consequently chronic diseases mortality in Mexico.

Impacto del consumo nocivo de alcohol en accidentes y enfermedades crónicas en México / Impact of harmful consumption of alcohol in accident-related mortality and chronic diseasses in Mexico

Objetivo. Analizar el consumo de alcohol, su relación con accidentes de tránsito y su impacto en enfermedades crónicas. Material y métodos. Usando encuestas nacionales de salud, registros de colisiones, lesionados y muertes, así como encuestas económicas, se estimaron indicadores de prevalencia, mortalidad y consumo. Resultados. Entre 2000 y 2012, la prevalencia de consumo de alcohol en adolescentes se mantuvo estable con un incremento importante en adultos. La tasa de colisiones de tránsito con presencia de alcohol fue de 0.36 y 0.58 en adolescentes y adultos, respectivamente. De la población con lesiones de tránsito, 8.4% estaba bajo efectos del alcohol al momento de lesionarse. La mortalidad por dos enfermedades atribuibles al alcohol se ha mantenido en alrededor de 18 000 fallecimientos anuales. Conclusiones. El abuso en el consumo alcohol implica graves daños a la salud. El incremento de impuestos al alcohol, junto con otras medidas, reduciría el consumo nocivo y la mortalidad asociada.

Objective. To analyze alcohol consumption, and its impact on road traffic-related mortality and chronic diseases. Materials and methods. Through the analysis of national health surveys, registry of traffic collisions, mortality records and economic surveys, we estimated prevalence, mortality and consumption indicators. Results. Between 2000 and 2012, alcohol consumption in adolescents remained stable, with a significant increase among adults. Traffic collision rates related with alcohol were 0.36 and 0.58 among adolescents and adults, respectively; 8.4% of the population who suffered traffic injuries was under alcohol effects when the accident occurred. The trend in mortality from two alcohol-attributable diseases has been constant, with an average of 18 000 deaths per year. Conclusion. Alcohol abuse causes serious health damages. Tax raises to alcohol, along with other policies, could reduce harmful alcohol consumption and its associated mortality.

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test synchronizes the prefrontal, temporal and posterior association cortex in different frequency ranges and extensions.

Current findings show some brain regions consistently related to performance of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). An increase of local cerebral blood flow or metabolic demands has been detected in those regions. Functional integration of the neuronal circuits that subserve the task performance, based upon the identification of the oscillations and their distributed cerebral sources, has not been accomplished previously. The event-related tonic oscillations within a period of 2,000 msec after the stimulus onset and the probable neural substrate were evaluated in healthy volunteers by variable-resolution brain electrical tomography (VARETA). The WCST induced a significant increase of delta, theta, beta-2, and gamma oscillations, but decrease of alpha. Areas such as the frontal subregions, temporal, cingulate, parahippocampal, parietal, occipitotemporal cortex, and occipital poles showed modified activity during the task, with EEG spectral band selectivity as well as some overlapping among them. Frontal and temporal regions generated the delta/theta oscillations. Additionally, the occipitotemporal and parietal regions were the source of the delta activity, lacking theta activation. The parietal region also showed tonic alpha, beta-2 and gamma changes. These data imply that different processes have been simultaneously mediated during task performance. Relationships among the individual bands, the neural substrata and the specific cognitive process that support the task were established. The selectively distributed delta, theta, alpha, beta-2 and gamma oscillations reflect communication networks through variable populations of neurons, with functional relations to the working memory functions and the information processing that subserve the WCST performance.