Taking advantage of asynchronous digital feedback: development of an at-home basic suture skills training program for undergraduate medical students that facilitates skills retention.

Purpose: To date, there are no training programs for basic suturing that allow remote deliberate practice. This study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of a basic suture skills training program and its 6-month skill retention applying unsupervised practice and remote digital feedback. Methods: Fourth-year medical-student trainees reviewed instructional videos from a digital platform and performed unsupervised practice as needed at their homes. When they felt competent, trainees uploaded a video of themselves practicing the skill. In < 72 h, they received expert asynchronous digital feedback. The course had two theoretical stages and five video-based assessments, where trainees performed different suturing exercises. For the assessment, a global (GRS) and specific rating scale (SRS) were used, with a passing score of 20 points (max:25) and 15 (max:20), respectively. Results were compared to previously published work with in-person expert feedback (EF) and video-guided learning without feedback (VGL). A subgroup of trainees underwent a 6-month skills retention assessment. Results: Two-hundred and forty-three trainees underwent the course between March and December 2021. A median GRS of 24 points was achieved in the final assessment, showing significantly higher scores (p < 0.001) than EF and VGL (20.5 and 15.5, respectively). Thirty-seven trainees underwent a 6-month skills retention assessment, improving in GRS (23.38 vs 24.03, p value = 0.06) and SRS (18.59 vs 19, p value = 0.07). Conclusion: It is feasible to teach basic suture skills to undergraduate medical students using an unsupervised training course with remote and asynchronous feedback through a digital platform. This methodology allows continuous training with the repetition of quality practice, personalized feedback, and skills retention at 6 months.

Remote and asynchronous training network: from a SAGES grant to an eight-country remote laparoscopic simulation training program.

BACKGROUND: Limitations in surgical simulation training include lack of access to validated training programs with continuous year-round training and lack of experts' ongoing availability for feedback. A model of simulation training was developed to address these limitations. It incorporated basic and advanced laparoscopic skills curricula from a previously validated program and provided instruction through a digital platform. The platform allowed for remote and asynchronous feedback from a few trained instructors. The instructors were continuously available and provided personalized feedback using a variety of different media. We describe the upscaling of this model to teach trainees at fourteen centers in eight countries. METHODS: Institutions with surgical programs lacking robust simulation curricula and needing instructors for ongoing education were identified. The simulation centers ("skills labs") at these sites were equipped with necessary simulation training hardware. A remote training-the-administrators (TTA) program was developed where personnel were trained in how to manage the skills lab, schedule trainees, set up training stations, and use the platform. A train-the-trainers (TTT) program was created to establish a network of trained instructors, who provided objective feedback through the platform remotely and asynchronously. RESULTS: Between 2019 and 2022, seven institutions in Chile and one in each of the USA, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, El Salvador, México, and Perú implemented a digital platform-based remote simulation curriculum. Most administrators were not physicians (19/33). Eight Instructors were trained with the TTT program and became active proctors. The platform has been used by 369 learners, of whom 57% were general surgeons and general surgery residents. A total of 6729 videos, 28,711 feedback inputs, and 233.7 and 510.2 training hours in the basic and advanced programs, respectively, were registered. CONCLUSION: A remote and asynchronous method of giving instruction and feedback through a digital platform has been effectively employed in the creation of a robust network of continuous year-round simulation-based training in laparoscopy. Training centers were successfully run only with trained administrators to assist in logistics and setup, and no on-site instructors were necessary.

Artificial intelligence in laparoscopic simulation: a promising future for large-scale automated evaluations.

INTRODUCTION: A limitation to expanding laparoscopic simulation training programs is the scarcity of expert evaluators. In 2019, a new digital platform for remote and asynchronous laparoscopic simulation training was validated. Through this platform, 369 trainees have been trained in 14 institutions across Latin America, collecting 6729 videos of laparoscopic training exercises. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has recently emerged in surgical simulation, showing usefulness in training assessment, virtual reality scenarios, and laparoscopic virtual reality simulation. An AI algorithm to assess basic laparoscopic simulation training exercises was developed. This study aimed to analyze the agreement between this AI algorithm and expert evaluators in assessing basic laparoscopic-simulated training exercises. METHODS: The AI algorithm was trained using 400-bean drop (BD) and 480-peg transfer (PT) videos and tested using 64-BD and 43-PT randomly selected videos, not previously used to train the algorithm. The agreement between AI and expert evaluators from the digital platform (EE) was then analyzed. The exercises being assessed involve using laparoscopic graspers to move objects across an acrylic board without dropping any objects in a determined time (BD < 24 s, PT < 55 s). The AI algorithm can detect object movement, identify if objects have fallen, track grasper clamps location, and measure exercise time. Cohen's Kappa test was used to evaluate the agreement between AI assessments and those performed by EE, using a pass/fail nomenclature based on the time to complete the exercise. RESULTS: After the algorithm was trained, 79.69% and 93.02% agreement were observed in BD and PT, respectively. The Kappa coefficients test observed for BD and PT were 0.59 (moderate agreement) and 0.86 (almost perfect agreement), respectively. CONCLUSION: This first approach of AI use in basic laparoscopic skills simulated training assessment shows promising results, providing a preliminary framework to expand the use of AI to other basic laparoscopic skills exercises.

LATIN AMERICAN RESIDENTS' SURGICAL EDUCATION AFTER THE PANDEMIC: WHAT STRATEGIES HAVE EMERGED FOR ADAPTING TO THIS NEW ERA?

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative effect on surgical education in Latin America, decreasing residents' surgical training and supervised clinical practice. AIMS: This study aimed to identify strategies that have been proposed or implemented to adapt surgical training and supervised clinical practice to COVID-19-related limitations in Latin America. METHOD: A literature review was performed between April and May 2021, divided into two searches. The first one sought to identify adaptation strategies in Latin America for surgical training and supervised clinical practice. The second one was carried out as a complement to identify methodologies proposed in the rest of the world. RESULTS: In the first search, 16 of 715 articles were selected. In the second one, 41 of 1,637 articles were selected. Adaptive strategies proposed in Latin America focused on videoconferencing and simulation. In the rest of the world, remote critical analysis of recorded/live surgeries, intrasurgical tele-mentoring, and surgery recording with postoperative feedback were suggested. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple adaptation strategies for surgical education during the COVID-19 pandemic have been proposed in Latin America and the rest of the world. There is an opportunity to implement new strategies in the long term for surgical training and supervised clinical practice, although more prospective studies are required to generate evidence-based recommendations.

High-Rate Sulfate Removal Coupled to Elemental Sulfur Production in Mining Process Waters Based on Membrane-Biofilm Technology.

It is anticipated that copper mining output will significantly increase over the next 20 years because of the more intensive use of copper in electricity-related technologies such as for transport and clean power generation, leading to a significant increase in the impacts on water resources if stricter regulations and as a result cleaner mining and processing technologies are not implemented. A key concern of discarded copper production process water is sulfate. In this study we aim to transform sulfate into sulfur in real mining process water. For that, we operate a sequential 2-step membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) system. We coupled a hydrogenotrophic MBfR (H2-MBfR) for sulfate reduction to an oxidizing MBfR (O2-MBfR) for oxidation of sulfide to elemental sulfur. A key process improvement of the H2-MBfR was online pH control, which led to stable high-rate sulfate removal not limited by biomass accumulation and with H2 supply that was on demand. The H2-MBfR easily adapted to increasing sulfate loads, but the O2-MBfR was difficult to adjust to the varying H2-MBfR outputs, requiring better coupling control. The H2-MBfR achieved high average volumetric sulfate reduction performances of 1.7-3.74 g S/m3-d at 92-97% efficiencies, comparable to current high-rate technologies, but without requiring gas recycling and recompression and by minimizing the H2 off-gassing risk. On the other hand, the O2-MBfR reached average volumetric sulfur production rates of 0.7-2.66 g S/m3-d at efficiencies of 48-78%. The O2-MBfR needs further optimization by automatizing the gas feed, evaluating the controlled removal of excess biomass and S0 particles accumulating in the biofilm, and achieving better coupling control between both reactors. Finally, an economic/sustainability evaluation shows that MBfR technology can benefit from the green production of H2 and O2 at operating costs which compare favorably with membrane filtration, without generating residual streams, and with the recovery of valuable elemental sulfur.

Latin american residents' surgical education after the pandemic: what strategies have emerged for adapting to this new era? / Pandemia de covid-19 e educação cirúrgica de residentes da américa latina. que estratégias surgiram para se adaptar a esta nova era?

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative effect on surgical education in Latin America, decreasing residents' surgical training and supervised clinical practice. AIMS: This study aimed to identify strategies that have been proposed or implemented to adapt surgical training and supervised clinical practice to COVID-19-related limitations in Latin America. METHOD: A literature review was performed between April and May 2021, divided into two searches. The first one sought to identify adaptation strategies in Latin America for surgical training and supervised clinical practice. The second one was carried out as a complement to identify methodologies proposed in the rest of the world. RESULTS: In the first search, 16 of 715 articles were selected. In the second one, 41 of 1,637 articles were selected. Adaptive strategies proposed in Latin America focused on videoconferencing and simulation. In the rest of the world, remote critical analysis of recorded/live surgeries, intrasurgical tele-mentoring, and surgery recording with postoperative feedback were suggested. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple adaptation strategies for surgical education during the COVID-19 pandemic have been proposed in Latin America and the rest of the world. There is an opportunity to implement new strategies in the long term for surgical training and supervised clinical practice, although more prospective studies are required to generate evidence-based recommendations.

RESUMO RACIONAL: A pandemia de COVID-19 teve um efeito negativo na educação cirúrgica na América Latina, diminuindo o treinamento cirúrgico dos residentes e a prática clínica supervisionada. OBJETIVOS: Identificar estratégias que foram propostas ou implementadas para adaptar o treinamento cirúrgico e a prática clínica supervisionada às limitações relacionadas ao COVID-19 na América Latina. MÉTODOS: Foi realizada revisão de literatura entre abril-maio de 2021, dividida em duas buscas. O primeiro procurou identificar estratégias de adaptação em América Latina para treinamento cirúrgico e prática clínica supervisionada. A segunda foi realizada como complemento para identificar metodologias propostas no resto do mundo. RESULTADOS: Na primeira busca, foram selecionados 16 dos 715 artigos. Na segunda, foram selecionados 41 dos 1.637 artigos. Estratégias adaptativas propostas na América Latina com foco em videoconferência e simulação. No resto do mundo, foram sugeridas análises críticas remotas de cirurgias gravadas/ao vivo, tele-mentoria intra-cirúrgica e gravação de cirurgia com feedback pós-operatório. CONCLUSÕES: Múltiplas estratégias de adaptação para educação cirúrgica durante a pandemia de COVID-19 foram propostas na América Latina e no resto do mundo. Há uma oportunidade de implementar novas estratégias a longo prazo para treinamento cirúrgico e prática clínica supervisionada, embora mais estudos prospectivos sejam necessários para gerar recomendações baseadas em evidências.

Recidiva intestinal única de melanoma cutáneo maligno: reporte de un caso / Intestinal relapse of a cutaneous melanoma: report of one case

Digestive tract primary melanoma is uncommon. However, metastatic lesions are more frequent and occur mainly in the small intestine. We report a 69-year-old male patient who consulted for a hyperpigmented skin lesion on the left thigh associated with multiple subcutaneous nodules. The biopsy was compatible with melanoma and PET/CT was positive for metastases in nodules and in an inguinal lymph node. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy with pembrolizumab were performed with good response, associated with posterior resection of the inguinal lymph node and melanocytic lesions. At three years of follow-up, a new hypermetabolic focus in the proximal jejunum was found in a control PET/CT. An endoscopic biopsy confirmed that it was a recurrence of the melanoma. Laparoscopic resection with primary anastomosis was performed with good clinical evolution. The definitive biopsy showed a melanoma metastasis with two of three lymph nodes positive for metastasis and a non-mutated BRAF gene. In conclusion, a single intestinal recurrence of melanoma is rare and requires an active search, since it can be resected using minimally invasive techniques.

[Intestinal relapse of a cutaneous melanoma. Report of one case]. / Recidiva intestinal única de melanoma cutáneo maligno: reporte de un caso.

Digestive tract primary melanoma is uncommon. However, metastatic lesions are more frequent and occur mainly in the small intestine. We report a 69-year-old male patient who consulted for a hyperpigmented skin lesion on the left thigh associated with multiple subcutaneous nodules. The biopsy was compatible with melanoma and PET/CT was positive for metastases in nodules and in an inguinal lymph node. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy with pembrolizumab were performed with good response, associated with posterior resection of the inguinal lymph node and melanocytic lesions. At three years of follow-up, a new hypermetabolic focus in the proximal jejunum was found in a control PET/CT. An endoscopic biopsy confirmed that it was a recurrence of the melanoma. Laparoscopic resection with primary anastomosis was performed with good clinical evolution. The definitive biopsy showed a melanoma metastasis with two of three lymph nodes positive for metastasis and a non-mutated BRAF gene. In conclusion, a single intestinal recurrence of melanoma is rare and requires an active search, since it can be resected using minimally invasive techniques.

Baveno VI and Expanded Baveno VI criteria successfully predicts the absence of high-risk gastro-oesophageal varices in a Chilean cohort.

BACKGROUND: Baveno VI and expanded Baveno VI criteria have been recommended to circumvent the need for endoscopy screening in patients with a very low probability of varices needing treatment (VNT). AIM: To validate these criteria in a Latin American population. METHODS: The ability of Baveno VI criteria (liver stiffness measurement (LSM) <20 kPa and platelet count >150 × 103/µL) and expanded Baveno VI criteria (LSM < 25kPa and platelet count >110 × 103/µL) to exclude the presence of VNT was tested in a prospectively recruited cohort of patients with Child-Pugh A liver cirrhosis and with no previous variceal haemorrhage who attended the liver clinics of three major hospitals in Chile. RESULTS: Three hundred patients were included. The median (IQR) age was 61 [18-86] years, median MELD was 8.0 (6-17), median LSM was 17.2 (10.2-77) kPa and median platelet count was 137 (23-464) × 103 /µL. The main aetiology was non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (67.3%). VNT were present in 18% of patients. The Baveno VI criteria had a sensitivity of 98.1% and a specificity of 38.2%, potentially sparing 31.3% of upper endoscopies with a very low risk of missing VNT (1.1%). The expanded Baveno VI criteria had a sensitivity of 90.7% and a specificity of 61%, potentially sparing 51.3% of upper endoscopies with a risk of missing VNT of 3.6%. Both criteria were independently associated with the absence of VNT. CONCLUSION: We validated the Baveno VI and expanded Baveno VI criteria in Chilean population, potentially sparing 31.3% and 51.3% of endoscopies, respectively, with a very low risk of missing VNT. Fondecyt 1191183.

Frequency of ocular diseases among recipients of disability benefits in the metropolitan region of Recife, Brazil / Incapacidade para o trabalho por doenças oculares na população segurada da Previdência Social da região metropolitana do Recife, Brasil: um estudo de frequência

ABSTRACT Purpose: To identify the frequency of ocular diseases among recipients of disability benefits in the metropolitan region of Recife, Brazil. Methods: A review was performed of 217,221 cases of disability benefits granted between 2010 and 2015 by the executive managerial department of the Brazilian National Institute of Social Security (Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social [INSS]) in Recife, which encompasses 14 municipalities of the metropolitan region, including the capital. The frequencies of the identified cases of ocular morbidity were then determined according to their group in the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10), their cause, the age, sex, and income of the recipient, and the type and duration of the benefit. Results: Of all disability benefits granted, 5,324 (2.5%) were due to ocular disease, the majority (91.1%) consisting of sick pay. Most of the beneficiaries (64.6%) were males, were 20 to 59 years of age, and 61.2% earned the minimum wage or less. The principal ocular diseases for which sick pay benefits were granted were cataract (24.5%), conjunctivitis (21.1%), and pterygium (8.8%). Blindness and low vision were the principal ocular diseases in cases of accident indemnity and disability retirement. Conclusions: The results highlight the magnitude of the problem of ocular diseases to the social security system, with serious economic and social losses, and emphasize the need for measures aimed at their prevention. Moreover, integration between the national departments of health and social security needs to be improved.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar a frequência das doenças oculares entre os segurados com benefícios por incapacidade. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de 217.221 benefícios por incapacidade concedidos pelo Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social (INSS) da gerência executiva de Recife, que engloba os 14 municípios da região metropolitana, incluindo a capital, no período de 2010-2015. Os casos de doenças oculares foram avaliados quanto à frequência considerando seu grupo na CID-10. Foi feita ainda uma análise do perfil dos benefícios concedidos por estas doenças com relação à causa, idade, sexo, faixa salarial, espécie e duração do benefício. Resultados Do total dos benefícios concedidos, 5.324 foram decorrentes de doenças oftalmológicas (2,5%) e entre estes, a maioria como auxíliodoença (91,1%). Houve predomínio do sexo masculino (64,6%), faixa etária dos 20 aos 59 anos e valor de até 01 salário mínimo (61,2%). Entre as concessões de auxíliodoença a principal causa foi a catarata (24,5%), seguida pela conjuntivite (21,1%) e pterígio (8,8%). A cegueira e baixa visão foi a principal causa de auxílio-acidente e aposentadoria por invalidez. Conclusões: Os resultados destacam a magnitude do problema das doenças oculares para a Previdência Social, com graves perdas econômicas e sociais, e enfatizam a necessidade de medidas que visem sua prevenção e maior integração entre os serviços de saúde e o INSS (Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social).

Frequency of ocular diseases among recipients of disability benefits in the metropolitan region of Recife, Brazil.

PURPOSE: To identify the frequency of ocular diseases among recipients of disability benefits in the metropolitan region of Recife, Brazil. METHODS: A review was performed of 217,221 cases of disability benefits granted between 2010 and 2015 by the executive managerial department of the Brazilian National Institute of Social Security (Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social [INSS]) in Recife, which encompasses 14 municipalities of the metropolitan region, including the capital. The frequencies of the identified cases of ocular morbidity were then determined according to their group in the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10), their cause, the age, sex, and income of the recipient, and the type and duration of the benefit. RESULTS: Of all disability benefits granted, 5,324 (2.5%) were due to ocular disease, the majority (91.1%) consisting of sick pay. Most of the beneficiaries (64.6%) were males, were 20 to 59 years of age, and 61.2% earned the minimum wage or less. The principal ocular diseases for which sick pay benefits were granted were cataract (24.5%), conjunctivitis (21.1%), and pterygium (8.8%). Blindness and low vision were the principal ocular diseases in cases of accident indemnity and disability retirement. CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight the magnitude of the problem of ocular diseases to the social security system, with serious economic and social losses, and emphasize the need for measures aimed at their prevention. Moreover, integration between the national departments of health and social security needs to be improved.

Intracameral moxifloxacin after cataract surgery: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To study the safety parameters associated with intracameral moxifloxacin application five weeks after cataract surgery. METHODS: The study was a prospective case series set in a private hospital in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. A consecutive sample of 1,016 cataract surgeries was evaluated. The inclusion criteria were patients with indications for cataract surgery, a minimum of 55 years of age, and no history of allergy to quinolones. Patients were prepared for surgery using a 5% povidone solution diluted as a topical antiseptic agent. The operative technique was phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation. A 0.3-mL syringe was partially filled with moxifloxacin and 150 µg/0.03 mL of moxifloxacin was administered through the surgical incision at the end of the surgery. Postoperatively, patients were prescribed: (1) 0.5% moxifloxacin eyedrops 5 times daily for 1 week, and (2) 1% prednisolone acetate eyedrops 5 times daily for 1 week, followed by 4 times daily for 1 week and, subsequently, 2 times daily for 3 weeks. The outcomes were incidence of acute endophthalmitis, mean changes from baseline to 5 postoperative weeks in corneal endothelial cell density, corrected distance visual acuity and intraocular pressure. RESULTS: The mean age was 67 ± 5 years, and 56.2% of the patients were female. There were no cases of endophthalmitis. The mean preoperative corrected distance visual acuity was 58 letters ± 10 (SD), and the mean postoperative corrected distance visual acuity was 80 letters ± 4 (SD). The mean change in corneal endothelial cell density was 249 cells/mm (-10.3%). There was almost no difference in intraocular pressure. No study-related adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: The results suggest moxifloxacin is a safe option for intracameral use after cataract surgery.

Differences between manual and automatic analysis in determining the severity of obstructive sleep apnea using home sleep apnea testing.

INTRODUCTION: Home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) is a diagnostic measure for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in moderate/high risk patients. Some HSAT companies contain automatic analysis (AA). However, guidelines recommend manual analysis (MA) despite the weak evidence for this recommendation. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the concordance between AA and MA of HSAT to make either a diagnosis and severity classification. METHODS: We evaluated AA and MA of HSAT between 2015 and 2016. The study was a blind analysis reviewed by two physicians using currents recommendations. The differences between AA and MA were compared with single variable T analysis, inter-scorer agreement for diagnosis was evaluated with Cohen Kappa coefficient, correlation was examined using Tau-b Kendall, and Bland-Altman plot was constructed to analyze differences between AA and MA. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-eight patients were included. In our study, the mean age was 50 ± 15 years, 83% male, BMI 30 ± 5 and neck circumference 41 ± 4 cm. Eighty-two percent of subjects showed an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) > 5 ev/h. Thirty-five percent of patients with OSAHS were mild (AHI: 5-15 ev/h), 34% moderate and 31% severe (>30 ev/h). The kappa coefficient between physicians was 1.0 (high), between AA and MA was 0.58 (moderate) for the diagnosis of OSAHS and 0.33 (weak) for severity with 0.70 Tau-b. The AA underestimates the IAH -8 ev/h, (95% CI -9 to -7 ev/h, p < 0.001) and delivers a misclassification of severity by 47%. CONCLUSIONS: AA underestimates the rate of respiratory events and alters the classification of the severity of the disease and may modify the therapeutic approach.

Intracameral moxifloxacin after cataract surgery: a prospective study / Moxifloxacino intracameral após cirurgia da catarata: estudo prospectivo

ABSTRACT Objective: To study the safety parameters associated with intracameral moxifloxacin application five weeks after cataract surgery. Methods: The study was a prospective case series set in a private hospital in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. A consecutive sample of 1,016 cataract surgeries was evaluated. The inclusion criteria were patients with indications for cataract surgery, a minimum of 55 years of age, and no history of allergy to quinolones. Patients were prepared for surgery using a 5% povidone solution diluted as a topical antiseptic agent. The operative technique was phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation. A 0.3-mL syringe was partially filled with moxifloxacin and 150 µg/0.03 mL of moxifloxacin was administered through the surgical incision at the end of the surgery. Postoperatively, patients were prescribed: (1) 0.5% moxifloxacin eyedrops 5 times daily for 1 week, and (2) 1% prednisolone acetate eyedrops 5 times daily for 1 week, followed by 4 times daily for 1 week and, subsequently, 2 times daily for 3 weeks. The outcomes were incidence of acute endophthalmitis, mean changes from baseline to 5 postoperative weeks in corneal endothelial cell density, corrected distance visual acuity and intraocular pressure. Results: The mean age was 67 ± 5 years, and 56.2% of the patients were female. There were no cases of endophthalmitis. The mean preoperative corrected distance visual acuity was 58 letters ± 10 (SD), and the mean postoperative corrected distance visual acuity was 80 letters ± 4 (SD). The mean change in corneal endothelial cell density was 249 cells/mm (-10.3%). There was almost no difference in intraocular pressure. No study-related adverse events were observed. Conclusion: The results suggest moxifloxacin is a safe option for intracameral use after cataract surgery.

RESUMO Objetivo: Estudar alguns parâmetros de segurança da moxifloxacino intracameral nas cinco semanas após a cirurgia de catarata. Métodos: O estudo foi uma série de casos prospectivos. O cenário era um hospital privado em Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil. Foi considerada uma amostra consecutiva de 1.016 cirurgias de catarata. Os critérios de inclusão foram pacientes com indicação para cirurgia de catarata, com pelo menos 55 anos de idade e sem história de alergia a quinolonas. Os pacientes foram preparados para cirurgia usando uma solução de povidona a 5% diluída como agente anti-séptico tópico. A técnica operatória foi a facoemulsificação com implante de lente intraocular. Uma seringa de 0,3 mL foi parcialmente preenchida com moxifloxacino. Os pacientes receberam 150 µg/0,03 mL de moxifloxacino através da incisão cirúrgica no final da cirurgia. No pós-operatório, os pacientes foram prescritos: (1) moxifloxacino 0,5% 5 vezes ao dia durante 1 semana e (2) colírio de acetato de prednisolona a 1% 5 vezes ao dia durante 1 semana, seguido de 4 vezes ao dia durante 1 semana e, posteriormente, 2 vezes diariamente por 3 semanas. Os desfechos foram a incidência de endoftalmite aguda, variações entre os valores basais e os na 5ª semana pós-operatória referente à densidade celular endotelial corneana, acuidade visual corrigida para longe e pressão intraocular. Resultados: A média da idade foi de 67 ± 5 anos, e 56,2% dos pacientes eram do sexo feminino. Não houve casos de endoftalmite. A acuidade visual corrigida para longe préoperatório médio foi de 58 letras ± 10 (SD), e a acuidade visual corrigida para longe pósoperatório médio foi de 80 letras ± 4 (SD). A alteração média na densidade celular endotelial corneana foi de 249 células/mm (10,3%). Não houve diferença na pressão intraocular. Não foram observados eventos adversos relacionados ao estudo. Conclusão: Os resultados sugerem que o moxifloxacino é uma opção segura para o uso intracameral após a cirurgia de catarata.

The delusional dimension of anorexia nervosa: phenomenological, neurobiological and clinical perspectives

Abstract Background Delusional characteristics have been largely ignored in patients suffering from anorexia nervosa (AN). Objectives To review the literature on delusional features in AN from phenomenological, neurobiological, and clinical viewpoints. Methods Data were obtained through searches of Medline, PubMed, SciELO and Cochrane Library. Results Distorted beliefs in AN may range from an overvalued idea to an overt delusion, involving affective, personality and/or psychotic disorders. Studies confirm alterations in monoaminergic systems. It has also been seen a decreased integration of visual/proprioceptive information, and alterations in neural networks involved in body processing. It is known that body image distortion may present "delusional proportions" as a consequence of great concern about body. Concomitantly, "embodied defence hypothesis" has been proposed. Restrictive AN exhibits higher levels of delusionality, and a particular delusional type of AN has been suggested, associated with a worse long-term outcome. Low doses of atypical antipsychotics are recommended combined with cognitive techniques. Discussion Delusional thinking in AN is likely a dynamic and dimensional phenomenon that can vary, both in nature and/or severity, whereas high insight levels, before and after refeeding, result in positive outcomes. Neurobiological research on this topic must be encouraged, since clinical and phenomenological approaches are comparatively more frequently reported.

Exteroceptive and Interoceptive Body-Self Awareness in Fibromyalgia Patients.

Fibromyalgia is a widespread chronic pain disease characterized by generalized musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. It substantially affects patients' relationship with their bodies and quality of life, but few studies have investigated the relationship between pain and body awareness in fibromyalgia. We examined exteroceptive and interoceptive aspects of body awareness in 30 women with fibromyalgia and 29 control participants. Exteroceptive body awareness was assessed by a body-scaled action-anticipation task in which participants estimated whether they could pass through apertures of different widths. Interoceptive sensitivity (IS) was assessed by a heartbeat detection task where participants counted their heartbeats during different time intervals. Interoceptive awareness was assessed by the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA). The "passability ratio" (the aperture size for a 50% positive response rate, divided by shoulder width), assessed by the body-scaled action-anticipation task, was higher for fibromyalgia participants, indicating disrupted exteroceptive awareness. Overestimating body size correlated positively with pain and its impact on functionality, but not with pain intensity. There was no difference in IS between groups. Fibromyalgia patients exhibited a higher tendency to note bodily sensations and decreased body confidence. In addition, the passability ratio and IS score correlated negatively across the whole sample, suggesting an inverse relationship between exteroceptive and interoceptive body awareness. There was a lower tendency to actively listen to the body for insight, with higher passability ratios across the whole sample. Based on our results and building on the fear-avoidance model, we outline a proposal that highlights possible interactions between exteroceptive and interoceptive body awareness and pain. Movement based contemplative practices that target sensory-motor integration and foster non-judgmental reconnection with bodily sensations are suggested to improve body confidence, functionality, and quality of life.

Gatifloxacin and iodopovidine preoperatively of phacectomy: influence on counting bacterial colonies / Gatifloxacino e iodopovidine no pré-operatório de facectomia: influência na contagem de colônias bacterianas

Objective: To analyze two methods of reducing conjunctivalmicrobiota in patients undergoing cataract surgery. Methods: A clinical trial with a convenience sample of 57 patients diagnosed with senile cataract (57 eyes) who underwent phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation in Recife from 2011 to 2013. Patients were divided into two groups: ATB (27 eyes) in which was instilled antibiotic eye drops (gatifloxacin 0.3%) and ASS (30 eyes) with antiseptic eye drops (iodopovidine 5%); both medications were instilled three times (one drop every 20 minutes, an hour prior to surgery). The groups were evaluated from two collections of conjunctival material: first before instilling some eye drops and the second one immediately after surgery. Gram stain, culture and sensitivity were performed. Results: Comparing the reduction in the number of bacteria found in the slides in the pre-and postoperative, there was no statistically significant difference in both groups. Conclusions: Both use of antiseptic or antibiotic, used as prophylaxis forendophthalmitis, can reduce the conjunctivalmicrobiota.

Objetivo: Analisar dois método de redução da microbiota conjuntival em indivíduos submetidos à facectomia. Métodos: Ensaio clínico, com amostra de conveniência de 57 pacientes, com diagnóstico de catarata senil (57 olhos), submetidos à facoemulsificação com implante de lente intraocular em Recife entre 2011 a 2013. Os pacientes foram alocados em dois grupos: ATB (27 olhos) no qual foi instilado colírio antibiótico (gatifloxacino a 0,3%) e ASS (30 olhos) colírio antisséptico (iodopovidine a 5%), ambas as medicações foram instiladas três vezes (uma gota a cada 20 minutos, uma hora previamente à cirurgia). Os grupos foram avaliados a partir de duas coletas de material conjuntival: a primeira antes de instilar algum colírio e a segunda imediatamente após a cirurgia. Foi realizada bacterioscopia, cultura e antibiograma. Resultados: Comparando-se a redução no número de bactérias encontrado nas lâminas no pré e pós-operatório, não se verificou diferença estatística significativa nos dois grupos. Conclusão: Tanto o uso do antisséptico como do antibiótico usados como profiláticos para a endoftalmite reduzem a microbiota conjuntival.

The correlation between body mass index and intraocular pressure in children.

PURPOSE: There is evidence from some studies that support an association between obesity in adults and higher intraocular pressure (IOP). However, this association has not been completely studied in children. Our aim is to evaluate the association between child body mass index (BMI) and IOP. METHODS: Ninety-six children attending the Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira (IMIP) in Brazil were studied. Thirty-three were overweight/obese with a mean BMI of 29.7 ± 5.2 and 63 with a mean BMI of 20.8 ± 3.3. IOP was measured using the Goldmann applanation tonometer and was corrected for corneal thickness. The coefficient of correlation between BMI and IOP was calculated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the IOP of children with or without overweight/obesity. The mean IOP was 13.5 and 13.0 mmHg for the right eye and 13.1 and 12.9 mmHg for left eye, respectively (p=0.38 and p=0.71). The results remained the same after correction by pachymetry; 13.0 and 13.1 mmHg for the right eye and 12.4 and 12.9 mmHg for the left eye, respectively (p=0.88 and p=0.41). The coefficient of correlation between BMI and IOP was 0.070 (p=0.496). CONCLUSION: These results do not show a correlation between body mass index and IOP in children. Further studies are warranted to clarify the association between BMI and IOP in children.