Nursing Implications of Mindfulness-Informed Interventions for Stroke Survivors and Their Families.

The consequences of stroke can be devastating and include psychological distress, such as anxiety and depression, functional deficits, pain, and cognitive impairment. Symptoms are complex and impact not only the stroke survivor but may also be challenging for family caregivers. Studies have consistently demonstrated that mindfulness-informed interventions (MBI), such as mindfulness-based stress reduction and acceptance and self-compassion therapies, improve symptoms in a wide variety of clinical populations. However, research examining MBIs within the stroke population is in its infancy. Nurses, who have traditionally focused on holistic care delivery are in a unique position to incorporate MBIs throughout the stroke care continuum. In this topical review, we examine the literature related to the use of MBIs in stroke survivors and their family caregivers. We include a critical appraisal of existing literature, discuss nursing implications, and make recommendations for future research. Mindfulness-informed interventions are feasible and acceptable within the stroke population and may be an important complementary treatment to help stroke survivors and their families manage the consequences of stroke. We recommend further research to tailor MBI programs to the unique needs of stroke survivors and their family caregivers. In addition, nurses should consider opportunities to be trained in MBIs and incorporate these programs into their practice and research.

[Cerebral infarction after pituitary apoplexy: Description of a case and review of the literature]. / Infarto cerebral tras apoplejía pituitaria: descripción de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

Pituitary apoplexy is usually the result of hemorrhagic infarction in a pituitary adenoma. The clinical presentation varies widely and includes asymptomatic cases, classical pituitary apoplexy and even sudden death. Cerebral ischemia due to pituitary apoplexy is very rare. It may be caused by vasospasm or direct compression of cerebral vessels by the tumor. We report a case of pituitary apoplexy associated with cerebral infarction and discuss the relationship between the two events.

[Multiple intracranial arteriovenous malformation]. / Malformación arteriovenosa intracraneal múltiple.

Multiple cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are thought to be exceedingly rare lesions and have usually been reported as single cases. The incidence of multiple cerebral AVMs in major series ranges from 0.3% to 9% and, in the majority of cases, these malformations are associated with other vascular anomalies of the brain or soft tissues. We report a 62-year-old woman that presented with a left temporal haemorrhage. Angiography showed 3 AVMs located in the left temporal lobe, left cerebellar hemisphere and right temporal lobe. The lesions were treated with radiosurgery.

[«De novo¼ development of a suprasellar arachnoid cyst]. / Desarrollo «de novo¼ de un quiste aracnoideo supraselar.

Intracranial arachnoid cysts are fluid-filled cavities that arise within the cranial arachnoid, representing approximately 1%-2% of all intracranial lesions among the paediatric population. We present the case of a 2-year-old boy who presented with instability and episodes of ocular deviation. A computed tomography scan (CT scan) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed a suprasellar cyst and obstructive hydrocephalus. At birth a transfontanellar ultrasound was normal. The cyst underwent endoscopic fenestration with complete remission of symptoms. In the review of the literature, we found only 6 previous cases of an intracranial arachnoid cyst whose origin was not clearly congenital or traumatic, and ours is the second case of a suprasellar arachnoid cyst to arise de novo. The clinical features, imaging characteristics and treatment of the previously reported cases are discussed.

Quality of dying among elderly people diagnosed with dementia in nursing homes: A mixed methods study.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT: Nurses working at nursing homes can play a pivotal role in mental health as a high proportion of residents diagnosed with dementia are in these facilities. Many institutionalized residents diagnosed with dementia develop clinical complications and symptoms that reduce the quality of dying. A mixed-methods approach can help nurses with the difficult task of assessing the quality of dying among these residents and identify inconsistencies that cannot be found using scales alone, but no studies were found in this topic. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE: Through the Quality of dying in Long-Term Care Scale (QoD-LTC), nurses described symptom management, quality of care, and end-of-life appearance as adequate and end-of-life communication as lacking. Generally speaking, the scores on the scale were consistent with the data from semi-structured interviews conducted with nurses. In the semi-structured interviews, some of the concepts on the scale, including 'dignity', 'holistic' care, 'good relationships with healthcare professionals', and 'a peaceful death', are complex and not fully incorporated into nurses' practice in nursing homes when assessing residents diagnosed with dementia. This could be improved by using the SENSES Model or person-centred care frameworks. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: There is evidence of shortcomings among professionals in the correct use of concepts linked to psychological wellbeing, communication, therapeutic relationship, safety and participation, preservation of dignity, decision-making, and resident autonomy, which can be addressed using specific theoretical approaches developed in the field of mental health nursing. ABSTRACT: Introduction The complex nature of end-of-life assessment of individuals diagnosed with dementia would benefit from a mixed-methods approach that simultaneously assess the perception and response of nurses to standardized tools. Aim/Question To examine nursing professionals' perceptions of the quality of dying among residents diagnosed with dementia using the Quality of Dying in Long-Term Care settings (QoD-LTC) questionnaire and to identify consistencies and inconsistencies in their narratives. Method Mixed-methods study using concurrent triangulation with data integration for results and interpretation. Nurses from eight nursing homes assessed 117 residents diagnosed with dementia who died in the previous 3 months using the QoD-LTC scale. After informed consent was obtained (nurses/caregivers), 17 semi-structured scale-based interviews were conducted. Results Symptom management, quality of care, and end-of-life appearance were found to be adequate, while end-of-life communication was deemed insufficient. The qualitative and quantitative data were consistent for most of the items on the QoD-LTC. Discussion Concepts such as dignity, holistic care, good relationships, and peaceful death are complex and not fully incorporated into professional practice. Implications for Practice The results highlight the need for greater involvement of mental health nurses as well as improved communication, training, and specific tools tailored to residents diagnosed with dementia.

Machine learning models improve prediction of large vessel occlusion and mechanical thrombectomy candidacy in acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Early identification of large vessel occlusions (LVO) and timely recanalization are paramount to improved clinical outcomes in acute ischemic stroke. A stroke assessment that maximizes sensitivity and specificity for LVOs is needed to identify these cases and not overburden the health system with unnecessary transfers. Machine learning techniques are being used for predictive modeling in many aspects of stroke care and may have potential in predicting LVO presence and mechanical thrombectomy (MT) candidacy. METHODS: Ischemic stroke patients treated at Loyola University Medical Center from July 2018 to June 2019 (N = 286) were included. Thirty-five clinical and demographic variables were analyzed using machine learning algorithms, including logistic regression, extreme gradient boosting, random forest (RF), and decision trees to build models predictive of LVO presence and MT candidacy by area of the curve (AUC) analysis. The best performing model was compared with prior stroke scales. RESULTS: When using all 35 variables, RF best predicted LVO presence (AUC = 0.907 ± 0.856-0.957) while logistic regression best predicted MT candidacy (AUC = 0.930 ± 0.886-0.974). When compact models were evaluated, a 10-feature RF model best predicted LVO (AUC = 0.841 ± 0.778-0.904) and an 8-feature RF model best predicted MT candidacy (AUC = 0.862 ± 0.782-0.942). The compact RF models had sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and positive predictive value of 0.81, 0.87, 0.92, 0.72 for LVO and 0.87, 0.97, 0.97, 0.86 for MT, respectively. The 10-feature RF model was superior at predicting LVO to all previous stroke scales (AUC 0.944 vs 0.759-0.878) and the 8-feature RF model was superior at predicting MT (AUC 0.970 vs 0.746-0.834). CONCLUSION: Random forest machine learning models utilizing clinical and demographic variables predicts LVO presence and MT candidacy with a high degree of accuracy in an ischemic stroke cohort. Further validation of this strategy for triage of stroke patients requires prospective and external validation.

Preliminary evidence for a race-based stress reduction intervention for Black women at risk for cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE: Despite evidence that chronic stress, racism, and discrimination impact the well-being and the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Black women, there are few evidence-based interventions that improve well-being and reduce the risk for CVD in women of minority groups. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the psychobehavioral and anti-inflammatory benefit of a race-based stress reduction program "Resilience, Stress, and Ethnicity (RiSE) for Black women at risk for CVD. METHODS: Black women were recruited from the Chicagoland community and randomized to either the 8-week RiSE intervention (n = 40) or control group (n = 34). Participants were assessed for coping strategies, psychological distress, and blood levels of TNF-alpha and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) at baseline and at 4 and 8 weeks after baseline. RESULTS: Participation in RiSE was associated with a more rapid decline in the use of avoidance coping (b = -0.3585, SE = 0.1705, p < .01). Reductions over time in TNF-alpha (b = -0.0163, SE = .0087, p = .08) and hsCRP (b= -0.4064, SE = 0.2270, p = .08) approached statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Findings provide preliminary evidence in Black women at risk for CVD that RiSE contributes to decreases in avoidance coping. Although preliminary, these results suggest RiSE to be an effective intervention to promote improved coping associated with racism and discrimination in minorities.

Tension pneumocephalus, an uncommon complication of oxygen therapy in preterm newborns. Presentation of a case and literature review. / Neumoencéfalo a tensión, una extraña complicación del uso de oxígeno en neonatos. Descripción de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

Tension pneumocephalus is an extremely rare complication of positive-pressure ventilation in neonates, the diagnosis of which requires a high degree of clinical suspicion. We present the case of a preterm newborn, who received high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy because of hyaline membrane disease, due to his prematurity, and developed clinical signs of intracranial hypertension. Transfontanellar ultrasound and cranial CT scan revealed significant tension pneumocephalus, which was evacuated with direct needle puncture through the anterior fontanelle.

Falling living standards during the COVID-19 crisis: Quantitative evidence from nine developing countries.

Despite numerous journalistic accounts, systematic quantitative evidence on economic conditions during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic remains scarce for most low- and middle-income countries, partly due to limitations of official economic statistics in environments with large informal sectors and subsistence agriculture. We assemble evidence from over 30,000 respondents in 16 original household surveys from nine countries in Africa (Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Sierra Leone), Asia (Bangladesh, Nepal, Philippines), and Latin America (Colombia). We document declines in employment and income in all settings beginning March 2020. The share of households experiencing an income drop ranges from 8 to 87% (median, 68%). Household coping strategies and government assistance were insufficient to sustain precrisis living standards, resulting in widespread food insecurity and dire economic conditions even 3 months into the crisis. We discuss promising policy responses and speculate about the risk of persistent adverse effects, especially among children and other vulnerable groups.

Minimally invasive nephrectomy for inflammatory renal disease.

OBJECTIVE: Once chronic inflammatory renal disease (IRD) develops, it creates a severe peri-fibrotic process, which makes it a relative contraindication for minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Our objective is to show that laparoscopic nephrectomy (LN) is a surgical option in IRD with fewer complications and better outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients who underwent a modified-surgical laparoscopic transperitoneal nephrectomy was performed. Data search included all operated patients between May 2013 and May 2018 that had a pathology result with any renal inflammatory condition (xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis, chronic nephritis, and renal tuberculosis). We describe intra-operative variables such as operative time, blood loss, conversion rate, postoperative complications and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: There were 51 patients who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy with a confirmatory pathology report for IRD. We identified four (8%) major complications; three of them required transfusion and one conversion to open surgery. The mean operative time was 233±108 min. Mean estimated blood loss was 206±242 mL excluding the conversion cases and 281±423 mL including them. The mean length of hospital stay was 3.0±2.0 days. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic nephrectomy for IRD can safely be done. It is a reproducible technique with low risks and complication rates. Our experience supports that releasing the kidney first and leaving the hilum for the end is a safe approach when vascular structures are embedded into a single block of inflammatory and scar tissue.

Spontaneous resolution of colloid cyst of the third ventricle in a pediatric patient. / Regresión espontánea de quiste coloide de tercer ventrículo en paciente pediátrica.

Colloid cyst are benign intracranial lesions located in the III ventricle in the region of the foramen of Monro. The majority present in the third and fourth decades of life and are rare under the age of ten. We report a case of an incidentally colloid cyst presented in a 2.5 -years-old girl who was managed conservatively; follow-up with MRI showed a progressive reduction in size. We review the four similar case previously reported.

Basilar Apex Aneurysms in the Setting of Carotid Artery Stenosis: Case Series and Angiographic Anatomic Study.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are life-threatening lesions known within the literature to be found incidentally during routine angiographic workup for carotid artery stenosis (CAS). As IAs are associated with vascular shear stress, it is reasonable to expect that altered flow demands within the anterior circulation, such as with CAS, increase compensatory flow demands via the Circle of Willis (COW) and may induce similar stress at the basilar apex. OBJECTIVE: We present a series of nine unruptured basilar apex aneurysms (BAA) with CAS and a comparative radiographic analysis to BAA without CAS. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with BAA were retrospectively identified using records from 2011 to 2016. CAS by North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) criteria, morphology of BAA, competency of COW, and anatomic relationships within the posterior circulation were examined independently by a neuroradiologist using angiographic imaging. RESULTS: Nine (39%) of the twenty-three BAA patients had CAS, with six having stenosis ≥50%. Four (67%) of the patients with ≥50% CAS demonstrated aneurysm flow angles contralateral to the side with highest CAS. Additionally, the angle between the basilar artery (BA) trajectory and aneurysm neck was observed to be smaller in patients with ≥50% CAS (61 vs 74 degrees). No significant differences in COW patency, posterior circulation morphology, and degree of stenosis were observed. CONCLUSION: Changes in the cervical carotid arteries may lead to blood flow alterations in the posterior circulation that increase the propensity for BAA formation. Posterior circulation imaging can be considered in CAS patients to screen for BAA.

Intrathecal baclofen as a treatment for spasticity: Review of the cases treated in our hospital. / Baclofeno intratecal para el tratamiento de la espasticidad: revisión de los casos presentes tratados en nuestro servicio.

INTRODUCTION: Spasticity represents a medical problem whose incidence is increasing during the last years due to pathologies such as cerebral palsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, trauma or encephalopathy, affecting both adults and children. The treatments include rehabilitation, pharmacotherapy and surgery, among which we highlight intrathecal baclofen infusion devices. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Intrathecal baclofen devices implanted patients in Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela from 2005 to 2018 were selected for retrospective analysis using assessment of spasticity scales, such as Ashworth scale. Complications are described. RESULTS: Surgery was performed in 17 patients for baclofen pump implant, achieving an improvement of 2 points on the Ashworth Scale in 88,2% of the patients and of 1 point on the Penn Scale in 94%. Complications were seen in 3 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Intrathecal baclofen is a simple technique with good results for improving the quality of life of patients with spasticity.

Fístula colovesical secundaria a diverticulitis complicada: tratamiento laparoscópico. Reporte de caso / Colovesical fistula secondary to complicated diverticulitis, laparoscopic treatment. A case report

Resumen Introducción: La fístula colovesical es la unión entre la vejiga y el intestino grueso, se presenta en el 2% de los pacientes con enfermedad diverticular del colon, genera síntomas como neumaturia y fecaluria, asociados a infecciones urinarias recurrentes. Los pacientes se diagnostican mediante estudios imagenológicos y su tratamiento generalmente es quirúrgico. Objetivo: Reportar el caso de tratamiento laparoscópico de paciente con fístula colovesical secundaria a diverticulitis complicada. Caso clínico: Se presenta el caso de un paciente masculino de 69 años, con antecedente de enfermedad diverticular, cursando con infección de vías urinarias recurrentes, fecaluria y neumaturia. La cistoscopia no mostró trayecto fistuloso y la tomografía abdominopélvica mostró hallazgos inflamatorios y fístula colovesical asociada a diverticulitis complicada. Durante procedimiento laparoscópico se encuentra absceso pericólico sin evidencia del trayecto fistuloso, se realizó drenaje, sutura del colon e interposición del epiplón, sin resección intestinal. Paciente con adecuada evolución postoperatoria con egreso al sexto día. El objetivo del tratamiento quirúrgico se centra en el control de complicaciones generadas por los divertículos, en este caso, la fístula colovesical. Conclusiones: El procedimiento laparoscópico es de mínima invasión, no presenta la morbilidad que implica una resección de colon o una colostomía y se asocia con una recuperación funcional más rápida.

Abstract Introduction: The colovesical fistula is a junction between the urinary bladder and the large intestine. It occurs in 2% of patients with diverticular disease of the colon and generates symptoms such as pneumaturia and fecaluria associated with recurrent urinary tract infections. The patients are diagnosed by imaging studies and their treatment is usually surgical. Objective: To report the laparoscopic treatment administered to a patient that presented a case of colovesical fistula secondary to severe diverticulitis. Case report: The case of a 69-year-old male patient with a medical record of diverticular disease, who presented recurrent urinary tract infection, fecaluria, and pneumaturia is presented. The cystoscopy procedure showed no signs of anal fistula, and the abdominopelvic tomography showed signals of inflammations and colovesical fistula associated with complicated diverticulitis. During the laparoscopic procedure, a pericolic abscess was found without evidence of anal fistula. Drainage and suture of the colon and omentum interposition were performed without presenting intestinal resection. The patient had an adequate postoperative recovery and was discharged on the sixth day. The aim of this surgical treatment is focused on the control of medical complications caused by diverticulitis, in this case, colovesical fistula. Conclusions: This procedure is minimally invasive, and it is associated with a faster functional recovery since it does not present the morbidity of a colon resection or colostomy.

[Chronic subdural haematomas in very elderly patients]. / Hematoma subdural crónico en pacientes muy ancianos.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH) is one of the most common neurosurgical conditions and is especially prevalent among elderly individuals. The objective of this study was to analyse the demographic, clinical and radiological findings, and surgical outcomes in a series of chronic subdural haematoma in patients older than 85 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A review was carried out on all patients over 85 years with CSDH treated in our neurosurgical service from April 1986 to November 2015. A record was made of the baseline patient characteristics (age, sex, comorbidities, known risk factors, imaging characteristics, and number of burr-holes) and surgical outcomes (complications, especially recurrences and mortality). An analysis was carried out on the special characteristics of these patients, as well as the relationships between gender, clinical grade, anti-platelet or anticoagulant therapy, internal architecture of the haematoma, and midline shift, with mortality and recurrence of the haematoma. RESULTS: A total of 200 patients were included, with a mean age of 88.5 (range 85-104) years, and the male: female sex ratio was 1:1.1. History of injury was reported in 114 (57%) cases. Anti-platelet or anticoagulant therapy was being used by 71 (35.5%) patients. On admission, 114 patients (57%) were in satisfactory condition (Markwalder grades 0-2). The main symptom was behavioural disturbance in 82 (41%) cases. CSDH was left-sided in 89 (44.5%) patients, right-sided in 78 (39%) cases (39%), and bilateral in the remaining 33 (16.5%) cases). Postoperative complications were observed in 59 cases (29 recurrences). Preoperative Markwalder grade correlated significantly with recurrence rate and mortality (P<.0001). CONCLUSIONS: CSDH was a very common disease in very elderly patients. Behavioural disturbance and neurological deficits are the most common first symptom. Preoperative neurological status at admission is the most important factor in recurrences and mortality.

Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder in Pediatric Patients: Where Do We Stand? / Carcinoma de células transicionales de vejiga en pacientes pediatricos: ¿Dónde nos encontramos?

Introduction Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (TCCB) is uncommon in the pediatric population, and its etiology, natural history and epigenetics remain poorly understood. We aim to describe six cases of TCCB in pediatric patients and discuss the state of the art in the management and follow-up of the patients with this uncommon early presentation. Methods The clinicopathological data of 6 patients with TCCB who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) were obtained from our institutional database. The patient data were collected retrospectively. A review of the literature was performed, and the most relevant and trending data were analyzed. Results A total of 6 patients (4 female, 2 male) were treated at our institution between 2004 and 2019. The mean age of the sample was 12 years, and the presenting symptoms were macroscopic hematuria (3 cases), suprapubic pain (2 cases), and 1 case was an incidental finding during pelvic ultrasonography. The long-term follow-up (median follow-up of 61 months) did not reveal recurrence. Conclusion Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder rarely presents in the pediatric population. Genetic and epigenetic anomalies have been proposed as causes, as well as carcinogenic exposure. The reported cases tend to have a good prognosis, and most are non-invasive at the diagnosis. Follow-up protocols are still lacking, as well as molecular insights on tumor development and prognostic markers.

Introducción Carcinoma de células transicionales de vejiga (CCTV) es una patología rara en la población pediátrica, su etiología, historia natural y epigenetica son pobremente entendidos. El objetivo de este articulo es describir 6 casos de CCTV en pacientes pediátricos, discutir el estado del arte en el manejo y seguimiento de los pacientes. Métodos Los datos clinicopatologicos de 6 pacientes con CCTV sometidos a resección transuretral de tumor vesical (RTU-TV) se analizaron de nuestra base de datos institucional. Los datos fueron recolectados y analizados de manera retrospectiva. Se realizo una revisión de la literatura y solo los artículos mas relevantes fueron analizados. Resultados Un total de 6 pacientes (4 mujeres, 2 hombres) fueron tratados en nuestra institución entre el 2004 y el 2019. La media de edad fue 12 años y los síntomas mas frecuentes fueron hematuria macroscópica (3 casos), dolor suprapúbico (2 casos) y en un caso fue un hallazgo incidental durante una ultrasonografía pélvica. El seguimiento a largo plazo (mediana de seguimiento de 61 meses) no mostro recurrencia en ningún paciente. Conclusión CCTV se presenta infrecuentemente en la población pediátrica, Anomalías genéticas y epigeneticas han sido propuestas como causas predisponentes al igual que la exposición a carcinogénicos. Los casos reportados tienden a tener un buen pronostico y la gran mayoría son no musculo invasivos al momento del diagnostico. Protocolos de seguimiento no están claramente definidos igual que vías moleculares en la tumorogenésis y marcadores pronósticos