Telemedicine Beyond Borders: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Understanding Cross-National Usage Intention.

Introduction: Drawing on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 and the Diffusion of Innovation Theory, this article investigates the adoption of telemedicine services from a patient perspective in Germany, Spain, and the United States using a mixed-methods approach. Digital health technologies have the potential to improve access to care and to alleviate the burden on traditional health care systems and are becoming more integrated into everyday medicine. Therefore, understanding the factors that impact patients' intentions to use telemedicine is crucial to ensure successful development. Methods: Based on 1,200 surveys collected in Germany, Spain, and the United States, structural equation modeling (IBM SPSS Amos 24) is employed to test the hypotheses. The article also explores how age and gender moderate the proposed relationships. Results: Seven out of the 10 hypotheses (performance expectancy, hedonic motivation, habit, relative advantage, and perceived security) are found to be positive, direct, and statistically significant. Furthermore, findings suggest stronger effects for telemedicine usage intention for younger female users than their male counterparts. Discussion: With digital health technologies becoming more prevalent, the outcomes of this study can endorse the development of effective strategies to promote the adoption of telemedicine, ultimately improving access to care and contributing to the advancement of and modern health care.

New Insights into the Pro-Inflammatory and Osteoclastogenic Profile of Circulating Monocytes in Osteoarthritis Patients.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative condition of the articular cartilage with chronic low-grade inflammation. Monocytes have a fundamental role in the progression of OA, given their implication in inflammatory responses and their capacity to differentiate into bone-resorbing osteoclasts (OCLs). This observational-experimental study attempted to better understand the molecular pathogenesis of OA through the examination of osteoclast progenitor (OCP) cells from both OA patients and healthy individuals (25 OA patients and healthy samples). The expression of osteoclastogenic and inflammatory genes was analyzed using RT-PCR. The OA monocytes expressed significantly higher levels of CD16, CD115, TLR2, Mincle, Dentin-1, and CCR2 mRNAs. Moreover, a flow cytometry analysis showed a significantly higher surface expression of the CD16 and CD115 receptors in OA vs. healthy monocytes, as well as a difference in the distribution of monocyte subsets. Additionally, the OA monocytes showed a greater osteoclast differentiation capacity and an enhanced response to an inflammatory stimulus. The results of this study demonstrate the existence of significant differences between the OCPs of OA patients and those of healthy subjects. These differences could contribute to a greater understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of OA and to the identification of new biomarkers and potential drug targets for OA.

PM534, an Optimized Target-Protein Interaction Strategy through the Colchicine Site of Tubulin.

Targeting microtubules is the most effective wide-spectrum pharmacological strategy in antitumoral chemotherapy, and current research focuses on reducing main drawbacks: neurotoxicity and resistance. PM534 is a novel synthetic compound derived from the Structure-Activity-Relationship study on the natural molecule PM742, isolated from the sponge of the order Lithistida, family Theonellidae, genus Discodermia (du Bocage 1869). PM534 targets the entire colchicine binding domain of tubulin, covering four of the five centers of the pharmacophore model. Its nanomolar affinity and high retention time modulate a strikingly high antitumor activity that efficiently overrides two resistance mechanisms in cells (detoxification pumps and tubulin ßIII isotype overexpression). Furthermore, PM534 induces significant inhibition of tumor growth in mouse xenograft models of human non-small cell lung cancer. Our results present PM534, a highly effective new compound in the preclinical evaluation that is currently in its first human Phase I clinical trial.

Meningitis en el Hospital Nacional: VI muestra nacional de epidemiología / Meningitis in the National Hospital: VI national epidemiological sample

Introducción: las meningitis constituyen un importante problema de Salud Pública, que afectan de manera especial a los niños menores de 5 años. La etiología más frecuente es viral. Desde la introducción de la vacuna conjugada contra H. influenzae tipo b, S. pneumoniae y N. meningitidis los virus pasaron a ser los agentes más frecuentes. A nivel país, en 2014 y 2015, la etiología viral fue la más frecuente con valores de 69% y 77%, respectivamente, atribuyéndose a las bacterianas como segunda causa. Objetivos: describir las características epidemiológicas de las meningitis, en pacientes de todas las edades internados en el lapso de enero del 2014 a octubre del 2015 en el Hospital Nacional de Itauguá, Paraguay. Metodología: estudio epidemiológico, descriptivo, transversal. Se incluye a pacientes de todas las edades que ingresaron con sospecha de meningitis y/o encefalitis en el periodo de estudio. Resultados: en el periodo de estudio ingresaron 173 casos probables de 201 casos sospechosos de meningitis correspondiendo al 0,5% (173/35140) de todos los ingresos hospitalarios. El grupo etario más afectado fue el de menores de 5 años y entre los mayores de 5 años el de 5 a 14 años. En el 53% procedieron del Departamento Central. Los cuadros clínicos fueron: 98 casos (57%) encefalitis viral, meningitis bacteriana aguda 65 casos (37%), 7 casos (4%) meningitis micótica (Criptococcus). Fallecieron 3 casos de encefalitis y 9 casos de meningitis bacteriana aguda. De 25 casos en edad de vacunarse, 52 % se vacunaron para H. influenzae b y 16% contra P. pneumoniae. No se ha registrado vacunación para N. meningitis en ningún caso. Conclusiones: la incidencia total de meningitis en este periodo de estudio fue de 173 casos. Más de la mitad de los casos fueron de etiología viral. La bacteria más frecuentemente identificada fue S. pneumoniae. En general el grupo de edad más afectado fue el de menores de 5 años. La letalidad fue de 3% en los casos de encefalitis viral, 14% en meningitis bacteriana aguda y 43% en meningitis a Criptococcus. Se desconoce el estado de vacunación de casi la mitad de los casos sobre todo de la antineumocóccica.

Introduction: Meningitis is an important public health problem, which affects children under 5 years of age. The most frequent etiology is viral. Since the introduction of the conjugate vaccine against H. b, S. pneumoniae and N. meningitidis, they became the most frequent agents. In the hole country, in 2014 and 2015, the viral etiology was the most frequent with values ​​of 69% and 77%, respectively, being attributed to the bacterial ones as the second cause. Objectives: To know the epidemiological characteristics of meningitis in all ages hospitalized patients from January 2014 to October 2015 at the National Hospital of Itaugua, Paraguay. Methodology: Epidemiological, descriptive, cross-sectional study. Patients of all ages admitted with suspected meningitis and / or encephalitis were included in the study. Results: During the study, 173 probable cases of 201 suspected cases of meningitis corresponding to 0.5% (173/35140) of all hospital admissions were registered. The more affected age group was the group of children under 5 and among patients with more than 5 years, were between 5 to 14 years; In 53%, they came from the central department.98 cases (57%) were viral encephalitis; Acute bacterial meningitis 65 cases (37%); 7 cases (4%) Fungal Meningitis (Cryptococcus). Of 41 confirmed viral cases (42%), 29 cases (71%) were by Enterovirus. 18 cases of MBA were confirmed; S.pneumoniae (8) or Spn, S were identified. Aureus (4), N.meningitidis (2) or NmStreptococcus group B (1), E. coli (1), S. Epidermidis MR (1) and S. agalactiae (1); From 5 Spn the sero types / serogroups were identified: 6C / 6D (1), serotype14 (1), serotype3 (1), NmW 135 (1), Nmsero group B (1) in a young adult case. There were 3 cases of encephalitis and 9 cases of MBA. Twenty-five cases were vaccinated for Hib and 16% were vaccinated against P.pneumoniae; No vaccination has been registered for Nm. Conclusions: The total incidence of meningitis in this period of study was 173 cases. More than half of the cases were of viral etiology; The most frequently identified bacterium was S. pneumoniae. In general, the most affected age group was children under 5 years of age. The majority coming from the Central department and Cordillera. The lethality was 3% in cases of viral encephalitis; 14% in MBA and 43% in Cryptococcus meningitis. It is unknown the vaccination status of almost half of the cases especially of the anti pneumococcal.

Evaluación de la percepción de pacientes sobre el comportamiento de comunicación del personal de enfermería: diseño y validación en población mexicana / Evaluation of the patient's perception on the communication behavior of the nursing personnel: design and validation in the Mexican population

ANTECEDENTES: La comunicación enfermera-paciente es fundamental para la aplicación de los cuidados en salud. El presente estudio aborda la percepción de pacientes sobre la comunicación verbal y no verbal con sus enfermeras. Entre los instrumentos para su evaluación destaca la Herramienta para la Evaluación del Cuidado (CAT por sus siglas en inglés), pero diferencias culturales y educativas de la población mexicana limitan su aplicabilidad en nuestro contexto.OBJETIVO: Diseñar y validar un instrumento sobre la percepción de los pacientes sobre el comportamiento de comunicación de enfermeras (denominado CECOP), en función de lo que observan pacientes mexicanos.MÉTODO: Con base en una entrevista exploratoria a 29 pacientes, se diseñó el CECOP con 25 reactivos, se estableció validez de contenido con jueces expertos (eliminando dos reactivos) y se aplicó a 150 pacientes. Se empleó análisis factorial con método de extracción de análisis de componentes principales y rotación Varimax. Se estableció la validez convergente entre el CECOP y el CAT y entre el CECOP y escalas numéricas que valoraron comprensión empática y satisfacción del paciente.RESULTADOS: La validez de constructo lo redujo a diez reactivos en dos factores (empatía y respeto); con Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) y prueba de Bartlett estadísticamente significativas (p≤.001). La varianza explicada fue de 54.58%. La correlación entre los puntajes totales del CECOP (10 reactivos) y el CAT fue .459, el CECOP y la escala de comprensión fue .419; el CECOP y la escala de satisfacción, .495; todas, estadísticamente significativas (p≤.001).DISCUSIÓN Y CONCLUSIÓN: El CECOP permite evaluar los cuidados profesionales en su dimensión humana, desde la percepción de los pacientes, y sugerir propuestas para mejorar la comunicación de las enfermeras.

BACKGROUND: Nurse-patient communication has been established as a key component of professional healthcare. The present study examined the patients' perception of the verbal and non-verbal communication skills of nurses. Although the Caring Assessment Tool (CAT) stands among the instruments available to evaluate these communication skills, cultural and schooling characteristics limit its direct applicability to the Mexican context.OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to design and validate an instrument on the patient-recorded Nurse Communication Behavior (CECOP, for its acronym in Spanish) based on the Mexican patient's experience.METHOD: Based on exploratory interviews with 29 patients, a first draft of the CECOP was designed. The instrument was validated by independent expert judges and after the elimination of two items it was used with 150 patients. The validity was assessed by a factor analysis extraction through Principal Component Analysis and Varimax Rotation. Convergence validity was established between the CAT and the CECOP and between the CECOP and numeric scales that evaluate empathy and patient satisfaction.RESULTS: Construct Validity reduced the CECOP to 10 items in two factors (empathy and respect) with statistically significant KMO (Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin) and Bartlett's Test (p≤.001). The explained variation was 54.58%. The correlation between the CECOP score (10 items) and the CAT was .459. Between the CECOP and the empathy scale and between the CECOP and the satisfaction scale the correlations were .419 and .495, respectively. All correlations were statistically significant (p≤.001).DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The CECOP can be used to evaluate professional care in its human dimension from the patient's perspective and to suggest improvements in the nurses communication.

Maternal MTHFR polymorphisms and risk of spontaneous abortion / Polimorfismos maternos MTHFR y riesgo de aborto espontáneo

OBJECTIVE: To asses the association between intake of folate and B vitamins and the incidence of spontaneous abortion (SA) according to the maternal methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms (677 C>T and 1298 A>C). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a nested case-control study within a perinatal cohort of women recruited in the state of Morelos, Mexico. Twenty-three women with SA were compared to 74 women whose pregnancy survived beyond week 20th. Intake of folate and B vitamins respectively, was estimated using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Maternal MTHFR polymorphisms were determined by PCR-RFLP and serum homocysteine levels by HPLC. RESULTS: Carriers of MTHFR 677TT and 1298AC genotypes respectively showed an increased risk of SA (OR 677TT vs. CC/CT=5.0; 95 percent CI: 1.2, 20.9 and OR 1298 AC vs. AA=5.5; 95 percent CI: 1.1, 26.6). CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the role of MTHFR polymorphisms as a risk factor for SA, regardless of dietary intake of B vitamins.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la asociación entre aborto espontáneo (AE) y el consumo dietético de vitaminas B en mujeres mexicanas portadoras de los polimorfismos de la metilentetrahidrofolato reductasa (MTHFR) (677 C>T y 1298 A>C). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Mediante un diseño de casos y controles anidados en una cohorte, se comparó la ingesta dietética materna de vitaminas B y folato, los polimorfismos maternos de la MTHFR y la concentración sérica de homocisteina de 23 casos de AE (< 20 semanas) y 74 controles (mujeres con embarazos > 20 semanas). RESULTADOS: Las portadoras de los genotipos MTHFR 677TT y 1298AC presentaron un incremento significativo en el riesgo de AE (RM 677TT vs. CC/CT=5.0; IC 95 por ciento: 1.2, 20.9 RM 1298 AC vs. AA=5.5; IC95 por ciento: 1.1, 26.6), respectivamente. CONCLUSIONES: Nuestros resultados apoyan el papel de la mutación de la MTHFR como posible factor de riesgo para el AE, independientemente del consumo de vitaminas B.

Trypanosoma cruzi strains isolated from human, vector, and animal reservoir in the same endemic region in Mexico and typed as T. cruzi I, discrete typing unit 1 exhibit considerable biological diversity

In this study, three strains of Trypanosoma cruzi were isolated at the same time and in the same endemic region in Mexico from a human patient with chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy (RyC-H); vector (Triatoma barberi) (RyC-V); and rodent reservoir (Peromyscus peromyscus) (RyC-R). The three strains were characterized by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, random amplified polymorphic DNA, and by pathological profiles in experimental animals (biodemes). Based on the analysis of genetic markers the three parasite strains were typed as belonging to T. cruzi I major group, discrete typing unit 1. The pathological profile of RyC-H and RyC-V strains indicated medium virulence and low mortality and, accordingly, the strains should be considered as belonging to biodeme Type III. On the other hand, the parasites from RyC-R strain induced more severe inflammatory processes and high mortality (> 40 percent) and were considered as belonging to biodeme Type II. The relationship between genotypes and biological characteristics in T. cruzi strains is still debated and not clearly understood. An expert committee recommended in 1999 that Biodeme Type III would correspond to T. cruzi I group, whereas Biodeme Type II, to T. cruzi II group. Our findings suggest that, at least for Mexican isolates, this correlation does not stand and that biological characteristics such as pathogenicity and virulence could be determined by factors different from those identified in the genotypic characterization

Clinical forms of Trypanosoma cruzi infected individuals in the chronic phase of Chagas disease in Puebla, Mexico

In Mexico, despite the relatively high seroprevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in humans in some areas, reported morbidity of Chagas disease is not clear. We determined clinical stage in 71 individuals seropositive to T. cruzi in the state of Puebla, Mexico, an area endemic for Chagas disease with a reported seroprevalence of 7.7 percent. Diagnosis of Chagas disease was made by two standardized serological tests (ELISA, IHA). Individuals were stratified according to clinical studies. All patients were submitted to EKG, barium swallow, and barium enema. Groups were identified as indeterminate form (IF) asymptomatic individuals without evidence of abnormalities (n = 34 cases); those with gastrointestinal alterations (12 patients) including symptoms of abnormal relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter and absent peristalsis in the esophageal body, grade I megaesophagus, and/or megacolon; patients with clinical manifestations and documented changes of chronic Chagas heart disease who were subdivided as follows: mild (8 patients) - mild electrocardiographic changes of ventricular repolarization, sinus bradychardia); moderate (6 patients) - left bundle branch block, right bundle branch block associated with left anterior fascicular block); severe (8 patients) - signs of cardiomegaly, dilated cardiomyopathy); and the associated form (3 cases) that included presence of both cardiomyopathy and megaesophagus. These data highlight the importance of accurate evaluation of the prevalence and clinical course of Chagas disease in endemic and non-endemic areas of Mexico.

Utilidad de un cuestionario para hacer diagnóstico diferencial entre asma y enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica / Questionnaire for differential diagnosis between asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objetivo: Probar la reproducibilidad y utilidad de un cuestionario para diferenciar el asma bronquial de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en los casos de difícil diagnóstico. Material y métodos: Se aplicó un cuestionario de siete reactivos a 12 pacientes asmáticos y a 12 con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica. La calificación máxima es de 33 y la mínima de 3. Se hizo el diagnóstico de asma en pacientes sin antecedentes de tabaquismo con VEF1 ü 70 por cientop, VEF1 /CVF ü 70 por ciento y reversibilidad al broncodilatador ü 15 por ciento. Se diagnóstico enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica cuando tenían tabaquismo y/o exposición al humo de leña, VEF1 / CVF < 70 por ciento y respuesta al broncodilatador < 15 por ciento. Se determinaron los coeficientes de correlación intraclase y de variación, así como la sensibilidad y especificidad. Resultados: La variación intraobservador fue de 3 por ciento en los asmáticos y 8.7 por ciento en los pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica. La variación interobservador fue de 6 y 7.4 por ciento respectivamente. El coeficiente de correlación intraclase intraobservador en asmáticos fue mayor de 0.80 e interobservador de 0.48 y en los pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica de 0.90 y 0.85, respectivamente. La curva de características operativas del receptor mostró que el mejor punto de corte para diferenciar a los asmáticos de los que tienen enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica fue con una calificación de 18, una sensibilidad del 100 por ciento y especificidad del 91 por ciento. Conclusiones: Los resultados de este trabajo señalan que el instrumento es altamente sensible y específico para diferenciar a los pacientes asmáticos de los que tienen enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica.

Predicción del pronóstico en pacientes sépticos a partir del índice Apache III / Prediction of the prognosis in septic patients from index Apache III

Objetivos: Predecir el desenlace, mortalidad o supervivencia al momento del ingreso hospitalario en pacientes sépticos. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo-observacionalcon 51 pacientes sépticos de causa médica, admitidos en los servicios de Medicina Interna del HNDM, entre enero-abril 1995. Resultados: La mortalidad global fue de 39.2 por ciento, sobreviviendo 60.8 por ciento. Correlacionando esto con el puntaje de Apache III, no se puede determinar con precisión la supervivencia y/o mortalidad de 51 a 129 pacientes. Puntajes inferiores a 50 puntos pueden determinar con exactitud supervivencia y puntajes superiores a 129 mortalidad. El mejor punto de corte para detrminar gravedad y posibilidad de morir para el puntaje Apache III fue de 70, con una sensibilidad de 70 por ciento, una especificidad de 83.9 por ciento y un valor predictivo positivo de 73.6 por ciento para una mortalidad de 33.3 por ciento. La curva exponencial reveló que a partir del score 80 hay un cierto grado de coincidencia entre la mortalidad observada y la predicha, siendo la mortalidad por encima de 80 puntos cercana al 100 por ciento. Conclusiones: En forma individual el método Apache III, validado por un modelo de regresión logística, predice bien el riesgo de morir sirviendo como un índice pronóstico en una población de pacientes sépticos. Los pacientes con valores de puntaje Apache III de 50 a 129 son los que deben recibir la máxima atención, ya sea derivándolos a UCI o extremando cuidados en un servicio de Medicina Interna. Valores extremos por debajo de 50 y por encima de 129 pueden determinar con exactitud el riesgo individual de sobrevivencia y/o mortalidad.