Cultural relevance of fine motor domain of the ASQ in Guatemala.

Previous research suggests that the Ages and Stages Questionnaire-3rd ed. (ASQ) fine motor domain (FMD) may not be culturally relevant for developmental screening in a rural Guatemalan community, as the FMD accounts for 40% of all abnormal screenings after a needs assessment in this community. We hypothesize this is due to a lack of exposure to objects assessed in the questionnaire, such as blocks or light switches. The FMD scores of rural Guatemalan children (n = 56) participating in a child development program were compared with Spanish- and English-speaking Latinx-American children attending a US primary care clinic and screened at yearly well-child checks. Groups were matched for age gender, and socioeconomic status. Item-level analyses explored differences across the three groups. In the Guatemalan sample, the FMD abnormal score rates were 16%, 62%, and zero in the 12-, 24-, and 36-month-old children, respectively. Abnormal scores for the Guatemalan sample on the 24-month ASQ-3 significantly differed (p = .01) when compared to the Latinx-American groups. The 24-month questionnaire has more questions about objects than the 12- and 36-month questionnaires, which may explain the higher rates of abnormal scores. Developmental screening with ASQ-3 may not adequately capture the skills of children in similar communities.

La investigación previa ha sugerido que el dominio de motricidad fina (FMD) del Cuestionario de Edades y Etapas - Tercera edición (ASQ) pudiera no ser culturalmente relevante para examinar el desarrollo en una comunidad rural de Guatemala, ya que el FMD representa el 40% de todas las examinaciones anormales después de la evaluación de necesidades en esta comunidad. Nuestra hipótesis es que esto se debe a la falta de exposición a objetos evaluados en el cuestionario, tales como bloques o interruptores de luz. Se compararon los puntajes del FMD de niños de áreas rurales en Guatemala (n=56) que participan en un programa de desarrollo del niño con niños norteamericanos latin-x hablantes del español y del inglés, quienes asisten a una clínica de cuidado primario y son examinados en chequeos anuales de rutina para niños sanos. Se clasificaron los grupos según la edad, el género y la condición económica. Los análisis del nivel de cada punto exploraron las diferencias a lo largo de los 3 grupos. En el grupo muestra de Guatemala, los índices de puntajes anormales de FMD fueron 16%, 62% y cero en los niños de 12, 24 y 36 meses de edad, respectivamente. Los puntajes anormales para el grupo de Guatemala en el ASQ-3 a los 24 meses significativamente difirieron (p=0.01) cuando se les comparó con los grupos muestras norteamericanos latin-x. El cuestionario para la edad de 24 meses tiene más preguntas acerca de objetos que los cuestionarios para las edades de 12 y 36 meses, lo cual pudiera explicar los más altos índices de puntajes anormales. La examinación del desarrollo con ASQ-3 pudiera no captar adecuadamente las destrezas de niños en comunidades similares.

Les recherches précédentes suggèrent que le domaine de la motricité fine (FMD en anglais) du Questionnaire des Ages et des Etapes - 3e édition (ASQ en anglais) pourrait ne pas être pertinent sur le point culturel pour le dépistage développemental dans une communauté rurale du Guatémala puisque le FMD explique 40% de tous les dépistages anormaux après une évaluation des besoins dans cette communauté. Nous émettons l'hypothèse que cela est dû au manque d'exposition à des objets évalués dans le questionnaire, comme des blocs ou des interrupteurs (électricité). Les scores de FMD d'enfants de milieu rural au Guatémala (n=56) participant à un programme de développement de l'enfant ont été comparés à ceux d'enfants Latinx-Américains parlant espagnol et anglais, patients d'une clinique de soins primaires aux Etats-Unis d'Amérique et dépisté avec des contrôles de santé annuels. Les groupes ont été assortis par groupe de genre et de statut socioéconomique. Des analyses de précision ont exploré les différences entre les 3 groupes. Dans l'échantillon du Guatémala les taux de score anormal FMD étaient de 16%, 62% et zéro chez les enfants de 12, 24 et 36 mois, respectivement. Les scores anormaux pour l'échantillon du Guatémala pour le ASQ-3 à 24 moi a différé de manière importante (p=0.01) lors de la comparaison aux groupes Latinx-Américains. Le questionnaire de 24 mois a plus de questions sur les objets que les questionnaires de 12 mois et de 36 mois, ce qui peut expliquer les taux plus élevés de scores anormaux. Le dépistage développemental avec le ASQ-3 pourrait s'avérer ne pas capturer de manière adéquate les compétences des enfants dans des communautés similaires.

Cell Blocks from Ultrasound Guided Fine Needle Aspirates: Diagnostic Yield in a Series of 51 Dermatologic Lesions.

The generation of cell blocks (CB) obtained from ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsies (USFNAB) is a well-established technique in breast and thyroid pathology, but is rarely used in dermatology. We reviewed CBs obtained from USFNAB of skin lesions, which were categorized as malignant skin tumors, benign skin tumors, inflammatory skin tumors or deposit skin diseases. The diagnostic yield of each category was compared to histopathology. The USFNAB of 51 skin lesions was processed into CBs. There was overall agreement between histopathology and CBs in 84.31% of cases. Diagnostic group concordance for benign, malignant as well as inflammatory and deposit skin lesions were 69.2%, 93.7% and 86.3% respectively. Cell block generation from USFNAB aspirates of skin lesions should be considered as part of the dermatologic diagnostic armamentarium. Further experience is needed to better understand for which types of dermatologic lesions it would be clearly indicated.

Cell Blocks from Ultrasound Guided Fine Needle Aspirates: Diagnostic Yield in a Series of 51 Dermatologic Lesions. / [Artículo traducido] Bloques celulares obtenidos de la punción-aspiración con aguja fina ecoguiada: rendimiento diagnóstico en una serie de 51 lesiones dermatológicas.

The generation of cell blocks (CBs) obtained from ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsies (USFNAB) is a well-established technique in breast and thyroid pathology, but is rarely used in dermatology. We reviewed CBs obtained from USFNAB of skin lesions, which were categorized as malignant skin tumors, benign skin tumors, inflammatory skin tumors or deposit skin diseases. The diagnostic yield of each category was compared to histopathology. The USFNAB of 51 skin lesions was processed into CBs. There was overall agreement between histopathology and CBs in 84.31% of cases. Diagnostic group concordance for benign, malignant as well as inflammatory and deposit skin lesions were 69.2%, 93.7% and 86.3% respectively. Cell block generation from USFNAB aspirates of skin lesions should be considered as part of the dermatologic diagnostic armamentarium. Further experience is needed to better understand for which types of dermatologic lesions it would be clearly indicated.

Diagnostic yield of endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration in pancreatic cystic lesions. / Rendimiento diagnóstico de la punción mediante ultrasonografía endoscópica de las lesiones quísticas del páncreas.

INTRODUCTION: Despite advances in imaging techniques, in many cases they are insufficient to establish the diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions (PCL). There are few publications in our setting that evaluate the combination of several methods obtained by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). The aim of the study was to evaluate the overall utility of EUS-FNA in the diagnosis of PCL. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study based on a database updated prospectively of a cohort of patients referred for EUS-FNA due to PCL detected in an imaging test. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic yield of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytology and viscosity were studied to detect mucinous lesions. RESULTS: From November 2013 to April 2018, 122 EUS were performed for PCL. EUS-FNA was performed in 94/122 (77%) and 21/122 (17.2%) patients were operated on. We included 33/122 patients who had diagnostic confirmation by histology, imaging (serous cyst with typical pattern) or clinical evolution. The study of the ROC curve determined the cutoff point ≥419 ng/ml to differentiate mucinous/non-mucinous cystic lesions. The diagnostic yield of CEA was 87.5% (21/24), cytology 81.8% (27/33) and viscosity 84.4% (27/32). The three parameters in combination obtained the best result (30/33, 90.9%). CONCLUSION: The combination of CEA analysis, cytology and viscosity of pancreatic fluid obtained by EUS-FNA increases the performance in the diagnosis of mucinous pancreatic cystic lesions, with it being greater than 90%.

Implementation of 350-2500 nm diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography to rapidly assess manufacturing consistency and quality of cotrimoxazole tablets in Tanzania.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of cotrimoxazole tablets produced by a Tanzanian manufacturer by a newly instituted quality assurance programme. METHODS: Tablets underwent a diffuse reflectance spectroscopy procedure with periodic quality assessment confirmation by assay and dissolution testing using validated HPTLC techniques (including weight variation and disintegration evaluations). RESULTS: Based on results from the primary test methods, the first group of product was <80% compliant, whereas subsequent groups reached >99% compliance. CONCLUSIONS: This approach provides a model for rapidly assuring product quality of future procurements of other products that is more cost-effective than traditional pharmaceutical testing techniques.

Latest advances in chronic pancreatitis. / Últimos avances en pancreatitis crónica.

This article summarizes some of the recent and clinically relevant advances in chronic pancreatitis. These advances mainly concern the definition of the disease, the etiological diagnosis of idiopathic disease, the correlation between fibrosis degree and pancreatic secretion in the early stages of chronic pancreatitis, the treatment of the disease and of pain, the clinical relevance of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, and the diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis. A new mechanistic definition of chronic pancreatitis has been proposed. Genetic testing is mainly of help in patients with relapsing idiopathic pancreatitis. A significant correlation has been shown between the degree of pancreatic fibrosis as evaluated by elastography and pancreatic secretion of bicarbonate. New data supports the efficacy of antioxidants and simvastatin for the therapy of chronic pancreatitis. The pancreatoscopy-guided intraductal lithotripsy is an effective alternative to extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in patients with chronic calcifying pancreatitis. The presence of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency in patients with chronic pancreatitis is associated with a significant risk of cardiovascular events. Fine needle biopsy and contrast enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasonography are of help for the diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis and its differential diagnosis with pancreatic cancer.

Diagnostic performance of fluorescent light-emitting diode microscopy for tuberculous lymphadenitis in a high-burden setting.

OBJECTIVE: Diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis using fine-needle aspiration cytology is a simple and safe but low-specificity method, whereas conventional smear microscopy has variable sensitivity due to low bacterial load. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of fluorescent light-emitting diode (LED) microscopy on routinely collected fine-needle aspirates from tuberculous lymphadenitis presumptive cases. METHODS: Fine-needle aspirates were collected from patients clinically suspected of having tuberculous lymphadenitis as part of routine diagnosis. Smear preparation was performed from the aspirate and processed for cytology, conventional Ziehl-Neelsen and LED microscopy. The remaining aspirate was processed for culture on Lowenstein-Jensen media. Capilia TB-Neo test was used to differentiate M. tuberculosis complex from non-tuberculous mycobacteria. RESULT: A total of 144 tuberculous lymphadenitis presumptive cases were included. 66.7% (96/144) were positive for M. tuberculosis complex on culture. Only one isolate was identified as non-tuberculous mycobacteria. The detection rates of Ziehl-Neelsen and LED microscopy were 18.8% (27/144) and 34% (49/144), respectively. As compared to culture, sensitivity was 25.0% [95% CI: 16.3-33.7] for Ziehl-Neelsen microscopy and 45.8% [95% CI: 35.9-55.8] for LED microscopy. The specificity was 93.8% [95% CI: 86.9-100] for Ziehl-Neelsen microscopy and 89.6% [95% CI: 80.9-98.2] for LED microscopy. LED microscopy showed a statistically significant increase in sensitivity and similar specificity compared to Ziehl-Neelsen microscopy. Mean reading time of positive slides was 2.62 min/slide for Ziehl-Neelsen and 1.60 min/slide for LED microscopy. Cytology showed sensitivity of 82.3% and specificity of 54.2%. LED microscopy detected TB bacilli in 33.3% of cases cytologically classified as suppurative abscess. CONCLUSION: The LED microscopy for tuberculous lymphadenitis had significantly higher sensitivity and shorter screening time than Ziehl-Neelsen microscopy. Use of LED microscopy among cases classified as suppurative abscess on fine-needle aspirate cytology improves evidence-based diagnosis of presumptive tuberculous lymphadenitis cases. Moreover, LED microscopy could be considered as an alternative approach in settings where fine-needle aspirate cytology is impractical.

[Latest advances in chronic pancreatitis]. / Últimos avances en pancreatitis crónica.

This article summarizes some of the recent and clinically relevant advances in chronic pancreatitis. These advances mainly concern the early diagnosis of the disease, the treatment of symptoms and complications, mainly pain and pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, and the diagnosis and therapy of autoimmune pancreatitis. The multimodal dynamic endoscopic ultrasound-guided secretin-stimulated evaluation of the pancreas provides relevant morphological and functional information for the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis at early stages. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in patients with calcifying pancreatitis and endoscopic pancreatic stent placement are effective alternatives for pain therapy in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Presence of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency in patients with chronic pancreatitis is associated with a significantly increase of mortality rate. Despite that, pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy is not prescribed in the majority of patients with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, or it is prescribed at a low dose. The newly developed and commercialized needles for endoscopic ultrasound-guided pancreatic biopsy are effective in retrieving appropriate tissue samples for the histological diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis. Maintenance therapy with azathioprine is effective and safe to prevent relapses in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis.

[Review of the current value of ultrasonography in the characterization of thyroid nodules]. / Valor actual de la ecografía en la caracterización de los nódulos tiroideos. Revisión de las últimas guías clínicas de actuación.

The widespread use of medical imaging to study diseases of the neck reveals the prevalence of thyroid nodules can be as high as 67%. This is an important problem for the healthcare system because after analyzing the characteristics of the nodules a decision must be made regarding whether to perform fine-needle aspiration cytology to determine whether the lesion is malignant. In this article, we review the techniques for ultrasonographic study and fine-needle aspiration. We discuss the different guidelines for characterizing thyroid nodules and the criteria that help determine which patients need fine-needle aspiration for diagnosis and when an invasive procedure is unnecessary and can be avoided. Close collaboration with the different specialists involved in the management of thyroid nodules helps optimize resources and diagnostic performance.

Predicting future stars: Probability and performance corridors for elite swimmers.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the new age groups of the World Junior Championships in swimming from a scientific perspective, establish benchmarks and performance corridors that predict success at peak performance age and compare performance corridors between men and women and short-, middle-, and long-distance freestyle races. DESIGN: Longitudinal big data analysis. METHODS: In total, 347,186 annual best times of male (n = 3360, 561 ±â€¯177 Swimming Points) and female freestyle swimmers (n = 2570, 553 ±â€¯183 Swimming Points) were collected across all race distances at peak performance age and retrospectively analyzed throughout adolescence. Cumulative Poisson distribution was used to calculate probabilities of becoming world-class finalist, international-class, or national-class swimmer for each age group. Performance corridors were expressed relative to the World Record and compared between performance levels, sex, race distances, and age groups with a 2-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: Females are required to swim faster relative to the World Record at a younger age and show earlier performance plateaus than males at national and international levels. Additionally, world-class long-distance finalists show higher Swimming Points earlier in their career compared to short-distance swimmers. This effect is more distinctive in females than males. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the sex-specific performance corridors and developments, the newly aligned age groups for the World Junior Championships are questionable regarding long-term athlete development. Based on race times from 131 nations, the present benchmarks provide valid international normative values to predict success chances at peak performance age and guide young swimmers along their talent pathway.

Dryland Performance Tests Are Not Good Predictors of World Aquatics Points in Elite Male and Female Swimmers.

Background: Swim performance can be reliant on strength and power. Standardisation of swim performance in different events, distances, and sexes can be completed using World Aquatics points, allowing for ranking of swimmers. The aim of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to assess whether relationships between World Aquatics points and dryland markers of performance existed in male and female elite swimmers separately and combined. Methods: Dryland tests included Optojump® photoelectric cell countermovement jump, countermovement jump reach with a Vertec® system, standing broad jump using a tape measure, repetition maximum testing in the barbell back squat, barbell deadlift, and barbell bench press. Swim performance data and dryland test data on elite male (n = 38) and female (n = 20) Scottish swimmers from 2009-2017 were collected. Swim performance data were converted to World Aquatics federation points, and Bayesian linear regression analyses examined relationships between World Aquatics points and dryland performance tests: countermovement jump height (cm) using an Optojump® photoelectric cells system, countermovement jump height (cm) using a Vertec® device, standing broad jump distance (cm), relative strength (load lifted (kg) per kg of body mass) in the barbell bench press (kg/kg), barbell back squat (kg/kg), barbell deadlift (kg/kg). Results: The Bayesian estimates of change of World Aquatics points for a unit change in jump-based measures were: Optojump®-men = 0.6, women = 0.6, combined = 0.4; Vertec®-men = 4.3, women = -1.6, combined = 2.4; standing broad jump-men = 0, women = 0, combined = 0.4. Strength-based measures were: barbell back squat-men = 2.3, women = 22, combined = -2.5; barbell deadlift-men = -5; barbell bench press-men = 41.8. Conclusions: Dryland performance tests are not good predictors of World Aquatics points and should rather be used for assessing training quality and monitoring injury risks.

Unicentric Castleman disease masquerading as a gluteal mass: A diagnostic challenge.

Castleman disease, a rare lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by non-neoplastic lymph node enlargement, typically presents as nodal involvement, while extranodal manifestations are uncommon. We present a unique case of unicentric Castleman disease localized to the gluteal region in a 27-year-old female. Initially mistaken for a neurogenic or vascular tumour, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) revealed a polymorphous population of lymphoid cells with numerous traversing capillaries suggestive of reactive hyperplasia, possibly Castleman disease, which was later confirmed by histopathology. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by rare extranodal presentations of Castleman disease and underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in accurate diagnosis and management.

Repetition of thyroid fine-needle aspiration cytology after an initial nondiagnostic result: Is there an optimal timing?

INTRODUCTION: It is suggested to wait at least 3 months to repeat a fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) to avoid possible inflammatory cytological changes induced by a previous procedure. This study evaluated the influence of the interval between 2 FNACs in a cohort with a previous non-diagnostic (ND) FNAC. We analysed the occurrence of ND or atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS) results in the second FNAC, based on the intervals between procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study (2017-2020) including thyroid nodules with a ND result, subjected to another FNAC. Demographic, clinical and echographic data, interval between FNACs and their results were collected. We considered the intervals: ≤/>3 months and ≤/>6 months. Second FNAC results were classified as ND, AUS/FLUS or diagnostic (including the other Bethesda categories). RESULTS: Included 190 nodules (190 patients - 82.1% women, mean age 60±13.7 years) with a first ND FNAC. The second FNAC results were: ND in 63 cases, AUS/FLUS in 9 and diagnostic in 118 cases. There were no statistical differences in FNAC results performed≤3 months (13 ND, 2 AUS/FLUS, 19 diagnostic) vs >3 months (50 ND, 7 AUS/FLUS, 99 diagnostic; p=0.71). Similarly, there were no statistical differences considering a longer time interval: ≤6 months (32 ND, 3 AUS/FLUS, 59 diagnostic) vs >6 months (31 ND, 6 AUS/FLUS, 59 diagnostic; p=0.61). CONCLUSIONS: Time interval between FNACs was not relevant to the final cytological result. Early FNAC repetition did not increase the cases of ND or AUS/FLUS.

Assessment of inflammatory parameters as predictive markers for malignancy in thyroid nodules: a study on the correlation with Bethesda classification.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to assess the predictive significance of inflammatory parameters as potential markers for malignancy in individuals with thyroid nodules. METHOD: Nine hundred and ninety-one patients with thyroid nodules who had undergone thyroid fine-needle aspiration biopsy were included and classified according to the Bethesda system. Neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) values obtained from hemogram parameters were determined for each patient. The study examined the correlation between the Bethesda classification and NLR/SII levels. In addition, a comparison was made between the inflammatory parameters of the benign and malignant Bethesda groups. RESULTS: Five hundred and seventy-three patients were classified as Bethesda 2 (benign), 34 as Bethesda 6 (malignant). A correlation was observed between the Bethesda classification and NLR and SII levels (r: 0.230, p < 0.001; r: 0.207 p < 0.001, respectively). NLR and SII values were significantly higher in the malignant group (p < 0.001). The cutoff value for SII in predicting benign and malignant thyroid nodules was 489.86 × 103/mm3 with a sensitivity of 88.2% and a specificity of 63.7%. The cutoff value for NLR for the same prediction was 2.06 with a sensitivity of 82.4% and a specificity of 83.4%. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate that SII and NLR may be valuable prognostic markers for predicting the malignancy of thyroid nodules.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar parámetros inflamatorios como posibles marcadores de malignidad en individuos con nódulos tiroideos. MÉTODO: Se incluyeron 991 pacientes con nódulos tiroideos que se sometieron a biopsia por aspiración con aguja fina y se clasificaron según el sistema de Bethesda. Se determinaron los valores de la relación neutrófilo-linfocito (NLR) y el índice de inflamación inmunitaria sistémica (SII). El estudio exploró la correlación entre la clasificación de Bethesda y los valores de NLR/SII, y comparó los parámetros inflamatorios de los grupos benignos y malignos de Bethesda. RESULTADOS: Se clasificaron 573 pacientes como Bethesda 2 (benigno) y 34 como Bethesda 6 (maligno). Se observó una correlación entre la clasificación de Bethesda y los valores de NLR y SII (r: 0.230; r: 0.207). Los valores de NLR y SII fueron mayores en el grupo maligno (p < 0.001). El valor de corte para SII en la predicción de nódulos tiroideos benignos y malignos fue de 489.86 × 103/mm3, con una sensibilidad del 88.2% y una especificidad del 63.7%; para NLR fue de 2.06, con una sensibilidad del 82.4% y una especificidad del 83.4%. CONCLUSIONES: El SII y el NLR pueden ser valiosos marcadores pronósticos para predecir la malignidad de los nódulos tiroideos.

Serum cholesterol levels are inversely associated with the risk of malignancy in subjects with Bethesda category IV thyroid nodules.

INTRODUCTION: Some epidemiological data suggest that there may be an inverse relationship between cholesterol levels and the risk of thyroid cancer in the overall population. The present study was aimed to evaluate the lipid profile specifically in subjects with Bethesda category IV thyroid nodules, and compare whether there were any differences between those with benign and malignant nodules. METHODS: Single-centre, retrospective study on 204 subjects treated by partial or total thyroidectomy for excision of a Bethesda category IV thyroid nodule, who had undergone a blood lipid profile test in the 12 months prior to surgery. In addition to lipid measures, other demographic, clinical, biochemical and ultrasound data were collected. RESULTS: Seventy-five subjects (36.8%) were diagnosed with thyroid carcinoma in the definitive histopathological examination. Patients with thyroid cancer had lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol than subjects with benign thyroid diseases. There were no differences in HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides or total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio. There were no differences either between groups in other clinical, biochemical and ultrasound variables, including the use of lipid-lowering drugs. In multivariate analysis, only LDL-cholesterol was independently associated with malignancy. Subjects with follicular carcinoma showed the lowest cholesterol levels, while those with papillary carcinoma had intermediate values between the group with follicular carcinoma and the group with benign thyroid diseases. CONCLUSIONS: In subjects with cytologically indeterminate Bethesda category IV thyroid nodules, levels of total cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol and, particularly, LDL-cholesterol are lower among those with malignant nodules.

Utility of artificial intelligence for detection of pneumothorax on chest radiopgraphs done after transthoracic percutaneous transthoracic biopsy guided by computed tomography.

OBJETIVE: To assess the ability of an artificial intelligence software to detect pneumothorax in chest radiographs done after percutaneous transthoracic biopsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included retrospectively in our study adult patients who underwent CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic biopsies from lung, pleural or mediastinal lesions from June 2019 to June 2020, and who had a follow-up chest radiograph after the procedure. These chest radiographs were read to search the presence of pneumothorax independently by an expert thoracic radiologist and a radiodiagnosis resident, whose unified lecture was defined as the gold standard, and the result of each radiograph after interpretation by the artificial intelligence software was documented for posterior comparison with the gold standard. RESULTS: A total of 284 chest radiographs were included in the study and the incidence of pneumothorax was 14.4%. There were no discrepancies between the two readers' interpretation of any of the postbiopsy chest radiographs. The artificial intelligence software was able to detect 41/41 of the present pneumothorax, implying a sensitivity of 100% and a negative predictive value of 100%, with a specificity of 79.4% and a positive predictive value of 45%. The accuracy was 82.4%, indicating that there is a high probability that an individual will be adequately classified by the software. It has also been documented that the presence of Port-a-cath is the cause of 8 of the 50 of false positives by the software. CONCLUSIONS: The software has detected 100% of cases of pneumothorax in the postbiopsy chest radiographs. A potential use of this software could be as a prioritisation tool, allowing radiologists not to read immediately (or even not to read) chest radiographs classified as non-pathological by the software, with the confidence that there are no pathological cases.

A new model of performance classification to standardize the research results in swimming.

The level of expertise must be defined for the sample studied when reporting research in sport. Concretely in swimming, apart from the participants' background, the competitive status is based on the level that swimmers participate. Thus, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) points are added to improve the sample level characterization. The aim of this study was two-fold: (1) to assess whether national and regional swimmers from different countries differ in their performance level (based on FINA points), and (2) to propose a model that allows standardizing the research results in swimming. The FINA points of 5876 participants (males = 2962 and females = 2914) in 100 m butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle were retrieved from nationals (n = 21) and regionals (n = 44) swimming competitions. One-way analysis of variance was conducted to test the difference in FINA points between swimmers of different countries. Significant disparities (100-350 FINA points; p < 0.001) were observed in national and regional competitions for male and female swimmers among the different countries analyzed. This could lead to misleading conclusions when comparing studies with national or regional swimmers from different countries. In this regard, a new model of performance classification based on national and regional worldwide competition is proposed. This might be used to standardized the swimming research results.Highlights- The current classification of swimmers' status could lead to misleading conclusion when comparing studies from different countries using national or regional swimmers.- The proposed model will allow to better standardize the research results in swimming, aiding to draw more accurate conclusion when comparing results from different studies.

Thyroid cytology: The reality before and after the introduction of ultrasound classification systems for thyroid nodules.

BACKGROUND: Several ultrasound-based systems for classification of thyroid nodules are available. They allow for a better triage of the nodules that require cytological assessment, and lead to standardized recommendations. Our aim was to compare patients and nodules referred to fine-needle aspiration (FNA) before and after the introduction of these systems. METHODS: A retrospective study comparing two cohorts of patients referred for FNA was performed (386 patients and 463 nodules in 2015; 220 patients and 263 nodules in 2021). RESULTS: The sex distribution (89.1% vs 85.9% females, p=0.243), number of nodules referred to FNA per patient (median of 1), and the distribution of the Bethesda categories (p=0.082) was similar in both years. In 2021, patients were older (53.4±14.5 years vs 57.8±13.2 years, p<0.001) and nodules over one centimetre were larger (median 17.0mm vs 19.0mm, p=0.002), especially the ones categorized as Bethesda III (median size 11mm vs 23mm, p=0.043). In 2021, at least 23.1% of the nodules referred to FNA did not have any criteria, and 38.8% of the nodules were not categorized by any system. CONCLUSION: This analysis draws attention to the importance of systematically applying ultrasound-based classification systems. It seems that, by not being focused mainly on size thresholds, they allow for longer surveillance periods, without aggravating the cytology results when FNA becomes indicated. Nevertheless, greater efforts are needed to ensure more standardized reports, and to increase adherence to the resulting recommendations to reduce clinical uncertainty, unnecessary FNA, and overtreatment.

Usefulness of ultrasound-guided core biopsy in thyroid nodules with inconclusive fine-needle aspiration biopsy findings.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the diagnostic performance of ultrasound-guided core-needle biopsy in thyroid nodules after two inconclusive fine-needle aspiration biopsies. To assess the complications of core-needle biopsy. To analyze the reliability of diagnoses obtained with core-needle biopsy. To measure the economic impact of avoiding lobectomies in patients with benign core-needle biopsy findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed 195 core-needle biopsies in 178 patients. To determine the reliability of the core-needle biopsy findings, we compared the diagnosis from the core-needle specimen versus the histologic findings in the surgical specimens when core-needle biopsy findings indicated malignancy or follicular proliferation and versus the stability of the nodule on ultrasound follow-up for one year when core-biopsy findings indicated benignity. RESULTS: Core-needle biopsy yielded a diagnosis for 179 (91.7%) nodules, of which 122 (62.5%) were classified as benign, 50 (25.6%) as follicular proliferation, and 7 (3.6%) as malignant. The findings were inconclusive for 16 (8.3%) nodules. Minor complications were observed in 4 (2%) patients; no major complications were observed. The sensitivity of core-needle biopsy for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer was low (42.8%) because the technique was unable to detect capsular or vascular invasion, although the specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) were 100%. However, when we considered histologic findings of malignancy and follicular proliferation positive because both require surgical resection, the sensitivity increased to 97.5% and the PPV decreased to 83.3%. There were 79 nodules with ultrasound follow-up for at least one year; 76 (96.2%) had negative core-needle biopsy findings, and 74 (97.3%) of these remained stable. The negative predictive value (NPV) for malignancy of the benign nodules was 98.6%, although no malignant transformation was observed. Nevertheless, the results of the statistical analysis do not allow us to recommend forgoing ultrasound follow-up in patients with benign core-biopsy findings. The cost savings of avoiding lobectomy in patients with benign nodules and stability of the nodule on ultrasound follow-up for at least one year was about 90%. CONCLUSIONS: Core-needle biopsy of thyroid nodules is effective because it diagnoses more than 90% of nodules with inconclusive findings after fine-needle aspiration biopsy. It is safe if done by experienced professionals. It is reliable because it yields 100% specificity and 100% PPV for malignant nodule, 97.5% sensitivity for the detection of nodules that require surgery, and 98.6% NPV for benign nodules. It is efficient because it reduces the costs of diagnosis compared to lobectomy in benign nodules.

Pharmacy services for the 2019 Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) World Masters Championships in Gwangju, South Korea.

BACKGROUND: The role of sports pharmacists is being emphasized in international athletic events. This study aimed to describe the pharmacy services for the 2019 Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) World Masters Championships in Gwangju, South Korea. METHOD: Research focused on athletes and coaching staff who received medications after visiting medical centers and pharmacies located in the athletes' village from July 5 to July 29, 2019. We collected daily results of pharmacy operation and prescription interventions. The data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel, and were expressed as frequency (%). RESULTS: Throughout the tournament, 633 patients received medication at the athletes' village pharmacy (gender: 338 men [53.4%], 295 women [46.6%]; nationality: 299 Korean [47.2%], 334 overseas players [52.8%]; patient type: 150 athletes [23.7%], 427 non-athletes [67.5%]). Therapy for musculoskeletal disorders was the most common (n = 29, 19.3%), and oral NSAIDs (n = 56, 22.0%) were the most frequently dispensed medication in athletes. Pharmacists intervened for 47 out of 491 prescriptions (9.6%), with dosage change (n = 21, 44.7%) being the most common intervention type. CONCLUSION: Sports pharmacists at FINA World Masters Championships played a pivotal role in ensuring the safe usage of medications by all participants, especially athletes. This study results will be a useful reference for pharmacy services at future international or domestic sports competitions.