Influence of Humoral Response Against GnRH, Generated by Immunization with a Therapeutic Vaccine Candidate on the Evolution of Patients with Castration-Sensitive Prostate Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-based therapeutic vaccine candidate against hormone-sensitive prostate cancer has demonstrated its safety and signs of efficacy in phase I/II trials. In this study, we characterized the isotype/subclass profiles of the anti-GnRH humoral response generated by the vaccination and analyzed its association with patients' clinical outcomes. METHODS: The immunoglobulin isotypes and IgG subclasses of the antibody responses of 34 patients included in a randomized, open, prospective phase I/II clinical trial were characterized. Every patient included in the study had a diagnosis of locally advanced prostate adenocarcinoma at stages 3 and 4 and received immunization with the vaccine candidate. Additionally, serum testosterone and prostate specific antigen (PSA) concentrations, serving as indicators of tumor response, were determined. The type of anti-GnRH antibody response was correlated to the time elapsed until the first biochemical recurrence in patients and the outcome of the disease. RESULTS: All patients developed strong and prolonged anti-GnRH antibody responses, resulting in a short- to mid-term decrease in serum testosterone and PSA levels. Following immunizations, anti-GnRH antibodies of the IgM/IgG and IgG1/IgG3 subclasses were observed. Following radiotherapy, the humoral response switched to IgG (IgG1/IgG4). Patients who experienced a short-term biochemical relapse were characterized by significantly higher levels of anti-GnRH IgG titers, particularly IgG1 and IgG4 subclasses. These characteristics, along with a high response of specific IgM antibodies at the end of immunizations and the development of anti-GnRH IgA antibody responses following radiotherapy, were observed in patients whose disease progressed, compared to those with controlled disease. CONCLUSION: The nature of the humoral response against anti-GnRH, induced by vaccination may play a key role in activating additional immunological mechanisms. Collectively, these mechanisms could contribute significantly to the regulation of tumor growth.

Sensibilidad de Escherichia coli frente a fosfomicina, en infecciones urinarias provenientes de personas con discapacidad que acudieron a la Secretaría Nacional por los Derechos Humanos de las Personas con Discapacidad-SENADIS / Susceptibility of Escherichia coli against fosfomycin in urinary tract infections from people with disabilities who attended SENADIS

INTRODUCCIÓN: Fosfomicina es un antimicrobiano de amplio espectro utilizado para el tratamiento de las infecciones urinarias bajas; tiene actividad sobre bacilos gramnegativos y cocos grampositivos, así también sobre microorganismos multirresistentes, además de ofrecer una alternativa terapéutica de administración vía oral en dosis única, alcanzando una efectividad de 90%. OBJETIVO: Conocer la sensibilidad in vitro de Escherichia coli frente a fosfomicina, en infecciones urinarias provenientes de personas con discapacidad. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, prospectivo, en el que se incluyó un total de 273 muestras de urocultivo, de pacientes de ambos sexos que acudieron a SENADIS, y que en el momento de la consulta presentaban síntomas de infección del tracto urinario, por lo que se les solicitó el análisis de orina simple y cultivo. De las muestras procesadas en el laboratorio de microbiología, que fueron positivas con crecimiento bacteriano significativo, se procedió a la identificación bacteriana y a la realización del antibiograma según las recomendaciones de CLSI. RESULTADOS: De estas 273 muestras, 91 fueron positivas para diferentes uropatógenos, 62/91 (68%) resultaron ser E. coli. De estas cepas de E. coli, 59/62 (95%) mostraron sensibilidad in vitro a fosfomicina. Comentario: Aunque el número de muestra obtenido es pequeño y no extrapolable ampliamente, pretendemos extender el trabajo por un tiempo más para compararlo más adelante. CONCLUSIONES: Se observa que fosfomicina presenta buena actividad in vitro frente a cepas de E. coli aisladas de urocultivo, pudiendo representar una buena alternativa terapéutica a ser utilizada en la población en estudio.

BACKGROUND: Fosfomycin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used for the treatment of lower urinary tract infections, it is active against gramnegative bacilli and grampositive cocci, as well as against multi-resistant microorganism, in addition to offering a therapeutic alternative for oral administration in a single dose, reaching an effectiveness of 90%. AIM: To study the susceptibility of Escherichia coli to fosfomycin in urinary tract infections, of isolated strains obtained from patients with disabilities. METHODS: It is an observational, descriptive, prospective study in which a total of 273 urine culture samples of patients of both sexes who attended the SENADIS were included, and who at the time of the consultation presented symptoms of urinary tract infection. The urine positive cultures with significant bacterial growth were performed to determine its bacterial identification and the antibiogram according to CLSI recommendations. RESULTS: Of these 273 samples, 91 samples were positive for different uropathogens, with 62/91 (68%) being positive for E. coli. Of these E. coli strains, 59/62 (95%) showed in vitro susceptibility to fosfomycin. Comment: Although the number of samples obtained is small and it cannot be extrapolated, we pretend to extend the work for a while longer to be able to compare it later. CONCLUSION: Fosfomycin has good activity in vitro against E. coli isolated from urine culture in our institution, representing a good alternative to be used in our study population

Understanding pediatric palliative care within interdisciplinary palliative programs: a qualitative study.

PURPOSE: To describe the process of delivery of pediatric palliative care from the perspective of a pediatric interdisciplinary team and the children's parents. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive case study was conducted. Purposeful sampling took place within a specialized pediatric palliative care Unit in Madrid (Spain), located at the Niño Jesus Hospital. The study participants included a specialized pediatric palliative care team from Madrid's pediatric palliative care program, other professional teams involved in interdisciplinary care and parents of children under pediatric palliative care. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews, focus groups and researchers' field notes. A thematic analysis was performed. RESULTS: This study included 28 participants (20 women, 8 men), of whom 18 were professionals who belonged to the pediatric palliative care interdisciplinary team, 4 professionals were from other units that collaborated with the pediatric palliative care, and 6 were parents (5 women, 1 man). The mean age of the pediatric palliative care members was 38.2 years (SD ± 7.9), that of the collaborating professionals was 40.5 (SD ± 6.8), and that of the parents was 44.2 (SD ± 5.4). Two main themes emerged: a) Pediatric palliative care has a distinct identity, associated with life. It represents the provision of special care in highly complex children, in the context of the home, far from the hospital environment; b) The team is key: its interdisciplinary organization provides a more comprehensive view of the child and their family, fosters communication among professionals, and improves coordination with other services involved in the care of children. The mindset shift experienced by ID-PPC professionals towards a palliative approach makes them more sensitive to the needs of their patients and leads them to develop specific skills in areas such as communication, decision-making, and adaptability that were identified as differentiating aspects of pediatric palliative care. CONCLUSIONS: Describing pediatric palliative care from the professional and parental perspective helps to establish realistic and comprehensive goals for the care of children and their parents. The findings of this study may help with the establishment of a pediatric palliative care team, as a necessary organizational change in a health care system that cares for children with complex and life-threatening conditions. Promoting training in pediatric palliative care, prioritizing more horizontal organizations, providing tools and spaces for coordination and communication between professionals from different services, together with the creation of a position of case coordinator in the care process of children could enhance the understanding of pediatric palliative care services.

Estandarización de la batería neuropsicológica de funciones ejecutivas y lóbulos frontales BaNFE-2 en muestra paraguaya con esclerosis múltiple tipo recaída remisión

Introducción: la esclerosis múltiple (EM), enfermedad crónica del sistema nervioso (SNC), compromete significativamente la cognición. Su prevalencia en Paraguay es 9,2/100.000 habitantes, 72% con recaída remisión (EMRR) e incidencia de 2-3mujeres/hombre, afecta más a personas en edad productiva, con altos costos económicos y afectivos. Objetivos: caracterizar al paciente con EMRR, evaluar sus funciones ejecutivas (FEs) con BaNFE-2; establecer valores de corte ajustados al país. Metodología: con fundamento en teoría de la neurociencia cognitiva, diseño no experimental, cuantitativo, descriptivo, empírico, retrospectivo y transversal; técnica psicométrica y entrevista neuropsicológica en una muestra por conveniencia de 40 pacientes, 82,5% mujeres y edad 25-55 años (37,78±7,89). Resultados: se reportaron datos demográficos y clínicos, se caracterizaron las escalas de BaNFE-2 cuya consistencia interna resultó significativa. Se obtuvo 52,5% de alteración en la escala prefrontal y 42,5% en FEs; relaciones significativas con escolaridad, discapacidad física (DF), cantidad de brotes y deterioro cognitivo (DC); diferencias significativas por sexo, escolaridad, DF y DC. Se calcularon puntuaciones tipificadas por escolaridad, z<-1 establece el corte entre normalidad y alteración. Conclusión: las pruebas de BaNFE-2 perfilan la afectación del tiempo de ejecución, atención, memoria de trabajo y FEs. Este estudio aporta baremos ajustados al país y abre una novedosa línea de investigación aplicando BaNFE-2 en EM.

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, neurodegenerative, inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that significantly compromises cognitive functions. In Paraguay, it occurs with a prevalence of 9.2/100,000 inhabitants, 72% in the clinical form of relapsing remission (RRMS) and an incidence of 2 to 3 women/men, affecting more people of productive age with high economic and emotional costs. Objectives: To characterize the Paraguayan patient with RRMS, to assess the state of their executive functions (EFs) with the BaNFE-2 battery, and to establish cut-off values adjusted to the country. Methods: Research based on the theory of cognitive neuroscience of non-experimental, quantitative and descriptive design for analytical purposes. It is empirical, retrospective and cross-sectional. The psychometric technique and neuropsychological interview were used in a convenience sample of 40 patients aged 25 to 55 (37.78 ± 7.89) and 82.5% women. Results: Demographic and clinical data of the participants were reported. The BaNFE-2 coded and normalized scales were statistically characterized, the internal consistency of which was significant. 52.5% of the alteration was obtained in the anterior prefrontal scale and 42.5% in FEs; there are significant relationships with schooling, physical disability (PD), number of outbreaks and cognitive impairment (CI); there were also significant differences by sex, education, PD and CI. Standardized scores adjusted for schooling were calculated such that z<-1 establishes the cutoff between normality and abnormality. Conclusion: BaNFE-2 battery tests profile the affectation of execution time, attention, working memory, and FEs. This study provides the adjusted scales for the country and opens a new line of research applying the BaNFE-2 battery in people with MS.

Pediatric Palliative Care at Home: A Prospective Study on Subcutaneous Drug Administration.

CONTEXT: The subcutaneous route is a useful alternative for drug administration in palliative care. Although there is scientific evidence on its use in adult patients, the literature in pediatric palliative care is almost nonexistent. OBJECTIVES: To describe the experience of a pediatric palliative care unit (PPCU) with in-home subcutaneous drug administration symptom control. METHODS: Prospective observational study of patients receiving home-based subcutaneous treatment administered as part of a PPCU treatment regimen over 16 months. Analysis includes demographic and clinical variables and treatment received. RESULTS: Fifty-four different subcutaneous lines were inserted in the 15 patients included, mainly in the thigh (85.2%). The median time of needle in situ was 5.5 days (range: 1-36 days). A single drug was administered in 55.7% of treatments. The most frequently used drugs were morphine chloride (82%) and midazolam (55.7%). Continuous subcutaneous infusion was the predominant administration route (96.7%), with infusion rates oscillating between 0.1 mL/h and 1.5 mL/h. A statistically significant relationship was found between the maximum infusion rate and induration onset. Of the 54 lines placed, 29 (53.7%) had an associated complication requiring line removal. The primary cause for removal was insertion-site induration (46.3%). Subcutaneous lines were mainly used to manage pain, dyspnea, and epileptic seizures. CONCLUSION: In the pediatric palliative care patients studied, the subcutaneous route is most frequently used for administering morphine and midazolam in continuous infusion. The main complication was induration, especially with longer dwell times or higher infusion rates. However, further studies are required to optimize management and prevent complications.

Altered Arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 and miR-1290 Levels in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 and 2 (NAT1 and NAT2) are drug-metabolizing enzymes that play a key role in the development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study evaluated NAT1 and NAT2 mRNA and protein expression and their enzymatic activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with ALL (n=20) and healthy children (n=19) and explored the mechanisms that regulate these enzymes in ALL such as microRNAs (miR-1290, miR-26b) and SNPs. RESULTS: PBMC from patients with ALL showed a decrease in NAT1 mRNA and protein expression. In addition, NAT1 enzymatic activity was decreased in patients with ALL. There was no influence of SNP 559 C>T or 560 G>A on low NAT1 activity. The lower expression of NAT1 might be related to the loss of acetylated histone H3K14 in the NAT1 gene promoter in patients with ALL and the higher relative expression of miR-1290 in the plasma of patients with relapsed ALL compared with healthy controls. There were significantly fewer CD3+/NAT1+ double-positive cells in patients who relapsed compared with control subjects. Based on a t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding algorithm, CD19+ cells that reappeared in patients with relapse showed low NAT1 expression. In contrast, for NAT2, there were no significant results. CONCLUSION: The expression and function of NAT1 and miR-1290 levels could be involved in modulating immune cells altered in ALL.

Fibroelastosis pleuroparenquimatosa e hipertension pulmonar: un fenotipo diferente?

La fibroelastosis pleuroparenquimatosa es una enfermedad pulmonar inusual con características clínicas, radiológicas y patológicas únicas, que se ha incluido recientemente en el consenso actualizado sobre neumonías intersticiales idiopáticas. Su nombre hace referencia a una combinación de fibrosis que involucra la pleura visceral y cambios fibroelastóticos que predominan en el parénquima pulmonar subpleural. Aunque se han descrito varias asociaciones de enfermedades, no se ha identificado de manera inequívoca ninguna causa única. El diagnóstico se sustenta en criterios clínicos-radiológicos y de hallazgos histopatológicos cuando se dispone de biopsias. Son escasos los reportes sobre la asociación entre esta entidad y la hipertensión pulmonar. No existe tratamiento hasta la fecha, aunque se relatan sucesos en algunos casos de transplante pulmonar. Describimos las características clínicas de un paciente atendido en un hospital del Paraguay.

Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis is an unusual lung disease with unique clinical, radiological, and pathological characteristics that has recently been included in the updated consensus on idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Their name refers to a combination of fibrosis involving the visceral pleura and fibro-elastic changes that predominate in the subpleural pulmonary parenchyma. Although several associations between diseases have been described, no single cause has been unequivocally identified. The diagnosis is based on clinical-radiological criteria and histopathological findings when biopsies are available. There are few reports on the association between this entity and pulmonary hypertension. There is no treatment to date, although some cases of lung transplantation have been successful. We describe the clinical characteristics of a patient treated in a hospital in Paraguay.

Analysis of complications in intraventricular neuroendoscopy in children: proposal for a standardization system.

Although intraventricular neuroendoscopy is considered a minimally invasive technique with good results, there is nevertheless a risk of developing certain complications. As no agreement apparently exists concerning the classification of these complications, we aim to propose a form of classification based on the results of our series, comparing them with recent publications. We undertook a retrospective study of 170 children who underwent intraventricular neuroendoscopy between 2003 and September 2020 at our center. Data were recorded on demographic and clinical variables: age, gender, presenting symptoms, etiology, number of procedures, type of procedure, and complications. Complications were divided into two main groups, intraoperative and postoperative, and in subgroups. The intraoperative complications included one group of systemic alterations and another group of surgical problems. The postoperative complications were divided into six groups: systemic, neurologic, hormone, fluid, hemorrhagic and death. A total of 202 neuroendoscopic procedures were performed in 170 children. The mean age at first surgery was 71 months (22-122). The most common etiology of the hydrocephalus was intraventricular tumors (32.9%), followed by aqueductal stenosis (13.5%). The most usual presenting sign was intracranial hypertension. The procedure most used was third ventriculostomy (62.9%). During the procedures, we experienced 5 surgical intraoperative complications (2.47% per procedure). In the postoperative period, there were 23.7% systemic complications per procedure, 12.87% neurologic, 8.41% hormone, 10.9% fluid, 0.5% hemorrhagic, and 0.99% for postoperative death. The rate of complications associated with intraventricular neuroendoscopy was similar in our series to those already published. Comparative studies require standardization for the analysis of neuroendoscopic complications.

Psicodermatología: una introducción a sus conceptos, nosología y modelos de abordaje / Psychodermatology: An introduction to its concepts, nosology and approach models

Es imposible separar la enfermedad física de la enfermedad mental, puesto que la fisiopatología de cualquier enfermedad contiene a la esfera psicológica dentro de sus múltiples elementos. En ese sentido, muchas especialidades médicas pueden reclamar su relación con la Psiquiatría, puesto que son innumerables las enfermedades que tienen nexo con signos y síntomas psiquiátricos (por ejemplo, la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal en Gastroenterología; el asma bronquial en Neumología, entre otras). No obstante, con la Dermatología la relación es mucho más evidente. La Psicodermatología es una especialidad que surge de la conjunción de dos ramas aparentemente divergentes de la Medicina: la Psiquiatría y la Dermatología. En Psicodermatología, algunos pacientes presentan enfermedades principalmente dermatológicas con comorbilidades psicosociales secundarias, mientras que otros tienen trastornos psiquiátricos primarios con sintomatología cutánea significativa. Así también, debido a que varias enfermedades dermatológicas no solo se acompañan frecuentemente de dolor e incomodidad, sino que son inmediatamente visibles para los demás, las personas afectadas por estas condiciones pueden sufrir consecuencias sociales y emocionales. Con base en lo anterior, este artículo de revisión presenta los conceptos, nosología y modelos de abordaje de esta ciencia médica, haciendo hincapié que, debido a la interacción permanente entre la mente y la piel, se hace necesario que el paciente sea tratado como una unidad constituida por varios niveles, incluyendo aspectos cutáneos, emocionales y mentales.

It is impossible to separate the physical illness from the mental illness, since the pathophysiology of any disease contains the psychological sphere within its multiple elements. In this sense, many medical specialties can claim their relationship with Psychiatry, since there are innumerable diseases that have a link with psychiatric signs and symptoms (for example, inflammatory bowel disease in Gastroenterology; bronchial asthma in Pneumology, among others). However, with Dermatology the relationship is much more evident. Psychodermatology is a specialty that arises from the conjunction of two apparently divergent branches of Medicine: Psychiatry and Dermatology. In Psychodermatology, some patients present mainly dermatological diseases with secondary psychosocial comorbidities, while others have primary psychiatric disorders with significant cutaneous symptoms. Also, because various dermatologic diseases are not only frequently accompanied by pain and discomfort, but are immediately visible to others, people affected from these conditions can suffer social and emotional consequences. Based on the above, this review article presents the concepts, nosology, and approach models of this medical science, emphasizing that due to the permanent interaction between the mind and the skin, it is necessary for the patient to be treated as an unit made up of several levels, including cutaneous, emotional and mental aspects.

Population pharmacokinetics of methotrexate in Mexican pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

PURPOSE: To develop and validate a population pharmacokinetic model of Methotrexate (MTX) in Mexican children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) for the design of personalized dosage regimens based on the anthropometric and physiological characteristics of each patient. METHODS: A prospective study was developed in 50 children (1-15 years old) with ALL diagnosis attended at Pediatric Hemato-Oncology Service from Hospital Central "Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto" and under treatment with high doses of MTX administered in 24-h continuous intravenous infusion. Plasma concentrations of MTX were determined in blood samples collected at 24, 36, 42 or 48 h post-infusion, by means of the CMIA immunoassay. The development of the population pharmacokinetic model was performed using the NONMEM® software evaluating the covariates that influence in clearance (CL), intercompartmental clearance (Q), central (Vc) and peripheral (Vp) volume of distribution of MTX. RESULTS: A two-compartment open model was selected to describe concentration-time data and body surface area (BSA) was the covariate that influences on MTX total CL. The population pharmacokinetic model obtained was: CL (L/h) = 6.5 × BSA0.62, Vc (L) = 0.36 × Weight, Q (L/h) = 0.41 and Vp (L) = 3.2. Internal validation was performed by bootstrap and visual predictive check. Predictive performance of final model was evaluated by external validation in a different group of patients. Initial MTX dosing regimens were established by stochastic simulation with final population pharmacokinetic model. CONCLUSIONS: The establishment of MTX dosing criteria in children with ALL should be adjusted based on the BSA of each patient to optimize oncological therapy and reduce the development of adverse effects. Therapeutic drug monitoring is an essential tool to individualize MTX doses to reduce toxicity and improve patients' outcomes.

Definiciones operativas y protocolo anestésico durante la pandemia producida por SARS-CoV-2 en un programa de cirugía cardíaca pediátrica / Operative definitions and anesthetic protocol during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in a pediatric cardiac surgery program

The clinical characteristics of the pediatric population infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in general are not as severe as in the adult population, so they can be considered asymptomatic carriers. The pediatric patient with congenital heart disease are considered a high risk group of contagion in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, so healthcare personnel who interact with patients must have established guidelines to avoid transmission and spread of the disease. Each country is commanded by the central guidelines established by its health system considering operative definitions and protocols, but in certain places these guidelines do not fulfill international standards, as those proposed by the World Health Organization. In this communication we have done a current literature review and adaptation of the recommendations to face the infectious outbreak due to the SARS-CoV-2 virus in pediatric cardiovascular surgery programs, specifically in the ​​anesthesiology area. We also analyze the type of personal protective equipment that should be used in each area of ​​patient management, changes in the environment of work areas, shift times of health personnel, the protection of personnel performing transesophageal echocardiography, modification of the airway management algorithms, proper placement and withdrawal of personal protective equipment, patients transfer between wards or other services, and adequate disinfection of airway equipment used.

Las características clínicas de la población pediátrica contagiada del virus SARS-CoV-2 en general no son tan severas como en la población adulta, por lo que pueden ser considerados portadores asintomáticos. El paciente pediátrico con cardiopatía congénita pertenece a un grupo de alto riesgo de contagio dentro de la pandemia producida por el SARS-CoV-2, por lo que el personal sanitario que interactúe con los pacientes debe tener lineamientos establecidos para evitar la transmisión y propagación de la enfermedad. Cada país se rige por las guías centrales establecidas por su sistema de salud en cuanto a definiciones operativas y protocolos, pero en algunos lugares estas directrices no cumplen las metas internacionales, como las propuestas por la Organización Mundial de la Salud. En este comunicado hemos realizado una revisión de la literatura actual y adaptación de las recomendaciones para enfrentar el brote infeccioso por el virus SARS-CoV-2 en los programas de cirugía cardiovascular pediátrica, específicamente en el área de anestesiología. También analizamos el tipo de equipo de protección personal que debe ser utilizado en cada área del manejo de pacientes, cambios del ambiente de las áreas de trabajo, rotación de personal, la protección del personal que realiza ecocardiografía transesofágica, modificación de los algoritmos de manejo de la vía aérea, colocación y retiro correctos del equipo de protección personal, traslado de los pacientes entre servicios, y adecuada desinfección del equipo utilizado en el manejo de la vía aérea.

COVID-19: Evaluación y manejo de la anestesia para procedimientos endoscópicos gastrointestinales / COVID-19: Evaluation and management of anesthesia for gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures

The incidence of COVID-19 has rapidly evolved into a pandemic. The accelerated spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide has started a health system race to contain the disease. Guides have been created for the different medical branches for the proper management of patients suspected or positive for the disease. The procedures carried out in endoscopic procedures clinics must modify their rules and regulations due to the high risk of transmission, through aerosol-generating procedures (PGA) such as upper endoscopy and colonoscopy, and consideration of the possibility of fecal ­ oral transmission in the practice of colonoscopy. Most anesthesiology protocols for COVID-19 focus on the in-hospital setting and omit out-of-theater procedures performed under anesthetic sedation. This document presents the protocol for the evaluation and anesthetic management of the patient for endoscopic procedures in the COVID-19 outbreak, according to current literature. It is designed to be adapted to the work policies of different institutions dedicated to performing endoscopic procedures during the epidemic.

La incidencia de COVID-19 ha evolucionado rápidamente a pandemia. La diseminación acelerada del virus SARS-CoV-2 a nivel mundial ha iniciado una carrera del sistema de salud para la contención de la enfermedad. Se han creado guías de las diferentes ramas médicas para el manejo adecuado de los pacientes sospechosos o positivos para la enfermedad. Los procedimientos llevados a cabo en las clínicas de procedimientos endoscópicos deben modificar sus normas y disposiciones debido al elevado riesgo de transmisión, por medio de los procedimientos generadores de aerosol (PGA) como lo es la endoscopia superior y colonoscopía, y consideración de la posibilidad de transmisión fecal ­ oral en la práctica de la colonoscopía. La mayor parte de los protocolos de anestesiología para COVID-19 se enfocan al entorno intrahospitalario, y omiten los procedimientos fuera de quirófano realizados bajo sedación anestésica. En este documento se expone el protocolo de evaluación y manejo anestésico del paciente para procedimientos endoscópicos en el brote de COVID-19, según la literatura actual. Está diseñado para que se adecue a las políticas de trabajo de diferentes instituciones dedicadas a la realización de procedimientos endoscópicos durante la epidemia.

Safety and Therapeutic Profile of a GnRH-Based Vaccine Candidate Directed to Prostate Cancer. A 10-Year Follow-Up of Patients Vaccinated With Heberprovac.

Heberprovac is a GnRH based vaccine candidate containing 2.4 mg of the GnRHm1-TT peptide as the main active principle; 245 µg of the very small size proteoliposomes adjuvant (VSSP); and 350 µL of Montanide ISA 51 VG oil adjuvant. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and tolerance of the Heberprovac in advanced prostate cancer patients as well as its capacity to induce anti-GnRH antibodies, the subsequent effects on serum levels of testosterone and PSA and the patient overall survival. The study included eight patients with histologically-proven advanced prostate cancer with indication for hormonal therapy, who received seven intramuscular immunizations with Heberprovac within 18 weeks. Anti-GnRH antibody titers, testosterone and PSA levels, as well as clinical parameters were recorded and evaluated. The vaccine was well tolerated. Significant reductions in serum levels of testosterone and PSA were seen after four immunizations. Castrate levels of testosterone were observed in all patients at the end of the immunization schedule, which remained at the lowest level for at least 20 months. In a 10-year follow-up three out of six patients who completed the entire trial survived. In contrast only one out eight patients survived in the same period in a matched randomly selected group receiving standard anti-hormonal treatment. Heberprovac vaccination showed a good security profile, as well as immunological, biochemical and, most importantly, clinical benefit. The vaccinated group displayed survival advantage compared with the reference group that received standard treatment. These results warrant further clinical trials with Heberprovac involving a larger cohort.

The impact of home-based physical rehabilitation program on parents' experience with children in palliative care: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric palliative care programs aim to improve the quality of life of children with severe life-threatening illnesses, and that of their families. Although rehabilitation and physical therapy provides a valuable tool for the control of symptoms, it has been poorly researched to date. Since the family represents such a fundamental support in these cases, it is important to deepen our understanding regarding the value of implementing rehabilitation programs from the parents' perspective. AIM: The aim of this paper was to explore parents' experiences regarding the implementation of a physical rehabilitation program in pediatric palliative care. DESIGN: A qualitative methodology was chosen. SETTING: The unit of pediatric palliative care at the Hospital Niño Jesús (Madrid, Spain). POPULATION: The inclusion criteria were: 1) parents of children, irrespective of their diagnosis; 2) integrated within the program of palliative care at the time of study; 3) aged between 0-18 years; 4) must be receiving Home-Based Rehabilitation Program by the Pediatric Palliative Care team. Fourteen parents were included. METHODS: Purposeful sampling method was implemented. Data collection consisted of unstructured and semi-structured interviews. A thematic analysis was performed to interpret transcripts. Guidelines for conducting qualitative studies established by the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research were followed. RESULTS: Three main themes were identified: 1) the meaning of physical rehabilitation to parents; 2) physical rehabilitation as an opportunity for patients to stay in their home environment; and 3) home-based physical rehabilitation as part of the families' social environment. CONCLUSIONS: The main needs of a home physical rehabilitation program are to decrease pain and suffering, together with improving family education and training. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: The experience of rehabilitation programs at home is essential in order to improve both the quality of life and the quality of care of affected children and parents.

Infecciones urinarias en niños con vejiga neurogénica y los patrones de resistencia a los uropatógenos más frecuentes / Urinary tract infections in children with neurogenic bladder and resistance patterns of most frequent urological pathogens

Las infecciones del tracto urinario (ITU) en niños con vejiga neurogénica, pueden producir alteraciones tanto morfológicas como funcionales, y desencadenan una respuesta inmune que no siempre es evidente. Las ITU son una de las principales causas de morbilidad y mortalidad. Resulta de suma importancia un correcto diagnóstico de las mismas, para un buen tratamiento y así evitar las complicaciones y secuelas que puedan ocasionar. El objeto del trabajo fue analizar la prevalencia y la etiología de las ITU en pacientes con vejiga neurogénica, y su patrón de resistencia. En un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo se incluyeron 46 muestras de orina para cultivo de niños de 1 a 18 años, de ambos sexos, con vejiga neurogénica, que fueron procesadas en un laboratorio de microbiología. De 46 urocultivos, 19 correspondieron a varones (19/46) 41% y 27 a niñas (27/46) 59%, los niños tenían una edad promedio de 11(2. De estos 21 resultaron positivos (21/46) 46%, aislando en mayor proporción E. coli. La frecuencia de ITU en niños con vejiga neurogénica fue de 21/46, 46%, siendo el porcentaje en este tipo de pacientes mucho más elevado que en niños que no presentan dicha anomalía. Los uropatógenos aislados con mayor frecuencia fueron E coli y K pneumoniae. El uso de sondas y pañales, así como la mala higiene predisponen a estas infecciones. En este estudio se vio buena sensibilidad a la nitrofurantoina y cefixima(AU)

Pretreatment With Argon Protects Human Cardiac Myocyte-Like Progenitor Cells from Oxygen Glucose Deprivation-Induced Cell Death by Activation of AKT and Differential Regulation of Mapkinases.

BACKGROUND: The noble gas argon induces cardioprotection in a rabbit model of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. However, no studies in human primary cells or subjects have been performed so far. We used human cardiac myocyte-like progenitor cells (HCMs) to investigate the protective effect on the cellular level. METHODS: HCMs were pretreated with 30% or 50% argon before oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) and reperfusion. We evaluated apoptotic states by flow cytometry and the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) members extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 MAPkinase, and protein kinase B (Akt) by Westernblot analysis and by activity assays of downstream transcription factors. Specific inhibitors were used to proof a significant participation of these pathways in the protection by argon. Beneficial effects were further assessed by TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (mtDNA), and cytokine release. RESULTS: Pretreatment with 30% or 50% argon for 90 min before OGD resulted in a significant protection of HCMs against apoptosis. This effect was reversed by the application of MAPK and Akt inhibitors during argon exposure. Argon 30% reduced the release of LDH by 33% and mtDNA by 45%. The release of interleukin 1ß was reduced by 44% after OGD and more than 90% during reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment with argon protects HCMs from apoptosis under ischemic conditions via activation of Akt, Erk, and biphasic regulation of JNK. Argon gas is cheap and easily administrable, and might be a novel therapy to reduce myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.