Induction treatment for lupus nephritis at a high-complexity hospital in Chile.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) causes kidney compromise in up to 40% of patients, contributing significantly to morbidity. Lupus nephritis (LN), an early onset manifestation in most patients, is histologically classified into six types, with types III, IV, and V requiring treatment with induction therapies, usually glucocorticoids with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or intravenous cyclophosphamide (IVC). However, up to 60% of patients fail to achieve complete remission, and 27%-66% have subsequent flares. There is scarce literature on the superiority of IVC or MMF in the Latin population. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective cohort study of 72 LN patients at a high-complexity hospital in Chile between 2016 and 2021 was conducted. Demographics, urine studies, creatinine levels, complement levels, antibody profiles, biopsy results, and response to treatment were analysed. RESULTS: The median age of the cohort was 29 years, with women representing 90% of patients. At diagnosis, 87.5% of the patients presented with proteinuria, 55% had haematuria, and 49% had acute kidney injury. The most common LN type was type IV. For induction therapy, half of the patients were treated with IVC, and the other half with MMF. The response to treatment did not differ significantly between the two. DISCUSSION: This is one of the few studies to focus on the Latin American population, specifically Chile. These results are consistent with the current understanding of LN treatment. Despite its limitations, this study provides valuable insights into the treatment effectiveness of IVC and MMF in this population. CONCLUSION: This study did not find significant differences in the clinical response to IVC or MMF at 6 months. Future prospective studies are required to determine the optimal induction therapy for LN, especially in Latin populations.

The LIFR Inhibitor EC359 Effectively Targets Type II Endometrial Cancer by Blocking LIF/LIFR Oncogenic Signaling.

Endometrial cancer (ECa) is the most common female gynecologic cancer. When comparing the two histological subtypes of endometrial cancer, Type II tumors are biologically more aggressive and have a worse prognosis than Type I tumors. Current treatments for Type II tumors are ineffective, and new targeted therapies are urgently needed. LIFR and its ligand, LIF, have been shown to play a critical role in the progression of multiple solid cancers and therapy resistance. The role of LIF/LIFR in the progression of Type II ECa, on the other hand, is unknown. We investigated the role of LIF/LIFR signaling in Type II ECa and tested the efficacy of EC359, a novel small-molecule LIFR inhibitor, against Type II ECa. The analysis of tumor databases has uncovered a correlation between diminished survival rates and increased expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), suggesting a potential connection between altered LIF expression and unfavorable overall survival in Type II ECa. The results obtained from cell viability and colony formation assays demonstrated a significant decrease in the growth of Type II ECa LIFR knockdown cells in comparison to vector control cells. Furthermore, in both primary and established Type II ECa cells, pharmacological inhibition of the LIF/LIFR axis with EC359 markedly decreased cell viability, long-term cell survival, and invasion, and promoted apoptosis. Additionally, EC359 treatment reduced the activation of pathways driven by LIF/LIFR, such as AKT, mTOR, and STAT3. Tumor progression was markedly inhibited by EC359 treatment in two different patient-derived xenograft models in vivo and patient-derived organoids ex vivo. Collectively, these results suggest LIFR inhibitor EC359 as a possible new small-molecule therapeutics for the management of Type II ECa.

[Epidemiological profile of patients with COVID-19 admitted to a tertiary care public hospital]. / Experiencia de la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 en un centro hospitalario de alta complejidad en Chile.

BACKGROUND: The knowledge about the epidemiological profile of patients admitted to the hospital for severe COVID infection, allows an adequate health care planning and resource allocation. AIM: To describe the epidemiology of patients with COVID-19 admitted to a public hospital between March 2020 and July 2021. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Demographic variables, comorbidities, ventilatory support requirements, and hospital resources were recorded from clinical records and hospital databases of diagnosis related groups. The primary outcomes were overall mortality and need of ventilatory support. RESULTS: In the study period, 4,474 patients (56% males) were hospitalized with a diagnosis of COVID-19. Overall mortality was 25.8% and in-hospital mortality was 18%. Invasive and non-invasive ventilatory support was required in 1349 (30.2%) and 2060 (46%) patients, respectively. The most common comorbidities in admitted patients were diabetes mellitus (29.2%), chronic kidney disease (11.1%), and chronic liver disease (10.4%). The readmission rate was 3.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality associated with COVID-19 in this hospital was similar to the rates reported abroad. Local risk predictors for this infection should be identified.

Can communities be mobilised to build capacity to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic? A qualitative process evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: Government guidance to manage COVID-19 was challenged by low levels of health and digital literacy and lack of information in different languages. 'Covid Confidence' sessions (CC-sessions) were evaluated to assess their effectiveness in counteracting misinformation and provide an alternative source of information about the pandemic. DESIGN: We worked with community anchor organisations to co-ordinate online CC-sessions serving three economically deprived, ethnically mixed, neighbourhoods. We conducted a qualitative, participatory process evaluation, in tandem with the CC-sessions to explore whether a popular opinion leader/local champion model of health promotion could mobilise pandemic responses. Group discussions were supplemented by final interviews to assess changes in community capacity to mobilise. SETTING: Sheffield, England, September 2020 to November 2021. PARTICIPANTS: Community leaders, workers and volunteers representing a variety of local organisations resulted in 314 attendances at CC-sessions. A group of local health experts helped organisations make sense of government information. RESULTS: CC-sessions fostered cross-organisational relationships, which enabled rapid community responses. Community champions successfully adapted information to different groups. Listening, identifying individual concerns and providing practical support enabled people to make informed decisions on managing exposure and getting vaccinated. Some people were unable to comply with self-isolation due to overcrowded housing and the need to work. Communities drew on existing resources and networks. CONCLUSIONS: CC-sessions promoted stronger links between community organisations which reduced mistrust of government information. In future, government efforts to manage pandemics should partner with communities to codesign and implement prevention and control measures.

Family dementia caregivers with suicidal ideation improve with mentalizing imagery therapy: Results from a pilot study.

Background: Family caregivers of persons living with dementia often experience increased depression and suicidal ideation (SI). However, the feasibility and impact of therapies on caregiver SI has remained largely unexplored. Mentalizing imagery therapy (MIT) helps reduce psychological symptoms through mindfulness and guided imagery. This pilot study examined the feasibility of participation by caregivers with SI in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of MIT versus a psychosocial support group (SG), and the respective impact of group on SI, depression, and secondary outcomes. Methods: A secondary analysis of data from an RCT of 4-week MIT or SG for caregivers (n = 46) was performed, identifying SI (n = 23) and non-SI (n = 23) cohorts. Group attendance and home practice were compared between cohorts. In the SI cohort (total n = 23, MIT n = 11, SG n = 12), group differences in SI, depression, and secondary outcomes were evaluated post-group and at 4-month follow-up. Results: Attendance in both groups and home practice in MIT were similar between SI and non-SI cohorts. In the SI cohort, MIT evinced greater improvements relative to SG in SI (p=.02) and depression (p=.02) post-group, and other secondary outcomes at follow-up. Limitations: Limitations include small sample size and single-item assessments of SI from validated depression rating scales. Conclusions: Participation in an RCT was feasible for caregivers with SI. MIT resulted in important benefits for SI and depression, while SG showed no acute SI benefit. The role of MIT in improving SI should be confirmed with adequately powered trials, as effective therapies to address caregiver SI are critical.

Experiencia de la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 en un centro hospitalario de alta complejidad en Chile

Background: The knowledge about the epidemiological profile of patients admitted to the hospital for severe COVID infection, allows an adequate health care planning and resource allocation. Aim: To describe the epidemiology of patients with COVID-19 admitted to a public hospital between March 2020 and July 2021. Material and Methods: Demographic variables, comorbidities, ventilatory support requirements, and hospital resources were recorded from clinical records and hospital databases of diagnosis related groups. The primary outcomes were overall mortality and need of ventilatory support. Results: In the study period, 4,474 patients (56% males) were hospitalized with a diagnosis of COVID-19. Overall mortality was 25.8% and in-hospital mortality was 18%. Invasive and non-invasive ventilatory support was required in 1349 (30.2%) and 2060 (46%) patients, respectively. The most common comorbidities in admitted patients were diabetes mellitus (29.2%), chronic kidney disease (11.1%), and chronic liver disease (10.4%). The readmission rate was 3.2%. Conclusions: Mortality associated with COVID-19 in this hospital was similar to the rates reported abroad. Local risk predictors for this infection should be identified.

Participación de pacientes en la guía de práctica clínica de baja visión / Involvement of patients in the clinical practice guideline for low vision / Participação de pacientes na diretriz de prática clínica de visão subnormal

Objetivo: como parte de la elaboración de una guía de práctica clínica (GPC) para el cuidado de personas con baja visión en Colombia, se recomienda incluir la participación de pacientes. El objetivo fue identificar los aspectos de la vida cotidiana que se ven más afectados por la baja visión, los cuales se deben trabajar en un proceso de rehabilitación de la visión y así reconocer las barreras para acceder a ese proceso. Además, se pretende calificar la importancia de los desenlaces para los pacientes y sus cuidadores. Metodología: pacientes con baja visión y sus familiares fueron invitados a participar en un grupo focal que indagó por sus percepciones sobre los aspectos más afectados por la baja visión, los elementos más importantes de los procesos de rehabilitación de la visión y sus barreras más frecuentes. Resultados: se reportaron dificultades en la realización de las actividades instrumentales, como el uso del computador o celular, el uso del transporte público, el manejo del dinero, ir de compras, la movilidad y la orientación. La rehabilitación de la visión exitosa fue definida como aquella que les permite recuperar la independencia y ganar confianza en sí mismos. Las intervenciones de rehabilitación que mejoren las capacidades de orientación y movilidad, que incluyan acompañamiento psicológico para el paciente y la familia y que cuenten con enfoques grupales fueron altamente apreciadas. Las barreras administrativas fueron las más mencionadas. Conclusión: estos resultados apoyaron la toma de decisiones en el desarrollo de las recomendaciones de la GPC para personas con baja visión en Colombia.

Objective: As part of the development of a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the care of individuals with low vision in Colombia, it is recommended to include patient involvement. The objective was to identify aspects of daily life most affected by low vision, which should be addressed in a vision rehabilitation process, and to recognize barriers to accessing that process. Additionally, the aim was to assess the importance of outcomes for patients and their caregivers. Methodology: Patients with low vision and their family members were invited to participate in a focus group that explored their perceptions regarding the most affected aspects of low vision, the key elements of vision rehabilitation processes, and the most common barriers they face. Results: Difficulties were reported in performing instrumental activities such as computer or cellphone use, using public transportation, handling money, shopping, mobility, and orientation. Successful vision rehabilitation was defined as the ability to recover independence and gain self-confidence. Rehabilitation interventions that improve orientation and mobility skills, include psychological support for patients and their families, and incorporate group approaches were highly valued. Administrative barriers were the most frequently mentioned.

Objetivo: Como parte do desenvolvimento de uma diretriz de prática clínica (CPG) para o atendimento de pessoas com baixa visão na Colômbia, recomenda-se incluir a parti-cipação dos pacientes. O objetivo foi identificar os aspectos do cotidiano mais afetados pela baixa visão, que devem ser trabalhados em um processo de reabilitação da visão e assim reconhecer as barreiras para acessar esse processo. Além disso, pretende-se qualificar a importância dos desfechos para os pacientes e seus cuidadores. Metodologia: os pacientes com baixa visão e seus familiares foram convidados a par-ticipar de um grupo focal que indagou sobre suas percepções sobre os aspectos mais afetados pela baixa visão, os elementos mais importantes dos processos de reabilitação da visão e suas barreiras mais frequentes. Resultados: foram relatadas dificuldades na realização de atividades instrumentais, como uso do computador ou celular, uso de transporte público, administração do dinheiro, compras, locomoção e orientação. A reabilitação visual bem-sucedida foi definida como aquela que lhes permite recuperar a independência e ganhar autoconfiança. Intervenções de reabilitação que melhoram as habilidades de orientação e mobilidade, que incluem apoio psicológico para o paciente e a família e que têm abordagens em grupo foram muito apreciadas. As barreiras administrativas foram as mais mencionadas. Conclusão: estes resultados apoiaram a tomada de decisões no desenvolvimento das recomendações CPG para pessoas com baixa visão na Colômbia.

El reconocimiento de emociones, la empatía y los juicios morales en la Encuesta Nacional de Salud Mental (ENSM) de 2015 en Colombia / The Recognition of Emotions, Empathy and Moral Judgment in the National Mental Health Survey in Colombia, 2015

Resumen Introducción: El desarrollo emocional y social de los humanos es extraordinariamente complejo. El conocimiento acerca de sí mismo, la percepción de los otros, las motivaciones y el entorno cultural modulan las respuestas empáticas y los juicios morales sobre acciones particulares. En la Encuesta Nacional de Salud Mental, se exploraron aspectos de la cognición social como el reconocimiento de emociones, la empatía y los juicios morales frente a situaciones que significan dolor al otro. Objetivo: Describir los resultados generales de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud Mental en relación con el reconocimiento de emociones y respuestas empáticas frente a situaciones que generan, intencionada o accidentalmente, un dolor al otro. Métodos: Se encuestó a 15.351 sujetos y 3.863 adultos de edad ≥ 18-96 años de esta población: se les pidió que identificaran dos rostros de seis emociones. Ademas, con cinco secuencias de tres fotografías cada una (tarea de empatía frente al dolor modificada), se preguntó sobre elementos cognitivos, afectivos y morales de la empatía. Resultados: Identificaron las emociones positivas el 91,5, el 65 y el 55% de los sujetos, y solo el 19,7, el 21,8 y el 27,4% reconocieron las emociones negativas: miedo, asco y tristeza, en ese orden. Cuando se analizan los datos por grupos de edad, condición de pobreza y diferentes regiones del país, los resultados tienden a variar. En cuanto a la empatía, el 73,7% identificó correctamente la acción intencional y el 56,6%, la accidental. Los juicios morales frente a las acciones accidentales merecen algún castigo (poco, el 20,7%; moderado, el 26,8%), aun en acciones accidentales. Conclusiones: Se proponen posibles direcciones que debe seguir el análisis de los datos, dados algunos resultados llamativos: el reconocimiento de la emoción alegría en contraposición con la aparente dificultad para reconocer la tristeza y los hallazgos paradójicos en torno al castigo y la empatía cuando se comete una acción que ocasiona dolor.

Abstract Background: Social cognition refers to the mental processes involved in social interactions. Different aspects, such as the perception of others, self-knowledge, motivation and the cultural context, can modulate empathy responses and moral judgments regarding the actions of others. The National Mental Health Survey (ENSM for its acronym in Spanish) explored aspects of social cognition such as the perception of emotions, empathy and moral judgment in situations in which another person experiences pain. Objective: To describe the overall findings of the ENSM in relation to the emotional perception and empathic responses to situations where pain is inflicted on others in an intentional or accidental manner. Methods: A total of 3863 people aged 18-96 years old completed the social cognition module. They were asked to identify the emotions expressed in the images of several faces. A modified version of the awareness of social inference test (TASIT) was used. Additionally, the cognitive, affective, and moral elements of empathy were assessed with a modified version of the empathy for pain task (EPT), which uses a sequence of images in which someone is being hurt. Results: Happiness was identified by 91.5% of those interviewed; neutral or emotionless faces were identified by 65%; 55% of respondents correctly identified surprise. Only 19.7%, 21.8% and 27.4% could identify negative emotions like fear, disgust and sadness, respectively. When the data were analysed by age, poverty status, and different regions of the country, the results tend to vary. As regards empathy, 73.7% correctly identified intentional actions, and accidental actions were identified by 56.6%. According to the moral judgment of some respondents, even in situations where the pain was caused by accident, there must be some kind of punishment (20.7% deserved a low punishment and 26.8% a moderate one). Conclusions: Noteworthy findings include the high recognition of happiness by the respondents, in contrast to the apparent difficulty in recognising sadness, and paradoxical results regarding punishment and empathy. This should be studied in greater detail, but these results can contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex Colombian social context.

Evaluación económica de sunitinib frente a interferón-alfa (IFN-a) en el tratamiento de primera línea de carcinoma de células renales metastásico en Colombia / Economic Evaluation of Sunitinib as Opposed to Interpheron-Alpha for the First-line Treatment of Renal Metastastic Cell Carcinoma in Colombia

Objetivo: Evaluar la costo-efectividad y la costo-utilidad del sunitinib frente al interferón-alfa (IFN-α) como tratamientos de primera línea para pacientes con carcinoma de células renales metastásico en Colombia. Métodos: Se realizó un análisis de costoefectividady de costo-utilidad. La efectividad se midió en años de vida ganados libres de progresión de la enfermedad y en años de vida ganados, y la utilidad, en años de vida ganados ajustados por calidad (AVAC). Las medidas de efectividad fueron extraídas de un estudio clínico, y las del uso de servicios, de una serie de 15 pacientes con carcinoma de células renales metastásico tratadosen Colombia, ajustados por la opinión de expertos locales; los costos de los medicamentos fueron tomados de una institución de referencia. Los costos se expresaron en pesos colombianos de 2006 utilizando una tasa de descuento del 5por ciento anual Resultados: Para el caso base, el análisis demostró una diferencia a favor del sunitinib de $13,47 millones, con una efectividad superior en 0,23 años libres de progresión, un incremento de 0,05 años de vida y a un aumento en AVAC de 0,07. Las razones de costo-efectividad incremental y de costo-utilidad incremental fueron negativas. Conclusiones: El sunitinib fue menos costoso y más efectivo para el tratamiento incial del carcinoma de células renales metastático en la serie de pacientes analizada.