Combined oral contraceptives: update recommendations of the Latin American contraceptive association.

Background: In recent years, new combined oral contraceptives (COCs) have become available, representing an advance in terms of individualization and compliance by users.Objective: To provide recommendations regarding COCs: formulations, use, efficacy, benefits and safety.Method: For these recommendations, we have used the modified Delphi methodology and carried out a systematic review of studies found in the literature and reviews performed in humans, published in English and Spanish in Pubmed, Medline and advanced medicine and computer networks until the year 2021, using the combination of terms: 'oral contraceptives', 'estroprogestins' and 'combined oral contraceptives'.Results: Regarding the estrogen component, initially switching from mestranol (the pro-drug of ethinylestradiol) to ethinylestradiol (EE) and then reducing the EE dose helped reduce side effects and associated adverse events. Natural estradiol and estradiol valerate are already available and represent a valid alternative to EE. The use of more potent 19-nortestosterone-derived progestins, in order to lower the dose and then the appearance of non-androgenic progestins with different endocrine and metabolic characteristics, has made it possible to individualize the prescription of COC according to the profile of each woman.Conclusion: Advances in the provision of new COCs have improved the risk/benefit ratio by increasing benefits and reducing risks. Currently, the challenge is to tailor contraceptives to individual needs in terms of safety, efficacy, and protection of female reproductive health.

Telehealth and Public Health Practice in the United States-Before, During, and After the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Telehealth is the use of electronic information and telecommunication technologies to provide care when the patient and the provider are not in the same room at the same time. Telehealth accounted for less than 1% of all Medicare Fee-for-Service outpatient visits in the United States in 2019 but grew to account for 46% of all visits in April 2020. Changes in reimbursement and licensure policies during the COVID-19 pandemic appeared to greatly facilitate this increased use. Telehealth will continue to account for a substantial portion of care provided in the United States and globally. A better understanding of telehealth approaches and their evidence base by public health practitioners may help improve their ability to collaborate with health care organizations to improve population health. The article summarizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) approach to understanding the evidence base for telehealth in public health practice, possible applications for telehealth in public health practice, and CDC's use of telehealth to improve population health.

Association of breast and gut microbiota dysbiosis and the risk of breast cancer: a case-control clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer ranks first in women, and is the second cause of death in this gender. In addition to genetics, the environment contributes to the development of the disease, although the factors involved are not well known. Among the latter is the influence of microorganisms and, therefore, attention is recently being paid to the mammary microbiota. We hypothesize that the risk of breast cancer could be associated with the composition and functionality of the mammary/gut microbiota, and that exposure to environmental contaminants (endocrine disruptors, EDCs) might contribute to alter these microbiota. METHODS: We describe a case-control clinical study that will be performed in women between 25 and 70 years of age. Cases will be women diagnosed and surgically intervened of breast cancer (stages I and II). Women with antecedents of cancer or advanced tumor stage (metastasis), or who have received antibiotic treatment within a period of 3 months prior to recruitment, or any neoadjuvant therapy, will be excluded. Controls will be women surgically intervened of breast augmentation or reduction. Women with oncological, gynecological or endocrine history, and those who have received antibiotic treatment within a period of 3 months prior to recruitment will also be excluded. Blood, urine, breast tissue and stool samples will be collected. Data regarding anthropometric, sociodemographic, reproductive history, tumor features and dietary habits will be gathered. Metabolomic studies will be carried out in stool and breast tissue samples. Metagenomic studies will also be performed in stool and breast tissue samples to ascertain the viral, fungal, bacterial and archaea populations of the microbiota. Quantitation of estrogens, estrogen metabolites and EDCs in samples of serum, urine and breast tissue will also be performed. DISCUSSION: This is the first time that the contribution of bacteria, archaea, viruses and fungi together with their alteration by environmental contaminants to the risk of breast cancer will be evaluated in the same study. Results obtained could contribute to elucidate risk factors, improve the prognosis, as well as to propose novel intervention studies in this disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03885648 , 03/25/2019. Retrospectively registered.

Digital nasoalveolar molding through presurgical orthopedics in newborns/infants with cleft lip and palate: A comprehensive review and case study.

AIMS: This study aims to provide a comprehensive review and case study about the advantages and disadvantages of the application of digital technologies in presurgical orthopedics in newborns/infants with cleft lip and palate (CLCP). Positive changes in the nasal anatomy, maxillary arch, and cleft width could be achieved. METHODS: Three representative cases of newborns/infants with CLCP were managed using the presurgical newborn/infant orthopedics (PSIO) approach. The patients were diagnosed and treated. Detailed descriptions of the impression procedures and PSIO appliance construction and placement were provided for each case. RESULTS: Case 1 utilized traditional impression techniques, Case 2 employed a semi-digitalized approach with intraoral digital scanning, and Case 3 utilized a completely digitalized method for appliance construction. Positive changes in maxillary arch dimensions and cleft width reduction were observed in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: The management of CLCP in newborns and infants poses a complex challenge with profound implications. The PSIO approach not only facilitates reconstructive surgery but also enhances overall quality of life. Digital tools, like specialized optical scanners and 3D printing, revolutionize the PSIO process, making it more efficient and patient-friendly. Clinical benefits include improved facial morphology, esthetics, feeding, speech, and optimized future surgical results. Despite ongoing efficacy debates, global adoption as the initial surgical approach underscores its value. The integration of digital technologies offers new hope for patients and families, promising a brighter future for those affected by this congenital condition.

Relación existente entre anticuerpos antifosfolípidos y preeclampsia

OBJETIVO: Determinar si existe una mayor prevalencia de anticuerpos antifosfolípidos(anticuerpos anticardiolipinas) en pacientes preeclámpticas y aclarar si existe diferencia en la severidad y pronóstico materno-fetal en relación a los niveles encontrados. DISEÑO DEL ESTUDIO: Se realizó un estudio de casos y controles, tomando como grupo de casos 46 pacientes con diagnóstico de preeclampsia y un grupo control de 25 pacientes sanas. A todas las pacientes se les realizó determinación de ANAS y ACA IgG y se compararon variables relacionadas con complicaciones maternas como síndrome de HELLP, eclampsia, abruptio de placenta, falla renal aguda, y variables neonatales como bajo peso al nacer, presencia de retardo de crecimiento intrauterino(RCIU) y apgar bajo. Se utilizaron pruebas de Chi-cuadrado para el análisis de los datos, considerando uan p<0.05 estadísticamente significativa(truncado 2500 caracteres)

Estimación de los contenidos de alquitrán y nicotina de los cigarrillos fumados por estudiantes adolescentes de la educación pública de Santo Domingo / Measurements of alquitran and nicotine content of cigarrettes smoked by adolescent students of public schools in Santo Domingo

Con el propósito de estimar el contenido de nicotina y alquitrán de los cigarrillos que se venden en el mercado dominicano, se llevó a cabo una autoencuesta epidemiológica transversal entre estudiantes adolescentes de la educación secundaria tradicional de la ciudad de Santo Domingo, República Dominicana. La autoencuesta fue dirigida a 1,418 estudiantes. Llenaron adecuadamente el autocuestionario. 1,391 alumnos, es decir, 98.1 por ciento. Se encontró un 28.0 por ciento de fumadores, 3.0 por ciento de ex-fumadores y 69.0 por ciento de no fumadores. Los estudiantes prefieren los cigarrillos con filtro (28.0//). La mayoría (26.8//) inhala el huno del cigarrillo (superficial o profundamente). El largo de la colilla varía significativamente según el tipo de cigarrillos: de cuatro cigarrillos con filtro uno es fumado enteramente y dos casi enteramente. Las cantidades promedios de alquitrán y nicotina inhaladas por cigarrillos aumenta proporcionalmente de manera significativa según el número de cigarrillos consumidos. Los grandes fumadores prefieren el tabaco rico en alquitrán y en nicotina. Ninguna de las marcas de cigarrillos fabricadas en el país, tenía impreso el contenido de alquitrán y de nicotina, en cambio, las importadas sí. Por último, se pudo constatar una disminución importante, 7.0 por ciento de fumadores, luego de informarles acerca del contenido de alquitrán y nicotina de los cigarrillos fumados