Association of initial opioid prescription duration and an opioid refill by pain diagnosis: Evidence from outpatient settings in ten US health systems.

OBJECTIVE: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain cautioned that inflexible opioid prescription duration limits may harm patients. Information about the relationship between initial opioid prescription duration and a subsequent refill could inform prescribing policies and practices to optimize patient outcomes. We assessed the association between initial opioid duration and an opioid refill prescription. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults ≥19 years of age in 10 US health systems between 2013 and 2018 from outpatient care with a diagnosis for back pain without radiculopathy, back pain with radiculopathy, neck pain, joint pain, tendonitis/bursitis, mild musculoskeletal pain, severe musculoskeletal pain, urinary calculus, or headache. Generalized additive models were used to estimate the association between opioid days' supply and a refill prescription. RESULTS: Overall, 220,797 patients were prescribed opioid analgesics upon an outpatient visit for pain. Nearly a quarter (23.5%) of the cohort received an opioid refill prescription during follow-up. The likelihood of a refill generally increased with initial duration for most pain diagnoses. About 1 to 3 fewer patients would receive a refill within 3 months for every 100 patients initially prescribed 3 vs. 7 days of opioids for most pain diagnoses. The lowest likelihood of refill was for a 1-day supply for all pain diagnoses, except for severe musculoskeletal pain (9 days' supply) and headache (3-4 days' supply). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term prescription opioid use increased modestly with initial opioid prescription duration for most but not all pain diagnoses examined.

Critical evaluation of the potential of ICP-MS-based systems in toxicological studies of metallic nanoparticles.

The extensive application of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) in several fields has significantly impacted our daily lives. Nonetheless, uncertainties persist regarding the toxicity and potential risks associated with the vast number of NPs entering the environment and human bodies, so the performance of toxicological studies are highly demanded. While traditional assays focus primarily on the effects, the comprehension of the underlying processes requires innovative analytical approaches that can detect, characterize, and quantify NPs in complex biological matrices. Among the available alternatives to achieve this information, mass spectrometry, and more concretely, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), has emerged as an appealing option. This work critically reviews the valuable contribution of ICP-MS-based techniques to investigate NP toxicity and their transformations during in vitro and in vivo toxicological assays. Various ICP-MS modalities, such as total elemental analysis, single particle or single-cell modes, and coupling with separation techniques, as well as the potential of laser ablation as a spatially resolved sample introduction approach, are explored and discussed. Moreover, this review addresses limitations, novel trends, and perspectives in the field of nanotoxicology, particularly concerning NP internalization and pathways. These processes encompass cellular uptake and quantification, localization, translocation to other cell compartments, and biological transformations. By leveraging the capabilities of ICP-MS, researchers can gain deeper insights into the behaviour and effects of NPs, which can pave the way for safer and more responsible use of these materials.

Translational insights into the hormetic potential of carbon dioxide: from physiological mechanisms to innovative adjunct therapeutic potential for cancer.

Background: Carbon dioxide (CO2), traditionally viewed as a mere byproduct of cellular respiration, plays a multifaceted role in human physiology beyond simple elimination through respiration. CO2 may regulate the tumor microenvironment by significantly affecting the release of oxygen (O2) to tissues through the Bohr effect and by modulating blood pH and vasodilation. Previous studies suggest hypercapnia (elevated CO2 levels) might trigger optimized cellular mechanisms with potential therapeutic benefits. The role of CO2 in cellular stress conditions within tumor environments and its impact on O2 utilization offers a new investigative area in oncology. Objectives: This study aims to explore CO2's role in the tumor environment, particularly how its physiological properties and adaptive responses can influence therapeutic strategies. Methods: By applying a structured translational approach using the Work Breakdown Structure method, the study divided the analysis into six interconnected work packages to comprehensively analyze the interactions between carbon dioxide and the tumor microenvironment. Methods included systematic literature reviews, data analyses, data integration for identifying critical success factors and exploring extracellular environment modulation. The research used SMART criteria for assessing innovation and the applicability of results. Results: The research revealed that the human body's adaptability to hypercapnic conditions could potentially inform innovative strategies for manipulating the tumor microenvironment. This could enhance O2 utilization efficiency and manage adaptive responses to cellular stress. The study proposed that carbon dioxide's hormetic potential could induce beneficial responses in the tumor microenvironment, prompting clinical protocols for experimental validation. The research underscored the importance of pH regulation, emphasizing CO2 and carbonic acid's role in modulating metabolic and signaling pathways related to cancer. Conclusion: The study underscores CO2 as vital to our physiology and suggests potential therapeutic uses within the tumor microenvironment. pH modulation and cellular oxygenation optimization via CO2 manipulation could offer innovative strategies to enhance existing cancer therapies. These findings encourage further exploration of CO2's therapeutic potential. Future research should focus on experimental validation and exploration of clinical applications, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches to tackle current challenges in cancer treatment.

Analyzing morphometry among extant and extinct species: A case study of genus Agassizia (Spatangoida: Echinoidea) / Análisis de la morfometría entre especies existentes y extintas: Un estudio de caso del género Agassizia (Spatangoida: Echinoidea)

Abstract Introduction: The genus Agassizia in Mexico is represented both in the fossil record by the species Agassizia regia† during the Miocene of Chiapas and by the extant species Agassizia excentrica on the Atlantic coast and Agassizia scrobiculata on the Pacific coast. Qualitative diagnosis and descriptions make it hard to distinguish morphological boundaries between species, especially in groups with fossils and recent representatives, increasing the level of complexity by having samples of disparate qualities and quantities. Objective: We propose the use of little explored statistical methods in the comparison of paleontological and biological populations. This methodology allowed us to resolve issues of missing values in a morphometric data set for the genus Agassizia. Methods: Using samples recently collected and specimens already housed in collections, we explore a routine of recovery of missing data MICE and the numerical and graphic analyses PERMANOVA, PCA, and SIMPER to compare morphometric parameters between these species for recognizing diagnostic characters. Results: Our results show a morphological difference in the length of the ambulacrum II and the length and width of the periproct and peristome structures, these being greater in A. scrobiculata, with a consistent pattern in both population samples not previously described. Conclusions: Quantitative morphometric comparisons can be an assertive and complementary tool to determine distinctive differentiation characteristics in species of the same genus. Comparative morphology reviews should be an ongoing exercise to keep taxonomic knowledge on both extinct and extant species up to date. Our research encourage the scientific community studying fossil populations to utilize quantitative and multivariate methods to strengthen their investigations.

Resumen Introducción: El género Agassizia en México está representado tanto en el registro fósil por la especie Agassizia regia† del Mioceno de Chiapas, como por las especies actuales Agassizia excentrica de la costa del Atlántico y Agassizia scrobiculata de la costa del Pacífico. Las descripciones y diagnosis cualitativas dificultan reconocer los limites morfológicos entre especies, especialmente en grupos con representantes fósiles y recientes, e incrementando el nivel de complejidad al tener muestras de cantidad y calidad desiguales. Objetivo: Proponemos el uso de métodos estadísticos poco explorados en la comparación de poblaciones paleontológicas y biológicas. Esta metodología nos permitió resolver problemas de valores faltantes en un conjunto de datos morfométricos para el género Agassizia. Métodos: Usando muestras recolectadas para este fin, así como provenientes de colecciones científicas, exploramos una rutina de recuperación de datos faltantes MICE, y los análisis numéricos y gráficos PERMANOVA, PCA y SIMPER para comparar parámetros morfométricos entre estas especies y reconocer caracteres de diagnóstico. Además, comparamos cuidadosamente los caracteres morfológicos descritos previamente en la literatura taxonómica y la descripción ambiental del hábitat actual de A. scrobiculata. Resultados: Nuestros resultados muestran una diferencia morfológica en la longitud del ambulacrum II y la longitud y anchura de las estructuras del periprocto y peristoma, siendo estas mayores en A. scrobiculata, con un patrón consistente en ambas muestras poblacionales no descrito previamente. El hábitat actual de las muestras de A. scrobiculata en la costa del Pacífico es un sistema costero poco profundo con sedimentos arenosos y temperaturas tropicales. Bahía Chamela comparte varias similitudes con la fauna y las condiciones ambientales previamente descritas en el Mioceno de Chiapas. Conclusiones: Las comparaciones morfométricas cuantitativas pueden ser una herramienta poderosa y complementaria para determinar caracteres distintivos de diferenciación en especies del mismo género. Las revisiones de morfología comparativa deben ser un ejercicio continuo para mantener actualizado el conocimiento taxonómico sobre las especies existentes y extintas. Nuestro trabajo busca incentivar a la comunidad científica que trabaja con poblaciones fósiles a explorar estos y otros métodos cuantitativos y multivariados para fortalecer sus investigaciones.

Efectividad de la terapia láser combinada con la técnica convencional en pacientes con discromías dentales / Effectiveness of laser therapy combined with the conventional technique in patients with dental dischromya

Introducción: La discromía dental es una afectación estética, de causa multifactorial, caracterizada por el cambio de coloración de uno o varios dientes. Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de la terapia láser como fuente de luz y calor en pacientes con discromías dentales. Método: Se realizó un estudio cuasi experimental, de intervención terapéutica, en 24 pacientes con discromías dentales atendidos en la Clínica Estomatológica Provincial DocenteMártires del Moncada de Santiago de Cuba, desde julio de 2017 hasta julio de 2018. Los integrantes del estudio se asignaron de forma aleatoria a 2 grupos de tratamiento:a los pares (grupo de estudio) se les aplicó láser combinado con la técnica convencional de peróxido de hidrógeno;a los impares (grupo control), tratamiento convencional solamente.Se utilizaron las frecuencias absoluta y relativa como medidas de resumen, así como la prueba de X 2 de homogeneidad para la validación estadística, con un nivel de significación de 0,05. Resultados: Para los pacientes del grupo de estudio, la segunda y tercera sesiones fueron más efectivas. Al culminar el tratamiento, ambos resultaron efectivos, pero los que recibieron láser evolucionaron más rápidamente que los tratados solo con peróxido de hidrógeno. Conclusiones: El uso de la terapia láser y peróxido de hidrógeno fue efectivo en pacientes con discromías dentales y demostró que no provoca efectos adversos en los dientes tratados.

Introduction: The dental dischromya is an esthetic disorder, of multifactorial cause, characterized by the change of coloration of one or several teeth. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of laser therapy as a source of light and heat in patients with dental dischromya. Method: A quasi-experiment, of therapeutic intervention study, was carried out in 24 patients with dental dischromya assisted in Mártires del Moncada Teaching Provincial Stomatological Clinic in Santiago de Cuba, from July, 2017 to March, 2018. The members of the study were assigned at random with 2 treatment groups: a study group (pairs) to whom laser combined with the conventional technique of peroxide of hydrogen was applied; to odd number patients (control group), conventional treatment only. The absolute and relative frequencies were used as summary measures, as well as the chi-square test of homogeneity for the statistical validation, with a level of significance of 0.05. Results: For the patients of the study group, the second and third sessions were more effective. When culminating the treatment, both were effective, but those that received laser evolved more quickly than those treated with peroxide of hydrogen. Conclusions: The use of the laser therapy and peroxide of hydrogen was effective in patients with dental dischromya and it was demonstrated that doesn't cause adverse effects in the treated teeth.

Diagnostico de hipobetalipoproteinemia en un nino de 8 años? / Diagnosis of hypobetalipoproteinemia in an 8-year-old child? / Diagnostico hipobetalipoproteinemia numa crianca de 8 anos?

La hipobetalipoproteinemia familiar es un trastorno hereditario autosomico dominante que afecta a las lipoproteinas que contienen Apo B, una proteina indispensable para el transporte de los quilomicrones en el intestino y que ademas participa en la sintesis y transporte de las VLDL en el higado. La concentracion de Apo B se usa junto con otras pruebas lipidicas para establecer el riesgo individual de un paciente de desarrollar enfermedad cardiovascular. Presentacion del caso: Paciente de 8 anos, varon, que acude a la consulta de Pediatria del Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena de Sevilla con sintomas de dolor abdominal, deposiciones blandas y diarreicas, sobrepeso y unas quebradizas. El paciente fue derivado al laboratorio para su estudio con sospecha de hipobetalipoproteinemia. Se le solicito un hemograma, frotis sanguineo, pruebas de coagulacion, bioquimica general y estudio de riesgo vascular. Los datos del estudio bioquimico descartaron la celiaquia (IgA 174 mg/dL [100- 400 mg/dL] y antitransglutaminasa 5 U/mL [< 20]). Las determinaciones incluidas en el perfil de riesgo cardiovascular (RCV) fueron: colesterol total 83 mg/dL (45 mg/dL), c-LDL 32 mg/dL (< 160 mg/dL), colesterol no HDL 35 mg/dL, c-VLDL 3 mg/dL (< 40 mg/dL), trigliceridos 28 mg/dL, Apo-A1 112 mg/dL (119-240 mg/dL), Apo B-100 25 mg/dL (40-125 mg/dL), us-PCR 1,47 mg/dL (< 3 mg/dL), Lp (a) 2 mg/dL (< 30 mg/ dL), homocisteina 5,8 µmol/L (< 15 µmol/L), vitamina A 42 µg/dL (50-200 µg/ dL), vitamina E 1051 µg/dL (50-180 µg/dL) y 25-(OH) D 48,9 ng/mL (30-54 ng/mL) en intervalos de normalidad. El HLA-27 fue negativo. Tras encontrar hallazgos bioquimicos de bajas concentraciones de lipoproteinas con Apo B, se le solicito al paciente una prueba de saliva para realizacion de estudio genetico de LipochipR para mutaciones en el gen de Apo B y PCSK9. Se concluye que el paciente presento una disminucion de la concentracion de las lipoproteinas que contienen Apo B y trigliceridos. La sintomatologia de dolor abdominal y heces pastosas apoyaron el diagnostico clinico. La inexistencia de deficit vitaminico, retraso mental, acantocitosis y demas sintomatologia asociada, hizo pensar en una herencia heterocigota, que con las herramientas disponibles no se pudo describir geneticamente ya que LipochipR no detecta positividad para este paciente para una mutacion de cambio de aminoacidos en el gen y exon de Apo 26, PCSK9-7, PCSK9-4, PCSK9-10.

Familial hypobetalipoproteinemia is a dominant autosomal inherited disorder that affects lipoproteins containing Apo B. It is an essential protein for the transport of chylomicrons in the intestine and it is involved in the synthesis and transport of VLDL in the liver. This concentration is used along with other lipid tests to establish a patient's individual risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This is the case of an 8 year-old male patient who presented at the University Hospital Virgen Macarena in Seville with symptoms of abdominal pain, loose stools and diarrhea, overweight and broken nails. The patient was referred to the laboratory for examination with suspected hypobetalipoproteinemia. He was requested a complete blood count, blood smear, coagulation, biochemistry and vascular risk study. Biochemical data discarded celiac disease (IgA 174 mg/dL [100-400 mg/dL] y antitransglutaminase antibody 5 U/mL [< 20]). Determinations were RCV's profile: Total cholesterol 83 mg/dL (45 mg/dL), c-LDL 32 mg/dL (< 160 mg/dL), non-HDL cholesterol 35 mg/dL, c-VLDL 3 mg/dL (< 40 mg/dL), triglycerides 28 mg/dL, Apo-A1 112 mg/dL (119-240 mg/dL), Apo B-100 25 mg/dL (40-125 mg/dL), us-PCR 1,47 mg/dL (< 3 mg/dL), Lp (a) 2 mg/dL (< 30 mg/dL), Homocysteine 5,8 µmol/L (< 15 µmol/L), Vitamin A 42 µg/dL (50-200 µg/dL), Vitamine E 1051 µg/dL (50-180 µg/dL) and 25-(OH) D 48,9 ng/mL (30-54 ng/mL) in normal ranges. HLA-27 Negative. After biochemical findings of low concentrations of lipoproteins with Apo B100, the patient was requested a saliva test for genetic study conducting LipochipR for mutations of Apo B and PCSK9. It can be concluded that the patient had a decreased concentration of lipoproteins containing Apo-B and triglycerides. The symptoms of abdominal pain and tarry stools supported the clinical diagnosis. The lack of vitamin deficiency, mental retardation, acanthocytosis and other associated sintomatology, made it possible to consider it an heterozygous inheritance. which could not be genetically described with the tools available since LipochipR does not detect in this patient positivity for a mutation to the amino acid change in the gene and exon 26 of Apo, Apo 26, PCSK9-7, PCSK9- 4, PCSK9-10.

Hypobetalipoproteinemia familiar e um disturbio autossomico hereditario dominante que afeta as lipoproteinas contendo Apo--B, uma proteina essencial para o transporte de quilomicrons no intestino e esta envolvido na sintese e transporte de VLDL no figado. A concentracao de Apo-B e utilizada, juntamente com outros testes lipidicos, para estabelecer o risco individual de um paciente de desenvolver doencas cardiovasculares. O caso e o de um paciente de 8 anos, do sexo masculino, que se apresenta para consulta de Pediatria do Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, em Sevilha, com sintomas de dor abdominal, fezes brandas e diarreia, sobrepeso e unhas quebradicas. O paciente foi derivado ao laboratorio para exame com suspeita de hypobetalipoproteinemia. Foi pedido um hemograma completo, esfregaco de sangue, coagulacao, bioquimica geral e estudo de risco vascular. Os dados do estudo bioquimico descartaram a doenca celiaca (IgA 174 mg/dL [100-400 mg/dL] e Antitrasglutaminase 5 U/mL [<20]). As determinacoes incluidas no perfil de risco cardiovascular (RCV) foram colesterol total 83 mg/dL (45 mg/dL), LDL-C 32 mg/ dL (<160 mg/dL), colesterol nao-HDL de 35 mg/dL, VLDL-C 3 mg/dL (<40 mg/dL), triglicerideos de 28 mg/dL, Apo-A1 112 mg/ dL (119-240 mg/dL), Apo B-100-25 mg/dL (40-125 mg/dL), us-PCR 1,47 mg/dL (<3 mg/dL) de Lp (a) 2 mg/dL (<30 mg/dL), homocisteina de 5,8 µmol/L (<15 µmol/L), a vitamina A 42 µg/dL (50-200 µg/dL), vitamina E 1051 µg/dL (50-180 µg/dL) e 25- (OH) D 48,9 ng/mL (30-54 ng/mL) em intervalos de normalidade. O HLA-27 foi negativo. Depois de encontrar achados bioquimicos de baixas concentracoes de lipoproteinas com apo-B, foi solicitado ao paciente um teste de saliva para estudo genetico de LipochipR para mutacoes no gene de Apo-B e PCSK9. Conclui-se que o paciente apresentou uma diminuicao na concentracao das lipoproteinas contendo Apo-B e triglicerideos. Os sintomas de dor abdominal e fezes pastosas apoiaram o diagnostico clinico. A inexistencia de deficit vitaminico, retardo mental, acantocitose e outros sintomas associados fez pensar numa heranca heterozigotica, que com as ferramentas disponiveis nao se pode descrever geneticamente ja que LipochipR nao detecta positividade para este paciente para uma mutacao de mudanca de aminoacidos no gene e exon de Apo 26, PCSK9-7, PCSK9- 4, PCSK9-10.