COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance Among Latino/a Immigrants: The Role of Collective Responsibility and Confidence.

Research on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy has been sparse among Latino/a immigrants, a population at high risk for infection. This exploratory study examines rates of vaccine acceptance and its association with psychological antecedents of vaccination among Latino/a immigrants. A cross-sectional telephone survey on perceptions of COVID-19 was administered between October 2020 to February 2021 in South Florida to 200 adult Latino/a immigrants. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and logistic regression were employed to determine the influence of independent variables on vaccine acceptance. Most participants indicated a willingness to get vaccinated. Participants with higher confidence (aOR = 10.2, 95% CI: 4.8-21.8) and collective responsibility scores were (aOR = 3.1, 95%CI:1.3-6.9) more likely to report vaccine acceptance than those with lower scores. No other psychological antecedents or demographic variables were significantly associated with vaccine acceptance. Study results provide insights into motivating factors for vaccination that can inform culturally tailored education campaigns to increase vaccine acceptability in this population.

The percentage of CD39+ monocytes is higher in pregnant COVID-19+ patients than in nonpregnant COVID-19+ patients.

Current medical guidelines consider pregnant women with COVID-19 to be a high-risk group. Since physiological gestation downregulates the immunological response to maintain "maternal-fetal tolerance", SARS-CoV-2 infection may constitute a potentially threatening condition to both the mother and the fetus. To establish the immune profile in pregnant COVID-19+ patients, a cross-sectional study was conducted. Pregnant women with COVID-19 (P-COVID-19+; n = 15) were analyzed and compared with nonpregnant women with COVID-19 (NP-COVID-19+; n = 15) or those with physiological pregnancy (P-COVID-19-; n = 13). Serological cytokine and chemokine concentrations, leucocyte immunophenotypes, and mononuclear leucocyte responses to polyclonal stimuli were analyzed in all groups. Higher concentrations of serological TNF-α, IL-6, MIP1b and IL-4 were observed within the P-COVID-19+ group, while cytokines and chemokines secreted by peripheral leucocytes in response to LPS, IL-6 or PMA-ionomicin were similar among the groups. Immunophenotype analysis showed a lower percentage of HLA-DR+ monocytes in P-COVID-19+ than in P-COVID-19- and a higher percentage of CD39+ monocytes in P-COVID-19+ than in NP-COVID-19+. After whole blood polyclonal stimulation, similar percentages of T cells and TNF+ monocytes between groups were observed. Our results suggest that P-COVID-19+ elicits a strong inflammatory response similar to NP-COVID19+ but also displays an anti-inflammatory response that controls the ATP/adenosine balance and prevents hyperinflammatory damage in COVID-19.

Position statement relating ankle fractures in major outpatient surgery. / Documento de posicionamiento respecto a las fracturas de tobillo en cirugía mayor ambulatoria.

INTRODUCTION: The increase in the prevalence of osteoporosis associated with ageing, and sports and traffic accidents, are responsible for the increase in ankle fractures. This fact emphasises the need to protocolise their care in order to provide greater clinical benefit to patients, and better cost-benefit ratios to the health system. AIM AND METHOD: At present, there is no common framework for implementation of protocols and internal circuits of the Spanish centres for ankle fractures by means of major outpatient surgery (MOS), which is the final objective of this position paper. For this, the clinical and economic evidence of MOS, the local environment and the strategies for its implementation are reviewed, related to ankle fractures. CLINICAL AND ECONOMIC EVIDENCE: The results showed a better cost-benefit ratio in outpatients compared to traditional hospitalisation, with lower complications and readmission rates and therefore significant cost savings. BARRIERS AND STRATEGIES: General and specific barriers are reviewed, as well as strategies and circuits for proper implementation. RESULTS: The results show lower complication and readmission rates together with significant cost savings. It entails a better cost-benefit ratio in outpatient care compared to traditional hospitalisation. POSITION STATEMENT: The implementation of MOS contributes to improve the quality of care, and the satisfaction of both, patient and health care team, while optimising the utilisation of resources. Ankle fractures in patients selected for both the underlying pathology, anaesthetic risk, and the type of fracture can be operated satisfactorily under the MOS.

The impact of cultural stress and gender norms on alcohol use severity among Latino immigrant men.

Alcohol misuse affects 15 million people in the United States. Compared to White men, Latino men have disproportionately higher rates of both alcohol misuse and negative alcohol-related consequences (e.g. drunk driving, liver disease, alcohol dependence, HIV/AIDS). This cross sectional study examined how cultural stressors [immigration stress and negative context of reception (NCR)] coupled with traditional Latino male gender norms (machismo and caballerismo) influences alcohol use severity (AUS) among adult Latino immigrant men. Data for the present study was collected between 2017 and 2018 from 279 Cuban, Central American, and South American adult Latino men who immigrated to the US approximately 10 years prior. Results from hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed higher levels of perceived NCR (ß = 0.15, p = .01), and machismo (ß = 0.16, p = .02) were associated with greater AUS. Significant interaction effects were found between both cultural stressors and machismo [immigration stress x machismo (ß = 0.22, p < .001); NCR x machismo (ß = 0.22, p < .001)] whereby higher levels of machismo strengthened the association between cultural stress and AUS. Findings from the present study can inform culturally appropriate interventions aimed at mitigating alcohol use among Latino immigrant men.

Overview of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in the south of Spain. / Panorámica de la poliquistosis renal autosómica dominante en una región del sur de España.

INTRODUCTION: Although autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is the most common hereditary kidney disease, available data tend to be limited to after initiation of renal replacement therapy. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain an overview of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease within the health area of Granada in southern Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 2007 to December 2016, we collected clinical, family and demographic information about all patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, irrespective of whether or not they were treated with RRT, in the Granada health area. The computer software SPSS 15.0 and GenoPro were used. RESULTS: 50.6% of the 1,107 diagnosed patients were men. 99.1% were Caucasian and 4-6 generations/family were studied. The geographical distribution was heterogeneous. There was no family history in 2.43%. The mean age of diagnosis was 34.0±17.80 years and the diagnosis was made after having offspring in 57.7% of cases. The main reason for diagnosis was family history (46.4%). The mean age of initiation of renal replacement therapy was 54.2±11.05 years. 96.3% of the deceased had some degree of renal failure at the time of death. The mean age of death was 60.9±14.10 years, the main cause of death being unknown in 33.5% of cases, followed by cardiovascular (27.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Cases and families were concentrated in certain geographical areas and a significant number of individuals were undiagnosed prior to cardiovascular death or diagnosed late after reproduction. Given that there is currently no curative treatment, the primary prevention strategy of preimplantation genetic diagnosis should play a leading role.

Post-immigration Changes in Social Capital and Substance Use Among Recent Latino Immigrants in South Florida: Differences by Documentation Status.

Changing social capital among recent Latino immigrants (RLIs) influences substance use post-immigration. This was a longitudinal study of 476 South/Central American RLIs examining social capital and substance use changes pre to post-immigration. Self-reported measures of social capital and substance use were compared between surveys administered within 1 year of immigration and 2 years post-immigration. Post-immigration, social capital, hazardous drinking and illicit drug use decreased. Women were less likely to engage in hazardous drinking [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) .32, p < .001], and less likely to use illicit drugs (AOR .67, p = .01). Documented individuals with higher levels of 'business' social capital had increased odds of illicit drug use (AOR 2.20, p < .05). Undocumented individuals with higher levels of 'friend and others' social capital had decreased risk for hazardous drinking and illicit drug use (AOR .55, p < .01; AOR .56, p < .05). Documentation status moderated the relationship between social capital and substance use. RLIs can be targeted for primary prevention of substance abuse.

Assessment of the abiotic and biotic effects of sodium metabisulphite pulses discharged from desalination plant chemical treatments on seagrass (Cymodocea nodosa) habitats in the Canary Islands.

Reverse osmosis membranes at many desalination plants are disinfected by periodic shock treatments with sodium metabisulphite, which have potentially toxic effects to the environment for marine life, although no empirical and experimental evidence for this is yet available. The aim of this study was to characterise for the first time, the physico-chemical modification of the marine environment and its biological effects, caused by hypersaline plumes during these membrane cleaning treatments. The case study was the Maspalomas II desalination plant, located in the south of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain). Toxicity bioassays were performed on marine species characteristic for the infralittoral soft bottoms influenced by the brine plume (Synodus synodus and Cymodocea nodosa), and revealed a high sensitivity to short-term exposure to low sodium metabisulphite concentrations. The corrective measure of incorporating a diffusion system with Venturi Eductors reduced nearly all the areas of influence, virtually eliminating the impact of the disinfectant.

Lead, cadmium and zinc in hair samples: relationship with dietary habits and urban environment.

This study was performed in order to analyze the relationships between hair zinc, lead, and cadmium with the kind of diet consumed (by recall of the diet consumed the previous 14 days), living area (urban or rural), tobacco smoking, and body mass index (BMI) among 419 individuals of the Canary Archipelago. Median values and interquartile range were 43 µg/g (18.50-132.50) for zinc, 4.09 µg/g (2.19-8.38) for lead, and 0.128 µg/g (0.05-0.30) for cadmium. We observed that hair zinc was markedly elevated among those consuming fish more frequently and, to a lesser amount, among those who consumed meat frequently, among those living in urban areas, and among those with BMI over 25 kg/m(2), keeping a significant relationship with BMI. Hair lead was also higher among fish consumers, showed a trend to higher values among inhabitants of urban areas, and was lower among obese individuals. Hair cadmium was higher among those who consumed less vegetables and fruits. By multivariate analysis, introducing the variables meat, fish, and vegetable consumption, urban/rural; sex; age; and BMI values, we observed that fish consumption (beta = 0.15) was the only variable independently associated to higher zinc levels; fish consumption (beta = 0.15) and meat consumption (beta = 0.17) were related to high cadmium levels, whereas meat consumption was significantly associated to higher hair lead levels (beta = 0.15). Therefore, we conclude that hair zinc, cadmium, and lead seem to depend more heavily on dietary habits than on tobacco consumption or living in rural or urban areas.

[Short bowel syndrome and failure intestinal features in our community]. / Características del síndrome de intestino corto y del fracaso intestinal en nuestra comunidad.

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal failure is being an entity with higher prevalence in the pediatric age, especially due to bowel resections causing the appearance of a short bowel syndrome. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and etiology of cases of short bowel syndrome (SIC) and Intestinal Failure (FI) existing in Andalusia. Analyze factors involved in evolution, the number of transplant patients and to know the time required to achieve enteral autonomy, studying whether there are differences in management between different participants. METHODS: Multicenter retrospective descriptive observational study in which are collected data of patients diagnosed with short bowel syndrome or intestinal failure in 6 hospitals in Andalusia in the period from 1 January 2008 to 31 January 2014. RESULTS: 25 patients. Average age at diagnosis 7.4 months. Average length of remnant intestine: 113.8 cm; 64% of patients with <75 cm length remaining intestine. We show that: the early introduction of enteral nutrition is a factor favoring the suspension of the NP (p = 0'033); and that the prevention of liver disease associated with parenteral nutrition (EHANP) is favored by: the use of fewer lipid Parenteral Nutrition (p = 0'008), a greater length of remaining intestine (p = 0'049 ), the early introduction of enteral nutrition (p = 0'009) and a lower gestational age (p = 0'006).

Introducción: El Fracaso intestinal está siendo una entidad con mayor prevalencia dentro de la edad pediátrica, en especial debido a resecciones importantes de intestino que terminan provocando la aparición de un Síndrome de Intestino Corto. Objetivos: Conocer la prevalencia y etiología de los casos de Síndrome de Intestino Corto (SIC) y Fracaso Intestinal (FI) existentes en la comunidad andaluza. Analizar los factores relacionados en su evolución, el número de pacientes trasplantados y conocer el tiempo necesario para lograr la autonomía enteral, estudiando si existen diferencias en el manejo entre los diferentes participantes. Métodos: Estudio observacional descriptivo retrospectivo multicéntrico en el cual se recogen los datos de los pacientes diagnosticados de Síndrome de Intestino corto o Fracaso intestinal en 6 centros hospitalarios de Andalucía en el periodo comprendido entre el 1 de enero de 2.008 y el 31 de Enero de 2.014. Resultados: 25 pacientes. Edad media al diagnóstico: 7,4 meses. Longitud media de intestino remanente 113,8 cm; 64% pacientes con.

[Variability and reproducibility of 3 methods for measuring the thickness of the nerve fiber layer]. / Variabilidad interindividual y reproducibilidad de tres métodos de medida del espesor de la capa de fibras nerviosas.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the variability and reproducibility of confocal tomography (HRT), scanning laser polarimetry (GDx) and optical coherence tomography (OCT-Cirrus) to determine the thickness of the layer of ganglion fibers. METHOD: A total of 75 normal eyes were examined twice. Inter-individual variability was analyzed after standardizing the results. The coefficient of variation was used to measure the variability between tests, and the Pearson coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between variables. RESULTS: The inter-individual variability was similar in GDx (8.9%) and OCT (11.1%), but very high in HRT (30.0%). No instrument detected significant changes with age. The coefficient of variation of the total thickness between the examinations of the same subject was significantly lower (P<.05) in GDx (1.4) than in OCT (2.0), but very high in HRT (6.4). The same was true when analyzing the upper fibers (GDx=1.8, OCT=2.9, HRT = 6.6), but not with the lower ones, where the only significant differences were observed with HRT (GDx = 2.2, OCT = 2.7, HRT = 7.0). Among the results of OCT and GDx, there was a significant correlation when comparing the first (r=0.46, P<.0001) and second examinations (r=0.52, P<.0001). However there was no significant relationship between the data provided by HRT for the two remaining instruments (P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is a wide variation in the inter-individual and inter-test measurement of the thickness of the of nerve fibers layers using HRT. GDx has, in this respect, slight advantages over OCT.

Variability between experts in defining the edge and area of the optic nerve head.

OBJECTIVE: Estimation of the error rate in the subjective determination of the optic nerve head edge and area. METHOD: 1) 169 images of optic nerve disc were evaluated by five experts for the defining of the edges in 8 positions (every 45°). 2) The estimated areas of 26 cases were compared with the measurements of the Cirrus Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT-Cirrus). RESULTS: 1) The mean variation of the estimated radius was ±5.2%, with no significant differences between sectors. Specific differences were found between the 5 experts (P <.001), each one compared with the others. 2) The disc area measured by the OCT-Cirros was 1.78 mm² (SD =0.27). The results corresponding to the experts who detected smaller areas were better correlated to the area detected by the OCT-Cirrus (r=0.77-0.88) than the results corresponding to larger areas (r =0.61-0.69) (P <.05 in extreme cases). CONCLUSIONS: There are specific patterns in each expert for defining the disc edges and involve 20% variation in the estimation of the optic nerve area. The experts who detected smaller areas have a higher agreement with the objective method used. A web tool is proposed for self-assessment and training in this task.

[Pulsar perimetry. A review and new results]. / Pulsarperimetrie. Überblick und neue Ergebnisse.

We present a review and update on Pulsar perimetry, which combines temporal frequency, contrast and spatial frequency stimuli. The effects of age, visual acuity, and learning on results are described. Data on threshold fluctuation, signal-to-noise ratio, and the possibility of reducing noise with filtering techniques are provided. We describe its dynamic range and the possibility of compensating for profound defects. Finally, we show the results obtained in normal patients and in those with ocular hypertension or initial glaucoma, as well as an analysis of glaucoma progression.

Dengue virus identification by transmission electron microscopy and molecular methods in fatal dengue hemorrhagic fever.

Dengue virus is the most significant virus transmitted by arthropods worldwide and may cause a potentially fatal systemic disease named dengue hemorrhagic fever. In this work, dengue virus serotype 4 was detected in the tissues of one fatal dengue hemorrhagic fever case using electron immunomicroscopy and molecular methods. This is the first report of dengue virus polypeptides findings by electron immunomicroscopy in human samples. In addition, not-previously-documented virus-like particles visualized in spleen, hepatic, brain, and pulmonary tissues from a dengue case are discussed.

[Validation of a nutritional screening tool for hospitalized pediatric patients]. / Validación de una herramienta de cribado nutricional para pacientes pediátricos hospitalizados.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition among hospitalized patients has clinical implications, and interest has arisen to find screening tools able to identify subjects under risk. At present, there is no consensus about the most suitable nutrition screening tool for pediatric patients. AIM: To validate STAMP (Screening Tool for the Assessment of Malnutrition in Pediatrics) pediatric screening tool in Spain. METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study of patients admitted to a 3rd level children's hospital with both medical and surgical specialities. During the first 24 hours of admission, STAMP screening tool was applied. For its validation, results were compared with those obtained from a nutritional assessment performed by specialist staff, which included clinical, anthropometric and body composition data. RESULTS: A sample of 250 children was studied. Nutritional assessment identified 64 patients (25.6%) under risk, 40 of whom were malnourished (16%). STAMP classified 48.4% of the patients as being under nutritional risk. This tool showed 75% sensitivity and 60.8% specificity when identifying patients under risk according to nutritional assessment. It showed 90% sensitivity and 59.5% specificity when identifying malnourished patients. COMMENTS: Malnutrition was less frequent than that reported in other European countries, although diagnosis technique was different. STAMP is a simple and useful tool for nutritional screening, avoiding the need to assess all patients on admission in order to identify those under nutritional risk.

[Comparing the ranges of defect measured with standard white on white and Pulsar perimetries]. / Comparación del rango de medida de defectos entre la perimetría estándar blanco/blanco y la perimetría Pulsar.

OBJECTIVES: Normal thresholds on Pulsar perimetry fall faster than those of standard perimetry in the peripheral visual field. Two related studies were performed. Firstly, the frequency distributions of glaucoma defects on standard automated perimetry (SAP) and the relationship of the centre and periphery (Study A) were studied first, followed by an attempt to establish the limits of pulsar perimetry (Study B). MATERIAL AND METHOD: A: frequency of defects was calculated in 78.663 SAP perimetries (G1-TOP, Octopus 1-2-3, Haag-Streit). Study B: 204 eyes with mean defect (MD-SAP) lower than 9 dB were examined 8.92 ± 4.19 times with SAP (TOP-32, Octopus 311) and temporal modulation perimetry (T30W, Pulsar Perimeter, Haag-Streit). RESULTS: Study A: 50.7% of the SAP examinations showed MD values lower than 9 dB and 32.7% bellow 6 dB. The MD correlation of the central 20° with the MD of the most peripheral points was r=0.933. Study B: in cases with MD-TOP-32 lower than 6 dB, SAP had the maximum possibility of detecting defect in 0.02% of points and Pulsar in 0.29%. In subjects with MD-TOP-32 between 6 and 9 dB frequencies were 0.38% in SAP and 3.5% in Pulsar (5.1% for eccentricities higher than 20°). CONCLUSIONS: Pulsar allows detecting defects, without range limitations, in the initial half of SAP frequencies expected on glaucoma patients. In order to study the progression of deeper defects the examination should focus on the central points, where the dynamic range of both systems is more equivalent.

Specificity of the program threshold noiseless trend for perimetric progression analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the specificity of the Threshold Noiseless Trend program (TNT), designed to measure progression in visual fields, using four procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A. In 63 eyes with ocular hypertension, whose last examination showed no perimetric or morphological defects, we performed a mean of 7.70 +/- 1.71 follow-up examinations during 2.2 +/- 0.6 years. B. In 81 glaucomatous eyes examined twice with a bracketing strategy (Octopus 1-2-3 perimeter), we calculated mean threshold value and long-term fluctuation. We simulated 12 different visual fields, adding a random component to simulate an equivalent fluctuation of amplitude. C. Seventy-two glaucomatous eyes, with and without progression, were examined 7.76 +/- 1.25 times during 4.88 +/- 1.39 years using the Humphrey-Sita Standard strategy. Visual field tests were randomly disordered and analyzed using TNT. D. 1221 eyes were examined 7.19 +/- 3.5 times during 3.50 +/- 1.45 years (10,407 visual fields) using TOP-G1 program. We detected progression in 204 eyes using TNT. They were re-evaluated after random disordering of visual field tests. RESULTS: The four procedures indicated specificity > or = 95% as from the seventh examination; this reduced to 90% in experiment C with six examinations, and in experiments A and C with five examinations. CONCLUSIONS: The specificity of TNT may be considered to be over 95% with a large number of examinations, and 90-100% with fewer examinations. At least five examinations are required for a basic interpretation of progression, and preferably more than six to guarantee the specificity of the result.