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BACKGROUND: High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) is a standard treatment for relapsed/refractory lymphoma patients. Yet, the widespread use of BEAM is hindered by carmustine accessibility. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of PEAM (Cisplatin, Etoposide, Cytarabine, and Melphalan) versus BEAM in auto-HSCT for Hodgkin (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective single-center study of adult lymphoma patients who received PEAM or BEAM pretransplant conditioning between January 2004 to December 2022, comparing efficacy and safety outcomes. RESULTS: Among 143 patients (median age of 33 years, 58% males), 55 had HL, and 88 had NHL. The overall response rate (ORR) was 86.7% for PEAM and 72.3% for BEAM, and the relapse rate (RR) was lower for PEAM than BEAM (22.9% vs 45.6%). Median time to relapse (TTR) and overall survival (OS) were not reached for either group. PEAM exhibited a shorter time to both neutrophil (NE) and platelet (PE) engraftment compared to BEAM (10 vs 12 days), with a more tolerable gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity profile. CONCLUSIONS: Both BEAM and PEAM showed similar outcomes, demonstrating comparable efficacy in terms of ORR, TTR, and OS for both HL and NHL patients. However, PEAM-conditioning was associated with a shorter time to engraftment and fewer GI adverse events.
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INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Posttransplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a serious long-term complication that has a negative impact on graft and patient survival. The purpose of the present study was to describe the incidence of PTDM in a Mexican cohort and evaluate its association with a previous family history of diabetes (FHD). METHODS: A retrospective single-center cohort study was conducted on patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT). The primary outcome was time from LT to PTDM. The diagnosis of PTDM was established using the ADA criteria. A mediation analysis that used adjusted Cox regression models and considered pretransplant prediabetes a mediator was performed, to determine the total effect and direct effect of FHD on PTDM. RESULTS: A total of 152 patients were included, with a median follow-up time of 41 months; 19.2% (nâ¯=â¯29) had pretransplant diabetes. During the follow-up time, 15% of patients developed PTDM (nâ¯=â¯23), with an incidence rate of 4.71 cases/100 person-years. PTDM was significantly higher in patients with FHD, compared with those with no FHD (8.72 cases/100 person-years vs 2.04 cases/100 person-years, respectively; pâ¯=â¯0.001). The adjusted hazard ratio of PTDM for FHD was 4.14 (95% CI 1.60-10.7), pâ¯=â¯0.005) and 3.48 (95% CI 1.35-9.01, pâ¯=â¯0.010), when further controlled for pretransplant prediabetes. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of PTDM was similar to that reported in most international studies. As with type 2 diabetes, family history plays an important role in the development of PTDM, even after accounting for pretransplant prediabetes. Patients with FHD should undergo a stricter metabolic program.
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The overwhelming majority of SARS-CoV-2 epidemiological studies cover a narrow time period, making general knowledge about the COVID-19 pandemic difficult. To assess COVID-19-related host aspects in the overall pandemic, we analyzed COVID-19 cases during the first two years of SARS-CoV-2 circulation in southern Brazil. Herein, 390 patients admitted in 2020-2022 to a Brazilian public referral hospital were allocated into two groups according to the COVID-19 outcome: hospital discharge (n=237) or death (n=153). In the univariate analysis, several variables, including sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory aspects (primary data), were significantly different between the analyzed groups. In multivariate logistic regression, eight of these factors remained associated with the COVID-19 outcome. In particular, we report oxygen supplementation and the need for hemodialysis as predictors of hospital discharge and death from COVID-19, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, none of these findings have been previously reported in the Brazilian or world population. In conclusion, our results contribute to current knowledge by demonstrating that factors described at different times may remain associated with COVID-19 over the pandemic and by identifying novel predictors of COVID-19 outcome.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , Brazil/epidemiology , Pandemics , HospitalizationABSTRACT
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents a significant public health concern and has been associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. TBI generates two types of brain damage: primary and secondary. Secondary damage originates a series of pathophysiological processes, which include metabolic crisis, excitotoxicity, and neuroinflammation, which have deleterious consequences for neuronal function. However, neuroprotective mechanisms are also activated. The balance among these tissue responses, and its variations throughout the day determines the fate of the damage tissue. We have demonstrated less behavioral and morphological damage when a rat model of TBI was induced during the light hours of the day. Moreover, here we show that rats subjected to TBI in the dark lost less body weight than those subjected to TBI in the light, despite no change in food intake. Besides, the rats subjected to TBI in the dark had better performance in the beam walking test and presented less histological damage in the corpus callosum and the cingulum bundle, as shown by the Klüver-Barrera staining. Our results suggest that the time of day when the injury occurs is important. Thus, this data should be used to evaluate the pathophysiological processes of TBI events and develop better therapies.
Subject(s)
Glossitis , Humans , Glossitis/etiology , Glossitis/drug therapy , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic useSubject(s)
Glossitis , Humans , Glossitis/etiology , Glossitis/drug therapy , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic useABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: While the American College of Radiology recommends annual screening mammography starting at age 40 years, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that screening mammography in women younger than age 50 years should involve shared- decision making (SDM) between clinicians and patients, considering benefits and potential harms in younger women. Using a nationally representative cross-sectional survey, we aimed to evaluate patient-reported reasons and predictors of screening mammography utilization in this age group. METHODS: Respondents aged 40-49 years from the 2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) without a history of breast cancer were included (response rate 64%). Participants reported sociodemographic variables and reasons they did not engage in mammography screening within the last two years. Multiple variable logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between sociodemographic characteristics and patient-reported screening mammography use, accounting for complex survey sampling design elements. RESULTS: 1,948 women between the ages of 40-49 years were included. Of this group, (758/1948) 46.6% reported receiving a screening mammogram within the last year, and 1196/1948 (61.4%) reported receiving a screening mammogram within the last two years. The most common reasons for not undergoing screening included: "No reason/never thought about it" 744/1948 (38.2%), "Put it off" 343/1948 (17.6%), "Didn't need it" 331/1948 (16.9%), "Doctor didn't order it" 162/1948 (8.3%), and "I'm too young" 63/1948 (5.3%). Multiple variable analyses demonstrated that lack of health insurance was the strongest predictor of mammography non-engagement (p< 0.001). CONCLUSION: Deficits in shared- decision-making in women younger than 50 years related to mammography utilization exist. Radiologists may be key in addressing this issue among ambulatory care providers and patients, educating about the benefits and harms of screening younger women, particularly in racial/ethnic minorities and uninsured patients, who experience additional barriers to care and SDM discussions.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Mammography , Humans , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Mammography/methods , Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Breast Neoplasms/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Early Detection of Cancer/methods , Surveys and Questionnaires , Mass Screening/methodsABSTRACT
Objetivo: Analizar la eficacia terapéutica, seguridad y valor pronóstico de diferentes biomarcadores de la radioembolización transarterial con esferas de itrio-90 (TARE) en pacientes con metástasis hepáticas de cáncer colorrectal. Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo que incluye los pacientes con metástasis hepáticas de cancer colorrectal tratados con TARE entre noviembre de 2015 y junio de 2020. Se analizó la respuesta terapéutica (3 y 6 meses, criterios RECIST v1.1) mediante el cálculo de las tasas de respuesta tumoral objetiva (ORR) y de control de la enfermedad (DCR), así como la asociación de los biomarcadores con la respuesta terapéutica y la supervivencia global (SG) y libre de progresión (SLP). Resultados: Treinta TARE en 23 pacientes (edad media 61,61±9,13 años; 56,5% varones). La ORR a los 3 meses fue del 16,7% y el DCR del 53,3%. A los 6 meses progresaron el 80% de los pacientes. La ORR y DCR se asociaron con la edad (p=0,047), tratamiento con bevacizumab (p=0,008), hemoglobina (p=0,008), NLR (p=0,040), albúmina (p=0,012) y GPT (p=0,023) previas a la TARE, y la dosis absorbida tumoral estimada>115Gy (p=0,033). La mediana de SG fue de 12 meses (IC 95%: 4,75-19,25 meses) y de SLP 3 meses (IC 95%: 2,41-3,59 meses). La SG se asoció con la cirugía del tumor primario (p=0,019), mutación KRAS (p=0,024), hemoglobina (p=0,009), NLR (p=0,005) y PLR (p=0,042) previos a la TARE. Conclusión: Los biomarcadores con capacidad para predecir el pronóstico y respuesta terapéutica a la TARE incluyen desde parámetros bioquímicos a factores relacionados con la dosimetría tumoral estimada (AU)
Objetivo: To determine the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with Yttrium-90 in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastases and to evaluate the prognostic value of different biomarkers. Material and methods: This prospective longitudinal study enrolled consecutive patients with CRC liver metastases treated with TARE between November 2015 and june 2020. The therapeutic response at three and six months (RECIST1.1 criteria) and the relationship of biomarkers with therapeutic response, by calculating objective tumor response rates (ORR) and disease control (DCR), and overall survival (OS) and progression-free (PFS). Results: Thirty TAREs were performed in 23 patients (mean age, 61,61±9,13 years; 56,5% male). At three months, the objective response rate (ORR) was 16,7% and the disease control rate (DCR) 53,3%. At six months, the disease progressed in 80%. The ORR and DCR were significantly associated with age at diagnosis (P=.047), previous bevacizumab treatment (P=.008), pre-TARE haemoglobin (P=.008), NLR (P=.040), pre-TARE albumin (P=.012), pre-TARE ALT (P=.023) and tumour-absorbed dose>115Gy (P=.033). Median overall survival (OS) was 12 months (95% CI, 4.75-19.25 months) and median progression-free survival (PFS) 3 months (95% CI, 2.41-3.59). OS was significantly associated with primary tumour resection (P=.019), KRAS mutation (HR: 5.15; P=.024), pre-TARE haemoglobin (HR: .50; p=.009), pre-TARE NLR (HR: 1.65; P=.005) and PLR (HR: 1.01; P=.042). Conclusion: TARE prognosis and therapeutic response were predicted by different biomarkers, ranging from biochemical parameters to tumour dosimetrics (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Aged , Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology , Liver Neoplasms/secondary , Liver Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Yttrium Radioisotopes/administration & dosage , Biomarkers , Longitudinal Studies , Prospective Studies , Radiopharmaceuticals/therapeutic use , Radioisotopes , Prognosis , Survival AnalysisABSTRACT
Armchair graphene nanoribbons, when forming a superlattice, can be classified into different topological phases, with or without edge states. By means of tight-binding and classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we studied the electronic and mechanical properties of some of these superlattices. MD shows that fracture in modulated superlattices is brittle, as for unmodulated ribbons, and occurs at the thinner regions, with staggered superlattices achieving a larger fracture strain than inline superlattices. We found a general mechanism to induce a topological transition with strain, related to the electronic properties of each segment of the superlattice, and by studying the sublattice polarization we were able to characterize the transition and the response of these states to the strain. For the cases studied in detail here, the topological transition occurred at â¼3-5% strain, well below the fracture strain. The topological states of the superlattice - if present - are robust to strain even close to fracture. The topological transition was characterized by means of the sublattice polarization of the states.
ABSTRACT
Healthcare services must be guided by biosafety practices and microbial control. This control is highly influenced by humidity, which directly impacts the maintenance of sterility of the materials used in the appointments. High concentration of moisture, in the form of aerosol, splashes and spills, is caused during dental care. During the COVID-19 times the contamination by aerosol and droplets worries greatly. Considering that it could cause harm to the sterility of an autoclaved material, especially in dental environments, the objective was to evaluate the behavior of SMS sterilization packages (Spunbonded / Meltblown / Spunbonded) against microbial penetration in an aqueous vehicle. SMS of three brands were challenged, equally divided into two groups: virgin and processed (subjected to a single autoclaving cycle). Each specimen was aseptically deposited on Macconkey agar. Subsequently, 5 µL of Escherichia coliATCC 25922 saline solution [108CFU mL-1] was deposited in center of the SMS specimen and the dish incubated at36°C/ 48h. Reading was performed by the presence or absence of bacterial growth typical of the species under the SMS, observed on the back of Petri dish. The lowest penetration rate observed was 60% for one of the brands in the virgin condition, and 75% for two brands in the processed condition. Statistical analysis showed an association between bacterial penetration and the evaluated group, this association being valid only in the virgin condition. The different SMS behave similarly in terms of resistance to bacterial penetration after being processed. The data show that moisture can assist in bacterial transport through sterilized SMS. Therefore, SMS packages are not able to prevent bacterial penetration, and possibly other microorganisms, when in aqueous vehicles, offering a potential risk of breaking the aseptic chain. Thus, care must be taken in routines for handling and storage sterile packaging.
Subject(s)
Product Packaging/instrumentation , Containment of Biohazards/instrumentation , Dental Offices/organization & administration , Humidity/prevention & control , Sterilization/instrumentation , Infection Control/instrumentation , Evaluation Study , Drug Packaging/instrumentation , Saline Solution/analysis , COVID-19/prevention & control , Microbiological Phenomena/immunologyABSTRACT
Maternal exercise has shown beneficial effects on mother and child. Literature confirm progeny's cognition improvement, and upregulation in neurotrophins, antioxidant network, and DNA repair system. Considering that there is a lack of information demonstrating the impact of maternal exercise on offspring's skeletal muscle, we aimed to investigate the mitochondrial and redox effects elicited by maternal swimming. Adult female Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control sedentary, free swimming, and swimming with overload (2% of the body weight). Exercised groups were submitted weekly to five swimming sessions (30 min/day), starting 1 week prior to the mating and lasting to the delivery. Gastrocnemius and soleus muscle from 60-day-old offspring were analyzed. Our results clearly showed a sex-dependent effect. Male soleus showed increased mitochondrial functionality in the overload group. Female muscle from the overload group adapted deeply. Considering the redox status, the female offspring delivered to overload exercised dams presented reduced oxidants levels and protein damage, allied to downregulated antioxidant defenses. We also observed an increase in the mitochondrial function in the gastrocnemius muscle of the female offspring born from overload exercised dams. Soleus from female delivered to the overload exercise group presented reduced mitochondrial activity, as well as reduced reactive species, protein carbonyls, and antioxidant network, when compared to the male. In conclusion, maternal exercise altered the redox status and mitochondrial function in the offspring's skeletal muscle in a sex-dependent way. The clinical implication was not investigated; however, the sexual dimorphism in response to maternal exercise might impact exercise resilience in adulthood.
Subject(s)
Antioxidants , Physical Conditioning, Animal , Adult , Adult Children , Animals , Female , Humans , Male , Mitochondria/metabolism , Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism , Oxidation-Reduction , Physical Conditioning, Animal/physiology , Pregnancy , Rats , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with Yttrium-90 in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastases and to evaluate the prognostic value of different biomarkers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective longitudinal study enrolled consecutive patients with CRC liver metastases treated with TARE between November 2015 and june 2020. The therapeutic response at three and six months (RECIST1.1 criteria) and the relationship of biomarkers with therapeutic response, by calculating objective tumor response rates (ORR) and disease control (DCR), and overall survival (OS) and progression-free (PFS). RESULTS: Thirty TAREs were performed in 23 patients (mean age, 61.61⯱â¯9.13 years; 56.5% male). At three months, the objective response rate (ORR) was 16.7% and the disease control rate (DCR) 53.3%. At six months, the disease progressed in 80%. The ORR and DCR were significantly associated with age at diagnosis (Pâ¯=â¯0.047), previous bevacizumab treatment (Pâ¯=â¯0.008), pre-TARE haemoglobin (Pâ¯=â¯0.008), NLR (Pâ¯=â¯0.040), pre-TARE albumin (Pâ¯=â¯0.012), pre-TARE ALT (Pâ¯=â¯0.023) and tumour-absorbed doseâ¯>â¯115 Gy (Pâ¯=â¯0.033). Median overall survival (OS) was 12 months (95% CI, 4.75-19.25 months) and median progression-free survival (PFS) 3 months (95% CI, 2.41-3.59). OS was significantly associated with primary tumour resection (Pâ¯=â¯0.019), KRAS mutation (HR: 5.15; Pâ¯=â¯0.024), pre-TARE haemoglobin (HR: 0.50; pâ¯=â¯0.009), pre-TARE NLR (HR: 1.65; Pâ¯=â¯0.005) and PLR (HR: 1.01; Pâ¯=â¯0.042). CONCLUSION: TARE prognosis and therapeutic response were predicted by different biomarkers, ranging from biochemical parameters to tumour dosimetrics.
Subject(s)
Colonic Neoplasms , Liver Neoplasms , Aged , Biomarkers , Female , Humans , Liver Neoplasms/secondary , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Microspheres , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Radiopharmaceuticals/therapeutic use , Retrospective Studies , Yttrium RadioisotopesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Peer tutoring is a process of accompaniment carried out by a student with certain features and skills, whose objective is to support and guide, academically and emotionally, other students who may require it. AIM: To assess the experience of medical students who played the role of peer tutor. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We carried out semi-structured in-depth interviews, with prior informed consent, to a non-probabilistic and intentional sample of six students who performed the role of peer tutor, during 2017 and 2018. The data analysis followed the scheme of constant comparison and progressive reduction in a manual way, according to the comparative method, guaranteeing scientific rigor, maintaining criteria of credibility, dependence, confirmability, and transferability. RESULTS: The first level identified 234 units of meaning that originated in the third level, two qualitative domains, oriented to the contribution of peer tutors derived from their experience to strengthen both the process of peer tutor training and the management of peer tutoring. CONCLUSIONS: Peer tutoring as a teaching-learning strategy contributes to the development of generic competences and metacognitive skills, generating high levels of personal satisfaction and identification their teaching role.
Subject(s)
Education, Medical, Undergraduate , Students, Medical , Humans , Learning , Peer Group , TeachingABSTRACT
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. For metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients, it is recommended, as first-line treatment, chemotherapy (CT) based on doublet cytotoxic combinations of fluorouracil, leucovorin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI) and fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX). In addition to CT, biological (targeted agents) are indicated in the first-line treatment, unless contraindicated. In this context, most of mCRC patients are likely to progress and to change from first line to second line treatment when they develop resistance to first-line treatment options. It is in this second line setting where Aflibercept offers an alternative and effective therapeutic option, thought its specific mechanism of action for different patients profile: RAS mutant, RAS wild-type (wt), BRAF mutant, potentially resectable and elderly patients. In this paper, a panel of experienced oncologists specialized in the management of mCRC experts have reviewed and selected scientific evidence focused on Aflibercept as an alternative treatment (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Angiogenesis Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological/therapeutic use , Colorectal Neoplasms/drug therapy , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols , Bevacizumab/therapeutic use , Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic , Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics , Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology , Fluorouracil/therapeutic use , Leucovorin/therapeutic use , Age FactorsABSTRACT
OBJETIVE: To determine the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with Yttrium-90 in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastases and to evaluate the prognostic value of different biomarkers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective longitudinal study enrolled consecutive patients with CRC liver metastases treated with TARE between November 2015 and june 2020. The therapeutic response at three and six months (RECIST1.1 criteria) and the relationship of biomarkers with therapeutic response, by calculating objective tumor response rates (ORR) and disease control (DCR), and overall survival (OS) and progression-free (PFS). RESULTS: Thirty TAREs were performed in 23 patients (mean age, 61,61±9,13 years; 56,5% male). At three months, the objective response rate (ORR) was 16,7% and the disease control rate (DCR) 53,3%. At six months, the disease progressed in 80%. The ORR and DCR were significantly associated with age at diagnosis (P=.047), previous bevacizumab treatment (P=.008), pre-TARE haemoglobin (P=.008), NLR (P=.040), pre-TARE albumin (P=.012), pre-TARE ALT (P=.023) and tumour-absorbed dose>115Gy (P=.033). Median overall survival (OS) was 12 months (95% CI, 4.75-19.25 months) and median progression-free survival (PFS) 3 months (95% CI, 2.41-3.59). OS was significantly associated with primary tumour resection (P=.019), KRAS mutation (HR: 5.15; P=.024), pre-TARE haemoglobin (HR: .50; p=.009), pre-TARE NLR (HR: 1.65; P=.005) and PLR (HR: 1.01; P=.042). CONCLUSION: TARE prognosis and therapeutic response were predicted by different biomarkers, ranging from biochemical parameters to tumour dosimetrics.
ABSTRACT
In Latin America, hematophagous bats are the main reservoirs of rabies virus (RABV) to livestock, to other mammals and, occasionally, to human. Nonetheless, reports of exposure of human and pets to RABV upon aggression by non-hematophagous bats are increasing, possibly facilitated by the synanthropic habits of these bats. We, herein, report the detection and genetic identification of a RABV recovered from an insectivorous bat found sick in a student housing building at the Federal University of Santa Maria, Southern Brazil. Taxonomic characterization identified the captured bat as a member of the genus Nyctinomops, family Molossidae, the group of insectivorous bats. Brain fragments of the bat were positive for RABV antigens by fluorescent antibody test (FAT) and for sequences of the nucleoprotein (N) gene by RT-PCR. The N amplicon was submitted to nucleotide sequencing and analysis, showing that the consensus sequences (SV 33/19) had high identity with RABV sequences of insectivorous bats deposited in GenBank. At phylogenetic tree, the N gene sequences of SV 33/19 clustered with RABV recovered from Nyctinomops laticaudatus, Molossus molossus, and Tadarida lauticaudata bats, and a part of RABV variant 3, 4, and 6, that correspond to Desmodus rotundus, Tadarida brasiliensis, and Lasiurus cinereus, respectively. Although no direct human or domestic animal exposure has been reported, this case strengthens the need for a continuous rabies vaccination in pets in the surrounding areas, since non-hematophagous bats may serve as source of infection for these animals. These findings also call attention for continuous monitoring of populations of synanthropic bats to avoid/prevent human exposure.
Subject(s)
Chiroptera , Rabies virus , Rabies , Animals , Brazil , Chiroptera/virology , Phylogeny , Rabies/veterinary , Rabies virus/geneticsABSTRACT
Background: Peer tutoring is a process of accompaniment carried out by a student with certain features and skills, whose objective is to support and guide, academically and emotionally, other students who may require it. Aim: To assess the experience of medical students who played the role of peer tutor. Material and Methods: We carried out semi-structured in-depth interviews, with prior informed consent, to a non-probabilistic and intentional sample of six students who performed the role of peer tutor, during 2017 and 2018. The data analysis followed the scheme of constant comparison and progressive reduction in a manual way, according to the comparative method, guaranteeing scientific rigor, maintaining criteria of credibility, dependence, confirmability, and transferability. Results: The first level identified 234 units of meaning that originated in the third level, two qualitative domains, oriented to the contribution of peer tutors derived from their experience to strengthen both the process of peer tutor training and the management of peer tutoring. Conclusions: Peer tutoring as a teaching-learning strategy contributes to the development of generic competences and metacognitive skills, generating high levels of personal satisfaction and identification their teaching role.
Subject(s)
Humans , Students, Medical , Education, Medical, Undergraduate , Peer Group , Teaching , LearningABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Severe respiratory distress in patients with COVID-19 has been associated with higher rate of neurologic manifestations. Our aim was to investigate whether the severity of chest imaging findings among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) correlates with the risk of acute neuroimaging findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included all patients with COVID-19 who received care at our hospital between March 3, 2020, and May 6, 2020, and underwent chest imaging within 10 days of neuroimaging. Chest radiographs were assessed using a previously validated automated neural network algorithm for COVID-19 (Pulmonary X-ray Severity score). Chest CTs were graded using a Chest CT Severity scoring system based on involvement of each lobe. Associations between chest imaging severity scores and acute neuroimaging findings were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Twenty-four of 93 patients (26%) included in the study had positive acute neuroimaging findings, including intracranial hemorrhage (n = 7), infarction (n = 7), leukoencephalopathy (n = 6), or a combination of findings (n = 4). The average length of hospitalization, prevalence of intensive care unit admission, and proportion of patients requiring intubation were significantly greater in patients with acute neuroimaging findings than in patients without them (P < .05 for all). Compared with patients without acute neuroimaging findings, patients with acute neuroimaging findings had significantly higher mean Pulmonary X-ray Severity scores (5.0 [SD, 2.9] versus 9.2 [SD, 3.4], P < .001) and mean Chest CT Severity scores (9.0 [SD, 5.1] versus 12.1 [SD, 5.0], P = .041). The pulmonary x-ray severity score was a significant predictor of acute neuroimaging findings in patients with COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COVID-19 and acute neuroimaging findings had more severe findings on chest imaging on both radiographs and CT compared with patients with COVID-19 without acute neuroimaging findings. The severity of findings on chest radiography was a strong predictor of acute neuroimaging findings in patients with COVID-19.