Tempo-Spatial Modelling of the Spread of COVID-19 in Urban Spaces.

The relationship between the social structure of urban spaces and the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic is becoming increasingly evident. Analyzing the socio-spatial structure in relation to cases may be one of the keys to explaining the ways in which this contagious disease and its variants spread. The aim of this study is to propose a set of variables selected from the social context and the spatial structure and to evaluate the temporal spread of infections and their different degrees of intensity according to social areas. We define a model to represent the relationship between the socio-spatial structure of the urban space and the spatial distribution of pandemic cases. We draw on the theory of social area analysis and apply multivariate analysis techniques to check the results in the urban space of the city of Malaga (Spain). The proposed model should be considered capable of explaining the functioning of the relationships between societal structure, socio-spatial segregation, and the spread of the pandemic. In this paper, the study of the origins and consequences of COVID-19 from different scientific perspectives is considered a necessary approach to understanding this phenomenon. The personal and social consequences of the pandemic have been exceptional and have changed many aspects of social life in urban spaces, where it has also had a greater impact. We propose a geostatistical analysis model that can explain the functioning of the relationships between societal structure, socio-spatial segregation, and the temporal evolution of the pandemic. Rather than an aprioristic theory, this paper is a study by the authors to interpret the disparity in the spread of the pandemic as shown by the infection data.

Evidence of the Relationship between Social Vulnerability and the Spread of COVID-19 in Urban Spaces.

Modeling the social-spatial structure of urban spaces can facilitate the development of guidelines aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic while also acting as an instrument that helps decision-making concerning mitigation policies. The modeling process starts with categorization of urban spaces based on the concept of social vulnerability. A model is created based on this concept and the theory of analysis of social areas. Statistical techniques of factor analysis and geostatistics are applied. This generates a map of social differentiation that, when related to data on the evolution of the contagion, generates a multidimensional model of social vulnerability. The application of this model towards people (social structure) and the environment where they live (spatial structure) is specified. Our model assumes the uniqueness of cities, and it is intended to be a broadly applicable model that can be extrapolated to other urban areas if pertinent revisions are made. Our work demonstrates that aspects of the social and urban structures may be validly used to analyze and explain the spatial spread of COVID-19.

[Prognostic utility of the qSOFA scale in patients admitted to an Internal Medicine service due to infectious diseases]. / Utilidad pronóstica de la escala qSOFA en pacientes ingresados en un servicio de Medicina Interna por enfermedades infecciosas.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a serious entity. Diagnosis and early treatment is important for the prognosis. AIM: To analyze the prognostic utility of the qSOFA scale as a predictor of mortality in patients admitted by infection in an Internal Medicine Service and describe its demographic characteristics and possible association with mortalilty. METHODS: Descriptive and cross-sectional study of patients admitted with diagnosis of acute infection at the General Hospital of Castellon (Spain) from November 2017 to February 2018. INCLUSION CRITERIA: patients admitted on suspicion of an infectious process. Main dependent variable: mortality. Independent main variable: qSOFA scale. Secondary variables: time until the first medical evaluation and the start of empirical antibiotic therapy, demographic characteristics of the patient, analytics and evolutional. RESULTS: A total of 311 patients were analyzed, 145 men with an average age of 78 (DE 16,23). Seventy five presented qSOFA ≥ 2. Higher mortality was observed in those patients with qSOFA ≥ 2 (36% vs 11%, p = 0.00). CONCLUSION: In patients admitted with infectious diseases, a qSOFA value > = 2 was associated with higher mortality. Future studies are required to verify its potential diagnostic utility.

Utilidad pronóstica de la escala qSOFA en pacientes ingresados en un servicio de Medicina Interna por enfermedades infecciosas / Prognostic utility of the qSOFA scale in patients admitted to an Internal Medicine service due to infectious diseases

INTRODUCCIÓN: La sepsis es una entidad grave siendo su sospecha y tratamiento precoces claves para el pronóstico. OBJETIVO: Analizar la utilidad pronóstica de la escala qSOFA en pacientes que ingresan por infección en un servicio de Medicina Interna. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo, tranversal, de los pacientes ingresados con infección en el Hospital General de Castellón (España) de noviembre de 2017 a febrero de 2018. Criterio de inclusión: pacientes admitidos por la sospecha de un proceso infeccioso. Variable principal dependiente: mortalidad. Variable principal independiente: qSOFA. Variables secundarias: tiempo hasta primera valoración médica y hasta inicio de antibioterapia empírica en Urgencias (minutos), características demográficas del paciente, analíticas y evolutivas. RESULTADOS: Se analizó un total de 311 pacientes, 145 varones, edad media 78 años (DE 16,23). Setenta y cinco (24%) presentaron qSOFA ≥ 2. Se observó una mayor mortalidad en aquellos pacientes con qSOFA ≥ 2 (36 vs 11%, p = 0,00). CONCLUSIÓN: En pacientes admitidos con enfermedades infecciosas, un valor de qSOFA > = 2 se asoció a mayor mortalidad. Se requieren futuros estudios para comprobar su potencial utilidad diagnóstica.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a serious entity. Diagnosis and early treatment is important for the prognosis. AIM: To analyze the prognostic utility of the qSOFA scale as a predictor of mortality in patients admitted by infection in an Internal Medicine Service and describe its demographic characteristics and possible association with mortalilty. METHODS: Descriptive and cross-sectional study of patients admitted with diagnosis of acute infection at the General Hospital of Castellon (Spain) from November 2017 to February 2018. Inclusion criteria: patients admitted on suspicion of an infectious process. Main dependent variable: mortality. Independent main variable: qSOFA scale. Secondary variables: time until the first medical evaluation and the start of empirical antibiotic therapy, demographic characteristics of the patient, analytics and evolutional. RESULTS: A total of 311 patients were analyzed, 145 men with an average age of 78 (DE 16,23). Seventy five presented qSOFA ≥ 2. Higher mortality was observed in those patients with qSOFA ≥ 2 (36% vs 11%, p = 0.00). CONCLUSION: In patients admitted with infectious diseases, a qSOFA value > = 2 was associated with higher mortality. Future studies are required to verify its potential diagnostic utility.

An eight-year multicenter study on short-term peripheral intravenous catheter-related bloodstream infection rates in 100 intensive care units of 9 countries in Latin America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, and Venezuela. Findings of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC).

BACKGROUND: Data on short-term peripheral intravenous catheter-related bloodstream infections per 1,000 peripheral venous catheter days (PIVCR BSIs per 1,000 PVC days) rates from Latin America are not available, so they have not been thoroughly studied. METHODS: International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) members conducted a prospective, surveillance study on PIVCR BSIs from January 2010 to March 2018 in 100 intensive care units (ICUs) among 41 hospitals, in 26 cities of 9 countries in Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican-Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, and Venezuela). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Health Safety Network (NHSN) definitions were applied, and INICC methodology and INICC Surveillance Online System software were used. RESULTS: In total, 10,120 ICU patients were followed for 40,078 bed days and 38,262 PVC days. In addition, 79 PIVCR BSIs were identified, with a rate of 2.06 per 1,000 PVC days (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.635-2.257). The average length of stay (ALOS) of patients without a PIVCR BSI was 3.95 days, and the ALOS was 5.29 days for patients with a PIVCR BSI. The crude extra ALOS was 1.34 days (RR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.0975-1.6351; P = .040).The mortality rate in patients without PIVCR BSI was 3.67%, and this rate was 6.33% in patients with a PIVCR BSI. The crude extra mortality was 1.70 times higher. The microorganism profile showed 48.5% gram-positive bacteria (coagulase-negative Staphylococci 25.7%) and 48.5% gram-negative bacteria: Acinetobacter spp, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella spp (8.5% each one), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5.7%), and Candida spp (2.8%). The resistances of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were 0% to amikacin and 50% to meropenem. The resistance of Acinetobacter baumanii to amikacin was 0%, and the resistance of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus to oxacillin was 75%. CONCLUSIONS: Our PIVCR BSI rates were higher than rates from more economically developed countries and were similar to those of countries with limited resources.

Characteristics of recovery from near misses in primary health care nursing: A Prospective descriptive study.

AIM: To describe the frequency and types of near misses and the recovery strategies employed by nurses in primary health care. BACKGROUND: Insufficient data are available on the role of nurses in near miss events and related factors in primary health care. METHOD: A prospective descriptive study was carried out at one Urban Primary Health Care Centre, within the Málaga-Guadalhorce Health District (Malaga, Spain), from January to December 2018. Four of the ten nurses volunteered to take part. RESULTS: The nurses recovered 185 near misses, prevailing administrative or communication-related errors, followed by medication-related errors. No near misses were reported on the centre's anonymous error information platform. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of near misses occurred which could have been avoided with better communication among health care personnel. A striking finding is the failure to inform the health centre, which suggests that improvements in safety culture are needed. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: It is the responsibility and the duty of nursing management to be aware of the characteristics and frequency of near misses in primary health care, to implement strategies for improvement and to foster a culture in which the necessary information on actual or potential errors is supplied.

Association Between Perioperative Hyperglycemia and Survival in Patients With Glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have examined the association between hyperglycemia in the first 10 to 12 weeks following surgery and postoperative survival in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients. We hypothesize that episodes of hyperglycemia before, during and/or following surgery for primary GBM are independent predictors of disease progression and mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 162 adult patients were included in the analysis. All patients received adjuvant temozolamide. The progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates at 1 and 5 years were analyzed using different glycemic cutoff values. Multivariate analyses were conducted to test the association between preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative hyperglycemia with PFS and OS. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier curves revealed a trend toward increased PFS and OS with lower glucose concentrations with the exception of glucose concentrations >180 mg/dL in the intraoperative/postoperative day 0 time period. Univariate analysis of blood glucose levels did not demonstrate a statistically significant effect on PFS in any time period, however hyperglycemia was statistically significant for OS in the preoperative time period. Although, multivariate analysis showed no statistically significant association with hyperglycemia on PFS, a statistically significant decrease in OS was seen for plasma glucose concentrations >112 mg/dL (P=0.01) and >180 mg/dL (P=0.01) in the preoperative period. There was a decreasing effect on OS with blood glucose concentrations greater than the median in multiple time periods (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative hyperglycemia is associated with poor OS after GBM surgery.

A 10-year experience with major burns from a non-burn intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to review clinical data and outcomes of patients with burns in a Mexican non-burn intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: We did a retrospective analysis of our single-centre database of burn patients admitted to the ICU in the Hospital Civil Fray Antonio Alcalde (University Hospital). The sample was divided for analysis into two groups according to the outcome 'death' or 'discharge' from ICU. RESULTS: Overall mortality was 58.2%, without a decreasing trend in mortality rates through the years. We identified the presence of third-degree burns (odds ratio (OR) 1.5, p=0.003), and >49% total burned surface area (TBSA; OR 3.3, p≤0.001) was associated with mortality. Mean age was higher in deceased patients (38.2 years vs. 31.3 years, p=0.003) as was the TBSA (62.8% vs. 36.4%, p≤0.001). At multivariate analysis, inhalation injury was not associated with increased mortality, but it was with more mechanical ventilation days. Early surgical debridement/cleansing was performed in most patients; however, the mean of the procedures was 1.7 per patient in both groups. CONCLUSION: We identified significant factors associated with mortality. These variables and prognosis from non-burn ICUs differ broadly compared with burn intensive care units (BICUs); thus, more structured, multidisciplinary and specialised treatment strategies are still needed.

Análisis de tiempos y movimientos en el proceso de contratación administrativa de medicamentos, en el Hospital México durante el año 2009 / Time and motion analysis for the process of public procurement of drugs in Mexico Hospital during 2009

Justificación y objetivo: Dentro de la población que atiende la Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social existe un grupo minoritario que posee necesidades excepcionales de determinados medicamentos debido a su condición clínica diferencial. Ante esta situación de importancia, a pesar que solo constituye la menor parte de los casos, la CCSS ofrece un sistema para adquirir los medicamentos tránsito y los que se encuentran fuera de la Lista Oficial de Medicamentos, LOM. Este proceso de adquisición conlleva una variedad de trámites de Contratación Administrativa, establecidos en la Ley, los cuales afectan la prescripción del medicamento al paciente. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo analizar la duración del proceso de contratación administrativa en las compras directas y licitaciones de medicamentos no LOM en el Hospital México durante el año 2009. Métodos: En esta investigación se revisó un 47.26 por ciento de la población total de expedientes de compra, que corresponden a 112 de las 237 compras directas y de licitación que aparecen registradas en el año 2009, según el Histórico de Compras 2009. Resultados y Conclusión: Se determinó que existe una alta variabilidad entre las diferentes compras, carteles de medicamentos, y entre los diferentes procesos que se llevan a cabo en cada uno de estos carteles. No existe una uniformidad en relación a los procesos de adquisición de medicamentos, lo cual dificulta el poder determinar los factores que obstaculizan este proceso.

Estudio del desarrollo, calidad de planta y acumulación de pigmentos en lígulas de tagetes erecta l: expuestas a dos intensidades de luz / Study of development, quality of plant and accumulation of pigments in ligules of tagetes erecta l: exposed to two light intensities

The carotenoids are photosensitive pigments during photosynthesis. The objective of this work was to study the effect on development and accumulation of carotenoids in ligules of Tagetes erecta exposed under two different lighting ambient (with mesh and without mesh of 50 percent). The plant development was evaluated measuring the height of the plant, number of floral buds, the ligules diameter. In adition, the quantification and identification of carotenoids from ligules was done by HPLC. The results showed significant differences (p<0.05) in the height of the plant, number of floral buds and ligules diameter of T. erecta. The group grown without mesh received greater UV radiation and different temperature, that under a mesh. The first conditions lead to a reduction of the ligules diameter and total content of xanthophylls (lutein and zeaxanthin). The plastids ultrastructure in the cells of T. erecta developed with mesh showed the greatest amount of thylakoid membranes and more conspicuous starch granules.

Los carotenoides son pigmentos fotosensibles frente a un exceso de intensidad luminosa durante el proceso de fotosíntesis. El objetivo de este trabajo fue el estudio del efecto en el desarrollo de la planta y la acumulación de carotenoides por la exposición a dos diferentes intensidades lumínicas (con y sin malla de sombra al 50 por ciento). Se evaluó el desarrollo de T. erecta en cuanto a la altura de la planta, número de botones florales y el diámetro de las lígulas. Adicionalmente, en las lígulas se cuantificaron e identificaron los carotenoides por HPLC. Los resultados mostraron diferencias significativas (p<0.05) en cuanto al desarrollo de las plantas expuestas a mayor radiación UV y temperatura, presentaron reducción del diámetro de las lígulas y disminución en el contenido de Xantófilas totales ( luteína y zeaxantina) con respecto a las cultivadas con malla,. La ultraestructura de los plastidios mostró mayor cantidad de membranas tilacoidales y gránulos de almidón más conspicuos en las células de las plantas de T erecta desarrolladas con malla.

Tratamiento de la candiduria en pacientes en estado crítico: estudio comparativo entre fluconazol vía oral y anfotericina B en irrigación / Treatment of candiduria in the critically ill: comparative study between oral fluconazole and irrigated amphotericin B

La participación de origen micótico en el desarrollo de infecciones nosocomiales se ha incrementado de 1980 a 1990 de 6 a 10.4 por ciento en todos los sitios de infección. Para el tracto urinario la incidencia se ha elevado de 6.7 a 18.7 por ciento. Se compara la eficiencia y seguridad del fluconazol contra anfotericina B para erradicación de candiduria en pacientes en estado crítico: 1) fluconazol, 100 mg vía oral o vía sonda nasogástrica cada 12 horas, 2) anfotericina B, 25 mg en 1000 mL en solución de agua bidestilada para irrigación vesical continua cada 24 horas. Se trataron 15 pacientes por grupo. No hay diferencia entre ambas modalidades terapéuticas en el tiempo de erradicación de la funguria (p<0.05 t de student). En el grupo de irrigación vesical continua se presentó 20 por ciento de espisodios de fungemia, con deterioro clínico y aumento en la permanencia en la unidad. No se demostraron efectos colaterales en ninguna de las modalidades terapéuticas. Ante la posibilidad de diseminación o de estar tratando tópicamente un problema sistémico no se recomienda en este grupo de pacientes el empleo de anfotericina B en irrigación

El gasto energético en reposo, medido contra estimado, en pacientes críticamente enfermos / Energy consumed vs estimated energy expenditure at rest in critically ill patients

Se determinaron las diferencias entre el método de calorimetría indirecta (Ci) y el método de Harris-Benedict, para la evaluación de los requerimientos calóricos en pacientes críticamente enfermos, utilizándose un procedimiento manual en la Ci. Se evaluaron 40 pacientes por ambos métodos. En el método de Harris-Benedict, se añadieron factores de actividad y lesión de acuerdo a cada caso. La Ci se basó en el análisis de gases (O2 y CO2) de una muestra de aire inspirado y expirado por el paciente, mediante las ecuacions de Weir y las tablas de Lusk. El análisis de calorimetría indirecta contra Harris-Benedict solo, es decir, sin factor de actividad o lesión, no presentó diferencias estadísticamente significativas. Los resultados mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas cuando se compararon calorimetría indirecta (p>0.05 y p>0.001, respectivamente). Harris-Benedict no mostró una correlación apropiada en estos pacientes, concordando con lo reportado en la literatura. El procedimiento de medición calorimétrica empleada, tiene validez, y puede ser utilizado en todo hospital de segundo nivel de atención