Clinical Use of Paraprobiotics for Pregnant Women with Periodontitis: Randomized Clinical Trial.

Periodontal disease is very common in pregnant women. Paraprobiotics are a subset of probiotics. They can be defined as inactivated microbial cells providing health benefits to the host and are considered particularly safe. The aim of this study was to compare the periodontal health of pregnant women and puerperae after 6 months of home use of paraprobiotics. A total of 30 pregnant women were enrolled and divided into two groups: the test group, who had to use a paraprobiotic-based toothpaste (Biorepair Peribioma Pro, Coswell S.p.A., Funo di Argelato, BO, Italy) and mousse (Mousse Mouthwash Biorepair Peribioma, Coswell S.p.A.) twice a day, and the control group, who had to use only the paraprobiotic-based toothpaste. The time frames of the study were: 1 month (T1), 3 months (T2) and 6 months (T3), and data were collected during pregnancy and in the period immediately following delivery. The following indices were evaluated at T0, T1, T2 and T3: clinical attachment loss (CAL), probing pocket depth (PPD), bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque control record (PCR), modified marginal gingival index (mMGI), papillary marginal gingival index (PMGI) and recessions (R). All data were subjected to statistical analysis. PCR decreased significantly from T0 to T1 in the control group and from T0 to T2 and from T0 to T3 in the test group. BOP tended to decrease in both groups, but a significant reduction was observed only in the test group. CAL, PPD, PMGI and mMGI tended to decrease gradually in both groups without significant differences between or within groups. The combination of the paraprobiotic-based toothpaste and the paraprobiotic-based mousse significantly reduced BoP and plaque control over time, although there were no significant differences with the use of the paraprobiotic-based toothpaste alone. In addition, the combination of the two products promoted a trend towards the better stabilization of recessions.

Desarrollo de un listado de procedimientos mínimos para certificar la competencia en endoscopia digestiva por método Delphi / Development of a list of minimum procedures to certify competence in digestive endoscopy by the Delphi method

Introducción: En el marco de referencia de cada especialidad médica, resulta un aspecto clave ofrecer un listado consensuado del tipo y número de prácticas que caracteriza el quehacer profesional de una especialidad. Es así que, el objetivo de este estudio es definir un listado de procedimientos mínimos para asegurar la competencia en Endoscopía Digestiva en base a un proceso de consenso estructurado, así como explorar las opiniones de referentes expertos en endoscopía digestiva sobre la formación de médicos endoscopistas en la Argentina y la necesidad de certificación de competencias. Materiales y métodos: Para esta investigación se realizó un estudio prospectivo de metodología mixta, a partir de la implementación del método Delphi, como técnica de investigación cualitativa grupal, seguido de la implementación de una encuesta estructurada. Resultados: El listado consolidado final incluyó 17 procedimientos considerados fundamentales para la certificación de la competencia en endoscopía digestiva. Dado la dispersión en el rango del número mínimo necesario para alcanzar la competencia se definió utilizar la mediana. En el caso de la endoscopía digestiva alta el número de procedimientos mínimo acordado fue de 200, mientras que en el caso de la videocolonoscopía fue de 150. Conclusión: Este listado es una pieza fundamental en el desarrollo de un marco formativo a nivel nacional en endoscopía digestiva, así como en un programa de certificación de la competencia (AU)

The knowledge of orthodontic and craniofacial growth amongst Italian Pediatric Medical Residents for early diagnosis in growing patients: a cross-sectional study.

Paediatric residents usually visit children since the first years of life and can potentially diagnose craniofacial anomalies and malocclusions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the ability of paediatric medical residents to diagnose malocclusions in growing subjects at an early stage. Eighty-three paediatric medical residents from the University of Pavia, Italy, who were enrolled in the Paediatric Residency program, participated in an online questionnaire. The questionnaire covered demographic variables, oral examination practices, dental and orthodontic knowledge, and sources of information. Following this, the residents were presented with a photographic analysis and asked to determine the treatment priority for 10 patients with malocclusions using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). On average, it was recommended that the first orthodontic visit should occur at around 4.92 years of age. The results showed that 75.9% of the residents always performed oral examinations on their patients, and 48.1% assigned a priority score of 8 or higher. The scores obtained by the paediatric residents did not significantly differ based on the year of study, frequency of oral examinations, or sources of information reported. Notably, there was a particular underestimation of treatment priority for malocclusions characterized by a significant increase in overjet. The findings suggest a potential lack of improvement in orthodontic knowledge during the medical residency program. It is recommended to increase the availability of orthodontic information sources for paediatric residents to enhance their understanding in this area.

Smartphone Applications in Dentistry: A Scoping Review.

This scoping review aims to investigate the latest literature concerning the use of smartphone applications (apps) in the prevention, management, and monitoring of oral diseases. Smartphone applications are software programs that are designed to run on smartphones. Nowadays, smartphones are regularly used by people of all ages, and mobile health apps (MHAs) represent an important means of spreading information related to oral health, which is the state of the mouth and teeth, including the gums and other tissues. Several apps have been designed to promote prevention, diagnosis, and therapeutic adherence monitoring. This scoping review considered randomized clinical trials, cross-sectional studies, before-after (pre-post) studies with no control group, and observational studies. Once the inclusion and exclusion criteria had been defined, a preliminary confined search was performed on PubMed and Scopus; key terms from the collected articles were selected to design a search strategy, and then a search of all the included articles' reference lists was run for further research. Studies were excluded if they did not fulfill the inclusion criteria. The preferred reporting items for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) consensus was followed. The risk of bias was evaluated by providing a qualitative analysis of the clinical studies via the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Quality Assessment of Controlled Intervention Studies, Observational Cohort Studies, and Cross-Sectional Studies (NHLBI, NIH). A total of 21 studies were included in this review. As it is clear from the studies selected, the literature indicates that MHAs are effective in improving oral hygiene in adolescents and children and reducing the dental plaque index, including in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. MHAs are also able to reduce the symptoms of patients affected by obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and improve the swallowing-related quality of life of elderly patients. MHAs are furthermore recommended to decrease dental anxiety among patients, both during dental procedures and the post-operative period. MHAs are useful to spread knowledge about traumatic dental injuries among non-oral health professionals and to monitor dental erosion and awake bruxism. MHAs' clinical outcomes might have been influenced by the demographic features of the subjects involved. Further studies considering a longer follow-up period and larger samples are needed. In conclusion, MHAs can be considered a useful tool to monitor oral disease and increase patients' quality of life related to oral health.

[Analysis of the Argentine residency system from the paradigm of Complexity Sciences] / Análisis del sistema de residencias argentino desde el paradigma de las Ciencias de la Complejidad.

Aim: The objective is to carry out an analysis of the system of residences in Health in Argentina from the Theory of Complexity, in order to improve the understanding of the reality of this system, allowing an analysis to be carried out from another perspective different from the traditional. Source and synthesis of data: In this review, the properties and characteristics of the residence system are analyzed according to the new paradigm of the Science of Complexity. For those who make decisions about the residential training of young professionals, full knowledge of the system in a holistic way and reflection on the characteristics of an open system applied to the residential system is of great importance and, it gives (or can give off) great benefits and possible improvements for those who live the day to day of these training programs. Conclusions: It is important to mention the ultimate benefit that knowledge of the study system analyzed here has or can have: the possibility of multidisciplinarity, as one more step in the evolution of this type of system.

Objetivos: El objetivo es realizar un análisis sobre el sistema de residencias en Salud de la Nación Argentina desde la Teoría de la Complejidad, a fin de lograr mejorar la comprensión de la realidad de este sistema, permitiendo realizar un análisis desde otra perspectiva distinta a la tradicional. Fuente y síntesis de datos: En esta revisión se analizan las propiedades y las características del sistema de residencias según el nuevo paradigma de la Ciencia de la Complejidad. Para quienes toman decisiones de la formación residencial de profesionales jóvenes, el conocimiento pleno del sistema de manera holística y la reflexión de las características de un sistema abierto aplicado al sistema residencial tiene gran importancia y, desprende (o puede desprender) grandes beneficios y posibles mejoras para quienes viven el día a día de estos programas de formación. Conclusiones: Es importante mencionar el beneficio último que tiene o puede tener el conocimiento del sistema de estudio aquí analizado: la posibilidad de la multidisciplinariedad, como un paso más en la evolución de este tipo de sistemas.

Rúbricas como instrumento de evaluación de ateneos en una residencia de Bioquímica Clínica de un hospital universitario. Estudio sobre su confiabilidad e impacto educativo / Rubrics as an evaluation instrument for conferences in a Clinical Biochemistry residency at a university hospital. Study on its reliability and educational impact / Rubricas como instrumento de avaliação de congressos em uma residência de Bioquímica Clínica de um hospital universitário. Estudo sobre sua confiabilidade e impacto educacional

Resumen El objetivo del estudio fue describir el uso de rúbricas para la evaluación formativa de la participación de profesionales en formación en el desarrollo de ateneos. Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal y retrospectivo sobre la rúbrica de ateneos de programas de formación de posgrado de Bioquímica Clínica y se analizó la confiabilidad (por medio del coeficiente alfa de Cronbach) y su impacto educativo. Se analizaron 51 rúbricas sobre 41 ateneos de 9 profesionales en formación (residentes y becarios) por 19 evaluadores. La estimación de confiabilidad arrojó un alfa de Cronbach de 0,71 (nivel de confianza del 95%, p≤0,05). La rúbrica aquí analizada ha servido para clarificar las metas de aprendizajes de una actividad tradicional en la formación de posgrado en servicio. Se ha logrado generar un instrumento de evaluación confiable que puede ser utilizado en otras profesiones y especialidades del equipo de salud.

Abstract The objective of the study was to describe the use of rubrics for the formative evaluation of the participation of professionals in training in the development of conferences. An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional and retrospective study was carried out on the rubric of athenaeums of postgraduate training programmes in Clinical Biochemistry, analysing its reliability (by means of Cronbach's alpha coefficient) and its educational impact. Fifty-one rubrics difewere analysed on 41 athenaeums of 9 professionals in training (residents and fellows) by 19 evaluators. The reliability estimate yielded a Cronbach's alpha of 0.71 (95% confidence level, p≤0.05). The rubric analysed here has served to clarify the learning goals of a traditional activity in postgraduate training in service. It has been possible to generate a reliable evaluation instrument that can be used in other professions and specialties of the health team.

Resumo O objetivo do estudo foi descrever a utilização de rubricas para avaliação formativa da participação de profissionais em formação no desenvolvimento de ateneus. Foi realizado um estudo observacional, descritivo, transversal e retrospectivo da rubrica de ateneus dos programas de formação pós-graduação em Bioquímica Clínica, analisando a sua fiabilidade (através do coeficiente alpha de Cronbach) e o seu impacto educacional. Cinquenta e uma rubricas de 41 ateneus de 9 profissionais em formação (residentes e bolsistas) foram analisadas por 19 avaliadores. A estimativa de confiabilidade resultou em um alfa de Cronbach de 0,71 (nível de confiança de 95%, p≤0,05). A rubrica aqui analisada serviu para esclarecer os objetivos de aprendizagens de uma atividade tradicional na formação pós-graduação em serviço. Foi possível gerar um instrumento de avaliação confiável que pode ser utilizado em outras profissões e especialidades da equipe de saúde.

The impact of preoperative nutritional screening, ERAS protocol, and mini-invasive surgery in surgical oncology: A multi-institutional SEM analysis of patients with digestive cancer.

Background: Mini-invasive surgery (MIS), ERAS, and preoperative nutritional screening are currently used to reduce complications and the length of hospital stay (LOS); however, inter-variable correlations have seldom been explored. This research aimed to define inter-variable correlations in a large series of patients with gastrointestinal cancer and their impact on outcomes. Methods: Patients with consecutive cancer who underwent radical gastrointestinal surgery between 2019 and 2020 were analyzed. Age, BMI, comorbidities, ERAS, nutritional screening, and MIS were evaluated to determine their impact on 30-day complications and LOS. Inter-variable correlations were measured, and a latent variable was computed to define the patients' performance status using nutritional screening and comorbidity. Analyses were conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results: Of the 1,968 eligible patients, 1,648 were analyzed. Univariable analyses documented the benefit of nutritional screening for LOS and MIS and ERAS (≥7 items) for LOS and complications; conversely, being male and comorbidities correlated with complications, while increased age and BMI correlated with worse outcomes. SEM analysis revealed that (a) the latent variable is explained by the use of nutritional screening (p0·004); (b) the variables were correlated (age-comorbidity, ERAS-MIS, and ERAS-nutritional screening, p < 0·001); and (c) their impact on the outcomes was based on direct effects (complications: sex, p0·001), indirect effects (LOS: MIS-ERAS-nutritional screening, p < 0·001; complications: MIS-ERAS, p0·001), and regression-based effects (LOS: ERAS, MIS, p < 0·001, nutritional screening, p0·021; complications: ERAS, MIS, p < 0·001, sex, p0·001). Finally, LOS and complications were correlated (p < 0·001). Conclusion: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS), MIS, and nutritional screening are beneficial in surgical oncology; however, the inter-variable correlation is reliable, underlying the importance of the multidisciplinary approach.

Impacted Palatal Canines and Diode Laser Surgery: A Case Report.

Introduction: Maxillary canine is the most frequent dental element that could likely remain impacted in the bone structure, with a percentage between 1 and 5%. This study presents a case report using a diode laser for surgical-orthodontics disinclusion of a palatal mucosal impacted permanent left upper canine (2.3) and the simultaneous application of an orthodontic bracket. Methods: After cementation of the trans-palatal bar to the upper first molars with a hook for orthodontic traction, local anaesthesia with articaine was performed, followed by surgical operculectomy using a diode laser (810 nm wavelength, continuous wave mode with a power output of 3 W, and a 0.4 mm diameter optical fiber), and the orthodontic bracket with a passive metal looped ligature was applied. Subsequently, active elastic traction was applied on 2.3 and the upper arch was bonded for the application of a series of orthodontic wires, lace-back, and metal ligatures. A progressive reactivation of the elastic traction and extraction of 6.3 was necessary to translate the canine into the correct arch position. Results: Diode laser surgical-orthodontic disinclusion of impacted upper canine was performed successively, resulting in a dry surgical field ideal for orthodontic bracket adhesion. No pain and no swelling have been reported from the patient. The orthodontic treatment allowed the canine to be moved to the correct position in the arch. Conclusions: This case showed that the diode laser is a valid alternative for the surgical-orthodontic disinclusion of an included tooth element.

Definition of minimum procedures required to certify competence in gastrointestinal endoscopy using the Delphi method.

INTRODUCTION: As part of the training framework for medical specialities, it is vital to provide an agreed list of the type and number of practices involved in the professional work of a given specialty. Thus, the purpose of this study is to define a list of minimum procedures to ensure competence in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy based on a structured and agreed upon process, as well as to explore the opinions of experts in gastrointestinal endoscopy on the training of endoscopy physicians in Argentina and the need to certify competencies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: a mixed-method prospective study was carried out using the Delphi method as a qualitative group research technique, followed by the implementation of a structured survey. RESULTS: The final consolidated list included 17 procedures considered essential for certification of competence in gastrointestinal endoscopy. Median was used given the range in the minimum number of procedures required to achieve competence. In the case of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, the minimum number of procedures agreed was 200, while in the case of colonoscopy it was 150. CONCLUSION: This list is a fundamental element to develop a national training framework in gastrointestinal endoscopy, as well as a competence certification program.

Validación de un método analítico para cuantificación de ferritina en líquido cefalorraquídeo / Validation of an analytical method for the quantification of ferritin in cerebrospinal fluid

Resumen La ferritina es una proteína de gran tamaño que se encuentra fisiológicamente en el líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) en concentraciones de 2-10 ng/mL. Su elevación puede utilizarse como biomarcador en distintas condiciones patológicas. El procedimiento de validación tradicional para la medición en LCR no puede ser utilizado debido a la ausencia de controles y calibradores comerciales para esta matriz. El objetivo de este trabajo fue llevar a cabo una validación analítica de ferritina en LCR. Se realizaron ensayos de estimación de precisión y veracidad mediante el protocolo EP15-A3, linealidad por el protocolo EP6-A (ambos de la guía de la CLSI), recuperación, estabilidad, contaminación por arrastre, interferencia por hemólisis y bilirrubina y límite de detección (LoD). La ferritina en LCR en el autoanalizador DxI 800 de Beckman Coulter tuvo una performance intra e interensayo <3,7%, el ensayo denota linealidad en el intervalo de 2,1-547 ng/mL; se estableció estabilidad por un período de 5 días y la recuperación resultó ser aceptable. No se evidenció efecto de contaminación por arrastre ni interferencia por hemólisis hasta un rango entre 300-500 mg/dL de hemoglobina, ni interferencia por bilirrubina hasta una concentración de 16,0 mg/dL de bilirrubina total. El LoD fue de 0,4 ng/mL. Por medio de los ensayos realizados se logró validar la ferritina en LCR a partir de la utilización de pools de muestras, lo que pudo garantizar la confiabilidad y exactitud del método analítico.

Abstract Ferritin is a large protein physiologically present in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in concentrations of 2-10 ng/mL. Its elevation can be used as a biomarker in several pathological conditions. The traditional validation procedure for measurement in CSF cannot be used due to the absence of commercial controls and calibrators for this matrix. The objective of the present study was to perform CSF ferritin analytical validation. Assays such as precision and accuracy estimation through the EP15-A3 protocol, linearity according to the EP6-A protocol (both from the CLSI guidelines), recovery, stability, carry-over, hemolysis and bilirubin interference and limit of detection (LoD) were conducted. Serum samples with different concentrations of ferritin were added to aliquots of a normal CSF pool. CSF ferritin in the Beckman Coulter DxI 800 had a <3.7% intra and inter-assay performance, the assay shows linearity in the 2.1 -547 ng/mL interval, stability was established for a 5-day period and the recovery was acceptable. There was neither carry-over effect or hemolysis interference up to a range of 300-500 mg/dL of hemoglobin, nor interference by bilirubin up to 16.0 mg/dL of total bilirubin. The LoD was 0.4 ng/mL. By means of the performed assays, CSF ferritin was validated by using sample pools, thereby ensuring the reliability and accuracy of the analytical method.

Resumo A ferritina é uma grande proteína fisiologicamente encontrada no líquido cefalorraquidiano (LCR) em concentrações de 2 a 10 ng/mL. Sua elevação pode ser usada como biomarcador em diferentes condições patológicas. O procedimento de validação tradicional para medição no LCR não pode ser usado devido à ausência de controles e calibradores comerciais para esta matriz. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma validação analítica da ferritina no LCR. Foram realizados estudos de precisão e veracidade utilizando o protocolo EP15-A3, linearidade pelo protocolo EP6-A (ambos das diretrizes do CLSI), recuperação, estabilidade, contaminação transportada, interferência de hemólise e bilirrubina e limite de detecção (LoD). A ferritina no LCR no DxI 800 da Beckman Coulter teve um desempenho intra e inter-ensaio <3,7%, o ensaio denota linearidade na faixa de 2,1-547 ng/mL, a estabilidade foi estabelecida em um período de 5 dias e a recuperação foi considerado aceitável. Nenhum efeito de transporte ou interferência por hemólise foi evidenciado até um intervalo entre 300-500 mg/dL de hemoglobina, nem interferência pela bilirrubina até uma concentração de 16,0 mg/dL de bilirrubina total. O LoD foi de 0,4 ng/mL. Através dos testes realizados, a ferritina no LCR foi validada, com base no uso de pool de amostras, o que poderia garantir a confiabilidade e a acurácia do método analítico.

Distribution and prognostic value of high-sensitive troponin T measurement in patients with type 2 diabetes without cardiovascular disease.

AIM: The objective of this work was to define a value for the 99th percentile of high-sensitive troponin T and to evaluate the prognostic value of this biomarker in a population of patients with type 2 diabetes without a history of cardiovascular disease. METHODS: In this prospective, observational and analytic study, 482 patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled. The patients were asymptomatic, with no history of cardiovascular events, renal insufficiency, or inflammatory or systemic disease. As events we considered a combined end point of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). RESULTS: 94.9% of the patients had detectable troponin values, 20.7% of the patients had troponin values above the healthy population reference upper threshold (14pg/mL). The 99th percentile value for this patient population was 48pg/mL. Age, sex, the glomerular filtration rate and hypertension were associated with troponin values>14pg/mL. The incidence of MACE was 3.96 per 100 patients/year (p/y) between those with hs-TnT>14pg/mL and 1.07 per 100 p/y between those with hs-TnT≤14pg/mL (HR=3.78 CI95 1.49-9.58; p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The 99th percentile value of troponin T in a population of patients with type 2 diabetes is 3-fold higher than the value proposed by the manufacturer for a healthy population. We also observed a significant difference in the distribution of troponin T values between men and women. This biomarker may be a valuable prognostic factor, since troponin T values above the reference upper threshold were associated with an increase in the risk of cardiovascular events in these patients.

Relationship of Neighborhood Greenness to Alzheimer's Disease and Non-Alzheimer's Dementia Among 249,405 U.S. Medicare Beneficiaries.

BACKGROUND: Neighborhood greenness (vegetative presence) has been linked to multiple health outcomes, but its relationship to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and non-Alzheimer's (non-AD) dementia has been less studied. OBJECTIVE: This study examines the relationship of greenness to both AD and non-AD dementia in a population-based sample of Medicare beneficiaries. METHODS: Participants were 249,405 US Medicare beneficiaries aged > 65 years living in Miami-Dade County, FL, from 2010 to 2011. Multi-level analyses examined the relationship of greenness, assessed by mean Census block level Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), to odds of each of AD, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), and non-AD dementia, respectively. Covariates included age, gender, race/ethnicity, number of comorbid health conditions, and neighborhood income. RESULTS: Higher greenness was associated with reduced risk of AD, ADRD, and non-AD dementia, respectively, adjusting for individual and neighborhood sociodemographics. Compared to the lowest greenness tertile, the highest greenness tertile was associated with reduced odds of AD by 20%(odds ratio, 0.80; 95%CI, 0.75-0.85), ADRD by 18%(odds ratio, 0.82; 95%CI, 0.77-0.86), and non-AD dementia by 11%(odds ratio, 0.89; 95%CI, 0.82-0.96). After further adjusting for number of comorbidities, compared to the lowest greenness tertile, the highest greenness tertile was associated with reduced odds of AD (OR, 0.94; 95%CI, 0.88-1.00) and ADRD (OR, 0.93; 95%CI, 0.88-0.99), but not non-AD dementia (OR, 1.01; 95%CI, 0.93-1.08). CONCLUSION: High neighborhood greenness may be associated with lower odds of AD and ADRD. Environmental improvements, such as increasing neighborhood vegetation, may be a strategy to reduce risk for AD and possibly other dementias.

Objective Measurement of Physical Activity Attributed to a Park-Based Afterschool Program.

BACKGROUND: Only 24% of US youth meet physical activity recommendations set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Research demonstrates that community-based programs provide underresourced minority youth with opportunities for routine physical activity, although limited work draws from accelerometry data. This study objectively assessed youth physical activity attributable to participation (vs nonparticipation) days in a park-based afterschool program in Miami-Dade County, Miami, FL. METHODS: Participants' (n = 66; 60% male; 57% white Hispanic, 25% non-Hispanic black, 14% Black Hispanic, mean age = 10.2 y) physical activity was assessed April to May 2019 over 10 days across 7 park sites using Fitbit (Charge 2) devices. Separate repeated-measures multilevel models were developed to assess the relationship between program daily attendance and total (1) moderate to vigorous physical activity minutes and (2) step counts per day. RESULTS: Models adjusted for individual-level age, sex, race/ethnicity, poverty, and clustering by park showed significantly higher moderate to vigorous physical activity minutes (ß = 25.33 more minutes per day; 95% confidence interval, 7.0 to 43.7, P < .01) and step counts (ß = 4067.8 more steps per day; 95% confidence interval, 3171.8 to 4963.8, P < .001) on days when youth did versus did not attend the program. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings suggest that park-based programs may support underserved youth in achieving daily physical activity recommendations.

Influence of different lipid emulsions on specific immune cell functions in head and neck cancer patients receiving supplemental parenteral nutrition: An exploratory analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The effect of diet on immune responses is an area of intense investigation. Dietary lipids have been shown to differently influence and fine-tune the reactivity of immune cell subsets, thus potentially affecting clinical outcomes. Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma face malnutrition, due to swallowing impairment related to the tumor site or to treatment sequalae, and may need supplemental parenteral nutrition (SPN) in addition to oral feeding when enteral nutrition is not feasible. Additionally, immune depression is a well-known complication in these patients. Parenteral nutrition (PN) bags contain amino acids, minerals, electrolytes and mostly lipids that provide calories in a concentrated form and are enriched with essential fatty acids. The aim of this study was to investigate multiple parameters of the immune responses in a cohort of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma undergoing supplemental PN with bags enriched in ω-3 or ω-9 and ω-6 fatty acids. METHODS: To our knowledge, this was the first exploratory study to investigate the effects of two different PN lipid emulsions on specific immune cells function of patients with advanced head and neck squamous carcinoma. ω-3-enriched fish-oil-based- and ω-6- and ω-9-enriched olive-oil-basedSPN was administered to two groups of patients for 1 wk in the context of an observational multicentric study. Polychromatic flow cytometry was used to investigate multiple subsets of leukocytes, with a special focus on cellular populations endowed with antitumor activity. RESULTS: Patients treated with olive-oil-based PN showed an increase in the function of the innate (natural killer cells and monocytes) and adaptive (both CD4 and CD8 cells) arms of the immune response. CONCLUSION: An increase in the function of the innate and adaptive arms of the immune response may favor antitumoral responses.

Distribution and prognostic value of high-sensitive troponin T measurement in patients with type 2 diabetes without cardiovascular disease.

AIM: The objective of this work was to define a value for the 99th percentile of high-sensitive troponin T and to evaluate the prognostic value of this biomarker in a population of patients with type 2 diabetes without a history of cardiovascular disease. METHODS: In this prospective, observational and analytic study, 482 patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled. The patients were asymptomatic, with no history of cardiovascular events, renal insufficiency, or inflammatory or systemic disease. As events we considered a combined end point of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). RESULTS: 94.9% of the patients had detectable troponin values, 20.7% of the patients had troponin values above the healthy population reference upper threshold (14pg/mL). The 99th percentile value for this patient population was 48pg/mL. Age, sex, the glomerular filtration rate and hypertension were associated with troponin values>14pg/mL. The incidence of MACE was 3.96 per 100 patients/year (p/y) between those with hs-TnT>14pg/mL and 1.07 per 100 p/y between those with hs-TnT≤14pg/mL (HR=3.78 CI95 1.49-9.58; p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The 99th percentile value of troponin T in a population of patients with type 2 diabetes is 3-fold higher than the value proposed by the manufacturer for a healthy population. We also observed a significant difference in the distribution of troponin T values between men and women. This biomarker may be a valuable prognostic factor, since troponin T values above the reference upper threshold were associated with an increase in the risk of cardiovascular events in these patients.

QOLEC2: a randomized controlled trial on nutritional and respiratory counseling after esophagectomy for cancer.

BACKGROUND: Esophagectomy for cancer strongly impairs quality of life. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effect of the nutritional and respiratory counseling on postoperative quality of life. METHODS: At hospital discharge, patients were randomized into four groups receiving respectively: nutritional and respiratory counseling, nutritional counseling alone, respiratory counseling alone, or standard care. The main endpoint was the impairment in quality of life in the first month after surgery. Linear mixed effect models were estimated to assess mean score differences (MDs) in quality of life scores. RESULTS: Patients receiving nutritional counseling reported less appetite loss (MD - 17.7, 95% CI - 32.2 to -3.3) than those not receiving nutritional counseling at 1 month after surgery. Dyspnea was similar between patients receiving vs. those not receiving respiratory counseling (MD - 3.1, 95% CI - 10.8 to 4.6). Global quality of life was clinically similar between patients receiving vs. those not receiving nutritional counseling over time (MD 0.9, 95% CI - 5.5 to 7.3), as well as in patients receiving vs. those not receiving respiratory counseling over time (MD 0.7, 95% CI - 5.9 to 7.2). CONCLUSIONS: Intensive postoperative care does not affect global quality of life even if nutritional counseling reduced appetite loss.

Desafíos de la jefatura de residentes: dificultades y logros del desempeño del rol en un hospital universitario de comunidad / Challenges faced by chief residents: difficulties and achievements of this role in a community teaching hospital

Introducción. El jefe de residentes es una figura estratégica en el liderazgo y cohesión entre los residentes.Objetivo. Caracterizar actividades desarrolladas por jefes de residentes e identificar logros y dificultades.Métodos. Se realizó una encuesta; sobre variables demográficas, actividades desarrolladas, situaciones más y menos gratificantes, necesidad de capacitación.Resultados. Contestaron el 88 % de los jefes de residentes; el 46 % fueron mujeres. Las actividades fueron asistenciales (el 26 %), gestión académica (el 25 %), docentes (el 24 %), administrativas (el 16 %) e investigación (el 10 %).La situación más gratificante fue el desarrollo del rol docente, y la menos gratificante, las dificultades en el manejo de relaciones interpersonales. El 57 % reconoció la falta de capacitación, y el 95 % recomendaría realizar la jefatura de residentes.Conclusión. La situación más gratificante fue el desarrollo del rol docente, y la menos gratificante, las dificultades en el manejo de relaciones interpersonales

Introduction. The chief resident plays a strategic role in terms of leadership and cohesion among residents.Objective. To characterize the activities developed by chief residents and identify their achievements and difficulties.Methods. A survey about demographic outcome measures, activities performed, most and least gratifying situations, and training needs was completed.Results. In total, 88 % of chief residents completed the survey; 46 % were females. Activities were related to health care (26 %), academic management (25 %), teaching (24 %), administration (16 %), and research (10 %). The most gratifying situation was playing a teaching role, and the least gratifying one were difficulties in the management of interpersonal relations. A lack of training was recognized by 57 %, whereas 95 % would recommend becoming a chief resident.Conclusion. The most gratifying situation was playing a teaching role, and the least gratifying one were difficulties in the management of interpersonal relations

Challenges faced by chief residents: difficulties and achievements of this role in a community teaching hospital. / Desafíos de la jefatura de residentes: dificultades y logros del desempeño del rol en un hospital universitario de comunidad.

INTRODUCTION: The chief resident plays a strategic role in terms of leadership and cohesion among residents. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the activities developed by chief residents and identify their achievements and difficulties. METHODS: A survey about demographic outcome measures, activities performed, most and least gratifying situations, and training needs was completed. RESULTS: In total, 88 % of chief residents completed the survey; 46 % were females. Activities were related to health care (26 %), academic management (25 %), teaching (24 %), administration (16 %), and research (10 %). The most gratifying situation was playing a teaching role, and the least gratifying one were difficulties in the management of interpersonal relations. A lack of training was recognized by 57 %, whereas 95 % would recommend becoming a chief resident. CONCLUSION: The most gratifying situation was playing a teaching role, and the least gratifying one were difficulties in the management of interpersonal relations.

Introducción. El jefe de residentes es una figura estratégica en el liderazgo y cohesión entre los residentes. Objetivo. Caracterizar actividades desarrolladas por jefes de residentes e identificar logros y dificultades. Métodos. Se realizó una encuesta; sobre variables demográficas, actividades desarrolladas, situaciones más y menos gratificantes, necesidad de capacitación. Resultados. Contestaron el 88 % de los jefes de residentes; el 46 % fueron mujeres. Las actividades fueron asistenciales (el 26 %), gestión académica (el 25 %), docentes (el 24 %), administrativas (el 16 %) e investigación (el 10 %). La situación más gratificante fue el desarrollo del rol docente, y la menos gratificante, las dificultades en el manejo de relaciones interpersonales. El 57 % reconoció la falta de capacitación, y el 95 % recomendaría realizar la jefatura de residentes. Conclusión. La situación más gratificante fue el desarrollo del rol docente, y la menos gratificante, las dificultades en el manejo de relaciones interpersonales.