Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease related to wood smoke and impact of the combined exposure to tobacco.

BACKGROUND: Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2023 highlights the need to explore aetiotypes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) beyond the tobacco-smoking COPD. Exposure to wood smoke (WS) is a risk factor for COPD in women, but the effect of the combined exposure to tobacco smoke (TS) in the general population and among COPD patients, and the characteristics of WS-COPD are unclear. METHOD: This was an analysis of data from PREPOCOL (Prevalence of COPD in Five Colombian Cities Situated at Low, Medium, and High Altitude), a random cross-sectional population-based study (n = 5,539) focusing on the effect of combined WS and TS exposure and WS-COPD characterisation. RESULTS: Prevalence of COPD was significantly higher in those exposed to both WS and TS (16.0%) than in those exposed to WS (6.7%) or TS (7.8%) only (P < 0.001). Exposure to WS was associated with COPD in men (OR 1.53, P = 0.017). WS-COPD individuals were more frequently female, older, shorter and had higher forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) (all P < 0.05). Those exposed to both WS and TS had more symptoms and worse airflow limitation (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This was the first random population-based study showing that WS is an associated risk factor for COPD also in men, and that people exposed to both WS and TS have a significantly higher prevalence of COPD. Similarly, COPD subjects exposed to both types of smoke have more symptoms and greater airflow obstruction. This suggests an additive effect of WS and TS.

CONTEXTE: L'Initiative mondiale pour les maladies pulmonaires obstructives chroniques (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, GOLD) 2023 met en évidence l'importance d'explorer les différents étiotypes de la maladie pulmonaire obstructive chronique (COPD, pour l'anglais « chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ¼) en dehors de la COPD liée au tabagisme. L'exposition à la fumée de bois (WS, pour l'anglais « wood smoke ¼) représente un facteur de risque de la COPD chez les femmes, cependant, l'impact de l'exposition simultanée à la fumée de tabac (TS, pour l'anglais « tobacco smoke ¼) chez la population générale et chez les patients atteints de COPD, ainsi que les caractéristiques spécifiques de la WS-COPD, demeurent peu clairs. MÉTHODES: Il s'agit d'une étude transversale aléatoire basée sur la population (n = 5 539) qui analyse les données de PREPOCOL (Prevalence of COPD in Five Colombian Cities Situated at Low, Medium, and High Altitude). L'étude se concentre sur l'effet de l'exposition combinée à la WS et à la TS ainsi que sur la caractérisation de la WS-COPD. RÉSULTATS: La prévalence de la COPD était significativement plus élevée chez les personnes exposées à la fois à la WS et à la TS (16,0%) que chez celles exposées uniquement à la WS (6,7%) ou à la TS (7,8%) (P < 0,001). L'exposition à la WS était associée à la COPD chez les hommes (OR 1,53 ; P = 0,017). Les personnes atteintes de WS-COPD étaient plus fréquemment des femmes, d'un âge plus avancé, de plus petite taille et présentaient un volume expiratoire maximal en 1 seconde (FEV1) plus élevé (tous P < 0,05). Les personnes exposées à la fois à la WS et à la TS ont montré plus de symptômes et une plus grande limitation du débit d'air (P < 0,001). CONCLUSION: Il s'agit de la première étude aléatoire basée sur la population qui démontre que la WS est un facteur de risque lié à la COPD, même chez les hommes, et que les individus exposés à la fois à la WS et à la TS présentent une prévalence significativement plus élevée de la COPD. De plus, les personnes souffrant de COPD qui sont exposés aux deux types de fumée manifestent davantage de symptômes et une obstruction pulmonaire plus sévère. Cela laisse supposer qu'il y a un effet cumulatif de la WS et de la TS.

The chemical memory of smoking tobacco.

The concentration in urine of N-acetyl-hydroxy-propyl-cisteine (3HPMA), an acrolein metabolite, has been employed as a marker of the risk of illness of smokers and the relative concentration of creatinine has been evaluated to verify the effect of moving from the practice of burning tobacco to nicotine vaping. From the results concerning the urine samples of 38 subjects, collected from 2021 to 2023 and analyzed by LC-MS/MS, corresponding to 5 active smokers, 13 previously heavy smokers who replaced traditional tobacco by vaping, and 20 non-smokers, a dramatic reduction was found in 3HPMA/creatinine in urine. 3HPMA varied from values of 2150-3100 µg gcreatinine-1 to levels of 225-625 µg gcreatinine-1 found for non-smokers, with the time decay described by the equation y = 0.3661x2 - 94.359x + 6246.4 (R2: 0.757), providing a time of approximately 10 years for tobacco memory after the cessation of the consumption of burned tobacco.

Utility of artificial intelligence for detection of pneumothorax on chest radiopgraphs done after transthoracic percutaneous transthoracic biopsy guided by computed tomography.

OBJETIVE: To assess the ability of an artificial intelligence software to detect pneumothorax in chest radiographs done after percutaneous transthoracic biopsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included retrospectively in our study adult patients who underwent CT-guided percutaneous transthoracic biopsies from lung, pleural or mediastinal lesions from June 2019 to June 2020, and who had a follow-up chest radiograph after the procedure. These chest radiographs were read to search the presence of pneumothorax independently by an expert thoracic radiologist and a radiodiagnosis resident, whose unified lecture was defined as the gold standard, and the result of each radiograph after interpretation by the artificial intelligence software was documented for posterior comparison with the gold standard. RESULTS: A total of 284 chest radiographs were included in the study and the incidence of pneumothorax was 14.4%. There were no discrepancies between the two readers' interpretation of any of the postbiopsy chest radiographs. The artificial intelligence software was able to detect 41/41 of the present pneumothorax, implying a sensitivity of 100% and a negative predictive value of 100%, with a specificity of 79.4% and a positive predictive value of 45%. The accuracy was 82.4%, indicating that there is a high probability that an individual will be adequately classified by the software. It has also been documented that the presence of Port-a-cath is the cause of 8 of the 50 of false positives by the software. CONCLUSIONS: The software has detected 100% of cases of pneumothorax in the postbiopsy chest radiographs. A potential use of this software could be as a prioritisation tool, allowing radiologists not to read immediately (or even not to read) chest radiographs classified as non-pathological by the software, with the confidence that there are no pathological cases.

Biomarkers of exposure in urine of active smokers, non-smokers, and vapers.

The exposure to smoking related products has been evaluated through urine illness risk marker determination through the analysis of urine samples of smokers and vapers. Biomarkers and their metabolites such as N-acetyl-S-(2-cyanoethyl)-L-cysteine (CEMA), N-acetyl-S-(3,4-dihydroxybutyl)-L-cysteine (DHBMA), N-acetyl-S-[1-(hydroxymethyl)-2-propen-1-yl)-L-cysteine (MHBMA), N-acetyl-S-(3-hydroxypropyl)-L-cysteine (3HPMA), 2R-N-acetyl-S-(4-hydroxybutan-2-yl)-L-cysteine (HMPMA), and N-acetyl-S-(3-carboxy-2-propyl)-L-cysteine (CMEMA) together with nicotine and cotinine were identified and quantified by LC-HRMS and LC-MS/MS, and data found normalized to the creatinine level. One hundred two urine samples were collected from smokers, non-smokers, and vapers, spanning an age range from 16 to 79 years. Results obtained showed that CEMA was only detected in urine samples from smokers and MHBMA was in the same order of magnitude in all the urine samples analyzed. HMPMA was found in the urine of vapers at the same order of concentration as in non-smokers. 3HPMA in vapers was lower than in the urine of smokers, presenting an intermediate situation between smokers and non-smokers. On the other hand, DHBMA in vapers can reach similar values to those found for smokers, while CMEMA shows concentrations in the urine of vapers higher than in the case of non-smokers and traditional smokers, requiring new research to link this metabolite to the use of electronic cigarettes and possible alternative metabolomic routes. In general, this study seems to verify that traditional smoking practice constitutes a major source of carcinogenic chemicals compared with substitutive practices, although those practices are not free of potential harm.

Tools for Nutrition Assessment of Adults with Cerebral Palsy: Development of a Gold Standard.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders caused by non-stabilized cerebral lesions. Individuals with this disorder are at a higher risk of suffering from malnutrition and other related detrimental effects to their quality of life. For this reason, accurate methods of nutritional assessment are vital for people suffering from this condition. While assessment of nutritional status in children with CP has been extensively studied, very few studies have been carried out on adults. These limitations are due to the great anatomical-functional variability characteristic of this syndrome. Difficulties that derive from this variability in adult patients with CP mean that there remains an urgent need for certain standards of nutritional assessment for this population. The objective of this review is to compile the latest trends in nutritional assessment in adults with CP to guide the development of a conceptual framework for future research. RECENT FINDINGS: With this aim, relevant studies have been identified. The most commonly used technique to evaluate nutritional status is the BMI because of its ease-of-use. However, its well-known limitations fail to adequately estimate the nutritional status in this population, with measurements of patients with CP yielding results that are much less accurate than those that already exist in the general population. Although more studies are needed, kinanthropometry is considered one of the most reliable techniques; nevertheless, the anatomical limitation characteristic of CP plays a limiting factor.

Determination of policyclic aromatic compounds, (PAH, nitro-PAH and oxy-PAH) in soot collected from a diesel engine operating with different fuels.

A qualitative and quantitative analysis of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), oxygenated and nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OPAHs and NPAHs)) present in the soluble organic fraction (SOF) of different soot samples has been carried out to determine the effect of soot-generation conditions on their composition and health effects. The soot samples were generated using a diesel engine bench powered by diesel (DS) and biodiesel (BS) fuels under different combustion conditions. To optimize the procedure, a surrogate soot (Printex-U) and a certified reference material (SRM1650b) were also tested. Different extraction methods were used to extract the PAHs, OPAHs and NPAHs, and the Soxhlet technique using pyridine:acetic acid 1 % was found to be the most suitable procedure to extract the highest concentration (ng mg-1) and more types of PAHs and OPAHs from the soot. The results show that the PACs identified, and their concentrations, depend on the formation and collection conditions. The predominant compounds in all soot samples studied were fluorene (Flo), phenanthrene (Phe), fluoranthene (Fla), pyrene (Pyr), 9-fluorenone (9Flo) and 9,10-anthraquinone (9,10Anq). As such, the presence of these PACs in the atmosphere of urban and rural areas can mainly be attributed to the emissions from diesel vehicles. The percentage of OPAHs with respect to total PACs was highest in the soot generated from a biofuel. These oxidized compounds favor regeneration of the diesel particulate filter (DPF). The results also indicate that the carcinogenicity of the soot depends on the combustion conditions and type of fuel.

Understanding Severe Asthma Through Small and Big Data in Spanish Hospitals: The PAGE Study.

BACKGROUND: Data on the prevalence of severe asthma (SA) are limited. Electronic health records (EHRs) offer a unique research opportunity to test machine learning (ML) tools in epidemiological studies. Our aim was to estimate the prevalence of SA among asthma patients seen in hospital asthma units, using both ML-based and traditional research methodologies. Our secondary objective was to describe patients with nonsevere asthma (NSA) and SA over a follow-up of 12 months. METHODS: PAGE is a multicenter, controlled, observational study conducted in 36 Spanish hospitals and split into 2 phases: a cross-sectional phase for estimation of the prevalence of SA and a prospective phase (3 visits in 12 months) for the follow-up and characterization of SA and NSA patients. A substudy with ML was performed in 6 hospitals. Our ML tool uses EHRead technology, which extracts clinical concepts from EHRs and standardizes them to SNOMED CT. RESULTS: The prevalence of SA among asthma patients in Spanish hospitals was 20.1%, compared with 9.7% using the ML tool. The proportion of SA phenotypes and the features of patients followed up were consistent with previous studies. The clinical predictions of patients' clinical course were unreliable, and ML found only 2 predictive models with discriminatory power to predict outcomes. CONCLUSION: This study is the first to estimate the prevalence of SA in hospitalized asthma patients and to predict patient outcomes using both standard and ML-based research techniques. Our findings offer relevant insights for further epidemiological and clinical research in SA.

Understanding Severe Asthma Through Small and Big Data in Spanish Hospitals: The PAGE Study

Background: Data on the prevalence of severe asthma (SA) are limited. Electronic health records (EHRs) offer a unique research opportunity to test machine learning (ML) tools in epidemiological studies. Our aim was to estimate the prevalence of SA among asthma patients seen in hospital asthma units, using both ML-based and traditional research methodologies. Our secondary objective was to describe patients with nonsevere asthma (NSA) and SA over a follow-up of 12 months. Methods: PAGE is a multicenter, controlled, observational study conducted in 36 Spanish hospitals and split into 2 phases: a cross-sectional phase for estimation of the prevalence of SA and a prospective phase (3 visits in 12 months) for the follow-up and characterization of SA and NSA patients. A substudy with ML was performed in 6 hospitals. Our ML tool uses EHRead technology, which extracts clinical concepts from EHRs and standardizes them to SNOMED CT. Results: The prevalence of SA among asthma patients in Spanish hospitals was 20.1%, compared with 9.7% using the ML tool. The proportion of SA phenotypes and the features of patients followed up were consistent with previous studies. The clinical predictions of patients’ clinical course were unreliable, and ML found only 2 predictive models with discriminatory power to predict outcomes. Conclusion: This study is the first to estimate the prevalence of SA in hospitalized asthma patients and to predict patient outcomes using both standard and ML-based research techniques. Our findings offer relevant insights for further epidemiological and clinical research in SA (AU)

Antecedentes: Los datos sobre la prevalencia del asma grave (SA) son limitados. La implantación de las historias clínicas electrónicas (EHR) ofrece una oportunidad única de investigación con tecnologías de aprendizaje máquina (ML) en los estudios epidemiológicos. El objetivo fue estimar la prevalencia del SA entre los pacientes atendidos en las unidades de asma hospitalarias, utilizando el ML como la metodología de investigación tradicional. Los objetivos secundarios fueron describir los pacientes con asma no grave (NSA) y con SA durante un período de seguimiento de 12 meses. Métodos: El estudio PAGE es un estudio multicéntrico, controlado y observacional realizado en 36 hospitales españoles y dividido en dos fases: una primera fase transversal para la estimación de la prevalencia de AS, y una segunda fase prospectiva (3 visitas en 12 meses) para el seguimiento y caracterización de los pacientes con SA y NSA. Se incluyó un subestudio con ML en 6 hospitales. Resultados: Se obtuvo una prevalencia de SA del 20,1% entre los pacientes asmáticos, frente al 9,7% de la herramienta ML. La proporción de fenotipos de SA y las características de los pacientes en seguimiento fueron consistentes con estudios anteriores. Las predicciones clínicas de la evolución de los pacientes fueron poco fiables, mientras que el ML sólo encontró dos modelos predictivos con potencial discriminatorio para predecir resultados. Conclusión: Este estudio es el primero en estimar la prevalencia del SA, en una población hospitalaria de pacientes con asma, y en predecir los resultados de los pacientes utilizando técnicas estándar y de ML (AU)

Usefulness of chest X-rays for detecting COVID 19 pneumonia during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To review the prognostic usefulness of chest X-rays in selecting patients with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive observational study analyzed 978 patients with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infections who underwent chest X-ray examinations in the emergency department of a tertiary hospital in March 2020. We separately analyzed demographic, clinical, and prognostic variables in two groups of patients: those in whom reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was done (n = 535) and those in whom RT-PCR was not done because of low clinical suspicion (n = 443). RESULTS: In the group of patients with RT-PCR, the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was 70.4%, and the sensitivity of chest X-rays was 62.8%. In the group of patients without RT-PCR, chest X-rays were negative in 97.5%, corroborating the low clinical suspicion; these patients were discharged, and 5.6% of them reconsulted with mild forms of the disease. In the group of patients with RT-PCR, we observed no statistically significant differences in the percentage of pathologic chest X-rays between patients hospitalized in the ICU (72.9%) and in those hospitalized in other wards (68.3%) (p = 0.22). CONCLUSION: In the context of the pandemic, patients with low clinical suspicion and negative chest X-rays can be discharged with a low probability of reconsultation or of developing severe COVID19. In patients with RT-PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2, chest X-rays have no prognostic usefulness.

Utilidad de la radiografía de tórax para la detección de neumonía COVID 19 durante la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 / Usefulness of chest X-rays for detecting COVID 19 pneumonia during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Objetivo: Revisar la utilidad pronóstica de la radiografía de tórax en la selección de pacientes con sospecha de infección por SARS-CoV-2. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal, realizado en 978 pacientes con sospecha de infección por SARS-CoV-2 a los que se les hizo una radiografía de tórax en el servicio de urgencias de un hospital terciario, en marzo de 2020. Se analizaron variables demográficas, clínicas y pronósticas por separado en pacientes con RT-PCR (reacción en cadena de la polimerasa por transcriptasa inversa) hecha (grupo 1, n=535) o no hecha por baja sospecha clínica (grupo 2, n=443).Resultados: En el grupo 1 se observó una prevalencia de SARS-CoV-2 del 70,4%. La radiografía mostró una sensibilidad del 62,8%. En el grupo 2, la radiografía fue negativa en el 97,5%, corroborando la baja sospecha clínica, y fueron dados de alta; de ellos, el 5,6% volvió a consultar con formas leves de la enfermedad. En el grupo 1 no se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el porcentaje de radiografías de tórax patológicas entre los pacientes ingresados en plantas hospitalarias (68,3%) y los ingresados en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (72,9%), (p=0,22).Conclusión: En situación de pandemia, los pacientes con baja sospecha clínica y radiografía negativa pueden ser dados de alta con baja probabilidad de volver a consultar o de desarrollar formas graves de la enfermedad. En los pacientes con SARS-CoV-2 positivo, la radiografía de tórax inicial no tiene utilidad pronóstica.(AU)

Objective: To review the prognostic usefulness of chest X-rays in selecting patients with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection. Material and methods: This cross-sectional descriptive observational study analyzed 978 patients with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infections who underwent chest X-ray examinations in the emergency department of a tertiary hospital in March 2020. We separately analyzed demographic, clinical, and prognostic variables in two groups of patients: those in whom reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was done (n=535) and those in whom RT-PCR was not done because of low clinical suspicion (n=443). Results: In the group of patients with RT-PCR, the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was 70.4%, and the sensitivity of chest X-rays was 62.8%. In the group of patients without RT-PCR, chest X-rays were negative in 97.5%, corroborating the low clinical suspicion; these patients were discharged, and 5.6% of them reconsulted with mild forms of the disease. In the group of patients with RT-PCR, we observed no statistically significant differences in the percentage of pathologic chest X-rays between patients hospitalized in the ICU (72.9%) and in those hospitalized in other wards (68.3%) (p=0.22). Conclusion: In the context of the pandemic, patients with low clinical suspicion and negative chest X-rays can be discharged with a low probability of reconsultation or of developing severe COVID19. In patients with RT-PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2, chest X-rays have no prognostic usefulness.(AU)

Modelo teórico y marcos conceptuales de las lesiones por presión y otras heridas crónicas. Historia y desarrollo / Theoretical model and conceptual frameworks of pressure injuries and other chronic wounds. History and development

El presente artículo hace un repaso histórico por los marcos conceptuales sobre las lesiones por presión y otros tipos de heridas crónicas. En esta revisión se presentan 4 de los modelos más influyentes y representativos de las últimas décadas: a) el modelo conceptual de Braden-Bergstrom, que se desarrolló en 1987 como base teórica para el desarrollo de la escala de Braden y que identifica los factores etiológicos definidos, el aumento de la presión y la disminución de la tolerancia de los tejidos; b) el modelo teórico de las lesiones cutáneas relacionadas con la dependencia, que analiza el principal marco teórico de estas lesiones crónicas, desde su origen en 2011, su difusión en 2014 y las últimas modificaciones realizadas en 2021, en las que ya se incluyen hasta 10 tipos de lesiones distintas; c) el modelo conceptual de la dermatitis asociada a la incontinencia, este modelo hace referencia a la más frecuente de todas las lesiones cutáneas asociadas a la humedad, la dermatitis asociada a la incontinencia, de la que se analizan sus dos grandes factores etiológicos, la sobrehidratación y el aumento del pH, y d) el modelo conceptual de las lesiones por compromiso vital grave, finalmente se analiza el último y más reciente de los modelos, el de las lesiones inevitables y que se dan en las personas cuya situación vital es extremadamente grave, e incluso son el anuncio de una muerte inminente, distinguiendo entre las lesiones por fracaso multiorgánico y las lesiones por vasoconstricción extrema (AU)

This article takes a historical review through the theoretical frameworks of pressure injuries and other chronic wounds. In this review, 4 of the most influential and representative models of the last decades are presented: a) the Braden-Bergstrom conceptual framework, developed in 1987 is presented as the theoretical basis for the development of the Braden scale and the defined etiological factors are identified: increased pressure and decreased tissue tolerance; b) the theoretical model of dependence-related skin lesions, the main theoretical model of these chronic lesions is also analyzed, from its origin in 2011, its dissemination in 2014 and the latest modifications made in 2021 in which up to ten different types of lesions are already included; c) the conceptual model of incontinence-associated dermatitis, this model analyzed refers to the most important of all moisture-associated skin lesions: incontinence-associated dermatitis, analyzing the two major etiological factors: overhydration and increased pH; and d) the conceptual model of severe life-threatening injuries, finally, the last and most recent model is analyzed, that of unavoidable injuries that occurin people whose life situation is extremely serious, and even heralds imminent death, distinguishing between multiorgan dysfunction syndrome skin injuries and skin injuries by extreme vasoconstriction (AU)

Recomendaciones del uso de antimicrobianos en heridas crónicas / Recommendations on the application of antimicrobials in chronic wounds

En este artículo, basado en el documento técnico n.º VIII del GNEAUPP, se actualizan algunos conceptos relacionados con los antimicrobianos y se añaden nuevas herramientas terapéuticas para prevenir y luchar frente a uno de los factores más importantes que impiden que cicatrice una herida: los problemas relacionados con los microorganismos, clásicamente la infección y, ahora, también el impacto de los biofilms. Se asume el sistema propio del GNEAUPP de gradación de la evidencia, que clasifica la fuerza de la recomendación en alta, moderada o baja. Los antimicrobianos analizados mediante su modo de actuación, presentación comercial, recomendaciones de uso, contraindicaciones y efectividad sobre el biofilm son: el alcohol, la clorhexidina, el hipoclorito sódico, la octenidina, la plata y los yodóforos. También los efectos de los llamados agentes antibiofilm, aunque la mayoría se han realizado in vitro. Para finalizar, se realizan una serie de recomendaciones dirigidas a los investigadores para generar nuevas evidencias relacionadas con los antimicrobianos y su aplicabilidad clínica (AU)

This article, based on GNEAUPP Technical Paper No. VIII, updates some concepts related to antimicrobials and adds new therapeutic tools to prevent and fight against one of the most important factors that prevent wound healing: problems related to microorganisms, classically infection and now also the impact of biofilms. The GNEAUPP's own evidence grading system is used, which classifies the strength of the recommendation as high, moderate or low. The antimicrobials analyzed in terms of their mode of action, commercial presentation, recommendations for use, contraindications and effectiveness on biofilm are: alcohol, chlorhexidine, sodium hypochlorite, octenidine, silver and iodophors. Also the effects of the so-called antibiofilm agents, although most of them have been performed in vitro. Finally, a series of recommendations are made to researchers to generate new evidence related to antimicrobials and their clinical applicability (AU)

Fiabilidad de los métodos automatizados en la determinación del índice tobillo-brazo. Revisión sistemática / Reliability of automated methods in determining the ankle-brachial index. Systematic review

La enfermedad arterial periférica es uno de los principales factores que intervienen en la aparición de la úlcera de etiología isquémica de la extremidad inferior en mayores de 70 años. La aparición de esta patología conlleva un aumento de la mobimortalidad e, incluso, llega a afectar a la calidad de vida de la persona que la padece. Todo esto hace que sea necesario aplicar métodos diagnósticos que permitan establecer un diagnóstico temprano. Para ello, se lleva a cabo una exploración clínica inicial y una exploración hemodinámica mediante el cálculo del índice tobillo-brazo. El método que se considera como el gold standard es la técnica Doppler, sin embargo, el tiempo que conlleva su realización y la necesidad de un entrenamiento previo ha dificultado su práctica en atención primaria. Como solución a esto, se ha propuesto la sustitución del método tradicional por equipos oscilométricos automáticos. Para poder determinar la fiabilidad de los dispositivos automáticos en la determinación del índice tobillo-brazo se ha realizado una revisión sistemática de la literatura científica en las bases de datos: MEDLINE, SciELO, Cochrane, Elsevier y CUIDEN hasta febrero de 2020. Se obtuvo un total de 58 artículos, de los cuales se incluyeron 15 en el análisis. Los resultados publicados son varios debido a las diferentes metodologías empleadas, los perfiles de los pacientes seleccionados para el estudio y los diversos modelos de oscilometría estudiados en cada artículo. Por tanto, las diferencias encontradas en los artículos dificultan la realización de una comparación válida entre ellos, para poder determinar qué dispositivo automático sería el más fiable en el cálculo del índice tobillo-brazo en comparación con la técnica Doppler; y se recomienda que se continúen realizando investigaciones con un diseño más centrado que permita determinar una alternativa eficaz al método tradicional en la práctica clínica (AU)

Peripheral artery disease is one of the main factors involved in the onset of ischemic etiology ulcers of the lower limb in patients older than 70 years old. The appearance of this disease leads to an increase in the morbidity and mortality and even affects the quality of life of the person who suffers from this disease. All this makes it necessary to apply diagnostic methods to make an early diagnosis. To this end, an initial clinical examination and a hemodynamic examination are carried out by calculating the ankle-brachial index (ABI). The method that is considered the gold standard is the Doppler technique. However, the time involved in its implementation and the need for prior training has hampered its practice in primary care. As a solution to this, automatic oscillometric devices that measure blood pressure have been proposed to replace the traditional method. In order to determine the reliability of automatic devices when it comes to determining the ankle-brachial index, a systematic review of scientific literature databases has been performed: MEDLINE, SciELO, Cochrane, Elsevier and CUIDEN until February 2020. A total of 58 items were received, 15 of which were included for the analysis. Several published results are due to the different methodologies employed, profiles of patients selected for the study and various models of oscillometry studied in each article. Therefore, the differences found in the articles make it difficult to make a fair comparison between them in order to determine which device would be the most reliable in determining the ankle-brachial index compared to the Doppler technique; recommending the continuous designfocused research in order to establish an effective alternative to the traditional method in clinical practice (AU)

[Usefulness of chest X-rays for detecting COVID 19 pneumonia during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic]. / Utilidad de la radiografía de tórax para la detección de neumonía COVID 19 durante la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2.

Objective: To review the prognostic usefulness of chest X-rays in selecting patients with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection. Material and methods: This cross-sectional descriptive observational study analyzed 978 patients with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infections who underwent chest X-ray examinations in the emergency department of a tertiary hospital in March 2020. We separately analyzed demographic, clinical, and prognostic variables in two groups of patients: those in whom reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was done (n = 535) and those in whom RT-PCR was not done because of low clinical suspicion (n = 443). Results: In the group of patients with RT-PCR, the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was 70.4%, and the sensitivity of chest X-rays was 62.8%. In the group of patients without RT-PCR, chest X-rays were negative in 97.5%, corroborating the low clinical suspicion; these patients were discharged, and 5.6% of them reconsulted with mild forms of the disease. In the group of patients with RT-PCR, we observed no statistically significant differences in the percentage of pathologic chest X-rays between patients hospitalized in the ICU (72.9%) and in those hospitalized in other wards (68.3%) (p = 0.22). Conclusion: In the context of the pandemic, patients with low clinical suspicion and negative chest X-rays can be discharged with a low probability of reconsultation or of developing severe COVID19. In patients with RT-PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2, chest X-rays have no prognostic usefulness.

AAV-mediated expression of secreted and transmembrane αKlotho isoforms rescues relevant aging hallmarks in senescent SAMP8 mice.

Senescence represents a stage in life associated with elevated incidence of morbidity and increased risk of mortality due to the accumulation of molecular alterations and tissue dysfunction, promoting a decrease in the organism's protective systems. Thus, aging presents molecular and biological hallmarks, which include chronic inflammation, epigenetic alterations, neuronal dysfunction, and worsening of physical status. In this context, we explored the AAV9-mediated expression of the two main isoforms of the aging-protective factor Klotho (KL) as a strategy to prevent these general age-related features using the senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) model. Both secreted and transmembrane KL isoforms improved cognitive performance, physical state parameters, and different molecular variables associated with aging. Epigenetic landscape was recovered for the analyzed global markers DNA methylation (5-mC), hydroxymethylation (5-hmC), and restoration occurred in the acetylation levels of H3 and H4. Gene expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators in central nervous system such as TNF-α and IL-10, respectively, had improved levels, which were comparable to the senescence-accelerated-mouse resistant 1 (SAMR1) healthy control. Additionally, this improvement in neuroinflammation was supported by changes in the histological markers Iba1, GFAP, and SA ß-gal. Furthermore, bone tissue structural variables, especially altered during senescence, recovered in SAMP8 mice to SAMR1 control values after treatment with both KL isoforms. This work presents evidence of the beneficial pleiotropic role of Klotho as an anti-aging therapy as well as new specific functions of the KL isoforms for the epigenetic regulation and aged bone structure alteration in an aging mouse model.

Interplay between psychosocial and heart failure related factors may partially explain limitations in self-efficacy in patients with heart failure: Insights from a real-world cohort of 1,123 patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Worse self-care is associated with a higher risk of readmission and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). Little is known about how the interplay between clinical and psycho-social factors may modulate self-care behaviours in these patients. The aim of our study was to identify clinical, and particularly psycho-social factors associated with worse self-care and assess their interaction inpatients with heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted an observational, prospective, cohort study of 1,123 consecutive patients with chronic heart failure. Self-care was assessed with the modified European Heart Failure Self-care Behavior Scale 9-item version (EHFSCBS-9), and both clinical and psycho-social profile of the patients included were also meticulously evaluated. A total of 484 patients (43%) were women, mean age was 72 years, and mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 44.5%. In multivariable analyses combining clinical and psycho-social factors, low social support (OR 3.53, 95% CI [2.13-5.86]; p-value <0.001), absence of caregiver support (OR 2.16, 95% CI [1.34 -3.48]; p-value 0.001) and depressive symptoms (OR 2.40, 95% CI [1.53-3.77]; p-value <0.001) were independent determinants of impaired global self-care. Advanced functional class was associated with better self-care (OR 0.43, 95%CI [0.26-0.70]; p-value 0.001). No other clinical factors remained significantly associated with self-care in these joint models. In discrimination analyses, models containing psycho-social determinants outperformed models only containing heart failure -related (clinical) variables (all p-values<0.001). CONCLUSION: Impairment in self-care behaviour is strongly determined by psycho-social factors. Specifically, low social support, the lack of caregiver support and the presence of depressive symptoms are the main drivers of the risk of impairment of self-care in heart failure patients. Evaluation of self-care and self-care interventions should be complemented by a comprehensive psycho-social assessment in patients with heart failure. ABBREVIATIONS: DAMOCLES, Definition of the neuro-hormonal Activation, Myocardial function, genOmic expressionand CLinical outcomes in hEart failure patients; NYHA, New York Heart Failure Association; GAM, Generalized Additive Model; BMI, Body Mass Index; GDS, GeriatricDepression Scale.

Asignatura sobre el cuidado de las personas con lesiones cutáneas en el grado de enfermería: competencias y propuesta de contenidos / A course on care for people with skin lesions for the undergraduate nursing programme: competencies and proposed contents

El presente artículo pretende desarrollar una propuesta marco sobre una asignatura sobre el cuidado de las personas con lesiones cutáneas en el grado de enfermería. Esta ha sido realizada por consenso de expertos, profesores con experiencia en el cuidado de heridas y fue sometida a modificaciones en el marco del Segundo Encuentro Iberolatinoamericano de Facultades y Escuelas Universitarias con Programas Formativos en Heridas. Con ello se presenta una propuesta de competencias sobre el cuidado de las personas con lesiones cutáneas para la enfermera graduada, así como la propuesta curricular, con su estructura pedagógica basada en unidades didácticas y la propuesta de carga docente y ubicación de la asignatura de cuidados de las personas con lesiones cutáneas en el grado en enfermería. Finalmente se presentan documentos de apoyo al profesorado y estudiantado para la creación de la asignatura de cuidados de las personas con lesiones cutáneas para el grado en enfermería (AU)

This article aims to develop a framework proposal for a course on the care of people with skin lesions in the nursing degree. It has been developed by consensus of experts, professors with experience in wound care and was subject to modifications in the framework of the Segundo Encuentro Iberolatinoamericano de Facultades y Escuelas Universitarias con Programas Formativos en Heridas. This includes a proposal of competencies on the care of people with skin lesions for the graduate nurse, as well as the Curricular proposal, with its pedagogical structure based on didactic units and the proposed teaching load and location of the subject of care for people with skin lesions in the nursing degree. Finally, support documents are presented for the teaching staff and students for the creation of the subject of care of people with skin lesions for the degree in nursing (AU)

¿Afecta la hidradenitis supurativa a la calidad de vida del paciente? Una revision de la literatura / Does hidradenitis suppurativa affect the patient's quality of life? A review of the literature

La hidradenitis supurativa es una enfermedad autoinmune crónica debida a la obstrucción de un folículo piloso, que da lugar a la formación de nódulos. Se desconoce la etiología concreta. Algunos factores desencadenantes son los antecedentes familiares, la obesidad, el hábito tabáquico, la ropa ajustada y los factores hormonales e inmunológicos, entre otros. La sintomatología típica es dolor, supuración, prurito y mal olor, y puede llegar a generar cicatrices, fístulas y tunelizaciones. Las localizaciones de las lesiones típicas son en axilas, zona inguinal, perianal y zona mamaria. Cursa con brotes y no es contagiosa. Dependiendo del estadio existen diferentes tratamientos para esta. El diagnóstico se basa en una entrevista sobre los antecedentes familiares, la localización de las lesiones, las manifestaciones clínicas y la alta recurrencia de la enfermedad. Afecta a un 1% de la población mundial, con mayor incidencia a las mujeres. Objetivos: Investigar si la patología afecta a la calidad de vida de los pacientes y averiguar las repercusiones en esta. Metodología: Se realizó mediante una revisión sistemática de los últimos 5 años, tanto de la hidradenitis supurativa como de la pregunta a estudio en las siguientes bases de datos: Google Académico, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus y Cochrane. Resultados: Los pacientes refieren tener una peor calidad de vida debido a síntomas de la hidradenitis supurativa, como el dolor, prurito y mal olor. Estos afectan en su vida diaria, vida laboral y relaciones sociales, entre otros. Conclusiones: Tras la búsqueda, se afirma la pregunta de estudio. La calidad de vida del paciente con hidradenitis supurativa está disminuida y deteriorada debido a los síntomas que la cursan. Además, conlleva una serie de comorbilidades tanto psicológicas como personales (AU)

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic autoimmune disease due to the obstruction of a hair follicle leading to the formation of nodules. The specific etiology is unknown. Some triggers are family history, obesity, smoking, tight clothing, hormonal and immunological factors, among others. The typical symptomatology is pain, suppuration, itching, bad smell and can generate scars, fistulas and tunnels. Typical lesion locations are in the armpits, inguinal, perianal, and mammary areas. It has outbreaks and is not contagious. Depending on the stage there are different treatments for it. The diagnosis is based on an interview on the family history, location of the lesions, clinical manifestations and high recurrence of the disease. It affects 1% of the world population, with a higher incidence in women. Objectives Investigate whether the pathology affects the quality of life of patients and find out the repercussions on it. Methods: It was carried out through a systematic review of the last five years of both hidradenitis suppurativa and the question under study in the following databases: Google Scholar, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Results: Patients reported having a poorer quality of life due to symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa such as pain, itching and a bad smell. These affect their daily life, work life, social relationships, among others Conclusions: After the search, the study question is affirmed. The quality of life of the patient with hidradenitis suppurativa is diminished and deteriorated due to the symptoms that occur. In addition, it carries a series of psychological and personal comorbidities (AU)