Biocompatible metal-organic frameworks as promising platforms to eradicate HIV reservoirs ex vivo in people living with HIV.

The HIV attacks the immune system provoking an infection that is considered a global health challenge. Despite antiretroviral treatments being effective in reducing the plasma viral load in the blood to undetectable levels in people living with HIV (PLWH), the disease is not cured and has become chronic. This happens because of the existence of anatomical and cellular viral reservoirs, mainly located in the lymph nodes and gastrointestinal tract, which are composed of infected CD4+ T cells with a resting memory phenotype and inaccessible to antiretroviral therapy. Herein, a new therapeutic strategy based on nanotechnology is presented. Different combinations of antiretroviral drugs (bictegravir/tenofovir/emtricitabine and nevirapine/tenofovir/emtricitabine) and toll-like receptor agonists were encapsulated into metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) PCN-224 and ZIF-8. The encapsulation efficiencies of all the drugs, as well as their release rate from the carriers, were measured. In vitro studies about the cell viability, the hemocompatibility, and the platelet aggregation of the MOFs were carried out. Epifluorescence microscopy assays confirmed the ability of ZIF-8 to target a carboxyfluorescein probe inside HeLa cell lines and PBMCs. These results pave the way for the use of these structures to eliminate latent HIV reservoirs from anatomical compartments through the activation of innate immune cells, and a higher efficacy of the triplet combinations of antiretroviral drugs.

REMOTE ASYNCHRONOUS FEEDBACK FOR UNSUPERVISED LAPAROSCOPIC TRAINING: THE "LAPP" PLATFORM.

BACKGROUND: The advantages of laparoscopic surgery over traditional open surgery have changed the surgical education paradigm in the past 20 years. Among its benefits are an improvement in clinical outcomes and patient safety, becoming the standard in many surgical procedures. However, it encompasses an additional challenge due to the complexity to achieve the desired competency level. Simulation-based training has emerged as a solution to this problem. However, there is a relative scarcity of experts to provide personalized feedback. Technology-Enhanced Learning could be a valuable aid in personalizing the learning process and overcoming geographic and time-related barriers that otherwise would preclude the training to happen. Currently, various educational digital platforms are available, but none of them is able to successfully provide personalized feedback. AIMS: The aim of this study was to develop and test a proof of concept of a novel Technology-Enhanced Learning laparoscopic skills platform with personalized remote feedback. METHODS: The platform "Lapp," a web and mobile cloud-based solution, is proposed. It consists of a web and mobile application where teachers can evaluate remotely and asynchronously exercises performed by students, adding personalized feedback for trainees to achieve a learning curve wherever and whenever they train. To assess the effectiveness of this platform, two groups of students were compared: 130 participants received in-person feedback and 39 participants received remote asynchronous feedback throughout the application. RESULTS: The results showed no significant differences regarding competency levels among both groups. CONCLUSION: A novel Technology-Enhanced Learning strategy consisting of remote asynchronous feedback throughout Lapp facilitates and optimizes learning, solving traditional spatiotemporal limitations.

Remote asynchronous feedback for unsupervised laparoscopic training: the "lapp" platform / Feedback assíncrono remoto para treinamento laparoscópico não supervisionado: a plataforma "lapp"

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The advantages of laparoscopic surgery over traditional open surgery have changed the surgical education paradigm in the past 20 years. Among its benefits are an improvement in clinical outcomes and patient safety, becoming the standard in many surgical procedures. However, it encompasses an additional challenge due to the complexity to achieve the desired competency level. Simulation-based training has emerged as a solution to this problem. However, there is a relative scarcity of experts to provide personalized feedback. Technology-Enhanced Learning could be a valuable aid in personalizing the learning process and overcoming geographic and time-related barriers that otherwise would preclude the training to happen. Currently, various educational digital platforms are available, but none of them is able to successfully provide personalized feedback. AIMS: The aim of this study was to develop and test a proof of concept of a novel Technology-Enhanced Learning laparoscopic skills platform with personalized remote feedback. METHODS: The platform "Lapp," a web and mobile cloud-based solution, is proposed. It consists of a web and mobile application where teachers can evaluate remotely and asynchronously exercises performed by students, adding personalized feedback for trainees to achieve a learning curve wherever and whenever they train. To assess the effectiveness of this platform, two groups of students were compared: 130 participants received in-person feedback and 39 participants received remote asynchronous feedback throughout the application. RESULTS: The results showed no significant differences regarding competency levels among both groups. CONCLUSION: A novel Technology-Enhanced Learning strategy consisting of remote asynchronous feedback throughout Lapp facilitates and optimizes learning, solving traditional spatiotemporal limitations.

RESUMO RACIONAL: As vantagens da cirurgia laparoscópica sobre a cirurgia aberta tradicional mudaram o paradigma da educação cirúrgica nos últimos 20 anos, tornando-se o padrão em muitos procedimentos cirúrgicos. No entanto, envolve um desafio adicional devido à complexidade para atingir o nível de competência desejado. O treinamento baseado em simulação surgiu como uma solução. No entanto, há uma relativa escassez de especialistas para fornecer feedback personalizado. A Technology Enhanced Learning pode ser uma ajuda valiosa na personalização do processo de aprendizagem e na superação de barreiras geográficas e temporais que impediriam o treinamento. Atualmente, várias plataformas educacionais estão disponíveis, mas nenhuma delas é capaz de fornecer feedback personalizado. OBJETIVOS: desenvolver e testar uma prova de conceito de uma nova plataforma de habilidades laparoscópicas da Technology Enhanced Learning com feedback remoto personalizado. MÉTODOS: É proposta a plataforma "Lapp", uma solução web e móvel baseada em nuvem. É composta por uma aplicação web em que os professores podem avaliar remotamente e de forma assíncrona exercícios realizados pelos alunos, adicionando feedback personalizado para os formandos alcançarem uma curva de aprendizagem onde e quando treinam. Para avaliar a eficácia desta plataforma, dois grupos de alunos foram comparados. 130 participantes receberam feedback pessoal e 39 participantes receberam feedback remoto assíncrono em todo o aplicativo. RESULTADOS: Os resultados não mostraram diferenças significativas em relação ao nível de competência entre os dois grupos. CONCLUSÕES: Uma nova estratégia Technology Enhanced Learning que consiste em feedback assíncrono remoto em toda a Lapp facilita e otimiza o aprendizado, resolvendo as limitações espaço-temporais tradicionais.

Minimally invasive tele-mentoring opportunity-the mito project.

BACKGROUND: Simulation training is a validated method for acquiring laparoscopic skills. Training sessions may be sporadic or lack continuity in oversight by instructors since traditional programs mandate in-person teaching and evaluation. This study presents the development, implementation, and results of a novel smartphone application that enables remote teacher-student interaction. This interface is used to complete a validated program that provides learner-specific feedback. Outcomes of training via Lapp were compared to outcomes of traditional in-person training. METHODS: A web-based and mobile iOS and Android application (Lapp) was developed to enable a remote student-teacher interaction. Instructors use Lapp to assess video recorded training sessions of students at distant locations and guide them through the laparoscopic skill course with specific and personalized feedback. Surgical trainees at two remote training centers were taught using Lapp. A control group was assessed during traditional simulation training at the training facility, with in-person feedback. Pre- and post-training performances were video recorded for each trainee and blindly evaluated by two experts using a global rating scale (GRS) and a specific rating scale (SRS). RESULTS: A total of 30 trainees were trained via Lapp and compared with 25 locally taught. Performance in the Lapp group improved significantly after the course in both GRS and SRS scores, from 15 [6-17] to 23 [20-25], and from 12 [11-15] to 18 [15-20], respectively. The results between both groups were comparable. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic simulation training using a mobile app is as effective as in-person instruction in teaching advanced laparoscopic surgical skills. Lapp provides an effective method of teaching through simulation remotely and may allow expansion of robust simulation training curriculums.

Spinal epidural empyema extending from a pleural empyema: case description and anatomical overview.

We present a case of a patient with diabetes with a pleural empyema originated from a pyomyositis process established after a central line procedure. This empyema later on extended into the spinal canal deriving into an epidural empyema, leading towards a spinal neurogenic shock and death. We discuss the anatomical substrate for this extension as well as the anatomopathological findings observed in the autopsy.

Impacto que tiene la falta de sueño sobre las habilidades cognitivas de una población de estudiantes de medicina / Impact of sleep deprivation on the cognitive abilities of a population of medical students

Los estudiantes que ingresan a la Escuela de Medicina son personas que pasarán los próximos años de su vida preparándose para entender la composición, la anatomía y la fisiología tanto normal como patológica del cuerpo humano con el fin de luego, aplicar ese conocimiento en el tratamiento de sus pacientes. Sin embargo, ser estudiante de Medicina se ha descrito como un extenuante proceso en el cual los jóvenes sufren alteraciones notables en sus horas de sueño, niveles de estrés, presión y fustración emocional e incluso depresión. Esta investigación se llevó a cabo para identificar en una población de estudiantes de segundo semestre de segundo año de Medicina de la Universidad de Costa Rica, el deterioro cognitivo que puede tener dicho estilo de vida y cómo influye en la capacidad de aprendizaje y los resultados que estos pueden obtener. A través de la figura compleja de Rey-Osterrieth y la prueba MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assesment) se evaluó la muestra en dos oportunidades distintas: al encontrarse los estudiantes en un período de evaluación normal y con un nivel de cansancio notable tras un período de evaluación más intenso. Los datos obtenidos comprobaron que efectivamente existe un deterioro en el rendimiento y las capacidades cognitivas de los jóvenes...