Evaluation of vaccine rollout strategies for emerging infectious diseases: A model-based approach including protection attitudes.

Vaccine allocation strategies become crucial during vaccine shortages, especially in the face of potential outbreaks of new infectious diseases, as witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic. To address this, a specialized compartmental model is created, which simulates an emerging infectious disease similar to COVID-19. This model divides the population into different age groups and is used to compare various vaccine prioritisation approaches, aiming to minimize the total number of fatalities. The model is an improvement upon previous ones as it incorporates essential behavioural factors and is adapted to account for the protective effects of vaccination against both disease infection and transmission. It takes into account human behaviors such as mask-wearing and social distancing by utilizing specific parameters related to self-protection, awareness levels, and the frequency of daily person-to-person interactions within each age group. Furthermore, a novel method for dynamic vaccine prioritisation was introduced in this study. This approach is model-independent and relies on the dynamic R number. It is the first time such a method has been developed, offering a decision-making approach that is not tied to any specific model. This innovation provides a flexible and adaptable strategy for determining vaccine priorities based on real-time data and the current state of the outbreak. Our findings reveal crucial insights into vaccine allocation strategies. When the daily rollout rates are fast (0.75% or higher) and children are eligible for vaccination, prioritising groups with high daily person-to-person interactions can lead to substantial reductions in total fatalities (up to approximately 40% lower). On the other hand, if rollout rates are slower and overall vaccination coverage is high, focusing on vaccinating elders emerges as the most effective strategy, resulting in up to approximately 10% fewer fatalities. However, the scenario changes significantly when children are not eligible for vaccination, as they constitute a highly interactive population group. In this case, the differences between priority strategies become smaller. With fast daily rollout rates, prioritisation based on interactions achieves only a 7% reduction in total fatalities, while a slower rollout with vaccination of elders first leads to an approximately 11% reduction in fatalities compared to the scenario where children are eligible for vaccination. The impact of behavioural parameters is equally critical. When the self-protection levels exercised by the population are low, it significantly affects the optimal vaccine prioritisation strategy to be followed, making it essential to consider behavioural factors in decision-making.

Long-Term Benefits of an Integrated Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Insulin Pump System for Emergency Admissions, Hospitalization, and Metabolic Control in a Cohort of People With Diabetes: Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence in the literature that the use of sensor-augmented insulin pumps in patients with high-complexity diabetes improves metabolic control. However, there is no long-term information on clinical outcomes such as hospitalization or admission to the emergency room. This study describes outcomes for metabolic control, incidence of hospitalizations, and emergency room visits in a specific population using this technology. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to assess long-term glycemic and clinical outcomes after the use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion and continuous glucose monitoring in people with diabetes. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was carried out in patients with diabetes previously treated with an intensive insulin regimen at a specialized diabetes treatment center who required a sensor-augmented insulin pump due to nonoptimal glycemic control. Glycated hemoglobin, severe hypoglycemic episodes, nonsevere hypoglycemic episodes, perception of hypoglycemia, and the incidence of emergency room visits and hospitalizations before and after treatment were evaluated. RESULTS: Between January 2013 and August 2020, 74 patients with a median age of 36 (IQR 27-46) years were included in the study with a median 4 (IQR 2-7) years of follow-up. We found a statistically significant reduction in glycated hemoglobin (8.35% vs 7%; P<.001), nonsevere hypoglycemic episodes (71/74, 96% vs 62/74, 84%; P=.01), emergency room visits (42/73, 58% vs 4/62, 6%; P<.001), and hospitalizations (36/72, 50% vs 10/72, 14%; P<.001) after use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a sensor-augmented insulin pump associated with a strict follow-up program for patients with high-complexity diabetes led to a significant and sustained reduction in glycated hemoglobin and hypoglycemic episodes, as well as in the rate of emergency room visits and hospitalizations. These results encourage the adoption of this technology in patients who do not achieve metabolic control with optimal management of diabetes.

Ética e integridad académica en la formación doctoral: el caso de los doctorados en educación en las universidades chilenas / Ethics and academic integrity in doctoral training: the case of doctorates in education in Chilean universities / Ética e integridade acadêmica na formação pós-graduada: o caso dos doutorados em educação nas universidades chilenas

El presente artículo analiza, a partir de una revisión documental de planes y programas de curso de los doctorados en Educación activos en Chile, en qué medida y cómo los programas de formación de futuros investigadores en educación doctoral abordan el desafío de integrar la educación ética en su diseño curricular. Mediante un análisis temático de la documentación oficial de los programas se identificaron y analizaron diversos elementos relacionados con ética de la investigación e integridad académica abordados en la formación doctoral, su enfoque prevalente (normativo o de discernimiento ético), su orientación (propositiva o de prevención) y la profundidad con que son tratados esos aspectos. Los resultados muestran que solo un tercio de los actuales programas abordan de manera explícita la formación ética en investigación, y que, en estos casos, su abordaje tiende a subrayar aspectos más formales que de fondo, acotados fundamentalmente al cumplimiento del protocolo de consentimiento informado.

This article analyzes to what extent and how training programs for future researchers in doctoral education address the challenge of integrating ethical training in their curricular design. Based on a documentary review of course plans and postgraduate programs in education active in Chile, the explicit presence of ethical aspects and academic integrity in their training plans was examined. Through a thematic analysis of the official documentation of the programs, we identified and analyzed various elements related to research ethics and academic integrity addressed in doctoral training, their prevalent approach normative or ethical discernment, their orientation proactive or preventive and the depth with which these aspects are treated. The results show that only one-third of the current programs explicitly address ethical training in research and that in these cases, their approach tends to emphasize more formal than substantive aspects, mainly limited to compliance with the informed consent protocol.

O presente artigo analisa, a partir de uma revisão documental de planos e programas de curso dos doutorados em Educação ativos no Chile, em que medida e como os programas de formação de futuros investigadores em educação pós-graduada abordam o desafio de integrar a educação ética em seu plano curricular. Mediante uma análise temática da documentação oficial dos programas se identificaram e analisaram diversos elementos relacionados com ética da investigação e integridade acadêmica abordados na formação pós-graduada, seu enfoque prevalente (normativo ou de discernimento ético), sua orientação (propositiva ou de prevenção) e a profundidade com que são tratados esses aspectos. Os resultados mostram que só um terço dos atuais programas abordam de maneira explícita a formação ética em investigação, e que, nestes casos, sua abordagem tende a ressaltar aspectos mais formais que substanciais, limitados fundamentalmente ao cumprimento do protocolo de consentimento informado.

Impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination on menstrual bleeding quantity: An observational cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination impacts menstrual bleeding quantity. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: Five global regions. POPULATION: Vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals with regular menstrual cycles using the digital fertility-awareness application Natural Cycles°. METHODS: We used prospectively collected menstrual cycle data, multivariable longitudinal Poisson generalised estimating equation (GEE) models and multivariable multinomial logistic regression models to calculate the adjusted difference between vaccination groups. All regression models were adjusted for confounding factors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The mean number of heavy bleeding days (fewer, no change or more) and changes in bleeding quantity (less, no change or more) at three time points (first dose, second dose and post-exposure menses). RESULTS: We included 9555 individuals (7401 vaccinated and 2154 unvaccinated). About two-thirds of individuals reported no change in the number of heavy bleeding days, regardless of vaccination status. After adjusting for confounding factors, there were no significant differences in the number of heavy bleeding days by vaccination status. A larger proportion of vaccinated individuals experienced an increase in total bleeding quantity (34.5% unvaccinated, 38.4% vaccinated; adjusted difference 4.0%, 99.2% CI 0.7%-7.2%). This translates to an estimated 40 additional people per 1000 individuals with normal menstrual cycles who experience a greater total bleeding quantity following the first vaccine dose' suffice. Differences resolved in the cycle post-exposure. CONCLUSIONS: A small increase in the probability of greater total bleeding quantity occurred following the first COVID-19 vaccine dose, which resolved in the cycle after the post-vaccination cycle. The total number of heavy bleeding days did not differ by vaccination status. Our findings can reassure the public that any changes are small and transient.

Tendencias en la hospitalización por infección del tracto urinario en la población pediátrica de España en el período 2000-2015 / Trends in hospitalization for urinary tract infection in the paediatric age group in the 2000–2015 period in Spain

Objetivo: Analizar las tendencias en la hospitalización por infección del tracto urinario (ITU) en menores de 0-14 años en España en el período 2000-2015. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo observacional realizado por medio del conjunto mínimo básico de datos hospitalario con códigos de la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades (CIE-9). Se incluyeron todos los ingresos por cistitis, pielonefritis e ITU de localización no especificada en niños menores de 15 años. Se recogieron datos sobre el sexo, edad, tipo de alta, diagnóstico principal, comorbilidades, estancia hospitalaria y coste total. Se calcularon tasas crudas de hospitalización por 1000 habitantes menores de 15 años y se llevó a cabo un análisis de regresión segmentada para identificar tendencias temporales. Resultados: En el período 2000-2015, hubo 124.696 ingresos en niños menores de 15 años. De este total, el 72,97% tenían de 0 a 1 año y el 60,12% recibió un diagnóstico de ITU no especificada, el 39,27% de pielonefritis, y el 0,52% de cistitis. La tasa bruta de hospitalización por ITU osciló entre 1,24 en 2000 y 0,98 en 2015. La tasa de hospitalización por ITU fue mayor en niñas que en niños. El análisis de regresión segmentada mostró una tendencia decreciente en la tasa de hospitalización por ITU, con un porcentaje de cambio anual medio (PCAM) del −1,5% (IC 95%: −2,4 a −0,6). Los cambios observados fueron mayores en niñas (PCAM −1,8; IC 95%: −2,5 a −1,0) y en el grupo de 7 a 10 años (PCAM −5,9; IC 95%: −6,7 a −5,2). Conclusiones: La tasa de hospitalización asociada a infección urinaria en pacientes menores de 15 años en España descendió durante el período 2000-2015. Las mayores tasas se dieron en niñas y en menores de 2 años. (AU)

Objective: To analyse the trends in hospital admissions related to urinary tract infection among children aged 0–14 years in Spain in the 2000–2015 period. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study using the minimum basic hospital discharge dataset system of Spain, which applies the International Classification of Diseases, version 9 (ICD-9) coding system. We included every hospitalization due to cystitis, pyelonephritis and unspecified UTI among children aged less than 15 years. We collected data on patient sex and age, type of discharge, main diagnosis, comorbidities, length of stay and overall cost. We calculated crude hospitalization rates per 1000 inhabitants aged less than 15 years and performed a joinpoint regression analysis to identify temporal trends. Results: In the 2000–2015 period, there were 124696 hospitalizations in children under 15 years. Of these patients, 72.97% were aged 0–1 year and 60.12% had a diagnosis of unspecified UTI, 39.27% of pyelonephritis, and 0.52% of cystitis. The crude rate of hospitalization due to UTI ranged from 1.24 in year 2000 to 0.98 in 2015. The rate of hospitalization was higher in female versus male patients. The joinpoint analysis found a decreasing trend in the rate of hospitalization due to UTI, with an average annual percent change (AAPC) of −1.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], −2.4 to −0.6). The largest decreases occurred in female patients (AAPC, −1.8; 95% CI, −2.5 to −1.0) and children aged 7–10 years (AAPC −5.9; 95% CI, −6.7 to −5.2). Conclusions: The rate of hospitalization related to UTI in Spain in patients aged up to 14 years decreased during the 2000–2015 period. The highest hospitalization rates occurred in female patients and in the 0-to-1 year age group. (AU)

Trends in hospitalization for urinary tract infection in the paediatric age group in the 2000-2015 period in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the trends in hospital admissions related to urinary tract infection among children aged 0-14 years in Spain in the 2000-2015 period. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study using the minimum basic hospital discharge dataset system of Spain, which applies the International Classification of Diseases, version 9 (ICD-9) coding system. We included every hospitalisation due to cystitis, pyelonephritis and unspecified UTI among children aged less than 15 years. We collected data on patient sex and age, type of discharge, main diagnosis, comorbidities, length of stay and overall cost. We calculated crude hospitalization rates per 1000 inhabitants aged less than 15 years and performed a joinpoint regression analysis to identify temporal trends. RESULTS: In the 2000-2015 period, there were 124 696 hospitalizations in children under 15 years. Of these patients, 72.97% were aged 0-1 year and 60.12% had a diagnosis of unspecified UTI, 39.27% of pyelonephritis, and 0.52% of cystitis. The crude rate of hospitalization due to UTI ranged from 1.24 in year 2000 to 0.98 in 2015. The rate of hospitalization was higher in female versus male patients. The joinpoint analysis found a decreasing trend in the rate of hospitalization due to UTI, with an average annual percent change (AAPC) of -1.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], -2.4 a -0.6). The largest decreases occurred in female patients (AAPC, -1.8; 95% CI, -2.5 a -1.0) and children aged 7-10 years (AAPC - 5.9; 95% CI, -6.7 a -5.2). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of hospitalization related to UTI in Spain in patients aged up to 14 years decreased during the 2000-2015 period. The highest hospitalization rates occurred in female patients and in the 0-to-1 year age group.

Prediction of patient admission and readmission in adults from a Colombian cohort with bipolar disorder using artificial intelligence.

Introduction: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronically progressive mental condition, associated with a reduced quality of life and greater disability. Patient admissions are preventable events with a considerable impact on global functioning and social adjustment. While machine learning (ML) approaches have proven prediction ability in other diseases, little is known about their utility to predict patient admissions in this pathology. Aim: To develop prediction models for hospital admission/readmission within 5 years of diagnosis in patients with BD using ML techniques. Methods: The study utilized data from patients diagnosed with BD in a major healthcare organization in Colombia. Candidate predictors were selected from Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and included sociodemographic and clinical variables. ML algorithms, including Decision Trees, Random Forests, Logistic Regressions, and Support Vector Machines, were used to predict patient admission or readmission. Survival models, including a penalized Cox Model and Random Survival Forest, were used to predict time to admission and first readmission. Model performance was evaluated using accuracy, precision, recall, F1 score, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and concordance index. Results: The admission dataset included 2,726 BD patients, with 354 admissions, while the readmission dataset included 352 patients, with almost half being readmitted. The best-performing model for predicting admission was the Random Forest, with an accuracy score of 0.951 and an AUC of 0.98. The variables with the greatest predictive power in the Recursive Feature Elimination (RFE) importance analysis were the number of psychiatric emergency visits, the number of outpatient follow-up appointments and age. Survival models showed similar results, with the Random Survival Forest performing best, achieving an AUC of 0.95. However, the prediction models for patient readmission had poorer performance, with the Random Forest model being again the best performer but with an AUC below 0.70. Conclusion: ML models, particularly the Random Forest model, outperformed traditional statistical techniques for admission prediction. However, readmission prediction models had poorer performance. This study demonstrates the potential of ML techniques in improving prediction accuracy for BD patient admissions.

E-cigarette use and respiratory symptoms in residents of the United States: A BRFSS report.

PURPOSE: E-cigarettes are the most common type of electronic nicotine delivery system in the United States. E-cigarettes contain numerous toxic compounds that has been shown to induce severe structural damage to the airways. The objective of this study is to assess if there is an association between e-cigarette use and respiratory symptoms in adults in the US as reported in the BRFSS. METHODS: We analyzed data from 18,079 adults, 18-44 years, who participated at the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in the year 2017. E-cigarette smoking status was categorized as current everyday user, current some days user, former smoker, and never smoker. The frequency of any respiratory symptoms (cough, phlegm, or shortness of breath) was compared. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analysis were used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: The BRFSS reported prevalence of smoking e-cigarettes was 6%. About 28% of the participants reported any of the respiratory symptoms assessed. The frequency of reported respiratory symptoms was highest among current some days e-cigarette users (45%). After adjusting for selected participant's demographic, socio-economic, and behavioral characteristics, and asthma and COPD status, the odds of reporting respiratory symptoms increased by 49% among those who use e-cigarettes some days (OR 1.49; 95% CI: 1.06-2.11), and by 29% among those who were former users (OR 1.29; 95% CI: 1.07-1.55) compared with those who never used e-cigarettes. No statistically significant association was found for those who used e-cigarettes every day (OR 1.41; 95% CI 0.96-2.08). CONCLUSION: E-cigarettes cannot be considered as a safe alternative to aid quitting use of combustible traditional cigarettes. Cohort studies may shed more evidence on the association between e-cigarette use and respiratory diseases.

Absceso frío estafilocócico en un neonato / Staphylococcal cold abscess in a neonate

El absceso frío estafilocócico neonatal es una patología infecciosa localizada que ocurre en periodo neonatal con evolución benigna y de la cual hay pocas referencias en la bibliografía. Se presenta un caso para dar a conocer esta patología (AU)

Neonatal staphylococcal cold abscess refers to a local manifestation of infectious disease that occurs in the neonatal period and has favourable outcomes, on which there is currently a dearth of evidence. We present one case to contribute to the knowledge of this pathology. (AU)

Model-based evaluation of the COVID-19 epidemiological impact on international visitors during Expo 2020.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on large events has been substantial. In this work, an evaluation of the potential impact of international arrivals due to Expo 2020 in terms of potential COVID-19 infections from October 1st, 2021, until the end of April 2022 in the United Arab Emirates is presented. Our simulation results indicate that: (i) the vaccination status of the visitors appears to have a small impact on cases, this is expected as the small numbers of temporary visitors with respect to the total population contribute little to the herd immunity status; and (ii) the number of infected arrivals is the major factor of impact potentially causing a surge in cases countrywide with the subsequent hospitalisations and fatalities. These results indicate that the prevention of infected arrivals should take all precedence priority to mitigate the impact of international visitors with their vaccination status being of less relevance.

Effectiveness of BBIBP-CorV vaccine against severe outcomes of COVID-19 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The effectiveness of the inactivated BBIBP-CorV vaccine against severe COVID-19 outcomes (hospitalization, critical care admission and death due to COVID-19) and its long-term effectiveness have not been well characterized among the general population. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using electronic health records of 3,147,869 adults, of which 1,099,886 vaccinated individuals were matched, in a 1:1 ratio to 1,099,886 unvaccinated persons. A Cox-proportional hazard model with time varying coefficients was used to assess the vaccine effectiveness adjusting for age, sex, comorbidity, ethnicity, and the calendar month of entry into the study. Our analysis showed that the effectiveness was 79.6% (95% CI, 77.7 to 81.3) against hospitalization, 86% (95% CI, 82.2 to 89.0) against critical care admission, and 84.1% (95% CI, 70.8 to 91.3) against death due to COVID-19. The effectiveness against these severe outcomes declined over time indicating the need for booster doses to increase protection against severe COVID-19 outcomes.

Urinary Angiotensinogen-Melatonin Ratio in Gestational Diabetes and Preeclampsia.

Background: A large research portfolio indicates that an activated renal renin-angiotensin system or a deficit on melatonin is associated with several cardiovascular pathologies. In this observational clinical study, we hypothesized that alterations in urinary melatonin or angiotensinogen levels may be altered in two common conditions, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. Our study's primary objective was to assess melatonin and angiotensinogen as novel disease biomarkers detectable and quantifiable in the urine of pregnant women with or without pregnancy complications. Methods: This was a concurrent cohort study of pregnant women with selected obstetric pathologies (gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, hypertension and obesity with hypertension). A group of healthy controls was also included. Urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin and angiotensinogen were measured by sensitive and specific ELISAs in first morning void urine samples. The patients were included in the cohort consecutively, and the diagnosis was blinded at the level of urine collection. Urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin and angiotensinogen levels were investigated in the patients included in the cohort. Results: Urinary levels of angiotensinogen were significantly higher in the gestational diabetes [angiotensinogen/creatinine ratio median (25th, 75th): 0.11 (0.07, 0.18)] and preeclampsia [0.08 (0.06, 0.18)] groups than in those with healthy pregnancy [0.05(0.04, 0.06]; 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels were significantly lower in the gestational diabetes [ug/h: median (25th, 75th): 0.12(0.08, 0.17)] and preeclampsia [0.12 (0.09, 0.15)] groups than in those with healthy pregnancy [0.20 (0.15, 0.27]. Neither morning void protein/creatinine ratio nor 24-h urine protein estimate were significantly different between the study groups. Conclusion: These results suggest that urinary angiotensinogen levels may indicate an intrarenal RAS activation while melatonin production appears to be defective in gestational diabetes or hypertension. An angiotensinogen/melatonin ratio is suggested as an early biomarker for identification of gestational diabetes or hypertension. This report provides a basis for the potential use of melatonin for the treatment of preeclampsia. A prospective study in a larger number of patients to determine the operative characteristics of these markers as potential diagnostic tests is justified.

Travel ban effects on SARS-CoV-2 transmission lineages in the UAE as inferred by genomic epidemiology.

Global and local whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 enables the tracing of domestic and international transmissions. We sequenced Viral RNA from 37 sampled Covid-19 patients with RT-PCR-confirmed infections across the UAE and developed time-resolved phylogenies with 69 local and 3,894 global genome sequences. Furthermore, we investigated specific clades associated with the UAE cohort and, their global diversity, introduction events and inferred domestic and international virus transmissions between January and June 2020. The study comprehensively characterized the genomic aspects of the virus and its spread within the UAE and identified that the prevalence shift of the D614G mutation was due to the later introductions of the G-variant associated with international travel, rather than higher local transmissibility. For clades spanning different emirates, the most recent common ancestors pre-date domestic travel bans. In conclusion, we observe a steep and sustained decline of international transmissions immediately following the introduction of international travel restrictions.

An analysis of antibody responses and clinical sequalae of the Sinopharm HB02 COVID19 vaccine in dialysis patients in the United Arab Emirates.

AIM: To establish the responses to the Sinopharm HB02 COVID-19 vaccination in the dialysis population, which are not well established. We examined the humoral responses to the Sinopharm COVID vaccine in haemodialysis patients. METHODS: Standard vaccinations (two doses at interval of ~21 days) were given to all consenting haemodialysis patients on dialysis (n = 1296). We measured the antibody responses at 14-21 days after the second vaccine to define the development of anti-spike antibodies >15 AU/ml after vaccination and observed the clinical effects of vaccination. RESULTS: Vaccination was very well tolerated with few side-effects. In those who consented to antibody measurements, (n = 446) baseline sampling showed 77 had positive antibodies, yet received full vaccination without any apparent adverse events. Positive anti-spike antibodies developed in 50% of the 270 baseline negative patients who had full sampling, compared with 78.1% in the general population. COVID infection continues to occur in both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, but in the whole group vaccination appears to have been associated with a reduction in the case fatality rate. CONCLUSION: The humoral immune responses to standard HB02 vaccination schedules are attenuated in a haemodialysis cohort, but likely the vaccine saves lives. We suggest that an enhanced HB02 vaccination course or antibody checking may be prudent to protect this vulnerable group of patients. We suggest a booster dose of this vaccine at 3 months should be given to all dialysis patients, on the grounds that it is well tolerated even in those with good antibody levels and there may be a survival advantage.

Quantitative cardiac autonomic outcomes of hydrotherapy in women during the first stage of labor.

Introduction: Most hydrotherapy studies during childbirth report findings related to pain using a widespread set of subjective measures. In this study, ECG biomarkers as quantitative cardiac autonomic outcomes were used to assess the effects of warm shower hydrotherapy on laboring women during the first stage of labor. Methods: This was a prospective single-blind cohort study on stage I delivering women. Their cardiac autonomic function was assessed using heart rate variability (HRV) measures during a deep breathing test using point-of-care testing comprised of an HRV scanner system with wireless ECG enabling real-time data analysis and visualization. Labor pain and anxiety were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VASP) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). A total of 105 pregnant women in the first stage of labor who received warm shower hydrotherapy, intravenous analgesia (scopolamine + sodium dipyrone), or spinal anesthetic (bupivacaine + morphine) were enrolled. Results: In women during the first stage of labor, parasympathetic modulation reflected through RMSSD (root mean square of successive RR interval differences) was significantly reduced by hydrotherapy and intravenous analgesia (before vs. after mean rank diff. 35.73 and 65.93, respectively, p < 0.05). Overall HRV (SDNN, standard deviation of RR intervals) was significantly decreased only by intravenous analgesia (before vs. after mean rank diff. 65.43, p < 0.001). Mean heart rate was significantly increased by intravenous analgesia, while spinal anesthesia reduced it, and hydrotherapy did not alter it (before vs. after mean rank diff. -49.35*, 70.38*, -24.20 NS , respectively, *p < 0.05, NS not significant). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that warm shower therapy may impact the sympathovagal balance via parasympathetic withdrawal in women during the initial stage of labor. The findings of this study provide quantitative support for using warm shower hydrotherapy during labor via point-of-care testing. The dependability of hydrotherapy as a non-pharmacological treatment is linked to the completion of more clinical research demonstrating quantitative evidence via outcome biomarkers to support indications on stress and birth progress.

Detecting variations in ovulation and menstruation during the COVID-19 pandemic, using real-world mobile app data.

BACKGROUND: As war and famine are population level stressors that have been historically linked to menstrual cycle abnormalities, we hypothesized that the COVID-19 pandemic could similarly affect ovulation and menstruation among women. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a retrospective cohort study examining changes in ovulation and menstruation among women using the Natural Cycles mobile tracking app. We compared de-identified cycle data from March-September 2019 (pre-pandemic) versus March-September 2020 (during pandemic) to determine differences in the proportion of users experiencing anovulation, abnormal cycle length, and prolonged menses, as well as population level changes in these parameters, while controlling for user-reported stress during the pandemic. FINDINGS: We analyzed data from 214,426 cycles from 18,076 app users, primarily from Great Britain (29.3%) and the United States (22.6%). The average user was 33 years of age; most held at least a university degree (79.9%). Nearly half (45.4%) reported more pandemic-related stress. Changes in average cycle and menstruation lengths were not clinically significant, remaining at 29 and 4 days, respectively. Approximately 7.7% and 19.5% of users recorded more anovulatory cycles and abnormal cycle lengths during the pandemic, respectively. Contrary to expectation, 9.6% and 19.6% recorded fewer anovulatory cycles and abnormal cycle lengths, respectively. Women self-reporting more (32.0%) and markedly more (13.6%) stress during the pandemic were not more likely to experience cycle abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: The COVD-19 pandemic did not induce population-level changes to ovulation and menstruation among women using a mobile app to track menstrual cycles and predict ovulation. While some women experienced abnormalities during the pandemic, this proportion was smaller than that observed prior to the pandemic. As most app users in this study were well-educated women over the age of 30 years, and from high-income countries, their experience of the COVID-19 pandemic might differ in ways that limit the generalizability of these findings.

Reemplazo mandibular con prótesis personalizada de titanio posterior a la exéresis de ameloblastoma / Mandibular replacement with a customized titanium prosthesis after ameloblastoma excision

Introducción: El ameloblastoma es un tumor odontogénico epitelial benigno con tendencia a la recurrencia local si no se elimina adecuadamente. Las alternativas reconstructivas incluyen el uso de colgajos libres microvascularizados, placas y prótesis personalizada de titanio. Objetivo: Describir un reemplazo hemimandibular con prótesis personalizada de titanio posterior a la exéresis de ameloblastoma. Presentación del caso: Mujer de 44 años de edad, que presentó un hallazgo radiográfico durante la realización de tratamiento pulporradicular del diente número 37. Al realizársele el reconocimiento físico facial mostró aumento de volumen en región geniana izquierda mientras que el examen intrabucal detectó expansión de las corticales en la arcada posteroinferior del mismo lado. Se realizó una radiografía panorámica y tomografía axial computarizada con la que se constató la presencia de imagen radiolúcida, multiloculada, en forma de "pompas de jabón" extendiéndose desde el cuerpo mandibular hasta el cóndilo del lado izquierdo. Se tomó muestra para biopsia, con la cual se constató que se trataba de ameloblastoma con patrón folicular. Se realizó abordaje cervical, segmentaria mandibular con margen de seguridad y exarticulación. Se reemplazó la porción eliminada con prótesis personalizada de titanio. Se mantuvo el chequeo posoperatorio en el que se comprobó una buena evolución. Conclusiones: La cirugía constituyó el pilar de tratamiento utilizado. Una vez realizada la resección quirúrgica se reconstruyó el defecto con prótesis personalizada de titanio, proceder de gran novedad en nuestro medio y útil para restablecer la función y estética(AU)

Introduction: Ameloblastoma is a benign tumor of odontogenic epithelium with a tendency to local recurrence if not removed appropriately. Reconstruction alternatives include the use of microvascularized free flaps, plates and customized titanium prostheses. Objective: Describe a case of mandibular replacement with a customized titanium prosthesis after ameloblastoma excision. Case presentation: A case is presented of a female 44-year-old patient who presented a radiographic finding during pulporadicular treatment of tooth 37. Facial physical examination found an increase in volume in the left genian region, and intraoral observation detected expansion of the corticals in the lower posterior arch of the same side. Panoramic radiography and computed axial tomography showed a multilocular radiolucid image resembling soap bubbles which extended from the mandibular body to the left condyle. A sample was taken for biopsy, which confirmed the diagnosis of follicular pattern ameloblastoma. Segmental mandibular surgery was performed by cervical approach with a safety margin and exarticulation. The portion removed was replaced with a customized titanium prosthesis. Post-operative control showed a good evolution. Conclusions: Surgery was the basic component of the treatment applied. Surgical resection was followed by reconstruction of the defect with a customized titanium prosthesis, a procedure of great novelty in our environment useful to restore function and esthetic appearance(AU)

Modelling the impact of interventions on the progress of the COVID-19 outbreak including age segregation.

In this work, a SEIR-type mathematical model of the COVID-19 outbreak was developed that describes individuals in compartments by infection stage and age group. The model assumes a close well-mixed community with no migrations. Infection rates and clinical and epidemiological information govern the transitions between stages of the disease. The impact of specific interventions (including the availability of critical care) on the outbreak time course, the number of cases and the outcome of fatalities were evaluated. Data available from the COVID-19 outbreak from Spain as of mid-May 2020 was used. Key findings in our model simulation results indicate that (i) universal social isolation measures appear effective in reducing total fatalities only if they are strict and the number of daily interpersonal contacts is reduced to very low numbers; (ii) selective isolation of only the elderly (at higher fatality risk) appears almost as effective as universal isolation in reducing total fatalities but at a possible lower economic and social impact; (iii) an increase in the number of critical care capacity directly avoids fatalities; (iv) the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) appears to be effective to dramatically reduce total fatalities when adopted extensively and to a high degree; (v) extensive random testing of the population for more complete infection recognition (accompanied by subsequent self-isolation of infected aware individuals) can dramatically reduce the total fatalities only above a high percentage threshold that may not be practically feasible.

Epidemiological characterization of symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 cases and positivity in subsequent RT-PCR tests in the United Arab Emirates.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases could be symptomatic or asymptomatic. We (1) characterized and analyzed data collected from the first cohort of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, according to the symptomatic state, and (2) identified factors associated with the symptomatic state. The association between the symptomatic state and testing positive in three subsequent RT-PCR testing rounds was also quantified. Between February 28 and April 8, 2020, 1,249 cases were reported. Sociodemographic characteristics, working status, travel history, and chronic comorbidities of 791 cases were analyzed according to the symptomatic state (symptomatic or asymptomatic). After the first confirmatory test, the results of three subsequent tests were analyzed. The mean age of the 791 cases was 35.6 ± 12.7 years (range: 1-81). Nearly 57.0% of cases were symptomatic. The two most frequent symptoms were fever (58.0%) and cough (41.0%). Symptomatic cases (mean age 36.3 ± 12.6 years) were significantly older than asymptomatic cases (mean age 34.5 ± 12.7 years). Compared with nonworking populations, working in public places (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 1.76, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.11-2.80), healthcare settings (aOR, 2.09, 95% CI: 1.01-4.31), or in the aviation and tourism sectors (aOR, 2.24, 95% CI: 1.14-4.40) was independently associated with the symptomatic state. Reporting at least one chronic comorbidity was also associated with symptomatic cases (aOR, 1.76, 95% CI: 1.03-3.01). Compared with asymptomatic cases, symptomatic cases had a prolonged duration of viral shedding and consistent odds of ≥2 positive COVID-19 tests result out of the three subsequent testing rounds. A substantial proportion of the diagnosed COVID-19 cases in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi were asymptomatic. Quarantining asymptomatic cases, implementing prevention measures, and raising awareness among populations working in high-risk settings are warranted.