Exploring Gastric Perforation as an Uncommon yet Critical Complication of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors.

Hollow viscus perforation poses a significant diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma for the majority of clinicians. It is vitally important that in cases of gastrointestinal perforation, the tissue that was perforated is always evaluated, since a malignant tumor can cause this complication as a presentation form. Here, we present the case of a patient whose first manifestation of a malignant gastric tumor was its perforation and the presence of septic shock secondary to this. This case exemplifies the importance of innovative thinking in facilitating a comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic strategy, leading to the timely identification and management of a malignant tumor by the oncology team; such interventions not only enhance patient outcomes but also mitigate morbidity and mortality rates.

Tackling the Unyielding Challenge of Necrotic Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Liver Necrosectomy Approach for Intratumoral Hemorrhage and Abscess Resolution.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common causes of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary cancer worldwide. Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis persist as the most common risk factors, typically linked to instances of alcohol abuse or viral infections, notably hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection. Diagnosis can be made using patient history and image studies as there is no need for pathological confirmation. The only curative treatment is surgical resection, and in cases where the tumor is unresectable, as the one presented in this case, and when there are no contraindications, the only option is an orthotopic liver transplantation. This malignancy is not only associated with high mortality but also high morbidity associated with severe complications, such as hemorrhage, necrosis, and infection of the tumor. The significant relevance of this case lies in its capacity to illustrate that despite remaining in non-surgical management for months when an acute complication presented, it was timely identified and surgically treated. The emergence of complications, such as necrosis accompanied by abscess formation and intratumoral hemorrhage, represents an indication for prompt surgical management.

Adaptación cultural y análisis psicométrico de una escala de comportamientos de autocuidado en personas con insuficiencia cardíaca / Cultural adaptation and psychometric analysis of a scale of self-care behaviors in persons with heart failure

INTRODUCCIÓN: La Insuficiencia Cardiaca se ha descrito como un síndrome de proporciones epidémicas, con una prevalencia de un 1-3% de la población adulta mundial menor de 60 años. Las conductas de autocuidado constituyen una estrategia clave en la elaboración de intervenciones exitosas que disminuyan la re-hospitalización, mortalidad y mejoren la calidad de vida. OBJETIVO: Adaptar y validar la Escala Revisada de Comportamientos de Autocuidado en Falla Cardiaca (Revised Heart Failure Self Care Behavior Scale) en personas con insuficiencia cardíaca, que se encuentran en seguimiento ambulatorio, en dos Hospitales Públicos chilenos. METODOLOGÍA: Estudio transversal de adaptación y análisis psicométrico del instrumento de medición Escala de Valoración de Comportamientos de Autocuidado en personas con Insuficiencia Cardíaca diseñada por Nancy Artinian. Emplazamiento: Unidades ambulatorias de seguimiento en Hospitales Públicos chilenos. Participantes: Usuarios con Insuficiencia Cardíaca que asistieron a dos Policlínicos de seguimiento de Insuficiencia Cardiaca de dos Centros de Salud de nivel secundario de dos comunas de Santiago en Chile. Método: Se realizó juicio de expertos para la adaptación cultural del instrumento, se aplicó el análisis factorial exploratorio con rotación oblicua. RESULTADOS: Escala Chilena de Valoración Comportamientos de Automanejo en Insuficiencia Cardiaca presentó una adecuada adaptación cultural, pruebas sicométricas que garantizan su validez de constructo y fiabilidad adecuada, con Alfa de Cronbach del Instrumento de 0,84 IC [0,80-0,88]. CONCLUSIONES: Se proporciona un instrumento que permite conocer conductas de autocuidado de los pacientes con IC, esto le permite ser utilizado por los profesionales que atienden a personas que padecen de IC en Chile.

INTRODUCTION: Heart failure (HF) has been described as a syndrome of epidemic proportions, with a prevalence of 1-3% amongst the global adult population under 60 years of age. Self-care behaviors are a key strategy in the development of successful interventions that reduce re-hospitalization, mortality and improve quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To adapt and validate the Revised Heart Failure Self-Care Behavior Scale in people with heart failure, who are in outpatient follow-up, in two Chilean public hospitals. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of adaptation and psychometric analysis of the measuring instrument Scale of Assessment of Self-Care Behavior in Persons with Heart Failure, designed by Nancy Artinian. Location: Outpatient follow-up units in Chilean public hospitals. Participants: Patients with Heart Failure who attended two heart failure outpatient follow-up clinics within two secondary healthcare centers located in two districts of Santiago, Chile. Method: Expert judgments were made for the cultural adaptation of the instrument, followed by exploratory factor analysis with oblique rotation. RESULTS: The Chilean Scale of Assessment of Self-Management Behaviors in Heart Failure presented adequate cultural adaptation, psychometric tests that guarantee its validity in terms of its construction and adequate reliability. Cronbach's Alpha of the Instrument was 0,84 IC [0,80-0,88] CONCLUSIONS: The study provides a tool that allows us to ascertain the self-care behaviors of patients with HF, allowing it to be used by professionals who care for people with HF in Chile.

Eosinophilic Cholecystitis as an Atypical Etiology of Biliary Colic: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Eosinophilic cholecystitis (EC) is an uncommon cause of acute cholecystitis; the clinical presentation is indistinguishable from other types of cholecystitis, and the diagnosis is made by histopathology study. We present the case of a 73-year-old male patient with right hypochondrial abdominal pain suggestive of symptomatic cholelithiasis. There were no significant findings at the blood workup or physical examination; he underwent a cholecystectomy and was later diagnosed with eosinophilic cholecystitis by histopathology. EC may be associated with some other systemic conditions, such as eosinophilic granulomatosis, eosinophilic ascites, or parasitosis, which will require specific management.

Diaphragmatic Dynamics and Thickness Parameters Assessed by Ultrasonography Predict Extubation Success in Critically Ill Patients.

INTRODUCTION: A frequent cause of weaning and extubation failure in critically ill mechanically ventilated patients is diaphragm muscle dysfunction. Ultrasound (US) evaluation of the diaphragm yields important data regarding its thickness (diaphragm thickening fraction [TFdi]) and its movement or excursion (diaphragmatic dynamics) that reveal the presence of diaphragmatic dysfunction. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, which included patients older than 18 years with invasive mechanical ventilation with an expected duration of more than 48 h, in a tertiary referral center in Colombia. The excursion of the diaphragm, inspiratory and expiratory thickness, and TFdi were evaluated by US. Prevalence and use of medications were evaluated, and the association with failure in ventilatory weaning and extubation was analyzed. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients were included. The median age and APACHE IV score were 62.42 years and 78.23, respectively. The prevalence of diaphragmatic dysfunction (assessed by excursion and TFdi) was 40.98%. The sensibility, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for TFdi < 20% was 86%, 24%, 75%, and 40%, respectively, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.6. The ultrasonographic analysis of excursion of the diaphragm, inspiratory and expiratory thickness, and TFdi (>20%) allow in its set and with normal values, predict success or failure for the extubation with an area under the ROC curve of 0.87. CONCLUSION: Diaphragmatic dynamics and thickness parameters together assessed by ultrasonography could predict the success of extubation in critically ill patients in Colombia, based on the finding of diaphragmatic dysfunction.

Discriminación racial y Determinantes Sociales de la salud en niños y niñas migrantes: revisión narrativa

Objetivo: Analizar la relación entre Determinantes Sociales de la Salud (DSS) y discriminación en niños, niñas y adolescentes migrantes a partir de la información disponible en la literatura científica. Método: Revisión narrativa de estudios primarios publicados entre 2008 y 2021 en las bases de datos PubMed y Web of Science. Se utilizaron los descriptores "Psychological/Social Discrimination", "Racism", "Social Stigma", "Social Determinants of Health", "Public Health", "Health Equity", "Transients and Migrants", "Refugees", "Emigrants and Immigrants", "Undocumented Immigrants", "Child", "Adolescent", "Child, "Preschool". Los operadores booleanos utilizados fueron AND y OR. Se incluyeron artículos observacionales (analíticos o descriptivos) que evaluaran la relación entre discriminación racial y DSS, publicados en inglés o español. La población de estudio fueron niños, niñas y adolescentes. La selección de artículos se realizó siguiendo las recomendaciones PRISMA. La calidad de la evidencia fue evaluada mediante la herramienta MMAT. Resultados: De un total de 1249 artículos identificados, se incluyeron 55. La mayor cantidad de artículos identificó el efecto de la relación entre discriminación racial y migración en ámbitos de salud mental negativa. Fue escasa la evidencia respecto de determinantes estructurales, sin embargo, destaca la relación entre discriminación racial y el efecto moderador de la familia y la escuela. Conclusiones: Analizar la discriminación racial que perciben niños y niñas migrantes mediante un enfoque de DSS permite identificar áreas sensibles al desarrollo estrategias de reducción de inequidades en este grupo.

Objective: To analyze the relationship between Social Determinants of Health (SDH) and racial discrimination in migrant children and adolescents, based on the information available in the scientific literature. Method: Narrative review of primary studies published between 2008 and 2021 in PubMed and Web of Science databases. The descriptors "Psychological/Social Discrimination", "Racism", "Social Stigma", "Social Determinants of Health", "Public Health", "Health Equity", "Transients and Migrants", "Refugees", "Emigrants and Immigrants", "Undocumented Immigrants", "Child", "Adolescent", "Child", "Preschool" were using. The Boolean operators used were AND OR. We included observational articles (analytical or descriptive) that evaluated the relationship between racial discrimination and SDH, published in English or Spanish. The study population was children and adolescents. We select articles following the PRISMA recommendations. The evaluation of the quality of the evidence was made using MMAT. Results: Of a total of 1249 articles identified, 55 articles were included. The most significant number of articles identified the relationship between racial discrimination and migration on adverse mental health outcomes. Evidence regarding structural determinants was scarce; however, the relationship between racial discrimination and the moderating effect of family and school stands out. Conclusions: Analyzing racial discrimination as perceived by migrant children through a DSS approach allows us to identify sensitive areas to develop strategies to reduce inequities in this group.

An Unusual Presentation of Valentino Syndrome With a Perforated Gastric Ulcer as a Cause of Abdominal Pain: A Case Report.

Numerous pathologies can cause abdominal pain; thus, the surgeon's job is to precisely identify any pathologies that may require surgery and endanger the patient's life. Perforation of a gastric or duodenal ulcer associated with a clinical picture of acute appendicitis is known as Valentino syndrome (VS). To our knowledge, there are 22 cases of VS reported in the literature. We describe the clinical case of a 53-year-old female patient with abdominal pain in the right iliac fossa who came to the emergency room. A plain tomography was performed, which found free intraperitoneal fluid and free subdiaphragmatic air. Therefore, a laparotomy was performed, revealing a gastric perforation. VS is a rare pathology and when not recognized and managed properly, it can increase patients' mortality.

Trasplante hepático en hepatitis alcohólica aguda: ¿debemos decir que no?

Alcohol liver disease is one of the main indications for liver transplantation (LT). Currently, an abstinence period <6 months is required to include a patient with alcohol liver disease on the waiting list, a period that has not been shown to reduce the risk of relapse. Alcoholic hepatitis is characterized by hepatic decompensation secondary to recent, excessive consumption of alcohol, and LT may be the option in a well-selected group of patients who do not respond to medical treatment, but due to established sobriety intervals are excluded, this requires a change in the criteria established by the committees. We propose an evaluation algorithm to consider alcoholic hepatitis unresponsive to medical treatment for LT.

La enfermedad hepática por alcohol es una de las principales indicaciones de trasplante hepático (TH). Actualmente se requiere un período de abstinencia > 6 meses para incluir a un paciente con enfermedad hepática por alcohol en lista de espera de TH, periodo que no ha demostrado disminuir el riesgo de recaída. La hepatitis aguda por alcohol se caracteriza por una descompensación hepática secundaria a un consumo de alcohol excesivo reciente, y el TH puede ser la única opción en un grupo bien seleccionado de pacientes que no responden al tratamiento médico, pero debido a los intervalos de sobriedad establecidos son excluidos, y esto requiere un cambio en los criterios establecidos por los comités. Proponemos un algoritmo de evaluación para considerar para TH la hepatitis aguda por alcohol no respondedora a tratamiento médico.

Left-dominant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy in a Fila Brasileiro dog.

Background: In human medicine, arrhythmogenic left ventricular cardiomyopathy was described as a primary disease of the heart characterized by fibroadipose replacement of the myocardium.. Case Description: We report the case of a dog, with history of syncope and irregular cardiac rhythm. Electrocardiogram, echocardiography, and a 24-hour Holter monitoring showed, respectively, the presence of premature ventricular complexes with right bundle branch block morphology, an increase of the left ventricle end-diastolic diameter with preserved fractional shortening and ejection fraction, and a sinus arrhythmia as baseline rhythm with supraventricular tachycardia episodes and ventricular complexes with left bundle branch block morphology. After the death of the canine, a postmortem examination showed cardiomegaly. Fibroadipose replacement of the septum and both ventricles, with left ventricle myocardial fibrosis, suggestive of previous necrosis, was observed. Conclusion: These findings are suggestive of left-dominant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy which, to the best of our knowledge, has not been described in veterinary medicine.

Pathological Findings Associated With SARS-CoV-2 on Postmortem Core Biopsies: Correlation With Clinical Presentation and Disease Course.

Background: Autopsies can shed light on the pathogenesis of new and emerging diseases. Aim: To describe needle core necropsy findings of the lung, heart, and liver in decedents with COVID-19. Material: Cross-sectional study of needle core necropsies in patients who died with virologically confirmed COVID-19. Histopathological analyses were performed, and clinical data and patient course evaluated. Results: Chest core necropsies were performed in 71 decedents with a median age of 81 years (range 52-97); 47 (65.3%) were men. The median interval from symptoms onset to death was 17.5 days (range 1-84). Samples of lung (n = 62, 87.3%), heart (n = 48, 67.6%) and liver (n = 39, 54.9%) were obtained. Fifty-one lung samples (82.3%) were abnormal: 19 (30.6%) showed proliferative diffuse alveolar damage (DAD), 12 (19.4%) presented exudative DAD, and 10 (16.1%) exhibited proliferative plus exudative DAD. Of the 46 lung samples tested for SARS-CoV-19 by RT-PCR, 39 (84.8%) were positive. DAD was associated with premortem values of lactate dehydrogenase of 400 U/L or higher [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 21.73; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.22-146] and treatment with tocilizumab (AOR 6.91; 95% CI 1.14-41.7). Proliferative DAD was associated with an onset-to-death interval of over 15 days (AOR 7.85, 95% CI 1.29-47.80). Twenty-three of the 48 (47.9%) heart samples were abnormal: all showed fiber hypertrophy, while 9 (18.8%) presented fibrosis. Of the liver samples, 29/39 (74.4%) were abnormal, due to steatosis (n = 12, 30.8%), cholestasis (n = 6, 15.4%) and lobular central necrosis (n = 5, 12.8%). Conclusion: Proliferative DAD was the main finding on lung core needle necropsy in people who died from COVID-19; this finding was related to a longer disease course. Changes in the liver and heart were common.

Clinical Proof of Concept for Stabilization of Tracheostomy Tubes Using Novel DYNAtraq Device.

Introduction: Tracheostomy is one of the most common surgical strategies in intensive care units (ICU) and provides relevant clinical benefit for multiple indications. However, the complications associated with its use range from 5 to 40% according to different series. The risk of these complications could be reduced if fixation strategies and alignment of the tracheostomy tube with respect to the tracheal axis are improved. Aim: To build a functional device of technological innovation in respiratory medicine for the fixation and alignment of tracheostomy cannula (acronym DYNAtraq) and to evaluate its feasibility and safety in a pilot study in mechanically ventilated patients. Methods: Study carried out in four phases: (1) design engineering and functional prototyping of the device; (2) study of cytotoxicity and tolerance to the force of traction and push; (3) pilot study of feasibility and safety of its use in tracheostomized and mechanically ventilated patients; and (4) health workers satisfaction study. Results: The design of the innovative DYNAtraq device included, on the one hand, a connector with very little additional dead space to be inserted between the cannula and the ventilation tubes, and, on the other hand, a shaft with two supports for adhesion to the skin of the thorax with very high tolerance (several kilograms) to pull and push. In patients, the device corrected the malpositioned tracheostomy tubes for the latero-lateral (p < 0.001) and cephalo-caudal angles (p < 0.001). Its effect was maintained throughout the follow-up time (p < 0.001). The use of DYNAtraq did not induce serious adverse events and showed a 70% protective effect for complications (RR = 0.3, p < 0.001) in patients. Conclusion: DYNAtraq is a new device for respiratory medicine that allows the stabilization, alignment and fixation of tracheostomy tubes in mechanically ventilated patients. Its use provides additional benefits to traditional forms of support as it corrects misalignment and increases tolerance to habitual or forced movements. DYNAtraq is a safe element and can reduce the complications of tracheostomy tubes.

Cushing's syndrome caused by intra-adrenocortical adrenocorticotropic hormone in a dog.

A 13-year-old Labrador retriever was diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome (CS) caused by primary bilateral nodular adrenocortical hyperplasia with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) expression. The pituitary origin of CS was ruled out by suppression of plasma ACTH concentration and absence of a proliferative lesion on histological evaluation of the pituitary gland using periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining, reticulin staining, and immunostaining for ACTH. A pheochromocytoma also was found at necropsy examination. On histological evaluation of both adrenal glands, at the junction of the fascicular and glomerular zones, multiple cell clusters distributed in both hyperplastic adrenal cortices expressed ACTH, whereas the pheochromocytoma cells did not. These results indicate that a disease similar to primary bilateral macronodular adrenocortical hyperplasia in humans also occurs in dogs, with intra-adrenocortical expression of ACTH, glucocorticoids excess, and clinical signs of CS. Therefore, the term ACTH-independent could be inappropriate in some cases of bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasia and suppressed plasma ACTH concentration in dogs.

Findings suggestive of coronary microvascular dysfunction in cats with myocardial ischemia.

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) is an important cause of death and disability among humans worldwide. Few studies have reported the occurrence of MI in small animals as well. Reports in human medicine indicate that up to 30% of patients with clinical signs compatible with myocardial ischemia suggestive of coronary disease exhibit normal epicardial arteries at angiography. These symptoms have been associated with a syndrome characterized by alterations in cardiac microvasculature, known as coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD). Aim: This study aimed to describe the necropsy findings and clinical-pathological characterization (when available) of cats with histopathological findings suggesting CMD. Methods: Necropsy records of cats presenting histopathological diagnosis compatible with acute and/or chronic MI, with normal epicardial arteries and microvascular disorders were evaluated. Results: Twenty animals met the inclusion criteria. Eight cats (40%) exhibited findings compatible with mild hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) without left atrial enlargement, one (5%) presented restrictive cardiomyopathy, and another one (5%) had lesions consistent with histiocytoid cardiomyopathy. The remaining cats (50%) showed alterations compatible with severe HCM with left atrial enlargement. In all cases, epicardial arteries were normal (without obstruction). All the evaluated hearts exhibited myocardial multifocal fibrosis along with replacement of cardiomyocytes by adipose tissue and blood vessels with hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the muscular layer with protrusion of the nuclei of the endothelial cells. Conclusion: These findings suggest the presence of microvascular dysplasia of the coronary arteries. Further studies are necessary to confirm and clinically characterize these results.

Invention and Pilot Study of the Efficacy and Safety of the SUPRAtube Device in Continuous Supraglottic Aspiration for Intubated and Mechanically Ventilated Patients.

BACKGROUND: Bronchoaspiration of content that accumulates in the supraglottic area (eg, saliva, gastroesophageal reflux) is a risk factor for ventilator-associated pneumonia. A continuous supraglottic suction system may decrease the risk of bronchoaspiration in these patients. OBJECTIVE: (1) Constructing a conceptual model and functional prototype of a continuous supraglottic suction device for use in humans; (2) defining functional characteristics in ex vivo swine head models; and (3) evaluating its efficacy and safety in mechanically ventilated patients. METHODS: Study conducted in three phases. First phase: definition of distances and diameters of the triangle determined by dental arch, posterior oropharynx and vallecula, and diameter of the oropharynx in axial projection; and identification of the declining area of supraglottic suction. Second phase: design engineering and functional prototype evaluated in ex vivo models. Third phase: evaluation of device use in terms of safety and efficacy in ventilated patients. RESULTS: We obtained a final functional model of the SUPRAtube device injected into PVC for medical use. Device effectiveness in in vitro simulation showed a high and fast suction capacity of liquid and thick volumes. Study of swine heads allowed to validate the shape, size and functional fenestration of the device. Study in intubated and mechanically ventilated patients showed a high supraglottic suction capacity and the absence of local adverse events during 72 (7-240) hours of continuous operation. CONCLUSION: Our study describes the process of conceptualization, design and production of a practical, safe, low-cost continuous supraglottic suction device without representing antibiotic pressure, which appears to be a new complementary preventive strategy for the standard management of intubated and mechanically ventilated patients.

Adrenal cortex stimulation with hCG in spayed female dogs with Cushing's syndrome: Is the LH-dependent variant possible?

Background: The expression and overexpression of luteinizing hormone (LH) receptors in the canine adrenal gland cortex have been reported. Therefore, it was hypothesized that a LH-dependent form of Cushing's syndrome (CS) could exist in dogs. Aim: To assess whether the adrenal gland post-ovariectomy (OVx) exhibits a greater response to adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) stimulation; to evaluate whether the adrenal gland responds to human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulation by increasing the release of cortisol; and to consider whether hCG stimulus testing would be useful as a diagnosis for possible cases of LH-dependent CS. Methods: Cortisol concentrations were measured from healthy female dogs (n=16) at baseline and following ACTH stimulation before and 2 months after gonadectomy (OVx). Cortisol concentrations were also measured for female dogs with CS (n = 14) following administration of hCG (5000 IU). A post-hCG cortisol concentration greater than 140 nmol/l was used to define dogs with LH-dependent Cushing's syndrome. Results: In normal female dogs, both pre- and post-stimulation cortisol concentrations increased following OVx (p = 0.002 and p = 0.0003, respectively). In female dogs with CS, cortisol concentrations increased following stimulation with hCG in 57% (8/14; p = 0.002). Age at the time of OVx was associated (p = 0.015) with the cortisol response to hCG [8 (5-9) years vs. 3.5 (2-6) years, p = 0.0013). Conclusion: Based on these results, an LH-dependent form of CS occurs in spayed female dogs, and that it is more likely to occur when female dogs are spayed later in life.

Diabetes mellitus remission in three cats with hypersomatotropism after cabergoline treatment.

CASE SUMMARY: Three diabetic cats presented with polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia and poor glycemic control. Cat 1 displayed prognathia inferior and had a body condition score (BCS) of 4/5; cat 2 had a BCS of 5/5; and cat 3 had broad facial features. Serum insulin-like growth factor 1 concentrations were compatible with hypersomatotropism in cat 1 and cat 2 (>1500 ng/ml and 1200 ng/ml, respectively) and just below the cut-off of 1000 ng/ml (947 ng/ml) in cat 3; in this last cat diagnosis was further supported by the presence of pituitary enlargement on MRI. Oral cabergoline (10 µg/kg q48h) was initiated. Insulin requirements progressively reduced, as evidenced by daily blood glucose monitoring and weekly blood glucose curves. Diabetic remission occurred in all three cats between the second and third months of cabergoline treatment. At the time of writing, remission has persisted thus far (cat 1: 23 months; cat 2: 14 months; cat 3: 38 months). RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: To our knowledge, these are the first reported cases of diabetic remission in cats with hypersomatotropism after cabergoline treatment, despite previous reports of this being an ineffective treatment. Further work is indicated to determine why some cats do, and others do not, respond to this treatment.

Psychometric properties of the Jefferson Empathy Scale in four nursing student faculties.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Jefferson Medical Empathy Scale, Spanish version (JSE-S), its factorial structure, reliability, and the presence of invariance between genders in the behavior of empathy levels among Chilean nursing students. METHOD: Instrumental research design. The JSE-S was applied to 1,320 nursing students. A confirmatory factor analysis was used. An invariance study between genders was carried out. Descriptive statistics were estimated. Between genders, Student's T distribution was applied alongside a homoscedasticity analysis. The level of significance was α ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: The confirmatory factor analysis determined the existence of three dimensions in the matrix. The statistical results of the invariance tests were significant, and allowed comparison between genders. Differences were found between mean empathy values, as well as in some of its dimensions between genders. CONCLUSION: The factor structure of empathy data and its dimensions is in correspondence with the underlying three-dimensional model. There are differences in empathy levels and their dimensions between genders, with the exception of the compassionate care dimension, which was distributed similarly. Women were more empathetic than men.

Imaging Enterobacterales infections in patients using pathogen-specific positron emission tomography.

Enterobacterales represent the largest group of bacterial pathogens in humans and are responsible for severe, deep-seated infections, often resulting in sepsis or death. They are also a prominent cause of multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections, and some species are recognized as biothreat pathogens. Tools for noninvasive, whole-body analysis that can localize a pathogen with specificity are needed, but no such technology currently exists. We previously demonstrated that positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-sorbitol (18F-FDS) can selectively detect Enterobacterales infections in murine models. Here, we demonstrate that uptake of 18F-FDS by bacteria occurs via a metabolically conserved sorbitol-specific pathway with rapid in vitro 18F-FDS uptake noted in clinical strains, including MDR isolates. Whole-body 18F-FDS PET/computerized tomography (CT) in 26 prospectively enrolled patients with either microbiologically confirmed Enterobacterales infection or other pathologies demonstrated that 18F-FDS PET/CT was safe, could rapidly detect and localize Enterobacterales infections due to drug-susceptible or MDR strains, and differentiated them from sterile inflammation or cancerous lesions. Repeat imaging in the same patients monitored antibiotic efficacy with decreases in PET signal correlating with clinical improvement. To facilitate the use of 18F-FDS, we developed a self-contained, solid-phase cartridge to rapidly (<10 min) formulate ready-to-use 18F-FDS from commercially available 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-glucose (18F-FDG) at room temperature. In a hamster model, 18F-FDS PET/CT also differentiated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia from secondary Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia-a leading cause of complications in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. These data support 18F-FDS as an innovative and readily available, pathogen-specific PET technology with clinical applications.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Occupational Groups from the Bucaramanga Metropolitan Area, Colombia.

The negative effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have impacted the world economy due to the absence from work because of SARS-CoV-2 infection in workers, among other reasons. However, some economic areas are essential to society and people must continue working outside the home to support economic reactivation; their serological profile could be different from that of the global population. Cross-sectional study: Workers from health, construction, public transportation, public force, bike delivery messengers, independent or informal commerce areas, and residents of Bucaramanga or its metropolitan area were invited to participate. All participants self-completed a virtual survey and a blood test was taken to assess IgG and IgM with the ARC COV2 test. Seroprevalence was estimated considering a complex survey design, correcting for a finite population effect and adjusting for test performance. A total of 7045 workers were enrolled; 59.9% were women and most were residents of Bucaramanga and working in health occupations. The global adjusted seroprevalence was 19.5% (CI: 95% 18.6-20.4), being higher for Girón (27.9%; 95% CI: 24.5-31.30). Workers with multiple contact with people during working hours or using public transportation to go to work had a higher frequency of seropositivity for SARS-CoV-2. The seroprevalence among workers living in these four municipalities from the Colombian northeast area is still low.