Reliability and Construct Validity of a Mobile Application for the Finger Tapping Test Evaluation in People with Multiple Sclerosis.

The finger tapping test (FTT) is a tool to evaluate the motor performance of the hand and fingers and eye-hand coordination with applicability in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the TappingPro® mobile app and the construct validity between this app and validated clinical scales for motor performance in healthy subjects and pwMS. 42 healthy subjects (mean age 25.05) and 13 pwMS (mean age 51.69, EDSS between 3 and 7.5E) participated. FTT was performed with the TappingPro® mobile app. All participants were examined twice, with a one-week interval between the two appointments. For the analysis of construct validity, the Jamar® hydraulic hand dynamometer, Box and Blocks Test (BBT), and Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT) were used. The intra-rater reliability showed a good correlation (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, ICC > 0.787) for both upper limbs and both times of FTT for healthy subjects, and an excellent correlation (ICC > 0.956) for upper limbs and both times of FTT for pwMS. The ICC for the inter-rater reliability was good (ICC = 0.869) for the non-dominant upper limb in the FTT 10 s of the healthy subjects, and excellent (ICC > 0.904) for all the other measurements of the healthy subjects and pwMS. However, the Bland-Altman plots showed disagreement between observers and measurements that should be considered in the interpretation of clinical evaluations. The correlation analysis for healthy subjects showed poor associations between all variables, except for the association between hand grip strength and the FTT 60 s in the non-dominant upper limb, which had a moderate coefficient. For pwMS, there were moderate to excellent associations between BBT and the NHPT and FTT for both upper limbs. The correlations between hand grip strength and FFT were poor. This mobile app could be a useful and low-cost assessment tool in pwMS, allowing a simple evaluation and follow-up that has excellent correlation with clinical scales validated in this pathology.

Decreased oxytocin levels related to social cognition impairment in borderline personality disorder.

INTRODUCTION: Dysfunctions in the oxytocin system have been reported in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Deficits could be related to interpersonal hypersensitivity, which has been previously associated with failures in social cognition (SC) in this disorder, especially in Theory of Mind (ToM) skills. The aim of this work is to study the links between the oxytocin system and SC impairments in patients with BPD. METHOD: Plasma oxytocin levels (OXT) and protein expression of oxytocin receptors in blood mononuclear cells (OXTR) were examined in 33 patients with a diagnosis of BPD (age: M 28.85, DT = 8.83). Social cognition was assessed using the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC). Statistical associations between biochemical factors and different response errors in MASC were analyzed through generalized linear regression controlling for relevant clinical factors. RESULTS: Generalized linear regression showed a significant relationship between lower OXTR and overmentalization in BPD patients (OR = 0.90). CONCLUSIONS: This work supports the relationship between alterations in the oxytocin system and ToM impairments observed in BPD patients, enhancing the search for endophenotypes related to the phenotypic features of the disorder to improve current clinical knowledge and address more specific therapeutic targets.

Effects of the powerball® system on muscle strength, coordination, fatigue, functionality and quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis. A randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Although clinical and functional impairments in the lower limbs have been extensively studied in patients with MS, the upper limb (UL) are also frequently affected. Clinical impairment of the UL in patients with MS is very common with muscle strength and hand dexterity as critical factors in maintaining functional activities that are the basis for independence and quality of life in people with MS. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of a training protocol using the Powerball® system in combination with conventional physiotherapy on muscle strength, coordination, fatigue, functionality, and quality of life in persons with MS over an 8-week period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted. The control group received conventional treatment, while the experimental group received additional UL training using the Powerball® system. Both groups received the same number of sessions and weeks of intervention. The following outcome measures were used: isometric grip and pinch strength, Box and Block Test (BBT), Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT), Abilhand scale, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29), and Likert satisfaction questionnaire for the experimental group. All measures were administered at baseline, after the treatment, and during a 3-week follow-up period. RESULTS: 25 patients completed the study (12 in the experimental and 13 in the control group). The experimental group showed significant improvements in coordination and manual dexterity of the more affected UL as measured by the BBT comparing pre- to post-treatment (p = 0.048) and pre-treatment to follow-up (p = 0.001), and on the less affected UP comparing pre-treatment to follow-up (p < 0.001) and post-treatment to follow-up (p = 0.034). The Likert-type satisfaction questionnaire obtained a mean score of 89.10 (± 8.54) out of 100 points. CONCLUSIONS: Upper limb treatment protocol using the Powerball® system, in combination with conventional physiotherapy for 8 weeks resulted in significant improvements in the intra-group analysis for UL coordination and manual dexterity in favor of the experimental group. The experimental group showed excellent satisfaction to the treatment.

Economic Cost of Rehabilitation with Robotic and Virtual Reality Systems in People with Neurological Disorders: A Systematic Review.

Background: The prevalence of neurological disorders is increasing worldwide. In recent decades, the conventional rehabilitation for people with neurological disorders has been often reinforced with the use of technological devices (robots and virtual reality). The aim of this systematic review was to identify the evidence on the economic cost of rehabilitation with robotic and virtual reality devices for people with neurological disorders through a review of the scientific publications over the last 15 years. Methods: A systematic review was conducted on partial economic evaluations (cost description, cost analysis, description of costs and results) and complete (cost minimization, cost-effectiveness, cost utility and cost benefit) studies. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. The main data sources used were PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science (WOS). Studies published in English over the last 15 years were considered for inclusion in this review, regardless of the type of neurological disorder. The critical appraisal instrument from the Joanna Briggs Institute for economic evaluation and the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) were used to analyse the methodological quality of all the included papers. Results: A total of 15 studies were included in this review. Ten papers were focused on robotics and five on virtual reality. Most of the studies were focused on people who experienced a stroke. The robotic device most frequently used in the papers included was InMotion® (Bionik Co., Watertown, MA, USA), and for those focused on virtual reality, all papers included used semi-immersive virtual reality systems, with commercial video game consoles (Nintendo Wii® (Nintendo Co., Ltd., Kyoto, Japan) and Kinect® (Microsoft Inc., Redmond, WA, USA)) being used the most. The included studies mainly presented cost minimization outcomes and a general description of costs per intervention, and there were disparities in terms of population, setting, device, protocol and the economic cost outcomes evaluated. Overall, the methodological quality of the included studies was of a moderate level. Conclusions: There is controversy about using robotics in people with neurological disorders in a rehabilitation context in terms of cost minimization, cost-effectiveness, cost utility and cost benefits. Semi-immersive virtual reality devices could involve savings (mainly derived from the low prices of the systems analysed and transportation services if they are applied through telerehabilitation programmes) compared to in-clinic interventions.

Differences in Motor Development between Preterm Infants and Full-Term Preschool Children.

Although advances in obstetric and neonatal care have improved the survival of preterm infants, many studies document the increased risk of motor and sensory neurodevelopmental abnormalities that can hinder school progress. The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in gross and fine motor development in children born preterm and full term aged 3 to 6 years using the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales 2 (PDMS-II). Fifteen preterm and fifteen term children, matched for age and sex, participated in this study. They were evaluated with the PDMS-II scale. The scores obtained in the PDMS-II scale showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in all subscales except for the "grasping" subscale. No dissimilarities were found between children who attended an early intervention program and those who did not participate, nor was there any correlation between week of gestation and birth weight and motor development in preschool. The results obtained show that differences are found with respect to motor development, with lower scores for those born preterm compared to children born at term. No statistically significant difference was found between preterm children who attended early intervention and those who did not. No correlation was found between motor development at preschool age and birth weight and gestational age.

Improving equity of services for sexually transmitted infections through community pharmacies: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacists have the potential to improve care for marginalized populations. Stigmatized and racialized groups may not find traditional health services accessible in other settings. Research focused on health care access for these populations is fundamental in understanding how to improve health equity. OBJECTIVES: This scoping review aimed to determine how health equity is addressed within services offered through community pharmacies for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). METHODS: This scoping review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews Checklist. A comprehensive search strategy was developed with an academic librarian to capture studies containing search terms related to each of the following 3 topics: STIs, pharmacy, and underserved groups. PubMed and Embase were both searched up to July 2023 and search results were uploaded to the screening software Covidence. Two researchers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts. Articles were included if they reported evaluation of a pharmacy-based sexual health service and addressed health equity in service design or implementation. RESULTS: A total of 8 articles were identified that described services implemented for underserved groups. Four populations were identified: injection drug users, men who have sex with men, racial minorities, and those with low socioeconomic status. Equity was addressed through 2 mechanisms: location-based implementation of services in areas of high target population density or through specific targeting of marginalized populations in recruitment and promotion. All studies involved interventions for the prevention or testing services rather than assessment and treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Equity is not being readily addressed in pharmacy-based services for STIs yet evidence exists that considering equity in the design and implementation of services may improve reach to underserved populations.

Social cognition deficits in borderline personality disorder: Clinical relevance.

Interpersonal difficulties in borderline personality disorder (BDP) have been suggested to be related to impairments in Social Cognition (SC), mainly due to deficits in Theory of Mind (ToM). However, literature is scarce and ambiguous. This work aims to study the SC impairments in BPD patients, by the specific assessment of ToM deficits, and to investigate the relationship between these SC impairments and clinical variables. 82 BPD patients with BPD and 47 control subjects were assessed with the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC). Clinical variables of severity, chronicity, functionality and anxious-depressive symptomatology were recorded. BPD patients had fewer correct mentalization responses and more overmentalization, undermentalization, and absence of mentalization errors than controls. Chronicity was negatively correlated with overmentalization and positively correlated with undermentalization and absence of mentalization errors. Functionality was indirectly correlated with absence of mentalization. These results confirm previous reports of alterations in SC in BPD patients. Furthermore, this study shows that SC impairments in patients with BPD are dependent on characteristics such as chronicity or degree of functionality. The different ToM profiles in patients with BPD indicate the necessity of developing variants of mentalization therapy depending on the deficits of each patient.

Designing an Informative App for Neurorehabilitation: A Feasibility and Satisfaction Study by Physiotherapists.

BACKGROUND: New technologies have gained popularity, especially the use of mobile phone applications, in neurorehabilitation. The aim of this paper was (1) to develop a free mobile application (NeurorehAPP) that provides information about and helps to select the appropriate mobile application related to a list of neurological disorders (cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, and facial paralysis), based on different objectives such as healthy habits, information, assessment, and treatment; and (2) to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and degree of satisfaction by physiotherapists after using NeurorehAPP for a minimum of three months. METHODS: A free application was created to work with the Android® operating system. The degree of satisfaction and acceptance with the application was assessed with an adaptation of the Customer Satisfaction Questionnaire through a survey via email applied to physiotherapists from hospitals and neurological rehabilitation centers in Spain after using the application. RESULTS: NeurorehAPP includes a total of 131 apps. A total of 121 physiotherapists completed a satisfaction survey. The total sample showed 85.41% satisfaction with the service provided by the app and 86.41% overall satisfaction with NeurorehAPP. CONCLUSIONS: NeurorehAPP is a free, intuitive, and friendly app used with the Android® operating system that allows the selection of the most appropriate app according to the type of user, neurological disorder, objective, and FDA criteria. Physiotherapists showed a high degree of satisfaction and acceptance with NeurorehAPP.

Using Mitra sampling to support first-in-human pharmacokinetic evaluations for PF-07059013.

Aim: A sensitive and selective method for the determination of PF-07059013 in dried blood collected by Mitra™ tips was developed and qualified from 50 to 50,000 ng/ml. Materials & methods: PF-07059013 is isolated from 10 µl of human dried blood by extraction with methanol and analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS. Results & conclusions: In addition to routine validation elements, impact of hematocrit and Mitra tip's lot-to-lot variation on assay accuracy were evaluated. The qualified method was used in one clinical study with excellent performance. Correlation coefficient between blood concentrations obtained from liquid-incurred blood samples and dried-incurred blood samples is 0.95. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT04323124 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Analysis of Fractional Cerebral Oxygen Extraction in Preterm Infants during the Kangaroo Care.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to investigate the cerebral fractional tissue oxygen extraction (FtOE) during kangaroo care (KC) in premature infants and compare cardiorespiratory stability and hypoxic or bradycardic events between KC and incubator care. METHODS: A single-center prospective observational study was carried out at the NICU of a level 3 perinatal center. Preterm infants <32 weeks gestational age were subjected to KC. Patients were subjected to continuous monitoring of regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rScO2), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), and heart rate (HR) during KC, before KC (pre-KC), and after KC (post-KC). The monitoring data were stored and exported to MATLAB for synchronization and signal analysis including the calculation of the FtOE and events analysis (i.e., desaturations and bradycardias counts and anormal values). Furthermore, the event counts and the mean SpO2, HR, rScO2, and FtOE were compared between studied periods employing the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and the Friedman test, respectively. RESULTS: A total of forty-three KC sessions with their corresponding pre-KC and post-KC segments were analyzed. The distributions of the SpO2, HR, rScO2, and FtOE showed different patterns according to the respiratory support, but not differences between the studied periods were detected. Accordingly, no significant differences in monitoring events were evidenced. However, cerebral metabolic demand (FtOE) was significantly lower during KC compared with post-KC (p = 0.019). CONCLUSION: Premature infants remain clinically stable during KC. Moreover, cerebral oxygenation is significantly higher and cerebral tissular oxygen extraction is significantly lower during KC compared with incubator care in post-KC. No differences in HR and SpO2 were shown. This novel data analysis methodology could be expanded to other clinical situations.

Evaluation of the efficacy of an antioxidant combination for the modulation of metabolic, endocrine, and clinical parameters in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of dietary supplementation with a combination of antioxidants (lipoic acid, N-acetylcysteine, vitamin B6, and S-adenosyl-L-methionine) for the modulation of metabolic, endocrine, and clinical parameters in comparison with oral contraception in non-diabetic women newly diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: This was a prospective, partially randomized, multicenter study in which non-diabetic women with PCOS were recruited under routine clinical practice conditions and distributed in three groups to receive the following regimen for 6 months: 1) antioxidant combination (MN group); 2) oral contraception (OC group); or 3) oral contraception and the antioxidant combination (MN + OC group). General recommendation of healthy diet and regular exercise was given to all patients. Metabolic, endocrine, clinical, and quality of life parameters were recorded at baseline and after 6 months of therapy. RESULTS: A total of 96 women with PCOS were included in the study. After 6 months of treatment, the homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) level was reduced only in the MN group, with a significant mean reduction of -0.92 points. Androstenedione was significantly reduced in all groups. Clinical parameters that significantly improved in all groups were hirsutism, acne, irregular menstruation, and quality of life, with no statistical differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the antioxidant combination might be a suitable therapy for patients with PCOS when oral contraceptive is not indicated, because in all groups clinical parameters, irregular menstruation as well as androstenedione and quality of life were significantly improved with no statistical difference between groups.

Molecular characterization of a suspected IMP-type carbapenemase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa outbreak reveals two simultaneous outbreaks in a tertiary-care hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To describe IMP-type carbapenemase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa outbreaks at Galdakao University Hospital between March 2021 to December 2021. DESIGN: Outbreak report. SETTING: Galdakao University Hospital is a tertiary-care hospital in the Basque Country (northern Spain). PATIENTS: All patients with a positive IMP-type carbapenemase producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa (IMP-PA) culture were included in this study, both colonization and infection cases. METHODS: An outbreak investigation was conducted, in which molecular epidemiology analysis [pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and whole-genome sequencing (WGS)] and environmental screenings were performed. RESULTS: Between March and December 2021, 21 cases of IMP-PA were detected in Galdakao University Hospital: 18 infection cases and 3 colonization cases. In total, 4 different pulsotypes were detected belonging to 4 clones according to WGS: ST175 (n = 14), ST633 (n = 3), ST179 (n = 3), and ST348 (n = 1). IMP-13 was detected in most isolates belonging to the ST175 clone and in all ST179 and ST348 clones, whereas IMP-29 was detected in isolates belonging to the ST633 clone. Clinical isolates belonging to the ST175 clone were isolated mainly from patients admitted to the respiratory ward, and isolates belonging to the ST633 clone from patients admitted to the ICU. Two environmental isolates belonging to the ST175 clone were detected in the respiratory ward. CONCLUSIONS: Molecular and genomic epidemiology revealed that there had been 2 independent IMP-PA outbreaks, one of long duration in the respiratory ward and the other more limited in the ICU.

La ciudadanía (a)sexual infantil en un análisis discursivo situado: El repertorio tópico del debate parlamentario de la ley de grooming en Argentina / Child (a)sexual citizenship in a situated discursive analysis: the topical repertoire of the parliamentary debate on the grooming law in Argentina / A cidadania (a)sexual infantil numa análise discursiva situada: o repertório temático do debate parlamentar sobre a lei do aliciamento na Argentina

Resumen El artículo tiene como objetivo analizar el modo en el que se construyen los sentidos de la ciudadanía (a)sexual infantil mediante el análisis discursivo del debate parlamentario sobre la ley de grooming en Argentina en ambas cámaras legislativas. Se consideran como premisas los aportes de estudios de sexualidad(es) y de los estudios sociales de infancia, desde una metodología sociosemiótica. El análisis enfoca específicamente el repertorio temático del debate: las dislocaciones de la espacialidad, la temporalidad y la autoridad familiar que imponen las nuevas tecnologías al gobierno de la infancia, como así también, la función protectora del estado. El relevamiento y análisis de los tópicos emergentes en el debate permiten mostrar cómo los discursos de prevención de la violencia sexual hilvanan una axiología moral que regula los modos aceptables de experimentar la sexualidad en la infancia y la reproducción del orden heterofamiliar.

Abstract The objective of this article is to analyze the way in which the meanings of child (a)sexual citizenship are constructed through the discursive analysis of the parliamentary debate on the grooming law in Argentina in both legislative chambers. The contributions of sexuality(ies) studies and social studies of childhood, from a socio-semiotic methodology, are considered as premises. The analysis focuses specifically on the thematic repertoire of the debate: the dislocations of spatiality, temporality and family authority imposed by new technologies to the government of childhood, as well as the protective role of the state. The survey and analysis of the emerging topics in the debate allow us to show how the discourses of prevention of sexual violence weave a moral axiology that regulates the acceptable ways of experiencing sexuality in childhood and the reproduction of the heterofamilial order.

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a forma como os significados da cidadania (a)sexual infantil são construídos através da análise discursiva do debate parlamentar sobre a lei do aliciamento na Argentina, em ambas câmaras legislativas. As contribuições dos estudos da(s) sexualidade(s) e dos estudos sociais da infância são considerados como premissas, utilizando uma metodologia socio-semiótica. A análise centra-se especificamente no repertório temático do debate: os deslocamentos de espacialidade, temporalidade e autoridade familiar que as novas tecnologias impõem ao governo das crianças, bem como o papel protetor do Estado. O levantamento e a análise dos temas emergentes no debate permitem demonstrar como os discursos de prevenção da violência sexual tecem uma axiologia moral que regula as formas aceitáveis de vivência da sexualidade na infância e a reprodução da ordem hetero-familiar.

Presentación: Regulaciones sociales del género, la sexualidad y la edad: reflexiones sobre políticas, prácticas y discursos desde una perspectiva regional / Apresentação: Regulações sociais de gênero, sexualidade e idade: reflexões sobre políticas, práticas e discursos em perspectiva regional / Presentation: Social regulations of gender, sexuality and age: reflections on policies, practices and discourses from a regional perspective

Resumen El presente texto tiene como objetivo la presentación del dossier "Regulaciones sociales del género, la sexualidad y la edad: reflexiones sobre políticas, prácticas y discursos desde una perspectiva regional". El dossier reúne trabajos académicos que, desde distintas disciplinas y perspectivas conceptuales, reflexionan críticamente acerca de las formas en que el género y la sexualidad, en intersección con la edad, la clase social y la raza, son procesados y regulados socialmente en contextos de desigualdad. Sus contribuciones permiten también reflexionar sobre tales regulaciones como configuraciones sociales, culturales y materiales complejas, conflictivas y disputadas con variabilidad histórica que se rearticulan a la luz de procesos globales de gobierno.

Resumo O objetivo do texto é apresentar o dossiê "Regulações sociais de gênero, sexualidade e idade: reflexões sobre políticas, práticas e discursos em perspectiva regional". O dossier reúne trabalhos académicos que, a partir de diferentes disciplinas e perspectivas conceituais, refletem criticamente sobre os modos como o gênero e a sexualidade, em intersecção com idade, classe social e raça, são e socialmente regulados em contextos de desigualdade. As contribuições dos artigos nos permitem refletir sobre as regulações como configurações sociais, culturais e materiais complexas, conflituosas e contestadas, com variabilidade histórica, que são rearticuladas à luz de processos globais de governança.

Abstract The aim of this text is to present the dossier "Social regulations of gender, sexuality and age: reflections on policies, practices and discourses from a regional perspective". The dossier brings together academic works that, from different disciplines and conceptual perspectives, critically reflect on the ways in which gender and sexuality, in intersection with age, social class and race, are processed and socially regulated in contexts of inequality. Their contributions also allow us to reflect on such regulations as complex, conflicting and contested social, cultural and material configurations with historical variability that are re-articulated in the light of global processes of governance.

Caracterización epidemiológica: descripción de mortalidad para hemorragia subdural aguda no traumática en el período 2017-2021, en Chile / Epidemiological characterization: description of mortality for non-traumatic acute subdural hemorrhage in the 2017-2021 period, in Chile

Introducción: La hemorragia subdural aguda no traumática (HSDNT) es una patología relacionada a factores de riesgo cardiovascular (RCV). Por falta de estudios epidemiológicos nacionales, se plantea estudiar la tasa de mortalidad (TM) y defunciones por HSDNT entre los años 2017-2021 en Chile. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, sobre defunciones por HSDNT entre los años 2017-2021 en Chile (N=878), según grupo etario, sexo y lugar de defunción, usando datos obtenidos del departamento de estadística e información en salud. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva y cálculo de TM. No requirió aprobación por comité de ética. Resultados: Se calculó una TM de 0,99/100.000 habitantes entre los años 2017-2021, siendo la mayor los años 2017-2019 y 2020 con TM de 1/100.000. El sexo masculino presentó TM de 1,27/100.000, el grupo etario mayor a 80 años presentó una TM de 19,28/100.000 habitantes. Según lugar de defunción, el año 2020 un 83% (148) de las defunciones fue en hospital o clínica. Discusión: La prevalencia del RCV hace relevante el estudio de mortalidad por HSDNT, donde la principal hipótesis de su mortalidad en Chile estaría basada en estos factores riesgo latentes. Según lugar de defunción, se podría suponer dadas mayores complicaciones en aquellos pacientes hospitalizados por HSDNT. Conclusión: Dada la nula existencia de datos sobre esta patología en Chile, se realizó una caracterización epidemiológica en conjunto a un análisis de defunciones según el lugar, aportando una perspectiva nacional de mortalidad sobre este cuadro en particular.

Introduction: Non-traumatic acute subdural hemorrhage (NTSDH) is related to cardiovascular risk factors (CVR). Due to lack of national epidemiological studies, it is proposed to study mortality rate (MR) and deaths from HSD between the years 2017-2021 in Chile. Methodology: Descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study on deaths due to SDH between the years 2017-2021 in Chile (N=878), in a population older than 15 years, according to age group, sex and place of death, using data obtained from Departamento de estadísticas e información en salud. Descriptive statistics and MR calculation were used. It did not require approval by an ethics committee. Results: A MR of 0.99/100,000 inhabitants was calculated between the years 2017-2021, the year being the highest in the years 2017-2019 and 2020 with MR of 1/100,000. Male sex presented a MR of 1.27/100,000, the age group over 80 years presented a MR of 19.28/100,000 inhabitants. By place of death, in 2020 there were 148 deaths in hospitals or clinics. Discussion: The prevalence of CVR makes the study of mortality from NTSDH relevant, where the hypothesis of its mortality in Chile would be based on these risk factors. Depending on the place of death, it could be assumed that there are greater complications in those patients hospitalized for NTSDH. Conclusion: Given the null existence of data on this pathology in Chile, an epidemiological characterization was carried out together with an analysis of deaths according to the place, providing a national perspective of mortality about this disease.

Bioanalytical method validation and sample analysis for nirmatrelvir in dried blood collected using the Tasso-M20 device.

Aim: A sensitive and selective method for the determination of nirmatrelvir in dried human blood collected by Tasso-M20 was developed and validated from 20.0 to 20,000 ng/ml. Materials & methods: Nirmatrelvir and its stable-labeled internal standard were isolated from approximately 20 µl of blood dried on one volumetric absorptive pad inside the Tasso-M20 device by extraction with methanol, followed by dilution of the supernatant. The extracts were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometric detection. Results & conclusion: The method was fully validated. Hematocrit levels do not impact assay accuracy. Stabilities to cover sample drying and storage at a variety of conditions were conducted. The validated method was used in multiple clinical studies with excellent performance.