Differences between Myeloschisis and Myelomeningocele in patients undergoing prenatal repair of Open Spina Bifida.

INTRODUCTION: Open spina bifida (OSB) manifests as myelomeningocele (MMC) or myeloschisis (MS). Both lesions theoretically leak cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and produce different degrees of Chiari II malformation (CHMII). However, it is not entirely clear whether these forms of OSB have different clinical manifestations. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and/or radiological differences between myeloschisis and myelomeningocele in patients who underwent prenatal OSB repair. METHODS: A total of 71 prenatal repairs were performed with the open technique at the Public Hospital of Rancagua, Chile, between 2012 and 2022. We performed follow-up MRI imaging of fetuses that qualified for prenatal OSB repair surgery. We examined the correlations between various anthropomorphic measurements and clinical and imaging variables, such as the type of lesion and dimensions such as ventricle atrium diameter, degree of severity of CHMII, need for CSF shunt at 12 months, and walking at 30 months. RESULTS: This study included 71 fetuses with OSB for which 38 MRI examinations were analyzed; 61% (43/71) of lesions were MMC and 39% (28/71) were MS. Grade 3 (severe) CHMII were found in 80% (12/15) of MS and 43% (10/23) of MMC (p<0.05). Fetuses with an atrial diameter less than 13.48 mm had a lower probability of requiring a CSF shunt at 12 months (p<0.05). MMC was associated with a higher frequency of clubfoot at birth (p<0.05), whereas MS was significantly associated with more severe CHMII (p<0.05). Although the correlations were not significant, we observed clear trends that more children with MS required shunts at 12 months and could walk at 30 months compared to children with MMC. CONCLUSIONS: MS and MMC are distinct subtypes of OSB. Further studies of larger cohorts that include biomolecular and histological analysis are required to better understand differences between these lesions. This study may enable healthcare providers to better advise parents and prepare healthcare teams earlier for the management of patients undergoing prenatal repair of OSB.

Green-based methods to obtain bioactive compounds from Ilex guayusa Loes. using polar solvent.

Many biological activities have been reported for the Ilex genus. However, few studies in the literature have reported on guayusa. To address this gap in our knowledge, chemical analysis of guayusa leaves was made. Extracts were obtained by applying Soxhlet, maceration, supercritical CO2 and pressurised liquid extraction techniques, using water and ethanol as solvent/cosolvent. Extracts were evaluated for their phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. The chemical profile was obtained from HPLC. In raw guayusa leaves were identified caffeine (2.27 ± 0.05%), protein (15.31 ± 0.07%) and lipids (11.81 ± 0.14%). Extracts presented the highest phenolic content (156.56 ± 1.32 mg GAE g-1) and the best antioxidant activity (EC50= 61.85 ± 0.21 µg mL-1) when water was used as solvent/cosolvent. Through HPLC, three main substances were determined and quantified in the extracts: caffeine, theobromine and 5-caffeoylquinic acid. Based on these results, guayusa may be considered a natural source of compounds with potential application in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Inverse Association between Omega-3 Index and Severity of COVID-19: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Omega-3 fatty acids enhance immune response and modulate inflammation. This study aimed to determine the relationship between omega-3 fatty acid status and the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: Using a case−control design, we compared hospitalized patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection (cases, n = 73) with a group of ambulatory patients with mild SARS-CoV-2 infection (controls, n = 71). No patients were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. Results: The cases were older (p = 0.003), less educated (p = 0.001), had larger neck and smaller waist circumferences (p = 0.035 and p = 0.003, respectively), more frequently had diabetes (p < 0.001), consumed less fish (p < 0.001), consumed higher proportions of fried fish (p = 0.001), and had lower Omega-3 Index (O3I) values (p = 0.001) than controls. Cases had significantly lower rates of upper airway symptoms than controls. Lower O3I was associated with an increased likelihood of developing severe COVID-19 after adjusting for potential confounders (OR: 0.52; CI 0.32−0.86). Diabetes (OR: 4.41; CI 1.60−12.12), neck circumference (OR: 1.12; CI 1.03−1.21), and older age (OR: 1.03; CI 1.002−1.062) were also linked to COVID-19 severity. Fried fish consumption and low educational level were independent risk factors for severe COVID-19. Conclusions: This study suggests incorporating nutritional interventions to improve omega-3 status within nonpharmacological measures may help to reduce the severity of COVID-19.

Estrategias de consolidación de vínculos en contexto de intervenciones en salud intercultural en América Latina: una revisión sistemática / Link consolidation strategies in the context of intercultural health interventions in Latin America: a systematic review / Estratégias de consolidação de vínculos no contexto das intervenções interculturais em saúde na América Latina: uma revisão sistemática

OBJETIVO: Describir las estrategias de consolidación de los vínculos en el contexto de las intervenciones de salud orientadas a la salud intercultural en América Latina. METODOLOGÍA: Revisión sistemática cualitativa, utilizando el flujograma prisma para selección de artículos. Las bases de datos revisadas fueron: SciELO, PubMed (MEDLINE), Redalyc y Scopus. Los criterios de inclusión fueron artículos originales y/o revisión, con metodología cualitativa y cuantitativa descriptiva, que no tuvieran más de 10 años desde su publicación, basados en países pertenecientes a América Latina y cuyo idioma sea español, portugués y/o inglés. La calidad metodológica se evaluó mediante la guía de lectura crítica de CASPe. Se analizaron un total de 19 estudios publicados entre el periodo 2014-2021. RESULTADOS: La consolidación de vínculos se logra a través de la participación activa de integrantes de las comunidades en el diseño de las intervenciones en salud. La preparación de los profesionales es clave, considerando el desarrollo de la competencia intercultural como una piedra angular. Adicionalmente, las políticas públicas en salud permean en la ejecución de los programas e intervenciones en salud intercultural. CONCLUSIÓN: La construcción de vínculos y de relaciones sólidas y de confianza toman tiempo, y es necesario que haya suficiente co-diseño y un proceso participativo para establecer la relación entre equipo de salud y comunidades. Es necesario reconocer el contexto epistemológico y cosmológico que impulsa la salud y el bienestar en las comunidades nativas.

OBJECTIVE: Describe the strategies for consolidating links in the context of health programs/interventions aimed at intercultural health in Latin America. METHODOLOGY: Qualitative systematic review, using the prism flowchart for article selection. The databases reviewed were: SciELO, PubMed (MEDLINE), Redalyc,andScopus.The inclusion criteria were original articles and/or reviews, with descriptive qualitative and quantitative methodology, whichwere not more than 10 years old from their publication, based on countries belonging to Latin America and whose language is Spanish, Portuguese,and/or English. The methodological quality was evaluated using the CASPe critical reading guide. A total of 19 studies published between the 2014-2021 period were analyzed. RESULTS: The consolidation of links isachieved through the active participation of community members in the design of health disturbances. The preparation of professionals is key, considering the development of intercultural competence as a cornerstone. Additionally, public health policies permeate the execution of intercultural health programs and interventions.CONCLUSIONS: Building bonds and solid, trusting relationships take time, and there needs to be sufficient co-design and a participatory process to establish the relationship between the health team and the communities. It is necessary to recognize the epistemological and cosmological context that drives health and well-being in native communities

OBJETIVO: Descrever as estratégias de consolidação de vínculos no contexto das intervenções de saúde orientado à saúde intercultural na América Latina. METODOLOGIA: Revisão sistemática qualitativa, utilizando o fluxograma prisma para seleção dos artigos. Os bancosde dados usadas são:SciELO, PubMed (MEDLINE), Redalyc eScopus. Os critérios de inclusão foram artigos originais e/ou revisões, com metodologia qualitativa e quantitativa descritiva, com até 10 anos de sua publicação, baseados em países pertencentes à América Latina e cujo idioma seja espanhol, português e/ou inglês. A qualidade metodológica foi avaliada por meio do guia de leitura crítica CASPe.Foram analisados 19 estudos publicados entre o período 2014-2021. RESULTADOS: A consolidação dos vínculos é alcançada por meio da participação ativa dos membros da comunidade no desenho das intervenções de saúde. A preparação dos profissionais é fundamental, tendo como pilar fundamental o desenvolvimento da competência intercultural. Além disso, as políticas públicas de saúde permeiam a execução de programas e intervenções de saúde intercultural. CONCLUSÃO: A construção de vínculos e relações sólidas e de confiança leva tempo, e é preciso haver co-design suficiente e um processo participativo para estabelecer a relação entre a equipe de saúde e as comunidades. É necessário reconhecer o contexto epistemológico e cosmológico que impulsiona a saúde e o bem-estar nas comunidades nativas

Omega-3 Index and Clinical Outcomes of Severe COVID-19: Preliminary Results of a Cross-Sectional Study.

The potentially detrimental effects of the worldwide deficiency of Omega-3 fatty acids on the COVID-19 pandemic have been underestimated. The Omega-3 Index (O3I), clinical variables, biometric indices, and nutritional information were directly determined for 74 patients with severe COVID-19 and 10 healthy quality-control subjects. The relationships between the OI3 and mechanical ventilation (MV) and death were analyzed. Results: Patients with COVID-19 exhibited low O3I (mean: 4.15%; range: 3.06-6.14%)-consistent with insufficient fish and Omega-3 supplement consumption, and markedly lower than the healthy control subjects (mean: 7.84%; range: 4.65-10.71%). Inverse associations were observed between O3I and MV (OR = 0.459; C.I.: 0.211-0.997) and death (OR = 0.28; C.I.: 0.08-0.985) in severe COVID-19, even after adjusting for sex, age, and well-known risk factors. Conclusion: We present preliminary evidence to support the hypothesis that the risk of severe COVID-19 can be stratified by the O3I quartile. Further investigations are needed to assess the value of the O3I as a blood marker for COVID-19.

Prenatal Repair of Spina Bifida: A 2-Center Experience with Open Intrauterine Neurosurgery in Chile.

OBJECTIVE: To report the experience with prenatal repair of open spina bifida (OSB) from 2 centers in Chile. METHODS: Women with a second-trimester fetus with OSB were offered intrauterine neurosurgical repair following the protocol from the Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS) trial. Pediatric follow-up with infants reaching 12 and 30 months of life was also reviewed. RESULTS: Fifty-eight fetuses with OSB underwent intrauterine repair at an average (±SD) gestational age of 24.8 ± 0.9 weeks. There were 3 (5.1%) intrauterine deaths. The average gestational age at delivery of the remaining 55 cases was 33.3 ± 3.6 weeks, and the average birth weight was 2,172 ± 751 g. Delivery before 30 weeks occurred in 11 cases (20.0%). Two (3.6%) neonatal deaths (<28 days) occurred. At 12 months, a ventriculoperitoneal shunt or an endoscopic third ventriculostomy was required in 25% of the cases. At 30 months, 72.4% of the infants were able to walk. DISCUSSION: Prenatal neurosurgical repair of OSB is a complex and challenging intervention. Major complications include perinatal death and severe prematurity. No major maternal complications occurred in our series. A reduction in the need for cerebrospinal fluid diversion and an improved ability to walk seem to be the greatest long-term advantages of this procedure.

Use of plastic wound retractor at hysterotomy site in prenatal repair of myelomeningocele: a new technique.

Objective: To describe the use of a self-retaining thermoplastic polyurethane wound retractor for the management of hysterotomy during prenatal repair of myelomeningocele.Methods: The preliminary experience with 16 consecutive cases of open surgery for prenatal repair of myelomeningocele using a new technique is presented. Under general anesthesia, the gravid uterus was partially exteriorized through a low transverse abdominal incision and a high 3-4-cm midline vertical mini-hysterotomy was performed. After chorioamniotic membranes were opened with scissors, the internal ring of the retractor was placed into the amniotic cavity to compress the chorioamniotic membranes against the internal uterine wall and permit full retraction of the hysterotomy. Once the neurosurgical intervention was completed, the retractor was removed manually and uterine and abdominal incisions were closed using conventional techniques. Intra- and post-operative complications, as well as short-term pregnancy outcomes, were evaluated.Results: Intrauterine surgery was performed at a mean gestational age of 25.3 weeks and all except two of the interventions were completed within 3.0 h. When compared with the technique described in the Management of Myelomeningocele study (MOMS) trial, the use of the retractor was associated with a lower, although statistically nonsignificant, rate of chorioamniotic membrane separation (20/78 (26%) versus 2/16 (13%), respectively), preterm rupture of membranes (36/78 (46%) versus 4/16 (25%), respectively), and persistent oligohydramnios (16/78 (21%) versus 1/16 (6%), respectively) as well as higher gestational age at delivery (34.1 weeks ± 3.1 versus 36.0 weeks ± 1.93, respectively) and birthweight (2383 g ± 688 versus 2790 g ± 529, respectively). There were no intra- or post-operative complications associated with the use of the device. Only one (6%) of the hysterotomy scars was noted to be thin at the time of the cesarean delivery and no cases of dehiscence occurred.Conclusions: The use of a plastic wound retractor at the hysterotomy site provides a less traumatic approach than the conventional technique for the management of the uterine incision during open intrauterine surgery. Our experience with this technique was associated with short-term pregnancy outcomes that are similar and perhaps even superior to the technique reported in the MOMS trial. Because the device is inexpensive, easy to use, and widely available, its use during open intrauterine surgery should be considered. However, further clinical experience is required to reach a definitive conclusion regarding whether this technique should be incorporated into the protocol of prenatal repair of myelomeningocele.

A1­A2 Fenestration Tube Technique for Clipping a Ruptured Anterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm

A fenestration tube is a clipping reconstruction technique that allows the preservation of critical vessels in aneurysm surgery. A patient with a ruptured anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysm with a posterior projection was admitted to our neurosurgery unit. A right dominant A1 with rotation of the A2 fork was observed on preoperative computed tomography angiography (CTA). During surgery, we observed that the recurrent artery of Heubner branched off the A2 just distal to the neck of the aneurysm. Successful clipping was achieved by building an "A1­A2 fenestration tube," with preservation of the recurrent artery and of the ACoA perforators. Surgical nuances and the advantages of fenestration tubes are discussed.

Removal of organic matter and ammoniacal nitrogen from landfill leachate using the UV/H2O2 photochemical process.

This study investigates the effects of pH, H2O2 concentration and reaction time of the UV/H2O2 photochemical process on the removal of organic matter and ammonia from biologically pre-treated landfill leachates in anaerobic stabilization ponds. The results show that the concentration of H2O2 and the initial pH are significant factors, with no significant interaction between them. A pH of 3 is the optimum value for the UV/H2O2 process for the removal of organic matter, resulting in 51.63% chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal in addition to the removal of aromatic compounds. The N-NH3 removal showed little variation between pH values of 1, 5, 7, 11 and 13; the removal was on the order of 16.43 ± 2.00%. The consumption of H2O2 was elevated at pH 9, 11 and 13; at these pH values, the average removal was 94.56 ± 0.43%, compared to 43.07% at pH 3. First-order polynomial models and reaction times on the order of 15 min are sufficient for optimization studies and for evaluation of the effects of the studied parameters. The results of this study support the optimization of the UV/H2O2 process for the removal of organic matter and ammonia from landfill leachates.

Surgery of a Posterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm with Fetal-Type Circulation

Inadvertent occlusion of a fetal-type posterior communicating artery in aneurysm surgery could result in posterior circulation infarction and neurological morbidity. The case of a patient with an unruptured posterior communicating artery aneurysm with lateral projection and a fetal-type posterior communicating artery is presented. The utility of the carotid-oculomotor window as a surgical corridor to safely find the fetaltype posterior communicating artery is discussed.

A oclusão da artéria comunicante posterior do tipo fetal em cirurgia de aneurisma pode resultar em infarto da circulação posterior e morbidade neurológica. Apresentamos o caso de um paciente com aneurisma não roto da artéria comunicante posterior com projeção lateral e uma artéria comunicante posterior do tipo fetal. Discutimos a utilidade da janela carótida-oculomotora como um corredor cirúrgico para encontrar com segurança a artéria comunicante posterior do tipo fetal.

Use of enzymes in extraction of polyhydroxyalkanoates produced by Cupriavidus necator.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB)) and its copolymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (P(3HB-co-3HV), are biodegradable thermoplastic polymers. They are members of the polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) family, synthesized and accumulated as a carbon and energy reserve by a variety of microorganisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of the proteases Corolase® L10, Alcalase® 2.4L, Corolase® 7089 and Protemax® FC and glycosidases Celumax® BC, Rohament® CL and Rohalase® Barley for the recovery of P(3HB) and P(3HB-co-3HV) synthesized by Cupriavidus necator. The enzyme Celumax® BC provided better lysis of the bacterial cell membrane and the results for the optimization of the operating conditions showed that this enzyme is most stable in acetate buffer at pH 4.0, bath at 60°C, hydrolysis time of 1 h and concentration of 0.02% (w/w). The optimization of the operating conditions showed that the enzyme Celumax® BC provided better lysis of the bacterial cell in acetate buffer at pH 4.0, bath at 60°C, hydrolysis time of 1 h and concentration of 0.02% (w/w). These conditions resulted in lysis of the membrane of the bacteria with a recovery of 93.2% P(3HB-co-3HV) with 94% purity. The results showed that the use of enzymes for the polymer extraction is an efficient process that assists in the cell disruption of Cupriavidus necator.

O ensino da psicoterapia de orientação sistêmico-integrativa no Instituto da Família de Porto Alegre / The teaching of systemic-integrative psychotherapy in the Instituto da Família de Porto Alegre

Neste trabalho, os autores apresentam o trabalho realizado no Instituto da Família de Porto Alegre (INFAPA). Essa é uma instituição privada que se dedica ao ensino da psicoterapia e de outras intervenções terapêuticas, além de oferecer regularmente Cursos de Formação em Terapia sistêmico-inte-grativa Familiar, Individual e de Casal, Terapias Cognitivo-Comportamentais, Arteterapia e EMDR (Rapid Eye Mouvement Desensetization). É apresentado um breve relato da história da terapia de família sistêmica, que se encontra com a história do instituto, sendo ele um dos pioneiros no País e o primeiro no estado na formação de terapeutas de família. O INFAPA ministra o Curso de Especialização em Terapia Individual, Familiar e de Casal - Abordagem sistêmico-integrativa, que se fundamenta principalmente no referencial sistêmico, em suas múltiplas abordagens: estrutural, estratégica, comunicacional, simbólico-experiencial, trigeracional, construtivista, construcionista social e narrativista. É realizada uma apresentação detalhada de como se dá a formação desses profissionais, que, além de seminários teóricos, também passam por estágios supervisionados. Dá-se especial ênfase ao trabalho realizado no preparo da pessoa do terapeuta como profissional que aprende com suas dificuldades relacionais. Por fim, os autores revelam novos projetos para o ano de 2013 e expõem o comportamento científico de seus profissionais, que são formadores de conhecimento na área em apreço.(AU)

In this article the authors sketch the work carried out at the INFAPA (Instituto da Familia de Porto Alegre - Porto Alegre Institute of the Family), a private institution dedicated to the teaching of psychotherapy and other therapeutic interventions, in addition to regularly offering courses on Systemic-Integrative Therapy for family, individual, and couple; Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy; Art-Therapy; and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). A brief account on the history of systemic family therapy is presented, intertwining with the history of the Institute, one of the pioneering groups in the country and the first within its state in the training of family therapists. The INFAPA provides the Specialization Course in Individual, Family and Couple Systemic-Integrative Psychotherapy, based above all on the systemic referential in its various approaches: structural, strategic, communicational, symbolic-experiential, tri-generational, constructivist, social constructionist and narrativist. The article includes a detailed presentation of this training, which comprises, in addition to theoretical seminars, supervised apprenticeships. An especial emphasis is placed on the work with the therapist's person as a professional learning from his or her relational difficulties. Finally, they reveal new projects for 2013 and expose the scientific behavior of their professionals who are knowledge builders in this area.(AU)

CARACTERIZAÇÃO DO ALGINATO PRODUZIDO POR Pseudomonas mendocina / CHARACTERIZATION OF ALGINATE PRODUCED BY Pseudomonas mendocina

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a produção de alginato por Pseudomonas mendocina à partir dos substratos glicerol, sacarose e glicose. Nessa etapa do estudo comparou-se o rendimento de bioconversão e a produtividade do processo fermentativo, além das características físico-químicas dos materiais produzidos à partir dos substratos utilizados. Os melhores resultados em termos de rendimento e bioconversão foram observados quando o biopolímero foi produzido tendo sacarose como fonte de carbono. Observou-se que os biopolímeros produzidos apresentaram composição química similar e que as características reológicas do meio de cultura dependem da fonte de carbono utilizada.

[Design of an unconventional interlocked hip arthroplasty system (RIMAG) from Mexican femoral measurement]. / Diseño de una prótesis no convencional bloqueada para cadera (RIMAG) a partir de mediciones de fémures mexicanos.

The need in resolving massive bone losses in hip region caused by tumors, infections, trauma or failed arthroplasties in 17 years of the Bone Tumors Department of the National Rehabilitation Institute, Mexico City, and data obtained from different studies: 1) Biomechanic study of an unconventional hip arthroplasty system, 2) Tridimensional model of a human femur by the finite element method, 3) Biomechanical analysis of a system bone-implant for reconstruction of the proximal third of the femur by the finite element method, 4) Incidence of tumor and pseudotumor bone and soft tissue lesions of the hip, generated the project of designing an unconventional interlocked hip arthroplasty system for femur reconstruction. Two processes were done for adequate manufacturing and dimensioning: Anthropomorphometric study of Mexican femora; 2) Design of an unconventional hip arthroplasty system with the following characteristics: first, the arthroplasty system is constituted by an intramedullar stem, is fixated to femur with interlocking screws, this fixation method was inspired from the design of intramedullar nails of Dr. Fernando Colchero Rosas. The system has a second fixation system in the femur cut region, resolved by a fenestrated support introduced in the cortical wall. Once data was processed, the need for manufacturing 2 models was determined: 1) One for the proximal 11 cm of the femur and 2) other for the 12 distal cm. The height of interlocking screws, 2 models of intracortical proximal support (one fixated and one fixable with an expansible screw), were designed. Diameter, length of the stems, size of spacers and supports were determined for adequate interlocking fixation. We designed the instruments for assembling, impaction and orientation of the arthroplasty system. The system was presented to the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, at March 15, 1996 and the patent was conceded April 19, 2007 (#245717).

Meia-idade: suas caracteristicas e conflitos

No artigo sao descritas as principais caracteristicas da meia-idade, fase esta entendida como um momento de auto-avaliacao e possiveis mudancas de vida, tipico de crises de desenvolvimento. Tal cruse se manifesta diferentemente em homens e mulheres. Topicos como sexualidade, familia, trabalho, relacoes sociais, entre outros, sao discutidos. E enfatizada a importancia de se compreender esta fase pouco estudada pela psicologia. Esta etapa da vida traz a possibilidade de mudancas e mostra a necessidade da intervencao do psicologo para facilitar a elaboracao da crise.

Etica e atuacao dos conselhos de psicologia

A Psicologia, a exemplo de outras profissoes, tem reexaminado seus pressupostos teoricos e sua pratica a fim de adequar-se as demandas da comunidade onde esta inserida. Neste estudo, proponho relacionar a atuacao dos Conselhos de Psicologia enquanto orgaos fiscalizadores e orientadores do exercicio profissional, com conceitos contemporaneos de etica. Para tanto relato como foram os trabalhos dos Conselhos de Psicologia para rever o Codigo de Etica e relaciono como alguns autores e eu proprio conceito Etica. Concluo propondo a suspressao do Codigo de Etica e a busca de formas mais eficazes de desenvolver a postura profissional do psicologo.