Health sciences graduates: perception of their professional training and job placement.

BACKGROUND: The follow-up of health sciences graduates is relevant due to the commitment of universities to train professionals who contribute to solve the country's health problems. The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) has health sciences graduates who join the workforce every year. OBJECTIVE: To identify the perception of health sciences graduates regarding the curriculum and their incorporation into the labor market from 1994 to 2015, and compare it according to the degree program and campus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional, comparative, quantitative study. The sample of 26,866 graduates was obtained from information of three decades of the institutional questionnaire for graduates applied by the General Directorate of Planning of the UNAM. RESULTS: Most graduates were females (68.4%), with admission to the degree course at between 19 and 20 years of age (65.4%). At least 47% had a job; incorporation into the labor market depended on not having an income, a higher grade point average, not having presented extraordinary exams, or failed subjects, among others. CONCLUSIONS: Adequate job insertion is associated with starting the degree course at age 18, having financial support, having an average of 8.1 or higher and perceiving low academic and teaching training.

ANTECEDENTES: El seguimiento de egresados en ciencias de la salud es de relevancia debido al compromiso de las universidades de formar profesionales que contribuyan a resolver los problemas de salud del país. La Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (UNAM) cuenta con egresados en ciencias de la salud que cada año se incorporan al campo laboral. OBJETIVO: Identificar la percepción de los egresados de ciencias de la salud de 1994 a 2015 respecto su formación académica y su incorporación laboral, y compararla según licenciatura y plantel. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional, transversal, comparativo y cuantitativo. La muestra de 26 866 graduados se obtuvo de la información de tres décadas del cuestionario institucional para egresados de la Dirección General de Planeación de la UNAM. RESULTADOS: La mayoría de los egresados fue del sexo femenino (68.4 %), con ingreso a la licenciatura entre los 19 y 20 años (65.4 %). Al menos 47 % trabajaba; la incorporación laboral dependió de no contar con ingresos, mayor promedio, no haber presentado exámenes extraordinarios ni recursado materias, entre otros. CONCLUSIONES: La inserción laboral adecuada se asocia a iniciar la licenciatura a los 18 años, contar con apoyo económico, tener promedio de 8.1 o más y percibir la formación académica y docente baja.

Technologies for Mechanical Recycling of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) Composites: End Mill, High-Energy Ball Milling, and Ultrasonication.

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites have very high specific properties, which is why they are used in the aerospace, wind power, and sports sectors. However, the high consumption of CFRP compounds leads to a high volume of waste, and it is necessary to formulate mechanical recycling strategies for these materials at the end of their useful life. The recycling differences between cutting-end mills and high-energy ball milling (HEBM) were evaluated. HEBM recycling allowed us to obtain small recycled particles, but separating their components, carbon fiber, epoxy resin, and CFRP particles, was impossible. In the case of mill recycling, these were obtained directly from cutting a CFRP composite laminate. The recycled materials resulted in a combination of long fibers and micrometric particles-a sieving step allowed for more homogeneous residues. Although long, individual carbon fibers can pass through the sieve. Ultrasonication did not significantly affect HEBM recyclates because of the high energy they are subjected to during the grinding process, but it was influential on end mill recyclates. The ultrasonication amplitude notably impacted the separation of the epoxy resin from the carbon fiber. The end mill and HEBM waste production process promote the presence of trapped air and electrostatics, which allows recyclates to float in water and be hydrophobic.

Latent Space Representations for Marker-Less Realtime Hand-Eye Calibration.

Marker-less hand-eye calibration permits the acquisition of an accurate transformation between an optical sensor and a robot in unstructured environments. Single monocular cameras, despite their low cost and modest computation requirements, present difficulties for this purpose due to their incomplete correspondence of projected coordinates. In this work, we introduce a hand-eye calibration procedure based on the rotation representations inferred by an augmented autoencoder neural network. Learning-based models that attempt to directly regress the spatial transform of objects such as the links of robotic manipulators perform poorly in the orientation domain, but this can be overcome through the analysis of the latent space vectors constructed in the autoencoding process. This technique is computationally inexpensive and can be run in real time in markedly varied lighting and occlusion conditions. To evaluate the procedure, we use a color-depth camera and perform a registration step between the predicted and the captured point clouds to measure translation and orientation errors and compare the results to a baseline based on traditional checkerboard markers.

Ultrasound assessment of the spring ligament and posterior tibial tendon in healthy subjects: A descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: The main aim of this study was to ultrasonographically analyse the thickness and the relationship between the Superomedial Bundle of the Spring Ligament and the Posterior Tibial Tendon in healthy subjects and its relationship with different epidemiological variables. METHODS: Fifty-five healthy feet with a mean of 47 years old measuring the same ultrasound model and researcher. Demographic variables (age, sex, laterality, BMI, type of sports activity performed, and type of work activity) were collected from all participants. The thickness of the PTT and the Spring Ligament was measured in both longitudinal and transverse diameters. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was also analysed to assess the agreement of the measurements between a researcher and the ultrasound specialist radiologist. RESULTS: The mean thickness of the Spring ligament was 5.07 mm (95 % CI 4.75-5.38), while that of the PTT in its long axis was 3.58 mm (95 % CI 3.37-3.79). Regarding the interobserver agreement analysis, the intraclass correlation coefficient for measurements between observers was 0.91 (CI95 %: 0.698-0.977) which denotes a high degree of similarity between the clinician and the radiologist. CONCLUSION: This study describes the relationships between the thickness of the posterior tibial tendon and the superomedial Bundle of the Spring ligament in healthy subjects, as well as their variability according to certain epidemiological variables such as age, gender, occupation, and sport. On the other hand, the measurements taken by a researcher high agreement with those taken by a radiologist specialized in ultrasound.

Tailored Time-Temperature Transformation Diagram for IN718 Alloy Obtained via Powder Bed Fusion Additive Manufacturing: Phase Behavior and Precipitation Dynamic.

Experimental and computational approaches were used to study the microstructure of IN718 produced via powder bed fusion additive manufacturing (PBF-AM). The presence, chemical composition, and distribution of stable and metastable phases (γ'', δ, MC, and Laves) were also analyzed. The information obtained from the microstructural study was used to construct a tailored time-temperature transformation (TTT) diagram customized for additive manufacturing of IN718. Experimental techniques, including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), were employed to establish the morphological, chemical, and structural characteristics of the microstructure. The Thermo-Calc software and a Scheil-Gulliver model were used to analyze the presence and behavior of phase transformations during heating and cooling processes under non-thermodynamic equilibrium conditions, typical of AM processes. Unlike conventional TTT diagrams of this alloy, the diagram presented here reveals that the precipitation of γ'' and δ phases occurs at lower temperatures and shorter times in AM-manufactured parts. Significantly, the superposition of γ'' and δ phase curves in the proposed diagram underscores the interdependence between these phases. This TTT diagram is a valuable insight that can help in the development of heat treatment processes and quality control for IN718 produced via PBF-AM.

Descontrol glucémico: desafío de salud pública en prepandemia y pandemia.

OBJETIVO: Comparar el control glucémico entre pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 prepandemia vs pandemia de Covid-19 que acudieron a unidades de salud de primer nivel de atención de la Ciudad de México. Material y métodos. Se analizaron los registros de 23 912 pacientes con diabetes; 78.7% fueron del grupo prepandemia (2016 a 2020) y 21.3% del grupo pandemia (marzo 2020 a julio 2021). Se calcularon medidas de tendencia central y de dispersión, pruebas t de Student y se ajustó un modelo de regresión logística múltiple. RESULTADOS: La mayoría de los pacientes con diabetes fueron mujeres (66.6 y 62.6%) con edad promedio de 59 y 58 años, respectivamente, y con hemoglobina glucosilada (HbA1) final de 7.7 vs el grupo pandemia (8.0). Las variables asociadas con el descontrol glucémico incluyeron periodo, nivel de HbA1, sobrepeso, obesidad, antecedente de padres con diabetes, número de medicamentos y tipo de insulina. CONCLUSIONES: La mayoría de los pacientes con diabetes en ambos grupos tuvieron descontrol glucémico. Los pacientes del grupo pandemia tuvieron mayor descontrol glucémico de HbA1 comparados con los del grupo prepandemia. Después de recibir atención médica en ambos grupos, los pacientes mejoraron su control glucémico.

Sleep analysis of hospital and out-of-hospital emergency professionals.

INTRODUCTION: Sleep deprivation is associated with poorer cognitive functioning and a greater risk of serious diseases. Herein, we analyzed differences in the quality of sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness between hospital emergency services and out-of-hospital emergencies services, and investigated its association with sociodemographic and labor variables. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional observational study carried out between April 2019 and February 2020, including healthcare professionals from different emergency departments, who were evaluated through the following instruments: "Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index" and "Epworth Sleepiness Scale". RESULTS: Four-hundred and four healthcare professionals were included (mean age 40.4 ± 11.1 years), predominantly women (61.4%) from hospital emergency departments (62.6%). A total of 65.3% of the workers had poor sleep quality and 27.7% had excessive sleepiness. Women had poorer sleep quality (p = 0.022) and higher sleepiness (p = 0.010) than men. Hospital emergency workers presented 2-fold increased risk of poor sleep quality (OR = 1.93, p = 0.003) and sleepiness (OR = 1.93, p = 0.009) than out-of-hospital emergency workers. The more optimistic were less likely to have poor sleep quality (OR = 0.73, p = 0.01) or sleepiness (OR = 0.70, p = 0.002). Nurses, emergency medical technicians and nursing assistants also had a higher risk of poor sleep quality compared to physicians (OR = 1.60; p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Emergency healthcare professionals working in hospital emergency departments had a two-times higher risk of poor sleep quality and sleepiness than out-of-hospital emergency healthcare professionals.

Cutaneous traction as a complement to the parascapular flap in major cancer loss: case report / Tração cutânea como complemento ao retalho paraescapular em grande perda oncológica: relato de caso

Introduction: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a malignant epidermal keratinocyte tumor closely related to sun exposure. When diagnosed, through biopsy, its staging, tumor resection with oncological safety margins must be performed, and lymph node dissection and treatment of metastases, if present, may be performed. Case Report: Skin traction is reported as a complement to the parascapular flap, used reconstructively after the excision of a large SCC in the left shoulder. Conclusion: The technique used proved effective for the satisfactory correction of large dehiscence in the postoperative period of the parascapular flap, promoting partial closure of the defect, reduced time to perform, and correction of the residual defect in a single step.

Introdução: O carcinoma espinocelular (CEC) é um tumor maligno dos queratinócitos epidérmicos e está intimamente relacionado à exposição solar. Quando diagnosticado, por meio de biópsia, deve ser realizado seu estadiamento, ressecção tumoral com margens de segurança oncológica, podendo ser feito esvaziamento ganglionar e tratamento de metástases, caso presentes. Relato de Caso: Reporta-se a utilização da tração cutânea como complemento ao retalho paraescapular, utilizado reconstrutivamente pós excisão de CEC de grande dimensão em ombro esquerdo. Conclusão: A técnica utilizada mostrou-se eficaz para correção satisfatória de grandes deiscências em pós-operatório de retalho paraescapular, promovendo fechamento parcial do defeito, tempo reduzido para realização e correção do defeito residual em tempo único.

Reconstruction of the nasal columella using bilateral nasolabial flaps: case report / Reconstrução da columela nasal com utilização de retalhos nasolabiais bilaterais: relato de caso

Introduction: The columella is an important subunit of the nose, essential for nasal architecture and facial aesthetics. The total reconstruction of the nasal columella becomes a great challenge after repairing trauma, carcinomas, and necrosis in this region. There are descriptions in the literature of numerous reconstruction techniques using different flaps, such as a frontal region flap, an infraclavicular region flap, and a unilateral and bilateral nasolabial flap. Case Report: A total reconstruction of the nasal columella after resection of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) using a bilateral nasolabial flap is reported. Conclusion: The technique proved effective for correcting the complex defect after BCC resection, with technical ease for resolution and good aesthetic and functional results.

Introdução: A columela é uma importante subunidade do nariz, sendo essencial para a arquitetura nasal e estética facial. A reconstrução total da columela nasal torna-se, portanto, um grande desafio após reparação de traumas, carcinomas e necroses nesta região. Há na literatura a descrição de inúmeras técnicas de reconstrução com uso de diferentes retalhos, como retalho da região frontal, retalho da região infraclavicular, retalho nasolabial unilateral e bilateral. Relato de Caso: Reporta-se uma reconstrução total da columela nasal pós-ressecção de carcinoma basocelular (CBC) utilizando retalho nasolabial bilateral. Conclusão: A técnica utilizada mostrou-se eficaz para correção do defeito complexo pós-ressecção de CBC, apresentando facilidade técnica para resolução e bom resultado estético-funcional.

Factors involved in changes in the levator ani during pregnancy.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Levator ani muscle (LAM) dimensions increase during pregnancy to allow the delivery of the fetus. The objective was to investigate which factors are involved in LAM modifications during pregnancy. METHODS: A prospective longitudinal observational study was conducted between July 2015 and March 2018. Ninety-nine nulliparous pregnant women were included. Data on the physical examination, 4D transperineal ultrasound and hormonal concentrations (progesterone, oestradiol and relaxin) were collected during the first and third trimesters. RESULTS: We found higher hiatal dimensions at the beginning of pregnancy than in other studies with nonpregnant women. Increases in the levator ani hiatal (LH) dimensions were observed at contraction (1.01 ±1.96 cm2), rest (0.82 ± 2.51 cm2) and on Valsalva (2.36 ± 3.64 cm2) throughout pregnancy. The distensibility in the third trimester was higher than in the first trimester (5.79 vs 4.24 cm2; p=0); however, the contractility was lower (-3.32 vs -3.5 cm2; p=0.04). Women with lower scores on the Modified Oxford Grading Scale in the third trimester presented with lower contractility in the LAM. A larger LH at the end of pregnancy was associated with age and body mass index. Eleven women developed ballooning during pregnancy; in these women, relaxin was higher in both trimesters than in women without ballooning, but these results were not statistically significant. The linear models to predict third-trimester Valsalva LH, distensibility and contractility were not conclusive and did not show any factors to predict LAM modifications during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Hormones could play a role in modifying the muscle properties of LAM from the beginning of pregnancy, but we did not find an association between LAM measurements and hormone concentration in this study.

Mapeo sonográfico de los nervios de la cara medial del tobillo y del pie / Sonographic mapping of the nerves of the medial side of the ankle and foot

El uso de los ultrasonidos en el examen, la identificación y el intervencionismo de las diferentes ramas nerviosas del tobillo y del pie son una herramienta de gran apoyo en el ámbito clínico. En la actualidad, la ecografía es un método que se ha ido universalizando en el mundo de la podología, bien por su mayor accesibilidad debido al abaratamiento de los costes, a los avances tecnológicos y a sus beneficios de inocuidad, fácil disponibilidad para el examen inmediato y su aplicación dinámica en la evaluación de las diferentes estructuras anatómicas. El presente trabajo trata de presentar a la comunidad podológica una descripción detallada del mapeo mediante ecografía de los nervios en cara medial del pie. Entendemos que esta descripción puede ayudar a los profesionales en el diagnóstico de las patologías de atrapamiento nervioso a dicho nivel, así como en procedimientos mínimamente invasivos guiados ecográficamente en dicha área anatómica.(AU)

The use of ultrasound in clinical practice is a great tool for the examination, identification and intervention of the different nerve branches in the foot and ankle. Nowadays, sonography is an exploratory method that has been universally expanded in podiatry because of lowering of costs associated to its use, technological progresses and its benefits of safety, disposal for the inmediate clinical exam and its dynamic application in the evaluation of different structures. The aim of the present paper is to present to the podiatry community a detailed description of sonographic mapping of the nerves in the medial side of the ankle. It is intended to help professionals involved in the management of foot ankle disorders regarding the diagnosis of entrapment neuropathies at this level and also to help with minimally invasive treatments sonographically guided.(AU)

Intraoperative checking of the first ray rotation and sesamoid position through sonographic assistance.

INTRODUCTION: Hallux valgus (HV) deformity affects the orientation of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint in three planes. Displacement in the coronal plane results in axial rotation of the first metatarsal, with progressive subluxation of the first MTP joint. Multiple techniques have been described to correct the malrotation itself. However, none of them have checked intraoperatively the final position of the first metatarsal head and sesamoids previous to the fixation of the Lapidus procedure or first metatarsal bone osteotomies. The aim of this article is to describe a novel technique to check the first ray rotation and sesamoids position through sonographic assistance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Before fixation of the Lapidus procedure, with the ankle in maximal dorsiflexion, the surgeon takes the linear ultrasound probe and places it on the sole to visualize the sesamoids, which should be viewed at the same level, with the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) centered between both. Once the ideal position of the head of the first ray has been achieved, temporary fixation with K-wires is performed over the first TMT joint and M1-M2 joint for further sonographic verification of the sesamoids beneath the first metatarsal head. The height of the sesamoids relative to the second metatarsal head should be checked by sonographic control too. RESULTS: Four patients were included. Three females and one male. Their mean age was 76.4 years (R 61-72). Their mean BMI was 29 (R 27.5-32.24). The mean IMA (intermetatarsal angle) was 18.2 (R 17.2-19) degrees and the mean MPA (metatarsophalangeal angle) was 50 (R 36-63) degrees. CONCLUSIONS: Sonographic assistance, is a widely available, inexpensive, and comparative imaging technique that can guide the first ray rotation and sesamoids position in HV surgery, theoretically improving radiological outcomes.

[What has been done at IMSS regarding the users's mental health in the COVID-19 pandemic?] / ¿Qué se ha hecho en el IMSS en cuanto a la salud mental de los derechohabientes en la pandemia por COVID-19.

Nowadays, mental health has acquired greater relevance and attention as a consequence mainly of the COVID-19 pandemic, to which is attributed a negative impact on the development of life, work and social coexistence of people, along with the magnitude derived from non-communicable diseases. This is why the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS, Mexican Institute for Social Security) developed the Mental Health Comprehensive Program 2021-2024, whose main purpose was to establish strategies and lines of action for the prevention, early detection and timely management regarding mental health and addictions. Based on this, different actions have been carried out, for example, the identification of the material and human resources available at IMSS to meet the mental health issue; the training of healthcare professionals at the three levels of care; the integration of a census that has reported a prevalence of anxiety and depressive episodes in the users of 39.9 and 3%, respectively, as well as the evaluation of instruments for screening mental disorders. Therefore, this document describes what has been done in the IMSS in relation to the user's mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hoy en día la salud mental ha adquirido mayor relevancia y atención como consecuencia principalmente de la pandemia por COVID-19, a la cual se le atribuye un impacto negativo en el desarrollo de la vida, el trabajo y la convivencia social de las personas, todo esto aunado a la magnitud derivada de los padecimientos no transmisibles. Es por eso que en el Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) se elaboró el Programa Integral de Salud Mental 2021-2024, cuyo principal propósito fue establecer estrategias y líneas de acción para la prevención, detección temprana y manejo oportuno respecto a la salud mental y adicciones. A partir de ello se han materializado diferentes acciones, entre las que destaca la identificación de los recursos materiales y humanos con los que cuenta el IMSS para atender esta necesidad; la capacitación del personal de salud de los tres niveles de atención; la integración de un censo que ha reportado una prevalencia de ansiedad y episodio depresivo en la población derechohabiente de 39.9 y 3%, respectivamente, y la evaluación de instrumentos para realizar tamizajes de trastornos mentales. Por lo anterior, en este documento se describe lo que se ha hecho en el IMSS en relación con la salud mental de la población derechohabiente en el contexto de la pandemia por COVID-19.

Determination of TTT Diagrams of Ni-Al Binary Using Neural Networks.

The heat treatment of a metal is a set of heating and cooling cycles that a metal undergoes to change its microstructure and, therefore, its properties. Temperature-time-transformation (TTT) diagrams are an essential tool for interpreting the resulting microstructures after heat treatments. The present work describes a novel proposal to predict TTT diagrams of the γ' phase for the Ni-Al alloy using artificial neural networks (ANNs). The proposed methodology is composed of five stages: (1) database creation, (2) experimental design, (3) ANNs training, (4) ANNs validation, and (5) proposed models analysis. Two approaches were addressed, the first to predict only the nose point of the TTT diagrams and the second to predict the complete curve. Finally, the best models for each approach were merged to compose a more accurate hybrid model. The results show that the multilayer perceptron architecture is the most efficient and accurate compared to the simulated TTT diagrams. The prediction of the nose point and the complete curve showed an accuracy of 98.07% and 86.41%, respectively. The proposed final hybrid model achieves an accuracy of 96.59%.

Capnografía en recién nacidos en ventilación mecánica y su relación con la medición de CO2 en muestras sanguíneas / Capnography in newborns under mechanical ventilation and its relationship with the measurement of CO2 in blood samples

Introducción: Monitorear la presión parcial de CO2 (PCO2) en los recién nacidos que requieren ventilación permitiría evitar hipocapnia e hipercapnia. La medición de CO2 espirada (ETCO2) es una alternativa poco implementada en esta población.Objetivo: Evaluar la relación entre la ETCO2 y la PCO2 en recién nacidos.Métodos: Estudio de corte transversal, comparativo entre dos métodos de medición de PCO2, el convencional mediante análisis de muestras sanguíneas y el estimado mediante ETCO2. Se incluyeron recién nacidos internados que requerían ventilación mecánica convencional. La medición de ETCO2 se realizó mediante un ventilador neonatal Graph Net Neo-TECME®, con capnógrafo incorporado y se obtuvo el gradiente ETCO2-PCO2. Se realizaron análisis de correlación y gráficos de Bland-Altman para estimar la concordancia.Resultados: Se analizaron 277 muestras (ETCO2/PCO2) en 83 recién nacidos. Los valores promedios de ETCO2 y PCO2 fueron de 41,36 mmHg y 42,04 mmHg. Hubo correlación positiva y significativa entre ETCO2 y PCO2 en el análisis global (r = 0,5402; p < 0,001) y en el de cada unidad (p < 0,001). La media de las diferencias fue de 0,68 mmHg (IC 95%- 0,68 a 1,95) y no resultó significativa. Se observó error sistemático positivo (PCO2 > ETCO2) en dos de las unidades, mientras que en la tercera la diferencia fue negativa (PCO2 < ETCO2)Discusión: La correlación entre ETCO y PCO2 es significativa, si bien los valores obtenidos no resultan equivalentes y la diferencia varía entre 0,1 mmHg a 20 mmHg. Asimismo, observamos errores sistemáticos de signo diferente (positivo o negativo) entre las instituciones. (AU)

Introduction: Monitoring the partial pressure of CO2 (PCO2) in newborns who require ventilation would allow avoiding hypocapnia and hypercapnia. The measurement of end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) is an alternative rarely implemented in this population.Objective: To evaluate the relationship between ETCO2 and PCO2 in newborns.Methods: Cross-sectional study comparing two PCO2 measurement methods, the conventional one by analysis of blood samples and the one estimated by ETCO2. The study included hospitalized newborns that required conventional mechanical ventilation. The ETCO2 was measured with a Tecme GraphNet® neo, a neonatal ventilator with an integrated capnography, and we obtained the ETCO2-PCO2 gradient. We conducted correlation and Bland-Altman plot analyses to estimate the agreement.Results: A total of 277 samples (ETCO2/PCO2) from 83 newborns were analyzed. The mean values of ETCO2 and PCO2 were 41.36 mmHg and 42.04 mmHg. There was a positive and significant correlation between ETCO2 and PCO2 in the overall analysis (r = 0.5402; p < .001) and in the analysis of each unit (p < .001). The mean difference was 0.68 mmHg (95% CI, −0.68 to 1.95) and was not significant. We observed a positive systematic error (PCO2 > ETCO2) in 2 of the units, and a negative difference in the third (PCO2 < ETCO2).Discussion: The correlation between ETCO and PCO2 was significant, although the obtained values were not equivalent, with differences ranging from 0.1 mmHg to 20 mmHg. Likewise, we found systematic errors that differed in sign (positive or negative) between institutions. (AU)

Capnography in newborns under mechanical ventilation and its relationship with the measurement of CO2 in blood samples.

INTRODUCTION: Monitoring the partial pressure of CO2 (PCO2) in newborns who require ventilation would allow avoiding hypocapnia and hypercapnia. The measurement of end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) is an alternative rarely implemented in this population. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between ETCO2 and PCO2 in newborns. METHODS: Cross-sectional study comparing two PCO2 measurement methods, the conventional one by analysis of blood samples and the one estimated by ETCO2. The study included hospitalized newborns that required conventional mechanical ventilation. The ETCO2 was measured with a Tecme GraphNet® neo, a neonatal ventilator with an integrated capnograph, and we obtained the ETCO2-PCO2 gradient. We conducted correlation and Bland-Altman plot analyses to estimate the agreement. RESULTS: A total of 277 samples (ETCO2 / PCO2) from 83 newborns were analyzed. The mean values ​​of ETCO2 and PCO2 were 41.36mmHg and 42.04mmHg. There was a positive and significant correlation between ETCO2 and PCO2 in the overall analysis (r=0.5402; P<.001) and in the analysis of each unit (P<.001). The mean difference was 0.68 mmHg (95% CI, -0.68 to 1.95) and was not significant. We observed a positive systematic error (PCO2 > ETCO2) in 2 of the units, and a negative difference in the third (PCO2 < ETCO2). DISCUSSION: The correlation between ETCO and PCO2 was significant, although the obtained values ​​were not equivalent, with differences ranging from 0.1mmHg and 20mmHg. Likewise, we found systematic errors that differed in sign (positive or negative) between institutions.

Manual Therapy Intervention in Men With Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome or Chronic Prostatitis: An Exploratory Prospective Case-Series.

Purpose Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is permanent pelvic pain of unknown etiology. Current theories suggest a multifactorial origin for CPPS, including urinary pathologies, psychosocial factors, prostate inflammation, infection, central sensitization of the nervous system, and muscular contractures or fibrosis. As there are no defined treatment protocols for CPPS, a multimodal approach is recommended. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a manual therapy treatment protocol on pain, urinary symptoms, and overall quality of life. Materials and Methods Twenty-three men aged 47.36 ± 10.11 years were recruited consecutively by urologists practicing at two hospitals. All men presented prostatic tenderness with no other positive clinical history, urine cultures, or echography studies. Patients underwent six manual therapy sessions (three during the first week and three every two weeks after that) performed by a single osteopath or physiotherapist. The intervention protocol addressed the treatment of muscle structures, fascial mechanics, vascularization, innervation, emotional factors, and the need for information. The questionnaires used to evaluate outcomes included the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), the International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS), and a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Data were evaluated using Chi-squared or paired difference tests by an external researcher. Results The mean NIH-CPSI scores recorded for our study cohort decreased by 7.69 points (30.92%; p<0.0005; 95% CI 4.02-10.52). IPSS measurements decreased by 3.20 points (22.18%; p=0.009; 95% CI 1.00-6.09), although the item addressing quality of life decreased by 1.67 points only (31.99%; p<0.0005; 95% CI 0.94-2.33). The VAS score also decreased by 2.20 points (38.6%; p<0.0005; 95% CI 1.45-2.73). Changes in HADS scores were not statistically significant. Conclusions Based on patient responses, this case series revealed that manual therapy improved urinary symptoms, pain, and quality of life.

Hormonal Influence in Stress Urinary Incontinence During Pregnancy and Postpartum.

Hormonal changes have been proposed as an etiological factor of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) during pregnancy. Our main objective was to demonstrate the role of hormones in SUI development during pregnancy and postpartum. A prospective longitudinal study was designed. Primiparous women without previous urinary incontinence symptoms were included. Symptoms and Quality of Life (QoL) Questionnaires, physical examinations, and hormone concentration (progesterone, estradiol, and relaxin) were collected twice during pregnancy and three times during postpartum. Logistic regression models, with Wald's forward variable selection method, were used. Prevalence of SUI was 11% in the first trimester, 50% in the third trimester, and 16.4% at 6 months postpartum. The risk of developing SUI throughout pregnancy is higher in women with higher progesterone concentration in the first trimester (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.06-1.81, p < 0.05) and it is lower in women with stronger pelvic floor muscles in the first trimester (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.17-0.72, p < 0.05). When occurred during pregnancy, SUI has a 14-fold higher risk of persistence 6 months after birth. In addition, the severity of these symptoms is also an independent risk factor for SUI persistence at 6 months postpartum (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.15-1.73, p < 0.05). Quality of Life was affected for pregnant women with SUI symptoms. SUI is a highly prevalent condition during pregnancy, affecting the QoL of women in many areas. Higher concentration of progesterone can play a role in SUI development during pregnancy. The presence and severity of SUI during pregnancy are risk factors for the persistence of symptoms 6 months postpartum. Sustaining an optimal pelvic floor muscle strength could prevent SUI during pregnancy.