Colorectal cancer screening program implementation: biennial adherence and participation patterns.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Adherence to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is essential for the effectiveness of screening programs. Even though organized screening programs can improve the quality of the process and adherence, there are still challenges to overcome. The aim of the present study, in which we implemented a biennial organized screening program for CRC, was to describe adherence and participation patterns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A longitudinal, descriptive study was conducted, in which a team of trained patient navigators carried out interventions, with reminders via cellphone communication, to follow a cohort of 301 subjects eligible for CRC screening, utilizing a fecal immunochemical test (FIT). All the follow-up subjects received a FIT kit. RESULTS: A total of 747 cellphone calls were made and divided into three interventions. From the initial cohort, 126 subjects completed their biennial screening process through the FIT, indicating a consistent adherence rate of 41.8% to our program. The participation patterns were: 126 consistent participants (41.8%), 160 inconsistent participants (53.2%), and 15 participants that were never contacted (5%). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our study underlines the importance of organized screening programs in the early detection of CRC. The implementation of follow-up interventions, through reminders and the training of patient navigators, can improve adherence, but there is a need for examining new strategies, to overcome barriers to communication via cellphone.

[Ten-year survival after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting compared with traditional bypass grafting]. / Cirugía de revascularización miocárdica: comparación de supervivencia a 10 años de la cirugía coronaria con y sin circulación extracorpórea mediante Propensity Score Matching.

BACKGROUND: Long-term outcomes of Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (OPCAB) as an alternative to the traditional Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) technique with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are not well defined. AIM: To compare 10-year survival of isolated OPCAB versus CABG with CPB. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of information obtained from databases, clinical records and surgical protocols of patients treated with isolated CABG between January 2006 and November 2008 at a Regional Hospital. Of 658 isolated CABG, 192 (29.2%) were OPCAB and 466 (79.9%) CPB. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) was performed to compare both groups. After PSM, two groups of 192 cases were obtained. Mortality data was obtained from the Chilean public identification service. Ten-year survival was calculated and compared with Kaplan-Meier and log-rank methods. RESULTS: Follow-up data was obtained in all cases. No statistically significant differences were found when comparing 10-year survival between OPCAB versus CPB (78.6% and 80.2% respectively, p 0.720). There was also no statistical difference in cardiovascular death free survival (90.1% with CPB versus 89.1% OPCAB, p 0.737). Survival was comparable when analyzing subgroups with diabetes mellitus, left ventricular dysfunction or chronic kidney disease, among others. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, OPBAB has a comparable 10-year survival with CABG with CPB.

Cirugía coronaria: evolución de las características de la enfermedad coronaria y resultados inmediatos de la cirugía de revascularización miocárdica en una década / Coronary artery bypass grafting: evolution of coronary disease characteristics and immediate surgical outcomes over a decade

INTRODUCCIÓN: En la evolución de las características de la cirugía coronaria (CC) intervienen factores como cambios demográficos, técnica quirúrgica y cuidados perioperatorios. Nuestro objetivo es analizar la evolución de las características de la enfermedad coronaria en pacientes tratados con CC y sus resultados inmediatos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Estudio analítico. Cohorte de pacientes operados con CC aisladas entre enero de 2006 y diciembre de 2008, y entre enero de 2016 y diciembre de 2018 en Hospital Clínico Regional de Concepción, Chile. Revisión bases datos y protocolos quirúrgicos, previa autorización comité de ética. Se utilizó SPSSv25® y pruebas estadísticas Chi-cuadrado y U Mann-Whitney, considerando significativo p < 0,05. Resultados: Total 1.400 CC aisladas, 658 primer período y 742 segundo período. Edad promedio: 62,0 ± 8,7 y 64,6 + 9,3 años según períodos (p < 0,001). Aumentaron significativamente en el segundo período: diabetes mellitus, enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica, infarto agudo al miocardio (IAM), disfunción ventricular grave dentro de subgrupo con disfunción ventricular. Disminución significativa de la cirugía sin circulación extracorpórea, y aumento significativo del uso ≥ 2 puentes arteriales en el segundo período. EuroSCORE I aditivo aumentó de 3,6 ± 2,5 a 4,4 ± 2,7 (p = 0,001). Subgrupo de alto riesgo: 137 (20,8%) a 236 (31,8%), p < 0,001. Mortalidad de 13 (1,98%) y 16 (2,2%) según períodos, p = 0,813. DISCUSIÓN: Se observó aumento significativo del riesgo operatorio estimado, sin embargo, la mortalidad se mantuvo sin variación. El aumento del riesgo operatorio se condice con el aumento de la edad promedio y de la prevalencia de comorbilidades, así como del aumento de disfunción ventricular grave dentro del grupo de pacientes con disfunción ventricular e IAM reciente en el segundo período.

INTRODUCTION: Several factors intervene in the evolution of the characteristics of Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), such as demographic changes, surgical technique, and perioperative care. Our objective was to analyze the evolution of the characteristics of coronary artery disease in patients treated with CABG and its immediate results. METHODS: In an analytical study, we analyzed a cohort of patients with isolated CABG from January 2006 to December 2008 and from January 2016 to December 2018 in Hospital Clínico Regional Concepción, Chile. After the ethics committee's approval, we reviewed the database and surgical protocols. We used Chi-square and U Mann Whitney tests for statistical analysis (SPSSv25®), considering significant p < 0,05. RESULTS: We analyzed 1,400 isolated CABG, 658 from the first period and 742 from the second, with a mean age of 62.0 ± 8.7 and 64.6 ± 9.3 respectively (p < 0.001). The subgroup with ventricular dysfunction in the second period showed a significant increase in diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and severe ventricular dysfunction. The second group decreased off-pump surgery and increased the use of ≥ 2 arterial grafts (p < 0.05). The Additive EuroSCORE I increased from 3.6 ± 2.5 to 4.4 ± 2.7 (p = 0.001). High-risk subgroup: 137 (20.8%) to 236 (31.8%), p < 0.001. Mortality of 13 (1.98%) and 16 (2.2%) in the first and second group respectively, p = 0.813. CONCLUSION: There was a significant increase in the estimated surgical risk; however, mortality remained unchanged. The increase in surgical risk is consistent with the increase in mean age and prevalence of comorbidities, as well as the increase in severe ventricular dysfunction in the group ofpatients with ventricular dysfunction and recent AMI in the second period.

Microorganismos aislados de hemocultivos en niños con leucemia y linforma: Seis años de seguimiento / Microorganisms isolated from blood cultures in children with leukemia and lymphoma: six years of follow-up

Las Leucemias y linfomas constituyen las enfermedades oncológicas más frecuentes en pediatría y las bacteriemias representan infecciones graves en estos pacientes. Objetivos: describir los microorganismos aislados de sangre en pacientes con leucemia aguda o linfoma pediátrico; comparar la incidencia de aislamientos según enfermedad de base; detallar las variaciones en la incidencia de dichos aislamientos y la evolución de su resistencia antimicrobiana. Estudio retrospectivo, observacional. Se incluyeron 823 episodios de bacteriemia en 467 pacientes pediátricos, entre julio-2016 y junio-2022, dividido en tres períodos (período-1: años 2016- 2018, período-2: años 2018-2020, período-3: años 2020-2022). Se aislaron 880 microorganismos: 55,3% gram negativos (GN), 40% gram positivos (GP) y 4,7% levaduras. En GN predominaron: enterobacterias (72%) y en GP: estreptococos del grupo viridans (SGV) (34,1%). Se encontró asociación entre LLA-enterobacterias (p=0,009) y LMA-SGV (p<0,001). Hubo aumento de GN entre los períodos 1 y 3 (p=0,02) y 2 y 3 (p=0,002) y disminución de GP entre 2 y 3 (p=0,01). Se registraron los siguientes mecanismos de resistencia: BLEE (16,4%), carbapenemasas: KPC (2,5%); MBL (2,7%) y OXA (0,2%); meticilinorresistencia en Staphylococcus aureus (20%) y estafilococos coagulasa negativos (95%), vancomicina resistencia en Enterococcus spp. (39%), SGV no sensibles a penicilina (44%) y a cefotaxima (13%). Hubo aumento de MBL entre los períodos 1 y 2 (p=0,02) y una tendencia en disminución de sensibilidad a penicilina en SGV entre el 1 y 3 (p=0,058). El conocimiento dinámico y análisis de estos datos es esencial para generar estadísticas a nivel local, fundamentales para el diseño de guías de tratamientos empíricos (AU)

Leukemias and lymphomas are the most common cancers in children and bacteremia is a severe infection in these patients. Objectives: to describe the microorganisms isolated from blood in pediatric patients with acute leukemia or lymphoma; to compare the incidence of isolates according to the underlying disease; and to detail the variations in the incidence of these isolates and the evolution of their antimicrobial resistance. Retrospective, observational study. We included 823 episodes of bacteremia in 467 pediatric patients seen between July-2016 and June-2022, divided into three periods (period-1: 2016- 2018, period-2: 2018-2020, period-3: 2020-2022). A total of 880 microorganisms were isolated: 55.3% were gram-negative (GN), 40% gram-positive (GP) and 4.7% yeasts. In GN there was a predominance of: enterobacteria (72%) and in GP viridans group streptococci (VGS) (34.1%). An association was found between ALL-enterobacteria (p=0.009) and AML-VGS (p<0.001). There was an increase in GN between periods 1 and 3 (p=0.02) and 2 and 3 (p=0.002) and a decrease in GP between 2 and 3 (p=0.01). The following resistance mechanisms were recorded: BLEE (16.4%), carbapenemases: KPC (2.5%), MBL (2.7%), and OXA (0.2%); methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus (20%) and coagulase negative staphylococci (95%), vancomycin resistance in Enterococcus spp. (39%), VGS resistant to penicillin (44%) and to cefotaxime (13%). There was an increase in MBL between periods 1 and 2 (p=0.02) and a decreasing trend in penicillin sensitivity in VGS between periods 1 and 3 (p=0.058). Dynamic knowledge and analysis of these data is essential to generate statistics at the local level, which is fundamental for the design of empirical treatment guidelines (AU)

Cirugía de revascularización miocárdica: comparación de supervivencia a 10 años de la cirugía coronaria con y sin circulación extracorpórea mediante Propensity Score Matching / Ten-year survival after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting compared with traditional bypass grafting

BACKGROUND: Long-term outcomes of Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (OPCAB) as an alternative to the traditional Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) technique with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are not well defined. AIM: To compare 10-year survival of isolated OPCAB versus CABG with CPB. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of information obtained from databases, clinical records and surgical protocols of patients treated with isolated CABG between January 2006 and November 2008 at a Regional Hospital. Of 658 isolated CABG, 192 (29.2%) were OPCAB and 466 (79.9%) CPB. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) was performed to compare both groups. After PSM, two groups of 192 cases were obtained. Mortality data was obtained from the Chilean public identification service. Ten-year survival was calculated and compared with Kaplan-Meier and log-rank methods. RESULTS: Follow-up data was obtained in all cases. No statistically significant differences were found when comparing 10-year survival between OPCAB versus CPB (78.6% and 80.2% respectively, p 0.720). There was also no statistical difference in cardiovascular death free survival (90.1% with CPB versus 89.1% OPCAB, p 0.737). Survival was comparable when analyzing subgroups with diabetes mellitus, left ventricular dysfunction or chronic kidney disease, among others. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, OPBAB has a comparable 10-year survival with CABG with CPB.

[Coronary artery bypass grafting: evolution of coronary disease characteristics and immediate surgical outcomes over a decade]. / Cirugía coronaria: evolución de las características de la enfermedad coronaria y resultados inmediatos de la cirugía de revascularización miocárdica en una década.

INTRODUCTION: Several factors intervene in the evolution of the characteristics of Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), such as demographic changes, surgical technique, and perioperative care. Our objective was to analyze the evolution of the characteristics of coronary artery disease in patients treated with CABG and its immediate results. METHODS: In an analytical study, we analyzed a cohort of patients with isolated CABG from January 2006 to December 2008 and from January 2016 to December 2018 in Hospital Clínico Regional Concepción, Chile. After the ethics committee's approval, we reviewed the database and surgical protocols. We used Chi-square and U Mann Whitney tests for statistical analysis (SPSSv25®), considering significant p < 0,05. RESULTS: We analyzed 1,400 isolated CABG, 658 from the first period and 742 from the second, with a mean age of 62.0 ± 8.7 and 64.6 ± 9.3 respectively (p < 0.001). The subgroup with ventricular dysfunction in the second period showed a significant increase in diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and severe ventricular dysfunction. The second group decreased off-pump surgery and increased the use of ≥ 2 arterial grafts (p < 0.05). The Additive EuroSCORE I increased from 3.6 ± 2.5 to 4.4 ± 2.7 (p = 0.001). High-risk subgroup: 137 (20.8%) to 236 (31.8%), p < 0.001. Mortality of 13 (1.98%) and 16 (2.2%) in the first and second group respectively, p = 0.813. CONCLUSION: There was a significant increase in the estimated surgical risk; however, mortality remained unchanged. The increase in surgical risk is consistent with the increase in mean age and prevalence of comorbidities, as well as the increase in severe ventricular dysfunction in the group ofpatients with ventricular dysfunction and recent AMI in the second period.

Características clínicas y epidemiológicas asociadas con internación en niños con COVID-19 en un hospital pediátrico de alta complejidad: Estudio de cohorte enero-marzo 2022 / Clinical and epidemiologic characteristics associated with hospital admission in children with COVID19 in a tertiary-care pediatric hospital: A January-March 2022 cohort study

Introducción: La proporción de casos reportados de niños y adolescentes con COVID-19 aumenta progresivamente. La hospitalización relacionada con COVID-19 en niños es infrecuente, pero causa morbilidad y sobrecarga al sistema de salud. Objetivos: Describir las características clínicas y evolutivas de los niños con diagnóstico de COVID-19 en un hospital pediátrico de alta complejidad. Comparar los pacientes que requirieron internación y los que no. Material y métodos: Cohorte prospectiva. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes con diagnóstico virológico de COVID-19 desde 1.1.2022 a 1.3.22 en un hospital pediátrico de alta complejidad. Se compararon los antecedentes, características clínicas y evolutivas de los pacientes según requirieran o no internación. Se utilizó STATA 16. Resultados: n: 1764 pacientes, de ellos 958 eran varones (54%). La mediana de edad fue 56 meses (RIC 17-116). Tenían enfermedad de base 789 pacientes (46%). Las más frecuentes fueron: enfermedad oncohematológica 215 (12%), neurológica 103 pacientes (6%) , enfermedad pulmonar crónica 68 (4%), cardiopatías congénitas 65 (4%) y síndrome genético 57 pacientes (3%). Eran inmunosuprimidos: 292 (17%). Presentaron síntomas relacionados con COVID-19 1319 pacientes (79%). Requirieron internación 591 (34%). Tuvieron coinfección con otros virus respiratorios 33 pacientes (2%). Ingresaron a Cuidados intensivos en relación a la COVID-19 22 pacientes (1.3%) y fallecieron en relación con la infección 8 (0.5%). En el análisis univariado, la presencia de comorbilidades, la coinfección viral y la inmunosupresión se asociaron estadísticamente con el requerimiento de internación. El antecedente de 2 o más dosis de vacuna para SARS-CoV-2 fue un factor protector para la internación en los mayores de 3 años. En el modelo multivariado, los pacientes menores de 3 años (OR 6.5, IC95% 1.2-36.8, p 0.03), con comorbilidades (OR 2.04, IC 95% 1.7- 3.3, p 0.00) y los huéspedes inmunocomprometidos (OR 2.89, IC95% 2.1-4.1, p 0.00) tuvieron más riesgo de internación. Ajustado por el resto de las variables, haber recibido dos o más dosis de vacuna fue un factor protector para la internación (OR 0.65, IC 95% 0.49-0.87, p<0.01). Conclusiones: En este estudio de cohorte prospectivo de niños con diagnóstico confirmado de COVID-19 predominó la enfermedad sintomática. Fueron admitidos en relación con el COVID-19, 34% de los pacientes. La vacunación con dos o más dosis fue un factor protector para la internación en el modelo multivariado. Además, se asociaron estadísticamente con la hospitalización, la edad menor de 3 años, las comorbilidades previas y la inmunosupresión (AU)

Introduction: The rate of reported cases of children and adolescents with COVID-19 is progressively increasing. COVID-19-related hospital admission in children is uncommon, but leads to morbidity and places a burden on the healthcare system. Objectives: To describe the clinical characteristics and outcome of children diagnosed with COVID-19 in a pediatric tertiary-care hospital and to compare patients who required hospital admission with those who did not. Material and methods: A prospective cohort study. All patients with a virological diagnosis of COVID-19 seen between 1.1.2022 and 1.3.22 in a tertiary-care pediatric hospital were included. We compared patient history, clinical characteristics, and outcome according to whether or not they required hospital admission. STATA 16 was used. Results: n: 1764 patients, 958 of whom were male (54%). The median age was 56 months (IQR, 17- 116). Overall, 789 patients had an underlying disease (46%), the most frequent of which were hematology-oncology disease in 215 patients (12%), neurological disease in 103 (6%), chronic lung disease in 68 (4%), congenital heart disease in 65 (4%), and a genetic syndrome in 57 (3%); 292 were immunosuppressed (17%). Overall, 1319 patients (79%) had COVID-19-related symptoms and 591 (34%) required hospital admission. A coinfection with other respiratory viruses was observed in 33 patients (2%). Intensive care admission due to COVID-19 was required in 22 patients (1.3%) and 8 (0.5%) died with COVID-19. In univariate analysis, the presence of comorbidities, viral coinfecton, and immunosuppression were statistically significantly associated with the need for hospitalization. A history of two or more doses of the SARSCoV2 vaccine was a protective factor against hospital admission in children older than 3 years. In the multivariate model, patients younger than 3 years (OR 6.5, 95% CI 1.2-36.8, p 0.03), with comorbidities (OR 2.04, 95%CI 1.7-3.3, p 0.00) and immunocompromised hosts (OR 2.89, 95% CI 2.1-4.1, p 0.00) had a higher risk of hospital admission. When adjusting for the remaining variables, having received two or more doses of the vaccine was found to be a protective factor against hospital admission (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.49-0.87, p<0.01). Conclusions: In this prospective cohort study of children with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, symptomatic disease predominated. Thirty-four percent of the patients were admitted for COVID-19. Vaccination with two or more doses was a protective factor against hospitalization in the multivariate model. In addition, age younger than 3 years, previous comorbidities, and immunosuppression were statistically associated with hospital admission (AU)

Entrenamiento procedimental básico (EPROBA) en suturas para estudiantes de medicina durante pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) / Suturing basic procedural skills training for medical students during COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND: The adoption of sanitary measures due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic hampered teaching and learning methods in medicine. AIM: To communicate the results of a wound suture training workshop, based on the Basic Procedural Skills Training methodology and adapted to the pandemic context. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred fourteen students were randomized in small groups due to sanitary measures and trained with a modification of the Basic Procedural Skills Training methodology. An informed consent was obtained from every student. The suturing skills were evaluated before and after the intervention with "The Objective Structured Assessment Of Technical Skills" (OSATS) instrument. The perception of the workshop and the implementation of the COVID-19 prevention measures were also evaluated. RESULTS: The students showed a statistically significant improvement after the intervention. In the OSATS verification list, the average score increased from 4.5 to 8.6 (p < 0.01). In the OSATS global scale, the average score increased from 13.0 to 25.3 (p < 0.01). The perception of the workshop and the prevention measures were well evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Despite all the limitations of the pandemic context, we achieved a significant improvement after the intervention and a very good perception by the students.

Enfermedad coronaria: factores de riesgo y supervivencia a 10 años en la cirugía coronaria / Risk factors associated with 10-year survival after coronary artery bypass grafting

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the treatment of choice for a broad spectrum of patients with coronary disease. Aim: To describe global survival and factors associated with lower long-term survival in patients operated with isolated CABG. Material and Methods: Analysis of a cohort of patients who underwent CABG between January 2006 and December 2008 at a public hospital. The database and operation records of 1.003 cardiac surgeries were reviewed. Of these, an isolated CABG was performed in 658 patients aged 62 ± 9 years including 516 male (78%). Survival data were obtained from the Chilean Civil Registry Office and a complete ten-year follow up was accomplished. Survival was analyzed with Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank test and Cox regression. Results: Operative mortality occurred in 13 patients (2%). Survival at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years was 97, 94, 91 and 76%, respectively. One, 3, 5 and 10-year free of cardiovascular death survival was 98, 97, 95 y 89%, respectively. Factors associated with long-term survival were chronic kidney disease in hemodialysis (Hazard ratio (HR) 7.9; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 4.6-13.6), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR 2.3; 95% CI 1.4-3.7), chronic arterial occlusive disease (HR 2.2; 95% CI 1.4-3.4) and diabetes mellitus (HR 1.9; 95% CI 1.4-2.6). According to EuroSCORE, 10-year survival was 86, 75 and 62% (p < 0.01) in low, medium and high-risk patients, respectively. Conclusions: These patients had a 10-year survival comparable to large international series. Groups associated with lower 10-year survival were identified.

Infecciones asociadas al cuidado de salud en la unidad de quemados durante la pandemia SARS-CoV-2 / Healthcare-associated infections in the burn unit during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Introducción: a partir de la pandemia por Covid19 se reportó variabilidad en la incidencia de las infecciones asociadas al cuidado de la salud (IACS). Con el objetivo de describir y comparar las tasas de IACS en la Unidad de Quemados de un hospital pediátrico de tercer nivel, antes y después del inicio de la pandemia se llevó a cabo este estudio. Material y métodos: estudio de cohorte, retrospectivo, descriptivo, de vigilancia epidemiológica. Se registraron todos los eventos de IACS en la Unidad de Quemados desde el 01/07/2018 hasta el 31/06/2021. Se compararon las tasas de las IACS entre el período I (PI) previo a la pandemia (07/2018-12/2019) y el período II (PII) posterior al inicio de la misma (01/2020- 06/2021). Resultados: se registraron 74 episodios de IACS, en un total de 8232 pacientes-día. Se registró una tasa global de IACS similar en ambos períodos, 10,08 ‰ pacientes-día (PI) vs 7,34 ‰ pacientes-día (PII), sin encontrarse diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las tasas de bacteriemia asociada a catéter venoso central (BSI-CVC) 3,32 ‰ días uso de CVC (PI) vs 3,20 ‰ (PII), neumonía asociada a ARM 1.43 ‰ días de uso de ARM (PI) vs un 2.02 ‰ (PII), ni infección urinaria asociada a sonda vesical (SV) 7,36 ‰ días de uso de SV (PI) vs 3,64 ‰ (PII). Conclusiones: no se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las tasas de IACS entre ambos períodos, lo cual podría justificarse con el estricto protocolo en control de infecciones implementado previo al inicio de la pandemia (AU)

Introduction: since the start of the Covid19 pandemic, variability in the incidence of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) has been reported. This study was conducted to describe and compare the rates of HAIs in the burn unit of a tertiary pediatric hospital before and after the onset of the pandemic. Material and methods: a retrospective, descriptive, epidemiological surveillance cohort study was conducted. All HAI events in the burn unit from 01/07/2018 to 31/06/2021 were recorded. HAI rates between the pre-pandemic period I (PI) (07/2018- 12/2019) and post-pandemic period II (PII) (01/2020-06/2021) were compared. Results: 74 episodes of HAI were recorded in a total of 8232 patient-days. There was a similar overall rate of HAIs in both periods, 10.08 ‰ patient-days (PI) vs 7.34 ‰ patient-days (PII), with no statistically significant differences found in the rates of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections (CVC-BSI) 3.32 ‰ days CVC use (PI) vs 3.20 ‰ (PII), ventilator-associated pneumonia 1. 43 ‰ days MV use (PI) vs a 2.02 ‰ (PII), or catheter-associated urinary tract infection 7.36 ‰ days catheter use (PI) vs 3.64 ‰ (PII). Conclusions: no statistically significant differences were observed in the rates of HAIs between both periods, which may be explained by the strict infection control protocol implemented prior to the onset of the pandemic (AU)

Using CDOM spectral shape information to improve the estimation of DOC concentration in inland waters: A case study of Andean Patagonian Lakes.

For the last two decades different scientific disciplines have focused on lacustrine dissolved organic matter (DOM) given its importance in the biogeochemistry of carbon and in ecosystem functioning. New satellites supply the appropriate resolutions to evaluate chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in inland waters, opening the possibility to estimate DOM at appropriate spatiotemporal scales. This requires, however, a robust relationship between CDOM and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). In this work, we evaluated the use of CDOM as a proxy of DOC in 7 Andean Patagonian lakes. Considering the entire data set, CDOM absorption coefficients (a355 and a440) were linearly related with DOC. Shallow lakes, however, drove this relationship showing a moderate relationship, whereas, deep lakes with lower colour presented a weaker relationship. Therefore, we assessed the use of CDOM spectral shape information to improve DOC estimates regardless of observed DOM differences due to climatic seasonality and lakes' morphometry. The use of well-known CDOM spectral shape metrics (i.e., S275-295 and a250:a365 ratio) significantly improved DOC estimation. Particularly, using a Gaussian decomposition approach we found that much of the variation in the spectral shape, associated with the variability of CDOM:DOC ratio, was explained by differences in two dynamic regions centred at 270 and 320 nm. A strong nonlinear relationship was found between the a270:a320 ratio and the DOC-specific absorption coefficients a*355 and a*440. This was translated into a further improvement in DOC estimation yielding the higher R2 and lower mean absolute differences (MAPD < 16%), either considering the entire data set or shallow and deep lakes separately. Our results highlight that incorporating the CDOM spectral shape information improves the characterization of the DOC pool of inland waters, which is particularly relevant for remote and/or inaccessible sites and has significant implications for the environmental management, biogeochemical studies and future remote sensing applications.

Review of imaging techniques for evaluating morphological and functional responses to the treatment of bone metastases in prostate and breast cancer.

Bone metastases are very common complications associated with certain types of cancers that frequently negatively impact the quality of life and functional status of patients; thus, early detection is necessary for the implementation of immediate therapeutic measures to reduce the risk of skeletal complications and improve survival and quality of life. There is no consensus or universal standard approach for the detection of bone metastases in cancer patients based on imaging. Endorsed by the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), the Spanish Society of Medical Radiology (SERAM), and the Spanish Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SEMNIM) a group of experts met to discuss and provide an up-to-date review of our current understanding of the biological mechanisms through which tumors spread to the bone and describe the imaging methods available to diagnose bone metastasis and monitor their response to oncological treatment, focusing on patients with breast and prostate cancer. According to current available data, the use of next-generation imaging techniques, including whole-body diffusion-weighted MRI, PET/CT, and PET/MRI with novel radiopharmaceuticals, is recommended instead of the classical combination of CT and bone scan in detection, staging and response assessment of bone metastases from prostate and breast cancer.Clinical trial registration: Not applicable.

[Suturing basic procedural skills training for medical students during COVID-19 pandemic]. / Entrenamiento procedimental básico (EPROBA) en suturas para estudiantes de medicina durante pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

BACKGROUND: The adoption of sanitary measures due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic hampered teaching and learning methods in medicine. AIM: To communicate the results of a wound suture training workshop, based on the Basic Procedural Skills Training methodology and adapted to the pandemic context. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred fourteen students were randomized in small groups due to sanitary measures and trained with a modification of the Basic Procedural Skills Training methodology. An informed consent was obtained from every student. The suturing skills were evaluated before and after the intervention with "The Objective Structured Assessment Of Technical Skills" (OSATS) instrument. The perception of the workshop and the implementation of the COVID-19 prevention measures were also evaluated. RESULTS: The students showed a statistically significant improvement after the intervention. In the OSATS verification list, the average score increased from 4.5 to 8.6 (p < 0.01). In the OSATS global scale, the average score increased from 13.0 to 25.3 (p < 0.01). The perception of the workshop and the prevention measures were well evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Despite all the limitations of the pandemic context, we achieved a significant improvement after the intervention and a very good perception by the students.

[Risk factors associated with 10-year survival after coronary artery bypass grafting]. / Enfermedad coronaria: factores de riesgo y supervivencia a 10 años en la cirugía coronaria.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the treatment of choice for a broad spectrum of patients with coronary disease. AIM: To describe global survival and factors associated with lower long-term survival in patients operated with isolated CABG. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of a cohort of patients who underwent CABG between January 2006 and December 2008 at a public hospital. The database and operation records of 1.003 cardiac surgeries were reviewed. Of these, an isolated CABG was performed in 658 patients aged 62 ± 9 years including 516 male (78%). Survival data were obtained from the Chilean Civil Registry Office and a complete ten-year follow up was accomplished. Survival was analyzed with Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank test and Cox regression. RESULTS: Operative mortality occurred in 13 patients (2%). Survival at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years was 97, 94, 91 and 76%, respectively. One, 3, 5 and 10-year free of cardiovascular death survival was 98, 97, 95 y 89%, respectively. Factors associated with long-term survival were chronic kidney disease in hemodialysis (Hazard ratio (HR) 7.9; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 4.6-13.6), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (HR 2.3; 95% CI 1.4-3.7), chronic arterial occlusive disease (HR 2.2; 95% CI 1.4-3.4) and diabetes mellitus (HR 1.9; 95% CI 1.4-2.6). According to EuroSCORE, 10-year survival was 86, 75 and 62% (p < 0.01) in low, medium and high-risk patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These patients had a 10-year survival comparable to large international series. Groups associated with lower 10-year survival were identified.