COVID-19 in a common woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagothricha): First evidence of fatal outcome in a nonhuman primate after natural SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. Since then, viral spread from humans to animals has occurred worldwide. Nonhuman primates (NHPs) have been found to be susceptible to reverse-zoonosis transmission of SARS-CoV-2, but initial research suggested that platyrrhine primates are less susceptible than catarrhine primates. Here we report the natural SARS-CoV-2 infection of a common woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagothricha) from a wildlife rehabilitation center in Ecuador. The course of the disease, the eventual death of the specimen, and the pathological findings are described. Our results show the susceptibility of a new platyrrhine species to SARS-CoV-2 and provide evidence for the first time of a COVID-19-associated death in a naturally infected NHP. The putative route of transmission from humans, and implications for captive NHPs management, are also discussed. Given that common woolly monkeys are at risk of extinction in Ecuador, further understanding of the potential threat of SARS-CoV-2 to their health should be a conservation priority. A One Health approach is the best way to protect NHPs from a new virus in the same way that we would protect the human population.

Alternative CNDOL Fockians for fast and accurate description of molecular exciton properties.

CNDOL is an a priori, approximate Fockian for molecular wave functions. In this study, we employ several modes of singly excited configuration interaction (CIS) to model molecular excitation properties by using four combinations of the one electron operator terms. Those options are compared to the experimental and theoretical data for a carefully selected set of molecules. The resulting excitons are represented by CIS wave functions that encompass all valence electrons in the system for each excited state energy. The Coulomb-exchange term associated to the calculated excitation energies is rationalized to evaluate theoretical exciton binding energies. This property is shown to be useful for discriminating the charge donation ability of molecular and supermolecular systems. Multielectronic 3D maps of exciton formal charges are showcased, demonstrating the applicability of these approximate wave functions for modeling properties of large molecules and clusters at nanoscales. This modeling proves useful in designing molecular photovoltaic devices. Our methodology holds potential applications in systematic evaluations of such systems and the development of fundamental artificial intelligence databases for predicting related properties.

Prediction of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical expenditures associated with Diabetes Mellitus type II based on clinical risk.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of different machine learning models in estimating the pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical expenditures associated with Diabetes Mellitus type II diagnosis, based on the clinical risk index determined by the analysis of comorbidities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we have used data from 11,028 anonymized records of patients admitted to a high-complexity hospital in Bogota, Colombia between 2017-2019 with a primary diagnosis of Diabetes. These cases were classified according to Charlson's comorbidity index in several risk categories. The main variables analyzed in this study are hospitalization costs (which include pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical expenditures), age, gender, length of stay, medicines and services consumed, and comorbidities assessed by the Charlson's index. The model's dependent variable is expenditure (composed of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical expenditures). Based on these variables, different machine learning models (Multivariate linear regression, Lasso model, and Neural Networks) were used to estimate the pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical expenditures associated with the clinical risk classification. To evaluate the performance of these models, different metrics were used: Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), Mean Squared Error (MSE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and Coefficient of Determination (R2). RESULTS: The results indicate that the Neural Networks model performed better in terms of accuracy in predicting pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical expenditures considering the clinical risk based on Charlson's comorbidity index. A deeper understanding and experimentation with Neural Networks can improve these preliminary results, therefore we can also conclude that the main variables used and those that were proposed can be used as predictors for the medical expenditures of patients with diabetes type-II. CONCLUSIONS: With the increase of technology elements and tools, it is possible to build models that allow decision-makers in hospitals to improve the resource planning process given the accuracy obtained with the different models tested.

Assessing the implementation of a multi-component hypertension program in a Guatemalan under-resourced dynamic context: an application of the RE-AIM/PRISM extension for sustainability and health equity.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid changes in healthcare delivery in Guatemala's public primary care settings. A new hypertension program, implemented as part of a type 2 hybrid trial since 2019, exemplifies an implementation effort amidst a changing context in an under-resourced setting. We assessed the implementation of an evidence-based intervention (EBI; protocol-based hypertension treatment) and one of its main implementation strategies (team-based collaborative care), raising implications for health equity and sustainability. We present innovative application of systems thinking visuals. METHODS: Conducting a convergent mixed methods analysis, we assessed implementation in response to contextual changes across five Ministry of Health (MoH) districts at the pandemic's onset. Utilizing quantitative programmatic data and qualitative interviews with stakeholders (n=18; health providers, administrators, study staff), we evaluated dimensions of "Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance," RE-AIM (Reach, Implementation delivery + adaptations), and "Practical Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model," PRISM (Organizational perspective on the EBI, Fit, Implementation and sustainability infrastructure) frameworks. We assessed representativeness by comparing participants to census data. To assess implementation delivery, we built behavior-over-time (BOT) graphs with quantitative programmatic data (July 2019-July 2021). To assess adaptations and contextual changes, we performed matrix-based thematic qualitative analysis. We converged quantitative implementation delivery data + qualitative adaptations data in joint displays. Finally, we analyzed qualitative and quantitative results across RE-AIM/PRISM and health districts to identify equity and sustainability considerations. RESULTS: Contextual factors that facilitated program delivery included the perception that the EBI was beneficial, program champions, and staff communication. Key barriers to implementation delivery included competition with other primary care activities and limited implementation infrastructure (e.g., equipment, medications). Contextual changes related to COVID-19 hindered implementation delivery, threatened sustainability, and may have exacerbated inequities. However, adaptations that were planned enhanced implementation delivery and may have supported improved equity and sustainability. CONCLUSIONS: Recognition of an EBI's benefits and program champions are important for supporting initial uptake. The ability to plan adaptations amid rapid contextual changes has potential advantages for sustainability and equitable delivery. Systems thinking tools and mixed methods approaches may shed light on the relations between context, adaptations, and equitable and sustainable implementation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03504124.

Risk factors for readmission after a cholecystectomy: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors associated with 30-day hospital readmissions after a cholecystectomy. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study, with data obtained from UC-Christus from Santiago, Chile. All patients who underwent a cholecystectomy between January 2015 and December 2019 were included in the study. We identified all patients readmitted after a cholecystectomy and compared them with a randomized control group. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify risk factors. RESULTS: Of the 4866 cholecystectomies performed between 2015 and 2019, 79 patients presented 30-day hospital readmission after the surgical procedure (1.6%). We identified as risk factors for readmission in the univariate analysis the presence of a solid tumor at the moment of cholecystectomy (OR = 7.58), high pre-operative direct bilirubin (OR = 2.52), high pre-operative alkaline phosphatase (OR = 3.25), emergency admission (OR = 2.04), choledocholithiasis on admission (OR = 4.34), additional surgical procedure during the cholecystectomy (OR = 4.12), and post-operative complications. In the multivariate analysis, the performance of an additional surgical procedure during cholecystectomy was statistically significant (OR = 4.24). CONCLUSION: Performing an additional surgical procedure during cholecystectomy was identified as a risk factor associated with 30-day hospital readmission.

OBJETIVO: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los factores de riesgo asociados al reingreso hospitalario en los primeros 30 días post colecistectomía. MÉTODOS: Estudio de casos-controles con datos obtenidos del Hospital Clínico de la UC-Christus, Santiago, Chile. Se ­incluyeron las colecistectomías realizadas entre los años 2015-2019. Se consideraron como casos aquellos pacientes que reingresaron en los 30 primeros días posterior a una colecistectomía. Se realizó un análisis univariado y multivariado de diferentes posibles factores de riesgo. RESULTADOS: De un total de 4866 colecistectomías, 79 pacientes presentaron reingreso hospitalario. Los resultados estadísticamente significativos en el análisis univariado fueron; tumor sólido al momento de la colecistectomía (OR = 7.58) bilirrubina directa preoperatoria alterada (OR = 2.52), fosfatasa alcalina preoperatoria alterada (OR = 3.25), ingreso de urgencia (OR = 2.04), coledocolitiasis al ingreso (OR = 4.34) realización de otros procedimientos (OR = 4.12) y complicaciones postoperatorias. En el análisis multivariado sólo la realización de otro procedimiento durante la colecistectomía fue estadísticamente significativa (OR = 4.24). CONCLUSIÓN: La realización de otros procedimientos durante la colecistectomía es un factor de riesgo de reingreso hospitalario en los 30 días posteriores a la colecistectomía.

Caracterización de adultos mayores con cáncer colorrectal en la comunidad

Fundamento: el cáncer colorrectal es la neoplasia más frecuente del sistema digestivo en los adultos mayores. En Cuba es un problema de salud de primer orden por su elevada incidencia y mortalidad, constituye la tercera causa de muerte en la población general. Objetivo: caracterizar a los adultos mayores con cáncer colorrectal en el Policlínico Sur Rudesindo García del Rijo de la provincia Sancti Spíritus. Métodos: se realizó una investigación de tipo descriptiva en el Policlínico Sur Rudesindo García del Rijo del municipio y provincia Sancti Spíritus, de enero a marzo del 2019. Se trabajó con una muestra intencional de 127 adultos mayores, pertenecientes a consultorios urbanos. Las variables analizadas fueron: edad, sexo, nivel de escolaridad, estadio del cáncer colorrectal al diagnóstico, estado de salud, comorbilidades, capacidad y percepción del autocuidado y supervivencia. Para el estadio al diagnóstico se utilizó la clasificación anatomoclínica, la comorbilidad, se midió mediante el índice de Charlson y el Test de Capacidad y Percepción de Autocuidado del Adulto Mayor. La información se procesó mediante el análisis porcentual. Los resultados alcanzados se interpretaron los números con sus porcientos. Resultados: en la caracterización de la muestra predominaron las féminas, el grupo de edad entre 70 y 79 años y el nivel de escolaridad de secundaria básica. El estadio II con un mal estado de salud y la inadecuada percepción de autocuidado fue mayoritario. La comorbilidad fue moderada con una supervivencia entre 40 a 60 meses. Conclusiones: predominaron las mujeres entre los 70 y los 79 años y como nivel de escolaridad, la secundaria básica; además prevaleció el estadio II y la inadecuada percepción de autocuidado.

Foundation: colorectal cancer is the most common neoplasm of the digestive system in older adults. In Cuba it is a major health problem due to its high incidence and mortality; it is the third cause of death in the general population. Objective: to characterize older adults with colorectal cancer at the Rudesindo García del Rijo Sur Polyclinic in the Sancti Spíritus province. Methods a descriptive research was carried out at the Sur Rudesindo García del Rijo Polyclinic in the municipality and province of Sancti Spíritus, from January to March 2019. We worked with an intentional sample of 127 older adults, belonging to urban clinics. The variables analyzed were: age, sex, educational level, stage of colorectal cancer at diagnosis, health status, comorbidities, capacity and perception of self-care and survival. For the stage at diagnosis, the anatomoclinical classification was used, comorbidity was measured using the Charlson index and the Self-Care Capacity and Perception Test for the Elderly. The information was processed through percentage analysis. The results achieved were interpreted as numbers with their percentages. Results: in the characterization of the sample, females, the age group between 70 and 79 years and the level of lower secondary education predominated. Stage II with a poor state of health and inadequate perception of self-care was the majority. Comorbidity was moderate with survival between 40 to 60 months. Conclusions: women between 70 and 79 years of age and lower secondary education level predominated, stage II and inadequate perception of self-care also prevailed.

Caracterización de los adultos mayores con cáncer colorrectal en la comunidad / Characterization of Community Older Adults with Colorectal Cancer

Introducción: El cáncer colorrectal es la neoplasia más frecuente del sistema digestivo en los adultos mayores. En Cuba es un problema de salud de primer orden por su elevada incidencia y mortalidad, que constituye la tercera causa de muerte. Objetivo: Caracterizar a los adultos mayores con cáncer colorrectal en el Policlínico Sur de Sancti Spíritus. Métodos: Investigación de tipo descriptiva en el Policlínico Sur del municipio y la provincia de Sancti Spíritus de enero a marzo del 2019. Muestra intencional de 127 adultos mayores, pertenecientes a consultorios urbanos. Las variables: edad, sexo, escolaridad, estadio del cáncer colorrectal al diagnóstico, estado de salud, comorbilidades, capacidad y percepción del autocuidado y supervivencia. Para determinar el estadio al diagnóstico se utilizó la clasificación anatomoclínica. La comorbilidad se midió mediante el índice de Chalson mientras que para medir la capacidad y percepción del autocuidado se empleó el Test de CYPAC-AM. Resultados: En la caracterización de la muestra predominaron las mujeres, el grupo de edad entre 70 y 79 años y la escolaridad de secundaria básica. El estadio II, con un mal estado de salud y la inadecuada percepción de autocuidado, fue mayoritario. La comorbilidad fue moderada con una supervivencia entre 40 a 60 meses. Conclusiones: La adecuada caracterización de los adultos mayores con cáncer colorrectal en la comunidad posibilita trazar estrategias dirigidas a la mejora del autocuidado y el estado de salud de los gerontes desde el primer nivel de atención(AU)

Introduction: Colorectal cancer is the most frequent neoplasm of the digestive system in older adults. In Cuba, it is a highly significant health problem due to its high incidence and mortality, also being the third cause of death. Objective: To characterize older adults with colorectal cancer at Policlínico Sur of Sancti Spíritus. Methods: A descriptive research was carried out in Policlínico Sur of Sancti Spíritus Municipality and Province from January to March 2019. The intentional sample was made up of 127 older adults, belonging to urban family medical offices. The variables were age, sex, school level, stage of colorectal cancer at diagnosis, health status, comorbidities, selfcare capacity and perception, and survival. The anatomoclinical classification was used to determine the stage at diagnosis. Comorbidity was measured using the Chalson index, while the CYPAC-AM (older adult selfcare capacity and perception) test was used to measure selfcare capacity and perception. Results: In the characterization of the sample, there was a predominance of women, the age group between 70 and 79 years, and the junior high school level. Stage II prevailed, together with poor health status and inadequate selfcare perception. Comorbidity was moderate, with survival between 40 to 60 months. Conclusions: The adequate characterization of older adults with colorectal cancer in the community makes it possible to outline strategies aimed at improving selfcare and their health status from the first level of care(AU)

Validation of venous thromboembolism predictive model in hematologic malignancies.

Although several scores stratify venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk in solid tumors, hematologic malignancies (HM) are underrepresented. To develop an internal and external validation of a logistic regression model to predict VTE risk in hospitalized HM patients. Validation of the existing VTE predictive model was performed through a prospective case-control study in 496 hospitalized HM patients between December 2010 and 2020 at the Arnaldo Milián University Hospital, Cuba. The predictive model designed with data from 285 patients includes 5 predictive factors: hypercholesterolemia, tumoral activity, use of thrombogenic drugs, diabetes mellitus, and immobilization. The model was internally validated using bootstrap analysis. External validation was realized in a prospective cohort of 211 HM patients. The predictive model had a 76.4% negative predictive value (NPV) and an 81.7% positive predictive value (PPV) in the bootstrapping validation. The area under curve (AUC) in the bootstrapping set was 0.838. Accuracy was 80.1% and 82.9% in the internal and external validation, respectively. In the external validation, the model produced 89.7% of NPV, 67.7% of PPV, 74.6% of sensitivity, and 86.2% of specificity. The AUC in the external validation was 0.900. VTE predictive model is a reproducible and simple tool with good accuracy and discrimination.

Uso de herramientas tecnológicas: un reto para la educación de enfermería / Use of technological tools: a challenge for nursing education

Desde el 2004 la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Educación, la Ciencia y la Cultura (UNESCO) ha resaltado la importancia de la incorporación de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación (TIC) en los diferentes procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje, como consecuencia de su rápido y creciente desarrollo, ya que se consideran relevantes como complementos pedagógicos en los diferentes niveles de formación, especialmente en los de educación superior. Para su implementación, es indispensable disponer de las herramientas suficientes para el fortalecimiento de las competencias digitales, el establecimiento de resultados de aprendizaje, así como el interés y motivación de los diferentes actores, principalmente estudiantes y docentes

Sarcoidosis: experience in a Mexican ophthalmological clinic.

BACKGROUND: Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disorder in which patients frequently develop ocular manifestations that precede systemic involvement, sometimes it even presents as an ocular isolated form of the disease. The purpose of this study is to report the ocular and systemic manifestations of sarcoidosis in a series of Mexican patients, as there is a low incidence of the disease in this population. METHODS: A retrospective case series of patients with positive classification criteria for sarcoidosis who attended Asociacion Para Evitar la Ceguera en Mexico, IAP between 2011 and 2022. Descriptive statistics were used to report the clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings and treatment. Numerical results were presented using median values and first and third quartiles for distribution. RESULTS: Fourteen patients were included in this study, 10 of them had definite ocular sarcoidosis (biopsy-proven), 4 had presumed ocular sarcoidosis. The median age of onset was 52 (34; 67), with a predominance of female patients (71.4%). Ten patients (71.4%) debuted with ocular manifestations. The most common forms of ocular involvement were bilateral anterior uveitis (50%) and panuveitis (28.6%). Median follow-up was 24 (13-49) months. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcoidosis is a rare, underdiagnosed condition in Mexico and ocular involvement can be an early manifestation of the disease. Ophthalmologists should be alert to the signs of ocular sarcoidosis and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to screen for systemic involvement if suspicion is high.

Emotional- and cognitive-like responses induced by social defeat stress in male mice are modulated by the BNST, amygdala, and hippocampus.

Introduction: Chronic exposure to social defeat stress (SDS) has been used to investigate the neurobiology of depressive- and anxiety-like responses and mnemonic processes. We hypothesized that these affective, emotional, and cognitive consequences induced by SDS are regulated via glutamatergic neurons located in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), amygdaloid complex, and hippocampus in mice. Methods: Here, we investigated the influence of chronic SDS on (i) the avoidance behavior assessed in the social interaction test, (ii) the anxiety-like behavior (e.g., elevated plus-maze, and open field tests) (iii) depressive-like behaviors (e.g., coat state, sucrose splash, nesting building, and novel object exploration tests), (iv) the short-term memory (object recognition test), (v) ΔFosB, CaMKII as well as ΔFosB + CaMKII labeling in neurons located in the BNST, amygdaloid complex, dorsal (dHPC) and the ventral (vHPC) hippocampus. Results: The main results showed that the exposure of mice to SDS (a) increased defensive and anxiety-like behaviors and led to memory impairment without eliciting clear depressive-like or anhedonic effects; (b) increased ΔFosB + CaMKII labeling in BNST and amygdala, suggesting that both areas are strongly involved in the modulation of this type of stress; and produced opposite effects on neuronal activation in the vHPC and dHPC, i.e., increasing and decreasing, respectively, ΔFosB labeling. The effects of SDS on the hippocampus suggest that the vHPC is likely related to the increase of defensive- and anxiety-related behaviors, whereas the dHPC seems to modulate the memory impairment. Discussion: Present findings add to a growing body of evidence indicating the involvement of glutamatergic neurotransmission in the circuits that modulate emotional and cognitive consequences induced by social defeat stress.

Phase Angle in Head and Neck Cancer: A Sex-Differential Analysis from Biological and Clinical Behavior to Health-Related Quality of Life.

Head and neck cancer (H&NC) is a diverse category of tumors related to malignancies in the common aerodigestive pathway, with high metabolic rate, poor nutritional and treatment outcomes, and elevated mortality despite the best standard treatment. Herein, we focus on determining how the phase angle (PA) differs across sex as a predictor of poor prognosis, low quality-of-life (QoL) scores, and mortality in patients with head and neck cancer. This follow-up study presents a sex-differential analysis in a prospective cohort of 139 head and neck cancer patients categorized by sex as male (n = 107) and female (n = 32). Patients were compared in terms of nutritional, biochemical, and quality-of-life indicators between low and normal PA in women (<3.9° (n = 14, 43.75%) and ≥3.9°) and men (<4.5° (n = 62, 57.9%) and ≥4.5°). Our results show that most patients were in locally advanced clinical stages (women: n = 21 (65.7%); men: n = 67 (62.6%)) and that patients with low PA had a lower punctuation in parameters such as handgrip strength, four-meter walking speed, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and CRP/albumin ratio (CAR), as well as the worst QoL scores in functional and symptomatic scales in both the male and female groups. A comparison between sexes revealed significant disparities; malnourishment and tumor cachexia related to an inflammatory state was more evident in the women's group.

Cromoblastomicosis verrugosa-cicatricial multifocal: una entidad desatendida en Colombia / Multifocal verrucous-cicatricial chromoblastomycosis: a neglected disease in Colombia

La cromoblastomicosis es una micosis subcutánea crónica de presentación clínica heterogénea que afecta principalmente a poblaciones de escasos recursos, lo que sumado al acceso limitado a los servicios de salud condiciona el retraso en el diagnóstico y tratamiento, ocasionando secuelas físicas graves. Se describe el caso de un hombre de 50 años con lesiones cutáneas verrugosas y cicatriciales de 30 años de evolución en la extremidad inferior y mano izquierda, además en cara en los últimos cinco años. Se realizó el diagnóstico de cromoblastomicosis de presentación multifocal y clínica mixta, con examen directo e histopatología compatibles, y cultivo para hongos positivo para Fonsecaea pedrosoi. Se indicó tratamiento oral con itraconazol y seguimiento clínico. Reconocer esta entidad es crucial para un diagnóstico y tratamiento oportunos, con el fin de evitar secuelas físicas y estigmatización secundaria. Se debe fortalecer en la atención primaria el reconocimiento de patologías desatendidas y de incidencia subestimada en Colombia, con una presentación multifocal mixta atípica y de un tiempo de evolución prolongado. El examen directo KOH es un herramienta accesible y económica en los primeros niveles de atención que puede contribuir al enfoque diagnóstico.

Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic subcutaneous mycosis with heterogeneous clinical presentation. It mainly affects low-income populations, which added to limited access to health services delays diagnosis and treatment, causing serious physical sequelae. We describe the case of a 50-year-old man with warty and cicatricial skin lesions of 30 years of evolution, at the level of left lower limb and left hand, with face involvement in the last five years. A diagnosis of chromoblastomycosis with multifocal and mixed clinical presentation was made, based on compatible direct examination and histopathology, and positive fungal culture for Fonsecaea pedrosoi. Oral treatment with itraconazole and clinical followup were stablished. Recognizing this entity is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment, to avoid physical sequelae and secondary stigmatization. Primary health care should be strengthened for the recognition of neglected diseases whose incidence is underestimated in Colombia, with an atypical mixed multifocal presentation and a long evolution time. The KOH direct examination is an accessible and economical tool in the first levels of care that can contribute to the diagnostic approach.

Involvement of the Endocannabinoid System in the Control of Pain and Obesity by Exercise in Rodents: A Systematic Review.

Studies in recent years have shown that the endocannabinoid (eCB) system is activated by exercise and modulates several physiological processes. Thus, the present review aimed to summarize the literature about the involvement of the eCB system in the control of pain, obesity, and metabolism by exercise. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched for experimental studies that investigated the presence of the eCB system in animal models of pain and obesity, in which the animals were subjected to different exercise modalities. The primary outcomes were pain, obesity, and metabolism. The databases were searched for articles from their inception up until March 2020. Two independent reviewers extracted the data and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies. Thirteen studies were considered eligible for this review. The results indicated that there was increased expression and levels of cannabinoid receptors and eCBs, respectively, after aerobic and resistance exercise, and that this effect was associated with antinociception. The eCB system was modulated by exercise in obese rats, confirming that it may also be involved in the control of obesity and metabolism when these are modulated by aerobic training. Exercise can be effective in controlling pain, partly through the involvement of the eCB system. In addition, exercise can modulate the imbalance of the eCB system in obesity and metabolic disorders, thus also controlling these pathologies through this signaling system.

Impact of perineural invasion on the outcome of patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastases treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery.

PURPOSE: To analyze the prognostic value of variables of the primary tumor in patients with synchronous liver metastases in colorectal cancer (CLRMs) treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery. METHODS/PATIENTS: From a prospective database, we retrospectively identified all patients with synchronous CLRMs who were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and liver resection. Using univariate and multivariate analyses, we identified the variables associated with tumor recurrence. Overall survival and disease-free survival were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method with differences determined by the Cox multiple hazards model. Results were compared using the log-rank test. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients with synchronous CLRMs were identified. With a median follow-up of 39.8 months, overall survival and disease-free survival at 5 and 10 years were 53%, 41.7%, 29% and 29%, respectively. Univariate analysis identified three variables associated with tumor recurrence: location in the colon (p = 0.025), lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.011) and perineural invasion (p = 0.005). Multivariate analysis identified two variables associated with worse overall survival: perineural invasion (HR 2.36, 95% CI 1.162-4.818, p = 0.018) and performing frontline colectomy (HR 3.286, 95% CI 1.256-8.597, p = 0.015). Perineural invasion remained as the only variable associated with lower disease-free survival (HR 1.867, 95% CI 1.013-3.441, p = 0.045). Overall survival at 5 and 10 years in patients with and without perineural invasion was 68.2%, 54.4% and 29.9% and 21.3%, respectively (HR 5.920, 95% CI 2.241-15.630, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Perineural invasion in the primary tumor is the variable with most impact on survival in patients with synchronous CLRMs treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery.

Satisfacción y calidad percibida en cirugía mayor ambulatoria

Fundamento: la calidad es uno de los temas que ha suscitado mayor interés en los investigadores de las más disimiles ramas de la producción, los servicios y las ciencias en los últimos años. Se ha demostrado la necesidad del estudio de la calidad percibida en el ámbito sanitario y, particularmente, en cirugía mayor ambulatoria. Objetivo: evaluar la satisfacción y calidad percibida por pacientes y familiares usuarios de cirugía mayor ambulatoria; determinar la existencia de diferencias en los criterios de pacientes y familiares. Métodos: estudio observacional descriptivo desde enero de 2018 a marzo de 2020 en el Servicio de Cirugía General del Hospital Provincial Arnaldo Milián Castro, de Santa Clara. Se aplicaron entrevistas por vía telefónica a 50 pacientes (intervenidos por cirugía mayor ambulatoria) y a un familiar que lo hubiese acompañado durante el proceso de atención. Resultados: se obtuvieron resultados favorables en la satisfacción y percepción de la calidad en los pacientes y familiares sin evidenciarse diferencias estadísticas significativas entre estos grupos. Conclusiones: la cirugía mayor ambulatoria es una modalidad asistencial bien aceptada por los pacientes y sus familiares acompañantes.

Background quality is one of the issues that has aroused the greatest interest in researchers from the most dissimilar branches of production, services and science in recent years. The need to study the perceived quality in the health field and, particularly, in major outpatient surgery has been demonstrated. Objective: to evaluate the satisfaction and quality perceived by patients and relatives who use major outpatient surgery; to determine the existence of differences in the patients and relatives' criteria. Methods: descriptive observational study from January 2018 to March 2020 at the General Surgery Service of the Arnaldo Milián Castro Provincial Hospital, in Santa Clara. Telephone interviews were applied to 50 patients (operated for major outpatient surgery) and a family member who had accompanied them during the care process. Results: favorable results were obtained in satisfaction and quality perception in patients and relatives without showing significant statistical differences between these groups. Conclusions: major ambulatory surgery is a care modality well accepted by patients and their accompanying families.

"KARER" intervention on care ability and burden for caregiving relatives of disabled patients with cardiocerebrovascular diseases: EMICARE mixed randomized clinical protocol.

AIMS: Determine efficacy of "KARER" educational intervention on caring ability and burden of caregiving relatives of disabled patients with stroke and cardiovascular diseases. DESIGN: Clinical, randomized, controlled and double blinded trial with a mixed approach. METHODS: Study population will be made up of 96 caregiving relatives of patients of home-hospitalized care programs in the cities of Bogotá and Bucaramanga, (Colombia), between March 2021 and March 2022. Participants will be randomly assigned into two groups, either intervention (n = 48) or control (n = 48). The intervention is interdisciplinary and multi-component: B-Learning modality and clinical simulation. Follow-up of participants will last 8 weeks from intervention period start-out, and measurements will be taken and analysed in masked form. The main results will be the mean score changes of care ability and caregiver burden. DISCUSSION: Caregiving relatives will show better adaptation to their role through effective use of caring abilities as they look after disabled persons with chronic diseases.

Torsión primaria segmentaria del omento mayor: una causa infrecuente de abdomen agudo quirúrgico / Primary segmental torsion of the greater omentum: an uncommon cause of acute surgical abdomen

El abdomen agudo comprende un amplio grupo de enfermedades con alta incidencia en la práctica quirúrgica habitual. Se presenta el caso de un paciente masculino, de 23 años, con cuadro abdominal agudo, cuyo diagnóstico preoperatorio fue compatible con una apendicitis aguda; al efectuar la laparotomía exploratoria se constató torsión primaria y segmentaria del omento mayor. Esta es una afección de difícil diagnóstico preoperatorio, generalmente diagnosticada durante el acto quirúrgico porque fácilmente se confunde con otras enfermedades del abdomen agudo quirúrgico. Lo indicado en estos pacientes es la remoción del segmento involucrado por lo que se realizó omentectomía parcial y apendicectomía complementaria; el paciente presentó una evolución clínica favorable.

Acute abdomen comprises a wide group of diseases with a high incidence in routine surgical practice. We present a 23-year-old male patient with acute abdominal symptoms, whose preoperative diagnosis was compatible with acute appendicitis; primary and segmental torsion of the greater omentum was found when performing the exploratory laparotomy. This condition is difficult to diagnose preoperatively; it is generally evident during surgery because it is confused with other diseases of the acute surgical abdomen. The removal of the involved segment is indicated in these patients that is why partial omentectomy and complementary appendectomy were performed; the patient had a favourable clinical evolution.

Phase Angle and Nutritional Status: The Impact on Survival and Health-Related Quality of Life in Locally Advanced Uterine Cervical Cancer.

The phase angle, an indicator of muscle mass status and membrane cell integrity, has been associated with low survival, poorer clinical outcomes, and worse quality of life among cancer patients, but information on women with uterine cervical cancer (UCCa) is scarce. In this prospective study, we used a bioelectrical impedance analyzer to obtain the PA of 65 women with UCCa. We compared the health-related quality of life and inflammatory and nutritional indicators between low PA and normal PA. The mean age was 52 ± 13. The low PA and normal PA groups differed in terms of the C-reactive protein (15.8 ± 19.6 versus 6.82 ± 5.02, p = 0.022), glucose (125.39 ± 88.19 versus 88.78 ± 23.08, p = 0.021), albumin (3.9 ± 0.39 versus 4.37 ± 0.30, p = 0.000), EORTC QLQ-C30 loss of appetite symptom scale score (33.33 (0.0-100.00) versus 0.0 (0.0-0.0), p = 0.005), and EORTC QLQ-CX24 menopausal symptoms scale score (0.0 (0.0-33.33) versus 0.0 (0.0-100.0), p = 0.03). The main finding of the present study is the interaction between PA and obesity as critical cofactors in the UCCa adeno and adenosquamous histologic variants, to a greater extent than cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

Assessing the implementation of a multi-component hypertension program in a Guatemalan under-resourced dynamic context: An application of the RE-AIM/PRISM extension for sustainability and health equity.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid changes in the delivery of care across public primary care settings in rural Guatemala in 2020. In response, a hypertension program implemented within the public primary care system required multiple adaptations, providing an illustrative example of dynamic implementation amidst changing context in an under-resourced setting. This study describes the evolvability of an evidence-based intervention (EBI; protocol-based hypertension treatment) and one of its main implementation strategies (team-based collaborative care) during the COVID-19 pandemic and discusses implications for health equity and sustainability. Methods: This convergent mixed methods analysis assessed implementation across five Ministry of Health districts during the initial phase of the pandemic. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected, analyzed, and integrated, informed by the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation Maintenance) Framework's extension for sustainability, and its contextual enhancement, PRISM (Pragmatic, Robust, Implementation and Sustainability Model). For RE-AIM, we focused on the "Implementation" domain, operationalizing it qualitatively as continued delivery and adaptations to the EBI and implementation strategy, and quantitatively as the extent of delivery over time. We conducted 18 in-depth interviews with health providers / administrators (n=8) and study staff (n=10) and performed a matrix-based thematic-analysis. Qualitative results informed the selection of quantitative implementation summarized as behavior over time graphs. Quantitative implementation data and illustrative quotes are presented as joint displays. Results: In relation to implementation, several organic adaptations hindered delivery, threatened sustainability, and may have exacerbated health inequities. Planned adaptations enhanced program delivery and may have supported improved equity and sustainability. Salient PRISM factors that influenced implementation included "Organizational perspective of the EBI", "Fit" and "Implementation and sustainability infrastructure". Facilitators to continued delivery included the perception that the EBI is beneficial, program champions, and healthcare team organization. Barriers included the perception that the EBI is complicated, competition with other primary care activities, and temporary suspension of services due to COVID-19. Conclusions: Multi-level contextual changes led to numerous adaptations of the EBI and implementation strategy. Systems thinking approaches may shed light on how a program's sustainability and its equitable delivery are influenced by adaptations over time in response to dynamic, multi-level contextual factors. Trial registration: NCT03504124.