Care of Young Children With Diabetes in the Childcare and Community Setting: A Statement of the American Diabetes Association.

Diabetes management in children extends from the home to other settings where children spend a significant portion of their waking hours. For young children (generally, aged <5 years) with diabetes, this includes childcare centers. Given their age and developmental stage, young children require a carefully thought-out, proactive diabetes care plan for the childcare setting, developed jointly by the health care provider and parents/guardians, and implemented by childcare staff. In the U.S., federal laws and some state laws protect the rights of children with diabetes in childcare and other settings to ensure they receive appropriate assistance with the diabetes management and care. This American Diabetes Association (ADA) Statement addresses the legal rights of children in the childcare setting, outlines the current best practices for diabetes care, and provides resources and responsibilities for parents/guardians, childcare providers, and health care providers. The ADA intends for these tools and information to support the health and well-being of young children with diabetes and offer helpful guidance to those caring for them.

Ethical, Legal, Organisational and Social Issues of Teleneurology: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Neurological disorders are the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death worldwide. Teleneurology (TN) allows neurology to be applied when the doctor and patient are not present in the same place, and sometimes not at the same time. In February 2021, the Spanish Ministry of Health requested a health technology assessment report on the implementation of TN as a complement to face-to-face neurological care. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted to answer the question on the ethical, legal, social, organisational, patient (ELSI) and environmental impact of TN. The assessment of these aspects was carried out by adapting the EUnetHTA Core Model 3.0 framework, the criteria established by the Spanish Network of Health Technology Assessment Agencies and the analysis criteria of the European Validate (VALues In Doing Assessments of healthcare TEchnologies) project. Key stakeholders were invited to discuss their concerns about TN in an online meeting. Subsequently, the following electronic databases were consulted from 2016 to 10 June 2021: MEDLINE and EMBASE. RESULTS: 79 studies met the inclusion criteria. This scoping review includes 37 studies related to acceptability and equity, 15 studies developed during COVID and 1 study on environmental aspects. Overall, the reported results reaffirm the necessary complementarity of TN with the usual face-to-face care. CONCLUSIONS: This need for complementarity relates to factors such as acceptability, feasibility, risk of dehumanisation and aspects related to privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive data.

Ethical, legal, organizational and social issues related to the use of scalp cooling for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Scalp cooling (SC) aims to prevent chemotherapy-induced alopecia. The goal of this systematic review is to tackle ethical, legal, organizational and social issues related to SC. METHODS: A critical appraisal of the literature was carried out using a systematic review design. MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science databases were searched up until 2 June 2021. Studies addressing these aspects in English or Spanish were considered. Representatives of both patient associations and professional scientific societies related to the topic participated in the design of the protocol and the review of the findings. RESULTS: A total of 17 studies were included. Articles were critically appraised using the MMAT and SANRA. Findings were organized into four categories: (1) ethical aspects focused on equal access, gender equity and doctor-patient communication supported by Patient Decision Aids (PtDAs); (2) patient perspective and acceptability; (3) professional perspective and acceptability; (4) organizational aspects focused on accessibility and feasibility. CONCLUSION: Cancer patients' expectations when using SC need to be adjusted to reduce the potential distress associated with hair loss. PtDAs could help patients clarify their values and preferences regarding SC. Equal access to technology should be guaranteed. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: In this systematic review, the representatives of the patient associations (Ms. María Luz Amador Muñoz of the Spanish Association Against Cancer [AECC] and Ms. Catiana Martinez Cánovas of the Spanish Breast Cancer Federation [FECMA]) participated in the review of the study protocol, as well as in the results, discussion and conclusions, making their contributions. In the type of design of these studies (systematic reviews), it is not usual to have the direct participation of patients, but in this one, we have done so, as it is a systematic review that is part of a report of the Spanish Network of Health Technology Assessment Agencies (ETS).

"Just" accuracy? Procedural fairness demands explainability in AI-based medical resource allocations.

The increasing application of artificial intelligence (AI) to healthcare raises both hope and ethical concerns. Some advanced machine learning methods provide accurate clinical predictions at the expense of a significant lack of explainability. Alex John London has defended that accuracy is a more important value than explainability in AI medicine. In this article, we locate the trade-off between accurate performance and explainable algorithms in the context of distributive justice. We acknowledge that accuracy is cardinal from outcome-oriented justice because it helps to maximize patients' benefits and optimizes limited resources. However, we claim that the opaqueness of the algorithmic black box and its absence of explainability threatens core commitments of procedural fairness such as accountability, avoidance of bias, and transparency. To illustrate this, we discuss liver transplantation as a case of critical medical resources in which the lack of explainability in AI-based allocation algorithms is procedurally unfair. Finally, we provide a number of ethical recommendations for when considering the use of unexplainable algorithms in the distribution of health-related resources.

Universal programs to prevent eating disorders in children and adolescents: A scoping review of ethical, legal, organizational and social impacts.

BACKGROUND: Appropriate and timely consideration of ethical, legal, organizational, and social issues in universal preventive programs for eating disorders (UPPED) are relevant for the approval, funding and implementation of health-policy decision making. OBJECTIVE: To identify and analyse the ethical, legal, organizational, and social aspects involved in interventions aimed at the universal prevention of eating disorders (ED) in children, pre-adolescents and adolescents in the school settings. METHOD: A scoping review of the literature was carried out. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, PsycINFO, and Social Science Citation Index were searched for studies published in English or Spanish. The quality of the studies was assessed using specific scales for each study design. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included: one scoping review; four narrative reviews, six observational studies, two qualitative studies, and one mixed methods study. Results were narratively synthesised according to: (1) equity; (2) gender perspective; (3) potential harm; (4) participants and facilitators profile; (5) feasibility; and (6) acceptability. CONCLUSIONS: Interactive programs with relevant contents for participants have greater acceptability. Programs focussed on developing competencies can reduce the risk of potential harm. Incorporating a gender perspective contributes to improving equity. Teachers with prior training in ED are well suited as facilitators of these programs.

Evaluación de tres metodologías para la predicción del riesgo de alteraciones del metabolismo de la glucosa en sujetos con sobrepeso y obesidad / Evaluation of three methodologies for risk prediction of impaired glucose metabolism in overweighed and obese subjects

Introducción: en la actualidad, en Cuba no existe una estrategia establecida para la pesquisa de las alteraciones del metabolismo de la glucosa. Objetivo: evaluar la capacidad diagnóstica de tres metodologías para predecir el riesgo de alteraciones del metabolismo de la glucosa en sujetos con sobrepeso y obesidad. Métodos: se realizó un estudio de evaluación diagnóstica longitudinal, con los datos de 90 sujetos con edades comprendidas entre 25 y 70 años, analizados 2,5 años después de la evaluación inicial. Se obtuvo la edad, el sexo, los antecedentes patológicos personales, los medicamentos empleados, el peso, la talla, el perímetro de cintura y la tensión arterial, así como las concentraciones de glucosa al inicio y a los 2,5 años ulteriores, la insulina y los triglicéridos, además de calcular la resistencia a la insulina en la evaluación inicial. Se utilizó un modelo de puntaje-riesgo para la diabetes tipo 2. Resultados: la frecuencia de alteraciones del metabolismo de la glucosa (glucemia alterada en ayuna y diabetes tipo 2) a los 2,5 años ulteriores, de acuerdo con la presencia previa o no en los sujetos de glucemia alterada en ayunas, resistencia a la insulina y riesgo moderado/alto de diabetes tipo 2, fue superior en los sujetos con glucemia alterada en ayuna previa (72,4 por ciento [21/29]), con resistencia a la insulina al inicio (65,6 por ciento [40/61]) y con riesgo moderado/alto (54,4 por ciento [43/79]), en relación con aquellos sin glucemia alterada en ayuna, sin resistencia a la insulina y con riesgo bajo de diabetes (41,0 por ciento [25/61], p= 0,005; 20,7 por ciento [6/29], p= 0,006 y 27,3 por ciento [3/11], p< 0,0001 respectivamente). La resistencia a la insulina y el riesgo de diabetes tipo 2 moderado/alto mostraron una elevada sensibilidad para identificar sujetos con alteraciones del metabolismo de la glucosa (87,0 y 93,5 por ciento respectivamente), por el contrario de la glucemia alterada en ayunas, que mostró una baja sensibilidad (45,7 por ciento). De los 19 sujetos que desarrollaron diabetes tipo 2 a los 2,5 años, el 100 por ciento presentó riesgo de diabetes tipo 2 moderado/alto y 94,7 por ciento resistencia a la insulina al inicio. Conclusiones: la resistencia a la insulina y el riesgo de diabetes tipo 2 podrían ser de gran utilidad en la identificación de individuos con alto riesgo para padecer diabetes(AU)

Introduction: at present, there is no set strategy in Cuba for the screening of impaired glucose metabolism. Objective: to evaluate the diagnostic capacity of three methodologies to predict the risk of impaired glucose metabolism in overweighed and obese individuals. Methods: a longitudinal diagnostic evaluation study was carried out using data from 90 subjects aged 25 to 70 years, which were analyzed two and a half years after the initial assessment. Information about age, sex, personal pathological history, used medication, weight, height, waist circumference and blood pressure as well the glucose concentrations at the beginning and two and a half years later, insulin and triglyceride indexes was collected in addition to estimating the insulin-resistance index in the initial evaluation. A risk-score model for type 2 diabetes was also used. Results: the frequency of impaired glucose metabolism (impaired fasting glycemia and type 2 diabetes) after two and a half years, according to the previous existence or not of impaired fasting glycemia, insulin resistance and moderate/high risk of type 2 diabetes, was higher in subjects with previous impaired fasting glycemia (72,4 percent [21/29]), with insulin resistance at the beginning (65.6 percent [40/61]) and with moderate/high risk (54,4 percent [43/79]) than in those individuals without impaired fasting glycemia, insulin resistance and with low diabetes risk (41.0 percent [25/61], p= 0,005; 20.7 percent [6/29], p= 0.006 and 27.3 percent [3/11], p< 0.0001, respectively). Insulin resistance index and moderate/high risk of type 2 diabetes showed high sensitivity to identify subjects with impaired glucose metabolism (87.0 and 93.5 percent, respectively), in contrast to impaired fasting glucose whose sensitivity was low (45.7 percent). Of 19 individuals who developed type 2 diabetes two and a half years later, 100 percent had moderate/high risk of type 2 diabetes and 94.7 percent had insulin resistance at the beginning. Conclusions: insulin resistance and risk of type 2 diabetes could be very useful in detecting individuals with high risk of developing diabetes(AU)

Evaluación de tres metodologías para la predicción del riesgo de alteraciones del metabolismo de la glucosa en sujetos con sobrepeso y obesidad / Evaluation of three methodologies for risk prediction of impaired glucose metabolism in overweighed and obese subjects

Introducción: en la actualidad, en Cuba no existe una estrategia establecida para la pesquisa de las alteraciones del metabolismo de la glucosa. Objetivo: evaluar la capacidad diagnóstica de tres metodologías para predecir el riesgo de alteraciones del metabolismo de la glucosa en sujetos con sobrepeso y obesidad. Métodos: se realizó un estudio de evaluación diagnóstica longitudinal, con los datos de 90 sujetos con edades comprendidas entre 25 y 70 años, analizados 2,5 años después de la evaluación inicial. Se obtuvo la edad, el sexo, los antecedentes patológicos personales, los medicamentos empleados, el peso, la talla, el perímetro de cintura y la tensión arterial, así como las concentraciones de glucosa al inicio y a los 2,5 años ulteriores, la insulina y los triglicéridos, además de calcular la resistencia a la insulina en la evaluación inicial. Se utilizó un modelo de puntaje-riesgo para la diabetes tipo 2. Resultados: la frecuencia de alteraciones del metabolismo de la glucosa (glucemia alterada en ayuna y diabetes tipo 2) a los 2,5 años ulteriores, de acuerdo con la presencia previa o no en los sujetos de glucemia alterada en ayunas, resistencia a la insulina y riesgo moderado/alto de diabetes tipo 2, fue superior en los sujetos con glucemia alterada en ayuna previa (72,4 por ciento [21/29]), con resistencia a la insulina al inicio (65,6 por ciento [40/61]) y con riesgo moderado/alto (54,4 por ciento [43/79]), en relación con aquellos sin glucemia alterada en ayuna, sin resistencia a la insulina y con riesgo bajo de diabetes (41,0 por ciento [25/61], p= 0,005; 20,7 por ciento [6/29], p= 0,006 y 27,3 por ciento [3/11], p< 0,0001 respectivamente). La resistencia a la insulina y el riesgo de diabetes tipo 2 moderado/alto mostraron una elevada sensibilidad para identificar sujetos con alteraciones del metabolismo de la glucosa (87,0 y 93,5 por ciento respectivamente), por el contrario de la glucemia alterada en ayunas, que mostró una baja sensibilidad (45,7 por ciento). De los 19 sujetos que desarrollaron diabetes tipo 2 a los 2,5 años, el 100 por ciento presentó riesgo de diabetes tipo 2 moderado/alto y 94,7 por ciento resistencia a la insulina al inicio. Conclusiones: la resistencia a la insulina y el riesgo de diabetes tipo 2 podrían ser de gran utilidad en la identificación de individuos con alto riesgo para padecer diabetes(AU)

Introduction: at present, there is no set strategy in Cuba for the screening of impaired glucose metabolism. Objective: to evaluate the diagnostic capacity of three methodologies to predict the risk of impaired glucose metabolism in overweighed and obese individuals. Methods: a longitudinal diagnostic evaluation study was carried out using data from 90 subjects aged 25 to 70 years, which were analyzed two and a half years after the initial assessment. Information about age, sex, personal pathological history, used medication, weight, height, waist circumference and blood pressure as well the glucose concentrations at the beginning and two and a half years later, insulin and triglyceride indexes was collected in addition to estimating the insulin-resistance index in the initial evaluation. A risk-score model for type 2 diabetes was also used. Results: the frequency of impaired glucose metabolism (impaired fasting glycemia and type 2 diabetes) after two and a half years, according to the previous existence or not of impaired fasting glycemia, insulin resistance and moderate/high risk of type 2 diabetes, was higher in subjects with previous impaired fasting glycemia (72,4 percent [21/29]), with insulin resistance at the beginning (65.6 percent [40/61]) and with moderate/high risk (54,4 percent [43/79]) than in those individuals without impaired fasting glycemia, insulin resistance and with low diabetes risk (41.0 percent [25/61], p= 0,005; 20.7 percent [6/29], p= 0.006 and 27.3 percent [3/11], p< 0.0001, respectively). Insulin resistance index and moderate/high risk of type 2 diabetes showed high sensitivity to identify subjects with impaired glucose metabolism (87.0 and 93.5 percent, respectively), in contrast to impaired fasting glucose whose sensitivity was low (45.7 percent). Of 19 individuals who developed type 2 diabetes two and a half years later, 100 percent had moderate/high risk of type 2 diabetes and 94.7 percent had insulin resistance at the beginning. Conclusions: insulin resistance and risk of type 2 diabetes could be very useful in detecting individuals with high risk of developing diabetes(AU)

[Diagnostic concordance between seven definitions of metabolic syndrome in overweight and obese adults]. / Concordancia diagnóstica entre siete definiciones de síndrome metabólico en adultos con sobrepeso y obesidad.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the level of diagnostic concordance between seven definitions of metabolic syndrome (MS) in a group of overweight and obese adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 350 subjects aged from 19 to 70 years were recruited for study from a clinic for overweight and obese subjects. The definitions of MS used were those given by the WHO (World Health Organization), EGIR (European Group for the Study of Insulin Resistance), NCEP- ATPIII (Adult Treatment Panel), AHA/NHLBI (American Heart Association), IDF (International Diabetes Federation), and JIS (Joint Interim Statement) as well as the Szabo criteria. Concordance between the definitions was calculated with the Kappa coefficient. Insulin resistance (IR) was assessed using the HOMA-IR index. RESULTS: According to the Szabo, WHO, EGIR, NCEP-ATPIII, AHA/NHLBI, IDF, and JIS criteria, MS frequency was 74.3%, 42.0%, 46.8%, 56.0%, 52.9%, 58.6%, and 58.6%, respectively. The concordance between the Szabo and AHA/NHLBI criteria was 0.559, while the Kappa coefficient between the Szabo criteria and the rest of the guides (NCEP-ATPIII, IDF, and JIS) was from 0.612 to 0.657, respectively. The concordance of the WHO with the EGIR was 0.602, but it was between 0.358 and 0.422 with the other guidelines. IR was distributed similarly in all guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: There is a considerable concordance between the NCEP-ATPIII, IDF, and JIS guidelines and the Szabo criteria. The Szabo criteria could be an option for the active surveillance of MS in populations.

Effects of Obex in Overweight and Obese Subjects With or Without Impaired Fasting Glucose: A Pilot Study.

Obex is a dietary supplement to help weight loss. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Obex in overweight/obese participants with or without impaired fasting glucose. This was an open-label pilot study conducted with 40 overweight and obese subjects, 23-60 years old with a body mass index of 25-44 kg/m2 (20 participants with impaired fasting glucose [IFG] and 20 with normal glucose levels). Participants received Obex at a dose of one sachet before the two main meals of each day for 3 months. In addition to anthropometric measures and blood pressure (BP), fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile, insulin, creatinine, and uric acid were determined. Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and beta-cell function (HOMA-B) were assessed. Three indirect indices were used to calculate insulin sensitivity. Compared to baseline, Obex significantly reduced body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, waist/hip ratio, and waist/height ratio in both groups of participants (p <.05). In individuals without IFG, Obex improved HDL-c (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) (p <.0001) and lowered BP (p <.05). After 3 months of Obex, subjects with IFG showed a reduction in fasting glucose concentrations (p <.0001). Compared to baseline, this group also showed improved insulin sensitivity and HDL-c (p <.05). In conclusion, the consumption of Obex contributed to weight reduction, improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, as well as HDL-c, and appears to be safe in overweight/obese adults with impaired fasting glucose. Obex may be beneficial for weight loss, indicating that further studies are required.

Concordancia diagnóstica entre siete definiciones de síndrome metabólico en adultos con sobrepeso y obesidad / Diagnostic concordance between seven definitions of metabolic syndrome in overweight and obese adults

RESUMEN Objetivos El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar el grado de concordancia diagnóstica entre siete definiciones de síndrome metabólico (SM) en un grupo de adultos con sobrepeso y obesos. Material y Métodos Se estudiaron 350 sujetos con edades comprendidas entre 19 y 70 años que fueron reclutados consecutivamente de una consulta para sujetos con sobrepeso y obesidad. Se emplearon las definiciones de SM según OMS (Organización Mundial de la Salud), EGIR (Grupo Europeo para el estudio de la resistencia a la insulina), NCEP-ATPIII (Panel de Tratamiento de Adultos), AHA/NHLBI (Asociación Americana del Corazón), IDF (Federación Internacional de Diabetes), JIS (Declaración provisional conjunta), así como los criterios de Szabo. La concordancia entre las definiciones fue calculada con el coeficiente Kappa. La resistencia a la insulina (RI) fue evaluada mediante el índice HOMA. Resultados Según los criterios de Szabo, OMS, EGIR, NCEP-ATPIII, AHA/NHLBI, IDF y la JIS, la frecuencia de SM fue del 74,3%, 42,0%, 46,8%, 56,0%, 52,9%, 58,6% y 58,6%, respectivamente. La concordancia entre los criterios de Szabo y la AHA/NHLBI fue de 0,559, mientras que el coeficiente kappa entre los criterios de Szabo, y el resto de las guías (NCEP-ATPIII, IDF, JIS) fue de 0,612 a 0,657, respectivamente. La concordancia de la OMS con las demás guías fue entre 0,358 y 0,422, pero con la EGIR la concordancia fue de 0,602. La RI se distribuyó de manera similar en todas las guías. Conclusiones Existe una considerable concordancia entre las guías NCEP-ATPIII, IDF, JIS y el SM según criterios de Szabo. El SM según criterios de Szabo pudiera ser otra alternativa para la pesquisa activa del SM en poblaciones.

ABSTRACT Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the level of diagnostic concordance between seven definitions of metabolic syndrome (MS) in a group of overweight and obese adults. Materials and Methods 350 subjects aged from 19 to 70 years were recruited for study from a clinic for overweight and obese subjects. The definitions of MS used were those given by the WHO (World Health Organization), EGIR (European Group for the Study of Insulin Resistance), NCEP- ATPIII (Adult Treatment Panel), AHA/NHLBI (American Heart Association), IDF (International Diabetes Federation), and JIS (Joint Interim Statement) as well as the Szabo criteria. Concordance between the definitions was calculated with the Kappa coefficient. Insulin resistance (IR) was assessed using the HOMA-IR index. Results According to the Szabo, WHO, EGIR, NCEP-ATPIII, AHA/NHLBI, IDF, and JIS criteria, MS frequency was 74.3%, 42.0%, 46.8%, 56.0%, 52.9%, 58.6%, and 58.6%, respectively. The concordance between the Szabo and AHA/NHLBI criteria was 0.559, while the Kappa coefficient between the Szabo criteria and the rest of the guides (NCEP-ATPIII, IDF, and JIS) was from 0.612 to 0.657, respectively. The concordance of the WHO with the EGIR was 0.602, but it was between 0.358 and 0.422 with the other guidelines. IR was distributed similarly in all guidelines. Conclusions There is a considerable concordance between the NCEP-ATPIII, IDF, and JIS guidelines and the Szabo criteria. The Szabo criteria could be an option for the active surveillance of MS in populations.

De las instrucciones previas a la planificación anticipada de la asistencia sanitaria / From the advanced directives to the advance care planning

En la última década hemos asistido a una importante modificación legislativa en lo relacionado con la muerte digna y el respeto a la toma de decisiones de las personas en este marco. Así, diferentes legislaciones a nivel autonómico en nuestro país se han articulado para garantizar el derecho de los pacientes a elaborar documentos de instrucciones previas o manifestación anticipada de voluntades. Esto, a su vez, ha puesto de manifiesto la necesidad no solo de regulación jurídica, sino de un cambio profundo en el modelo de relación entre el profesional sanitario y el paciente. La planificación anticipada de la asistencia sanitaria (PAAS) representa un paso importante en el respeto por la autonomía de los pacientes, así como en el deseo de involucrar a la persona en la toma de decisiones, en los aspectos relacionados con su propia muerte. Dicho proceso se desarrolla con la finalidad de buscar soluciones para garantizar la autonomía y la libertad de quienes, a partir de un momento dado, han perdido la capacidad para tomar decisiones. En este modelo de atención, el papel de enfermería será no solo necesario, sino indispensable (AU)

In the last decade we have witnessed a significant legislative transformation with regard the death with dignity process, and respect the decision of the people in this framework. In that way, different legislation at regional level in our country have been articulated to ensure the right of patients to produce documents of advanced directives or living will. This fact has highlighted the need not only to legal regulation, but a deep change in the pattern of relationship between health professional and patient. Advance planning of healthcare (PAAS) represents an important step in respect for patient autonomy and the desire to involve the person in decision making process, in matters relating to his own death. This process is developed in order to find solutions to ensure the autonomy and freedom of those who, from a given moment, have lost the ability to make decisions. In this model of care, the role of nursing is not only necessary but essential (AU)

[From the Advance Directives to the Advance Care Planning]. / De las instrucciones previas a la planifi cación anticipada de la asistencia sanitaria.

In the last decade we have witnessed a significant legislative transformation with regard to the death and dignity process, and respect the decision of the people in this framework. In that way, different legislation at regional level in our country have been articulated to ensure the right of patients to produce documents of advanced directives or living will. This fact has highlighted the need not only to legal regulation, but a deep change in the pattern of relationship between health professional and patient. Advance planning of healthcare (PAAS) represents an important step in respect for patient autonomy and the desire to involve the person in the decision making process, in matters relating to his own death. This process is developed in order to find solutions to ensure the autonomy and freedom of those who, from a given moment, have lost the ability to make decisions. In this model of care, the role of nursing is not only necessary but essential.

Sensibilidad y especificidad de la prueba cutánea por punción con extractos alergénicos estandarizados de Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus en adultos / Sensitivity and Specificity of Skin Prick Test with standardized allergen extracts of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in adults

La prueba cutánea por punción (PCP), que utiliza extractos alergénicos estandarizados de ácaros, es una herramienta diagnóstica sensible y confiable. La sensibilización IgE a los ácaros domésticos es una de las principales causas de enfermedades alérgicas respiratorias. En Cuba las especies de ácaros más relevantes son: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp), D. siboney y Blomia tropicalis. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la eficacia diagnóstica de la PCP, utilizando un extracto alergénico estandarizado de Dp de producción nacional (VALERGEN-DP, BIOCEN) y otros dos estándares comerciales foráneos (A: ALK, Holanda y B: Stallergenes, Francia). Se realizó un estudio analítico, conducido en 50 pacientes con antecedentes de alergia al polvo doméstico y IgE sérica positiva al Dp y 50 con iguales antecedentes, pero con IgE sérica negativa. Se realizaron réplicas de las punturas en ambos brazos, con una concentración de 20 000 UB/mL. En esta prueba con VALERGEN-DP el promedio del habón fue de 43,5 mm2, un valor superior estadísticamente significativo con respecto el producto A (p=0,002). La coincidencia diagnóstica entre los tres productos fue de 98-99%. La PCP con VALERGEN-DP mostró un 98% de especificidad y 82% de sensibilidad. No fueron detectadas diferencias significativas (p>0,05) entre los productos para estos parámetros. La eficacia diagnóstica de la PCP con el VALERGEN-DP fue similar a la que se obtuvo utilizando dos extractos estándar, lo que justifica su utilización para el diagnóstico de la sensibilización a Dp en pacientes con síntomas de alergia frente al polvo doméstico(AU)

Skin Prick Test (SPT) using standardized mite allergen extracts is a sensitive and reliable diagnostic tool. IgE sensitization to domestic mites has been identified worldwide as a major cause of respiratory allergic diseases. In Cuba, the most relevant species are: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp), D. siboney and Blomia tropicalis. The aim of this work was to determine the diagnostic efficacy of SPT, using an standardized allergen extract of Dp, of national production (VALERGEN-DP, BIOCEN) and two other well known foreign commercial products (A: ALK, Netherlands and B: Stallergenes, France). An analytical study involving 50 patients with allergic antecedents to domestic dust and positive serum IgE and 50 with identical antecedents, but negative serum IgE was conducted. Replicate punctures were performed in both arms of patients using a concentration of 20 000 BU/mL. SPT with VALERGEN-DP produced a wheal mean of 43.5 mm2, superior value statistically significant with respect to A product (p = 0.002). Diagnostic coincidence among the three products was 98-99 %. SPT with VALERGEN-DP showed 98% of specificity and 82% of sensibility and significant differences were not detected (p>0.05) between products for these parameters. Diagnostic efficacy of SPT using a validated allergenic extract of national production (VALERGEN-DP) was similar to SPT with the other standard extracts, what supports its use for the diagnosis from the sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in patients with allergic symptoms to domestic dust(AU)

Cuidados interculturales, un reto para la Enfermería / Intercultural care, a nursing challenge

La práctica de la Enfermería se puede enmarcar en esa intersección entre lo que deben ser los cuidados universales y los cuidados individualizados, adaptables a las características concretas y específicas de cada uno. Para compatibilizar la autonomía del paciente y la justicia, la práctica enfermera de nuestro tiempo debe esforzarse por atender a las diferencias, a los contextos concretos en los que viven las personas con sus múltiples formas de entender la vida, la salud, la enfermedad, etc. El objetivo de este trabajo consiste en destacar la importancia que tiene para los profesionales de la Enfermería la adopción de un modelo de cuidados desde la perspectiva intercultural y la necesidad de adquirir competencia cultural, puesto que será a través de ella como se puedan prestar cuidados enfermeros de calidad. Se describen y analizan los significados de cuidar desde una perspectiva intercultural y de competencia cultural, señalando los objetivos y elementos esenciales para el desarrollo de cada uno de estos conceptos y se enfatiza el importante papel de los mediadores culturales en el ámbito sanitario (AU)

The practice of nursing can be framed in that intersection between what universalizable care as opposed to individualized care, adaptable to the concrete and specific characteristics of each. To reconcile the patient's autonomy and justice, the nursing practice of today must strive to address the differences, in the particular contexts in which people live with multiple ways of understanding life, health, disease, etc. The aim of this paper is to stress the importance for professionals of adapting a nursing care model from an intercultural perspective and the need to acquire cultural competence, since it will be through it that nursing care quality will be provided. We describe and analyze the meaning of caring from an intercultural and cultural competence, identifying the essential objectives and elements for the development of each of these concepts, emphasizing the important role of cultural mediators in the health setting (AU)

[Responsibility versus informed consent nurse]. / Responsabilidad enfermera frente al consentimiento informado.

In recent years we have witnessed a quick development in concern and research about informed consent in the biomedical field. This development has taken place mainly due to the increased importance given within the medical field to the patient's autonomy as well as law ratified legally recognized and regulated in our country in law 41/2002 of patient autonomy However, in the field of nursing is not even clear what the role of professional nursing with regard to informed consent, or what its responsibilities in this regard. Therefore, the objective of this study is to clarify what is the responsibility of nursing in relation to the CI. In addition, we discuss the relevance or otherwise of the implementation of informed consent documents for nursing care, addressing both its advantages and disadvantages.

Responsabilidad enfermera frente al consentimiento informado / Responsibility versus informed consent nurse

En los últimos años hemos asistido a un desarrollo vertiginoso de la preocupación y la investigación acerca del consentimiento informado dentro del ámbito biomédico. Éste ha tenido lugar, fundamentalmente, como consecuencia de la mayor importancia dentro del mundo sanitario de la autonomía del paciente, ratificado -además- como derecho legalmente reconocido y regulado en nuestro país en la Ley 41/2002 de autonomía del paciente. Sin embargo, en el ámbito de enfermería no queda aún claro cuál es el rol que desempeña dicho profesional con respecto al consentimiento informado, ni cuáles son sus responsabilidades al respecto. Por ello, el objetivo de este trabajo es clarificar cuál es la responsabilidad de enfermería en relación al consentimiento informado. Además, se pretende discutir sobre la pertinencia o no de la implementación de documentos de consentimiento informado de cuidados para enfermería, abordando tanto sus ventajas como sus inconvenientes (AU)

In recent years we have witnessed a quick development in concern and research about informed consent in the biomedical field. This development has taken place mainly due to the increased importance given within the medical field to the patient's autonomy, as well as law ratified legally recognized and regulated in our country in law 41/2002 of patient autonomy. However, in the field of nursing is not even clear what the role of professional nursing with regard to informed consent, or what its responsibilities in this regard. Therefore, the objective of this study is to clarify what is the responsibility of nursing in relation to the CI. In addition, we discuss the relevance or otherwise of the implementation of informed consent documents for nursing care, addressing both its advantages and disadvantages(AU)

Variantes polimórficas Ala513Pro y Gly972Arg del gen IRS-1 no se asocian a la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 en un grupo de la población cubana / The Ala513Pro and Gly972ARg polymorphous variants of IRS-1 gen are not associated with type diabetes mellitus in a group of the Cuban population

Introducción: la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 es una enfermedad heterogénea y multifactorial, que está determinada por factores genéticos y no genéticos. El sustrato 1 del receptor de la insulina (IRS-1) cumple una función fundamental en la transmisión de la señal insulínica, por tanto sus variantes génicas constituyen blancos importantes en el estudio de la susceptibilidad genética a esta enfermedad en las diferentes poblaciones. Objetivo: explorar el papel de las variantes polimórficas Gly972Arg y Ala513Pro del gen IRS-1 en la susceptibilidad genética de la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 en un grupo de la población cubana.Métodos: se determinó la frecuencia de los polimorfismos Gly972Arg y Ala513Pro del IRS-1 en 499 ciudadanos cubanos, con un índice de masa corporal entre 22-30, con edades comprendidas entre los 40 y 70 años: de ellos 272 (54,5 por ciento) diabéticos y 227 (45,5 por ciento) no diabéticos.Resultados: la frecuencia del alelo Pro513 fue baja (1,2 por ciento) y similar para ambos grupos (1,1 por ciento vs. 1,3 por ciento para el grupo de diabéticos y el grupo control, respectivamente). La frecuencia del polimorfismo Gly972Arg fue de 16,2 por ciento, superior a la reportada para la mayoría de las poblaciones estudiadas. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en la frecuencia del alelo Arg972 entre el grupo de diabéticos y el grupo control (15,4 por ciento vs. 17,3 por ciento), ni cambios en los niveles de glucemia e insulinemia asociados a la presencia del alelo polimórfico Arg972.Conclusiones: en este grupo de sujetos de la población cubana, las variantes polimórficas Ala513Pro y Gly972Arg del gen IRS-1 no participan en la etiología de la diabetes mellitus tipo 2(AU)

Introduction: the type 2 diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous and multifactor disease determined by genetic and no-genetic factors. The substrate 1 of insulin receptor (IRS-1) has a fundamental function in transmission of insulin signal, thus its genic variants are significant targets in study of genetic susceptibility to this disease in different populations. Objective: to explore the role of the Gly972Arg and Ala513PRo of IRS-1 gen polymorphous variants in the genetic susceptibility of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Cuban population. Methods: the frequency of above mentioned polymorphous variants in 499 Cuban citizens with a 22-30 body mass index aged between 40 to 70 including 272 diabetics (54,5 por ciento) and 227 non-diabetic (45,5 por ciento). Results: frequency of Pro513 allele was low (1,2 por ciento) and similar en both groups (1,1 por ciento versus 1,3 por ciento for diabetic group and the control one, respectively). Frequency of Gly972Arg polymorphism was of 16,2 por ciento, higher than that reported for most of study populations. There were not significant differences in frequency of Arg972 allele between the diabetic group and the control one (15,4 por ciento versus 17,3 por ciento). Also, there were not changes in glycemia and insulinemia levels associated to presence of polymorphous allele. Conclusions: in present group of Cuban population the above mentioned polymorphous variants are not involved in etiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus(AU)

Variantes polimórficas Ala513Pro y Gly972Arg del gen IRS-1 no se asocian a la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 en un grupo de la población cubana / The Ala513Pro and Gly972ARg polymorphous variants of IRS-1 gen are not associated with type diabetes mellitus in a group of the Cuban population

Introducción: la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 es una enfermedad heterogénea y multifactorial, que está determinada por factores genéticos y no genéticos. El sustrato 1 del receptor de la insulina (IRS-1) cumple una función fundamental en la transmisión de la señal insulínica, por tanto sus variantes génicas constituyen blancos importantes en el estudio de la susceptibilidad genética a esta enfermedad en las diferentes poblaciones. Objetivo: explorar el papel de las variantes polimórficas Gly972Arg y Ala513Pro del gen IRS-1 en la susceptibilidad genética de la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 en un grupo de la población cubana.Métodos: se determinó la frecuencia de los polimorfismos Gly972Arg y Ala513Pro del IRS-1 en 499 ciudadanos cubanos, con un índice de masa corporal entre 22-30, con edades comprendidas entre los 40 y 70 años: de ellos 272 (54,5 por ciento) diabéticos y 227 (45,5 por ciento) no diabéticos.Resultados: la frecuencia del alelo Pro513 fue baja (1,2 por ciento) y similar para ambos grupos (1,1 por ciento vs. 1,3 por ciento para el grupo de diabéticos y el grupo control, respectivamente). La frecuencia del polimorfismo Gly972Arg fue de 16,2 por ciento, superior a la reportada para la mayoría de las poblaciones estudiadas. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en la frecuencia del alelo Arg972 entre el grupo de diabéticos y el grupo control (15,4 por ciento vs. 17,3 por ciento), ni cambios en los niveles de glucemia e insulinemia asociados a la presencia del alelo polimórfico Arg972.Conclusiones: en este grupo de sujetos de la población cubana, las variantes polimórficas Ala513Pro y Gly972Arg del gen IRS-1 no participan en la etiología de la diabetes mellitus tipo 2(AU)

Introduction: the type 2 diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous and multifactor disease determined by genetic and no-genetic factors. The substrate 1 of insulin receptor (IRS-1) has a fundamental function in transmission of insulin signal, thus its genic variants are significant targets in study of genetic susceptibility to this disease in different populations. Objective: to explore the role of the Gly972Arg and Ala513PRo of IRS-1 gen polymorphous variants in the genetic susceptibility of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Cuban population. Methods: the frequency of above mentioned polymorphous variants in 499 Cuban citizens with a 22-30 body mass index aged between 40 to 70 including 272 diabetics (54,5 por ciento) and 227 non-diabetic (45,5 por ciento). Results: frequency of Pro513 allele was low (1,2 por ciento) and similar en both groups (1,1 por ciento versus 1,3 por ciento for diabetic group and the control one, respectively). Frequency of Gly972Arg polymorphism was of 16,2 por ciento, higher than that reported for most of study populations. There were not significant differences in frequency of Arg972 allele between the diabetic group and the control one (15,4 por ciento versus 17,3 por ciento). Also, there were not changes in glycemia and insulinemia levels associated to presence of polymorphous allele. Conclusions: in present group of Cuban population the above mentioned polymorphous variants are not involved in etiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus(AU)

Modulation of the proteolytic activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (gelatinase A) on fibrinogen.

The proteolytic processing of bovine fibrinogen by MMP-2 (gelatinase A), which brings about the formation of a product unable to form fibrin clots, has been studied at 37 degrees C. Catalytic parameters, although showing a somewhat lower catalytic efficiency with respect to thrombin and plasmin, indeed display values indicating a pathophysiological significance of this process. A parallel molecular modelling study predicts preferential binding of MMP-2 to the beta-chain of fibrinogen through its haemopexin-like domain, which has been directly demonstrated by the inhibitory effect in the presence of the exogenous haemopexin-like domain. However, the removal of this domain does not impair the interaction between MMP-2 and fibrinogen, but it dramatically alters the proteolytic mechanism, producing different fragmentation intermediates. The investigation at various pH values between 6.0 and 9.3 indicates a proton-linked behaviour, which is relevant for interpreting the influence on the process by environmental conditions occurring at the site of an injury. Furthermore, the action of MMP-2 on peroxynitrite-treated fibrinogen has been investigated, a situation possibly occurring under oxidative stress. The chemical alteration of fibrinogen, which has been shown to abolish its clotting activity, brings about only limited modifications of the catalytic parameters without altering the main enzymatic mechanism.