A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Identification of Predictors Associated With Insomnia or Sleep Disturbance in Post-stroke Patients.

The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with sleep disturbances in individuals after a stroke. To systematically identify relevant studies, an extensive search strategy was devised. We conducted comprehensive searches in major electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library. The search was limited to articles published in English between January 1, 2011, and February 10, 2024. Pooled effect estimates, such as odds ratio (OR) or mean difference (MD) along with their confidence interval (CIs), were calculated using random-effects models for categorical variables and continuous variables, respectively. A total of nine studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of insomnia across the included studies was determined to be 40% (95% CI = 30%-49%), with individual study prevalence ranging from 22% to 72%. A pooled analysis showed that gender demonstrated a statistically significant association with sleep disturbance, with females exhibiting a higher likelihood (OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.16-1.91, p = 0.002) compared to males. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, a measure of stroke severity, was associated with sleep disturbance (MD = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.56-1.17, p = 0.001), indicating that patients with severe strokes may be more prone to sleep disturbances. These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive evaluation and targeted interventions to address sleep-related issues in stroke patients, particularly those with severe neurological impairment.

Microplastics and plastisphere at surface waters in the Southwestern Caribbean sea.

Pollution generated by plastic waste has brought an environmental problem characterized by the omnipresence of smaller pieces of this material known as microplastics (MP). This issue was addresses by collecting samples with 250 µm pore size nets in two marine-coastal sectors of Southwestern Caribbean Sea during two contrasting seasons. Higher concentrations were found in rainy season than in dry season, reaching respectively 1.72 MP/m3 and 0.22 MP/m3. Within each sector, there were differences caused firstly by localities of higher concentrations of semi-closed water bodies localities during rainy season (Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta and La Caimanera marsh), and secondly by lower concentrations of localities with less influenced of flow rates during dry season (Salamanca and Isla Fuerte). Moreover, the lowest concentration in dry season corresponding to La Caimanera marsh reflects how the community environmental management might decrease MP pollution. In both sectors and seasons, the particles of 0.3 mm (0.3-1.4 mm) size class dominated over those of 1.4 mm (1.4-5.0 mm) (reaching each respectively 1.33 MP/m3 and 0.39 MP/m3), with a dominance of fibers, except in the rainy season in Magdalena, where they were films. Using the FTIR technique, polypropylene was identified as the most abundant polymer in both sectors. The composition of the assemblage of microorganisms attached to microplastics presented higher richness and differed from that of free-living planktonic microbes. The most abundant members of the plastisphere were proteobacteria whose major representation was the pathogenic genus Vibrio, while the cyanobacteria dominated in seawater samples.

Multiplex Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction Combined with a Microwell Hybridization Assay Screening for Arbovirus and Parasitic Infections in Febrile Patients Living in Endemic Regions of Colombia.

Acute febrile syndrome is a frequent reason for medical consultations in tropical and subtropical countries where the cause could have an infectious origin. Malaria and dengue are the primary etiologies in Colombia. As such, constant epidemiological surveillance and new diagnostic tools are required to identify the causative agents. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the circulation and differential diagnosis of six pathogens in two regions of Colombia. The results obtained via multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction combined with a microwell hybridization assay (m-RT-PCR-ELISA) were comparable to those obtained using rapid tests conducted at the time of patient enrollment. Of 155 patients evaluated, 25 (16.1%) and 16 (10.3%) were positive for malaria and dengue, respectively; no samples were positive for any of the other infectious agents tested. In most cases, m-RT-PCR-ELISA confirmed the results previously obtained through rapid testing.

SWOT analysis to reduce surgical center idleness and increase revenue in a hospital.

OBJECTIVE: To reduce surgical center idleness by analyzing the competitive structure of the surgical center in a hospital, and thereby generate value in operations and increase hospital revenue. METHODS: The study used qualitative and quantitative methods and an action research approach involving the surgical center leadership of a small private specialized hospital in southeastern Brazil. We used the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats or SWOT tool to analyze the competitive structure of the surgical center and then implemented interventions as proposed by the science of improvement method proposed by the Institute of Healthcare Improvement. RESULTS: By applying the SWOT tool, we identified a concentration of surgeries in the specialty of Otolaryngology and the need to establish a health management system to reduce the idleness of the operating rooms. Based on subsequent intervention, procedures from other specialties were inserted that increased surgical production by 2.62X, reduced idleness by 67.84%, and increased revenue by over US$ 276,609.87 in 2018 compared to the previous year 2017. CONCLUSION: Investing in quality, surgical schedule management, and inducting new surgeons to the clinical staff resulted in decreased surgical idleness, increased production, better uniformity in scheduling, and increased revenue, while costs remained below the linear trend, allowing for increased profits.

Comparison of Clopidogrel and Ticagrelor for Dual Antiplatelet Therapy of Patients with Unruptured Cerebral Aneurysms Undergoing Endovascular Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Thromboembolic events are critical complications in neuroendovascular procedures, and dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) can reduce them. The effects of using aspirin and clopidogrel in DAPT are well characterized, but use of aspirin and ticagrelor has been less studied. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study, conducted between April 1, 2015, and December 30, 2020, included patients with endovascular treatment with flow-diverting and non-flow-diverting stents for unruptured cerebral aneurysms who received DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel or with aspirin and ticagrelor. RESULTS: Of 148 patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms with flow-diverting and non-flow-diverting stents started on DAPT with aspirin (100 mg/day) and clopidogrel (75 mg/day), 24 had a poor response to clopidogrel according to the VerifyNow test and had DAPT changed to aspirin (100 mg/day) and ticagrelor (90 mg every 12 hours). One thrombotic complication (0.81%) and 1 bleeding complication (0.81%) occurred in patients receiving DAPT with clopidogrel and aspirin during the procedure. These complications did not occur (0.00%) in patients receiving DAPT with ticagrelor and aspirin. At the 6-month follow-up, 4 patients (3.15%) in the clopidogrel group presented with thrombotic complications, whereas no patients (0.00%) in the ticagrelor group experienced this complication. At 6-month follow-up, 4 patients (3.23%) in the clopidogrel group presented with hemorrhagic complications, whereas only 1 patient (4.17%) in the ticagrelor group experienced this complication. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that DAPT with ticagrelor (90 mg every 12 hours) and aspirin (100 mg/day) is a safe and effective alternative to DAPT with clopidogrel (75 mg/day) and aspirin (100 mg/day) for patients with an inadequate response to clopidogrel.

Angiographic outcomes of embolization in patients with intracranial aneurysms with coil- assisted Laser cut stent versus braided stents.

INTRODUCTION: Intracranial aneurysms (IA) are a focal dilatation of the vessel wall, the rupture of these, causes subarachnoid hemorrhage. Until now, endovascular management is the ideal treatment, providing the interventionist a range of options among which the stent and coils embolization stands out because of its occlusion rate. This study presents the results of a retrospective cohort comparing the effectiveness, morbidity, and mortality of IA treatment with laser-cut stent-assisted coils versus braided stents. METHODOLOGY: Retrospective cohort of patients diagnosed with unruptured intracranial aneurysms treated with coil-assisted laser-cut stents or braided stents between January 2014 and December 2021. RESULTS: In total, 138 patients with 147 intracranial aneurysms were analyzed, 91 of them were treated with laser-cut stent and 56 with braided stents. The main antecedent was arterial hypertension (48.55%). In the immediate angiographic control, a Raymond Roy scale (RRO) I was obtained in 86.81% of the patients with laser-cut stents and 87.50% of the patients with braided stents. In the angiographic follow-up at 12 months, an RRO I occlusion rate of 85.19% was reported in both groups. Perioperative complications occur in 16 patients treated with laser-cut stents and 12 patients treated with braided stents. Three patients presented bleeding complications during the 12-month follow-up, of which two correspond to patients treated with braided stents and one with a laser-cut stent. CONCLUSION: Treatment of patients with intracranial aneurysms with laser-cut stents or braided stents and coils is just as safe and effective.

Prognostic value of genetic alterations and 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging features in diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

The current standard front-line therapy for patients with diffuse large-B cell lymphoma (DLBCL)-rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP)-is found to be ineffective in up to one-third of them. Thus, their early identification is an important step towards testing alternative treatment options. In this retrospective study, we assessed the ability of 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging features (radiomic + PET conventional parameters) plus clinical data, alone or in combination with genomic parameters to predict complete response to first-line treatment. Imaging features were extracted from images prior treatment. Lesions were segmented as a whole to reflect tumor burden. Multivariate logistic regression predictive models for response to first-line treatment trained with clinical and imaging features, or with clinical, imaging, and genomic features were developed. For imaging feature selection, a manual selection approach or a linear discriminant analysis (LDA) for dimensionality reduction were applied. Confusion matrices and performance metrics were obtained to assess model performance. Thirty-three patients (median [range] age, 58 [49-69] years) were included, of whom 23 (69.69%) achieved long-term complete response. Overall, the inclusion of genomic features improved prediction ability. The best performance metrics were obtained with the combined model including genomic data and built applying the LDA method (AUC of 0.904, and 90% of balanced accuracy). The amplification of BCL6 was found to significantly contribute to explain response to first-line treatment in both manual and LDA models. Among imaging features, radiomic features reflecting lesion distribution heterogeneity (GLSZM_GrayLevelVariance, Sphericity and GLCM_Correlation) were predictors of response in manual models. Interestingly, when the dimensionality reduction was applied, the whole set of imaging features-mostly composed of radiomic features-significantly contributed to explain response to front-line therapy. A nomogram predictive for response to first-line treatment was constructed. In summary, a combination of imaging features, clinical variables and genomic data was able to successfully predict complete response to first-line treatment in DLBCL patients, with the amplification of BCL6 as the genetic marker retaining the highest predictive value. Additionally, a panel of imaging features may provide important information when predicting treatment response, with lesion dissemination-related radiomic features deserving especial attention.

Low dose interleukin-2 selectively expands circulating regulatory T cells but fails to promote liver allograft tolerance in humans.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential to maintain immunological tolerance and have been shown to promote liver allograft tolerance in both rodents and humans. Low-dose IL-2 (LDIL-2) can expand human endogenous circulating Tregs in vivo, but its role in suppressing antigen-specific responses and promoting Treg trafficking to the sites of inflammation is unknown. Likewise, whether LDIL-2 facilitates the induction of allograft tolerance has not been investigated in humans. METHODS: We conducted a clinical trial in stable liver transplant recipients 2-6 years post-transplant to determine the capacity of LDIL-2 to suppress allospecific immune responses and allow for the complete discontinuation of maintenance immunosuppression (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02949492). One month after LDIL-2 was initiated, those exhibiting at least a 2-fold increase in circulating Tregs gradually discontinued immunosuppression over a 4-month period while continuing LDIL-2 for a total treatment duration of 6 months. RESULTS: All participants achieved a marked and sustained increase in circulating Tregs. However, this was not associated with the preferential expansion of donor-reactive Tregs and did not promote the accumulation of intrahepatic Tregs. Furthermore, LDIL-2 induced a marked IFNγ-orchestrated transcriptional response in the liver even before immunosuppression weaning was initiated. The trial was terminated after the first 6 participants failed to reach the primary endpoint owing to rejection requiring reinstitution of immunosuppression. CONCLUSIONS: The expansion of circulating Tregs in response to LDIL-2 is not sufficient to control alloimmunity and to promote liver allograft tolerance, due, at least in part, to off-target effects that increase liver immunogenicity. Our trial provides unique insight into the mechanisms of action of immunomodulatory therapies such as LDIL-2 and their limitations in promoting alloantigen-specific effects and immunological tolerance. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02949492). IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS: The administration of low-dose IL-2 is an effective way of increasing the number of circulating regulatory T cells (Tregs), an immunosuppressive lymphocyte subset that is key for the establishment of immunological tolerance, but its use to promote allograft tolerance in the setting of clinical liver transplantation had not been explored before. In liver transplant recipients on tacrolimus monotherapy, low-dose IL-2 effectively expanded circulating Tregs but did not increase the number of Tregs with donor specificity, nor did it promote their trafficking to the transplanted liver. Low-dose IL-2 did not facilitate the discontinuation of tacrolimus and elicited, as an off-target effect, an IFNγ-orchestrated inflammatory response in the liver that resembled T cell-mediated rejection. These results, supporting an unexpected role for IL-2 in regulating the immunogenicity of the liver, highlight the need to carefully evaluate systemic immunoregulatory strategies with investigations that are not restricted to the blood compartment and involve target tissues such as the liver.

Integrated flow cytometry and sequencing to reconstruct evolutionary patterns from dysplasia to acute myeloid leukemia.

Clonal evolution in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) originates long before diagnosis and is a dynamic process that may affect survival. However, it remains uninvestigated during routine diagnostic workups. We hypothesized that the mutational status of bone marrow dysplastic cells and leukemic blasts, analyzed at the onset of AML using integrated multidimensional flow cytometry (MFC) immunophenotyping and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) with next-generation sequencing (NGS), could reconstruct leukemogenesis. Dysplastic cells were detected by MFC in 285 of 348 (82%) newly diagnosed patients with AML. Presence of dysplasia according to MFC and World Health Organization criteria had no prognostic value in older adults. NGS of dysplastic cells and blasts isolated at diagnosis identified 3 evolutionary patterns: stable (n = 12 of 21), branching (n = 4 of 21), and clonal evolution (n = 5 of 21). In patients achieving complete response (CR), integrated MFC and FACS with NGS showed persistent measurable residual disease (MRD) in phenotypically normal cell types, as well as the acquisition of genetic traits associated with treatment resistance. Furthermore, whole-exome sequencing of dysplastic and leukemic cells at diagnosis and of MRD uncovered different clonal involvement in dysplastic myelo-erythropoiesis, leukemic transformation, and chemoresistance. Altogether, we showed that it is possible to reconstruct leukemogenesis in ∼80% of patients with newly diagnosed AML, using techniques other than single-cell multiomics.

SWOT analysis to reduce surgical center idleness and increase revenue in a hospital

ABSTRACT Objective To reduce surgical center idleness by analyzing the competitive structure of the surgical center in a hospital, and thereby generate value in operations and increase hospital revenue. Methods The study used qualitative and quantitative methods and an action research approach involving the surgical center leadership of a small private specialized hospital in southeastern Brazil. We used the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats or SWOT tool to analyze the competitive structure of the surgical center and then implemented interventions as proposed by the science of improvement method proposed by the Institute of Healthcare Improvement. Results By applying the SWOT tool, we identified a concentration of surgeries in the specialty of Otolaryngology and the need to establish a health management system to reduce the idleness of the operating rooms. Based on subsequent intervention, procedures from other specialties were inserted that increased surgical production by 2.62X, reduced idleness by 67.84%, and increased revenue by over US$ 276,609.87 in 2018 compared to the previous year 2017. Conclusion Investing in quality, surgical schedule management, and inducting new surgeons to the clinical staff resulted in decreased surgical idleness, increased production, better uniformity in scheduling, and increased revenue, while costs remained below the linear trend, allowing for increased profits.

Sospecha ecográfica de carcinoma basocelular. A propósito de un caso / Ultrasound suspicion of basal cell carcinoma. Case Report

El carcinoma basocelular es el proceso neoformativo maligno que afecta más frecuentemente a la piel. Pese a que el diagnóstico debe ser siempre mediante estudio histopatológico, la ecografía puede sugerir la sospecha de este tipo de tumor. Se presenta un caso clínico en el que se sospechó de esta patología debido a la imagen ecográfica, posteriormente confirmado mediante el estudio histopatológico de la lesión (AU)

Basal cell carcinoma is the malignant neoformative process that most frequently affects the skin. Although the diagnosis must always be made through a histopathological study, ultrasound may suggest suspicion of this type of tumor. A clinical case is presented in which this disorder was suspected due to ultrasound image, later confirmed by the histopathological study of the lesion (AU)

IL-2 availability regulates the tissue specific phenotype of murine intra-hepatic Tregs.

CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs are known to acquire tissue-specific features and exert cytoprotective and regenerative functions. The extent to which this applies to liver-resident Tregs is unknown. In this study, we aimed to explore the phenotypic and functional characteristics of adult murine liver resident Tregs during homeostasis. Additionally, we investigated their role in ameliorating liver inflammation and tissue damage. Quantification of Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ cells comparing different tissues showed that the liver contained significantly fewer resident Tregs. A combination of flow cytometry phenotyping and microarray analysis of intra-hepatic and splenic Tregs under homeostatic conditions revealed that, although intra-hepatic Tregs exhibited the core transcriptional Treg signature, they expressed a distinct transcriptional profile. This was characterized by reduced CD25 expression and increased levels of pro-inflammatory Th1 transcripts Il1b and Ifng. In vivo ablation of Tregs in the Foxp3-DTR mouse model showed that Tregs had a role in reducing the magnitude of systemic and intra-hepatic inflammatory responses following acute carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) injury, but their absence did not impact the development of hepatocyte necrosis. Conversely, the specific expansion of Tregs by administration of IL-2 complexes increased the number of intra-hepatic Tregs and significantly ameliorated tissue damage following CCl4 administration in C57BL/6 mice. The cytoprotective effect observed in response to IL-2c was associated with the increased expression of markers known to regulate Treg suppressive function. Our results offer insight into the transcriptome and complex immune network of intra-hepatic Tregs and suggest that strategies capable of selectively increasing the pool of intra-hepatic Tregs could constitute effective therapies in inflammatory liver diseases.

Average direct costs of outpatient, hospital, and home care provided to patients with chronic wounds.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the average direct costs of outpatient, hospital, and home care provided to patients with chronic wounds. METHOD: Quantitative, exploratory-descriptive case study, carried out in a Comprehensive Wound Care Unit. Costs were obtained by multiplying the time spent by professionals by the unit cost of labor in the respective category, adding to the costs of materials and topical therapies. RESULTS: Outpatient care costs corresponded to US$4.25 (SD ± 7.60), hospital care to US$3.87 (SD ± 17.27), and home care to US$3.47 (SD ± 5.73). In these three modalities, direct costs with dressings and medical consultations were the most representative: US$7.76 (SD ± 9.46) and US$6.61 (SD ± 6.54); US$7.06 (SD ± 24.16) and US$15.60 (SD ± 0.00); US$4.09 (SD ± 5.28) and US$15.60 (SD ± 0.00), respectively. CONCLUSION: Considering comprehensive care for patients with chronic wounds, the mean total direct cost was US$10.28 (SD ± 17.21), with the outpatient modality being the most representative in its composition. There was a statistically significant difference (p value = 0.000) between the costs of home and outpatient, home and hospital, and outpatient and hospital care.

Oxidative Stress Is Associated with Overgrowth in Drosophila l(3)mbt Mutant Imaginal Discs.

The loss-of-function conditions for an l(3)malignant brain tumour (l(3)mbt) in larvae reared at 29 °C results in malignant brain tumours and hyperplastic imaginal discs. Unlike the former that have been extensively characterised, little is known about the latter. Here we report the results of a study of the hyperplastic l(3)mbt mutant wing imaginal discs. We identify the l(3)mbt wing disc tumour transcriptome and find it to include genes involved in reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism. Furthermore, we show the presence of oxidative stress in l(3)mbt hyperplastic discs, even in apoptosis-blocked conditions, but not in l(3)mbt brain tumours. We also find that chemically blocking oxidative stress in l(3)mbt wing discs reduces the incidence of wing disc overgrowths. Our results reveal the involvement of oxidative stress in l(3)mbt wing discs hyperplastic growth.

Machine Learning Models and Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Prediction of Pathologic Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Most breast cancer (BC) patients fail to achieve pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether imaging features (perfusion/diffusion imaging biomarkers + radiomic features) extracted from pre-treatment multiparametric (mp)MRIs were able to predict, alone or in combination with clinical data, pCR to NAC. METHODS: Patients with stage II-III BC receiving NAC and undergoing breast mpMRI were retrospectively evaluated. Imaging features were extracted from mpMRIs performed before NAC. Three different machine learning models based on imaging features, clinical data or imaging features + clinical data were trained to predict pCR. Confusion matrices and performance metrics were obtained to assess model performance. Statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate differences between responders and non-responders. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients (median [range] age, 52 [45-58] years) were included, of whom 12 showed pCR. The combined model improved pCR prediction compared to clinical and imaging models, yielding 91.5% of accuracy with no false positive cases and only 17% false negative results. Changes in different parameters between responders and non-responders suggested a possible increase in vascularity and reduced tumour heterogeneity in patients with pCR, with the percentile 25th of time-to-peak (TTP), a classical perfusion parameter, being able to discriminate both groups in a 75% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of mpMRI-derived imaging features and clinical variables was able to successfully predict pCR to NAC. Specific patient profiles according to tumour vascularity and heterogeneity might explain pCR differences, where TTP could emerge as a putative surrogate marker for pCR.

Perfil dos pacientes atendidos em uma unidade de tratamento integral de ferida / Profile of the patients treated in a comprehensive wound care unit / Perfil de los pacientes atendidos en una unidad de tratamiento integral de heridas

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar os perfis demográfico, clínico e terapêutico dos pacientes atendidos em uma Unidade de Tratamento Integral de Ferida. Método: estudo quantitativo, retrospectivo, que analisou relatórios gerenciais e prontuários de pacientes com feridas crônicas atendidos em uma Unidade de Tratamento Integral de Ferida, em Vitória da Conquista-Bahia, Brasil. Os dados, coletados em fevereiro de 2020, foram submetidos a análises descritiva e inferencial e, para a associação entre variáveis, foi utilizado o teste Qui-quadrado com valor de p<0,05. Resultados: dentre os 176 pacientes, média de idade de 71,4 anos (DP±16,5). Houve associação estatística entre incontinência fecal e Lesão por pressão estágio dois (p=0,018); Diabetes Mellitus e Lesão por pressão estágio três (p<0,001); Alzheimer e lesão por dispositivo médico (p=0,028); Diabetes Mellitus e Úlcera Diabética (p<0.001); insuficiência vascular e Úlcera Venosa (p<0.001). Conclusão: o conhecimento dos perfis propicia a fundamentação da assistência integral prestada por uma unidade especializada, não hospitalar, em feridas.

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the demographic, clinical and therapeutic profiles of the patients treated in a Comprehensive Wound Care Unit. Method: a quantitative and retrospective study that analyzed management reports and medical records of patients with chronic wounds treated at a Comprehensive Wound Care Unit in Vitória da Conquista-Bahia, Brazil. The data, collected in February 2020, were submitted to descriptive and inferential analysis, and the Chi-square test with p-value<0.05 was used for the association between variables. Results: the mean age among the 176 patients was 71.4 years old (SD±16.5). There was a statistical association between fecal incontinence and stage two Pressure Injury (p=0.018); Diabetes Mellitus and stage three Pressure Injury (p<0.001); Alzheimer's disease and medical device-related injury (p=0.028); Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetic Ulcer (p<0.001); and between vascular insufficiency and Venous Ulcer (p<0.001). Conclusion: knowledge about the profiles provides the basis for the comprehensive assistance provided by a non-hospital unit specialized in wounds.

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar los perfiles demográfico, clínico y terapéutico de los pacientes atendidos en una Unidad de Tratamiento Integral de Heridas. Método: estudio cuantitativo y retrospectivo, que analizó informes gerenciales e historias clínicas de pacientes con heridas crónicas atendidos en una Unidad de Tratamiento Integral de Heridas de Vitória da Conquista-Bahía, Brasil. Los datos, recolectados en febrero de 2020, fueron sometidos a análisis descriptivo e inferencial, y la prueba de chi-cuadrado con valor p<0,05 se utilizó para la asociación entre variables. Resultados: entre los 176 pacientes, la media de edad fue de 71,4 años (DE±16,5). Se registraron asociaciones estadísticas entre incontinencia fecal y Lesión por Presión en etapa dos (p=0,018); Diabetes Mellitus y Lesión por Presión en etapa tres (p<0.001); Mal de Alzheimer y lesiones a raíz dispositivos médicos (p=0,028); Diabetes Mellitus y Úlcera Diabética (p<0,001); y entre insuficiencia vascular y úlcera venosa (p<0,001). Conclusión: conocer los perfiles favorece la fundamentación de la atención integral provista por una unidad no hospitalaria especializada en heridas.

Custos diretos dos curativos de úlceras vasculogênicas realizados por uma unidade de tratamento integral de ferida / Direct costs corresponding to vasculogenic ulcer dressings performed in a comprehensive wound care unit / Costos directos de las curaciones de úlceras vasculogênicas realizadas en una unidad de tratamiento integral de heridas

RESUMO Objetivo: aferir os custos diretos médios de curativos de úlceras vasculogênicas realizados por profissionais de enfermagem em pacientes atendidos por uma Unidade de Tratamento Integral de Ferida. Método: Pesquisa quantitativa, exploratório-descritiva, conduzida numa Unidade de Tratamento Integral de Ferida, localizada em Vitória da Conquista, Bahia - Brasil, em março, agosto e setembro de 2020. Calcularam-se os custos multiplicando-se o tempo despendido (cronometrado) pelos profissionais pelo custo da mão de obra direta, somando-se aos custos dos insumos. Análise de dados com estatística descritiva. Resultados: O custo direto médio total foi de US$11.90 (DP±10.79) para os curativos ambulatoriais (n=42), US$7.22 (DP±8.69) para os domiciliares (n=22) e US$3.10 (DP±2.57) para os hospitalares (n=11), com expressiva contribuição dos custos com terapia tópica: US$9.82 (DP±10.55), US$5.60 (DP±8.43) e US$1.30 (DP±0.22) respectivamente. Conclusão: os resultados poderão subsidiar a revisão dos insumos requeridos para os curativos de úlceras vasculogênicas, notadamente, das terapias tópicas e materiais/soluções.

ABSTRACT Objective: to assess the mean direct costs corresponding to vasculogenic ulcer dressings performed by Nursing professionals on patients treated at a Comprehensive Wound Care Unit. Method: A quantitative and exploratory-descriptive research study, conducted in March, August and September 2020 at a Comprehensive Wound Care Unit located in Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil. The costs were calculated multiplying the time spent (timed) by the professionals by the cost of direct labor, adding the costs of the inputs. Data analysis was performed by means of descriptive statistics. Results: The total mean direct costs were as follows: US$ 11.90 (SD±10.79) for outpatient dressings (n=42), US$ 7.22 (SD±8.69) for home dressings (n=22) and US$ 3.10 (SD±2.57) for hospital dressings (n=11), with a significant contribution from the costs of topical therapies: US$ 9.82 (SD±10.55), US$ 5.60 (SD±8.43) and US$ 1.30 (SD±0.22), respectively. Conclusion: the results may support a review of the inputs required for vasculogenic ulcer dressings, notably, regarding topical therapies and materials/solutions.

Objetivo: medir los costos directos medios correspondientes a curaciones de úlceras vasculogénicas realizadas por profesionales de Enfermería en pacientes atendidos por una Unidad de Tratamiento Integral de Heridas. Método: investigación cuantitativa y exploratoria-descriptiva realizada en marzo, agosto y septiembre de 2020 en una Unidad de Tratamiento Integral de Heridas situada en Vitória da Conquista, Bahía, Brasil. Los costos se calcularon multiplicando el tiempo empleado (cronometrado) por los profesionales por el costo de la mano de obra directa, sumando los costos de los insumos. Los datos se analizaron por medio de estadística descriptiva. Resultados: El costo directo medio total fue de US$ 11,90 (DE±10,79) para las curaciones ambulatorias (n=42), US$ 7,22 (DE±8,69) para las domiciliarias (n=22) y US$ 3,10 (DE±2,57) para las hospitalarias (n=11), con una significativa contribución de los costos de las terapias tópicas: US$ 9,82 (DE±10,55), US$ 5,60 (DE±8,43) y US$ 1,30 (DE±0,22), respectivamente. Conclusión: los resultados pueden sustentar una revisión de los insumos necesarios para las curaciones de úlceras vasculogénicas, en particular, las terapias tópicas y los materiales/soluciones.

Average direct costs of outpatient, hospital, and home care provided to patients with chronic wounds / Costos directos promedios de la atención ambulatoria, hospitalaria y domiciliaria prestada a pacientes con heridas crónicas / Custos diretos médios da assistência ambulatorial, hospitalar e domiciliar prestada aos pacientes com feridas crônicas

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the average direct costs of outpatient, hospital, and home care provided to patients with chronic wounds. Method: Quantitative, exploratory-descriptive case study, carried out in a Comprehensive Wound Care Unit. Costs were obtained by multiplying the time spent by professionals by the unit cost of labor in the respective category, adding to the costs of materials and topical therapies. Results: Outpatient care costs corresponded to US$4.25 (SD ± 7.60), hospital care to US$3.87 (SD ± 17.27), and home care to US$3.47 (SD ± 5.73). In these three modalities, direct costs with dressings and medical consultations were the most representative: US$7.76 (SD ± 9.46) and US$6.61 (SD ± 6.54); US$7.06 (SD ± 24.16) and US$15.60 (SD ± 0.00); US$4.09 (SD ± 5.28) and US$15.60 (SD ± 0.00), respectively. Conclusion: Considering comprehensive care for patients with chronic wounds, the mean total direct cost was US$10.28 (SD ± 17.21), with the outpatient modality being the most representative in its composition. There was a statistically significant difference (p value = 0.000) between the costs of home and outpatient, home and hospital, and outpatient and hospital care.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar los costos directos promedios de la atención ambulatoria, hospitalaria y domiciliaria prestada a pacientes con heridas crónicas. Método: Investigación cuantitativa, exploratoria-descriptiva, del tipo estudio de caso, realizada en una Unidad de Atención Integral de Heridas. Los costos se obtuvieron al multiplicar el tiempo dedicado por los profesionales por el costo unitario de la mano de obra en la respectiva categoría, sumado a los costos de materiales y terapias tópicas. Resultados: Los costos de atención ambulatoria correspondieron a US$ 4,25 (DE ± 7,60), hospitalaria a US$ 3,87 (DE ± 17,27) y atención domiciliaria a US$ 3,47 (DE ± 5,73). En estas tres modalidades, los costos directos con apósitos y consultas médicas fueron los más representativos: US$7,76 (DE ± 9,46) y US$6,61 (DE ± 6,54); US$7,06 (DE ± 24,16) y US$15,60 (DE ± 0,00); US$4,09 (DE ± 5,28) y US$15,60 (DE ± 0,00), respectivamente. Conclusión: Considerando la atención integral a pacientes con heridas crónicas, el costo directo promedio total fue de US$ 10,28 (DE ± 17,21), siendo la modalidad ambulatoria la más representativa en su composición. Hubo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa (p-valor = 0,000) entre los costos de atención domiciliaria y ambulatoria; domiciliaria y hospitalaria y, por fin, ambulatoria y hospitalaria.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar os custos diretos médios da assistência ambulatorial, hospitalar e domiciliar prestada aos pacientes com feridas crônicas. Método: Pesquisa quantitativa, exploratório-descritiva, do tipo estudo de caso, realizada numa Unidade de Tratamento Integral de Ferida. Obtiveram-se os custos multiplicando-se o tempo despendido pelos profissionais pelo custo unitário da mão de obra da respectiva categoria, somando-se aos custos dos materiais e terapias tópicas. Resultados: Os custos da assistência ambulatorial corresponderam a US$4,25 (DP ± 7,60), da hospitalar a US$3,87 (DP ± 17,27) e da domiciliar a US$3,47 (DP ± 5,73). Nessas três modalidades, os custos diretos com os curativos e consultas médicas foram os mais representativos: US$7,76 (DP ± 9,46) e US$6,61 (DP ± 6,54); US$7,06 (DP ± 24,16) e US$15,60 (DP ± 0,00); US$4,09 (DP ± 5,28) e US$15,60 (DP ± 0,00), respectivamente. Conclusão Considerando a assistência integral aos pacientes com feridas crônicas, o custo direto médio total foi de US$10,28 (DP ± 17,21), sendo a modalidade ambulatorial a mais representativa na sua composição. Constatou-se diferença estatística significante (valor p = 0,000) entre os custos da assistência domiciliar e ambulatorial, domiciliar e hospitalar e ambulatorial e hospitalar.

An Oatp transporter-mediated steroid sink promotes tumor-induced cachexia in Drosophila.

Cancer cachexia is associated with many types of tumors and is characterized by a combination of anorexia, loss of body weight, catabolic alterations, and systemic inflammation. We developed a tumor model in Drosophila larvae that causies cachexia-like syndrome, and we found that cachectic larvae show reduced levels of the circulating steroid ecdysone (Ec). Artificially importing Ec in the tumor through the use of the EcI/Oatp74D importer aggravated cachexia, whereas feeding animals with Ec rescued cachectic defects. This suggests that a steroid sink induced by the tumor promotes catabolic alterations in healthy tissues. We found that Oatp33Eb, a member of the Oatp transporter family, is specifically induced in tumors promoting cachexia. The overexpression of Oatp33Eb in noncachectic tumors induced cachexia, whereas its inhibition in cachectic tumors restored circulating Ec and reversed cachectic alterations. Oatp transporters are induced in several types of hormone-dependent tumors, and this result suggests that a similar sink effect could modify hormonal balance in cachectic cancer patients.

Characterisation of corneas following different time and storage methods for their use as a source of stem-like limbal epithelial cells.

The transplantation of expansions of limbal epithelial stem cells (LESC) remains one of the most efficient therapies for the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) to date. However, the available donor corneas are scarce, and the corneas conserved for long time, under hypothermic conditions (after 7 days) or in culture (more than 28 days), are usually discarded due to poor viability of the endothelial cells. To establish an objective criterion for the utilisation or discarding of corneas as a source of LESC, we characterized, by immunohistochemistry analysis, donor corneas conserved in different conditions and for different periods of time. We also studied the potency of LESCs isolated from these corneas and maintained in culture up to 3 cell passages. We hoped that the study of markers of LESCs present in both the corneoscleral histological sections and the cell cultures would show the adequacy of the methods used for cell isolation and how fit the LESC enrichment of the obtained cell populations to be expanded was. Thus, the expressions of markers of the cells residing in the human limbal and corneal epithelium (cytokeratin CK15 and CK12, vimentin, Collagen VII, p63α, ABCG2, Ki67, Integrin ß4, ZO1, and melan A) were analysed in sections of corneoscleral tissues conserved in hypothermic conditions for 2-9 days with post-mortem time (pmt) < 8 h or for 1 day with pmt > 16 h, and in sclerocorneal rims maintained in an organ culture medium for 29 days. Cell populations isolated from donor corneoscleral tissues were also assessed based on these markers to verify the adequacy of isolation methods and the potential of expanding LESCs from these tissues. Positivity for several putative stem cell markers such as CK15 and p63α was detected in all corneoscleral tissues, although a decrease was recorded in the ones conserved for longer times. The barrier function and the ability to adhere to the extracellular matrix were maintained in all the analysed tissues. In limbal epithelial cell cultures, a simultaneous decrease in the melan A melanocyte marker and the putative stem cell markers was detected, suggesting a close relationship between the melanocytes and the limbal stem cells of the niche. Holoclones stained with putative stem cell markers were obtained from long-term, hypothermic, stored sclerocorneal rims. The results showed that the remaining sclerocorneal rims after corneal transplantation, which were conserved under hypothermic conditions for up to 7 days and would have been discarded at a first glance, still maintained their potential as a source of LESC cultures.