Insulin and the kidneys: a contemporary view on the molecular basis.

Insulin is a hormone that is composed of 51 amino acids and structurally organized as a hexamer comprising three heterodimers. Insulin is the central hormone involved in the control of glucose and lipid metabolism, aiding in processes such as body homeostasis and cell growth. Insulin is synthesized as a large preprohormone and has a leader sequence or signal peptide that appears to be responsible for transport to the endoplasmic reticulum membranes. The interaction of insulin with the kidneys is a dynamic and multicenter process, as it acts in multiple sites throughout the nephron. Insulin acts on a range of tissues, from the glomerulus to the renal tubule, by modulating different functions such as glomerular filtration, gluconeogenesis, natriuresis, glucose uptake, regulation of ion transport, and the prevention of apoptosis. On the other hand, there is sufficient evidence showing the insulin receptor's involvement in renal functions and its responsibility for the regulation of glucose homeostasis, which enables us to understand its contribution to the insulin resistance phenomenon and its association with the progression of diabetic kidney disease.

Critically Ill Patients with Renal Hyperfiltration: Optimizing Antibiotic Dose.

Renal hyperfiltration (RHF) is a prevalent phenomenon in critically ill patients characterized by augmented renal clearance (ARC) and increased of elimination of renally eliminated medications. Multiple risk factors had been described and potential mechanisms may contribute to the occurrence of this condition. RHF and ARC are associated with the risk of suboptimal exposure to antibiotics increasing the risk of treatment failure and unfavorable patient outcomes. The current review discusses the available evidence related to the RHF phenomenon, including definition, epidemiology, risk factors, pathophysiology, pharmacokinetic variability, and considerations for optimizing the dosage of antibiotics in critically ill patients.

Lipoma cardiaco / Cardiac masses

Resumen Las masas cardiacas son entidades raras que cursan con un espectro muy variado de manifestaciones clínicas que van desde cuadros asintomáticos hasta compromiso hemodinámico severo. Entre las lesiones benignas, los lipomas cardiacos son los segundos en frecuencia. Corresponden principalmente a lesiones neoplásicas benignas; no obstante, se pueden presentar otras patologías como trombos, vegetaciones y variantes de la normalidad. Gracias a la disponibilidad de técnicas de imagen de alta definición, como la ecocardiografía, la TC y la RM, ha aumentado su detección y tratamiento temprano. En el ámbito terapéutico se ofrece manejo quirúrgico, pues las imágenes no permiten la caracterización y diferenciación fidedigna de la naturaleza de las masas cardiacas. Se describe el caso de una paciente sin antecedentes cardiovasculares, con historial de disnea crónica, en quien se identificó, a través de estudios imagenológicos, masa cardiaca adosada al ventrículo con deformación leve de cavidades derechas. Fue llevada a resección quirúrgica y por histopatología se confirmó lipoma. Este hallazgo es el más infrecuente de todos los tumores cardíacos benignos. Se resalta la importancia del conocimiento de esta enfermedad para dar tratamiento eficaz y oportuno en aras de evitar complicaciones que impacten en morbimortalidad.

Abstract Cardiac masses are rare entities that present with a very varied spectrum of clinical manifestations that go from asymptomatic to pictures with severe hemodynamic compromise, within these, cardiac lipomas are the second in frequency within benign lesions. They mainly correspond to benign neoplastic lesions, however, other pathologies such as thrombi, vegetations and variants of normality can occur. Thanks to the availability of high-definition imaging techniques, echocardiography, CT and MRI have increased early detection and treatment. In the therapeutic field, surgical management is offered, since the images do not allow the characterization and reliable differentiation of the nature of cardia masses. It is described the case of a patient with no cardiovascular history, with chronic dyspnea, in whom the presence of CM attached to the ventricle with slight deformation of the right cavities is identified by imaging studies. Was taken to surgical resection confirming the presence of lipoma by histopathology, being this finding the rarest of all benign cardiac tumors. We highlight the importance of knowing this pathology to provide effective and timely treatment to avoid complications that impact morbidity and mortality.

Hypercapnia from Physiology to Practice.

Acute hypercapnic ventilatory failure is becoming more frequent in critically ill patients. Hypercapnia is the elevation in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) above 45 mmHg in the bloodstream. The pathophysiological mechanisms of hypercapnia include the decrease in minute volume, an increase in dead space, or an increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) production per sec. They generate a compromise at the cardiovascular, cerebral, metabolic, and respiratory levels with a high burden of morbidity and mortality. It is essential to know the triggers to provide therapy directed at the primary cause and avoid possible complications.

Neuromuscular blocking agents in the intensive care unit.

Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA) are a controversial therapeutic option in the approach to the critically ill patient. They are not innocuous, and the available evidence does not support their routine use in the intensive care unit. If necessary, monitoring protocols should be established to avoid residual relaxation, adverse effects, and associated complications. This narrative review discusses the current indications for the use of NMBA and the different tools for monitoring blockade in the intensive care unit. However, expanding the use of NMBA in critical settings merits the development of prospective studies.

A Rare Case of Meningitis Caused by Alcaligenes faecalis in an Immunocompetent Patient.

Alcaligenes faecalis (A. faecalis) is a Gram-negative rod rarely isolated as an infective bacterium worldwide. The first cases of infections caused by this microorganism, such as pneumonia, soft tissue infections, urinary tract infections, bacteremia, and meningitis, date back more than 40 years and are almost entirely in newborns and immunosuppressed hosts. Optimal antibiotic therapy for A. faecalis has not been well established in the literature. We report a case of an immunocompetent patient in Colombia who had meningitis due to A. faecalis after a dental procedure. It is important to know about this microorganism that nowadays could be considered a potentially emerging pathogen in immunocompetent adults.

When to Use Antibiotics in COVID-19: A Proposal Based on Questions.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions of people, including hundreds of deaths. The search for adequate treatments and interventions that influence poor prognostic factors and reduce mortality has led to excessive use of antibiotics based on the possible existence of bacterial co-infection. However, there is no evidence to justify the systematic use of antimicrobials in COVID-19. The recommendations seek to provide knowledge regarding treatment; standardizing a management algorithm requires validation in clinical trials and studies of greater methodological rigor.

Prevalence of Chronic Infection by Hepatitis C Virus in Asymptomatic Population With Risk Factors in Cartagena, Colombia.

Introduction: Infection by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important cause of chronic liver disease, considered a public health problem worldwide with high morbidity and mortality due to limited access to diagnostic tests in developing countries. Only a small percentage know their infection status and receive timely treatment. It is critical to make diagnostic tests for HCV infection accessible and to provide timely treatment, which not only reduces the spread of infection but also stops the progression of HCV disease without symptoms. Objective: To determine the prevalence of chronic infection by HCV in patients with risk factors by using rapid tests in Cartagena, Colombia, and describe their epidemiological characteristics. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was carried out on asymptomatic adults with risk factors for HCV infection in the city of Cartagena between December 2017 and November 2019. A rapid immunochromatographic test was performed to detect antibodies, characterizing the population. Results: In total, 1,023 patients were identified who met the inclusion criteria, 58.5% women and 41.4% men, obtaining nine positive results, confirming chronic infection with viral load for HCV, finding seven cases of genotype 1b and two genotype 1a. Conclusion: In our study, a prevalence of hepatitis C infection of 0.9% was found in asymptomatic individuals with risk factors, which allows us to deduce that the active search for cases in risk groups constitutes a pillar for the identification of the disease, the initiation of antiviral therapy, and decreased morbidity and mortality.

[Encephalitis as neurological complication due dengue]. / Encefalitis como complicación neurológica por dengue.

We present the case of a 32-year-old male, previously healthy, with a 5-day history of fever, frontal-occipital headache, retro-ocular pain, rash, petechiae, myalgia, arthralgia, and abdominal pain. Blood tests with leukopenia, severe thrombocytopenia, transaminitis, long clotting times. Severe dengue with associated coagulopathy was diagnosed, indicating transfer to ICU. Presents torpid evolution, altered state of consciousness, psychomotor agitation, and aggressiveness. Structural, ischemic-hemorrhagic alterations, bacterial and fungal infections were ruled out. Finally diagnosing dengue encephalitis, confirmed by DENV PCR in CSF. Support measures are provided with favorable evolution. Encephalitis is the most serious neurological complication after dengue virus infection.

Multimodality cardiac imaging in the diagnostic approach to chronic dyspnea: a patient with pericardial lipoma.

Cardiac masses are rare entities that present with a very varied spectrum of manifestations ranging from asymptomatic to severe hemodynamic compromise. They mainly correspond to benign neoplastic lesions; however, other pathologies may occur. The availability of high-definition imaging techniques has increased early detection. Nevertheless, these techniques do not allow the characterization and reliable differentiation of the nature of the mass. We describe a patient with no cardiovascular history with a chronic dyspnea, in whom the presence of a cardiac mass attached to the ventricle with slight deformation of the right cavities was identified by imaging studies. The patient underwent surgical resection, which confirmed the presence of lipoma by histopathology. This finding is the rarest of all benign cardiac tumors.

Cardiac lipomas are rare benign tumors of the heart. They are usually asymptomatic, but when symptoms occur, they are usually nonspecific, so it is necessary to consult an internist, cardiologist or pulmonologist for proper study, identification and treatment. Multimodal images are very useful in these cases.

Intensive Care Unit Acquired Weakness Associated With Acute Severe Asthma.

Context: Neuromuscular complications in the intensive care unit (ICU) are frequent, multifactorial, and clinically difficult to recognize during their acute phase. The physical examination is the starting point for identification. Case Report: We present a patient with a history of poorly controlled asthma who was admitted to the ICU with status asthmaticus. After 4 days of being under ventilatory support, he developed muscle weakness. The diagnostic approach made it possible to establish myopathic and neurological compromise through electrophysiology studies. Conclusions: ICU-acquired weakness (ICUAW) can bring long-term consequences, early identification, and management, as well as preventive measures, are essential to minimize chronic disability and morbidity.

Dynamics of dengue and SARS-COV-2 co-infection in an endemic area of Colombia.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, millions of people have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 around the world. An area of epidemiological relevance is Latin America, tropical regions, due to the distribution of endemic diseases such as chikungunya, dengue (DENV), malaria, Zika virus, where febrile disease abounds. The early signs and symptoms of DENV and COVID-19 could be similar, making it a risk that patients may be wrongly diagnosed early during the disease. The problem increases since COVID-19 infection can lead to false positives in DENV screening tests. We present two cases of acute undifferentiated febrile syndrome that were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 and DENV co-infection, confirmed by ELISA and RT-PCR for both viral pathogens. The occurrence of simultaneous or overlapped infections can alter the usual clinical course, severity, or outcome of each infection. Therefore, epidemiological surveillance and intensified preparation for those scenarios must be considered, as well as further studies should be done to address cases of co-infection promptly to avoid major complications and fatal outcomes during the current pandemic. Other endemic tropical diseases should not be neglected.

Insuficiencia renal en cirrosis: revisión de la literatura

Contexto: en el curso de la enfermedad del paciente cirrótico, la insuficiencia renal es un evento de mal pronóstico. Objetivo: identificar en estos pacientes los factores de riesgo de IRA, tales como: presencia de procesos infecciosos, hipovolemia inducida por hemorragia, pérdidas gastrointestinales o renales y agentes nefrotóxicos, ya que conocer de su aparición es primordial para dar comienzo a las medidas terapéuticas y las acciones profilácticas. Metodología: se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en las bases de datos PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus y Google académico, usando los términos MeSH como insuficiencia renal aguda, creatinina, cirrosis hepática, síndrome hepatorenal. Se obtuvieron resultados entre artículos originales, metaanálisis, reportes de casos, series de casos y revisiones de la literatura, y se escogieron 16 documentos para la elaboración de esta revisión. Resultados: los nuevos criterios definidos por el Club Internacional de Ascitis (AKI-IAC), los cuales eliminan el gasto urinario, se determinan por un aumento de la creatinina sérica ≥ 0,3 mg/dL en menos de 48 horas y, mejoran el pronóstico, permitiendo realizar intervenciones oportunas. Conclusiones: la creatinina sigue siendo el biomarcador más utilizado en insuficiencia renal aguda (IRA), incluso en pacientes cirróticos, a pesar de sus múltiples limitaciones. Un criterio dinámico modificado a partir de los criterios de AKIN, se convierte en el patrón de oro para el diagnóstico de IRA en cirrosis.

Introduction: During the cirrhotic patient's disease, renal failure is a poor prognostic event. Purpose: Knowing the risk factors for AKI in these patients given by the presence of infectious processes, loss of fluids due to hemorrhage, gastrointestinal or kidney, and nephrotoxic agents are essential for initiating therapeutic measures and prophylactic actions. Methodology: A bibliographic search was carried out in the PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and academic Google databases, using the terms MeSH acute renal failure, creatinine, liver cirrhosis, hepatorenal syndrome. Original articles, meta-analyzes, case reports, case series and literature reviews were obtained, choosing 16 documents for the preparation of this review. Results: The new criteria defined by the International Ascites Club (AKI-IAC), which eliminate urinary output, are determined by an increase in serum creatinine ≥ 0.3 mg / dL in less than 48 hours and improve the prognosis, allowing timely interventions. Conclusions: Creatinine continues to be the most widely used biomarker in AKI, even in cirrhotic patients, despite its multiple limitations. A dynamic criterion modified from the AKIN criteria becomes the gold standard for the diagnosis of AKI in cirrhosis.

Viral Cardiomyopathies Associated With SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Context: Since the end of 2019 with the identification of the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and the disease it produces, named COVID-19, various manifestations have been described, initially pulmonary due to acute and severe respiratory syndromes, now systemic manifestations have been described. Case Report: We report 3 cases of patients with cardiovascular manifestations associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, highlighting the diagnostic approach and variety of presentation, from acute myocardial infarction, myocarditis, heart failure, shock, arrhythmias to sudden death. Conclusions: Every day is more frequent to find reports of patients with cardiovascular compromise during COVID-19 affecting the development and prognosis of this disease.

Trombosis de seno venoso asociada con infección por SARS-CoV-2 / Cerebral venous thrombosis associated with SARS-Cov-2 infection

RESUMEN INTRODUCCION: La trombosis del seno venoso se considera una de las causas más infrecuentes de enfermedad cerebrovascular (ECV), prevalente en la edad joven. Suele tener un inicio insidioso, lo cual dificulta su diagnóstico y el inicio oportuno del tratamiento, y se encuentra asociada con múltiples factores de riesgo, incluyendo estados de hipercoagulabilidad, como en aquellos pacientes que cursan con infección por SARS-CoV-2. REPORTE DE CASO: Se presentan dos casos clínicos de pacientes con alteraciones neurológicas, diplopia y estatus epiléptico, en quienes se documentó por medio de la sintomatologia y de estudios imagenológicos, trombosis venosas extensas de localización infrecuente, se descartaron las principales etiologías asociadas, y el único nexo asociado fue la infección por SARS-CoV-2. Ambos pacientes recibieron tratamiento con anticoagulación parenteral, al que respondieron de forma exitosa, por lo cual se logró el alta posteriormente con anticoagulación oral. DISCUSIÓN: Es imprescindible el conocimiento de esta enfermedad, asociada con una alta sospecha diagnóstica, dadas sus manifestaciones clínicas variadas y su asociación cada vez más frecuente con infección por covid-19.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Venous sinus thrombosis is considered one of the most infrequent causes of cerebrovascular disease (CVD), prevalent in young people. It usually has an insidious onset which difficult its diagnosis and timely initiation of treatment and is associated with multiple risk factors including hypercoagulable states, as in those patients with SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2) infection. CASE REPORT: The following are 2 clinical cases of patients with neurological alterations, diplopia, and status epilepticus, in whom extensive venous thrombosis of infrequent location was documented through symptomatology and imaging studies, ruling out the main associated etiologies, with the only associated nexus: SARS-CoV-2 infection. Both patients received treatment with parenteral anticoagulation, responding successfully and were subsequently discharged with oral anticoagulation. DISCUSSION: It is essential to be aware of this disease associated with a high diagnostic suspicion given its varied clinical manifestations and its increasingly frequent association with COVID-19 infection.

Encefalitis como complicación neurológica por dengue / Encephalitis as neurological complication due dengue

Resumen Se presenta el caso de un varón de 32 años, previamente sano, que consultó por fiebre de cinco días, cefalea, dolor retro-ocular, rash, petequias, mialgias, artralgias y dolor abdominal. Presentaba leucopenia, trombocitopenia intensa, transaminitis y tiempo de coagulación prolongado. Se diagnosticó un dengue grave con coagulopatía que requirió manejo en Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. Evolucionó con alteración del estado de conciencia, agitación psicomotora y agresividad. Se descartaron alteraciones estructurales, isquémicohemorrágicas, infecciones bacterianas y micóticas. Se confirmó finalmente una encefalitis por dengue por una RPC para virus dengue positiva en LCR. Se brindaron medidas de soporte con una evolución favorable. La encefalitis es la complicación neurológica más grave tras la infección por virus del dengue.

Abstract We present the case of a 32-year-old male, previously healthy, with a 5-day history of fever, frontal-occipital headache, retro-ocular pain, rash, petechiae, myalgia, arthralgia, and abdominal pain. Blood tests with leukopenia, severe thrombocytopenia, transaminitis, long clotting times. Severe dengue with associated coagulopathy was diagnosed, indicating transfer to ICU. Presents torpid evolution, altered state of consciousness, psychomotor agitation, and aggressiveness. Structural, ischemic-hemorrhagic alterations, bacterial and fungal infections were ruled out. Finally diagnosing dengue encephalitis, confirmed by DENV PCR in CSF. Support measures are provided with favorable evolution. Encephalitis is the most serious neurological complication after dengue virus infection.

Pneumomediastinum and Pneumothorax Following Non-invasive Respiratory Support in Patients With Severe COVID-19 Disease.

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to an increased number of patients with pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum owing to complications attributed to viral pneumonia regardless of the use of mechanical invasive ventilation and the elapsed time of infection. The pathophysiology remains unknown. However, the Macklin effect is shown as the most plausible mechanism along with possible barotrauma secondary to a high-flow nasal cannula and noninvasive mechanical ventilation. We present two cases of patients who developed pneumomediastinum and tension pneumothorax. One of the patients was studied during infection and the other after recovery. Both received appropriate and timely treatments with successful outcomes. It is important to be aware of these potentially fatal complications as early management can reduce the associated morbidity and mortality.