Borderline Phyllodes Tumor in a Child.

Phyllodes tumor (PT) is considered a rare fibroepithelial tumor. Very few series have been reported in children and adolescents. Based on histopathological features, it can be classified as benign, borderline, or malignant, with the latter having a more aggressive clinical behavior. We report the case of a 10-year-old female who began with an asymptomatic mobile right breast mass. An initial fine needle biopsy (FNB) concluded fibroadenoma (FA). Months later, the mass kept growing, with the appearance of pain and nipple discharge. Benign PT was demonstrated in a new biopsy. A total mastectomy was performed. The post-surgical histopathological examination was compatible with a borderline PT. The patient is now symptom-free and with no signs of relapse. Not all breast masses in the pediatric or adolescent age bracket are FA. Attention is warranted when the clinical behavior does not follow the usual outline. PT has to be considered as a possible diagnosis and treated accordingly.

Molecular pathogen screening of louse flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) from domestic and wild ruminants in Austria.

BACKGROUND: Hippoboscid flies (Diptera: Hippoboscidae), also known as louse flies or keds, are obligate blood-sucking ectoparasites of animals, and accidentally of humans. The potential role of hippoboscids as vectors of human and veterinary pathogens is being increasingly investigated, but the presence and distribution of infectious agents in louse flies is still unknown in parts of Europe. Here, we report the use of molecular genetics to detect and characterize vector-borne pathogens in hippoboscid flies infesting domestic and wild animals in Austria. METHODS: Louse flies were collected from naturally infested cattle (n = 25), sheep (n = 3), and red deer (n = 12) across Austria between 2015 and 2019. Individual insects were morphologically identified to species level and subjected to DNA extraction for molecular pathogen screening and barcoding. Genomic DNA from each louse fly was screened for Borrelia spp., Bartonella spp., Trypanosomatida, Anaplasmataceae, Filarioidea and Piroplasmida. Obtained sequences of Trypanosomatida and Bartonella spp. were further characterized by phylogenetic and haplotype networking analyses. RESULTS: A total of 282 hippoboscid flies corresponding to three species were identified: Hippobosca equina (n = 62) collected from cattle, Melophagus ovinus (n = 100) from sheep and Lipoptena cervi (n = 120) from red deer (Cervus elaphus). Molecular screening revealed pathogen DNA in 54.3% of hippoboscids, including infections with single (63.39%), two (30.71%) and up to three (5.90%) distinct pathogens in the same individual. Bartonella DNA was detected in 36.9% of the louse flies. Lipoptena cervi were infected with 10 distinct and previously unreported Bartonella sp. haplotypes, some closely associated with strains of zoonotic potential. DNA of trypanosomatids was identified in 34% of hippoboscids, including the first description of Trypanosoma sp. in H. equina. Anaplasmataceae DNA (Wolbachia spp.) was detected only in M. ovinus (16%), while < 1% of the louse flies were positive for Borrelia spp. and Filarioidea. All hippoboscids were negative for Piroplasmida. CONCLUSIONS: Molecular genetic screening confirmed the presence of several pathogens in hippoboscids infesting domestic and wild ruminants in Austria, including novel pathogen haplotypes of zoonotic potential (e.g. Bartonella spp.) and the first report of Trypanosoma sp. in H. equina, suggesting a potential role of this louse fly as vector of animal trypanosomatids. Experimental transmission studies and expanded monitoring of hippoboscid flies and hippoboscid-associated pathogens are warranted to clarify the competence of these ectoparasites as vectors of infectious agents in a One-Health context.

Effect of temperature and nucleotide on the binding of BiP chaperone to a protein substrate.

BiP (immunoglobulin heavy-chain binding protein) is a Hsp70 monomeric ATPase motor that plays broad and crucial roles in maintaining proteostasis inside the cell. Structurally, BiP is formed by two domains, a nucleotide-binding domain (NBD) with ATPase activity connected by a flexible hydrophobic linker to the substrate-binding domain. While the ATPase and substrate binding activities of BiP are allosterically coupled, the latter is also dependent on nucleotide binding. Recent structural studies have provided new insights into BiP's allostery; however, the influence of temperature on the coupling between substrate and nucleotide binding to BiP remains unexplored. Here, we study BiP's binding to its substrate at the single molecule level using thermo-regulated optical tweezers which allows us to mechanically unfold the client protein and explore the effect of temperature and different nucleotides on BiP binding. Our results confirm that the affinity of BiP for its protein substrate relies on nucleotide binding, by mainly regulating the binding kinetics between BiP and its substrate. Interestingly, our findings also showed that the apparent affinity of BiP for its protein substrate in the presence of nucleotides remains invariable over a wide range of temperatures, suggesting that BiP may interact with its client proteins with similar affinities even when the temperature is not optimal. Thus, BiP could play a role as a "thermal buffer" in proteostasis.

Conductas alimentarias de riesgo en jóvenes adultos de dos comunas de la región de Ñuble en Chile durante pandemia Covid-19

Objetivo: Analizar las conductas alimentarias de riesgo, en relación al estado nutricional y actividad física en jóvenes adultos durante la pandemia COVID-19 en las comunas de Chillán y Chillán Viejo. Método: Diseño observacional y transversal. Se obtuvo una muestra de 184 adultos jóvenes de ambos sexos, que residían en dos comunas de la región de Ñuble (Chile) durante el periodo de confinamiento por la pandemia COVID-19. Se les aplicó un cuestionario de antecedentes personales y la escala SCOFF que evalúa el riesgo de trastornos de la conducta alimentaria (TCA). Resultados: Se encontró un 37,16% de riesgo para TCA (IC 95%: 30,23 - 44,63%). El riesgo de trastornos de la conducta alimentaria tuvo relación con las variables: actividad física (p = 0,01 análisis bivariante) y estado nutricional (p = 0,03, análisis ajustado). Conclusión: Se logró identificar una proporción superior a la registrada en la literatura y los factores asociados a TCA eran los que se esperaban encontrar.

Objective: To analyze risky eating behaviors in relation to nutritional status and physical activity in young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in the communes of Chillán and Chillán Viejo. Methods: Observational and cross-sectional design. A sample of 184 young adults of both sexes, who lived in two communes in the Ñuble region (Chile) during the period of confinement due to COVID-19 pandemic, was obtained. A personal history questionnaire and the SCOFF scale that assesses the risk of eating behavior disorders (EDs) were applied. Results: A 37.16% risk for ED was found (95% CI: 30.23 - 44.63%). The risk of eating behavior disorders was related to the variables: physical activity (p=0.01 bivariate analysis) and nutritional status (p=0.03, adjusted analysis). Conclusion: It was possible to identify a higher proportion than that recorded in the literature and the factors associated with eating disorders were those that were expected to be found.

Soft-Tissue Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase-Positive Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma in a Child Unmasked by COVID-19.

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is children's most common mature T-cell neoplasm. The majority is positive for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). Initial presentation as a soft-tissue pelvic mass without nodal involvement is rare and can be easily misdiagnosed. We report a case of a 12-year-old male presenting with pain and movement restriction in the right extremity. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a solitary pelvic mass. Initial biopsy examination concluded rhabdomyosarcoma. After developing pediatric multisystemic inflammatory syndrome due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), central and peripheral lymph node enlargement appeared. New cervical adenopathy and pelvic mass biopsies were performed. Immunohistochemistry concluded an ALK-positive ALCL with a small-cell pattern. The patient was treated with brentuximab-based chemotherapy and eventually improved. Differential diagnosis of pelvic masses in children and adolescents must include ALCL. An inflammatory trigger may promote the appearance of a typical nodal disease, previously absent. Attention is warranted during histopathological examination to avoid diagnostic errors.

Computational Investigation of a Series of Small Molecules as Potential Compounds for Lysyl Hydroxylase-2 (LH2) Inhibition.

The catalytic function of lysyl hydroxylase-2 (LH2), a member of the Fe(II)/αKG-dependent oxygenase superfamily, is to catalyze the hydroxylation of lysine to hydroxylysine in collagen, resulting in stable hydroxylysine aldehyde-derived collagen cross-links (HLCCs). Reports show that high amounts of LH2 lead to the accumulation of HLCCs, causing fibrosis and specific types of cancer metastasis. Some members of the Fe(II)/αKG-dependent family have also been reported to have intramolecular O2 tunnels, which aid in transporting one of the required cosubstrates into the active site. While LH2 can be a promising target to combat these diseases, efficacious inhibitors are still lacking. We have used computational simulations to investigate a series of 44 small molecules as lead compounds for LH2 inhibition. Tunneling analyses indicate the existence of several intramolecular tunnels. The lengths of the calculated O2-transporting tunnels in holoenzymes are relatively longer than those in the apoenzyme, suggesting that the ligands may affect the enzyme's structure and possibly block (at least partially) the tunnels. The sequence alignment analysis between LH enzymes from different organisms shows that all of the amino acid residues with the highest occurrence rate in the oxygen tunnels are conserved. Our results suggest that the enolate form of diketone compounds establishes stronger interactions with the Fe(II) in the active site. Branching the enolate compounds with functional groups such as phenyl and pyridinyl enhances the interaction with various residues around the active site. Our results provide information about possible leads for further LH2 inhibition design and development.

Propiedades psicométricas de la escala CICAA (Conectar, Identificar, Comprender, Acordar y Ayudar) utilizada en simulación clínica de alta fidelidad de estudiantes de Enfermería / Psychometric properties of the CICAA (Connect, Identify, Understand, Agree, Agree and Assist) scale used in high fidelity clinical simulation of nursing students

Objetivo principal: Evaluar las propiedades psicométricas de la escala CICAA (Conectar, Identificar, Comprender, Acordar y Ayudar) al utilizarla en simulación clínica de alta fidelidad en estudiantes de enfermería. Metodología: Estudio analítico observacional de corte transversal en una muestra con 154 estudiantes de enfermería, a los cuales se les aplicó la escala CICAA durante el desarrollo de simulaciones clínicas de alta fidelidad. Los resultados de la escala fueron sometidos a pruebas psicométricas. Resultados principales: La escala CICAA presentó 29 componentes con sus respectivos autovalores y cuatro componentes principales que suman un 67,782% de la varianza total explicada. La consistencia interna global de la escala presentó un coeficiente α-Cronbach de 0,956. Conclusión principal: La escala CICAA ha mostrado ser un instrumento fiable y válido para evaluar habilidades comunicacionales de estudiantes de enfermería en simulaciones clínica de alta fidelidad.(AU)

Objective: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the CICAA (Connect, Identify, Understand, Agree, Agree and Assist) scale when used in high-fidelity clinical simulation in nursing students. Methodology: Observational cross-sectional analytical study in a sample of 154 nursing students, to whom the CICAA scale was applied during the development of high-fidelity clinical simulations. The results of the scale were subjected to psychometric tests. Results: The CICAA scale presented 29 components with their respective eigenvalues and four principal components accounting for 67.782% of the total variance explained. The overall internal consistency of the scale showed an α-Cronbach's coefficient of 0.956. Conclusion: The CICAA scale has been shown to be a reliable and valid instrument to assess communication skills of nursing students in high fidelity clinical simulations.(AU)

Effectiveness of intermittent fasting on biochemical and anthropometric markers in obese adults with cardiovascular risk. A systematic review / Efectividad del ayuno intermitente sobre marcadores bioquímicos y antropométricos en adultos obesos con riesgo cardiovascular. Una revisión sistemática.

Background. Obesity is a problem present in almost all societies, which has led to the search for different methods to combat it. One of them is intermittent fasting (IF), characterized by periods without eating (16 to 24 hours), limited or no caloric intake, combined with normal eating windows. Target. To determine the effectiveness of intermittent fasting on biochemical and anthropometric markers in obese adults. Materials and methods. A systematic review was proposed that postulated to study blinded or open clinical trials of IA interventions, compared with a control group. The response variables were: systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides, blood glucose, fat mass, weight, waist circumference, BMI and heart rate. The search and identification of studies was masked. The risks of bias for the Cochrane collaboration were assessed. They underwent meta-analysis (random effect), with R 4.0.0. Results. Six studies were included, involving 10-48 weeks of intervention with alternate-day fasting and time-restricted feeding, reporting some statistically significant changes for different variables. Conclusion. Intermittent fasting could intervene in the reduction of cardiovascular risk due to improvement in BMI and biochemical parameters.

Antecedentes. La obesidad es un problema presente en casi todas las sociedades, lo que ha conllevado a buscar distintos métodos para combatirla. Uno de ellos es el ayuno intermitente (AI), caracterizado por periodos sin ingesta (16 a 24 hr), ingesta calórica limitada o nula, combinada con ventanas de alimentación normal. Objetivo. Determinar la efectividad del ayuno intermitente sobre los marcadores bioquímicos y antropométricos en adultos obesos. Materiales y Métodos. Se planteó una revisión sistemática que postuló estudiar ensayos clínicos enmascarados o abiertos de intervenciones de AI, comparado con grupo control. Las variables de respuesta fueron: presión arterial sistólica y diastólica, colesterol total, LDL, HDL y triglicéridos, glicemia, masa grasa, peso, circunferencia de cintura, IMC y frecuencia cardiaca. La búsqueda e identificación de los estudios fue enmascarada. Se evaluaron los riesgos de sesgo de la colaboración Cochrane. Se sometieron a meta-análisis (efecto aleatorio), con R 4.0.0. Resultados. Se incluyeron 6 estudios, de 10-48 semanas de intervención con ayuno en días alternos y alimentación con restricción de tiempo, reportándose algunos cambios estadísticamente significativos para distintas variables. Los meta-análisis obtenidos muestran diferencias de medias estadísticamente significativas.  Conclusión. Existe evidencia que respalda un beneficio de AI a nivel de indicadores bioquímicos.

[Diagnostic capacity of neck circumference to evaluate obesity in a young adult population. Data analysis from the second national health survey in Chile, 2009-2010]. / Capacidad diagnóstica de la circunferencia de cuello para evaluar la obesidad en la población adulta joven. Análisis de datos de la segunda Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2009-2010. Chile.

Introduction: Introduction: Chile is among the countries with the highest rate of excess malnutrition, for that reason it is important to have effective tools to evaluate the nutritional status; interest in neck circumference (NC) measurement as a potential prognostic tool that is easy to access and low-cost has increased. Objective: to evaluate the diagnostic capacity of neck circumference to predict obesity in the population aged 15-16 years, using data from the third National Health Survey 2009-2010. Materials and methods: Concurrent Criteria of Diagnostic Validation were used for the study. The sample consisted of 536 people of ages from 15 to 26 years, where BMI data where taken in order to classify obesity versus normality (gold standard), as was NC (measured in centimeters). People with hyperthyroidism were excluded. Indicators of diagnostic accuracy were obtained; the SPSS, version 25 was used for calculations. Results: according to age and gender ranks, the NC cut-off points to classify general obesity showed sensitivities and specificities above 0.85, with an area under the curve over 0.90, all with p < 0.001. Conclusion: there is evidence that supports that NC cutoff points are a suitable tool for diagnosing obesity in this age group.

Introducción: Introducción: Chile está dentro de los países con mayor tasa de malnutrición por exceso, lo que obliga a disponer de herramientas eficaces para evaluar el estado nutricional; así surge nuestro interés por explorar la posibilidad de utilizar la medición de la circunferencia del cuello (CCUE) como herramienta potencial de diagnóstico de fácil obtención y acceso, y bajo costo. Objetivo: evaluar la capacidad diagnóstica de la circunferencia del cuello como predictor de obesidad en la población de 15-26 años de edad. Materiales y métodos: dado que se encuentran disponibles, y son adecuados para nuestra investigación, se utilizarán datos extraídos de la Tercera Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2009-2010. Nuestro estudio se realizó aplicando el Método de Validación Diagnóstica por Criterio Concurrente. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 536 personas cuyas edades fluctuaban entre los 15 y 26 años, de quienes se tomaron los datos de IMC, para clasificarlas en las categorías de obesidad o normalidad (patrón oro), y la CCUE (en centímetros). Se excluyeron las personas con hipertiroidismo. Se obtuvieron indicadores de exactitud diagnóstica y valores predictivos. Se aplicó el SPSS, versión 25. Resultados: según los rangos de edad y el sexo, los puntos de corte de la CCUE para clasificar la obesidad general presentaron sensibilidades y especificidades superiores a 0,85 con una área bajo la curva superior a 0,90, todos con p < 0,001. Conclusión: existe evidencia a favor de que los puntos de corte de la CCUE presentan una adecuada capacidad de diagnosticar la obesidad en este grupo etario.

Capacidad diagnóstica de la circunferencia de cuello para evaluar la obesidad en la población adulta joven. Análisis de datos de la segunda Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2009-2010. Chile / Diagnostic capacity of neck circumference to evaluate obesity in a young adult population. Data analysis from the second national health survey in Chile, 2009-2010

Introducción: Chile está dentro de los países con mayor tasa de malnutrición por exceso, lo que obliga a disponer de herramientas eficaces para evaluar el estado nutricional; así surge nuestro interés por explorar la posibilidad de utilizar la medición de la circunferencia del cuello (CCUE) como herramienta potencial de diagnóstico de fácil obtención y acceso, y bajo costo. Objetivo: evaluar la capacidad diagnóstica de la circunferencia del cuello como predictor de obesidad en la población de 15-26 años de edad. Materiales y métodos: dado que se encuentran disponibles, y son adecuados para nuestra investigación, se utilizarán datos extraídos de la Tercera Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2009-2010. Nuestro estudio se realizó aplicando el Método de Validación Diagnóstica por Criterio Concurrente. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 536 personas cuyas edades fluctuaban entre los 15 y 26 años, de quienes se tomaron los datos de IMC, para clasificarlas en las categorías de obesidad o normalidad (patrón oro), y la CCUE (en centímetros). Se excluyeron las personas con hipertiroidismo. Se obtuvieron indicadores de exactitud diagnóstica y valores predictivos. Se aplicó el SPSS, versión 25. Resultados: según los rangos de edad y el sexo, los puntos de corte de la CCUE para clasificar la obesidad general presentaron sensibilidades y especificidades superiores a 0,85 con una área bajo la curva superior a 0,90, todos con p < 0,001. Conclusión: existe evidencia a favor de que los puntos de corte de la CCUE presentan una adecuada capacidad de diagnosticar la obesidad en este grupo etario. (AU)

Introduction: Chile is among the countries with the highest rate of excess malnutrition, for that reason it is important to have effective tools to evaluate the nutritional status; interest in neck circumference (NC) measurement as a potential prognostic tool that is easy to access and low-cost has increased. Objective: to evaluate the diagnostic capacity of neck circumference to predict obesity in the population aged 15-16 years, using data from the third National Health Survey 2009-2010. Materials and methods: Concurrent Criteria of Diagnostic Validation were used for the study. The sample consisted of 536 people of ages from 15 to 26 years, where BMI data where taken in order to classify obesity versus normality (gold standard), as was NC (measured in centimeters). People with hyperthyroidism were excluded. Indicators of diagnostic accuracy were obtained; the SPSS, version 25 was used for calculations. Results: according to age and gender ranks, the NC cut-off points to classify general obesity showed sensitivities and specificities above 0.85, with an area under the curve over 0.90, all with p < 0.001. Conclusion: there is evidence that supports that NC cutoff points are a suitable tool for diagnosing obesity in this age group. (AU)

Anti-protozoal activity and metabolomic analyses of Cichorium intybus L. against Trypanosoma cruzi.

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi, is a potentially life-threatening parasitic zoonosis infecting 6-7 million people worldwide, mainly in Latin America. Due to the limited numbers of drugs available against this neglected disease and their frequent adverse effects, novel anti-chagasic agents are urgently needed. Cichorium intybus L. (chicory) is a bioactive plant with potent activity against parasitic nematodes, but its effects on protozoans are poorly known and no studies have explored its trypanocidal potential. Here, we investigated the activity of C. intybus against extracellular and intracellular stages of T. cruzi, including the prediction of trypanocidal compounds by metabolomic analyses and bioactivity-based molecular networking. Purified C. intybus extracts were prepared from leaves and roots of five C. intybus cultivars (cv. 'Benulite', 'Goldine', 'Larigot', 'Maestoso' and 'Spadona'). All C. intybus extracts induced concentration-dependent effects against T. cruzi trypomastigotes. C. intybus leaf extracts had higher trypanocidal selectivity and lower cytotoxicity on mammalian cells than root extracts. The leaf extract of C. intybus cv. Goldine also significantly reduced the number of mammalian cells infected with T. cruzi amastigotes. Metabolomic and bioactivity-based molecular networking analyses revealed 11 compounds in C. intybus leaves strongly linked with activity against trypomastigotes, including the sesquiterpene lactone lactucin, and flavonoid- and fatty acid-derivatives. Furthermore, seven distinct C. intybus molecules (including two sesquiterpene lactone-derivatives) were predicted to be involved in reducing the number of mammalian cells infected with amastigotes. This is the first report of the anti-protozoal activity of C. intybus against trypanosomatid parasites and expands our understanding of the anti-parasitic effects of this plant and its bioactive metabolites. Further studies to elucidate the anti-protozoal compound(s) in C. intybus and their mode(s) of action will improve our knowledge of using this bioactive plant as a promising source of novel broad-spectrum anti-parasitic compounds with associated health benefits and biomedical potential.

Efectividad del ayuno intermitente en dos protocolos sobre perfil lipídico, composición corporal y presión arterial en adultos. Una revisión sistemática

El ayuno intermitente se ha popularizado como una estrategia alternativa para el control de peso y disminución de algunos parámetros bioquímicos. El propósito de esta revisión sistemática fue evaluar la efectividad del ayuno intermitente en dos protocolos: ayuno en días intermitentes (ADA) y ayuno restringido en el tiempo (ART), sobre el perfil lipídico, composición corporal y presión arterial en adultos. Método: Revisión sistemática basada en ensayos controlados aleatorios consultados en las bases de datos: Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Clinical Trials, Proquest y PubMed. Se estudió a adultos mayores de 18 años con cualquier estado nutricional. La intervención correspondió a ayuno intermitente de al menos 16 horas. Se evaluaron riesgos de sesgos según la colaboración de Cochrane. Resultados: Se analizaron seis ensayos clínicos, encontrándose que el protocolo ADA, presente en cuatro de ellos, generó cambios en las variables: triglicéridos, c-HDL, c-LDL, colesterol total, peso, masa magra, masa grasa y presión arterial sistólica, mientras que el protocolo ART, presente en los dos restantes, provocó cambios en las variables: peso, masa grasa, masa magra, triglicéridos, colesterol total, c-LDL, c-HDL y glicemia. Conclusión: La evidencia disponible con ensayos clínicos nos permite sugerir que los protocolos ADA y ART pueden ser una dieta alternativa para adultos. Sin embargo, el ajuste calórico y una adecuada educación sobre estilos de vida saludable muestran resultados similares. Sin perjuicio a esto, el AI puede ser una alternativa para aquellos a quienes les es difícil seguir un patrón dietético con restricción calórica diaria.

Intermittent fasting has become popular as an alternative strategy for weight control and the reduction of some biochemical parameters. The purpose of this systematic review (SR) was to evaluate the effectiveness of intermittent fasting in two protocols: intermittent days fasting (ADA) and time-restricted fasting (ART), on lipid profile, body composition and blood pressure among adults. Methods: SR based on randomized controlled trials consulted in the following databases: Web of Science, Scopus, Library Cochrane, Clinical Trials, Proquest and PubMed. Adults over 18 years of age with any nutritional status were studied. The intervention corresponded to intermittent fasting of at least 16 hours. Risk of bias were assessed according to the Cochrane collaboration. Results: Six clinical trials were analyzed, finding that the ADA protocol, present in four of them, generated changes in the variables: triglycerides, c-HDL, c-LDL, total cholesterol, weight, lean mass, fat mass and systolic blood pressure, while the ART protocol, present in the remaining two, caused changes in the variables: weight, fat mass, lean mass, triglycerides, total cholesterol, c-LDL, c-HDL and glycemia. Conclusion: The available evidence with clinical trials allows us to suggest that the ADA and ART protocols can be an alternative diet for adults. However, caloric adjustment and adequate education on healthy lifestyles show similar results. Notwithstanding this, intermittent fasting may be an alternative for those who find it difficult to follow a dietary pattern with daily caloric restriction.

Suspensiones quirúrgicas: un desafío para la gestión clínica post Covid 19

Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia, las causas y los factores asociados de suspensión de cirugías programadas en un hospital de alta complejidad en un periodo de 5 años. Materiales y Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal, en un hospital terciario del sur de Chile durante los años 2014 a 2018. Se describe la frecuencia de suspensión quirúrgica del establecimiento y por especialidad, especificando sus principales causas. Además, se identificaron aquellas suspensiones evitables y sus factores asociados mediante regresión logística. Resultados: La tasa de suspensión en los 5 años de estudio fue de 11,2%. Neurocirugía y Traumatología tuvieron la mayor tasa de suspensión (18,8% y 13,9%, respectivamente), mientras que Ginecología y Obstetricia la menor (4,1%). Las causas más frecuentes fueron la inasistencia del paciente (16,9%), la prolongación de la cirugía anterior (16,4%) y la paralización de actividades por motivos gremiales (7,9%). Un 80,1% de las causas fueron evitables. La especialidad quirúrgica y la edad del paciente fueron los factores asociados más relevantes. Discusión: Se evidenció una alta tasa de suspensiones quirúrgicas y la mayoría por causas evitables. Su disminución puede ser la intervención más costo efectiva para contribuir a reducir las extensas listas de espera quirúrgica posterior a la crisis sanitaria por COVID 19, ya que sólo requiere optimizar los recursos existentes. Conclusiones: La suspensión quirúrgica es un problema frecuente en el proceso quirúrgico. Nuestros resultados permiten identificar a los grupos de mayor riesgo de suspensión, asignar responsabilidades a los equipos quirúrgicos y desarrollar estrategias efectivas para su prevención.

Aim: To determine the frequency, the causes and the associated factors of the surgical cancellation of scheduled surgeries at the Hospital Base Valdivia between the years 2014 and 2018. Materials and Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out. Were described the frequency of suspension of scheduled surgeries of the establishment, by specialty and their main causes, identifying those that can be avoided. In addition, the factors associated with suspension were identified by logistic regression. Results: The suspension rate in the 5 years of study was 11.2%. Neurosurgery and Traumatology had the highest frequency of surgical cancellation (18.8% y 13.9%, respectively), Obstetrics, and Gynecology the lowest (4.1%). The most frequent causes of suspension were the absence of the patient (16.9%), the prolongation of the previous surgery (16.4%) and the suspension of activities due to Union reasons (7.9%). 80.1% of the causes were avoidable. The age and surgical specialty were the most relevant associated factorsm Discussion: A high rate of surgical suspensions and most for avoidable reasons were evident. Reducing surgical cancellations can be the most cost effective intervention to help reduce the extensive post-health crisis surgical waiting lists by COVID 19, as it only requires optimizing existing resources. Conclusions: Surgical suspension is a common problem in the surgical process. Our results allow to identify the groups most at risk of suspension, assign responsibilities to surgical teams and develop effective strategies for their prevention.

Effect of a Ketogenic Diet on the Nutritional Parameters of Obese Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The effect of a ketogenic diet (KD) on biochemical parameters and nutritional status has been the subject of debate over the years, as several randomized clinical trials (RCTs) obtained different results. METHOD: A systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of RCTs comparing KD with a balanced diet was performed by means of a search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science. Trials where the method for measuring the response variables was unclear, those that considered pathologies other than chronic non-communicable diseases and those with participants receiving pharmacological treatment for obesity were excluded from the comparison. RESULTS: Of the studies included in the meta-analysis, no statistically significant standardized mean differences were observed for body mass index (BMI) (d = -0.457, p = 0.359), total cholesterol, COL-T (d = 0.230, p = 0.591), high-density lipoprotein, HDL (d = -0.028, p = 0.934), low-density lipoprotein, LDL (d = 0.528, p = 0.173), or triglycerides, TG (d = -0.283, p = 0.222), with high values of heterogeneity. The percentage of women included in the studies is a significant moderating variable in terms of BMI ratio (z = -6.68, p < 0.001) and TG (z = -2.27, p = 0.023). CONCLUSION: A KD shows no more benefits on nutritional parameters than a balanced diet, and adverse effects of being on the diet are sometimes reported.

A Method to Estimate the Efficacy vs. Effectiveness in Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials with Different Adherence Scenarios: A Monte Carlo Simulation Study in Nutrition.

Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating the effectiveness of interventions to promote fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption usually report intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis as the main outcome. These analyses compare the randomly assigned groups and accept that some individuals may not follow the recommendations received in their group. The ITT analysis is useful to quantify the global effect of promoting the consumption of FV in a population (effectiveness) but, if non-adherence is significant in the RCT, they cannot estimate the specific effect in the individuals that increased their FV consumption (efficacy). To calculate the efficacy of FV consumption, a per protocol analysis (PP) would have to be carried out, in which groups of individuals are compared according to their actual adherence to FV consumption, regardless of the group to which they were assigned; unfortunately, many RCTs do not report the PP analysis. The objective of this article is to apply a new method to estimate the efficacy of Meta-analysis (MA) PP which include RCTs of effectiveness by ITT, without estimates of adherence. The method is based on generating Monte Carlo simulations of percentages of adherence in each allocation group from prior distributions informed by expert knowledge. We illustrate the method reanalyzing a Cochrane Systematic Review (SR) of RCTs on increased FV consumption reported with ITT, simulating 1000 times the estimation of a PP meta-analyses, and obtaining means and ranges of the potential PP effects. In some cases, the range of estimated PP effects was clearly more favourable than the effect calculated with the original ITT assumption, and therefore this corrected analysis must be considered when estimating the true effect of the consumption of a certain food.

Improving the sensitivity of gastrointestinal helminth detection using the Mini-FLOTAC technique in wild birds.

High-performance-validated tests are essential for successful epidemiological monitoring, surveillance of parasitic infections, and comparative studies in wildlife populations. The Mini-FLOTAC is a novel flotation-based technique for the sensitive detection and quantification of gastrointestinal parasites that is recently being explored for use in wildlife. A limitation of any flotation-based copromicroscopic method is the selection of the flotation solution (FS), which might influence the performance of the test. However, no study has compared the influence of using different FS in the Mini-FLOTAC technique for parasite detection in wild birds. Here, we evaluated the diagnostic performance of the Mini-FLOTAC in three waterbird host species using two widely used FS: saturated salt (NaCl; specific gravity 1.20) and saturated zinc sulfate (ZnSO4; specific gravity 1.35). One hundred fresh fecal samples were analyzed for parasite fecal egg counts (FEC). Regardless of the host species, fecal samples evaluated with the Mini-FLOTAC method using ZnSO4 resulted in a significantly higher detection rate and higher FEC of strongylid, capillarid, cestode, and trematode parasites, than samples analyzed with the NaCl solution. Our concise study demonstrated the importance of using an appropriate FS for the identification of parasite eggs in wildlife species, especially in hosts with an expected aggregated distribution and low parasite load such as waterbird hosts. The higher analytical sensitivity of the Mini-FLOTAC technique achieved with ZnSO4, and its applicability to fieldwork, highlights this method as a promising tool for the quantitative surveillance of parasite infections in wild bird populations.

Bio-Guided Fractionation and Molecular Networking Reveal Fatty Acids to Be Principal Anti-Parasitic Compounds in Nordic Seaweeds.

Widespread use of antimicrobial drugs has led to high levels of drug-resistance in pathogen populations and a need for novel sources of anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic compounds. Macroalgae (seaweed) are potentially a rich source of bioactive compounds, and several species have traditionally been used as vermifuges. Here, we investigated the anti-parasitic properties of four common cold-water Nordic seaweeds; Palmaria palmata (Rhodophyta), Laminaria digitata, Saccharina latissima and Ascophyllum nodosum (Ochrophyta, Phaeophyceae). Screening of organic extracts against helminths of swine (Ascaris suum) and sheep (Teladorsagia circumcincta) revealed that S. latissima and L. digitata had particularly high biological activity. A combination of molecular networking and bio-guided fractionation led to the isolation of six compounds from extracts of these two species identified in both fermented and non-fermented samples. The six isolated compounds were tentatively identified by using MS-FINDER as five fatty acids and one monoglyceride: Stearidonic acid (1), Eicosapentaenoic acid (2), Alpha-Linolenic acid (3), Docosahexaenoic acid (4), Arachidonic acid (5), and Monoacylglycerol (MG 20:5) (6). Individual compounds showed only modest activity against A. suum, but a clear synergistic effect was apparent when selected compounds were tested in combination. Collectively, our data reveal that fatty acids may have a previously unappreciated role as natural anti-parasitic compounds, which suggests that seaweed products may represent a viable option for control of intestinal helminth infections.

Identification of compounds responsible for the anthelmintic effects of chicory (Cichorium intybus) by molecular networking and bio-guided fractionation.

Increasing resistance towards anthelmintic drugs has necessitated the search for alternative treatments for the control of gastrointestinal nematode parasites. Animals fed on chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), a temperate (pasture) crop, have reduced parasite burdens, hence making C. intybus a potentially useful source for novel anthelmintic compounds or a diet-based preventive/therapeutic option. Here, we utilized in vitro bioassays with the parasitic nematode Ascaris suum and molecular networking techniques with five chicory cultivars to identify putative active compounds. Network analysis predicted sesquiterpene lactones (SL) as the most likely group of anthelmintic compounds. Further bioassay-guided fractionation supported these predictions, and isolation of pure compounds demonstrated that the SL 8-deoxylactucin (8-DOL) is the compound most strongly associated with anti-parasitic activity. Furthermore, we showed that 8-DOL acts in a synergistic combination with other SL to exert the anti-parasitic effects. Finally, we established that chicory-derived extracts also showed activity against two ruminant nematodes (Teladorsagia circumcincta and Cooperia oncophora) in in vitro assays. Collectively, our results confirm the anti-parasitic activity of chicory against a range of nematodes, and pave the way for targeted extraction of active compounds or selective breeding of specific cultivars to optimize its future use in human and veterinary medicine.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the time to endoscopy in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleedin.

INTRODUCTION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, endoscopic procedures are associated with a high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, in cases of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB), priority should be given to an early endoscopy. OBJECTIVE: The main objective was to compare the time since arrival at the hospital and the performance of the endoscopy between both groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study. Data contains information of patients who attended to the hospital with UGIB and underwent an endoscopy between October 19th, 2019 and June 6th, 2020. Patients were divided into 2 phases: pre-pandemic and pandemic. The time between arrival at the hospital and the performance of the endoscopy in both phases were compared as well as other indicators such hospital stay and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: With information from 219 patients, the median age was 69 years. 154 and 65 endoscopies were performed in pre-pandemic and pandemic phase, respectively. The time between arrival at the hospital and the performance of the endoscopy was significantly longer during the pandemic (10.00 vs. 13.08 hours, p-value = 0.019). Nevertheless, there were no significant differences in hospital stay or mortality. CONCLUSION: The management of patients with UGIB during the COVID-19 pandemic is complex and requires the application of clinical judgment to decide the best timing to perform an endoscopy without affecting patient care.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the time to endoscopy in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding / Impacto de la pandemia de COVID-19 en el tiempo hasta la endoscopia en pacientes con hemorragia digestiva alta

ABSTRACT Introduction : During the COVID-19 pandemic, endoscopic procedures are associated with a high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, in cases of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB), priority should be given to an early endoscopy. Objective : The main objective was to compare the time since arrival at the hospital and the performance of the endoscopy between both groups. Materials and methods : We performed a retrospective study. Data contains information of patients who attended to the hospital with UGIB and underwent an endoscopy between October 19th, 2019 and June 6th, 2020. Patients were divided into 2 phases: pre-pandemic and pandemic. The time between arrival at the hospital and the performance of the endoscopy in both phases were compared as well as other indicators such hospital stay and in-hospital mortality. Results : With information from 219 patients, the median age was 69 years. 154 and 65 endoscopies were performed in pre-pandemic and pandemic phase, respectively. The time between arrival at the hospital and the performance of the endoscopy was significantly longer during the pandemic (10.00 vs. 13.08 hours, p-value = 0.019). Nevertheless, there were no significant differences in hospital stay or mortality. Conclusion : The management of patients with UGIB during the COVID-19 pandemic is complex and requires the application of clinical judgment to decide the best timing to perform an endoscopy without affecting patient care.

RESUMEN Introducción : Durante la pandemia de COVID-19, los procedimientos endoscópicos se asocian con un alto riesgo de infección por SARS-CoV-2. Sin embargo, en casos de hemorragia digestiva alta (HDA), se debe dar prioridad a una endoscopia precoz. Objetivo : El objetivo principal fue comparar el tiempo transcurrido desde la llegada al hospital y la realización de la endoscopia entre ambos grupos. Materiales y métodos : Realizamos un estudio retrospectivo. Los datos contienen información de pacientes que acudieron al hospital con HDA y fueron sometidos a endoscopia entre el 19 de octubre de 2019 y el 6 de junio de 2020. Los pacientes se dividieron en 2 fases: prepandémica y pandémica. Se comparó el tiempo transcurrido entre la llegada al hospital y la realización de la endoscopia en ambas fases, así como otros indicadores como la estancia hospitalaria y la mortalidad intrahospitalaria. Resultados : Con información de 219 pacientes, la mediana de edad fue de 69 años. Se realizaron 154 y 65 endoscopias en fase prepandémica y pandémica, respectivamente. El tiempo entre la llegada al hospital y la realización de la endoscopia fue significativamente mayor durante la pandemia (10,00 frente a 13,08 horas, valor de p = 0,019). Sin embargo, no hubo diferencias significativas en la estancia hospitalaria ni en la mortalidad. Conclusión : El manejo de pacientes con HDA durante la pandemia de COVID-19 es complejo y requiere la aplicación del juicio clínico para decidir el mejor momento para realizar una endoscopia sin afectar la atención del paciente.