Early Intensive Neurorehabilitation in Traumatic Peripheral Nerve Injury-State of the Art.

Traumatic nerve injuries are common lesions that affect several hundred thousand humans, as well as dogs and cats. The assessment of nerve regeneration through animal models may provide information for translational research and future therapeutic options that can be applied mutually in veterinary and human medicine, from a One Health perspective. This review offers a hands-on vision of the non-invasive and conservative approaches to peripheral nerve injury, focusing on the role of neurorehabilitation in nerve repair and regeneration. The peripheral nerve injury may lead to hypersensitivity, allodynia and hyperalgesia, with the possibility of joint contractures, decreasing functionality and impairing the quality of life. The question remains regarding how to improve nerve repair with surgical possibilities, but also considering electrical stimulation modalities by modulating sensory feedback, upregulation of BDNF, GFNF, TrKB and adenosine monophosphate, maintaining muscle mass and modulating fatigue. This could be improved by the positive synergetic effect of exercises and physical activity with locomotor training, and other physical modalities (low-level laser therapy, ultrasounds, pulsed electromagnetic fields, electroacupuncture and others). In addition, the use of cell-based therapies is an innovative treatment tool in this field. These strategies may help avoid situations of permanent monoplegic limbs that could lead to amputation.

The Role of Early Rehabilitation and Functional Electrical Stimulation in Rehabilitation for Cats with Partial Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury: A Pilot Study on Domestic Cats in Portugal.

This prospective observational cohort pilot study included 22 cats diagnosed with partial traumatic brachial plexus injury (PTBPI), aiming to explore responses to an early intensive neurorehabilitation protocol in a clinical setting. This protocol included functional electrical stimulation (FES), locomotor treadmill training and kinesiotherapy exercises, starting at the time with highest probability of nerve repair. The synergetic benefits of this multimodal approach were based on the potential structural and protective role of proteins and the release of neurotrophic factors. Furthermore, FES was parametrized according to the presence or absence of deep pain. Following treatment, 72.6% of the cats achieved ambulation: 9 cats within 15 days, 2 cats within 30 days and 5 cats within 60 days. During the four-year follow-up, there was evidence of improvement in both muscle mass and muscle weakness, in addition to the disappearance of neuropathic pain. Notably, after the 60 days of neurorehabilitation, 3 cats showed improved ambulation after arthrodesis of the carpus. Thus, early rehabilitation, with FES applied in the first weeks after injury and accurate parametrization according to the presence or absence of deep pain, may help in functional recovery and ambulation, reducing the probability of amputation.

Cost-Effectiveness of Comprehensive Genomic Profiling in Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer for the Colombian Health System.

INTRODUCTION: The use of comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) and target therapies is associated with substantial improvements in clinical outcomes among patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the costs of CGP may increase the financial pressures of NSCLC on health systems worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of CGP compared with current genomic tests in patients with NSCLC from the perspective of the Colombian Health System. METHODS: To estimate the costs and benefits of CGP and its comparators, we developed a 2-stage cohort model with a lifetime horizon. In the first stage, we made up a decision tree that calculated the probability of receiving each therapy as result of identifying a specific, actionable target. In the second stage, we developed a partitioned survival model that estimated the time spent at each health state. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated for life-years (LYs) and quality-adjusted LYs gained. All costs were expressed in 2019 international dollars (INT$). RESULTS: CGP is associated with gains of 0.06 LYs and 0.04 quality-adjusted LYs compared with current genomic tests. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for CGP ranged from INT$861 to INT$7848, depending on the outcome and the comparator. Sensitivity analyses show that the cost-effectiveness decision was sensitive to prices of CGP above INT$7170 per test. These results are robust to most deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: CGP may be cost-effective in patients with NSCLC from the perspective of the Colombian Health System (societal willingness-to-pay threshold of INT$15 630 to INT$46 890).

Spinal shock in severe SCI dogs and early implementation of intensive neurorehabilitation programs.

Spinal shock is complex, paradoxical with sudden presentation, possibly leading to a guarded prognosis. Thus, it is suggested the need for early implementation of intensive neurorehabilitation. This prospective controlled blinded cohort study aims to understand the implication of spinal shock in neurorehabilitation of severe SCI dogs and the importance of its evaluation thought a spinal shock scale (SSS). 371 dogs were randomized by stratification according the presence of spinal shock in the SG (n = 245) or CG (n = 126). The SSS, a punctuation scale (0-7), was evaluated at admission and each 6 h for 3 days, each day for 15 days, each week for 6 weeks, each month until 3 months, followed by 3 monthly follow-ups. All dogs had similar land and underwater treadmill training with functional electrical stimulation. Observational dataset allowed an approximate level of power (1-ß) of 0.90 and an α (Type I error) of 0.01, with a total of 11,088 SSS observations between two blinded observers and 18% of disagreement. 75% of the dogs were admitted in 24-48 h after injury, allowing early detection of spinal shock, and dogs admitted at 72 h with SSS ≥ 4 were not able to achieve ambulation. Regarding ambulation rate, there was a significant difference between groups, with 66.9% of ambulation in the SG and 97.6% in the CG. Also, there was a difference in regard to time until ambulation, with a mean of 31.57 days for the SG and 23.02 for the CG. The SSS estimated marginal means had an exponential decrease within the first 6 h, followed by a slower decrease, but always faster in spinal shock dogs diagnosed with non-compressive myelopathies. Thus, early intensive neurorehabilitation in dogs after severe SCI may benefit from SSS classifications at admission and during treatment to establish different therapeutic protocols according to each patient's needs, especially in deep pain negative dogs.

Efectividad de la crioterapia suministrada por enfermeras para lesiones preneoplásicas del cuello uterino

Introducción. El cáncer de cuello uterino es un problema de salud pública relevante en países de ingresos medios y bajos. El seguimiento de mujeres con tamización positiva y el acceso a tratamiento para neoplasia intraepitelial cervical (NIC) son retos mayores en estos países. Objetivo. Evaluar la efectividad de la crioterapia suministrada por enfermeras en casos de neoplasia intraepitelial de cérvix. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo la inspección visual directa con ácido acético y solución yodada (VIA-VILI), y se practicó colposcopia con biopsia, a mujeres entre los 25 y los 59 años, residentes en zonas de bajos ingresos de Bogotá. Profesionales de enfermería entrenados ofrecieron tratamiento inmediato con crioterapia a mujeres positivas en la inspección visual. Se les practicó colposcopia con biopsia antes del tratamiento y en un control a los 12 meses. Se evaluó la efectividad mediante tasas de curación (resultado: sin lesión) y regresión de NIC2/3 (resultado: ≤NIC1), por verificación colposcópica e histológica. Resultados. Se tamizaron 4.957 mujeres. En total, 499 fueron positivas y 472 aceptaron el tratamiento inmediato. Recibieron crioterapia por enfermería 365 mujeres (11 NIC2/3). La tasa de curación fue del 72 % (IC95%: 39-94 %) por verificación colposcópica, y del 40 % (IC95%: 22-85 %) por histología. Las tasas de regresión fueron del 100 y el 60 %, respectivamente. Se reportaron dos eventos adversos no graves relacionados. Conclusiones. Las tasas de curación y regresión por verificación colposcópica son similares a las reportadas con crioterapia administrada por médicos. El tamaño de la muestra con NIC2/3 dificulta la comparación por tipo de verificación. Los hallazgos apoyan la implementación de estrategias de "ver y tratar" por parte de enfermería en poblaciones con acceso limitado a servicios de salud.

Introduction. Cervical cancer is a relevant public health problem for low- and middleincome countries. Follow-up of positive-screened women and compliance with treatment of precancerous lesions are major challenges for these settings. Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of cryotherapy delivered by nurses for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Materials and methods. Direct visual inspection with acetic acid and lugol iodine (VIA- VILI), and colposcopy/biopsy were performed on women 25 to 59 years old, residents of low-income areas in Bogotá, Colombia. Trained nurses offered immediate cryotherapy to every woman with positive visual inspection. Colposcopy/biopsy was performed before treatment and at a 12-month follow-up. The effectiveness was measured as cure (outcome: no-lesion) and regression (outcome: CIN1) rates of CIN2/3 using colposcopic and histological verification. Results. A group of 4.957 women with VIA/VILI was valuated. In total, 499 were screen positive and 472 accepted immediate treatment. A total of 365 women (11 CIN2/3) received cryotherapy by nurses. Cure rate was 72% (95%CI: 39%-94%) and 40% (95%CI: 22%- 85%) by colposcopic and histological verification, respectively. Regression rates were 100% and 60%. There were two related non-serious adverse events. Conclusions. Cure and regression rates by colposcopic verification are like those reported for cryotherapy delivered by doctors. The sample size (CIN2/3) hinders comparisons by type of verification. Our findings support the implementation of screen-and-treat algorithms by nurses among populations with limited access to health services.

Morbidity of adjuvant treatment in early cervical cancer: a retrospective cohort study in a Latin American center.

Background: Radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymph node assessment is the standard of treatment in early cervical cancer. Adjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy are offered to patients with risk factors for recurrence. The objective of this study was to compare the incidence of severe (> G3) early or late morbidity related to treatment in patients with cervical cancer undergoing radical surgery with/without adjuvant treatment in a Latin American center. Materials and methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with cervical cancer stage IA1 to IB1. Complications were evaluated according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.0. The cumulative incidence of severe morbidity was estimated. Risk ratios (RR) were calculated to determine the factors associated with morbidity. Results: 239 patients were included. 133 (55.6%) received only radical surgical management and 106 (44.4%) adjuvant treatment. The incidence of early morbidity was 18.8% [95% confidence interval (CI): 12.6% to 26.5%] in the group without adjuvant treatment versus 21.7% (95% CI: 14.3% to 30.8%) in the adjuvant treatment group (p = 0.58). Late morbidity was 3% (95% CI: 1% to 7.5%) and 8.5% (95% CI: 4% to 15.5%), respectively (p = 0.063). No statistically significant differences regarding grade ≥ 3 morbidity between the groups was found (2.3% vs. 5.7%, p = 0.289). Complications during surgery is the only factor associated with postoperative morbidity related to treatment (RR = 4.1) (95% CI: 3% to 5.7%). Conclusion: In our study, the addition of adjuvant treatment for early cervical cancer patients who underwent radical surgery did not increase the incidence of severe early or late morbidity.

Intensive neurorehabilitation and allogeneic stem cells transplantation in canine degenerative myelopathy.

Introduction: Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a neurodegenerative spinal cord disease with upper motor neurons, with progressive and chronic clinical signs, similar to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). DM has a complex etiology mainly associated with SOD1 gene mutation and its toxic role, with no specific treatment. Daily intensive rehabilitation showed survival time near 8 months but most animals are euthanized 6-12 months after clinical signs onset. Methods: This prospective controlled blinded cohort clinical study aims to evaluate the neural regeneration response ability of DM dogs subjected to an intensive neurorehabilitation protocol with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation. In total, 13 non-ambulatory (OFS 6 or 8) dogs with homozygous genotype DM/DM and diagnosed by exclusion were included. All were allocated to the intensive neurorehabilitation with MSCs protocol (INSCP) group (n = 8) or to the ambulatory rehabilitation protocol (ARP) group (n = 5), which differ in regard to training intensity, modalities frequency, and MSCs transplantation. The INSCP group was hospitalized for 1 month (T0 to T1), followed by MSCs transplantation (T1) and a second month (T2), whereas the ARP group was under ambulatory treatment for the same 2 months. Results: Survival mean time of total population was 375 days, with 438 days for the INSCP group and 274 for the ARP group, with a marked difference on the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. When comparing the literature's results, there was also a clear difference in the one-sample t-test (p = 0.013) with an increase in time of approximately 70%. OFS classifications between groups at each time point were significantly different (p = 0.008) by the one-way ANOVA and the independent sample t-test. Discussion: This INSCP showed to be safe, feasible, and a possibility for a long progression of DM dogs with quality of life and functional improvement. This study should be continued.

Fragmentation of Care and Its Association With Survival and Costs for Patients With Breast Cancer in Colombia.

PURPOSE: Breast cancer care requires a multimodal approach and a multidisciplinary team who must work together to obtain good clinical results. The fragmentation of care can affect the breast cancer care; however, it has not been measured in a low-resource setting. The aim of this study was to identify fragmentation of care, the geographic variation of this and its association with 4-year overall survival (OS), and costs of care for patients with breast cancer enrolled in Colombia's contributory health care system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using administrative databases. Women with breast cancer who were treated from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2015, were included. Fragmentation of care was the exposure, which was measured by the number of different health care provider institutions (HCPIs) that treated a patient during the first year after diagnosis. Crude mortality rates were estimated, survival functions were calculated using the nonparametric Kaplan-Meier approach, and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated using multivariate Cox regression model to identify the association of fragmentation with 4-year OS. The association between fragmentation and costs of care was assessed using a multivariate linear regression model. RESULTS: A total of 10,999 patients with breast cancer were identified, and 1,332 deaths were observed. The 4-year crude mortality rate was 31.97 (95% CI, 30.25 to 33.69) per 1,000 person-years for the whole cohort, and the highest rate was in the cohort defined for the fourth quartile of the fragmentation measurement (eight or more HCPIs), 40.94 (95% CI, 36.49 to 45.39). The adjusted HR for 4-year OS was 1.04 (95% CI, 1.01 to 1.07) for each HCPI additional. The cost of care is increased for each additional HCPIs (cost ratio, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.23 to 1.26). CONCLUSION: Fragmentation of care decreases overall 4-year OS and increases the costs of care in women with breast cancer for Colombia.

Clinical Occurrences in the Neurorehabilitation of Dogs with Severe Spinal Cord Injury.

This prospective observational clinical study in a population of tetraplegic and paraplegic dogs (n = 488) with or without deep pain sensation, similar to humans ASIA A and B, investigated the prevalence of clinical occurrences in a rehabilitation center with a hospitalization regime between 15 days and 9 months. A checklist of occurrences was used for easy identification and monitoring, resulting in a total of 79.5% occurrences. There were 58% of dogs with neurogenic bladder, 35.5% with diarrhea, 21.3% with urinary incontinence, and 20.5% with fecal incontinence. A low incidence of respiratory problems (e.g., pneumonia) and urinary tract infections may suggest the efficacy of some applied measures in this study, such as thoracic and abdominal POCUS evaluation, positioning strategies, physical exercises, respiratory kinesiotherapy, and early implementation of a functional neurorehabilitation protocol. These can be essential measures to prevent clinical occurrences, mainly in breeds such as the French Bulldog and the Dachshund.

hTERT and IGF-1R Proteins Expression in Response to Treatment in Patients with HPV Alpha 9-Positive Cervical Cancer.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is strongly associated with cervical cancer (CC). Genomic alterations caused by viral infection and subsequent dysregulation of cellular metabolism under hypoxic conditions could influence the response to treatment. We studied a possible influence of IGF-1Rb, hTERT, HIF1a, GLUT1 protein expression, HPV species presence and relevant clinical parameters on the response to treatment. In 21 patients, HPV infection and protein expression were detected using GP5+/GP6+PCR-RLB and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The worse response was associated with radiotherapy alone compared with chemoradiotherapy (CTX-RT), anemia and HIF1a expression. HPV16 type was the most frequent (57.1%) followed by HPV-58 (14.2%) and HPV-56 (9.5%). The HPV alpha 9 species was the most frequent (76.1%) followed by alpha 6 and alpha 7. IGF-1Rb (85.7%), HIF1a (61.9%), GLUT1 (52.3%), and hTERT expression [cytoplasm and nucleus (90.4%)] were detected. The MCA factorial map showed different relationships, standing out, expression of hTERT and alpha 9 species HPV, expression of hTERT and IGF-1Rb expression [Fisher's exact test (P = 0.04)]. A slight trend of association was observed between, GLUT1 and HIF1 a expression, hTERT and GLUT1 expression. A noteworthy finding was the subcellular localization of hTERT in the nucleus and cytoplasm of CC cells and its possible interaction with IGF-1R in presence of HPV alpha 9 species. Our findings suggest that the expression of HIF1a, hTERT, IGF-1Rb and GLUT1 proteins that interact with some HPV species may contribute to cervical cancer development, and the modu lation of treatment response.

Effectiveness of cryotherapy delivered by nurses for treatment of cervical preneoplasic lesions / Efectividad de la crioterapia suministrada por enfermeras para lesiones preneoplásicas del cuello uterino.

Introduction. Cervical cancer is a relevant public health problem for low- and middleincome countries. Follow-up of positive-screened women and compliance with treatment of precancerous lesions are major challenges for these settings. Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of cryotherapy delivered by nurses for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Materials and methods. Direct visual inspection with acetic acid and lugol iodine (VIAVILI), and colposcopy/biopsy were performed on women 25 to 59 years old, residents of low-income areas in Bogotá, Colombia. Trained nurses offered immediate cryotherapy to every woman with positive visual inspection. Colposcopy/biopsy was performed before treatment and at a 12-month follow-up. The effectiveness was measured as cure (outcome: no-lesion) and regression (outcome: CIN1) rates of CIN2/3 using colposcopic and histological verification. Results. A group of 4.957 women with VIA/VILI was valuated. In total, 499 were screen positive and 472 accepted immediate treatment. A total of 365 women (11 CIN2/3) received cryotherapy by nurses. Cure rate was 72% (95%CI: 39%-94%) and 40% (95%CI: 22%-85%) by colposcopic and histological verification, respectively. Regression rates were 100% and 60%. There were two related non-serious adverse events. Conclusions. Cure and regression rates by colposcopic verification are like those reported for cryotherapy delivered by doctors. The sample size (CIN2/3) hinders comparisons by type of verification. Our findings support the implementation of screen-and-treat algorithms by nurses among populations with limited access to health services.

Introducción. El cáncer de cuello uterino es un problema de salud pública relevante en países de ingresos medios y bajos. El seguimiento de mujeres con tamización positiva y el acceso a tratamiento para neoplasia intraepitelial cervical (NIC) son retos mayores en estos países. Objetivo. Evaluar la efectividad de la crioterapia suministrada por enfermeras en casos de neoplasia intraepitelial de cérvix. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo la inspección visual directa con ácido acético y solución yodada (VIA-VILI), y se practicó colposcopia con biopsia, a mujeres entre los 25 y los 59 años, residentes en zonas de bajos ingresos de Bogotá. Profesionales de enfermería entrenados ofrecieron tratamiento inmediato con crioterapia a mujeres positivas en la inspección visual. Se les practicó colposcopia con biopsia antes del tratamiento y en un control a los 12 meses. Se evaluó la efectividad mediante tasas de curación (resultado: sin lesión) y regresión de NIC2/3 (resultado: ≤NIC1), por verificación colposcópica e histológica. Resultados. Se tamizaron 4.957 mujeres. En total, 499 fueron positivas y 472 aceptaron el tratamiento inmediato. Recibieron crioterapia por enfermería 365 mujeres (11 NIC2/3). La tasa de curación fue del 72 % (IC95%: 39-94 %) por verificación colposcópica, y del 40 % (IC95%: 22-85 %) por histología. Las tasas de regresión fueron del 100 y el 60 %, respectivamente. Se reportaron dos eventos adversos no graves relacionados.Conclusiones. Las tasas de curación y regresión por verificación colposcópica son similares a las reportadas con crioterapia administrada por médicos. El tamaño de la muestra con NIC2/3 dificulta la comparación por tipo de verificación. Los hallazgos apoyan la implementación de estrategias de "ver y tratar" por parte de enfermería en poblaciones con acceso limitado a servicios de salud.

Approach to Small Animal Neurorehabilitation by Locomotor Training: An Update.

Neurorehabilitation has a wide range of therapies to achieve neural regeneration, reorganization, and repair (e.g., axon regeneration, remyelination, and restoration of spinal circuits and networks) to achieve ambulation for dogs and cats, especially for grade 1 (modified Frankel scale) with signs of spinal shock or grade 0 (deep pain negative), similar to humans classified with ASIA A lesions. This review aims to explain what locomotor training is, its importance, its feasibility within a clinical setting, and some possible protocols for motor recovery, achieving ambulation with coordinated and modulated movements. In addition, it cites some of the primary key points that must be present in the daily lives of veterinarians or rehabilitation nurses. These can be the guidelines to improve this exciting exercise necessary to achieve ambulation with quality of life. However, more research is essential in the future years.

Early Locomotor Training in Tetraplegic Post-Surgical Dogs with Cervical Intervertebral Disc Disease.

Locomotor training (LT) is task-specific repetitive training, with sensorimotor stimulation and intensive exercises that promote neuromuscular reorganization. This study aimed to observe if LT could be initiated safely in the first 3−15 days after surgery in tetraplegic C1−C5 IVDD­Hansen type I dogs. This prospective blinded clinical study was conducted at two rehabilitation centers in Portugal, with 114 grade 1 (MFS/OFS) dogs, divided by the presence of spinal hyperesthesia into the SHG (spinal hyperesthesia group) (n = 74) and the NSHG (non-spinal hyperesthesia group) (n = 40), evaluated in each time point for two weeks according to a neurorehabilitation checklist by three observers for inter-agreement relation. LT was safely applied with 62.3% of the OFS ≥ 11 within 15 days and of these, 32.4% achieved a OFS ≥ 13. There were no new cases of hyperesthesia in the NSHG and from the SHG all recovered. Comparing groups, a significant difference was observed in their ability to achieve ambulatory status (p < 0.001), between the presence of hyperesthesia and days until ambulation (p < 0.006) and in each time point (p < 0.001; R2 = 0.809). Early LT may be a safe treatment to be applied in the first 3 days on these dogs and spinal hyperesthesia should be important to the rehabilitation team. This study should be continued.

Influence of Spinal Shock on the Neurorehabilitation of ANNPE Dogs.

Acute noncompressive nucleus pulposus extrusion (ANNPE) is related to contusive spinal cord injuries, and dogs usually appear to be exercising vigorously at the time of onset. ANNPE has a characteristic peracute onset of clinical signs during exercise or following trauma, with non-progressive signs during the first 24 h and possibly signs of spinal shock. The main aim was to assess if the presence of spinal shock affects the neurorehabilitation outcomes of ANNPE dogs. This prospective controlled cohort clinical study was conducted at the Arrábida Rehabilitation Center. All of the dogs had T3−L3 injuries and were paraplegic/monoplegic with/without nociception, the study group (n = 14) included dogs with ANNPE spinal shock dogs, and the control group (n = 19) included ANNPE dogs without spinal shock. The study group was also evaluated using a new scale­the Spinal Shock Scale (SSS)­and both groups were under the same intensive neurorehabilitation protocol. Spinal shock was a negative factor for a successful outcome within less time. SSS scores > 4 required additional hospitalization days. The protocol was safe, tolerable, and feasible and accomplished 32% ambulation within 7 days, 29% in 14 days, and 29% in 30 days. The results were better than those obtained in previous studies­94% at 60 days­and 75% of the dogs without nociception recovered ambulation. Long-term follows-ups carried out 4 years later revealed a positive evolution.

Análisis de Costo Efectividad del Contacto Piel a Piel al Nacimiento, Temprano vs Inmediato, en la Morbilidad Neonatal de Recién Nacidos de Bajo Riesgo.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of immediate skin-to-skin contact compared with early skin-to-skin contact in the prevalent neonatal morbidity of the low-risk newborn in Colombia. METHODS: A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted. The perspective of the third payer (health system) was used, and the time horizon was the first month of life. Low-risk term infants were included at birth. The cost estimate was obtained from an expert consensus and a retrospective cohort of neonates hospitalized in a neonatal unit. The effectiveness of the interventions was obtained from a clinical trial and was defined as an avoided case of hospitalization. A decision tree was built, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses of the effects and costs were performed. RESULTS: Early skin-to-skin contact was a dominated intervention. In the probabilistic sensitivity analyses, early skin-to-skin contact was not an option to choose in any scenario and it was dominated in 68% of the simulations. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that early skin-to-skin contact is a dominated intervention. From an economic perspective, immediate skin-to-skin contact is a desired intervention for the prevention of prevalent diseases of the low-risk newborn at birth.

A Controlled Clinical Study of Intensive Neurorehabilitation in Post-Surgical Dogs with Severe Acute Intervertebral Disc Extrusion.

This retrospective controlled clinical study aimed to verify if intensive neurorehabilitation (INR) could improve ambulation faster than spontaneous recovery or conventional physiotherapy and provide a possible therapeutic approach in post-surgical paraplegic deep pain perception-positive (DPP+) (with absent/decreased flexor reflex) and DPP-negative (DDP-) dogs, with acute intervertebral disc extrusion. A large cohort of T10-L3 Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) dogs (n = 367) were divided into a study group (SG) (n = 262) and a control group (CG) (n = 105). The SG was based on prospective clinical cases, and the CG was created by retrospective medical records. All SG dogs performed an INR protocol by the hospitalization regime based on locomotor training, electrical stimulation, and, for DPP-, a combination with pharmacological management. All were monitored throughout the process, and measuring the outcome for DPP+ was performed by OFS and, for the DPP-, by the new Functional Neurorehabilitation Scale (FNRS-DPP-). In the SG, DPP+ dogs had an ambulation rate of 99.4% (n = 167) and, in DPP-, of 58.5% (n = 55). Moreover, in DPP+, there was a strong statistically significant difference between groups regarding ambulation (p < 0.001). The same significant difference was verified in the DPP- dogs (p = 0.007). Furthermore, a tendency toward a significant statistical difference (p = 0.058) regarding DPP recovery was demonstrated between groups. Of the 59 dogs that did not recover DPP, 22 dogs achieved spinal reflex locomotion (SRL), 37.2% within a maximum of 3 months. The progressive myelomalacia cases were 14.9% (14/94). Therefore, although it is difficult to assess the contribution of INR for recovery, the results suggested that ambulation success may be improved, mainly regarding time.

Estimation of the Need for Radiation Therapy Services According to the Incidence of Cancer in Colombia to 2035.

PURPOSE: To estimate the supply and demand of current and future radiation therapy services by 2035 for Colombia. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The present study was performed by surveying different radiation therapy services identified in Colombia through the Colombian Association of Radiation Oncology. The demand was estimated based on incident cases and published information on the use of radiation therapy by type of cancer. Future demand was estimated under the assumption that incidence rates do not change and therefore the change in the number of cases is due to the change in the age structure of the Colombian population. Sensitivity analyses were conducted on the percentage of radiation therapy use by type of cancer. A Monte Carlo simulation was carried out to estimate the distribution of cases requiring radiation therapy, the amount of equipment, and the number of staff needed for care with the use of this technology. RESULTS: In total, Colombia has 69 linear accelerators, 2 radiosurgery equipment, 30 high-dose-rate brachytherapy pieces of equipment, 124 radiation therapy oncologists (113 working, 9 not working, and 2 not informed), and 275 radiation therapy technologists as of June 2020. It was estimated that to meet the current cancer burden the country would need a total of 162 radiation therapy oncologists, 121 medical physicists, and 323 radiation therapy technologists and to increase the number of radiation therapy technologists, radiation therapy oncologists, and medical physicists to 491, 246, and 184, respectively, to meet the disease burden by 2035 (73,684-88,743 cases per year). CONCLUSIONS: In Colombia it is estimated that there is a deficit of human resources and technology for radiation therapy; therefore, there is need to investment resources from the public and private sectors to provide timely and quality care to cancer patients requiring this treatment.

Accuracy of combined molecular and morphology-based triage for HPV-positive women in routine cervical cancer screening services from Colombia.

WHO cervical cancer elimination goals comprise 70% of highly-sensitive screening coverage and 90% treatment of precancerous lesions. Triage for HPV-positive women may challenge sensitivity of screening algorithms and women's follow-up, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) where screening quality and protocol adherence are frequently deficient. We aimed to determine the accuracy of triage for HPV positive women in routine screening services from Colombia by a prospective cross-sectional study. Consecutively, HPV DNA-positive women underwent six triage strategies (conventional cytology, two methods of visual inspection, HPV16/18/45-genotyping, telomerase, and HPV mRNA). Positive triage results underwent regular colposcopy/biopsy in public hospitals. Adjusted sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values for CIN2+/CIN3+ were estimated for stand-alone and combined tests. We explored the impact of triage strategies on referral rates and the complete screening algorithm (screening plus triage). Overall 16,242 women underwent HPV screening and 1789 (11.0%) were HPV-positive. In total, 20.1% of women were lost to follow-up. mRNA showed the highest positivity rate (0.64 among HPV-positive and 0.05 among the total screened cohort), the highest sensitivity (0.94 95%CI 0.75-0.96), and the lowest specificity (0.36 95%CI 0.29-0.43). Parallel testing with HPV-mRNA revealed the highest increase in sensitivity for all triage strategies. Accuracy of cytology and visual inspection differ between screening units but parallel testing with HPV16/18/45 genotyping significantly increased their sensitivity (over 0.80). Morphology-based triage for HPV-positive women remains a suitable alternative for routine practice in LMIC if combined with HPV16/18/45-genotyping; however, point-of-care triage would be preferable to reduce losses to follow-up. HPV-mRNA triage deserves cost-benefit analyses.

Comparison of the Effects of Different Skin-to-Skin Contact Onset Times on Breastfeeding Behavior.

Objective: Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) between mother and child improves the rates of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in the neonatal period. This study evaluated the effects of two SSC onset times on breastfeeding behavior in the neonatal period. Materials and Methods: A multicenter clinical trial was conducted, with random allocation of participants to two different SSC onset times: immediate (at birth) and early (at 60 minutes of life). Low-risk neonates at birth were included. The researchers responsible for analyzing the data were blinded. The outcomes evaluated were early breastfeeding; EBF in the hospital, in the first week of life, and in the first month; and breastfeeding effectiveness in the neonatal period. Bivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the effect of the onset of SSC on breastfeeding indicators. The relative risk (RR) was reported as an effect measure. Results: A total of 297 neonates were included (immediate SSC, n = 148; and early SSC, n = 149). No differences were found in early breastfeeding (93.6% versus 90.6%; RR 1.6, 95% confidence interval 0.07-3.82), breastfeeding effectiveness, or EBF in the neonatal period. There was an earlier initiation of breastfeeding in the immediate SSC group (22 versus 27 minutes, p < 0.001). Conclusions: No differences in breastfeeding indicators in the neonatal period were observed between groups with different onset times of SSC (immediate versus early) in the neonatal sensitive period among low-risk neonates at birth. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT02687685.

Functional Neurorehabilitation in Dogs with an Incomplete Recovery 3 Months following Intervertebral Disc Surgery: A Case Series.

This case series study aimed to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and positive outcome of the neurorehabilitation multimodal protocol (NRMP) in 16 chronic post-surgical IVDD Hansen type I dogs, with OFS 0/DPP- (n = 9) and OFS 1/DPP+ (n = 7). All were enrolled in the NRMP for a maximum of 90 days and were clinically discharged after achieving ambulation. The NRMP was based on locomotor training, functional electrical stimulation, transcutaneous electrical spinal cord stimulation, and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) pharmacological management. In the Deep Pain Perception (DPP)+ dogs, 100% recovered ambulation within a mean period of 47 days, reaching OFS ≥11, which suggests that a longer period of time is needed for recovery. At follow-up, all dogs presented a positive evolution with voluntary micturition. Of the DPP- dogs admitted, all achieved a flexion/extension locomotor pattern within 30 days, and after starting the 4-AP, two dogs were discharged at outcome day 45, with 78% obtaining Spinal Reflex Locomotion (SRL) and automatic micturition within a mean period of 62 days. At follow-up, all dogs maintained their neurological status. After the NRMP, ambulatory status was achieved in 88% (14/16) of dogs, without concurrent events. Thus, an NRMP may be an important therapeutic option to reduce the need for euthanasia in the clinical setting.