Molecular Photothermal Conversion Catalyst Promotes Photocontrolled Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization.

Photothermal conversion is a growing research area that promotes thermal transformations with visible light irradiation. However, few examples of dual photothermal conversion and catalysis limit the power of this phenomenon. Here, we take inspiration from nature's ability to use porphyrinic compounds for nonradiative relaxation to convert light into heat to facilitate thermal polymerization catalysis. We identify the photothermal conversion catalytic activity of a vitamin B12 derivative, heptamethyl ester cobyrinate (HME-Cob), to perform atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) under irradiation. Rapid polymerization are obtained under photothermal activation while maintaining good control over polymerization with the aid of a photoinitiator to enable light-induced catalyst regeneration. The catalyst exhibits exquisite temporal control in photocontrolled thermal polymerization. Ultimately, the activation of this complex is accessed across a broad range of wavelengths, including near-IR light, with excellent temporal control. This work showcases the potential of developing photothermal conversion catalysts.

Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) to determine cut-off points of clinical and biomolecular markers to discriminate mortality in severe COVID-19 living at high altitude.

BACKGROUND: In 2020, Ecuador had one of the highest death rates because of COVID-19. The role of clinical and biomolecular markers in COVID disease prognosis, is still not well supported by available data. In order for these markers to have practical application in clinical decision-making regarding patient treatment and prognosis, it is necessary to know an optimal cut-off point, taking into consideration ethnic differences and geographic conditions. AIM: To determine the value of clinical and biomolecular markers, to predict mortality of patients with severe COVID-19 living at high altitude. METHODS: In this study, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, area under the curve (AUC) of ROC, sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ratios were calculated to determine levels of clinical and biomolecular markers that best differentiate survivors versus non-survivors in severe COVID subjects that live at a high altitude setting. RESULTS: Selected cut-off values for ferritin (≥ 1225 ng/dl, p = 0.026), IL-6 (≥ 11 pg/ml, p = 0.005) and NLR (≥ 22, p = 0.008) at 24 h, as well as PaFiO2 (≤ 164 mmHg, p = 0.015), NLR (≥ 16, p = p = 0.013) and SOFA (≥ 6, p = 0.031) at 72 h, appear to have good discriminating power to differentiate survivors versus non-survivors. Additionally, odds ratios for ferritin (OR = 3.38); IL-6 (OR = 17.07); PaFiO2 (OR = 4.61); NLR 24 h (OR = 4.95); NLR 72 h (OR = 4.46), and SOFA (OR = 3.77) indicate increased risk of mortality when cut-off points were taken into consideration. CONCLUSIONS: We proposed a straightforward and understandable method to identify dichotomized levels of clinical and biomolecular markers that can discriminate between survivors and non-survivors patients with severe COVID-19 living at high altitudes.

Our voices, our lives: Unforeseen stories after the violence and opening the door to becoming whole again.

We are a group of 11 women in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Nine of us are immigrants from Mexico. One of us is from an immigrant household. One of us is neither. We have been working collaboratively on a research study called Tertulias (Spanish for "a social gathering"), which is an innovative women's peer support group approach we created to reduce social isolation, depression, and stress among women immigrants from Mexico, and to increase their resilience and sense of empowerment. In the process of implementing the Tertulias study, we are revealing the profound power of peer support, friendship, and small, quotidian kindnesses. But we are also exposing the immensity and scope of trauma, fear, loneliness, depression, and self-blame that exist in the Mexican immigrant community because of domestic violence. Our experience with domestic violence and with the consciousness-raising and support we found in Tertulias has made us want to be involved in a positive manner to do something about this issue in our community. We want our experience to mean something-to be used to make a difference. We are opening our hearts and sharing our stories and ideas. We wanted to be included as co-authors of this article because we want our stories to be received and heard by other women. We want to plant seeds to help other women find their inner strength to be able to escape from their chains. We have to return for others. It is a commitment-to understand how we were able to do it and share that with others. Through our experience participating in Tertulias, we learned that we could overcome what felt overwhelming and impenetrable. We could leave the violence and rediscover and recreate ourselves and our lives.

Vitamin B12 Derivative Enables Cobalt-Catalyzed Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization.

Advances in controlled radical polymerizations by cobalt complexes have primarily taken advantage of the reactivity of cobalt as a persistent radical to reversibly deactivate propagating chains by forming a carbon-cobalt bond. However, cobalt-mediated radical polymerizations require stoichiometric ratios of a cobalt complex, deterring its utility in synthesizing well-defined polymers. Here, we developed a strategy to use cobalt as a catalyst to control radical polymerizations via halogen atom transfer with alkyl halide initiators. Using a modified, hydrophobic analogue of vitamin B12 (heptamethyl ester cobyrinate) as a cobalt precatalyst, we controlled the polymerization of acrylate monomers. The polymerization efficiency of the cobalt catalyst was significantly improved by additional bromide anions, which enhanced the deactivation of propagating radicals yielding polymers with dispersity values <1.2 using catalyst concentrations as low as 5 mol %. We anticipate that the development of cobalt catalysis in atom transfer radical polymerization will enable new opportunities in designing catalytic systems for the controlled synthesis of polymers.

Identificación de pacientes hospitalizados con riesgo nutricional al ingreso valorado con la Nutritional Risk Screening / Identification of hospitalized patients with nutritional risk at admission assessed with the Nutrition Risk Screening

Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de riesgo nutricional en el ingreso hospitalario de pacientes adultos y analizar su asociación con factores sociodemográficos y clínicos de los pacientes. Método: Estudio transversal, analítico y prospectivo realizado a pacientes del Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau de Barcelona entre noviembre y diciembre de 2018, durante las primeras 48 h de ingreso hospitalario. Para detectar la desnutrición se utilizó la Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS-2002). Se recogieron datos sociodemográficos (edad, sexo), clínicos (diagnóstico de ingreso, unidad y comorbilidades) y antropométricos (peso, talla e IMC). La asociación entre la NRS y los factores de estudio se estimó mediante un modelo de regresión logística. Resultado: Se incluyeron 285 pacientes con una edad media de 69,6 años (DS 15), de los cuales, 56,5% (161) tenían ≥ 70 años. La prevalencia de riesgo de desnutrición en el ingreso hospitalario era de 35,1% (IC 95%: 29,8-41,1%), siendo 15,9 veces mayor en pacientes con una estancia previa en cuidados intensivos (OR 15,90; 1,82-139,11: p 0,012); 10,35 veces mayor en pacientes neumonía severa (OR 10,35; 2,48-41,91: p 0,004) y 5,6 veces mayor en pacientes con AVC (OR 5,63; 1,71-18,53: p 0,004). Conclusiones: La prevalencia de riesgo nutricional al ingreso era elevada y factores como la neumonía severa, el AVC y los ingresos previos en UCI se asociaron a mayor riesgo de desnutrición. Sin embargo, los hallazgos de este estudio deben interpretarse con cautela debido a las limitaciones de los criterios de gravedad de la Nutritional Risk Screening y a las características de la población estudiada.(AU)

Objective: To determine the prevalence of nutritional risk in the hospital admission of adult patients and to analyze its association with sociodemographic and clinical factors of the patients. Method: Cross-sectional, analytical and prospective study carried out on patients at the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau in Barcelona between November and December 2018, during the first 48 hours of hospital admission. The Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS-2002) was used to detect malnutrition. Sociodemographic (age, sex), clinical (admission diagnosis, unit and comorbidities) and anthropometric (weight, height and BMI) data were collected. The association between the NRS and the study factors was estimated using a logistic regression model. Result: 285 patients with a mean age of 69.6 years (SD 15) were included, of which 56.5% (161) were ≥ 70 years. The prevalence of risk of malnutrition on hospital admission was 35.1% (95% CI: 29.8%-41.1%), being 15.9 times higher in patients with a previous stay in intensive care (OR 15 .90, 1.82-139.11: p 0.012); 10.35 times higher in patients with severe pneumonia (OR 10.35; 2.48-41.91: p 0.004) and 5.6 times higher in patients with stroke (OR 5.63; 1.71-18.53: p 0.004). Conclusions: The prevalence of nutritional risk at admission was high and factors such as severe pneumonia, stroke and previous ICU admissions were associated with a higher risk of malnutrition. However, the findings of this study should be interpreted with caution due to the limitations of the severity criteria of the Nutrition Risk Screening.(AU)

Variation of muscle recruitment during exercises performed below horizontal arm elevation that target the lower trapezius: A repeated measures cross-sectional study on asymptomatic individuals.

The gold standard exercise for recruitment of the lower trapezius is the Y prone exercise which is performed above 90° of shoulder elevation. However, clinicians often prescribe exercises that avoid high elevation postures during early stages of rehabilitation. Comparatively little data exists on relative muscle recruitment during lower arm elevation exercises. This study examined the EMG activity of four shoulder girdle muscles during four exercises accomplished below 90° of shoulder elevation and compared them to the Y prone while considering sex effects. Variance across exercises of the ratio between upper trapezius and lower trapezius was also explored. 32 healthy participants completed standardized muscle-specific MVCs and two repetitions of each exercise. The side lying external rotation and the wall slide exercises produced the highest peak EMG for the lower trapezius, both 33 and 29% lower than the Y Prone. For the upper trapezius to lower trapezius ratio, the side lying external rotation elicited the lowest value, followed by the Y prone and wall slide (53 and 59% respectively higher). Sex influenced some EMG values, typically interacting with exercise type. Thus, side lying external rotation and the wall slide are recommended for targeting the lower trapezius muscle during early rehabilitation.

Do Women Physicians Accept and Follow Heart Failure Guidelines More Than Men?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Our aim was to assess the degree of acceptance of the European Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) on heart failure (HF) among Spanish physicians according to sex. This was a cross-sectional study, employing Google Forms, conducted by a group of HF experts from the Region of Madrid (Spain), between November 2021 and February 2022, among specialists and residents of Cardiology, Internal Medicine, and Primary Care from Spain. RECENT FINDINGS: A total of 387 physicians-173 women (44.7%)-from 128 different centers completed the survey. Compared to men, women were significantly younger (38.2 ± 9.1 years vs. 40.6 ± 11.2 years; p = 0.024) and had fewer years of clinical practice (12.1 ± 8.1 years vs. 14.5 ± 10.7 years; p = 0.014). Briefly, women and men had a positive opinion of the guidelines and thought that implementing quadruple therapy is feasible in less than 8 weeks. Women followed more frequently than men the new paradigm of "4 pillars at lowest doses" and considered more frequently the establishment of quadruple therapy before implanting a cardiac device. Although they agreed about "low blood pressure" as the major limitation for achieving quadruple therapy in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, there were discrepancies on the second most frequent barrier, and women were more proactive when initiating SGLT2 inhibitors. In a large survey including nearly 400 doctors from all over Spain to provide real-world opinion on 2021 ESC HF Guidelines and experience with SGLT2 inhibitors, women follow more frequently the new paradigm of "4 pillars at lowest doses", consider more frequently the establishment of quadruple therapy before implanting a cardiac device, and were more proactive when initiating SGLT2 inhibitors. Further studies confirming an association of sex with a better compliance of HF guidelines are needed.

Value of NT-proBNP and Galectin-3 as Biomarkers in the Follow-Up of Asymptomatic Elderly Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis.

Recognizing symptoms in elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) can be a challenge. Serum biomarkers such as Galectin-3 or N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are involved in remodeling and heart failure (HF) development and could support the diagnosis of AS. We set out to test the usefulness of NT-proBNP and Galectin-3 in predicting events in this population. We designed a prospective observational case-control study, including 50 asymptomatic patients older than 70 years, diagnosed with severe degenerative AS, and 50 control individuals. The NT-proBNP and Galectin-3 levels were measured. A follow-up was carried out at 12 months to determine the occurrence of hospital admission for HF, all-cause mortality or the appearance of symptoms. The patients with severe AS had higher Galectin-3 and NT-proBNP concentrations. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the NT-proBNP was 0.812 (95% CI, 0.646-0.832), and that of the Galectin-3 was 0.633 (95% CI, 0.711-0.913). NT-proBNP was a good predictor of events [HR 3.45 (95% CI 1.32-9.03), p = 0.011]. A Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the probability of freedom from events was significant in patients who exhibited a combination of higher NT-proBNP and Galectin-3 levels (log-rank p = 0.032). Therefore, NT-proBNP was the most reliable predictor of events in asymptomatic patients with severe AS. A combination of NT-proBNP and Galectin-3 levels may be vital in the clinical follow-up of these patients and in the decision-making process.

Identification of hospitalized patients with nutritional risk at admission assessed with the Nutrition Risk Screening.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of nutritional risk in hospital admission of adult patients and to analyse its association with sociodemographic and clinical factors of the patients. METHOD: Cross-sectional, analytical and prospective study carried out on patients at the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau in Barcelona between November and December 2018, during the first 48 h of hospital admission. Nutrition Risk Screening (NRS-2002) was used to detect malnutrition. Sociodemographic (age, sex), clinical (admission diagnosis, unit and comorbidities) and anthropometric (weight, height and BMI) data were collected. The association between the NRS and the study factors was estimated using a logistic regression model. RESULT: 285 patients with a mean age of 69.6 years (SD 15) were included, of which 56.5% (161) were ≥70 years. The prevalence of risk of malnutrition at hospital admission was 35.1% (95% CI: 29.8 %-41.1 %), this being 15.9 times higher in patients with a previous stay in intensive care (OR 15.90, 1.82-139.11: p 0.012); 10.35 times higher in patients with severe pneumonia (OR 10.35; 2.48-41.91: p 0.004) and 5.6 times higher in patients with stroke (OR 5.63; 1.71-18.53: p 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of nutritional risk at admission was high and factors such as severe pneumonia, stroke and previous ICU admissions were associated with a higher risk of malnutrition. However, the findings of this study should be interpreted with caution due to the limitations of the severity criteria of the Nutrition Risk Screening.

Development and External Validation of a Model Predicting New-Onset Chronic Uveitis at Different Disease Durations in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and externally validate a prediction model for new-onset chronic uveitis in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) for clinical application. METHODS: Data from the international Pharmachild registry were used to develop a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model. Predictors were selected by backward selection, and missing values were handled by multiple imputation. The model was subsequently validated and recalibrated in 2 inception cohorts: the UK Childhood Arthritis Prospective Study (CAPS) study and the German Inception Cohort of Newly diagnosed patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (ICON) study. Model performance was evaluated by calibration plots and C statistics for the 2-, 4-, and 7-year risk of uveitis. A diagram and digital risk calculator were created for use in clinical practice. RESULTS: A total of 5,393 patients were included for model development, and predictor variables were age at JIA onset (hazard ratio [HR] 0.83 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.77-0.89]), ANA positivity (HR 1.59 [95% CI 1.06-2.38]), and International League of Associations for Rheumatology category of JIA (HR for oligoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and undifferentiated arthritis versus rheumatoid factor-negative polyarthritis 1.40 [95% CI 0.91-2.16]). Performance of the recalibrated prediction model in the validation cohorts was acceptable; calibration plots indicated good calibration and C statistics for the 7-year risk of uveitis (0.75 [95% CI 0.72-0.79] for the ICON cohort and 0.70 [95% CI 0.64-0.76] for the CAPS cohort). CONCLUSION: We present for the first time a validated prognostic tool for easily predicting chronic uveitis risk for individual JIA patients using common clinical parameters. This model could be used by clinicians to inform patients/parents and provide guidance in choice of uveitis screening frequency and arthritis drug therapy.

Effectiveness of a program for the reduction of central venous catheter-related bacteremias in a Pediatric Cardiovascular Unit / Efectividad de un programa de reducción de bacteriemias relacionadas con catéter venoso central en una unidad cardiovascular pediátrica

INTRODUCTION: Central venous catheter (CVC)- related bacteremias are common in pediatric patients following surgery for complex congenital heart disease admitted to a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (PCICU) and have a high morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary program for the prevention of CVC-related bacteremias in the PCICU. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Quasi-experimental, before and after implementation study without a control group. Study period: 01-01-2008 to 12- 31-2018. Population: PCICU staff who care for patients following surgery for complex heart disease at a hospital. Pre-intervention period: 01- 01-2008 to 12-31-2008; intervention period: 01-01- 2009 to 01-01-2018. Intervention: implementation of an ongoing improvement program. The rate of CVC-related bacteremias/1000 days and CVC use/100 days, RACHS score, standardized infection ratio (SIR), relative risk (RR), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were analyzed and a p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The reference rate was estimated as the average for the 2008-2009 period and the annual and reference rates were compared. RESULTS: The bacteremia reference rate for 2008- 2009 was 10.6/1000 days of CVC to analyze the SIR. A RACHS score over 3 was similar across all studied periods. The annual comparison showed a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the SIR. The comparison between the baseline bacteremia rate/1000 days of CVC (11.9) and the final rate (3.8) showed a significant reduction (RR: 0.16; 95 % CI: 0.07-0.35; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The program was effective; the rate of CVC-related bacteremias in the PCICU showed a progressive, significant reduction.

Introducción. Las bacteriemias relacionadas con catéteres venosos centrales (CVC) son frecuentes en pacientes pediátricos posquirúrgicos de cardiopatías congénitas complejas internados en la unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos cardiovascular (UCIP-CV) y tienen alta morbimortalidad. OBJETIVO: Analizar la efectividad de un programa interdisciplinario para prevención de bacteriemias relacionadas con CVC en la UCIP-CV. Material y métodos. Estudio de implementación, cuasiexperimental, antes-después, sin grupo control. Período de estudio del 1 de enero de 2008 al 31 de diciembre de 2018. Población: equipo de salud de la UCIP-CV que atiende pacientes posquirúrgicos de cardiopatías complejas de un hospital. Período preintervención del 1 de enero de 2008 al 31 de diciembre de 2008; período de intervención del 1 de enero de 2009 al 1 de enero de 2018. Intervención: implementación de un programa de mejora continua. Se analizaron tasas de bacteriemias CVC/1000 días y de uso de CVC/100 días, puntaje de RACHS, razón estandarizada de infecciones (REI), riesgo relativo (RR), intervalo de confianza del 95 % (IC95%), estimando una p < 0,05 como estadísticamente significativa. La tasa de referencia se estimó como el promedio del período 2008/2009 y se comparó la tasa anual con la tasa de referencia. RESULTADOS: La tasa de referencia de bacteriemia 2008/2009 fue 10,6/1000 días CVC para analizar la REI. El puntaje de RACHS mayor a 3 fue similar en todos los períodos analizados. Se observó una reducción de la REI estadísticamente significativa (p < 0,05) en la comparación anual. Al comparar la tasa de bacteriemia/1000 días de CVC inicial de 11,9 vs. final de 3,8, se observó una reducción significativa (RR: 0,16; IC95%: 0,07-0,35; p < 0,001). CONCLUSIONES: El programa fue efectivo; se observó reducción progresiva y significativa de la tasa de bacteriemias relacionadas con CVC en la UCIP-CV.

Efectividad de un programa de reducción de bacteriemias relacionadas con catéter venoso central en una unidad cardiovascular pediátrica / Effectiveness of a program for the reduction of central venous catheter-related bacteremias in a Pediatric Cardiovascular Unit

Introducción. Las bacteriemias relacionadas con catéteres venosos centrales (CVC) son frecuentes en pacientes pediátricos posquirúrgicos de cardiopatías congénitas complejas internados en la unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátricos cardiovascular (UCIP-CV) y tienen alta morbimortalidad. Objetivo. Analizar la efectividad de un programa interdisciplinario para prevención de bacteriemias relacionadas con CVC en la UCIP-CV. Material y métodos. Estudio de implementación, cuasiexperimental, antes-después, sin grupo control. Período de estudio del 1 de enero de 2008 al 31 de diciembre de 2018. Población: equipo de salud de la UCIP-CV que atiende pacientes posquirúrgicos de cardiopatías complejas de un hospital. Período preintervención del 1 de enero de 2008 al 31 de diciembre de 2008; período de intervención del 1 de enero de 2009 al 1 de enero de 2018. Intervención: implementación de un programa de mejora continua. Se analizaron tasas de bacteriemias CVC/1000 días y de uso de CVC/100 días, puntaje de RACHS, razón estandarizada de infecciones (REI), riesgo relativo (RR), intervalo de confianza del 95 % (IC95%), estimando una p < 0,05 como estadísticamente significativa. La tasa de referencia se estimó como el promedio del período 2008/2009 y se comparó la tasa anual con la tasa de referencia. Resultados. La tasa de referencia de bacteriemia 2008/2009 fue 10,6/1000 días CVC para analizar la REI. El puntaje de RACHS mayor a 3 fue similar en todos los períodos analizados. Se observó una reducción de la REI estadísticamente significativa (p < 0,05) en la comparación anual. Al comparar la tasa de bacteriemia/1000 días de CVC inicial de 11,9 vs. final de 3,8, se observó una reducción significativa (RR: 0,16; IC95%: 0,07-0,35; p < 0,001). Conclusiones. El programa fue efectivo; se observó reducción progresiva y significativa de la tasa de bacteriemias relacionadas con CVC en la UCIP-CV.

Introduction. Central venous catheter (CVC)related bacteremias are common in pediatric patients following surgery for complex congenital heart disease admitted to a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (PCICU) and have a high morbidity and mortality. Objective.To analyze the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary program for the prevention of CVC-related bacteremias in the PCICU. Material and methods. Quasi-experimental,before and after implementation study without a control group. Study period: 01-01-2008 to 1231-2018. Population: PCICU staff who care for patients following surgery for complex heart disease at a hospital. Pre-intervention period: 0101-2008 to 12-31-2008; intervention period: 01-012009 to 01-01-2018. Intervention: implementation of an ongoing improvement program. The rate of CVC-related bacteremias/1000 days and CVC use/100 days, RACHS score, standardized infection ratio (SIR), relative risk (RR), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were analyzed and a p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The reference rate was estimated as the average for the 2008-2009 period and the annual and reference rates were compared. Results. The bacteremia reference rate for 20082009 was 10.6/1000 days of CVC to analyze the SIR. A RACHS score over 3 was similar across all studied periods. The annual comparison showed a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.05) in the SIR. The comparison between the baseline bacteremia rate/1000 days of CVC (11.9) and the final rate (3.8) showed a significant reduction (RR: 0.16; 95 % CI: 0.07­0.35; p < 0.001). Conclusions. The program was effective; the rate of CVC-related bacteremias in the PCICU showed a progressive, significant reduction.

A 9-Year-Old Patient with Recurrent Fever, Urticarial Rash and Demyelinating Brain Lesions: NLRP3-Autoinflammatory Disease in Ecuador.

Autoinflammatory diseases (AIDs) are a relatively new family disorders defined approximately 20 years ago. AIDs are caused by defect(s) or dysregulation of the innate immune system, characterized by recurrent or continuous inflammation and lack of a primary pathogenic role for the adaptive immune system. One AID, NLRP3-associated autoinflammatory disease (NLRP3-AID), involves a clinical presentation since the neonatal period or childhood, with multiple inflammatory recurrent symptoms that appear throughout the patient´s life. We present the first case of NLRP3-AID in Ecuador. The patient presented recurrent fever since 6 months of age associated with urticarial rash, arthralgias, and abdominal pain; recently, he had a seizure at 7 years of age. Brain MRI revealed demyelinating lesions, and genetic testing uncovered a de novo mutation in the NLRP3 gene. The patient had a good clinical response to treatment with canakinumab.

Tumores gástricos peculiares: tumor glómico, schwannoma, leiomioma y cistoadenoma en el páncreas ectópico. Serie de casos y revisión de la literatura / Unusual gastric tumors: Glomus tumor, schwannoma, leiomyoma, and cystadenoma in ectopic pancreas. A case report and literature review

Resumen Introducción: la patología gástrica es excepcionalmente benigna, se registra a nivel mundial un porcentaje de aparición de las mismas del 0,005 %-4 %. Además de lo anterior, suele plantearse como primer diagnóstico diferencial un carcinoma gástrico, por lo que la mayoría de los pacientes termina en un procedimiento quirúrgico mayor. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir una serie de casos registrados en una institución de alta complejidad, así como la revisión de la literatura al respecto del tema. Pacientes y métodos: se realizó la revisión de las bases de datos del servicio de cirugía general de la Clínica Universitaria Colombia y se encontraron 4 tumores gástricos de presentación inusual, de los cuales se hizo revisión de la historia clínica y las imágenes disponibles (diagnósticas y de las piezas de cirugía). Resultados: en la revisión de la base de datos, se encontraron 4 casos, 2 de sexo femenino y 2 de sexo masculino, con una media de edad de 51 años (26-75 años). El 100 % de los pacientes tenía una lesión en la región antral y solo uno de ellos tenía una segunda lesión a nivel prepilórico. La totalidad de los pacientes fue llevada a gastrectomía subtotal con reconstrucción en Y de Roux por abordaje laparoscópico y la media de estancia hospitalaria fue de 3,5 días (2-6 días). Conclusión: para determinar la mejor opción de tratamiento en general en pacientes con lesiones gástricas siempre hay que considerar tanto las características endoscópicas y endosonográficas como las histológicas.

Abstract Introduction: Gastric pathology is exceptionally benign with a percentage of appearance between 0.005% - 4% worldwide. Moreover, gastric carcinoma is often suggested as the first differential diagnosis and for that reason, the outcome for a vast majority of admitted patients is a major surgical procedure. This study aims to describe a series of cases recorded in a high complexity medical institution and to carry out a literature review related to that subject. Patients and Methods: Databases from the general surgery service of the Clínica Universitaria Colombia were reviewed, and four unusual gastric tumors were found. A review of the related medical records and available images (diagnostic images and surgical elements) was performed. Results: After the database review, four cases were found: two female cases and two male cases, with a mean age of 51 years (26-75 years). All the patients had lesions in the antrum area and only one of them has an additional lesion in the prepyloric region. All patients were treated with a laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction and the mean length of hospital stay was 3.5 days (2-6 days). Conclusion: It is required to consider the endoscopic, endosonographic, and histological examinations and their features to determine the best treatment for patients with gastric lesions.

[Use of oral glucose-lowering drugs in a healthcare area.] / Evolución de los patrones de utilización de fármacos hipo-glucemiantes en un área de salud.

OBJECTIVE: The therapeutic arsenal of hypoglycaemic drugs has been increased by the commercialization of new molecules in recent years. The main objective of this study was to know the trend of use of this group of drugs in a healthcare area. METHODS: The data was obtained through an electronic medical prescription billing computer application that contains all the information on the consumption of prescription drugs. The last seven years were analyzed in a healthcare area that covers a population of 85 thousand inhabitants and the defined daily dose (DDD) per inhabitant per day was used as a measurement variable. RESULTS: In our health area, an increasing and constant use of antidiabetic drugs was observed from a value of 55.62 DHD per inhabitant per day in 2014 to a value of 65.04 in 2020. Throughout the period studied, oral hypoglycemic drug combinations and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors were the therapeutic subgroups that experienced growth greater than 50%. CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of hypoglycemic agents experienced a notable growth in the period analyzed, mainly at the expense of new therapeutic groups and new commercialized molecules.

OBJETIVO: El arsenal terapéutico de los medicamentos hipoglucemiantes se ha visto incrementado por la comercialización de nuevas moléculas en los últimos años. El objetivo principal de este estudio fue conocer la tendencia de utilización de este grupo terapéutico en un área sanitaria. METODOS: Los datos fueron obtenidos mediante una aplicación informática de facturación de receta médica electrónica que contiene toda la información sobre el consumo de medicamentos dispensados con receta médica. Se analizaron los últimos siete años en un área sanitaria que abarca una población de 85 mil habitantes y se utilizó como variable de medida la dosis por habitante día (DHD). RESULTADOS: En nuestra área de salud, se observó una utilización creciente y constante de antidiabéticos en el global pasando de 55,62 DHD en el año 2014 a 65,04 DHD en el año 2020. A lo largo del período estudiado, las combinaciones de fármacos hipoglucemiantes orales y los inhibidores del cotransportador sodio-glucosa tipo 2 fueron los subgrupos terapéuticos que experimentaron un mayor crecimiento superior al 50%. CONCLUSIONES: El consumo de hipoglucemiantes experimentó un notable crecimiento en el período analizado a expensas principalmente de los nuevos grupos terapéuticos y de las nuevas moléculas comercializadas.

Cranial ultrasound for beginners.

Cranial ultrasound (CUS) is an extremely valuable tool to evaluate the brain during the first year of life, in experienced hands. It is the initial screening imaging tool to evaluate the infants' brain and complementary to the use of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is an accessible, inexpensive and harmless technique that can be used bedside as frequently as needed. The aim of this article is to provide a guide for beginners about the indications, basic technical parameters, scanning technique, standardized planes, common variants and the most frequent abnormal findings visualized with this technique. This article will explain a systematic technique to adequately visualize and document all the relevant intracranial structures, using the anterior fontanelle, mastoid fontanelle and Doppler ultrasound. The variants described in this review include the normal sulcation of the premature baby, the peritrigonal echogenic "blush", lenticulostriate vasculopathy (LSV), benign enlargement of the subrarachnoid space in infancy, asymmetric lateral ventricles, connatal cysts, cavum septum pellucidum (CSP), cavum vergae (CV), cavum velum interpositum, megacisterna magna and choroid plexus cysts. This article will describe the sonographic appearance of different types of intracranial hemorrhage of the preterm and term baby, periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), central and peripheral hypoxic-ischemic events of the term baby, neonatal arterial infarction, cerebro-venous sinus thrombosis, congenital and neonatal cerebral infections, hydrocephalus, intracranial solid and cystic masses, and congenital brain malformations.

Development and application of a high throughput assay system for the detection of Rieske dioxygenase activity.

Herein we report the development of a new periodate-based reactive assay system for the fluorescent detection of the cis-diol metabolites produced by Rieske dioxygenases. This sensitive and diastereoselective assay system successfully evaluates the substrate scope of Rieske dioxygenases and determines the relative activity of a rationally designed Rieske dioxygenase variant library. The high throughput capacity of the assay system enables rapid and efficient substrate scope investigations and screening of large dioxygenase variant libraries.

Longitudinal cohort of HIV-negative transgender women of colour in New York City: protocol for the TURNNT ('Trying to Understand Relationships, Networks and Neighbourhoods among Transgender women of colour') study.

INTRODUCTION: In the USA, transgender women are among the most vulnerable to HIV. In particular, transgender women of colour face high rates of infection and low uptake of important HIV prevention tools, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). This paper describes the design, sampling methods, data collection and analyses of the TURNNT ('Trying to Understand Relationships, Networks and Neighbourhoods among Transgender women of colour') study. In collaboration with communities of transgender women of colour, TURNNT aims to explore the complex social and environmental (ie, neighbourhood) structures that affect HIV prevention and other aspects of health in order to identify avenues for intervention. METHODS AND ANALYSES: TURNNT is a prospective cohort study, which will recruit 300 transgender women of colour (150 Black/African American, 100 Latina and 50 Asian/Pacific Islander participants) in New York City. There will be three waves of data collection separated by 6 months. At each wave, participants will provide information on their relationships, social and sexual networks, and neighbourhoods. Global position system technology will be used to generate individual daily path areas in order to estimate neighbourhood-level exposures. Multivariate analyses will be conducted to assess cross-sectional and longitudinal, independent and synergistic associations of personal relationships (notably individual social capital), social and sexual networks, and neighbourhood factors (notably neighbourhood-level social cohesion) with PrEP uptake and discontinuation. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The TURNNT protocol was approved by the Columbia University Institutional Review Board (reference no. AAAS8164). This study will provide novel insights into the relationship, network and neighbourhood factors that influence HIV prevention behaviours among transgender women of colour and facilitate exploration of this population's health and well-being more broadly. Through community-based dissemination events and consultation with policy makers, this foundational work will be used to guide the development and implementation of future interventions with and for transgender women of colour.