Risk of endocarditis among patients with coagulase-negative Staphylococcus bacteremia.

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are currently considered typical microorganisms causing infective endocarditis (IE) in patients with prosthetic valves. The objective was to determine variables associated with IE in patients with CoNS bacteremia. We performed an analysis of the clinical characteristics of patients with CoNS bacteremia admitted to a university hospital in Madrid (Spain) from 2021 to December 2022 according to the occurrence of IE. This study is an evaluation of a bacteremia registry. During the study period, 106 patients with CoNS bacteremia were detected. In 85 patients an echocardiogram was performed during hospital admission to rule out IE. Among them, 12 episodes were detected that met IE criteria (14.2%). Of the 6 patients with heart valve prostheses, 5 patients (83.3%) had IE (p < 0.001). Patients with IE more frequently had positive blood cultures more than 12 h after the first draw (58.3% versus 13.4%; p < 0.001). There was a tendency to associate community-acquired bacteremia and to that all blood culture bottles obtained were positive with an increased risk of IE (p = 0.091 and p = 0,057, respectively). Attributable mortality to infection was higher in patients with IE relative to all other patients (16.7% vs. 0%; p = 0.033). The multivariable analysis included having valve prosthesis and persistent bacteremia for more than 12 h. Both were independently associated with IE: valve prosthesis OR 38.6 (95% CI 5.8-258; p < 0.001) and persistent bacteremia OR 2.6 (95% CI 1.1-6.8; p = 0.046). In conclusion, a high percentage of cases of CoNS bacteremia may be due to IE. Some of the variables related to a higher risk of IE, such as having a valvular prosthesis or presenting positive blood cultures for more than 12 h, should lead to rule out or confirm the presence of IE by performing echocardiography.

Impacto de la ecografía pulmonar Durante la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2: distinción entre la neumonía viral y la bacteriana / Impact of Lung Ultrasound dUring the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: Distinction Between Viral and Bacterial Pneumonia

Introducción: La ecografía pulmonar es una técnica accesible, de bajo costo y que ha demostrado su utilidad en la estratificación pronóstica en pacientes con COVID-19. Además, según estudios previos, nos puede orientar hacia la potencial etiología, especialmente en situaciones epidémicas como la actual. Pacientes y métodos: Se reclutaron prospectivamente 40 pacientes, 30 con neumonía por SARS-CoV-2 y 10 por neumonía adquirida en la comunidad. A los pacientes incluidos, se les realizó tanto una radiografía como ecografía de tórax. Resultados: No hubo diferencias en los 2 grupos en cuanto a las características clínicas y analíticas. Los principales hallazgos ecográficos fueron en el grupo de SARS-CoV-2 la presencia de líneas B confluyentes y consolidaciones subpleurales y la hepatinización en el grupo de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad. El derrame pleural fue más frecuente en el grupo de neumonía adquirida en la comunidad. En ningún caso la ecografía pulmonar fue normal. El análisis de las curvas ROC mostró un área bajo la curva para la ecografía pulmonar del 89,2% (IC 95%: 75,0- 100%, p <0,001) en la identificación de la neumonía por SARS-CoV-2. El valor de corte para la puntuación del puntaje pulmonar de 10 tuvo una sensibilidad del 93,3% y especificidad del 80,0% (p <0,001). Discusión: La combinación de los hallazgos de la ecografía pulmonar, con un puntaje pulmonar mayor de 10, complementando el resto de las pruebas complementarias, puede ser una excelente herramienta para predecir la etiología de la neumonía.(AU)

Introduction: Lung ultrasound is an accessible, low-cost technique that has demonstrated its usefulness in the prognostic stratification of COVID-19 patients. In addition, according to previous studies, it can guide us towards the potential aetiology, especially in epidemic situations such as the current one. Patients and methods: 40 patients were prospectively recruited, 30 with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and 10 with community-acquired pneumonia. The patients included underwent both a chest X-ray and ultrasound. Results: There were no differences in the 2 groups in terms of clinical and laboratory characteristics. The main ultrasound findings in the SARS-CoV-2 group were the presence of confluent B lines and subpleural consolidations and hepatinization in the community-acquired pneumonia group. Pleural effusion was more frequent in the community-acquired pneumonia group. There were no normal lung ultrasound exams. Analysis of the area under the curve curves showed an area under the curve for lung ultrasound of 89.2% (95% CI: 75.0-100%, p <.001) in the identification of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. The cut-off value for the lung score of 10 had a sensitivity of 93.3% and a specificity of 80.0% (p <.001). Discussion: The combination of the findings of the lung ultrasound, with a lung score greater than 10, added to the rest of the additional tests, can be an excellent tool to predict the aetiology of the pneumonia.(AU)

Impact of lung ultrasound during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: Distinction between viral and bacterial pneumonia.

INTRODUCTION: Lung Ultrasound is an accessible, low-cost technique that has demonstrated its usefulness in the prognostic stratification of COVID-19 patients. In addition, according to previous studies, it can guide us towards the potential aetiology, especially in epidemic situations such as the current one. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 40 patients were prospectively recruited, 30 with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and 10 with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The patients included underwent both a chest X-ray and ultrasound. RESULTS: There were no differences in the 2 groups in terms of clinical and laboratory characteristics. The main ultrasound findings in the SARS-CoV-2 group were the presence of confluent B lines and subpleural consolidations and hepatinization in the CAP group. Pleural effusion was more frequent in the CAP group. There were no normal lung ultrasound exams. Analysis of the area under the curve (AUC) curves showed an area under the curve for Lung Ultrasound of 89.2% (95% CI: 75%.0-100%, p < .001) in the identification of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. The cut-off value for the lung score of 10 had a sensitivity of 93.3% and a specificity of 80.0% (p < .001). DISCUSSION: The combination of the findings of the Lung Ultrasound, with a Lung Score greater than 10, added to the rest of the additional tests, can be an excellent tool to predict the aetiology of the pneumonia.

[Impact of Lung Ultrasound dUring the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: Distinction Between Viral and Bacterial Pneumonia]. / Impacto de la ecografía pulmonar Durante la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2: distinción entre la neumonía viral y la bacteriana.

Introduction: Lung ultrasound is an accessible, low-cost technique that has demonstrated its usefulness in the prognostic stratification of COVID-19 patients. In addition, according to previous studies, it can guide us towards the potential aetiology, especially in epidemic situations such as the current one. Patients and methods: 40 patients were prospectively recruited, 30 with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and 10 with community-acquired pneumonia. The patients included underwent both a chest X-ray and ultrasound. Results: There were no differences in the 2 groups in terms of clinical and laboratory characteristics. The main ultrasound findings in the SARS-CoV-2 group were the presence of confluent B lines and subpleural consolidations and hepatinization in the community-acquired pneumonia group. Pleural effusion was more frequent in the community-acquired pneumonia group. There were no normal lung ultrasound exams. Analysis of the area under the curve curves showed an area under the curve for lung ultrasound of 89.2% (95% CI: 75.0-100%, p < .001) in the identification of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. The cut-off value for the lung score of 10 had a sensitivity of 93.3% and a specificity of 80.0% (p < .001). Discussion: The combination of the findings of the lung ultrasound, with a lung score greater than 10, added to the rest of the additional tests, can be an excellent tool to predict the aetiology of the pneumonia.

Extracting the Infrared Permittivity of SiO2 Substrates Locally by Near-Field Imaging of Phonon Polaritons in a van der Waals Crystal.

Layered materials in which individual atomic layers are bonded by weak van der Waals forces (vdW materials) constitute one of the most prominent platforms for materials research. Particularly, polar vdW crystals, such as hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), alpha-molybdenum trioxide (α-MoO3) or alpha-vanadium pentoxide (α-V2O5), have received significant attention in nano-optics, since they support phonon polaritons (PhPs)-light coupled to lattice vibrations- with strong electromagnetic confinement and low optical losses. Recently, correlative far- and near-field studies of α-MoO3 have been demonstrated as an effective strategy to accurately extract the permittivity of this material. Here, we use this accurately characterized and low-loss polaritonic material to sense its local dielectric environment, namely silica (SiO2), one of the most widespread substrates in nanotechnology. By studying the propagation of PhPs on α-MoO3 flakes with different thicknesses laying on SiO2 substrates via near-field microscopy (s-SNOM), we extract locally the infrared permittivity of SiO2. Our work reveals PhPs nanoimaging as a versatile method for the quantitative characterization of the local optical properties of dielectric substrates, crucial for understanding and predicting the response of nanomaterials and for the future scalability of integrated nanophotonic devices.

[Achievements and challenges in implementing the surgical checklist in a pediatric hospital]. / Lista de verificación de seguridad de la cirugía: logros y dificultades de su implementación en un hospital pediátrico.

Patient safety in the operating room is a topic of universal concern. Several studies support the existence of a high percentage of complications and a high mortality rate in surgical procedures (0.5 to 5%). The World Health Organization (WHO) has proposed the implementation of surgical check list in order to improve patient safety in the operating room. In Hospital Garrahan, 9600 surgeries and surgical anesthesia for more than 8000 studies and other invasive procedures are performed per year. WHO checklist adaptation and implementation was considered an institutional priority. We describe difficulties and solutions in implementing the surgical checklist. Surgical team involvement in project planning and development was essential.

Lista de verificación de seguridad de la cirugía: logros y dificultades de su implementación en un hospital pediátrico / Achievements and challenges in implementing the surgical checklist in a Pediatric Hospital

La calidad y seguridad de los procedimientos quirúrgicos es motivo de preocupación universal. Numerosos estudios señalan que hay un alto porcentaje de complicaciones asociadas y una elevada mortalidad global (0,5% a 5%). La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) propuso la implementación de una lista de verificación de la seguridad en cirugía (LVS) con el objetivo de favorecer el cumplimiento de normas imprescindibles de seguridad en los procedimientos quirúrgicos. En el Hospital "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan" se llevan a cabo 9600 intervenciones quirúrgicas anuales y más de 8000 anestesias para estudios y procedimientos invasivos, por lo cual, la adaptación e implementación de la lista de verificación fue considerada una prioridad institucional. Se describe el proceso de implementación de la LVS, las dificultades planteadas y la adherencia a su aplicación. Es fundamental la participación de todo el personal involucrado en la atención del paciente quirúrgico y su comprensión sobre la importancia del instrumento.(AU)

Patient safetyin the operating room is a topic of universal concern. Several studies support the existence of a high percentage of complications and a high mortality rate in surgical procedures (0.5 to 5%). The World Health Organization (WHO) has proposed the implementation of surgical check list in order to improve patient safety in the operating room. In Hospital Garrahan, 9600 surgeries and surgical anesthesia for more than 8000 studies and other invasive procedures are performed per year. WHO checklist adaptation and implementation was considered an institutional priority. We describe difficulties and solutions in implementing the surgical checklist. Surgical team involvement in project planning and development was essential.(AU)

Lista de verificación de seguridad de la cirugía: logros y dificultades de su implementación en un hospital pediátrico / Achievements and challenges in implementing the surgical checklist in a Pediatric Hospital

La calidad y seguridad de los procedimientos quirúrgicos es motivo de preocupación universal. Numerosos estudios señalan que hay un alto porcentaje de complicaciones asociadas y una elevada mortalidad global (0,5% a 5%). La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) propuso la implementación de una lista de verificación de la seguridad en cirugía (LVS) con el objetivo de favorecer el cumplimiento de normas imprescindibles de seguridad en los procedimientos quirúrgicos. En el Hospital "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan" se llevan a cabo 9600 intervenciones quirúrgicas anuales y más de 8000 anestesias para estudios y procedimientos invasivos, por lo cual, la adaptación e implementación de la lista de verificación fue considerada una prioridad institucional. Se describe el proceso de implementación de la LVS, las dificultades planteadas y la adherencia a su aplicación. Es fundamental la participación de todo el personal involucrado en la atención del paciente quirúrgico y su comprensión sobre la importancia del instrumento.

Patient safetyin the operating room is a topic of universal concern. Several studies support the existence of a high percentage of complications and a high mortality rate in surgical procedures (0.5 to 5%). The World Health Organization (WHO) has proposed the implementation of surgical check list in order to improve patient safety in the operating room. In Hospital Garrahan, 9600 surgeries and surgical anesthesia for more than 8000 studies and other invasive procedures are performed per year. WHO checklist adaptation and implementation was considered an institutional priority. We describe difficulties and solutions in implementing the surgical checklist. Surgical team involvement in project planning and development was essential.

Eficacia de lamotrigina en un caso de trastorno de despersonalización resistente / The efficacy of lamotrigine in a resistant case of depersonalization disorder

Cuando sufre despersonalización, el individuo se queja espontáneamente de la vivencia de que su propia actividad mental, su cuerpo, su entorno o todos ellos, están cualitativamente transformados, de manera que se han vuelto irreales, lejanos o mecánicos. Este fenómeno está asociado frecuentemente con otros trastornos mentales, como en el caso que presentamos. Entre los muchos fármacos estudiados, ninguno ha mostrado ser el tratamiento de elección. Entre aquellos que han obtenido mejores resultados están los antagonistas de los receptores de los opioides, la combinación de inhibidores selectivos de la recaptación de la serotonina con lamotrigina, y la clorimipramina. Presentamos un caso resistente que respondió a lamotrigina (AU)

The individuals with depersonalizattion disorder suffer from a painful feeling that their body and mental experiences or the experiences of the environment seem become unreal, distant or mechanical. This phenomenon is often associated with other mental disorders, as in the case presented. Among the many psychoactive drugs studied, none of them has been shown to be the treatment of choice. Among those with which the best results are obtained are opioid receptor antagonists, the combination of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors with lamotrigine and clorimipramine. We are presenting a resistant case that responded to lamotrigine(AU)

The efficacy of lamotrigine in a resistant case of depersonalization disorder.

The individuals with depersonalizattion disorder suffer from a painful feeling that their body and mental experiences or the experiences of the environment seem become unreal, distant or mechanical. This phenomenon is often associated with other mental disorders, as in the case presented. Among the many psychoactive drugs studied, none of them has been shown to be the treatment of choice. Among those with which the best results are obtained are opioid receptor antagonists, the combination of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors with lamotrigine and clorimipramine. We are presenting a resistant case that responded to lamotrigine.