Allelic variants of the estrogen receptor genes and frailty phenotype in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of frailty has been related to menopause. Our main objective was to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the estrogen receptor (ER) ERα  and ERß genes were related to the frailty phenotype in a population of community-dwelling postmenopausal women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in which we selected five SNPs, three in the ERα gene and two in the ERß. Linear regression was used to estimate the percentage of phenotypic variance after adjusting for confounding variables. RESULTS: A total of 470 women (mean ± standard deviation age 63.83 ± 8.16 years) were included, of whom 137 women were frail. The SNP rs3798577 of the ERα gene was the only variant associated with frailty, but this significance faded in the multivariant analysis. Body mass index (p = 0.012), number of comorbidities (0 vs. ≥2, p = 0.002) and two reproductive variables, number of miscarriages (none vs. ≥2, p = 0.036) and of childbirths (one vs. ≥3, p = 0.008), were independently related to frailty. CONCLUSION: The five SNPs of the ERα and ERß genes tested were not correlated with frailty. Other SNPs of the ER warrant analysis to clarify whether variance in the gene response affects frailty status.

Bread melanoidins as potential new sustainable bakery ingredients: a study using fat and fat-free bakery food models.

Melanoidins isolated from bakery by-products are proposed as new sustainable ingredients for bakery products. The colour, odour profile, texture, water activity, and antioxidant capacity of two bakery food models, fat and fat-free, enriched with 2% and 4% soft bread and common bread melanoidins, were analysed. The colour of the bakery food models with melanoidins was darker than that of the respective control; the fat-free models with melanoidins showed higher values of hardness than the control, while no significant effect was observed in the fat models; the water activity did not change compared to the control; the odour profile was significantly modified with different effects depending on the type of melanoidin quantity added and the food model (fat or fat-free); and the antioxidant capacity increased proportionally to the quantity of melanoidin added. In general, melanoidins from soft bread exhibited a higher effect than the melanoidins from common bread. The melanoidins isolated from both fat and fat-free bakery food models did not show cytotoxicity nor did they modify the levels of reactive oxygen species in Caco-2 cells. Therefore, the results seem to indicate the favourable potential of bread melanoidins as new sustainable ingredients for bakery products.

The effectiveness of a dedicated central venous access care team to prevent catheter-related bloodstream infection in a private hospital.

Objective: We hypothesized a dedicated team would decrease catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) rates. Method: We implemented a before-after study. Results: CRBSI frequency (39/103 vs. 28/105, P=0.084) and incidence (36.61/1000 vs. 26.1/1000 catheter-days, P=0.175) were lower in the intervention arm. Conclusion: The intervention delayed median time to CRBSI, but was insufficient to decrease overall rates.

Relevance of E-Participation in the state health campaign in Spain: #EstoNoEsUnJuego / #ThisIsNotAGame.

Confronting the COVID-19 health emergency has forced public administrations in Spain to work with various networks as a means of promoting their campaigns to citizens. This paper aims to analyse digital citizens' e-participation by focusing on the state health campaign #EstoNoEsUnJuego - #ThisIsNotAGame. This campaign was launched by the Spanish Ministry of Health in September 2020 via Twitter with the objective of reinforcing protection measures against the virus. A sample consisting of 19,576 tweets, sent from September 2020 to February 2021, was investigated and the results have indicated that, of 9133 users, 64.8% of citizens collaborated in the dissemination of tweets. It was observed that most messages supported the campaign by disseminating information on measures, data and news. Only 0.1% of the messages were aggressive. The conclusion is that, despite not having created a true form of communication between public institutions and citizens, e-participation has generated a functional connection between them. Citizens have acquired a responsible and participatory digital role which, although failing to show personal involvement in their comments, has been the main driving force behind the success of this campaign.

Consensus on hemophilia in Mexico.

Hemophilia is a hemorrhagic disorder with a sex-linked inherited pattern, characterized by an inability to amplify coagulation due to a deficiency in coagulation factor VIII (hemophilia A or classic) or factor IX (hemophilia B). Sequencing of the genes involved in hemophilia has provided a description and record of the main mutations, as well as a correlation with the various degrees of severity. Hemorrhagic manifestations are related to levels of circulating factor, mainly affecting the musculoskeletal system and specifically the large joints (knees, ankles, and elbows). This document is a review and consensus of the main genetic aspects of hemophilia, from the inheritance pattern to the concept of women carriers, physiopathology and classification of the disorder, the basic and confirmation studies when hemophilia is suspected, the various treatment regimens based on infusion of the deficient coagulation factor as well as innovative factor-free therapies and recommendations for the management of complications associated with treatment (development of inhibitors and/or transfusion-transmitted infections), or secondary to articular hemorrhagic events (hemophilic arthropathy). Finally, relevant reviews of clinical and treatment aspects of hemorrhagic pathology characterized by acquired deficiency of FVIII secondary to neutralized antibodies named acquired hemophilia.

La hemofilia es un trastorno hemorrágico con patrón de herencia ligado al sexo, caracterizado por una incapacidad en la amplificación de la coagulación ocasionada por la deficiencia del factor VIII (hemofilia A o clásica) o del factor IX (hemofilia B). La secuenciación de los genes involucrados en la hemofilia ha permitido la descripción y registro de las principales mutaciones, así como la correlación con los diversos grados de severidad. Las manifestaciones hemorrágicas se relacionan con los niveles de factor deficiente circulante, afectando principalmente al sistema musculoesquelético y en particular a las grandes articulaciones (rodillas, tobillos y codos). El presente documento hace una revisión y consenso de los principales aspectos genéticos de la hemofilia, desde el patrón de herencia y el concepto de mujeres portadoras, la fisiopatología y clasificación de la enfermedad, los estudios básicos y de confirmación ante la sospecha de hemofilia, y de los diversos esquemas de tratamiento basados en la infusión del factor de coagulación deficiente hasta las terapias innovadoras libres de factor, así como de las recomendaciones para el manejo de las complicaciones asociadas al tratamiento (desarrollo de inhibidores y/o infecciones transmitidas por transfusión) o secundarias a los eventos hemorrágicos a nivel articular (artropatía hemofílica). La parte final del documento revisa los aspectos clínicos y de tratamiento relevantes de una patología hemorragica caracterizada por la deficiencia adquirida del FVIII mediada por anticuerpos neutralizantes denominada hemofilia adquirida.

Frecuencia de Rx de tórax indicativas de afectación por SARS-CoV-2 de marzo a mayo de 2020 en la población de un área de salud urbana / Frequency of chest X-ray suggestive of SARS-CoV-2 involvement from March to May 2020 in the population of an urban health area

OBJETIVO: Conocer el número y el porcentaje de radiografías de tórax (RxT) derivadas a un centro de diagnóstico por imagen de Atención Primaria y al Centro de Urgencias de Atención Primaria para descartar afectación pulmonar por SARS-CoV-2 desde el 16 de marzo al 15 de mayo de 2020, en un área de salud urbana de unos 400.000 habitantes de población de referencia. Determinar el porcentaje de casos indicativos de afectación pulmonar por RxT por SARS-CoV-2 y el porcentaje de casos sin afectación pulmonar del total de RxT derivadas en la población de referencia desde el 16 de marzo al 15 de mayo de 2020. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Diseño: estudio descriptivo observacional. Los criterios radiológicos para catalogar de probable infección pulmonar por SARS-CoV-2 (RxT[+]) son: 1) opacidad focal; 2) tenue opacidad focal; 3) tenue aumento de densidad difuso; 4) patrón intersticial focal o difuso, y 5) patrón alveolointersticial focal o difuso. RESULTADOS Y CONCLUSIONES: Mantener la RxT como método útil de cribado en las etapas medias de la enfermedad, cuando la RxT es más sensible para detectar afectación pulmonar por SARS-CoV-2. Nuestra gráfica de afectación por SARS-CoV-2 no presenta diferencias valorables con la curva esperada en una epidemia

OBJECTIVE: Know the number and percentage of chest X-rays (CXR) referred to a Primary Care Imaging Center and Primary Care Emergency Center to rule out lung involvement due to SARS-CoV-2 from March 16 to May 15, 2020, in an urban health area of about 400,000 reference population inhabitants. To determine the percentage of cases suggestive of pulmonary involvement due to SARS-CoV-2 CXR and the percentage of cases without pulmonary involvement of the total CXR derived in the reference population from March 16 to May 15, 2020. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Design observational descriptive study. The radiological criteria to classify probable pulmonary infection by SARS-CoV-2 (RxT[+]) are: 1) focal opacity; 2) faint focal opacity; 3) faint diffuse increase in density; 4) focal or diffuse interstitial pattern, and 5) focal or diffuse interstitial alveolus pattern. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Maintain CXR as a useful screening method in the middle stages of the disease, when CXR is more sensitive to detect lung involvement due to SARS-CoV-2. Our graph of affectation by SARS-CoV-2 does not present assessable differences with the expected curve in an epidemic

Loculated empyema in a neonate successfully treated with chest tube thoracostomy and antibiotics.

Empyema thoracis, defined as the accumulation of pus in the pleural space, is a rare entity in the neonatal period. There are very few cases described in the medical literature and there are still no treatment protocols in the management of empyema in neonates. In older infants and children, intrapleural fibrinolytics and surgery are often utilized since treatment of complicated parapneumonic effusions with chest tube and antibiotics alone often fail due to the viscous fluid and presence of loculations. Presented here is a case of a term neonate who exhibited symptoms of respiratory distress on the sixth day of life. Imaging modalities revealed massive left sided pleural effusion with loculations and mass effects. Pleural fluid was grossly pus and exudative in nature. Gram stain revealed gram-positive cocci but culture was negative. Empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics and chest tube drainage were utilized and patient was discharged after forty-seven days of hospital admission. In spite of prolonged hospital stay, patient survived with no complications. Therefore, nonoperative therapy could still be an option for neonates with loculated empyema. The key to success in treatment is immediate identification of effusion, prompt initiation of antibiotics, and early effective chest tube drainage.

Guía clínica para el diagnóstico y seguimiento de la distrofia miotónica tipo 1, DM1 o enfermedad de Steinert / Clinical guide for the diagnosis and follow-up of myotonic dystrophy type 1, MD1 or Steinert's disease

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Análisis del uso de fármacos fuera de indicación autorizada en hematología y oncología / Analysis of the "Off label" drug use in hematology and oncology

Resumen Objetivo: El uso de medicamentos en condiciones diferentes a las autorizadas es el uso de medicamentos en condiciones distintas a las incluidas en su ficha técnica. El objetivo del presente trabajo es analizar las solicitudes de medicamentos fuera de ficha técnica y sus resultados, realizadas por el Servicio de Oncología y Hematología en un hospital de segundo nivel. Materiales y métodos: Se realiza un estudio observacional retrospectivo de todas las peticiones de fármacos "off label" recibidas por el Servicio de Farmacia. Los medicamentos se clasifican según impacto económico, una clasificación propia según el tipo de fármaco y motivo de petición y según su grado de evidencia. Se analiza para cada solicitud los datos demográficos, de diagnóstico y de tratamiento de los pacientes. Se presenta un seguimiento de los efectos adversos, mediana de supervivencia libre de progresión y mediana de supervivencia global. Resultados: Se aprueban 85 solicitudes de tratamiento. La mayoría de los tratamientos son de alto impacto dirigidos principalmente a patologías raras y últimas opciones de tratamiento. Un 22% de las solicitudes presentan alto grado de evidencia. La media de supervivencia libre de progresión (SLP) es de 6,6 meses (IC 95% 5,2-8) y la supervivencia global (SG) es de 9,7 meses (IC95% 8,2-11,2). Un 18,7% de pacientes presentan toxicidad de grado 3-4 al recibir el tratamiento. Conclusiones: A pesar de la heterogeneidad de las patologías, y la baja evidencia, los resultados obtenidos en SLP y SG, junto a la escasa toxicidad obliga a seguir avanzando en la evaluación de este tipo de tratamientos.

Abstract Background and objective: the use of off-label drugs is the use of medications in conditions other than those included in its prescribing information. The objective of this paper is to analyze the off-label drugs applications and their results, performed by the Oncology and Hematology services in a second level hospital. Materials and methods: A retrospective observational study of all requests for "off label" drugs received by the Pharmacy Service is carried out. The drugs are classified according to economic impact, a classification according to the type of drug and the reason for the request and according to the degree of evidence. The demographic, diagnostic and treatment data of the patients are analyzed for each request. A follow-up of adverse effects, median progression-free survival and median overall survival is presented. Results: 85 treatment requests are approved. Most of the treatments are high impact, mainly aimed at rare pathologies and last treatment options. 22% of the requests have a high degree of evidence. Progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) are 6.6 (95% CI 5.2-8) and 9.7 months (95% CI 8.2-11.2). 18.7% of patients have grade 3-4 toxicity when receiving treatment. Conclusions: Despite the heterogeneity of the pathologies, and the low evidence, the results obtained in SLP and SG, together with the low toxicity, force us to continue advancing in the evaluation of this type of treatments.

Aplicación del Sistema de Clasificación Biofarmacéutica al Cuadro Básico de Medicamentos de Cuba: ¿bioequivalencia in vivo o disolución in vitro? / Application of the Biopharmaceutical Classification System to the Basic Table of Medicines of Cuba: bioequivalence in vivo or dissolution in vitro?

El siguiente trabajo tiene como objetivos clasificar los ingredientes farmacéuticos activos (IFAs) de los sólidos orales de liberación inmediata del Cuadro Básico de Medicamentos de Cuba (CBM) que son producidos nacionalmente, según el Sistema de Clasificación Biofarmacéutica (SCB), y proponer aquellos que podrían demostrar su intercambiabilidad terapéutica a través de ensayos de disolución in vitro. Para ello se utilizó el listado de medicamentos del CBM de Cuba del 2019 y se realiza una clasificación biofarmacéutica provisional consenso, a partir de diferentes clasificaciones biofarmacéuticas publicadas y de una extensiva revisión de la literatura. Se identificó que aproximadamente el 48% de los IFAs del CBM presentan polimorfismo y que el 12,3% de las formas sólidas orales del CBM de Cuba tienen un estrecho margen terapéutico, por lo que no pueden ser bioexonerados mediante estudios de bioequivalencia in vitro basados en el SCB. Se constató que un 50,8% de los IFAs de formas sólidas orales de liberación inmediata del CBM de Cuba han sido clasificados según el SCB por la OMS. La aplicación conjunta de diversas metodologías de clasificación biofarmacéutica permitió clasificar provisionalmente todos los IFAs de las formas sólidas orales del CBM, demostrando que el 66,1% pertenece a las clases I, III y I/III del SCB, por lo que podrían ser bioexonerados de ensayos de bioequivalencia in vivo en humanos

The goals of the present work are to classify the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) of the oral solids of immediate release of the Essential List of Medicines of Cuba (CBM) that are produced nationally, according to the Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS), and to propose those that could demonstrate their therapeutic interchangeability through in vitro dissolution tests. For this was used the Cuban CBM drug list of 2019, and a provisional consensus biopharmaceutical classification is proposed, based on different published biopharmaceutical classifications and an extensive review of the literature. It was identified that approximately 48% of the CBM IFAs present polymorphism and that 12.3% of the oral solid forms of CBM in Cuba have a narrow therapeutic margin, for which reason they cannot be bioexonerated through in vitro bioequivalence studies based on BCS. It was found that 50.8% of the oral solid forms of CBM in Cuba have been classified according to SCB by WHO. The joint application of diverse methodologies of biopharmaceutical classification allowed to provisionally classify all the IFAs of the oral solid forms of CBM, demonstrating that 66.1% belongs to classes I, III and I/III of the SCB, reason why they could be biowaivered from in vivo bioequivalence assays in humans

Fluctuaciones de presión intraocular en pacientes operados con implante de implantable collamer lens (ICL V4c). Seguimiento a 3 meses / Intraocular pressure fluctuations in patients implanted with an implantable collamer lens (ICL V4c). Three-month follow-up

Introducción: Una de las complicaciones del implante de ICL es la elevación de la presión intraocular (PIO), la cual es fluctuante y su alteración es un factor predictivo para el desarrollo de glaucoma. Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo, transversal y analítico, en pacientes candidatos a implante de ICL. Previa valoración clínica completa, biometría y curva de PIO nocturna, posición supina, con 4 tomas, determinando la fluctuación, considerándose anormal por encima de 5 mmHg. Se les sometió a cirugía mediante técnica convencional. A los 3 meses se repitió valoración clínica completa, biometría y curva de PIO, para determinar si había cambios en las fluctuaciones de PIO. Resultados: Se estudiaron 31 ojos de 16 pacientes. El promedio de fluctuación preoperatorio fue de 3,35 ± 2 mmHg, mientras en el postoperatorio fue de 3,0 ± 2,2 mmHg, sin que esta diferencia fuera estadísticamente significativa. La agudeza, capacidad visual y equivalente esférico mostraron una mejoría estadísticamente significativa. Hubo 6 casos con complicaciones, las cuales se relacionaron con un vault alto y un ICL de mayor tamaño. No hubo relación entre estos hallazgos con el grado del ángulo camerular, el grado de pigmento o el nivel de entrenamiento del cirujano. Conclusión: Se exploró por primera vez el efecto del implante de ICL en las fluctuaciones de PIO, encontrando que no es estadísticamente significativo. Se mostró la seguridad y reproducibilidad del procedimiento, como en publicaciones previas, agregando que el nivel de entrenamiento del cirujano no es un factor determinante en estos hallazgos

Introduction: Fluctuating elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is one of the complications of an implantable collamer lens (ICL), and its alteration is a predictive factor for the development of glaucoma. Material and methods: A prospective, cross-sectional analytic study was conducted on patients suitable for ICL implantation. Complete clinical and biometric work-ups were performed, as well as night-time IOP curve, in supine position, with 4 determinations, in order to assess fluctuation, considering abnormal with a value higher than 5 mmHg. Patients underwent surgery with conventional technique and three months after the work-ups were repeated, including a night-time IOP curve to assess any changes in IOP fluctuations. Results: A total of 31 eyes of 16 patients were studied. Mean IOP fluctuation in the preoperative assessment was 3.35 ± 2 mmHg, whereas the postoperative mean was 3.0 ± 2.2 mmHg, with the difference not being statistically significant. Visual acuity and capacity, as well as spheric equivalent did show a statistically significant improvement. There were 6 cases of complications, which were related to a higher vault and a greater ICL size. There was no relationship between these findings and the angle grade, pigment, and the level of training of the surgeon. Conclusions: The effect of an ICL on IOP fluctuations, has been studied for the first time, which was found to be not statistically significant. As in previous publications, the procedure was safe and reproducible, adding the fact that the level of training of the surgeon is not a determining factor in these findings

Comparación de compuestos metabólicos en muestras de sudor entre pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica y cáncer de pulmón / Sweat sample metabolic compound comparison between patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer

Objetivo: Evaluar en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica respecto a pacientes con cáncer epidermoide de pulmón en estadio inicial (CP I-II) si en el metaboloma del sudor existen diferencias en los compuestos. Metodología: Se incluyeron 11 pacientes con EPOC y 9 pacientes con CP I-II. El sudor se recogió siguiendo una técnica estandarizada y la muestra fue congelada a -80ºC hasta el análisis metabolómico, para lo que se utilizó un cromatógrafo de líquidos acoplado a un espectrómetro de masas de alta resolución (LC-QTOF) con ionización por electrospray. Se realizó un análisis de cambio (AC) para detectar las diferencias de concentración relativa de metabolitos entre grupos. Resultados. Las características basales de los sujetos incluidos en los dos grupos fueron similares. En la clínica destaca que un 67% de los enfermos con CP I-II (67%) no manifestaron síntomas atribuibles al tumor. El análisis metabolómico mostró que en el análisis de cambio una tetrahexosa presentó diferencias entre el grupo de enfermos con EPOC y con CP I-II (AC: - 4,021), igual tendencia se observó en un trisacárido fosfato (AC: -1,741) y en un lípido sulfónico (AC: -1,920). Conclusión: En muestras de sudor, el análisis de cambio muestra metabolitos con potencialidad para diferenciar entre pacientes EPOC y con CP I-II. Este resultado puede tener aplicabilidad en el cribado del cáncer de pulmón

Objective: To evaluate whether there are differences in sweat metabolite compounds in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease compared to patients with early-stage squamous cell lung cancer (LC I-II). Methods: 11 patients with COPD and 9 patients with LC I-II were included. Sweat was collected using a standardized technique and the sample was frozen at -80ºC until the metabolic analysis was performed, which used a liquid chromatograph coupled with a high-resolution mass spectrometer (LC-QTOF) with electrospray ionization. A change analysis (CA) was done to detect the differences in the relative concentrations of metabolites between groups. Results: The baseline characteristics of subjects included in the two groups were similar. In the clinical presentation, it is worth noting that 67% of patients with LC I-II (67%) did not show symptoms that could be attributed to the tumor. The metabolic analysis showed that in the change analysis, a tetra-hexose showed differences between the COPD group and LC I-II group (CA: -4.021), the same pattern observed in a phosphate trisaccharide (CA: -1.741) and in a sulphonic lipid (AC: -1.920). Conclusion: In sweat samples, the change analysis shows metabolites with the potential to differ between patients with COPD and those with LC I-II. This result can be applied in lung cancer screening

Treatment, outcomes and costs of asthma exacerbations in Chilean children: a prospective multicenter observational study

Objective: To describe potential regional variations in therapies for severe asthma exacerbations in Chilean children and estimate the associated health expenditures. Methods: Observational prospective cohort study in 14 hospitals over a one-year period. Children five years of age or older were eligible for inclusion. Days with oxygen supply and pharmacological treatments received were recorded from the clinical chart. A basic asthma hospitalization basket was defined in order to estimate the average hospitalization cost for a single patient. Six months after discharge, new visits to the Emergency Room (ER), use of systemic corticosteroids and adherence to the controller treatment were evaluated. Results: 396 patients were enrolled. Patients from the public health system and from the north zone received significantly more days of oxygen, systemic corticosteroids and antibiotics. Great heterogeneity in antibiotic use among the participating hospitals was found, from 0 to 92.3% (ICC 0.34, 95% CI 0.16-0.52). The use of aminophylline, magnesium sulfate and ketamine varied from 0 to 36.4% between the different Pediatric Intensive Care Units (ICC 0.353, 95% CI 0.010-0.608). The average cost per inpatient was of $1910 USD. 290 patients (73.2%) completed the follow-up six months after discharge. 76 patients (26.2%) were not receiving any controller treatment and nearly a fourth had new ER visits and use of systemic corticosteroids due to new asthma exacerbations. Conclusions: Considerable practice variation in asthma exacerbations treatment was found among the participating hospitals, highlighting the poor outcome of many patients after hospital discharge, with an important health cost

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E-Health Interventions for Adult and Aging Population With Intellectual Disability: A Review.

To answer the question about which e-health and e-therapy applications are being used with people with intellectual disabilities, we searched the PsycINFO, Medline, PubMed, ERIC, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. This is an extensive search. Inclusion criteria were academic journals and any design type that addressed the topic of interest. Studies that do not include adults or elderly, and studies that do not focus on people with disabilities but on third parties, were excluded. After an initial selection of 515 articles, 32 full-text articles were subjected to in-depth analysis leading to the final selection of 18 articles. We used the AAID framework definition of intellectual disability to analyze the dimensions explored by the selected studies and found that the majority of studies focused on the use of technology as supports to instrumental activities of daily life. The ISO classification of assistive products allowed us to identify that many e-health products are aimed at providing psychological or medical treatment. In summary, this review suggests that there is a very small number of studies focusing on the use of technology by older persons with intellectual disabilities. The studies present substantial limitations regarding generalization and replication and pay little attention to the maintenance of cognitive abilities in this population. These aspects, together with premature aging generally associated with many conditions that lead to intellectual disability, underscore the need to pay more attention to and develop e-health interventions for cognitive stimulation for this group.

Hospitalizations for asthma exacerbation in Chilean children: A multicenter observational study

BACKGROUND: Asthma hospitalization rates in Chilean children have increased in the last 14 years, but little is known about the factors associated with this. OBJECTIVE: Describe clinical characteristics of children hospitalized for asthma exacerbation. METHODS: Observational prospective cohort study in 14 hospitals. Over a one-year period, children five years of age or older hospitalized with asthma exacerbation were eligible for inclusion. Parents completed an online questionnaire with questions on demographic information, about asthma, indoor environmental contaminant exposure, comorbidities and beliefs about disease and treatment. Disease control was assessed by the Asthma Control Test. Inhalation technique was observed using a checklist. RESULTS: 396 patients were enrolled. 168 children did not have an established diagnosis of asthma. Only 188 used at least one controller treatment at the time of hospitalization. 208 parents said they believed their child had asthma only when they had an exacerbation and 97 correctly identified inhaled corticosteroids as anti-inflammatory treatment. 342 patients used the wrong spacer and 73 correctly performed all steps of the checklist. CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of the patients were not diagnosed with asthma at the time of hospitalization despite having a medical history suggestive of the disease. In the remaining patients with an established diagnosis of asthma potentially modifiable factors like bad adherence to treatment and poor inhalation technique were found. Implementing a nationwide asthma program including continued medical education for the correct diagnosis and follow up of these patients and asthma education for patients and caregivers is needed to reduce asthma hospitalization rates in Chilean children

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Internet and cell phone usage patterns among young adults with intellectual disabilities.

BACKGROUND: The risks and opportunities associated with the use of technologies are of growing research interest. Patterns of technology usage illuminate these opportunities and risks. However, no studies have assessed the usage patterns (frequency, duration, and intensity) and related factors in young people with intellectual disabilities. METHODS: Questionnaires on Internet and cell phone usage patterns, the Internet Over-Use Scale and the Cell-Phone Over-Use Scale, as well as the Beck Depression Inventory were filled out in one-on-one interviews of 216 youth with intellectual disabilities. RESULTS: Young people with disabilities make more social and recreational rather than educational use of these tools, and show higher rates of excessive use of both technologies than a comparison group of 410 young people without disabilities. Also, their overuse is associated with other unhealthy behaviors. CONCLUSION: The framework of support needs of people with disabilities should be considered to promote healthy Internet and cell phone use.

Cyberbullying among adults with intellectual disabilities: Some preliminary data.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies show that youth with disabilities are at risk of experiencing cyberbullying. Nevertheless, the nature of this phenomenon among adults with intellectual disabilities has not been investigated. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the frequency and characteristics of cyberbullying and its correlates in individuals with intellectual disabilities attending training centers for adults with intellectual disabilities. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A convenience sample of 269 participants (54.3% men and 35.7% women), aged 18-40 years was recruited from Chile (14.1%), Mexico (32%), and Spain (53.9%). RESULTS: The findings showed that 15.2% have been cyberbullied 9.7% are currently being cyberbullied. Being different was the main reason (97.7%) for being cyberbullied. The behaviors happen in educational settings (46.67%), leisure/free time activities (31.11%), and associations for people with disabilities (15.56%). Verbal aggressions (74.53%) were the most common cyberbullying behaviors. Those who were cyberbullied reported more inadequate use of mobile phone and Internet, as well as more unhealthy behaviors and depressive mood. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: These findings support the need for further studies on adults with intellectual disabilities, as well as the need for implementing primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention programs.

Estudio del Efecto de un Enjuagatorio de Rosmarinus officinalis (Romero) en la Cicatrización de Heridas de Mucosa / Oral Study of the Effect of Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) Mouthrinse on Healing Wounds of the Oral Mucosa

RESUMEN: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de un enjuague oral de extracto acuoso de Rosmarinus Officinalis (romero) sobre la cicatrización de heridas de mucosa oral en sujetos sanos. Veintiocho estudiantes, de sexo masculino, edad promedio de 22 años, fueron reclutados para un estudio de doble ciego en la Facultad de Odontología de la Universidad de Concepción, Chile. Se creó una herida estándar de 3 mm de diámetro en la mucosa palatina, que fue fotografiada durante un período de 21 días para determinar su tamaño por fotoplanimetría. Los voluntarios recibieron enjuagues orales para ser utilizados a diario desde el día de creación de la herida, 3 veces al día, y fueron divididos en grupo control (enjuague placebo) y grupo experimental (enjuague de extracto de romero). El extracto acuoso de Romero fue analizado por HPLC, mostrando un alto contenido de carnosol (83 %) y ácido rosmarínico (65 %). Se observó una disminución significativa en el tamaño de la herida del grupo tratado con enjuague de romero comparado con el tratado con enjuague placebo al día 3 de cicatrización (20 %, p=0,046, Mann-Whitney). Posteriormente no se encontraron diferencias, completándose la cicatrización antes del día 21 para ambos grupos. Los resultados sugieren que el enjuagatorio de extracto acuoso de romero favorece la cicatrización temprana de las heridas, lo que puede deberse a su alto contenido de carnosol y ácido rosmarínico que han demostrado estimular la cicatrización y poseer actividad antimicrobiana.

ABSTRACT: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of a mouthrinse containing an aqueous extract of Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) on healing wounds of the oral mucosa in healthy subjects. Twenty Eight healthy, non-smoking male students, mean age 22 years, were recruited for a double-blind study at the School of Dentistry of the University of Concepción, Chile. A standard 3mm wound was created on the palate with a punch biopsy. The wounds were photographed to assess healing for 21 days. The subjects were instructed to use a mouthrinse 3 times daily for 21 days, starting the day of wounding, and were divided into a control group (placebo) and an experimental group (rosemary extract). The aqueous rosemary extract used for the mouthrinse had a high content of carnosol (83 %) and rosmarinic acid (65 %) as determined by HPLC. We observed a 20 % reduction in wound size by day 3 in the rosemary mouthrinse group as compared to the placebo mouthrinse group (p=0.04, Mann Whitney). Thereafter, no significant differences in wound closure were observed. Healing was completed by day 21 in both groups. The results suggest that the mouthrinse containing the aqueous rosemary extract stimulates early healing of mucosal wounds. This could be due to the high content of carnosol and rosmarinic acid, which are known for their healing and antimicrobial properties.

Vaginal metastasis as the initial presentation of leiomyosarcoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Uterine leiomyosarcomas are very rare and highly aggressive tumors that have a high rate of recurrence and poor prognosis, even when early diagnosed. Due to their relative rarity, there is limited research on optimal management strategies. CASE PRESENTATION: A 60-year-old woman with a history of an asymptomatic uterine leiomyoma presented in October 2015 with postmenopausal bleeding and a friable vaginal cyst that bled when palpated. A partial cystectomy was performed, and malignant-like cystic and solid components were identified. Histopathology diagnosed an unclassifiable malignant epithelioid tumor. Subsequent imaging studies identified a malignant uterine tumor, a metabolically active vaginal lesion, and two benign leiomyomas. An anterior pelvic exenteration (colpectomy, hysterectomy, bilateral adnexectomy, total cystectomy, and cutaneous ureteroileostomy ad modum Bricker) were performed by laparotomy in March 2016. Examination of the surgical specimens identified a 75 × 75-mm leiomyoma, an 80 × 30-mm infiltrating mesenchymal uterine lesion with vascular invasion and tumor emboli, and a 60 × 30-mm perivascular vaginal tumor. Immunohistochemistry indicated a phenotypic transition from a uterine leiomyosarcoma to a vaginal epithelioid lesion; marker expression changed from the uterine tumor actin+/desmin+/caldesmon+/CD10- phenotype, through the tumor emboli, to an actin-/desmin-/caldesmon-/CD10+ phenotype in the vaginal lesion. A high-grade uterine mesenchymal tumor and vaginal metastasis were diagnosed. Adjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel, gemcitabine, and doxorubicin commenced in May 2016 and treatment has been well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Differentiating leiomyosarcoma from leiomyoma is challenging and few tools other than microscopic evaluation are available. Vaginal compromise in leiomyosarcoma usually results from tumor extension, not hematogenous metastasis. A vaginal metastasis is a very rare initial presentation. We have found only two cases like this described on published literature. The atypical clinical and histological presentation in our case complicated diagnosis and delayed treatment. An early diagnosis and complete surgical clearance gives the best chance of survival, and imaging tools should be applied early in instances of new suspicious malignant lesions.