[Usefulness of e-consultation in cardiology]. / Utilidad de la teleconsulta en cardiología.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The development of IT tools and interlevel relationships in the management of the most prevalent processes has led to a semi-presential assessment approach. In cardiology, this form of assessment is possible through a close collaboration with primary care. The aim of this study is to analyze the results of our e-consultation program and to establish the effectiveness of this new form of assistance. METHODS: Single-center study that included e-consultations referred from 15 September 2021 to 30 September 2022. Subsequently, we analyzed the events in which patients were discharged directly during the e-consultation with no need for an on-site visit. RESULTS: We included 3,155 e-consultations. The mean age of the patients was 57±17.6 years. Of the consultations, 75% were answered within 48h (62% within 24h). A total of 1,988 patients completed one year of follow-up in e-consultation. Out of these, 1,278 patients (64.2%) were discharged from the e-consultation with no need for an on-site visit: 685 patients (53.5%) during the first consultation, and 593 (46.5%) upon request of a complementary test. After one year of follow-up, 13 patients (0.006%) were admitted due to cardiological pathology, and 16 patients (0.008%) died, only one due to cardiovascular causes. The mean age of the deceased was 80.5 years. CONCLUSIONS: E-consultation as a single referral system from primary care to cardiology improves patient accessibility, speeds up patient assessment and is effective for patients discharged without the need for an on-site consultation.

Comparación Placas de Titanio vs. Placas Reabsorbibles en Fracturas de Orbita: Revisión de literatura / Comparison of Titanium Plates vs. Resorbable Plates in Orbital Fractures: Literature Review

RESUMEN Introducción: Los tratamientos para fracturas de órbita se basan en la corrección del defecto de las lesiones orbitarias de tipo blow in y blow out (o de estallido), mediante diversas placas y mallas biocompatibles con el organismo, dándose una cicatrización de primera generación evitando un callo óseo y una fijación más rígida. Para el diagnóstico de este tipo de lesiones tenemos inflamación periorbitaria, enoftalmos, diplopía, equimosis, hemorragia subconjuntival. Existen diversos materiales reconstructivos siendo estos compuestos por distintas materias primas, como son los aloplásticos y autógenos; donde encontramos varios tipos como placas de titanio y las placas reabsorbibles siendo estas las más comunes y usadas actualmente, por su bajo estímulo a reabsorciones óseas y evitando efectos secundarios a largo plazo. Estas placas presentan diversos grados de ductilidad y resistencia. Se informó sobre varias complicaciones según el tipo de placas como es la cicatrización, las cirugías postquirúrgicas en caso de placas de titanio, etc. El objetivo de esta revisión es la evaluación de la eficacia las placas reabsorbibles versus placas de titanio en fracturas de órbita. Materiales y métodos: La investigación es de carácter documental, descriptivo y no experimental. En el cual se emplea una metodología de identificación e inclusión de artículos científicos tipo prisma. Resultados y conclusiones: Se verificaron las ventajas y desventajas tanto de las placas reabsorbibles como las de titanio siendo estas similares en la biocompatibilidad con el organismo humano, así como también varias diferencias como el soporte, fuerzas, resistencia de estas, concluyendo que es debatible el material ideal para tratar fracturas de órbita. Se seleccionaron artículos tomando en cuenta el título y objetivos; considerando estudios comparativos, revisiones sistemáticas, revisiones de literatura, los cuales comprendían criterios con respecto a fracturas de órbita y tratamientos quirúrgicos. La búsqueda arrojó 55 artículos en PubMed, 65 en Google, 4 en Scielo y 29 en Science direct, de los cuales se excluyeron libros, monografías, estudios experimentales, dando como resultado 21 artículos para el desarrollo de esta revisión bibliográfica. Y que fueron leídos y analizados en su totalidad, estudiando los objetivos, metodología y conclusión de cada uno de ellos para la posterior comparación.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Treatments for orbit fractures are based on the correction of the defect of blow in and blow out orbital injuries, by means of various plates and meshes biocompatible with the organism, giving a first-generation healing avoiding a bony callus and a more rigid fixation. For the diagnosis of this type of lesions we have periorbital inflammation, enophthalmos, diplopia, ecchymosis, subconjunctival hemorrhage. There are several reconstructive materials being these composed of different raw materials, such as alloplastic and autogenous, where we find several types such as titanium plates and resorbable plates being these the most common and currently used, for its low stimulus to bone resorption and avoiding long-term side effects. These plates have different degrees of ductility and resistance. Several complications have been reported depending on the type of plates, such as scarring, post-surgical surgeries in the case of titanium plates, etc. The objective of this review is to evaluate the efficacy of resorbable versus titanium plates in orbital fractures. Materials and methods: This research are a documentary, descriptive and non-experimental nature. A prism-type methodology of identification and inclusion of scientific articles was used. Results and conclusions: The advantages and disadvantages of both resorbable and titanium plates were verified, being these similar in biocompatibility with the human organism, as well as several differences such as support, forces, resistance of the same, concluding that it is debatable. The ideal material to treat orbital fractures. Articles were selected considering the title and objectives; considering comparative studies, systematic reviews, literature reviews, which included criteria regarding orbital fractures and surgical treatments. The search yielded 55 articles in PubMed, 65 in Google, 4 in Scielo and 29 in Science direct, from which books, monographs, experimental studies were excluded, resulting in 21 articles for the development of this bibliographic review. The 21 articles were read and analyzed in their entirety, studying the objectives, methodology and conclusion of each one of them for subsequent comparison.

Workplace aggressions on hospital workers: A current and prevalent problem with a high demand for training.

BACKGROUND: Workplace aggressions on hospital workers is a very frequent and under-reported problem. OBJECTIVE: The novel objective of our study was to analyze the number of workplace aggressions per hospital worker. Other objectives of the study were to analyze the management knowledge and interest in receiving training on aggressions by hospital workers. METHODS: An anonymous survey was handed out among all professionals in a university hospital. RESULTS: A total of 1118 anonymous surveys were collected. The responders declared that throughout their working life they had suffered some sort of verbal aggression in the hospital in 766 cases (68.5%) and physical aggression in 393 cases (35.2%). Multiple logistic regression analyses found higher risk of receiving physical and verbal aggression in the nursing category and in the Emergency, Critical Care or Psychiatry Units, and a higher risk of receiving physical aggression in women. The score on the level of personal knowledge regarding the legal, physical, and psychological management of aggressions (score 0-10 for each of the 3 aspects) was 2.91±2.68 in legal management, 2.97±2.77 in psychological management and 2.91±2.76 in physical management. The opinion about the interest of receiving training (score from 0 to 10) on the legal management of hospital aggressions was 8.90±1.72, on psychological management was 8.85±1.78 and on physical management was 8.88±1.78. CONCLUSIONS: Workplace aggression on hospital workers mainly affects women, the nursing category and the Emergency, Critical Care or Psychiatry Units. Hospital workers showed little knowledge on the topic but a great interest in receiving training.

[Ten-year survival after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting compared with traditional bypass grafting]. / Cirugía de revascularización miocárdica: comparación de supervivencia a 10 años de la cirugía coronaria con y sin circulación extracorpórea mediante Propensity Score Matching.

BACKGROUND: Long-term outcomes of Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (OPCAB) as an alternative to the traditional Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) technique with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are not well defined. AIM: To compare 10-year survival of isolated OPCAB versus CABG with CPB. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of information obtained from databases, clinical records and surgical protocols of patients treated with isolated CABG between January 2006 and November 2008 at a Regional Hospital. Of 658 isolated CABG, 192 (29.2%) were OPCAB and 466 (79.9%) CPB. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) was performed to compare both groups. After PSM, two groups of 192 cases were obtained. Mortality data was obtained from the Chilean public identification service. Ten-year survival was calculated and compared with Kaplan-Meier and log-rank methods. RESULTS: Follow-up data was obtained in all cases. No statistically significant differences were found when comparing 10-year survival between OPCAB versus CPB (78.6% and 80.2% respectively, p 0.720). There was also no statistical difference in cardiovascular death free survival (90.1% with CPB versus 89.1% OPCAB, p 0.737). Survival was comparable when analyzing subgroups with diabetes mellitus, left ventricular dysfunction or chronic kidney disease, among others. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, OPBAB has a comparable 10-year survival with CABG with CPB.

Increased STAT3 Activation in Periodontitis Drives Inflammatory Bone Loss.

Periodontitis is one of the most prevalent human inflammatory diseases. It is characterized by periodontal tissue destruction, progressively driven by the host response. In this regard, cytokines associated with tissue destruction, such as interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-23, use a common signaling pathway mediated by STAT3. This transcription factor is also needed for IL-17A production, a key mediator in periodontitis pathogenesis. Although several studies have reported increased activation of STAT3 in experimental periodontitis, a detailed characterization of STAT3 activation in human gingival tissues and its involvement in alveolar bone loss has yet to be explored. Using a cross-sectional study design, we detected increased proportions of pSTAT3-positive cells during periodontitis compared with health, particularly in epithelial cells and T cells. Other cell types of hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic origin also display STAT3 activation in gingival tissues. We detected increased STAT3 phosphorylation and expression of STAT3-related genes during experimental periodontitis. Next, we evaluated the role of STAT3 in alveolar bone destruction using a mouse model of STAT3 loss of function (mut-Stat3 mice). Compared with controls, mut-Stat3 mice had reduced alveolar bone loss following ligature-induced periodontitis. We also evaluated pharmacologic inhibition of STAT3 in ligature-induced periodontitis. Like mut-Stat3 mice, mice treated with STAT3 small-molecule inhibitor had reduced bone loss compared with controls. Our results demonstrate that STAT3 activation is increased in epithelial and T cells during periodontitis and indicate a pathogenic role of STAT3 in inflammatory alveolar bone loss.

Decision Making in Moral Judgment Context is Modulated by Individual Metacognition.

Metacognition refers to the human capacity to access and monitor one's own mental states. Recent research suggests that this capacity expands to the social world, e.g., when individuals explicitly share their cognitive processes with others. Additionally, metacognition is also linked to cognitive flexibility, and the latter to ideologically radical behaviors. Indeed, the absence of control over one's own mental activity could be at the base of different phenomena linked to social cognition. We investigate the metacognitive capacity of individuals in relation to the radicality with which they make a moral choice (utilitarian vs. deontological). For this purpose, 76 participants were submitted to 24 hypothetical situations, with the aim of evaluating the consistency (i.e., the radicality) of their moral choices. Then, in an independent experimental session, we evaluated the participants' metacognitive efficiency. We managed to demonstrate that individual metacognition scores are correlated with the radicality of a moral choice. We discussed the impact and relevance of metacognition in ecological contexts, particularly where subjective evaluation of the environment involves individual choices with social consequences.

Transfer matrix in 1D Dirac-like problems.

The transfer matrix method is considered to obtain the fundamental properties of 1D Dirac-like problems. The case of 1D problems in monolayer graphene is addressed. The main characteristics of the transfer matrix are analyzed, contrasting them with the ones corresponding to 1D Schrödinger-like problems. Analytic expressions for the transmission coefficient and bound states are obtained. The continuity between bound states and states of perfect transmission is demonstrated in general, and in particular showed for the case of single electrostatic barriers. These findings in principle can be extended to 2D materials with Hamiltonian similar to monolayer graphene such as silicene and transition metal dichalcogenides.

Implementación del uso del SPECT portátil para valoración de márgenes quirúrgicos en cáncer de mama con indicación de ROLL. Primeros resultados / Implementation of the use of SPECT-portable for evaluation of surgical margins in breast cancer with indication of ROLL: First results

Objetivo principal: comparar la efectividad para la comprobación de márgenes quirúrgicos entre SPECT portátil y la mamografía de la pieza (RxM). Objetivo secundario: estandarizar un protocolo preintraquirúrgico mediante SPECT portátil y evaluar el tiempo requerido en el uso de esta técnica. Material y métodos Estudio longitudinal prospectivo con 36 pacientes (39 lesiones) diagnosticadas de cáncer de mama con criterios para realización SNOLL/ROLL. Se realiza en estudio prequirúrgico de la lesión tumoral, tras la administración ecoguiada de [99mTc]Tc-nanocoloides de albúmina/[99mTc]Tc-macroagregados de albúmina, en la lesión tumoral. Mediante SPECT portátil se obtienen imágenes híbridas (óptico + SPECT) e imágenes de navegación en 3D con sonda gamma. En quirófano se obtienen 4-5 imágenes con SPECT portátil, I) sobre piel para localización tumoral II) tras exposición de lecho para guía de resección, III) del lecho tras exéresis, IV y V) a la pieza quirúrgica. Se decide ampliación o no de márgenes considerando tres criterios: a) actividad residual (cps) en bordes de resección del lecho; b) análisis visual de la captación en la pieza; c) una distancia mínima de 10mm de los bordes de la pieza hasta el centro de mayor captación, más el radio de la lesión. En este estudio se valora la concordancia de: la medición de la profundidad entre ecografía y SPECT portátil en el estudio prequirúrgico; los márgenes quirúrgicos entre SPECT portátil vs. RxM, teniendo de técnica de referencia anatomía patológica (AP); del tiempo quirúrgico empleado con SPECT portátil (AU)

Objectives Main objective: To compare the effectiveness for checking surgical margins between SPECT-portable and mammography of the piece (RxM). Secondary objective: To standardize a pre-operative protocol using SPECT-portable and to evaluate the time required in the use of this technique. Material and method Prospective longitudinal study with 36 patients (39 lesions) diagnosed with breast cancer (CM) with criteria for SNOLL/ROLL. A pre-surgical study of the tumor lesion was performed, after the eco-guided administration of 99mTc-nanocolloids of albumin/99mTc-macroaggregates of albumin, in the tumor lesion. Hybrid images (optical+SPECT) and 3D navigation images with gamma probe are obtained using freehandSPECT. In the operating room, 4–5 images are obtained with freehandSPECT, (I) on skin for tumor location, (II) after exposure of surgical bed for resection guide, (III) of the surgical bed after exeresis, (IV and V) the anterior–posterior and lateral surface of the surgical specimen. The three criteria to decide to extend the margins are: (a) residual activity (cps) at the edges of the surgical bed resection; (b) visual analysis of the uptake in the specimen; (c) a minimum distance of 10mm from the edges of the specimen to the center of greatest uptake, plus the radius of the lesion. We study the concordance of: the depth measurement between ultrasound and freehandSPECT; the surgical margins between freehandSPECT vs. mammography of the specimen (RxM), considering anatomical pathology (AP) as the gold standard technique as reference; surgical time used with freehandSPECT and RxM. Results Intraoperative localization was performed in all cases. False negative (FN: no detection margin affected) with freehandSPECT: 9 margins; with RxM: 8 (AU)

Comparison of three fluids for calibration of the new Periotron® 8010.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to calibrate the Periotron® model 8010 with volumes of three different fluids (distilled water, serum, and saliva) and to identify which of the three is the most reliable, feasible, and reproducible for routine calibration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 450 samples of Periopaper® were divided into three groups (150 each per group): distilled water, serum matrix and saliva. A calibration curve was run with 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00 and 1.25 µl of each of the fluids, and the results were determined in Periotron units (PU). Statistical analysis was performed with one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni's post hoc test and a linear equation. RESULTS: Distilled water presented the lowest levels of PU at all volumes, while serum showed the highest levels at high volumes. Linear regression equations rendered similar slopes for saliva and distilled water, while serum was statistically different. Saliva presented a reproduction percentage of 99.7%, which indicated better accuracy and precision than serum and distilled water. CONCLUSIONS: Saliva is more reliable and accurate than water or serum for the purpose of calibration of the Periotron® model 8010, though it shares drawbacks with serum. Distilled water is more easily available and does not require any additional procedure, in addition to producing a similar slope to saliva and a smaller deviation from the media than serum.

Cirugía de revascularización miocárdica: comparación de supervivencia a 10 años de la cirugía coronaria con y sin circulación extracorpórea mediante Propensity Score Matching / Ten-year survival after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting compared with traditional bypass grafting

BACKGROUND: Long-term outcomes of Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (OPCAB) as an alternative to the traditional Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) technique with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are not well defined. AIM: To compare 10-year survival of isolated OPCAB versus CABG with CPB. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analysis of information obtained from databases, clinical records and surgical protocols of patients treated with isolated CABG between January 2006 and November 2008 at a Regional Hospital. Of 658 isolated CABG, 192 (29.2%) were OPCAB and 466 (79.9%) CPB. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) was performed to compare both groups. After PSM, two groups of 192 cases were obtained. Mortality data was obtained from the Chilean public identification service. Ten-year survival was calculated and compared with Kaplan-Meier and log-rank methods. RESULTS: Follow-up data was obtained in all cases. No statistically significant differences were found when comparing 10-year survival between OPCAB versus CPB (78.6% and 80.2% respectively, p 0.720). There was also no statistical difference in cardiovascular death free survival (90.1% with CPB versus 89.1% OPCAB, p 0.737). Survival was comparable when analyzing subgroups with diabetes mellitus, left ventricular dysfunction or chronic kidney disease, among others. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, OPBAB has a comparable 10-year survival with CABG with CPB.

Isoniazid preventive therapy completion in children under 5 years old who are contacts of tuberculosis cases in Lima, Peru: study protocol for an open-label, cluster-randomized superiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Children < 5 years old in contact with TB cases are at high risk for developing severe and fatal forms of TB. Contact investigation, BCG vaccination, and isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) are the most effective strategies to prevent TB among children. However, the implementation of IPT faces challenges at several stages of the cascade of care of TB infection among children, particularly those less than 5 years old. In Peru, a large proportion of children do not complete IPT, which highlights the need to design effective interventions that enhance preventive therapy adherence and completion. Although the body of evidence for such interventions has grown, interventions in medium TB incidence settings are lacking. This study aims to test the effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of an intervention package to increase information and motivation to complete IPT among children < 5 who have been prescribed IPT. METHODS: An open-label, cluster-randomized superiority trial will be conducted in two districts in South Lima, Peru. Thirty health facilities will be randomized as clusters, 10 to the intervention and 20 to control (standard of care). We aim to recruit 10 children from different households in each cluster. Participants will be caretakers of children aged < 5 years old who initiated IPT. The intervention consists of educational material, and short message services (SMS) reminders and motivators. The primary outcomes will be the proportion of children who picked up > 90% of the 24 weeks of IPT (22 pick-ups) and the proportion of children who picked up the 24 weeks of IPT. The standard of care is a weekly pick-up with monthly check-ups in a health facility. Feasibility and acceptability of the intervention will be assessed through an interview with the caretaker. DISCUSSION: Unfavorable outcomes of TB in young children, high effectiveness of IPT, and low rates of IPT completion highlight the need to enhance adherence and completion of IPT among children < 5 years old. Testing of a context-adapted intervention is needed to improve IPT completion rates and therefore TB prevention in young children. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03881228. Registered on March 19, 2019.

Implementation of the use of SPECT-portable for evaluation of surgical margins in breast cancer with indication of ROLL: First results.

OBJECTIVES: Main objective: To compare the effectiveness for checking surgical margins between SPECT-portable and mammography of the piece (RxM). SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: To standardize a pre-operative protocol using SPECT-portable and to evaluate the time required in the use of this technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective longitudinal study with 36 patients (39 lesions) diagnosed with breast cancer (CM) with criteria for SNOLL/ROLL. A pre-surgical study of the tumor lesion was performed, after the eco-guided administration of 99mTc-nanocolloids of albumin/99mTc-macroaggregates of albumin, in the tumor lesion. Hybrid images (optical + SPECT) and 3D navigation images with gamma probe are obtained using freehandSPECT. In the operating room, 4-5 images are obtained with freehandSPECT, (I) on skin for tumor location, (II) after exposure of surgical bed for resection guide, (III) of the surgical bed after exeresis, (IV and V) the anterior-posterior and lateral surface of the surgical specimen. The three criteria to decide to extend the margins are: (a) residual activity (cps) at the edges of the surgical bed resection; (b) visual analysis of the uptake in the specimen; (c) a minimum distance of 10 mm from the edges of the specimen to the center of greatest uptake, plus the radius of the lesion. We study the concordance of: the depth measurement between ultrasound and freehandSPECT; the surgical margins between freehandSPECT vs. mammography of the specimen (RxM), considering anatomical pathology (AP) as the gold standard technique as reference; surgical time used with freehandSPECT and RxM. RESULTS: Intraoperative localization was performed in all cases. False negative (FN: no detection margin affected) with freehandSPECT: 9 margins; with RxM: 8. True positive (TP: detection margin affected) with freehandSPECT: 5 margins, with RxM: 6. True negative (TN: consider free margin when healthy) with freehandSPECT: 213 margins; with RxM: 196. Negative predictive value (NPV: probability of negative margin on unaffected part) with freehandSPECT: 95.9%, with RxM: 96.07%. Specificity with freehandSPECT: 96.8%, with RxM: 97%. The concordance of surgical bed margins between freehandSPECT and RxM: 94.5%. Between freehandSPECT and AP: 93.1%. Between RxM and PA: 93.5%, being all statistically significant (p-value <0.000), so we can affirm that both techniques are related or dependent on the reference technique, the PA. Degree of correlation between SPECT-portable and low PA (Kappa index: 0.34, 95% CI [0.22-0.47], and between RxM and moderate PA (Kappa index: 0.42, 95% CI [0.29-0.56], p-value <0.001. Comparison of the successes and failures of both techniques (SPECT-portable and RxM) and PA: Distribution χ2: 0.023 with degree of freedom 1, with value <0.05, so we can affirm that both techniques are similar, since there are no significant statistical differences. Median total OR time: 60.25 min (30-145). Mean freehandSPECT OR time: 5 scans = 10 min. CONCLUSIONS: There are no statistically significant differences in the probability to rule out affective margins that require a second surgery between both techniques (SPECT-portable and RxM) so, the technique performed with SPECT-Portable is a useful and effective procedure, which requires specific training with an optimized and multidisciplinary protocol. The time spent with SPECT-portable is feasible for daily practice.

Progresos y retos de la Toxicología Genética / Progress and challenges of Genetic Toxicology

Resumen: Esta revisión resume los principales avances de la citogenética y proporciona una perspectiva sobre el futuro de la toxicología genética, desde el pasado, presente y futuro, tanto desde el punto de vista genético como epigenético. Los principios de la citogenética clásica han evolucionado con el tiempo, interactuando con enfoques de toxicología para dar lugar a la toxicología genética o mutagénesis ambiental. Actualmente, están surgiendo estudios toxicogenómicos basados en estudios de toxicología genética estándar, y uno de los principales objetivos de la toxicogenómica es detectar relaciones entre cambios en la expresión génica global y criterios de valoración toxicológicos, con el fin de comprender el papel de las interacciones gen-ambiente en la enfermedad. Para alcanzar este objetivo, la toxicogenómica combina la toxicología, la genética, tecnologías de perfiles moleculares de alto rendimiento como la transcriptómica, proteómica, metabolómica y la bioinformática. En este campo, muchas limitaciones restringen el papel de los nuevos hallazgos y enfoques. Por ejemplo, el costo de las nuevas tecnologías; sin embargo, su aplicación contribuirá a una mejor comprensión de las interacciones gen-ambiente y de esta manera, establecer políticas orientadas a prevenir riesgos para la salud, para que se viva una vida más saludable en un ambiente más favorable. (AU)

This review summarizes the main advances of cytogenetic and provides a perspective on the future of genetic toxicology, reviewing from past, present, and future, both genetics and epigenetic point of view. The principles of classical cytogenetics have evolved over time, interacting with toxicology approaches to give rise to genetic toxicology or environmental mutagenesis. Currently, toxicogenomic studies are emerging based on standard genetic toxicology studies, and one major goal of toxicogenomic is to detect relationships between changes in global gene expression and toxicological endpoints, in order to understand the role of gene-environment interactions in disease. To reach this goal, toxicogenomics combines toxicology, genetic, with genomics or other high throughput molecular profiling technologies such as transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and bioinformatics. In this field, many limitations are restricting the role of the novel findings and approaches. For example, the cost of new technologies; however, its application will contribute to a better understanding of gene-environment interactions and in this way, establish policies aimed at preventing health risks, so that a healthier life is lived in a friendlier environment. (AU)

Mitochondrial redox impairment and enhanced autophagy in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from type 1 diabetic patients.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) involves critical metabolic disturbances that contribute to an increased cardiovascular risk. Leukocytes are key players in the onset of atherosclerosis due to their interaction with the endothelium. However, whether mitochondrial redox impairment, altered bioenergetics and abnormal autophagy in leukocytes contribute to T1D physiopathology is unclear. In this study we aimed to evaluate the bioenergetic and redox state of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from T1D patients in comparison to those from healthy subjects, and to assess autophagy induction and leukocyte-endothelial interactions. T1D patients presented lower levels of fast-acting and total antioxidants in their blood, and their leukocytes produced higher amounts of total reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide radical with respect to controls. Basal and ATP-linked respiration were similar in PBMCs from T1D and controls, but T1D PBMCs exhibited reduced spare respiratory capacity and a tendency toward decreased maximal respiration and reduced non-mitochondrial respiration, compared to controls. The autophagy markers P-AMPK, Beclin-1 and LC3-II/LC3-I were increased, while P62 and NBR1 were decreased in T1D PBMCs versus those from controls. Leukocytes from T1D patients displayed lower rolling velocity, higher rolling flux and more adhesion to the endothelium versus controls. Our findings show that T1D impairs mitochondrial function and promotes oxidative stress and autophagy in leukocytes, and suggest that these mechanisms contribute to an increased risk of atherosclerosis by augmenting leukocyte-endothelial interactions.

SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF THYMIC PEPTIDES IN THE TREATMENT OF HOSPITALIZED COVID-19 PATIENTS IN HONDURAS.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) active cases continue to demand the development of safe and effective treatments. This is the first clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral thymic peptides. ; We conducted a nonrandomized phase 2 trial with a historic control group to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a daily 250-mg oral dose of thymic peptides in the treatment of hospitalized Covid-19 patients. Comparisons based on standard care from registry data were performed after propensity score matching. The primary outcomes were survival, time to recovery, and number of participants with treatment-related adverse events or side effects by day 20. ; A total of 44 patients were analyzed in this study: 22 in the thymic peptide group and 22 in the standard care group. There were no deaths in the intervention group compared to 24% mortality in standard care by day 20 (log-rank P=0.02). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significantly shorter time to recovery by day 20 in the thymic peptide group than in the standard care group (median, 6 days vs. 12 days; hazard ratio for recovery, 2.75 [95% confidence interval, 1.34 to 5.62]; log-rank P=0.002). No side effects or adverse events were reported. ; In patients hospitalized with Covid-19, the use of thymic peptides resulted in no side effects, adverse events, or deaths by day 20. Compared with the registry data, a significantly shorter time to recovery and mortality reduction were measured.

Ensembles of data-efficient vision transformers as a new paradigm for automated classification in ecology.

Monitoring biodiversity is paramount to manage and protect natural resources. Collecting images of organisms over large temporal or spatial scales is a promising practice to monitor the biodiversity of natural ecosystems, providing large amounts of data with minimal interference with the environment. Deep learning models are currently used to automate classification of organisms into taxonomic units. However, imprecision in these classifiers introduces a measurement noise that is difficult to control and can significantly hinder the analysis and interpretation of data. We overcome this limitation through ensembles of Data-efficient image Transformers (DeiTs), which not only are easy to train and implement, but also significantly outperform the previous state of the art (SOTA). We validate our results on ten ecological imaging datasets of diverse origin, ranging from plankton to birds. On all the datasets, we achieve a new SOTA, with a reduction of the error with respect to the previous SOTA ranging from 29.35% to 100.00%, and often achieving performances very close to perfect classification. Ensembles of DeiTs perform better not because of superior single-model performances but rather due to smaller overlaps in the predictions by independent models and lower top-1 probabilities. This increases the benefit of ensembling, especially when using geometric averages to combine individual learners. While we only test our approach on biodiversity image datasets, our approach is generic and can be applied to any kind of images.

Entrenamiento procedimental básico (EPROBA) en suturas para estudiantes de medicina durante pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) / Suturing basic procedural skills training for medical students during COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND: The adoption of sanitary measures due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic hampered teaching and learning methods in medicine. AIM: To communicate the results of a wound suture training workshop, based on the Basic Procedural Skills Training methodology and adapted to the pandemic context. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred fourteen students were randomized in small groups due to sanitary measures and trained with a modification of the Basic Procedural Skills Training methodology. An informed consent was obtained from every student. The suturing skills were evaluated before and after the intervention with "The Objective Structured Assessment Of Technical Skills" (OSATS) instrument. The perception of the workshop and the implementation of the COVID-19 prevention measures were also evaluated. RESULTS: The students showed a statistically significant improvement after the intervention. In the OSATS verification list, the average score increased from 4.5 to 8.6 (p < 0.01). In the OSATS global scale, the average score increased from 13.0 to 25.3 (p < 0.01). The perception of the workshop and the prevention measures were well evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Despite all the limitations of the pandemic context, we achieved a significant improvement after the intervention and a very good perception by the students.