Interacciones sociales, bullying y conducta suicida en niños y adolescentes con trastorno del espectro autista / Social Interactions, Bullying, and Suicidal Behavior in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Introducción: La evidencia plantea que el trastorno del espectro autista puede asociarse con un aumento, en el pensamiento, del deseo de querer morir; ante esta situación se hace necesario investigar los factores de riesgo que afectan a menores con esta condición. Objetivo: Explorar en la literatura de qué forma las interacciones sociales y el bullying son factores de riesgo en la conducta suicida en niños y adolescentes con trastorno del espectro autista. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda que incluyó las principales bases de datos y de gestores de la información (PubMed, SciELO, WoS, Google académico, Scopus, Dialnet), entre marzo y agosto de 2021. Se utilizaron términos como suicidal behavior; trastorno del espectro autista; intimidación; nteracción social. Análisis y síntesis de la información: Se entregan argumentos de cómo el bullying representa un factor de riesgo para la conducta suicida, también de cómo los intercambios comunicativos se encuentran afectados en los menores con trastornos del espectro autista y esto puede aumentar el riesgo suicida. Se describe la escasa literatura vinculada a la evaluación de la conducta suicida en los menores con estos trastornos y de la necesidad de continuar investigando en esta temática. Conclusión: Los niños y adolescentes con necesidades educativas especiales, entre los que se encuentran los niños con trastornos del espectro autista, están expuestos a un mayor número de factores de riesgo para la aparición de conducta suicida. Estos elementos deben considerarse a la hora de programar y planificar protocolos de prevención del suicidio en el contexto sanitario y educativo(AU)

Introduction: Evidence suggests that autism spectrum disorder may be associated with an increase, in thinking of the wish to die; given this situation, it is necessary to investigate the risk factors that affect children with this condition. Objective: To explore in the literature how social interactions and bullying are risk factors for suicidal behavior in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Methods: A search including the main databases and information managers (PubMed, SciELO, WoS, Google Scholar, Scopus, Dialnet) was carried out between March and August 2021. Terms such as suicidal behavior; autism spectrum disorder; bullying; social interaction were used. Analysis and synthesis of information: Arguments are given on how bullying represents a risk factor for suicidal behavior, also on how communicative exchanges are affected in children with autism spectrum disorders and this may increase suicidal risk. It is described the scarce literature related to the evaluation of suicidal behavior in children with these disorders and the need for further research on this topic. Conclusion: Children and adolescents with special educational needs, including children with autism spectrum disorders, are exposed to a greater number of risk factors for the development of suicidal behavior. These elements should be considered when programming and planning suicide prevention protocols in the health and educational context(AU)

Simulated training program in abdominal paracentesis for undergraduate medical students / Programa de entrenamiento simulado en paracentesis abdominal para estudiantes de medicina de pregrado

Background and aims: Abdominal paracentesis is an area that every general physician should know about, and the current learning model is unsafe for patients. Simulation allows students to develop their skills prior to clinical confrontation with minimal risks. The aims of this study were to design and evaluate a paracentesis simulation workshop for undergraduate students. Methods: A workshop was implemented using a specially designed and validated simulation model for abdominal paracentesis. The simulated technique considered the recognition of materials, operator equipment, asepsis, anesthesia, puncture and obtaining liquid, collecting samples for analysis, withdrawal of the material and occlusion. A 24-point direct observation checklist was administered to assess the student. We assessed two students at the beginning of the workshop and all the students at the end. A perception survey was applied to attendees at the end of the workshop. Results: 247 students were included and a workshop that involved 8 students per session was held. Students significantly improved their skills comparing pre- and post-evaluation results [13.36±4.46 (55.7%) vs. 22.3±1.83 (92.9%) respectively (n=69) p<0.001]. The students' perception questionnaire (n=38) showed that the training sessions were highly valued, averaging 4.8±0.38 on a Likert scale of 1-5. Conclusions: Simulated training in abdominal paracentesis is a very good teaching method. This teaching methodology should be highly recommended as an educational strategy in medicine because it could accelerate the acquisition of clinical skills in a safe learning environment

Antecedentes: La paracentesis abdominal es una competencia que todo médico general debe conocer, y el modelo de aprendizaje actual no es seguro para los pacientes. La simulación permite a los estudiantes desarrollar habilidades antes del enfrentamiento clínico minimizando riesgos. Los objetivos de este estudio han sido diseñar y evaluar un taller de simulación de paracentesis para estudiantes de pregrado. Métodos: Se implementó un taller de paracentesis abdominal, utilizando un fantoma especialmente diseñado y validado. La enseñanza de la técnica consideró el reconocimiento de materiales, equipo del operador, asepsia, anestesia, punción y obtención de líquido, recolección de muestras para análisis, extracción del material y oclusión. Para la evaluación se usó una pauta de observación directa (24 puntos). Dos estudiantes por grupo fueron evaluados al comienzo del taller y todos los alumnos se evaluaron al final. Al término del taller se aplicó una encuesta de percepción a los asistentes. Resultados: Se incluyeron 247 estudiantes en un taller que involucraba 8 alumnos por sesión. Los estudiantes mejoraron significativamente sus habilidades al comparar los resultados de la pre-evaluación versus la postevaluación (13,36±4,46 [55,7%] vs. 22,3±1,83 [92,9%], respectivamente [n=69]; p<0,001]. El cuestionario de percepción de los estudiantes (n=38) demostró que las sesiones de entrenamiento fueron valoradas positivamente, con un promedio de 4,8±0,38 en la escala de Likert de 1-5. Conclusiones: El entrenamiento simulado en paracentesis es un muy buen método de enseñanza. Esta metodología debe ser altamente recomendada como estrategia educacional en medicina, ya que podría acelerar la adquisición de habilidades clínicas en un ambiente de aprendizaje seguro

Simulated training program in abdominal paracentesis for undergraduate medical students.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Abdominal paracentesis is an area that every general physician should know about, and the current learning model is unsafe for patients. Simulation allows students to develop their skills prior to clinical confrontation with minimal risks. The aims of this study were to design and evaluate a paracentesis simulation workshop for undergraduate students. METHODS: A workshop was implemented using a specially designed and validated simulation model for abdominal paracentesis. The simulated technique considered the recognition of materials, operator equipment, asepsis, anesthesia, puncture and obtaining liquid, collecting samples for analysis, withdrawal of the material and occlusion. A 24-point direct observation checklist was administered to assess the student. We assessed two students at the beginning of the workshop and all the students at the end. A perception survey was applied to attendees at the end of the workshop. RESULTS: 247 students were included and a workshop that involved 8 students per session was held. Students significantly improved their skills comparing pre- and post-evaluation results [13.36±4.46 (55.7%) vs. 22.3±1.83 (92.9%) respectively (n=69) p<0.001]. The students' perception questionnaire (n=38) showed that the training sessions were highly valued, averaging 4.8±0.38 on a Likert scale of 1-5. CONCLUSIONS: Simulated training in abdominal paracentesis is a very good teaching method. This teaching methodology should be highly recommended as an educational strategy in medicine because it could accelerate the acquisition of clinical skills in a safe learning environment.

Somatotropic Axis Dysfunction in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Beneficial Hepatic and Systemic Effects of Hormone Supplementation.

BACKGROUND: Somatotropic axis dysfunction associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has potential multisystemic detrimental effects. Here, we analysed the effects of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) supplementation on liver histology, adipokine profile and muscle function in an NAFLD model. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were fed with a high fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks and were separated into three groups treated for 4 weeks with: (1) High fat diet (HFD) (n = 10); (2) HFD + GH 9 μg/g/d (n = 10); (3) HFD + IGF-1 0.02 µg/g/d (n = 9). A control group fed a chow diet was included (n = 6). Liver histology, liver triglycerides content, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, adiponectin and leptin serum levels, in vivo muscle strength, tetanic force and muscle fibre cross-sectional area (CSA) were measured. RESULTS: HFD + GH and HFD + IGF-1 groups showed significantly lower ALT activity compared to HFD (p < 0.01). Liver triglyceride content in HFD + GH was decreased compared to HFD (p < 0.01). Histologic steatosis score was increased in HFD and HFD + GH group (p < 0.01), whereas HFD + IGF-1 presented no difference compared to the chow group (p = 0.3). HFD + GH group presented lower serum leptin and adiponectin levels compared to HFD. GH and IGF-1 supplementation therapy reverted HFD-induced reduction in muscle strength and CSA (sarcopenia). CONCLUSIONS: GH and IGF-1 supplementation induced significant improvement in liver steatosis, aminotransferases and sarcopenia in a diet-induced NAFLD model.