Optimization of an Alternative Culture Medium for Phycocyanin Production from Arthrospira platensis under Laboratory Conditions.

Arthrospira platensis, known as spirulina, is a cyanobacterium with multiple nutritional benefits, as it contains substantial amounts of proteins, fatty acids, and pigments. However, the production of this microalga has faced significant challenges, primarily related to the cost and composition of the required culture medium for its optimal growth. This study focused on optimizing two nitrogen sources (urea and potassium nitrate) to maximize the growth of A. platensis and the production of phycocyanin, a photosynthetic pigment of significant commercial value. Optimization was performed using the response surface methodology (RSM) with a central composite design (CCD). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to validate the model, which revealed that the different concentrations of urea were statistically significant (p < 0.05) for biomass and phycocyanin production. However, potassium nitrate (KNO3) showed no significant influence (p > 0.05) on the response variables. The RSM analysis indicated that the optimal concentrations of KNO3 and urea to maximize the response variables were 3.5 g L-1 and 0.098 g L-1, respectively. This study offers valuable perspectives for the efficient production of A. platensis while reducing production costs for its cultivation on a larger scale.

Predictors of cardiovascular risk in familial hypercholesterolemia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Familial hypercholesterolemia is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The current international guidelines of the main scientific societies consider that, all people with Familial Hypercholesterolemia have a high or very high cardiovascular risk. However, the occurrence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is very heterogeneous in this population. Stratifying risk within people with familial hypercholesterolemia is essential to identify individuals who require intensive cholesterol-lowering therapies. RECENT FINDINGS: In the last year, several studies have been published focusing on the contribution of diabetes to Familial Hypercholesterolemia, the role of stroke, as a manifestation of atherosclerotic disease, and the external validation of the SAFEHEART risk equation in the English population diagnosed with Familial Hypercholesterolemia. SUMMARY: It is necessary the development of a tool that allows us to identify, in a simple, reproducible, and universal way, patients who may have a high risk of suffering a cardiovascular event and who are susceptible to more intensive treatments to reduce cholesterol levels.

Client experience of food assistance programs among adults in the United States: a qualitative evidence synthesis protocol.

Introduction: Policymakers, health practitioners, and other key partners are increasingly focused on ensuring that clients of food assistance programs have positive experiences, a key aspect of high-quality programming. The objectives of this review are to describe the experiences of clients participating in food assistance programs in the United States (US) and to identify ways that these programs promote or hinder positive experiences. Methods and analysis: We will conduct a qualitative evidence synthesis with partners from food security organizations and community members. Peer-reviewed literature will be systematically searched in Scopus, CINAHL, and AGRICOLA. To identify grey literature, we will use Google's programmable search engine. This review will consider sources that present results of primary qualitative studies that focus on at least one food assistance program in the US and explore the perspectives of adult clients. Only sources published in English or Spanish from 2007 onward will be included. Multiple reviewers will screen articles for inclusion and extract data from articles that meet the inclusion criteria, using a structured data extraction tool. Thematic synthesis or meta-ethnography may be appropriate approaches for synthesizing the extracted data. The final selection of synthesis method will be determined once the set of primary qualitative studies to be included in the review is complete and the type of data presented in these studies is known. We will assess the methodological quality of the included studies using the CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme) tool for qualitative studies and assess the confidence in the review findings using the GRADE-CERQual (Confidence in Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research) approach. Discussion: The findings of this review will inform the development of measures to assess client experience and quality improvement efforts.

Genetic interaction in the association between oxidative stress and diabetes in the Spanish population.

Oxidative stress (OS) is a relevant intermediate mechanism involved in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2D) development. To date, the interaction between OS parameters and variations in genes related to T2D has not been analyzed. AIMS: To study the genetic interaction of genes potentially related to OS levels (redox homeostasis, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, endoplasmic stress response, dyslipidemia, obesity and metal transport) and OS and T2D risk in a general population from Spain (the Hortega Study) in relation to the risk of suffering from T2D. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One thousand five hundred and two adults from the University Hospital Rio Hortega area were studied and 900 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 272 candidate genes were analyzed. RESULTS: There were no differences in OS levels between cases and controls. Some polymorphisms were associated with T2D and with OS levels. Significant interactions were observed between OS levels and two polymorphisms in relation to T2D presence: rs196904 (ERN1 gene) and rs2410718 (COX7C gene); and between OS levels and haplotypes of the genes: SP2, HFF1A, ILI8R1, EIF2AK2, TXNRD2, PPARA, NDUFS2 and ERN1. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that genetic variations of the studied genes are associated with OS levels and that their interaction with OS parameters may contribute to the risk of developing T2D in the Spanish general population. These data support the importance of analyzing the influence of OS levels and their interaction with genetic variations in order to establish their real impact in T2D risk. Further studies are required to identify the real relevance of interactions between genetic variations and OS levels and the mechanisms involved in them.

Risk factors for cardiovascular events in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: protocol for a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (heFH) is the most common monogenic cause of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The precise diagnosis of heFH is established by genetic testing. This systematic review will investigate the risk factors that predict cardiovascular events in patients with a genetic diagnosis of heFH. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Our literature search will cover publications from database inception until June 2023. We will undertake a search of CINAHL (trial), clinicalKey, Cochrane Library, DynaMed, Embase, Espacenet, Experiments (trial), Fisterra, ÍnDICEs CSIC, LILACS, LISTA, Medline, Micromedex, NEJM Resident 360, OpenDissertations, PEDro, Trip Database, PubPsych, Scopus, TESEO, UpToDate, Web of Science and the grey literature for eligible studies. We will screen the title, abstract and full-text papers for potential inclusion and assess the risk of bias. We will employ the Cochrane tool for randomised controlled trials and non-randomised clinical studies and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for assessing the risk of bias in observational studies. We will include full-text peer-reviewed publications, reports of a cohort/registry, case-control and cross-sectional studies, case report/series and surveys related to adults (≥18 years of age) with a genetic diagnostic heFH. The language of the searched studies will be restricted to English or Spanish. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach will be used to assess the quality of the evidence. Based on the data available, the authors will determine whether the data can be pooled in meta-analyses. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: All data will be extracted from published literature. Hence, ethical approval and patient informed consent are not required. The findings of the systematic review will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presentation at international conferences. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022304273.

Model for regional collaboration: Successful strategy to implement a pediatric early warning system in 36 pediatric oncology centers in Latin America.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric early warning systems (PEWS) aid in the early identification of deterioration in hospitalized children with cancer; however, they are under-used in resource-limited settings. The authors use the knowledge-to-action framework to describe the implementation strategy for Proyecto Escala de Valoracion de Alerta Temprana (EVAT), a multicenter quality-improvement collaborative, to scale-up PEWS in pediatric oncology centers in Latin America. METHODS: Proyecto EVAT mentored participating centers through an adaptable implementation strategy to: (1) monitor clinical deterioration in children with cancer, (2) contextually adapt PEWS, (3) assess barriers to using PEWS, (4) pilot and implement PEWS, (5) monitor the use of PEWS, (6) evaluate outcomes, and (7) sustain PEWS. The implementation outcomes assessed included the quality of PEWS use, the time required for implementation, and global program impact. RESULTS: From April 2017 to October 2021, 36 diverse Proyecto EVAT hospitals from 13 countries in Latin America collectively managing more than 4100 annual new pediatric cancer diagnoses successfully implemented PEWS. The time to complete all program phases varied among centers, averaging 7 months (range, 3-13 months) from PEWS pilot to implementation completion. All centers ultimately implemented PEWS and maintained high-quality PEWS use for up to 18 months after implementation. Across the 36 centers, more than 11,100 clinicians were trained in PEWS, and more than 41,000 pediatric hospital admissions had PEWS used in their care. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence-based interventions like PEWS can be successfully scaled-up regionally basis using a systematic approach that includes a collaborative network, an adaptable implementation strategy, and regional mentorship. Lessons learned can guide future programs to promote the widespread adoption of effective interventions and reduce global disparities in childhood cancer outcomes. LAY SUMMARY: Pediatric early warning systems (PEWS) are clinical tools used to identify deterioration in hospitalized children with cancer; however, implementation challenges limit their use in resource-limited settings. Proyecto EVAT is a multicenter quality-improvement collaborative to implement PEWS in 36 pediatric oncology centers in Latin America. This is the first multicenter, multinational study reporting a successful implementation strategy (Proyecto EVAT) to regionally scale-up PEWS. The lessons learned from Proyecto EVAT can inform future programs to promote the adoption of clinical interventions to globally improve childhood cancer outcomes.

Maduración pulmonar fetal en diabetes mellitus pregestacional y complicaciones crónicas / Fetal lung maturation in pregestational diabetes mellitus and chronic complications

Las pacientes embarazadas con diabetes mellitus (DM) pregestacional y complicaciones micro y macroangiopáticas tienen mayor riesgo de empeoramiento de las mismas y de presentar otros trastornos asociados al embarazo. La progresión de la retinopatía diabética ocurre durante el embarazo y el posparto. La nefropatía se asocia con un mayor riesgo de preeclampsia, parto prematuro, restricción del crecimiento fetal y mortalidad perinatal. Cuando hay enfermedad de arterias coronarias o gastroparesia se observa un aumento de la morbilidad materna y fetal. El parto prematuro es una condición prevalente en pacientes con DM. La maduración pulmonar fetal con corticosteroides fue extensamente estudiada, con numerosas pruebas controladas, hasta convertirse en una de las más importantes terapias prenatales basadas en evidencias para reducir la mortalidad perinatal y el síndrome de dificultad respiratoria, la hemorragia intraventricular y la enterocolitis necrosante en los niños prematuros. Sin embargo, en dicha evidencia no se han incluido a embarazadas con DM, por lo cual no se conocen resultados perinatales en este grupo de pacientes.

Pregnant patients with pregestational diabetes mellitus (DM) and micro and macroangiopathic complications have a higher risk of their worsening and of presenting other pregnancyassociated disorders. The progression of diabetic retinopathy occurs during pregnancy and postpartum. Nephropathy is associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia, preterm delivery, fetal growth restriction, and perinatal mortality. When there is coronary artery disease or gastroparesis, an increase in maternal and fetal morbidity is observed Preterm delivery is a prevalent condition in diabetic patients. Corticosteroid fetal lung maturation has been extensively studied, with numerous controlled trials, to become one of the most important evidence-based prenatal therapies to reduce perinatal mortality and decrease respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, and necrotizing enterocolitis, in premature infants. Nevertheless, this evidence did not include patients with DM, for this reason perinatal results are not known in this group of patients.

Maduración pulmonar fetal en diabetes mellitus pregestacional y complicaciones crónicas / Fetal lung maturation in pregestational diabetes mellitus and chronic complications

Resumen Las pacientes embarazadas con diabetes mellitus (DM) pregestacional y complicaciones micro y macroangiopáticas tienen mayor riesgo de empeoramiento de las mismas y de presentar otros trastornos asociados al embarazo. La progresión de la retinopatía diabética ocurre durante el embarazo y el posparto. La nefropatía se asocia con un mayor riesgo de preeclampsia, parto prematuro, restricción del crecimiento fetal y mortalidad perinatal. Cuando hay enfermedad de arterias coronarias o gastroparesia se observa un aumento de la morbilidad materna y fetal. El parto prematuro es una condición prevalente en pacientes con DM. La maduración pulmonar fetal con corticosteroides fue extensamente estudiada, con numerosas pruebas controladas, hasta convertirse en una de las más importantes terapias prenatales basadas en evidencias para reducir la mortalidad perinatal y el síndrome de dificultad respiratoria, la hemorragia intraventricular y la enterocolitis necrosante en los niños prematuros. Sin embargo, en dicha evidencia no se han incluido a embarazadas con DM, por lo cual no se conocen resultados perinatales en este grupo de pacientes.

Abstract Pregnant patients with pregestational diabetes mellitus (DM) and micro and macroangiopathic complications have a higher risk of their worsening and of presenting other pregnancyassociated disorders. The progression of diabetic retinopathy occurs during pregnancy and postpartum. Nephropathy is associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia, preterm delivery, fetal growth restriction, and perinatal mortality. When there is coronary artery disease or gastroparesis, an increase in maternal and fetal morbidity is observed Preterm delivery is a prevalent condition in diabetic patients. Corticosteroid fetal lung maturation has been extensively studied, with numerous controlled trials, to become one of the most important evidence-based prenatal therapies to reduce perinatal mortality and decrease respiratory distress syndrome, intraventricular hemorrhage, and necrotizing enterocolitis, in premature infants. Nevertheless, this evidence did not include patients with DM, for this reason perinatal results are not known in this group of patients.

Detection of Familial Hypercholesterolemia through centralized analytical data. HF HUELVA DETECTA Program.

BACKGROUND: Familial Hypercholesterolemia is the most frequent genetic cause of premature coronary heart disease. The delay in the diagnosis prevents the correct early treatment. There are no effective screening strategies at the national level that ensure a correct diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: To determine the capacity of a centralized laboratory for the diagnosis of Familial Hypercholesterolemia through the creation of a health program for population screening in the province of Huelva. METHOD: Active search of patients with primary hypercholesterolemia through the blood tests carried out in the reference laboratories with results of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol greater than 200 mg/dl and assessment in the Lipid Unit of Huelva to identify index cases, with subsequent family cascade screening. RESULTS: 37,440 laboratory tests with lipid profile were examined. After screening, 846 individuals were seen in the Lipid Unit, of which they were diagnosed according to criteria of the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network as possible 654 and probable/definitive 192 individuals, representing 1.74% and 0.51% of the general population examined respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The point prevalence of Familial Hypercholesterolemia in patients submitted to laboratory lipid profile tests was 1:195, higher compared to the prevalence of Familial Hypercholesterolemia in the general population (based on 1 in 200-300). The opportunistic search strategy of the index case through a laboratory alert and centralized screening is an efficient strategy to implement a national screening for the diagnosis of Familial Hypercholesterolemia.

Infertilidad, una mirada desde la Atención Primaria de Salud / Infertility, a look since the Primary Health Care

Introducción: El problema de la infertilidad cobra mayor dimensión y trascendencia a nivel mundial, soncada vez más frecuentes las consultas de parejas infértiles en la atención primaria de salud.Objetivo: Caracterizar el comportamiento de la infertilidad, desde la Atención Primaria de Salud.Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, longitudinal retrospectivo, en parejas infértiles, pertenecientes a la consulta municipal de infertilidad del Policlínico Docente Noelio Capote del municipio Jaruco, provincia Mayabeque, desde el mes de septiembre delaño 2017 hasta septiembre del 2019. El universo de estudio estuvo constituido por 113 parejas infértiles. Las variables estudiadas fueron: la edad, la tenencia de hijos anteriores; eltipo de infertilidad, el tiempo de infertilidad previa a la consulta y los factores de riesgos asociados.Resultados: Predominaron en las parejas infértiles las edades entre 30 a 39 años con un 37.2 por ciento, las mujeres tenían en mayor número de hijos anteriores 39.82 por ciento, la infertilidad primaria fue la más frecuente con un 60.17 por ciento, de 2 a 5 años fue el tiempo de infertilidad de las parejas previa a la consulta con un 37.17 por ciento, el tabaquismo y la obesidad eran los factores de riesgos que prevalecieron con 53.98 por ciento y 42.48 por ciento.Conclusiones: La infertilidad se reconoce como un problema de salud, con un importante impacto médicosocial de la pareja, existe un elevada resolutividad en la Atención Primaria de Salud.(AU)

Introduction: The problem of infertility takes a higher dimension and transcendence at world level, every time the consultations of infertile couples are more frequent in Primary Health Care.Objective: To characterize the behavior of infertility since Primary Health Care.Methods: An observational, descriptive, longitudinal retrospective study was carried out, in infertile couples, from the municipal infertility consultation at ¨Noelio Capote¨ teaching Policlinic in Jaruco, Mayabeque, from September, 2017 to September, 2019. The study universe wasformed by 113 infertile couples. The studied variables were: age, the tenancy of previous children; type of infertility, previous time of infertility of the consultation associated risk factors.Results: The infertile couples from 30 to 39 years old prevailed with a 37.2 per cent, women with previouschildren 39.82 per cent, primary infertility was the most frequent with a 60.17 per cent, from 2 to 5 yearswas the infertility time of the couples previous the consultaion with a 37.17 per cent, smoking habitand obesity were the risk factors that prevailed with a 98 % 42.48 per cent.Conclusions: Infertility is recognized as a health problem, with an important medical-social impact of thecouple, there is a high possibility of solution Primary Health Care.(AU)

Biocatalytic Approach for Direct Esterification of Ibuprofen with Sorbitol in Biphasic Media.

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) introduced in the 1960s and widely used as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic. In its acid form, the solubility of 21 mg/L greatly limits its bioavailability. Since the bioavailability of a drug product plays a critical role in the design of oral administration dosage, this study investigated the enzymatic esterification of ibuprofen as a strategy for hydrophilization. This work proposes an enzymatic strategy for the covalent attack of highly hydrophilic molecules using acidic functions of commercially available bioactive compounds. The poorly water-soluble drug ibuprofen was esterified in a hexane/water biphasic system by direct esterification with sorbitol using the cheap biocatalyst porcine pancreas lipase (PPL), which demonstrated itself to be a suitable enzyme for the effective production of the IBU-sorbitol ester. This work reports the optimization of the esterification reaction.

HeberFERON en el carcinoma basocelular periocular. Serie de casos / HeberFERON in periocular basal cell carcinoma. Case series

RESUMEN Fundamento: El carcinoma basocelular periocular es una lesión tumoral que surge de las células basales de la epidermis y los folículos pilosos, con un alto potencial de destrucción local, pueden ser desfigurantes e invaden el tejido que los rodea dando lugar a deformidades o pérdida de la función del órgano afectado. En orden de aparición es más común en el párpado inferior, el canto medial, el párpado superior y el canto temporal. Objetivo: Describir los resultados de la aplicación del HeberFERON en una serie de casos con carcinoma basocelular periocular que acudieron a consulta de dermatología del Policlínico Centro, de enero de 2017 a diciembre del 2020. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio de serie de casos clínicos con carcinoma basocelular periocular que acudieron a la consulta de dermatología del Policlínico Centro. Se incluyeron 17 casos con diagnóstico clínico, dermatoscópico e histopatológico. Se realizó una evaluación inicial, durante y 16 semanas después del tratamiento; se administró 10.5 UI de HeberFERON 3 veces por semana perilesional e intradérmica hasta completar 9 dosis. Las variables principales fueron la respuesta al tratamiento y la presencia o no de eventos adversos. Resultados: Predominó el sexo masculino, el fototipocutáneo II, la localización en párpado inferior, el subtipo clínico nódulo ulcerativo y el histológico sólido, se logró respuesta completa en la mayoría de los pacientes. Como eventos adversos se presentaron dolor en el sitio de inyección, fiebre, mal estar general, edema y eritema perilesional. Conclusiones: La respuesta al tratamiento fue favorable en la mayoría de los pacientes tratados con HeberFERON.

ABSTRACT Background: Periocular basal cell carcinoma is a tumor lesion arising from the epidermis and hair follicles basal cells, with a high potential local destruction, can be disfiguring and invade the surrounding tissue leading to deformities or loss of function of the affected organ. In order of appearance it is most common in the lower eyelid, medial edge, upper eyelid and temporal edge. Objective: To describe the results of the application of HeberFERON in a case series with periocular basal cell carcinoma who attended dermatology appointment at the Policlínico Centro, from January 2017 to December 2020. Methodology: A series study of clinical cases with periocular basal cell carcinoma who attended the dermatology appointment at the Policlínico Centro was conducted. 17 cases with clinical, dermatoscopic and histopathological diagnosis were included. A baseline evaluation was conducted, during and 16 weeks after treatment; 10.5 IU of HeberFERON was administered 3 times a week perilesional and intradermally until completing 9 doses. The main variables were the treatment response and the presence or absence of adverse events. Results: Male sex, phototypocutaneous II, lower eyelid location, clinical subtype ulcerative nodule and solid histological subtype predominated, complete response was achieved in most patients. Adverse events were pain at the injection site, fever, general malaise, edema and perilesional erythema. Conclusions: Treatment response was favorable in most patients treated with HeberFERON.

JNK-mediated disruption of bile acid homeostasis promotes intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Metabolic stress causes activation of the cJun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) signal transduction pathway. It is established that one consequence of JNK activation is the development of insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis through inhibition of the transcription factor PPARα. Indeed, JNK1/2 deficiency in hepatocytes protects against the development of steatosis, suggesting that JNK inhibition represents a possible treatment for this disease. However, the long-term consequences of JNK inhibition have not been evaluated. Here we demonstrate that hepatic JNK controls bile acid production. We found that hepatic JNK deficiency alters cholesterol metabolism and bile acid synthesis, conjugation, and transport, resulting in cholestasis, increased cholangiocyte proliferation, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Gene ablation studies confirmed that PPARα mediated these effects of JNK in hepatocytes. This analysis highlights potential consequences of long-term use of JNK inhibitors for the treatment of metabolic syndrome.

Relationship between perimetric increase and fluoroscopic pattern type in secondary upper limb lymphedema observed by Indocyanine green lymphography.

To ascertain the relationship between the perimetric differences obtained between the limbs and the type of fluoroscopic pattern observed by Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography in patients with upper limb lymphedema.A correlational descriptive study was carried out in 19 patients with upper limb lymphedema secondary to breast cancer. The perimetric increase was recorded in 11 anatomical regions after ICG injection, fluoroscopic patterns were identified using an infrared camera. The ICG patterns were categorized into worse (stardust, diffuse) or better (linear, splash) patterns.The pattern coincidence between the anterior and posterior regions of the edematous extremities was 45%. At the wrist level, a difference of 2 cm was associated with the presence of a worse fluoroscopic pattern, whereas perimeter differences of 4.25 cm in the elbow and 2.25 cm in the arm (12 cm from the epicondyle) were associated with the presence of a better fluoroscopic pattern.The perimetric differences observed between the healthy and affected upper limbs in 4 specific anatomical areas allowed us to predict the type of fluoroscopic pattern. ICG lymphography has facilitated the study of the posterior regions of edema, which are difficult to visualize using other imaging techniques.

Utilidad de la radiación electromagnética en el síndrome doloroso subcalcáneo / Value of Electromagnetic Radiation in Subcalcaneal Pain Syndrome

RESUMEN Introducción: La causa común de dolor en la región subcalcánea es la fascitis plantar. Por su efecto analgésico y antiinflamatorio, el empleo de la radiación electromagnética en su tratamiento constituye una opción terapéutica. Objetivos: Evaluar la utilidad de la radiación electromagnética en pacientes que presentaban síndrome doloroso en la región subcalcánea y relacionar la mejoría clínica con los grupos de edades y sexos. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal a dos grupos de pacientes con dolor en la región subcalcánea. Para el análisis estadístico, al final del tratamiento se utilizó la prueba de homogeneidad λ2 con un nivel de significación de ά 0,05. Resultados: A las 20 sesiones de tratamiento, el 93,33 por ciento de los pacientes tratados con la radiación electromagnética no presentaron dolor, el 94,44 por ciento de ellos pertenecían al grupo de edades de 25-59 años y el 90,90 por ciento eran del sexo femenino. Conclusiones: Se evalúa de positiva la utilidad de la radiación electromagnética en el tratamiento del dolor en la región subcalcánea, con una diferencia significativa en relación con el tratamiento médico convencional. El mayor número de pacientes correspondió al grupo de edades entre 25 y 59 años, con predominio del sexo femenino(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: The common cause of pain in the subcalcaneal region is plantar fasciitis. The electromagnetic radiation in its treatment constitutes a therapeutic option due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. Objectives: To assess the value electromagnetic radiation in patients who suffered pain syndrome in the subcalcaneal region and to relate the clinical improvement with age and gender groups. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in two groups of patients with pain in the subcalcaneal region. For the statistical analysis, the λ2 homogeneity test was used at the end of the treatment with a significance level of ά 0.05. Results: After a treatment of 20 electromagnetic radiation sessions, 93.33 percent did not had pain, 94.44 percent were in the 25-to-59-year-olds group and 90.90 percent were women. Conclusions: The value of electromagnetic radiation in the treatment of pain in the subcalcaneal region is positively assessed, showing significant difference in relation to conventional medical treatment. The largest number of patients corresponded to the 25-to-59-year-olds group, with a predominance of women(AU)

Changes in Indocyanine Green Lymphography Patterns after Physical Treatment in Secondary Upper Limb Lymphedema.

Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography is used to evaluate the lymphatic function before and after pneumatic compression or post-manual lymphatic drainage. The aim of this study was to ascertain the changes in the fluoroscopic pattern produced by the provision of complex physical therapy. This prospective analytic (pretest-posttest) study was conducted in 19 patients with upper lymphedema secondary to breast cancer. Nine patients were excluded due to ICG found after 3 weeks. The ICG patterns were analyzed under basal conditions and after three weeks of treatment. After the treatment, 45% of the patients presented tracer remains in the affected limb, and this finding was significantly related to time of the lymphedema development. In one subject, the patterns remain unchanged or cannot be defined. Three of the ten patients observed present the worsening of at least 1 of the patterns and in the rest of the subjects, six cases, the improvement of the patterns is observed. In 60% of the cases, the most severe pattern reversed towards slight (splash) cases, and moderate cases reversed towards a slight case in 70% of cases. Therefore, after treatment with complex physical therapy, the pathological patterns observed in the pretest, which evolved positively, reverted their severity toward milder disease patterns or towards normality.

Visualization of Accessory Lymphatic Pathways, before and after Manual Drainage, in Secondary Upper Limb Lymphedema Using Indocyanine Green Lymphography.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) appears to stimulate lymphatic contraction, aid in the development of secondary derivation pathways, and stimulate the appearance of collateral pathways that could function as the main drainage routes of the limb in case of lymphedema. Through stretching, call up maneuvers are used to stimulate lymphangion reflex contraction and, therefore, lymphatic function. The aim was to describe the presence of areas and pathways of collateral lymphatic drainage under basal conditions and to determine, using Indocyanine Green (ICG) lymphography, whether an increase in these pathways occurs after 30 min of manual lymphatic stimulation with only call up maneuvers according to the Leduc Method®®. In this prospective analytical study (pretest-posttest), the frequency of presentation of areas and collateral lymphatic pathways was analyzed in 19 patients with secondary lymphedema of the upper limb after breast cancer using an infrared camera. Analyses were completed at three time points: after ICG injection, at baseline (pretest), and after the application of MLD (post-test). The Leduc Method maneuvers were applied to the supraclavicular and axillary nodes, chest, back, Mascagni, and Caplan pathways. The areas visualized in the pretest continued to be visible in the posttest. Additional pathways and fluorescent areas were observed after the maneuvers. The McNemar test showed statistical significance (p = 0.008), the odds ratio was infinite, and the Cohen's g value was equal to 0.5. Manual stimulation by call up maneuvers increased the observation frequency of areas and collateral lymphatic pathways. Therefore, ICG lymphography appears to be a useful tool for bringing out the routes of collateral bypass in secondary lymphoedema after cancer treatment.