Orthotopic Robot-assisted Kidney Transplantation: Surgical Technique and Preliminary Results.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Orthotopic kidney transplantation (KT) has been proposed as an option for patients ineligible for heterotopic KT. In this scenario, orthotopic robot-assisted KT (oRAKT) represents a novel, minimally invasive alternative to the open approach. Here we describe the largest oRAKT series of patients, with a focus on the surgical technique, perioperative surgical outcomes, and functional results. METHODS: We queried prospectively maintained databases from three referral centers to identify patients who underwent oRAKT and evaluated surgical and functional outcomes. KEY FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS: Overall, 16 oRAKT procedures were performed between January 2020 and August 2023. These involved four donors after cardiovascular death, five donors after brain death, and seven living donors. All oRAKT procedures were carried out in the left renal fossa. The indication for oRAKT was extensive calcification of the external iliac vessels (100%), frequently associated with prior KT (31%). The median operative time was 295 min (interquartile range [IQR] 268-360) and the median rewarming time 48 min (IQR 40-54). Conversion to open surgery occurred in two cases (12%), and delayed graft function was observed in two cases (12%). Postoperative complications occurred in 11 patients (69%) and three (18%) experienced Clavien-Dindo grade >II complications. At median follow-up of 9 mo (IQR 7-17), 14 patients had a functioning graft and median creatinine of 1.49 mg/dl (IQR 1.36-1.72). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Although oRAKT is a challenging procedure, it represents a feasible option for individuals ineligible for heterotopic KT and yields favorable perioperative and mid-term functional outcomes. PATIENT SUMMARY: We evaluated outcomes of orthotopic robot-assisted kidney transplantation (KT), in which the native kidney is removed and the donor kidney is transplanted into its place, in patients who are not eligible for heterotopic KT, in which the native kidney is left in place and the donor kidney is transplanted into a new location. We found that robot-assisted surgery is a safe and feasible alternative to traditional open surgery for orthotopic KT.

Coma Prevalence in Critical Care Units in Chile: Results of a Cross-Sectional Survey on World Coma Day.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of coma among patients in critical care units in Chile. We also aimed to provide insight into the demographic characteristics, etiologies, and complications associated with coma. METHODS: A single day cross-sectional study was conducted through a national survey of public and private hospitals with critical and intensive cardiac care units across Chile. Data were collected using an online questionnaire that contained questions regarding critically ill patients' information, demographic characteristics, etiology and duration of coma, medical complications, and support requirements. RESULTS: A total of 84% of all health facilities answered, accounting for a total of 2,708 patients. The overall coma prevalence was 2.9%. The median age of the comatose patients was 61 years (interquartile range 50-72) and 66.2% were male. The median coma duration was five days (interquartile range 2-9). Cerebral hemorrhage was the most common etiology, followed by severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, acute ischemic stroke, and traumatic brain injury. A total of 48.1% of coma patients experienced acute and ongoing treatment complications, with pneumonia being the most common complication, and 97.4% required support during comatose management. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides an overview of the prevalence of coma in Chilean critical and cardiac care units. Coma is a common condition. Comatose patients frequently experience medical complications during their hospitalization.

An Update on Curing Coma Campaign.

The Curing Coma Campaign (CCC) and its contributing collaborators identified multiple key areas of knowledge and research gaps in coma and disorders of consciousness (DoC). This step was a crucial effort and essential to prioritize future educational and research efforts. These key areas include defining categories of DoC, assessing DoC using multimodal approach (e.g., behavioral assessment tools, advanced neuroimaging studies), discussing optimal clinical trials' design and exploring computational models to conduct clinical trials in patients with DoC, and establishing common data elements to standardize data collection. Other key areas focused on creating coma care registry and educating clinicians and patients and promoting awareness of DoC to improve care in patients with DoC. The ongoing efforts in these key areas are discussed.

Snakebite-Associated Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Snakebites still constitute a significant public health problem in developing countries and are considered a neglected tropical condition by the WHO. Snake accidents are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality and may produce secondary complications, such as severe infections. The objective of this systematic review was to determine the prevalence of snakebite infections and characterize the bacteria isolated from these infections. A systematic literature review in five databases was carried out to assess the prevalence of snakebite infection. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model to calculate the pooled prevalence and 95% CIs. Cochran's Q test and the I2 statistic were used to assess between-study heterogeneity. The pooled prevalence of infection due to snakebite was 27.0% (95% CI: 22.0-32.0%), with high heterogeneity among studies (I2 = 99.7%). The prevalence was higher in Asia (32%) than in the Americas (21%). Snakebite infections required surgical interventions in 68% (95% CI: 37.0-98.0%). The leading group of pathogens identified corresponded to Gram-negative bacteria (63%), particularly Morganella morganii (32%), but also, Gram-positive cocci (40%), especially Enterococcus spp. (23%) and Staphylococcus aureus (15%). However, multiple other pathogens, including anaerobes, were found. A high prevalence of snakebite-associated infection has been described, primarily due to M. morganii, with the corresponding implications for empirical therapy. Rational use of antimicrobials is recommended, and this should guide initial empirical treatment. Moreover, isolation and identification of the possible bacteria present in snakebite wounds is recommended in all cases to confirm or rule out associated infection.

Effect of Abutment Height on Marginal Bone Loss Around Dental Implants: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To analyze the influence of abutment height (AH) on marginal bone loss (MBL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was performed for human studies (RCTs, prospective and retrospective cohorts) reporting on AH and MBL. The data obtained-including clinical outcomes, treatment covariates, and patient characteristics-were analyzed. Meta-regression was performed on the effect size of the differences between the shorter and larger AHs on the MBL of each study. The estimation was done using the restricted maximum likelihood method. RESULTS: The initial screening and full-text analysis resulted in 7,936 and 46 articles, respectively. Finally, 14 articles were included in the systematic review, reporting a total of 1,606 implants. An overall high-to-moderate risk of bias was determined among the included investigations. Meta-regression analysis revealed that AH had a significant effect on MBL (b = -1.630, P < .003), demonstrating that longer abutments were correlated with less MBL. No effects were observed for the study type (P = .607), the number of stages (P = .510), or the elapsed time (P = .491). CONCLUSIONS: The height of the abutment has a significant impact on MBL. As such, increased AH is related to less MBL. Nevertheless, the role of confounding variables remains to be studied and determined.

Maternal high-care and intensive care units in low- and middle-income countries.

Despite notable advancements in minimizing maternal mortality during recent decades, a pronounced disparity persists between high-income nations and low-to middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly in intensive and high-care for pregnant and postpartum individuals. This divergence is multifactorial and influenced by factors such as the availability and accessibility of community-based maternity healthcare services, the quality of preventive care, timeliness in accessing hospital or critical care, resource availability, and facilities equipped for advanced interventions. Complications from various conditions, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), unsafe abortions, puerperal sepsis, and, notably, the COVID-19 pandemic, intensify the complexity of these challenges. In confronting these challenges and deliberating on potential solutions, we hope to contribute to the ongoing discourse around maternal healthcare in LMICs, ultimately striving toward an equitable health landscape where every mother, regardless of geographic location or socioeconomic status, has access to the care they require and deserve. The use of traditional and innovative methods to achieve adequate knowledge, appropriate skills, location of applicable resources, and strong leadership is essential. By implementing and enhancing these strategies, limited-resource settings can optimize the available resources to promptly recognize the severity of illness in obstetric individuals, ensuring timely and appropriate interventions for mothers and children. Additionally, strategies that could significantly improve the situation include increased investment in healthcare infrastructure, effective resource management, enhanced supply chain efficiency, and the development and use of low-cost, high-quality equipment. Through targeted investments, innovations, efficient resource management, and international cooperation, it is possible to ensure that every maternal high-care and ICU unit, regardless of geographical location or socioeconomic status, has access to high-quality critical care to provide life-saving care.

Concomitant Traumatic Brain Injury Delays Surgery in Patients With Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Growing evidence supports prompt surgical decompression for patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI). Rates of concomitant tSCI and traumatic brain injury (TBI) range from 10% to 30%. Concomitant TBI may delay tSCI diagnosis and surgical intervention. Little is known about real-world management of this common injury constellation that carries significant clinical consequences. This study aimed to quantify the impact of concomitant TBI on surgical timing in a national cohort of patients with tSCI. METHODS: Patient data were obtained from the National Trauma Data Bank (2007-2016). Patients admitted for tSCI and who received surgical intervention were included. Delayed surgical intervention was defined as surgery after 24 hours of admission. Multivariable hierarchical regression models were constructed to measure the risk-adjusted association between concomitant TBI and delayed surgical intervention. Secondary outcome included favorable discharge status. RESULTS: We identified 14 964 patients with surgically managed tSCI across 377 North American trauma centers, of whom 2444 (16.3%) had concomitant TBI and 4610 (30.8%) had central cord syndrome (CCS). The median time to surgery was 20.0 hours for patients without concomitant TBI and 24.8 hours for patients with concomitant TBI. Hierarchical regression modeling revealed that concomitant TBI was independently associated with delayed surgery in patients with tSCI (odds ratio [OR], 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1-1.6). Although CCS was associated with delayed surgery (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.4-1.7), we did not observe a significant interaction between concomitant TBI and CCS. In the subset of patients with concomitant tSCI and TBI, patients with severe TBI were significantly more likely to experience a surgical delay than patients with mild TBI (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.0-1.9). CONCLUSION: Concomitant TBI delays surgical management for patients with tSCI. This effect is largest for patients with tSCI with severe TBI. These findings should serve to increase awareness of concomitant TBI and tSCI and the likelihood that this may delay time-sensitive surgery.

Exploring Rigid and Flexible Scaffolds to Develop Potent Glucuronic Acid Glycodendrimers for Dengue Virus Inhibition.

Multivalent glycodendrimers are valuable tools for studying carbohydrate-protein interactions, and their scaffolds represent important components to increase specificity and affinity. Previous work by our group described the preparation of a tetravalent glucuronic acid rigid dendron that binds with good affinity to the dengue virus envelope protein (KD = 22 µM). Herein, the chemical synthesis and binding analysis of three new sets of rigid, semirigid, and flexible glucuronic acid-based dendrimers bearing different levels of multivalency and their interactions with the dengue virus envelope protein are described. The different oligoalkynyl scaffolds were coupled to glucuronic acid azides by a copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction through optimized synthetic strategies to afford the desired glycodendrimers with good yields. Surface plasmon resonance studies have demonstrated that glycodendrimers 12b and 12c, with flexible scaffolds, give the best binding interactions with the dengue virus envelope protein (12b: KD = 0.487 µM and 12c: KD = 0.624 µM). Their binding constant values were 45 and 35 times higher than the one obtained in previous studies with a rigid tetravalent glucuronic acid dendron (KD = 22 µM), respectively. Molecular modeling studies were carried out in order to understand the difference in behavior observed for 12b and 12c. This work reports an efficient glycodendrimer chemical synthesis process that provides an appropriate scaffold that offers an easy and versatile strategy to find new active compounds against the dengue virus.

Craniotomy versus craniectomy for traumatic acute subdural hematoma-coarsened exact matched analysis of outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Acute subdural hematoma (aSDH) after traumatic brain injury frequently requires emergent craniotomy (CO) or decompressive craniectomy (DC). We sought to determine the variables associated with either surgical approach and to compare outcomes between matched patients. METHODS: A multi-center retrospective review was used to identify traumatic aSDH patients who underwent CO or DC. Patient variables independently associated with surgical approach were used for coarsened exact matching.Multivariate logistic regression and multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression wereconducted on matched patients to determine independent predictors of mortality. RESULTS: Seventy-six patients underwent CO and sixty-two underwent DC for aSDH evacuation. DC patients were21.4 years younger (P < 0.001), more likely to be male (80.6 % vs 60.5 %,P = 0.011), and present with GCS ≤ 8 (64.5 % vs 36.8 %,P = 0.001). Age (P < 0.001), epidural hematoma (P = 0.01), skull fracture (P = 0.001), and cisternal effacement (P = 0.02) were independently associated with surgical approach. After coarsened exact matching, DC (P = 0.008), older age (P = 0.007), male sex (P = 0.04), and intraventricular hemorrhage (P = 0.02), were independently associated with inpatient mortality. Multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression demonstrated that DC was independently associated with mortality at 90-days (P = 0.001) and 1-year post-operation (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: aSDH patients who receive surgical evacuation via DC as opposed to CO are younger, more likely to be male, and have worse clinical exam. After controlling for patient differences via coarsened exact matching, DC is independently associated with mortality.

Impact of Antithrombotic Medications and Reversal Strategies on the Surgical Management and Outcomes of Traumatic Acute Subdural Hematoma.

OBJECTIVE: Careful hematologic management is required in surgical patients with traumatic acute subdural hematoma (aSDH) taking antithrombotic medications. We sought to compare outcomes between patients with aSDH taking antithrombotic medications at admission who received antithrombotic reversal with patients with aSDH not taking antithrombotics. METHODS: Retrospective review identified patients with traumatic aSDH requiring surgical evacuation. The cohort was divided based on antithrombotic use and whether pharmacologic reversal agents or platelet transfusions were administered. A 3-way comparison of outcomes was performed between patients taking anticoagulants who received pharmacologic reversal, patients taking antiplatelets who received platelet transfusion, and patients not taking antithrombotics. Multivariable regressions, adjusted for injury severity, further investigated associations with outcomes. RESULTS: Of 138 patients who met inclusion criteria, 13.0% (n = 18) reported taking anticoagulants, 16.7% (n = 23) reported taking antiplatelets, and 3.6% (n = 5) reported taking both. Patients taking antiplatelets who received platelet transfusion had longer intraoperative times (P = 0.040) and higher rates of palliative care consultations (P = 0.046) compared with patients taking anticoagulants who received pharmacologic reversal and patients not taking antithrombotics. Across groups, no significant differences were found in frequency of in-hospital intracranial hemorrhage and venous thromboembolism, length of hospital stay, rate of inpatient mortality, or follow-up health status. In multivariable analysis, intraoperative time remained longest for the antiplatelets with platelet transfusion group. Other outcomes were not associated with patient group. CONCLUSIONS: Among surgical patients with traumatic aSDH, those taking antiplatelet medications who receive platelet transfusions experience longer intraoperative procedure times and higher rates of palliative care consultation. Comparable outcomes were observed between patients receiving antithrombotic reversal and patients not taking antithrombotics.

In-Hospital Neurologic Complications, Neuromonitoring, and Long-Term Neurologic Outcomes in Patients With Sepsis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Although delirium is well described in patients with sepsis, there are limited data on other neurologic complications. We aimed to systematically review the prevalence, neuromonitoring tools, and neurocognitive outcomes in sepsis patients with neurologic complications. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE and six other databases (Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ClinicalTrials.gov ) were searched through January 2023. STUDY SELECTION: Studies of adult patients with sepsis reported neurologic complications, use of neuromonitoring tools, neuropathology, and cognitive outcomes. DATA EXTRACTION: Two independent reviewers extracted the data. Random-effect meta-analyses were used to pool data. DATA SYNTHESIS: Seventy-four studies ( n = 146,855) were included. Neurologic complications were reported in 38 studies ( n = 142,193) including septic encephalopathy (36%, 95% CI, 27-46%; I 2 = 99%), ischemic stroke (5%, 95% CI, 2.1-11.5; I 2 = 99%), intracranial hemorrhage (2%, 95% CI, 1.0-4.4%; I 2 = 96%), seizures (1%, 95% CI, 0.2-7%; I 2 = 96%), posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (9%), and hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (7%). In the meta-regression analysis, pulmonary infection, sepsis induced by a gram-positive organism, higher sequential organ failure assessment score, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score at admission, and longer ICU length of stay were associated with higher risk of developing septic encephalopathy. Three studies ( n = 159) reported postmortem neuropathological findings, acute brain injury was noted in 47% of patients. Twenty-six studies ( n = 1,358) reported the use of neuromonitoring tools, electroencephalogram was the most used tool for seizure detection. Transcranial Doppler and near infrared spectroscopy were used for monitoring cerebral hemodynamic changes to detect early ischemia. Six studies reported cognitive outcomes ( n = 415) up to 12 months postdischarge and cognitive impairment (≥ one domain) was reported in 30%. CONCLUSIONS: In-hospital neurologic complications are common in patients with sepsis. However, the mechanism and timing of those sepsis-associated complications are poorly understood and there are limited data on standardized neuromonitoring in this population.

Optimal Design of Clinical Trials Involving Persons with Disorders of Consciousness.

BACKGROUND: Limited data exist regarding the optimal clinical trial design for studies involving persons with disorders of consciousness (DoC), and only a few therapies have been tested in high-quality clinical trials. To address this, the Curing Coma Campaign Clinical Trial Working Group performed a gap analysis on the current state of clinical trials in DoC to identify the optimal clinical design for studies involving persons with DoC. METHODS: The Curing Coma Campaign Clinical Trial Working Group was divided into three subgroups to (1) review clinical trials involving persons with DoC, (2) identify unique challenges in the design of clinical trials involving persons with DoC, and (3) recommend optimal clinical trial designs for DoC. RESULTS: There were 3055 studies screened, and 66 were included in this review. Several knowledge gaps and unique challenges were identified. There is a lack of high-quality clinical trials, and most data regarding patients with DoC are based on observational studies focusing on patients with traumatic brain injury and cardiac arrest. There is a lack of a structured long-term outcome assessment with significant heterogeneity in the methodology, definitions of outcomes, and conduct of studies, especially for long-term follow-up. Another major barrier to conducting clinical trials is the lack of resources, especially in low-income countries. Based on the available data, we recommend incorporating trial designs that use master protocols, sequential multiple assessment randomized trials, and comparative effectiveness research. Adaptive platform trials using a multiarm, multistage approach offer substantial advantages and should make use of biomarkers to assess treatment responses to increase trial efficiency. Finally, sound infrastructure and international collaboration are essential to facilitate the conduct of trials in patients with DoC. CONCLUSIONS: Conduct of trials in patients with DoC should make use of master protocols and adaptive design and establish international registries incorporating standardized assessment tools. This will allow the establishment of evidence-based practice recommendations and decrease variations in care.

A steady-state pH-control model for the biological production of elemental sulfur from sulfate in mining-influenced water.

We developed a model to predict pH, alkalinity, and the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) in coupled systems of hydrogen-based autotrophic sulfate reduction and aerobic oxidation of sulfide to elemental sulfur. To neutralize the biologically generated base, the model allows for the addition of CO2 as part of the gas mixture, the independent addition of HCl or CO2, or a combination of the alternatives. The model was evaluated against the results from a laboratory system for the production of elemental sulfur from sulfate present in mine-tailings water, which is characterized by the presence of elevated sulfate and calcium concentrations. Model results were consistent with measurements of pH, alkalinity, and LSI. The model showed how the acid demands of the coupled reactors vary with pH, being approximately equivalent at pH over 8, when ionized sulfide predominates. Also, while the sulfidogenic reactor was well buffered due to the production of ionized sulfide, the sulfidotrophic reactor in the absence of sulfide and carbonate alkalinity was prone to pH declines. Considering that both reactors operated in the positive range of LSI, the model also indicated that addition of CO2 should be minimized due to increase in the bicarbonate concentration and its effect on increasing the LSI. Furthermore, the model also showed that exclusive reliance on HCl for pH control can be incompatible with Cl- effluent standards, which means that a compromise must be reached between CO2 and HCl additions.

Relationship between the hemodynamic profile and resistant hypertension in pregnant patients with hypertensive crisis.

OBJECTIVE: Reducing maternal morbidity and mortality has been a challenge for low and middle-income countries, especially in the setting of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Improved strategies for treating obstetric patients with resistant hypertension are needed. We sought to explore whether hemodynamic parameters may be used to identify patients that develop resistant hypertension in pregnancy. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study among pregnant patients with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia that experienced severe blood pressure elevations. Hemodynamic variables were evaluated, including cardiac output (CO), and total peripheral resistance (TPR). The primary endpoint was resistant hypertension. An exploratory logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association between the hemodynamic profile and the development of resistant hypertension. Adverse maternal and fetal outcomes were additionally described according to the presence of resistant hypertension. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients with severe pregnancy hypertension were included, of whom 34 developed resistant hypertension (59.7%). The resistant hypertension group, in comparison to those without resistant hypertension, presented with a hypodynamic profile characterized by reduced CO < 5 L/min (41.2% vs. 8.7%, p: 0.007), and increased TPR > 1400 dyn-s/cm5 (64.7% vs. 39.1%, p: 0.057). Logistic regression analysis revealed an association between a hypodynamic profile and resistant hypertension (OR 3.252, 95% CI 1.079-9.804; p = 0.035). Newborns of the resistant hypertension group had more frequent low birth weight (<2500 g), low Apgar scores, ICU admissions, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. CONCLUSION: Patients experiencing hypertensive crisis during pregnancy and exhibiting a hypodynamic profile (TPR ≥1400 dyn·s/cm5 and CO ≤ 5 L/min) developed higher rates of resistant hypertension.

Apalutamide for prostate cancer: Multicentre and multidisciplinary real-world study of 227 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of apalutamide prostate cancer compared to the pivotal trials patients and to identify the first subsequent therapy in a real-world setting. METHODS: The study is prospective and observational based on real-world evidence, performed by different medical disciplines and eight academics centres around Barcelona, Spain. It included all patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) and high-risk non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) treated with apalutamide from June 2018 to December 2022. RESULTS: Of 227 patients treated with apalutamide, 10% had ECOG-PS 2, and 41% were diagnosed with new-generation imaging. In the mHSPC group (209 patients), 75 years was the median age, 53% had synchronous metastases, and 22% were M1a. In the nmCRPC (18 patients), 82 years was the median age, and 81% ≤6 months had PSA doubling time. Patients achieved PSA90 in 92% of mHSPC and 50% of nmCRPC and PSA ≤0.2 in 71% of mHSPC and 39% of nmCRPC. Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 40.1% of mHSPC and 44.4% of nmCRPC. After discontinuation of apalutamide due to disease progression, 54.5% in mHSPC and 75% in nmCRPC started chemotherapy, while after discontinuation because of adverse events, 73.3% in mHSPC and 100% in nmCRPC continued with other hormonal-therapies. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy and safety of apalutamide were similar to that described in the pivotal trials, despite including an older and more comorbid population. Usually, subsequent therapies after apalutamide differed depending on the reason for discontinuation: by disease progression started chemotherapy and by adverse events hormonal sequencing.

Dislipidemia y riesgo cardiovascular en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica / Dyslipidemia and cardiovascular risk in patients with chronic kidney disease / Dislipidemia e risco cardiovascular em pacientes com doença renal crônica

Las enfermedades cardiovasculares (Cv), son las causantes de la mayor parte de fallecimientos, como consecuencia de dislipidemia y enfermedad renal crónica (ERC). En Ecuador uno de cada cinco individuos padece de hipertensión arterial, patología que está directamente relacionada con las enfermedades cardiovasculares y la enfermedad renal crónica. Objetivo. Caracterizar el perfil de riesgo cardiovascular en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica y su asociación con la presencia de dislipidemia, atendidos en el Hospital Homero Castanier de la ciudad de Azogues, durante el periodo de enero a diciembre de 2021. Materiales y Métodos. Se llevó a cabo una investigación de diseño observacional, descriptivo y retrospectivo donde se analizaron 104 historias clínicas de pacientes, correspondientes al periodo comprendido entre enero y diciembre de 2021. Para el cálculo del riesgo cardiovascular se empleó la tabla de predicción del riesgo AMR-D de la Organización Mundial de la Salud/Sociedad Internacional de Hipertensión para el continente americano categoría D. Los datos fueron analizados en el programa SPSS, mediante estadística descriptiva e inferencial. Resultados. De los datos analizados de los 104 pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica el 44,2% presentaron dislipidemia, al mismo tiempo el 74% de los pacientes en estudio manifestaron un riesgo cardiovascular bajo, seguido del 13,5% con riesgo moderado; destacando entre las principales comorbilidades la hipertensión arterial y la diabetes mellitus. Conclusiones. Se caracterizó el riesgo cardiovascular de los pacientes con ERC atendidos en el Hospital Homero Castanier de la ciudad de Azogues en el periodo enero - diciembre 2021, encontrando una baja prevalencia de desarrollar riesgo cardiovascular.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are responsible for most deaths as a consequence of dyslipidemia and chronic kidney disease (CKD). In Ecuador, one out of every five individuals suffers from arterial hypertension, a pathology that is directly related to cardiovascular diseases and chronic kidney disease. Objective. To characterize the cardiovascular risk profile in patients with chronic kidney disease and its association with the presence of dyslipidemia, attended at the Homero Castanier Hospital in the city of Azogues, during the period from January to December 2021. Materials and Methods. An observational, descriptive and retrospective research design was carried out in which 104 clinical histories of patients were analyzed, corresponding to the period between January and December 2021. The AMR-D risk prediction table of the World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension for the Americas category D was used to calculate cardiovascular risk. The data were analyzed in the SPSS program, using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results. Of the data analyzed, 44.2% of the 104 patients with chronic kidney disease presented dyslipidemia; at the same time, 74% of the patients in the study showed low cardiovascular risk, followed by 13.5% with moderate risk, with arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus standing out among the main comorbidities. Conclusions. The cardiovascular risk of patients with CKD treated at the Homero Castanier Hospital in the city of Azogues during the period January-December 2021 was characterized, finding a low prevalence of developing cardiovascular risk.

As doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) são responsáveis pela maioria das mortes como consequência da dislipidemia e da doença renal crônica (DRC). No Equador, um em cada cinco indivíduos sofre de hipertensão arterial, uma patologia que está diretamente relacionada às doenças cardiovasculares e à doença renal crônica. Objetivo. Caracterizar o perfil de risco cardiovascular em pacientes com doença renal crônica e sua associação com a presença de dislipidemia, atendidos no Hospital Homero Castanier, na cidade de Azogues, durante o período de janeiro a dezembro de 2021. Materiais e métodos. Foi realizado um desenho de pesquisa observacional, descritivo e retrospectivo, no qual foram analisados 104 históricos clínicos de pacientes, correspondentes ao período entre janeiro e dezembro de 2021. A tabela de previsão de risco AMR-D da Organização Mundial da Saúde/Sociedade Internacional de Hipertensão para as Américas categoria D foi usada para calcular o risco cardiovascular. Os dados foram analisados no SPSS usando estatísticas descritivas e inferenciais. Resultados. Dos 104 pacientes com doença renal crônica, 44,2% apresentavam dislipidemia, enquanto 74% dos pacientes em estudo tinham baixo risco cardiovascular, seguidos por 13,5% com risco moderado; as principais comorbidades foram hipertensão e diabetes mellitus. Conclusões. Foi caracterizado o risco cardiovascular dos pacientes com DRC atendidos no Hospital Homero Castanier da cidade de Azogues no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2021, encontrando uma baixa prevalência de desenvolvimento de risco cardiovascular.

Psychometric validation of the Spanish version of the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite-26.

PURPOSE: To assess the validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the Spanish version of the Expanded Prostate cancer Index Composite (EPIC) with 26 items. METHODS: Multicentric longitudinal study of patients diagnosed with localized or locally advanced prostate cancer (any T, any N, M0) treated with active surveillance, surgery, external radiotherapy, or brachytherapy. The EPIC-50 was administered initially to the cohort (n = 324 patients), until it was replaced in November 2019 by the EPIC-26 (n = 543), in both groups before treatment and 12 months after. We assessed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), reliability with Cronbach's alpha coefficient, criterion validity with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and responsiveness by testing a priori hypotheses on deterioration effect size (ES). RESULTS: The CFA confirmed the five-domain structure of the EPIC-26 proposed by the original instrument (comparative fit index = 0.95). The agreement between EPIC-50 (gold standard) and EPIC-26 domains was excellent (ICC > 0.90). Cronbach's alpha was > 0.7 in almost all domains, and the floor effect was near zero, although ceiling effect was higher than 50% in urinary incontinence and bowel domains. Hypothesized changes between before and 12 months after treatment were confirmed: ES > 0.8 in both urinary incontinence and sexual domains among patients who underwent surgery; and ES ranging 0.44-0.48 for bowel and sexual domains in patients treated with external radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: The Spanish version of the EPIC-26 has demonstrated adequate metric properties, similar to those of the original version, with acceptable goodness-of-fit indices, good criterion validity, reliability, and responsiveness to detect changes after radical prostatectomy or external radiotherapy.

Analysis of ANRIL Isoforms and Key Genes in Patients with Severe Coronary Artery Disease.

ANRIL (Antisense Noncoding RNA in the INK4 Locus), also named CDKN2B-AS1, is a long non-coding RNA with outstanding functions that regulates genes involved in atherosclerosis development. ANRIL genotypes and the expression of linear and circular isoforms have been associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). The CDKN2A and the CDKN2B genes at the CDKN2A/B locus encode the Cyclin-Dependent Kinase inhibitor protein (CDKI) p16INK4a and the p53 regulatory protein p14ARF, which are involved in cell cycle regulation, aging, senescence, and apoptosis. Abnormal ANRIL expression regulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene expression, and upregulated Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) promotes angiogenesis by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway. Here, we explored associations between determinations of the linear, circular, and linear-to-circular ANRIL gene expression ratio, CDKN2A, VEGF and its receptor kinase insert domain-containing receptor (KDR) and cardiovascular risk factors and all-cause mortality in high-risk coronary patients before they undergo coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG). We found that the expression of ANRIL isoforms may help in the prediction of CAD outcomes. Linear isoforms were correlated with a worse cardiovascular risk profile while the expression of circular isoforms of ANRIL correlated with a decrease in oxidative stress. However, the determination of the linear versus circular ratio of ANRIL did not report additional information to that determined by the evaluation of individual isoforms. Although the expressions of the VEFG and KDR genes correlated with a decrease in oxidative stress, in binary logistic regression analysis it was observed that only the expression of linear isoforms of ANRIL and VEGF significantly contributed to the prediction of the number of surgical revascularizations.