Response times are affected by mispredictions in a stochastic game.

Acting as a goalkeeper in a video-game, a participant is asked to predict the successive choices of the penalty taker. The sequence of choices of the penalty taker is generated by a stochastic chain with memory of variable length. It has been conjectured that the probability distribution of the response times is a function of the specific sequence of past choices governing the algorithm used by the penalty taker to make his choice at each step. We found empirical evidence that besides this dependence, the distribution of the response times depends also on the success or failure of the previous prediction made by the participant. Moreover, we found statistical evidence that this dependence propagates up to two steps forward after the prediction failure.

Plasticity of face-hand sensorimotor circuits after a traumatic brachial plexus injury.

Background: Interactions between the somatosensory and motor cortices are of fundamental importance for motor control. Although physically distant, face and hand representations are side by side in the sensorimotor cortex and interact functionally. Traumatic brachial plexus injury (TBPI) interferes with upper limb sensorimotor function, causes bilateral cortical reorganization, and is associated with chronic pain. Thus, TBPI may affect sensorimotor interactions between face and hand representations. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in hand-hand and face-hand sensorimotor integration in TBPI patients using an afferent inhibition (AI) paradigm. Method: The experimental design consisted of electrical stimulation (ES) applied to the hand or face followed by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to the primary motor cortex to activate a hand muscle representation. In the AI paradigm, the motor evoked potential (MEP) in a target muscle is significantly reduced when preceded by an ES at short-latency (SAI) or long-latency (LAI) interstimulus intervals. We tested 18 healthy adults (control group, CG), evaluated on the dominant upper limb, and nine TBPI patients, evaluated on the injured or the uninjured limb. A detailed clinical evaluation complemented the physiological investigation. Results: Although hand-hand SAI was present in both the CG and the TBPI groups, hand-hand LAI was present in the CG only. Moreover, less AI was observed in TBPI patients than the CG both for face-hand SAI and LAI. Conclusion: Our results indicate that sensorimotor integration involving both hand and face sensorimotor representations is affected by TBPI.

Effect of muscle length in a handgrip task on corticomotor excitability of extrinsic and intrinsic hand muscles under resting and submaximal contraction conditions.

The neurophysiological mechanisms underlying muscle force control for different wrist postures still need to be better understood. To further elucidate these mechanisms, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of wrist posture on the corticospinal excitability by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of extrinsic (flexor [FCR] and extensor carpi radialis [ECR]) and intrinsic (flexor pollicis brevis (FPB)) muscles at rest and during a submaximal handgrip strength task. Fourteen subjects (24.06 ± 2.28 years) without neurological or motor disorders were included. We assessed how the wrist posture (neutral: 0°; flexed: +45°; extended: -45°) affects maximal handgrip strength (HGSmax ) and the motor evoked potentials (MEP) amplitudes during rest and active muscle contractions. HGSmax was higher at 0° (133%) than at -45° (93.6%; p < 0.001) and +45° (73.9%; p < 0.001). MEP amplitudes were higher for the FCR at +45° (83.6%) than at -45° (45.2%; p = 0.019) and at +45° (156%; p < 0.001) and 0° (146%; p = 0.014) than at -45° (106%) at rest and active condition, respectively. Regarding the ECR, the MEP amplitudes were higher at -45° (113%) than at +45° (60.8%; p < 0.001) and 0° (72.6%; p = 0.008), and at -45° (138%) than +45° (96.7%; p = 0.007) also at rest and active conditions, respectively. In contrast, the FPB did not reveal any difference among wrist postures and conditions. Although extrinsic and intrinsic hand muscles exhibit overlapping cortical representations and partially share the same innervation, they can be modulated differently depending on the biomechanical constraints.

Effects of Cathepsin S Inhibition in the Age-Related Dry Eye Phenotype.

Purpose: Aged C57BL/6J (B6) mice have increased levels of cathepsin S, and aged cathepsin S (Ctss-/-) knockout mice are resistant to age-related dry eye. This study investigated the effects of cathepsin S inhibition on age-related dry eye disease. Methods: Female B6 mice aged 15.5 to 17 months were randomized to receive a medicated diet formulated by mixing the RO5461111 cathepsin S inhibitor or a standard diet for at least 12 weeks. Cornea mechanosensitivity was measured with a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. Ocular draining lymph nodes and lacrimal glands (LGs) were excised and prepared for histology or assayed by flow cytometry to quantify infiltrating immune cells. The inflammatory foci (>50 cells) were counted under a 10× microscope lens and quantified using the focus score. Goblet cell density was investigated in periodic acid-Schiff stained sections. Ctss-/- mice were compared to age-matched wild-type mice. Results: Aged mice subjected to cathepsin S inhibition or Ctss-/- mice showed improved conjunctival goblet cell density and cornea mechanosensitivity. There was no change in total LG focus score in the diet or Ctss-/- mice, but there was a lower frequency of CD4+IFN-γ+ cell infiltration in the LGs. Furthermore, aged Ctss-/- LGs had an increase in T central memory, higher numbers of CD19+B220-, and fewer CD19+B220+ cells than wild-type LGs. Conclusions: Our results indicate that therapies aimed at decreasing cathepsin S can ameliorate age-related dry eye disease with a highly beneficial impact on the ocular surface. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of cathepsin S during aging.

Migración en Chile e inclusión educativa: un estudio documental (1980-2021)

(analítico) El artículo de investigación tiene por objetivo develar el tipo de enfoque de inclusión educativa que subyace en las leyes, políticas y orientaciones publicadas en Chile entre 1980 y 2021, cuando estas se refieren a estudiantes migrantes. El estudio cualitativo desarrolla un diseño documental que analiza 22 documentos accesados desde la web de los Ministerios del Interior y Seguridad Pública y de Educación. Los resultados dan cuenta de la inespecificidad con la realidad escolar migrante, especialmente en el cuerpo legal, donde se evidencia solo enfoque educativo tendiente a la integración y de interculturalidad funcional. En algunas orientaciones, que intentan promover la valoración de la diversidad cultural, se avanza hacia una interculturalidad crítica. En conclusión, esta divergencia e inespecificidad dejan en un interrogante la inclusión educativa del alumnado migrante en Chile.

(analytical) This research article aims to identify the type of approach to educational inclusion evident in the laws, policies and guidelines published in Chile between 1980 and 2021 that refer to migrant students. The qualitative study uses a documentation design that analyses 22 documents retrieved from the websites of the Ministries of the Interior and Public Security and Education. The results highlight the lack of specificity with the reality of migrants in schools, particularly in legislation, where there is only evidence of an educational approach that is aimed at integration and functional interculturality. There is a move towards critical interculturality in some guidelines that attempt to promote and value cultural diversity. This divergence and lack of specificity leave a question mark over the educational inclusion of migrant students in Chile.

(analítico) Este estudo examina o conhecimento sobre as propriedades formais e a função referencial de O artigo de pesquisa visa desvendar o tipo de abordagem da inclusão educacional que está subjacente às leis, políticas e diretrizes publicadas no Chile entre 1980 e 2021, quando se referem a estudantes migrantes. O estudo qualitativo desenvolve um projeto documental que analisa 22 documentos acessados dos sites dos Ministérios do Interior e da Segurança Pública e Educação. Os resultados mostram a falta de especificidade com a realidade das escolas de migrantes, especialmente no corpo jurídico, onde há apenas evidências de uma abordagem educacional voltada para a integração e a interculturalidade funcional. Em algumas diretrizes, que tentam promover a valorização da diversidade cultural, há um movimento em direção à interculturalidade crítica. Em conclusão, esta divergência e falta de especificidade deixam um ponto de interrogação sobre a inclusão educacional de alunos migrantes no Chile.

Clinical Outcomes and Prognostic Factors of Patients With Early Malignant Melanoma in One Latin American Country: Results of the Epidemiological Registry of Malignant Melanoma in Colombia Study.

To describe the population with early malignant melanoma, we performed a cohort study on the basis of the Epidemiological Registry of Malignant Melanoma in Colombia-Asociacion Colombiana de Hematologia y Oncologia. From January 2011 until December 2021, 759 patients were included; the average age was 66 years, 57% were women, acral lentiginous histology was found in 27.8% of patients, and the median follow-up was 36.5 months. The prognostic factors for overall survival in our population are Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 3-4 (hazard ratio [HR], 13.8), stage III (HR, 5.07), received radiotherapy (HR, 3.38), ulceration on histology (HR, 2.68), chronic sun exposure (HR, 2.3), low income (HR, 2.04), previous local surgery (HR, 0.27), and have received adjuvant treatment (HR, 0.41).

Autofagia en el Contexto del Sistema Estomatognático en Enfermedades No Neoplásicas. Revisión Sistemática Exploratoria

La autofagia es un proceso de degradación lisosomal y protección celular, que está destinado a eliminar los orgánulos dañados, las proteínas mal plegadas y los patógenos intracelulares, por lo cual es un importante proceso para la salud en los humanos. La autofagia actúa como modulador de la patogénesis y es un objetivo terapéutico potencial en diversas enfermedades, como el cáncer, la diabetes o el Parkinson. En relación al sistema estomatognático, la autofagia actúa agravando o protegiendo las enfermedades orales cuando se encuentra aumentada, activada o alterada. La desregulación de los mecanismos de la autofagia repercute en el desarrollo de la autoinmunidad a través de la supervivencia de linfocitos T, participa en la disminución y degeneración de células glandulares y queratinocitos basales en patologías como el síndrome de Sjögren o el liquen plano oral; participa modulando la inflamación, pero también defendiendo a la cavidad oral del ataque de patógenos externos que pueden causar, por ejemplo, la enfermedad periodontal. Esta revisión sistemática exploratoria, describe los mecanismos generales involucrados de la autofagia en diferentes patologías no neoplásicas que afectan al sistema estomatognático.

Autophagy is a process of lysosomal degradation and cell protection, which is intended to eliminate damaged organelles, misfolded proteins, and intracellular pathogens, making it an important process for human health. Autophagy acts as a modulator of pathogenesis and is a potential therapeutic target in various diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, or Parkinson's. In relation to the stomatognathic system, autophagy acts as aggravating or protecting oral diseases when it is increased, activated, or altered. The deregulation of autophagy mechanisms affects the development of autoimmunity through the survival of T lymphocytes and participates in the decrease and degeneration of glandular cells and basal keratinocytes in pathologies such as Sjögren's syndrome or oral lichen planus; It participates by modulating inflammation, but also by defending the oral cavity from the attack of external pathogens that can cause, for example, periodontal disease. This exploratory systematic review describes the general mechanisms involved in autophagy in different non-neoplastic pathologies that affect the stomatognathic system.

Ectopic lymphoid structures in the aged lacrimal glands.

Aging is a complex biological process in which many organs are pathologically affected. We previously reported that aged C57BL/6J had increased lacrimal gland (LG) lymphoid infiltrates that suggest ectopic lymphoid structures. However, these ectopic lymphoid structures have not been fully investigated. Using C57BL/6J mice of different ages, we analyzed the transcriptome of aged murine LGs and characterized the B and T cell populations. Age-related changes in the LG include increased differentially expressed genes associated with B and T cell activation, germinal center formation, and infiltration by marginal zone-like B cells. We also identified an age-related increase in B1+ cells and CD19+B220+ cells. B220+CD19+ cells were GL7+ (germinal center-like) and marginal zone-like and progressively increased with age. There was an upregulation of transcripts related to T follicular helper cells, and the number of these cells also increased as mice aged. Compared to a mouse model of Sjögren syndrome, aged LGs have similar transcriptome responses but also unique ones. And lastly, the ectopic lymphoid structures in aged LGs are not exclusive to a specific mouse background as aged diverse outbred mice also have immune infiltration. Altogether, this study identifies a profound change in the immune landscape of aged LGs where B cells become predominant. Further studies are necessary to investigate the specific function of these B cells during the aged LGs.

Reorganization of thalamocortical connections in congenitally blind humans.

Cross-modal plasticity in blind individuals has been reported over the past decades showing that nonvisual information is carried and processed by "visual" brain structures. However, despite multiple efforts, the structural underpinnings of cross-modal plasticity in congenitally blind individuals remain unclear. We mapped thalamocortical connectivity and assessed the integrity of white matter of 10 congenitally blind individuals and 10 sighted controls. We hypothesized an aberrant thalamocortical pattern of connectivity taking place in the absence of visual stimuli from birth as a potential mechanism of cross-modal plasticity. In addition to the impaired microstructure of visual white matter bundles, we observed structural connectivity changes between the thalamus and occipital and temporal cortices. Specifically, the thalamic territory dedicated to connections with the occipital cortex was smaller and displayed weaker connectivity in congenitally blind individuals, whereas those connecting with the temporal cortex showed greater volume and increased connectivity. The abnormal pattern of thalamocortical connectivity included the lateral and medial geniculate nuclei and the pulvinar nucleus. For the first time in humans, a remapping of structural thalamocortical connections involving both unimodal and multimodal thalamic nuclei has been demonstrated, shedding light on the possible mechanisms of cross-modal plasticity in humans. The present findings may help understand the functional adaptations commonly observed in congenitally blind individuals.

Exercise Training Program Improves Subjective Sleep Quality and Physical Fitness in Severely Obese Bad Sleepers.

BACKGROUND: Sleep quality is an important modulator of neuroendocrine function, as sleep problems are related to metabolic and endocrine alterations. OBJECTIVE: The main objective was to determine the effects of an exercise training program on the sleep quality of severely obese patients with sleep problems. The secondary objective was to determine the relationship between fitness and anthropometric parameters with sleep quality scores. METHODS: Thirty severely obese patients participated in 16 weeks of PA intervention (age: 39.30 ± 11.62 y, BMI: 42.75 ± 5.27 kg/m2). Subjective sleep quality, anthropometric parameters, and fitness (i.e., handgrip strength and cardiorespiratory fitness) were measured. RESULTS: Two groups were defined as good sleepers (n = 15, 38.06 ± 12.26, men = 1) and bad sleepers (n = 15, 40.53 ± 11.23, men = 3). The good sleeper group reported improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness (61.33 ± 68.75 m vs. 635.33 ± 98.91 m, p = 0.003) and handgrip strength (29.63 ± 9.29 kg vs. 31.86 ± 7.17 kg, p = 0.049). The bad sleeper group improved their cardiorespiratory fitness (472.66 ± 99.7 m vs. 611.33 ± 148.75 m, p = 0.001). In terms of sleep quality dimensions, the bad sleeper group improved their subjective sleep quality (p < 0.001), sleep latency (p = 0.045), sleep duration (p = 0.031), and habitual sleep efficiency (p = 0.015). Comparing the changes in both groups (∆), there were differences in subjective sleep quality scores (∆ = 2.23 vs. ∆ = -3.90, p = 0.002), where 86.6% of the bad sleeper group improved sleep quality (p = 0.030). An increase in handgrip strength was correlated to improving sleep quality scores (r = -0.49, p = 0.050). CONCLUSIONS: Severely obese bad sleepers improved their subjective sleep quality, the components of sleep, and cardiorespiratory fitness through an exercise training program. Improvement in subjective sleep quality was linked to an increase in handgrip strength.

Upper limb joint coordination preserves hand kinematics after a traumatic brachial plexus injury.

Background: Traumatic brachial plexus injury (TBPI) causes a sensorimotor deficit in upper limb (UL) movements. Objective: Our aim was to investigate the arm-forearm coordination of both the injured and uninjured UL of TBPI subjects. Methods: TBPI participants (n = 13) and controls (n = 10) matched in age, gender, and anthropometric characteristics were recruited. Kinematics from the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and index finger markers were collected, while upstanding participants transported a cup to their mouth and returned the UL to a starting position. The UL coordination was measured through the relative phase (RP) between arm and forearm phase angles and analyzed as a function of the hand kinematics. Results: For all participants, the hand transport had a shorter time to peak velocity (p < 0.01) compared to the return. Also, for the control and the uninjured TBPI UL, the RP showed a coordination pattern that favored forearm movements in the peak velocity of the transport phase (p < 0.001). TBPI participants' injured UL showed a longer movement duration in comparison to controls (p < 0.05), but no differences in peak velocity, time to peak velocity, and trajectory length, indicating preserved hand kinematics. The RP of the injured UL revealed altered coordination in favor of arm movements compared to controls and the uninjured UL (p < 0.001). Finally, TBPI participants' uninjured UL showed altered control of arm and forearm phase angles during the deceleration of hand movements compared to controls (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that UL coordination is reorganized after a TBPI so as to preserve hand kinematics.

The Social Distance Impacts from COVID-19 Pandemic on the Development of Two Orders of a Concurrent Training Programme for Morbidly Obese Patients.

BACKGROUND: Although there is relevant information regarding the consequences of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), little is known about the impact of the imposed social confinement (at home) on the development of exercise training programmes in populations with morbid obesity. AIM: To describe the effects of the imposed COVID-19 confinement on the cardiometabolic health benefits acquired through a concurrent training programme that started before the pandemic in populations with morbid obesity. METHODS: This was an experimental randomized clinical study, in which sedentary morbidly obese women were assigned 1:1 to a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) plus resistance training (RT) group (HIIT + RT; n = 11; BMI 42.1 ± 6.6) or to the same exercise dose, but in different order group of RT plus HIIT group (RT + HIIT; n = 7; BMI 47.5 ± 8.4). Both groups undertook two sessions/week. When COVID-19 confinement at home started, a post-test was applied in January 2020 (Post1) and after 20 months (Post2). The main outcomes were waist circumference (WC), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), high-density lipids (HDL-c), triglycerides (Tg), and fasting plasma glucose (FPG). RESULTS: In the HIIT + RT group, the WC showed significant increases from Post1 to Post2 (Δ + 3.1 cm, p = 0.035); in the RT + HIIT group, it decreased from Post1 to Post2 (Δ - 4.8 cm, p = 0.028). In the HIIT + RT group, SBP showed significant increases from Post1 to Post2 (Δ + 6.2 mmHg, p = 0.041); the RT + HIIT group decreased SBP from Pre0 to Post1 (Δ - 7.2 mmHg, p = 0.026) and increased DBP from Pre0 to Post1 (Δ + 8.1 mmHg, p = 0.015). Tg in the HIIT + RT group decreased from Pre0 to Post1 (Δ - 40.1 mg/dL, p = 0.023) but increased from Post1 to Post2 (Δ + 86.3 mg/dL, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 social confinement worsened metabolic syndrome (MetS) outcomes that had improved from 20 weeks' RT + HIIT during the training period, such as WC, SBP, and Tg from HIIT + RT, when, worryingly, SBP increased to another more serious clinical classification in both groups.

Application of the diagnostic criteria for Common Variable Immunodeficiency in resource-limited settings.

INTRODUCTION: Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most prevalent symptomatic humoral deficiency; however, its heterogeneous presentation makes the diagnosis difficult. The present study is aimed to verify the CVID diagnostic criteria as established by the European Society for Immunodeficiencies in 42 CVID patients from our outpatient clinic. METHODS: Information was collected from their medical records and when needed, lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood (PB) were performed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: All the patients fulfilled the clinical working definition for CVID and showed decreased serum IgG and IgA at diagnosis. Over two-thirds of the patients had decreased memory B cell percentages. However, the remaining patients exhibited other quantitative B cell defects in PB. Evaluation of vaccination responses was only found in 13 records and 69% were not responsive. None of the patients were subjected to vaccination studies to both, T-cell dependent and independent antigens. The two required tests to evaluate T cell responses were performed in 84.2% of the patients and reported normal. Without the support of third-party payers, only 34.2% of our patients would have completed the required evaluations. CONCLUSIONS: Further efforts are needed to speed up CVID diagnosis in low-resourced settings, increasing the availability of the required resources and optimizing the healthcare supply chain.

Visuo-Motor Affective Interplay: Bonding Scenes Promote Implicit Motor Pre-dispositions Associated With Social Grooming-A Pilot Study.

Proximity and interpersonal contact are prominent components of social connection. Giving affective touch to others is fundamental for human bonding. This brief report presents preliminary results from a pilot study. It explores if exposure to bonding scenes impacts the activity of specific muscles related to physical interaction. Fingers flexion is a very important component when performing most actions of affectionate contact. We explored the visuo-motor affective interplay by priming participants with bonding scenes and assessing the electromyographic activity of the fingers flexor muscle, in the absence of any overt movements. Photographs of dyads in social interaction and of the same dyads not interacting were employed. We examined the effects upon the electromyographical activity: (i) during the passive exposure to pictures, and (ii) during picture offset and when expecting the signal to perform a fingers flexion task. Interacting dyads compared to matched non-interacting dyads increased electromyographic activity of the fingers flexor muscle in both contexts. Specific capture of visual bonding cues at the level of visual cortex had been described in the literature. Here we showed that the neural processing of visual bonding cues reaches the fingers flexor muscle. Besides, previous visualization of bonding cues enhanced background electromyographic activity during motor preparation to perform the fingers flexion task, which might reflect a sustained leakage of central motor activity downstream leading to increase in firing of the respective motor neurons. These data suggest, at the effector level, an implicit visuo-motor connection in which social interaction cues evoke intrinsic dispositions toward affectionate social behavior.

Gut Microbiota From Sjögren syndrome Patients Causes Decreased T Regulatory Cells in the Lymphoid Organs and Desiccation-Induced Corneal Barrier Disruption in Mice.

Sjögren syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder characterized by secretory dysfunction in the eye and mouth; in the eye, this results in tear film instability, reduced tear production, and corneal barrier disruption. A growing number of studies show that homeostasis of the ocular surface is impacted by the intestinal microbiome, and several 16S sequencing studies have demonstrated dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota in SS patients. In this study, we utilized metagenomic sequencing to perform a deeper analysis of the intestinal microbiome using stools collected from sex- and age-matched healthy (n = 20), dry eye (n = 4) and SS (n = 7) subjects. The observed Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) and Shannon alpha diversity were significantly decreased in SS compared to healthy controls, and there was a significant inverse correlation between observed OTUs and ocular severity score. We also identified specific bacterial strains that are differentially modulated in SS vs. healthy subjects. To investigate if the differential composition of intestinal microbiome would have an impact on the immune and eye phenotype, we performed functional studies using germ-free mice colonized with human intestinal microbiota from SS patients and healthy controls. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated reduced frequency of CD4+ FOXP3+ cells in ocular draining cervical lymph nodes (CLN) in mice colonized with SS patient intestinal microbiota 4 weeks post-colonization. We also found that offspring of SS-humanized mice also have fewer CD4+FOXP3+ cells in the CLN as well as spleen, demonstrating vertical transmission. SS-humanized mice subjected to desiccating stress exhibited greater corneal barrier disruption as compared to healthy control humanized mice under the same conditions. Taken together, these data support the hypothesis that the intestinal microbiota can modulate ocular surface health, possibly by influencing development of CD4+ FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the ocular draining lymph nodes.

Immune phenotype of the CD4+ T cells in the aged lymphoid organs and lacrimal glands.

Aging is associated with a massive infiltration of T lymphocytes in the lacrimal gland. Here, we aimed to characterize the immune phenotype of aged CD4+ T cells in this tissue as compared with lymphoid organs. To perform this, we sorted regulatory T cells (Tregs, CD4+CD25+GITR+) and non-Tregs (CD4+CD25negGITRneg) in lymphoid organs from female C57BL/6J mice and subjected these cells to an immunology NanoString® panel. These results were confirmed by flow cytometry, live imaging, and tissue immunostaining in the lacrimal gland. Importantly, effector T helper 1 (Th1) genes were highly upregulated on aged Tregs, including the master regulator Tbx21. Among the non-Tregs, we also found a significant increase in the levels of EOMESmed/high, TbetnegIFN-γ+, and CD62L+CD44negCD4+ T cells with aging, which are associated with cell exhaustion, immunopathology, and the generation of tertiary lymphoid tissue. At the functional level, aged Tregs from lymphoid organs are less able to decrease proliferation and IFN-γ production of T responders at any age. More importantly, human lacrimal glands (age range 55-81 years) also showed the presence of CD4+Foxp3+ cells. Further studies are needed to propose potential molecular targets to avoid immune-mediated lacrimal gland dysfunction with aging.

Efficacy of Transversus Abdominis Plane Block in the Reduction of Pain and Opioid Requirement in Laparoscopic and Robot-assisted Hysterectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the available evidence of TAP Block in efficacy in laparoscopic or robotic hysterectomy. DATA SOURCES: We searched databases and gray literature for randomized controlled trials in which transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block was compared with placebo or with no treatment in patients who underwent laparoscopic or robot-assisted hysterectomy. METHOD OF STUDY SELECTION: Two researchers independently evaluated the eligibility of the selected articles. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Seven studies were selected, involving 518 patients. Early postoperative pain showed a difference in the mean mean difference (MD): - 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI]: - 1.87-0.46) in pain scale scores (I2 = 68%), which was statistically significant in favor of using TAP block, but without clinical relevance; late postoperative pain: DM 0.001 (95%CI: - 0.43-0.44; I2 = 69%); opioid requirement: DM 0.36 (95%CI: - 0.94-1.68; I2 = 80%); and incidence of nausea and vomiting with a difference of 95%CI = - 0.11 (- 0.215-0.006) in favor of TAP. CONCLUSION: With moderate strength of evidence, due to the high heterogeneity and imbalance in baseline characteristics among studies, the results indicate that TAP block should not be considered as a clinically relevant analgesic technique to improve postoperative pain in laparoscopic or robotic hysterectomy, despite statistical significance in early postoperative pain scale scores. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER AND REGISTRY: PROSPERO ID - CRD42018103573.

OBJETIVO: Resumir as evidências disponíveis sobre a eficácia do bloqueio TAP em histerectomia laparoscópica ou robótica. FONTES DE DADOS: Pesquisamos bancos de dados e literatura cinza por ensaios clínicos randomizados nos quais o bloqueio do plano transverso do abdome (TAP na sigla em inglês) foi comparado com placebo ou com nenhum tratamento em pacientes que foram submetidos a histerectomia laparoscópica ou assistida por robô. MéTODOS DE SELEçãO DE ESTUDOS: Dois pesquisadores avaliaram independentemente a elegibilidade dos artigos selecionados. TABULAçãO, INTEGRAçãO E RESULTADOS: Sete estudos foram selecionados envolvendo 518 pacientes. A dor pós-operatória precoce apresentou diferença nas médias (DM) de: -1 17 (intervalo de confiança [IC] de 95%: - 1 87­0 46) nos escores da escala de dor (I2 = 68%) o que foi estatisticamente significativo a favor do uso do bloqueio TAP mas sem relevância clínica; dor pós-operatória tardia: DM 0001 (IC95%: - 043­044; I2 = 69%); necessidade de opioides: DM 0 36 (95%CI: - 0 94­168; I2 = 80%); e incidência de náuseas e vômitos com diferença de 95% CI = - 011 (- 0215­0006) a favor do TAP. CONCLUSãO: Com moderada força de evidência devido à alta heterogeneidade e ao desequilíbrio nas características basais entre os estudos os resultados indicam que o bloqueio do TAP não deve ser considerado como uma técnica analgésica clinicamente relevante para melhorar a dor pós-operatória em histerectomia laparoscópica ou robótica apesar da significância estatística nas pontuações da escala de dor pós-operatória inicial. NúMERO E REGISTRO DO ENSAIO CLíNICO:: PROSPERO ID - CRD42018103573.

Aproximación cualitativa a la calidad de vida de una persona mayor hemodializada en Chile en acompañamiento de su familiar / Qualitative approach to the quality of life of a Chilean elderly person with family accompaniment

Introducción: La importancia de medir la calidad de vida radica en el estrecho vínculo que existe entre la misma, la mortalidad y la morbilidad en los pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica en diálisis; por lo que es de suma importancia saber cómo están percibiendo su condición de salud durante el tratamiento de sustitución renal.Objetivo: Comprender el significado de calidad de vida para una persona mayor sometida a hemodiálisis y su cuidadora principal.Material y Método: Estudio cualitativo, descriptivo con enfoque fenomenológico, que se llevó a cabo por medio de la realización de entrevistas en profundidad dirigidas a una persona mayor sometida a tratamiento de hemodiálisis y a su cuidadora principal. Posteriormente, se efectuó transcripción textual de cada una de las entrevistas previamente grabadas.Resultados: Los resultados se clasificaron según dimensiones de calidad de vida, los cuales fueron: social, actividades de la vida diaria, salud, sistemas de salud, bienestar material y se agregó una categoría emergente llamada pandemia de acuerdo a la situación epidemiológica actual. El término calidad de vida para las participantes de la investigación, fue descrito como “vivir saludable, sin presencia de enfermedades”.Conclusión: La aplicación correcta de los tratamientos y contar con un personal de enfermería formado en hemodiálisis permitiría proporcionar educación, intervenciones, apoyo y un acompañamiento apropiado, lo que es fundamental, para abordar y favorecer el bienestar biopsicosocial y espiritual. (AU)

Introduction: It is relevant to measure quality of life because of the close link between this entity, mortality and morbidity in patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis; therefore, it is necessary to know how patients are perceiving their health condition during renal replacement therapy.Objective: To understand the meaning of quality of life for an older person on haemodialysis and their primary caregiver.Method: Descriptive qualitative study with a phenome-nological approach, which was carried out by means of an in-depth interview with an elderly person undergoing haemodialysis treatment and the main career. Subsequently, a verbatim transcription of each of the previously recorded interviews was made.Results: The results were classified according to the following dimensions of quality of life: social, activities of daily living, health, health systems, material well-being; and an emerging category entitled pandemic was included according to the current epidemiological situation. The term quality of life for the research participants was described as “living healthy, disease-free lives”.Conclusion: Proper implementation of treatments and trained haemodialysis nurses would provide education, interventions, support and appropriate accompaniment, which is essential to address and promote biopsychosocial and spiritual well-being. (AU)