Proceedings from the First Onco Summit: LATAM Chapter, 19-20 May 2023, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The Onco Summit 2023: The Latin American (LATAM) Chapter took place over two days, from 19-20 May 2023, in Brazil. The event aimed to share the latest updates across various oncology disciplines, address critical clinical challenges, and exchange best practices to ensure optimal patient treatment. More than 30 international and regional speakers and more than 300 oncology specialists participated in the Summit. The Summit discussions centered on common challenges and therapeutic advances in cancer care, with a specific focus on the unique obstacles faced in LATAM and examples of adaptable strategies to address these challenges. The Summit also facilitated the establishment of a network of oncologists, hematologists, and scientists in LATAM, enabling collaboration to improve cancer care, both in this region and globally, through drug development and clinical research. This report summarizes the key discussions from the Summit for the global and LATAM oncology community.

Cribado prenatal de aneuploidías mediante análisis de ácido desoxirribonucleíco libre total circulante en plasma materno. Revisión narrativa / Prenatal screening for aneuploidies by analysis of circulating total free deoxyribonucleic acid in maternal plasma. Narrative review

La prueba prenatal no invasiva es un método de cribado de aneuploidías fetales y de resultar con riesgo alto debe ser confirmado a través de prueba genética diagnóstica. Es la prueba de detección más sensible y específica para las aneuploidías fetales comunes y minimiza la realización de técnicas invasivas, solo para las gestantes con riesgo elevado. Se debe realizar asesoramiento genético pre- y poscribado. Este estudio tiene como objetivo describir los fundamentos básicos de la prueba prenatal no invasiva mediante el análisis del ácido desoxirribonucleíco libre circulante en plasma materno para cribado de aneuploidías, y de los métodos primordiales y avances en biología molecular incluyendo las tecnologías de secuenciación de nueva generación, que lo han facilitado, considerando sus beneficios y limitaciones al aplicarla en la práctica clínica, en este campo que cambia con tanta rapidez(AU)

The non-invasive prenatal test is a screening method for fetal aneuploidies and if the result is at high risk, it must be confirmed through diagnostic genetic test. It is the most sensitive and specific detection test for common fetal aneuploidies and minimizes the use of invasive techniques, only for pregnant women at high risk. Genetic counseling should be performed before and after screening. This study aims to describe the basic fundamentals of non-invasive prenatal testing by analyzing free circulating deoxyribonucleic acid in maternal plasma for aneuploidy screening, and the primary methods and advances in molecular biology, including next-generation sequencing technologies, which have facilitated it, considering its benefits and limitations when applying it in clinical practice, in this rapidly changing field(AU)

Voluntades Anticipadas y Planificación Anticipada de Cuidados en personas con demencia

La prevalencia de personas con demencias ha aumentado progresivamente y actualmente constituye un desafío en salud pública. Además de fortalecer las herramientas necesarias para su diagnóstico y tratamiento, es necesario desarrollar estrategias que promuevan el respeto de quienes la padecen y mejorar su participación social. El deterioro cognitivo interfiere progresivamente en la toma de decisiones, especialmente en la etapa final de la enfermedad, generando conflictos en torno al respeto por la autonomía y la atención clínica. Las Voluntades Anticipadas y la Planificación Anticipada de Cuidados ofrece la oportunidad de reflexionar sobre valores, deseos y preferencias de atención a futuro, así como la posibilidad de comunicarlos a familiares y equipos de atención, promoviendo el respeto por la autonomía y disminuyendo los conflictos asociados a la atención, especialmente en la etapa terminal. En Chile se ha avanzado progresivamente, pero aun es un desafío implementar las estrategias para consolidar este proceso, superando las barreras existentes y potenciando sus beneficios.

The prevalence of people with dementia has progressively increased and currently constitutes a public health challenge. In addition, to strengthening the necessary tools for diagnosis and treatment, it is essential to develop strategies that promote respect for those who suffer from it and improve their social participation. Cognitive impairment progressively interferes with decision-making, especially in the final stages of the disease, generating conflicts regarding autonomy and clinical care. Advance Directives and Advance Care Planning offer the opportunity to reflect on values, desires, and future care preferences, as well as the possibility to communicate them to family members and care teams, promoting respect for autonomy and reducing conflicts associated with care, especially in the terminal stage. In Chile, there has been gradual progress, but it is still a challenge to implement the strategies to consolidate this process, overcoming existing barriers and maximizing its benefits.

Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy: What Have We Learned And What Are Key Milestones For The Years To Come?

UNASSIGNED: Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is the main extracorporeal kidney support therapy used in critical ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Since its conceptualization ~50 years ago, there have been major improvements in its technology and utilization. The last decade, and particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, has been marked by a growing interest and demand of CRRT in worldwide ICUs. This has underpinned the need for improvements in nomenclature and process standardization, optimization of CRRT deliverables, and the development and validation of key performance indicators. Further, how to leverage digital health technologies to build clinical decision support for CRRT and improve personalized bedside decisions is a subject of intense investigation. Herein, we summarize notable advancements in the provision of CRRT and propose areas in need of further development. (Rev Invest Clin. 2023;75(6):348-58).

Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy: What Have We Learned And What Are Key Milestones For The Years To Come?

ABSTRACT Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is the main extracorporeal kidney support therapy used in critical ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Since its conceptualization ~50 years ago, there have been major improvements in its technology and utilization. The last decade, and particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, has been marked by a growing interest and demand of CRRT in worldwide ICUs. This has underpinned the need for improvements in nomenclature and process standardization, optimization of CRRT deliverables, and the development and validation of key performance indicators. Further, how to leverage digital health technologies to build clinical decision support for CRRT and improve personalized bedside decisions is a subject of intense investigation. Herein, we summarize notable advancements in the provision of CRRT and propose areas in need of further development.

Biomarkers for the diagnosis, treatment follow-up, and prediction of cardiac complications in Chagas disease in chronic phase: Recent advances.

Chagas disease is caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite and is transmitted by infected triatomine bugs. This infection affects approximately 8 million people in the Americas, and due to globalisation and displacement, it is becoming increasingly common to find infected patients worldwide. Diagnosis of the disease in its acute form is relatively simple, as the parasite can be detected in peripheral blood smears, and symptoms are visible. However, in its chronic condition, the parasite is almost undetectable, and indirect tests are necessary to determine the presence of antibodies in infected patients. It is important to note that a single test is not enough to confirm the disease in this phase, as a second serological test should confirm the diagnosis. If the results are contradictory, a third test should be performed to confirm or discard the disease. Unfortunately, laboratories may not have access to all necessary tests in many rural areas where the disease is more frequent. Rapid tests to diagnose this disease present problems, such as significant variations in sensitivity and specificity in different countries. Therefore, searching for new biomarkers that allow for optimal correlation is essential. In this work, we have searched scientific literature from the last 10 years for mentions of novel biomarkers for diagnosis, treatment follow-up, and prediction of cardiac complications in Chagas disease in its chronic phase.

Croton cajucara: Patents and Nanotechnological Advances.

Croton cajucara Benth showed several pharmacological properties such as: anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering, antiulcer, antiestrogenic, antitumor, antigenotoxic, antimutagenic, and cardiovascular. The 19-nor-clerodane diterpene trans-dehydrocrotonin (t-DCTN or DCTN) is the major bioactive constituent extracted from the bark of this Croton. Patents for Croton cajucara Benth in the period 2015 to 2022 comprises 14 published documents. Among them 4 patents are colloidal systems (SM/SNEDDS) loading t-DCTN for pharmacological applications. Patent registrations highlighted the huge promising biotechnological potential of Croton cajucara Benth especially in the phytotherapy field, and the correlation with its bioactive constituents of which t-DCTN showed the foremost results, so this herbal could become an alternative in the treatment of Covid-19. However, investigation of more recently published patents for clerodane diterpenes with similar chemical structure of t-DCTN, who previously showed antiviral property must be carried out and should be searched on several patent data bases.

Nuevos paradigmas en la hemofilia / New paradigms in hemophilia

Resumen La hemofilia es una diátesis hemorrágica producida por la deficiencia hereditaria de un factor (proteína) de la coagulación sanguínea que afecta principalmente a los varones. Su grado de severidad puede variar desde casos con poco sangrado, hasta condiciones muy graves que en muchas ocasiones llevan a la muerte a los enfermos. Existen dos tipos de hemofilia: la A por carencia del factor VIII y la B por falta del factor IX. En este editorial se resume de manera global la situación actual de los avances de la hemofilia desde el punto de vista clínico y del laboratorio.

Abstract Hemophilia is a hemorrhagic diathesis that is caused by the hereditary deficiency of a factor (protein) of blood clotting and that affects mainly men. Its degree of severity can vary from cases with little bleeding, to very serious conditions that often lead to death. There are two types of hemophilia, A for lack of factor VIII, and B for lack of factor IX. This editorial summarizes the current state of progress of hemophilia from the clinical and laboratory point of view.

Análise de impacto orçamentário dos inibidores da PARP no tratamento do carcinoma de ovário avançado a partir de evidências de mundo real sob a perspectiva de um hospital federal referência em oncologia / Budget impact analysis of PARP inhibitors in the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer from on real-world evidence the perspective of a federal hospital reference in oncology

Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto orçamentário do tratamento com iPARP como primeira linha de manutenção, comparado ao tratamento-padrão a partir de evidências de mundo real sob a perspectiva de um hospital público referência em oncologia no Rio de Janeiro. Métodos: Foi aplicada uma análise de impacto orçamentário para estimar a introdução das tecnologias iPARP, olaparibe e niraparibe, em comparação com o cenário referência, utilizando dados de eficácia e evidências de mundo real, e considerando os custos globais de tratamento da doença em cinco anos. Este estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa, CAAE: 95157018.9.0000.5274. Resultados: A análise demonstrou que o cenário referência apresentou um impacto orçamentário no valor de R$ 3.578.768,04 em cinco anos. No cenário alternativo, o custo incremental do olaparibe chegou a ser 23,8% maior, comparado ao niraparibe, atingindo um custo de R$ 23.736.459,20 versus R$ 18.076.951,81, respectivamente. Os parâmetros que apresentaram maior impacto nas análises para a tecnologia olaparibe foram a difusão da tecnologia e o preço do medicamento. Contudo, para o niraparibe, os parâmetros de maior impacto foram a duração do tratamento, a difusão da tecnologia e a dose utilizada, demonstrando maior suscetibilidade de variação. Conclusão: Os iPARP no tratamento de pacientes com carcinoma de ovário avançado, apesar de apresentarem custo incremental de aproximadamente R$ 23 milhões em cinco anos, apontam para uma potencial redução de custos associados à progressão da doença.

Objective: Assess the budgetary impact of treatment with iPARP as a first line of maintenance, compared to standard treatment based on real-world evidence from the perspective of a public hospital reference in oncology at Rio de Janeiro. Methods: A budget impact analysis was applied to estimate the introduction of iPARP, olaparib and niraparib technologies, compared to the reference scenario, using efficacy data and real-world evidence, and considering the global costs of treating the disease in five years. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee, CAAE: 95157018.9.0000.5274. Results: The analysis showed that the reference scenario presented a budgetary impact of R$ 3,578,768.04 in five years. In the alternative scenario, the incremental cost of olaparib reached 23.8% higher compared to niraparib, reaching a cost of R$ 23,736,459.20 versus R$ 18,076,951.81, respectively. The parameters that had the greatest impact on the analyzes for the olaparib technology were technology diffusion and drug price. However, for niraparib, the parameters with the greatest impact were the duration of treatment, the diffusion of the technology and the dose used, demonstrating greater susceptibility to variation. Conclusion: iPARP in the treatment of patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma, despite having an incremental cost of approximately R$ 23 million in five years, point to a potential reduction in costs associated with disease progression.

Incorporação de esomeprazol em um hospital universitário: uma análise de custo-minimização / Incorporation of esomeprazole in a university hospital: a cost-minimization analysis

Introdução: Inibidores de bomba de prótons (IBP) são amplamente utilizados na profilaxia de úlceras de estresse. O omeprazol é o IBP mais prescrito no Brasil, porém, sua formulação oral convencional é inadequada para administração por sonda devido ao risco de obstrução. A apresentação injetável de omeprazol possui custo muito superior à formulação oral. O esomeprazol, por ser constituído de microgrânulos, é uma alternativa ao omeprazol injetável, pois pode ser administrado por sonda e ainda possibilitaria redução de custos. Objetivo: Analisar por meio de custo-minimização o impacto financeiro da incorporação do esomeprazol em um hospital universitário secundário. Material e Métodos: Estudo observacional transversal retrospectivo para identificar e analisar o consumo e custo relacionado ao uso de omeprazol injetável e esomeprazol nos anos de 2021 e 2022. A partir dos dados levantados, foi realizada análise de custo-minimização e determinado o impacto financeiro após incorporação do esomeprazol. Resultados: Houve redução de 76,7% no consumo de omeprazol injetável no ano de 2022. A análise de custo-minimização apontou um custo real de R$20.374,96 no ano de 2022, referente às 906 doses utilizadas no período, destas, 46,4% eram de omeprazol injetável e 53,6% de esomperazol. Considerando o cenário com terapia exclusiva com omeprazol injetável, o custo simulado foi de R$ 41.252,05. O impacto financeiro foi de R$ -20.877,09, resultando em economia de recursos de 50,6%. Conclusão: A incorporação de esomeprazol no elenco de medicamentos de um hospital universitário gerou redução significativa de custo, implicando em economia de mais de 50% no consumo global de IBP e de mais de 70% no consumo de omeprazol injetável, no ano de 2022.

Introduction: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used in stress ulcers prophylaxis. Omeprazole is the most prescribed PPI in Brazil, but its conventional oral formulation is unsuitable for administration through a tube due to the risk of obstruction. The injectable presentation of omeprazole has a much higher cost than the oral formulation. Esomeprazole, composed of microgranules, is an alternative to injectable omeprazole as it can be administered through a tube and could potentially lead to a cost reduction. Objective: To analyze, through cost minimization, the financial impact of incorporating esomeprazole in a secondary university hospital. Material and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted to identify and analyze the consumption and cost related to the use of injectable omeprazole and esomeprazole in the years 2021 and 2022. Cost-minimization analysis was performed based on the collected data, to determine the financial impact after incorporating esomeprazole. Results: There was a 76.7% reduction in the consumption of injectable omeprazole in 2022. The cost-minimization analysis indicated a real cost of R$20,374.96 in 2022 for the 906 doses used during the period, of which 46.4% were injectable omeprazole and 53.6% were esomeprazole. Considering the scenario with exclusive therapy using injectable omeprazole, the simulated cost was R$41,252.05. The financial impact was R$-20,877.09, resulting in a resource saving of 50.6%. Conclusion: The incorporation of esomeprazole into the list of medications at a university hospital led to a significant cost reduction, resulting in over 50% savings in PPI consumption and over 70% in injectable omeprazole consumption, in 2022.

Epidemic history and evolution of an emerging threat of international concern, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2

This comprehensive review focuses on the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its impact as the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its objective is to provide a cohesive overview of the epidemic history and evolutionary aspects of the virus, with a particular emphasis on its emergence, global spread, and implications for public health. The review delves into the timelines and key milestones of SARS-CoV-2's epidemiological progression, shedding light on the challenges encountered during early containment efforts and subsequent waves of transmission. Understanding the evolutionary dynamics of the virus is crucial in monitoring its potential for adaptation and future outbreaks. Genetic characterization of SARS-CoV-2 is discussed, with a focus on the emergence of new variants and their implications for transmissibility, severity, and immune evasion. The review highlights the important role of genomic surveillance in tracking viral mutations linked to establishing public health interventions. By analyzing the origins, global spread, and genetic evolution of SARS-CoV-2, valuable insights can be gained for the development of effective control measures, improvement of pandemic preparedness, and addressing future emerging infectious diseases of international concern.

COVID-19, obesity, and immune response 2 years after the pandemic: A timeline of scientific advances.

In the 2 years since the COVID-19 pandemic was officially declared, science has made considerable strides in understanding the disease's pathophysiology, pharmacological treatments, immune response, and vaccination, but there is still much room for further advances, especially in comprehending its relationship with obesity. Science has not yet described the mechanisms that explain how obesity is directly associated with a poor prognosis. This paper gathers all published studies over the past 2 years that have described immune response, obesity, and COVID-19, a historical and chronological record for researchers and the general public alike. In summary, these studies describe how the cytokine/adipokine levels and inflammatory markers, such as the C-reactive protein, are associated with a higher body mass index in COVID-19-positive patients, suggesting that the inflammatory background and immune dysregulation in individuals with obesity may be expressed in the results and that adiposity may influence the immune response. The timeline presented here is a compilation of the results of 2 years of scientific inquiry, describing how the science has progressed, the principal findings, and the challenges ahead regarding SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, and emerging variants, especially in patients with obesity.

Nuevos avances en cirugía hepática: evaluación y planificación preoperatoria (Parte 1) / New advances in liver surgery: evaluation and preoperative planning

Resumen Los avances en la cirugía hepática de los últimos años han permitido resecciones hepáticas más extensa y complejas para el tratamiento de diferentes patologías del hígado sin un aumento excesivo de la morbimortalidad perioperatoria. El desarrollo de diferentes técnicas, tecnologías y herramientas para la evaluación preoperatoria han mejorado la planificación quirúrgica con el uso por ejemplo de las tecnologías audiovisuales e impresión de modelos en 3 dimensiones (3D) de alta fidelidad. Otros avances, han permitido realizar una mejor evaluación funcional del parénquima hepático y una caracterización más precisa de las lesiones con el uso por ejemplo de verde de indocianina, cintigrafía hepática y resonancia magnética con contraste hepatoespecífico. Este artículo describe algunos de los nuevos avances en la evaluación y planificación preoperatoria en cirugía hepática.

Advances in liver surgery in recent years have made it possible to achieve more extensive and complex liver resections for the treatment of different liver diseases without an excessive increase in perioperative morbidity and mortality. The development of different techniques, technologies and tools for preoperative evaluation have improved surgical planning with the use, for example, of audiovisual technologies and printing of high-fidelity 3-dimensional (3D) models. Other advances have allowed a better functional evaluation of the liver parenchyma and a more precise characterization of the lesions with the use, for example of indocyanine green or liver scintigraphy and magnetic resonance with hepatospecific contrast. This article describes some of the new advances in preoperative evaluation and planning in liver surgery.

Neurocircuit models of obsessive-compulsive disorder: limitations and future directions for research

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common psychiatric condition classically characterized by obsessions (recurrent, intrusive and unwanted thoughts) and compulsions (excessive, repetitive and ritualistic behaviors or mental acts). OCD is heterogeneous in its clinical presentation and not all patients respond to first-line treatments. Several neurocircuit models of OCD have been proposed with the aim of providing a better understanding of the neural and cognitive mechanisms involved in the disorder. These models use advances in neuroscience and findings from neuropsychological and neuroimaging studies to suggest links between clinical profiles that reflect the symptoms and experiences of patients and dysfunctions in specific neurocircuits. Several models propose that treatments for OCD could be improved if directed to specific neurocircuit dysfunctions, thereby restoring efficient neurocognitive function and ameliorating the symptomatology of each associated clinical profile. Yet, there are several important limitations to neurocircuit models of OCD. The purpose of the current review is to highlight some of these limitations, including issues related to the complexity of brain and cognitive function, the clinical presentation and course of OCD, etiological factors, and treatment methods proposed by the models. We also provide suggestions for future research to advance neurocircuit models of OCD and facilitate translation to clinical application.

Análise do Impacto Orçamentário da Prevenção de Lesão por Pressão em Idosos Acamados / Analysis of the Budgetary Impact of Pressure Injury Prevention in Bedridden Elderly / Análisis del Impacto Presupuestario de la Prevención de Lesiones por Presión em Ancianos Encamados

Objetivo: Analisar o impacto orçamentário e o incremento de custos da incorporação de superfícies especiais para o manejo da pressão para prevenção de lesão por pressão em pacientes idosos acamados. Método: Análise de impacto orçamentário, seguindo as recomendações da diretriz metodológica análise de impacto orçamentário. Delinearam-se dois possíveis cenários (referência e alternativo 1, 2 e 3). Resultados: O custo em cinco anos no cenário de referência, adotando apenas a estratégia de mudança de decúbito, foi estimado em R$ 253.86,2542,81. Os custos nos cenários alternativos 1, 2 e 3 foram respectivamente, no mesmo período e com os ajustes econômicos, R$ 250.422.191,73, R$ 249.223.263,19 e R$ 248.029.130,37. Conclusão: A utilização de altas tecnologias nem sempre será o diferencial para o melhor desfecho clínico do paciente e poderá acarretar mais custo ao sistema.

Objective:To analyze the budgetary impact and the increase in costs of the incorporation of special surfaces for pressure management to prevent pressure injuries in bedridden elderly patients. Method: Budget impact analysis, following the recommendations of the budget impact analysis methodological guideline. Two possible scenarios were out lined. In the first (alternative) scenario, the elderly receives a prevention strategy that includes the use of a viscoelastic mattress as a pressure distribution surface and a change in position with a minimum interval of 2 hours. In the second scenario (reference), the elderly receives a prevention strategy that only includes a change in position with a minimum interval of 2 hours. All costs were estimated using the macro costing technique. Results: The results of the analysis of the budget impact speak in disfavor, therefore, contrary to the eventual incorporation of the viscoelastic mattress as a complementary strategy to the systematic change of decubitus, of at least every 2 hours as a measure to prevent pressure injuries. Conclusion: The use of high technologies will not always be the differential for the best clinical outcome of the patient and it can result in more cost to the system.

Objetivo:Analizar el impacto presupuestario y el incremento de costes de la incorporación de superfícies especiales para el manejo de la presión para la prevención de lesiones por presión em pacientes ancianos encamados. Método:Análisis de Impacto Presupuestario (AIO), siguiendo las recomendaciones de la Guía Metodológica de Análisis de Impacto Presupuestario. Se esbozaron dos escenarios posibles. Em el primer escenario (alternativo), las personas mayores recibe ecnologiategia de prevención que incluye el uso de um colchón viscoelástico ecnologiaficie de distribución de presiem y un cambio de poemión con un intervalo mínimo de 2 horas. Enel segundo escenario (referencia), los adultos mayore ecnologiana estrategia de prevención que solo incluye el cambio de posición conun intervalo mínimo de 2 horas. Todos los costos se estimaron utilizando la técnica de macro costos. Resultados: Los resultados del análisis de impacto presupuestario hablan desfavorablemente, por tanto, en contra de la eventual incorporación del colchón viscoe ecnologiamo estrategia complementaria al cambio sistemático de decúbito, de al menos cada 2 horas como medida de prevención de lesiones por presión. Conclusión: Se concluye que el ecnologiass tecnologías no siempre será el diferencial para el mejor desenlace clínico del paciente y que puede resultar em mayor costo para el sistema.

Nuevo algoritmo de test genéticos para evaluación de trastornos del neurodesarrollo / New genetic testing algorithm for evaluation of neurodevelopmental disorders

Resumen En más de la mitad de los trastornos del neurodesarrollo se demuestra una etiología genética. La detección de estas variantes patogénicas tiene un impacto enorme en el curso de la enfermedad de estos pacientes. Permite la aceptación de la enfermedad por parte de los padres de los pacientes, emitir un pronóstico, adelantarnos a las futuras consecuencias de la enfermedad y, en cada vez más casos, instaurar un tratamiento o cambiar el ya establecido. Las técnicas genéticas que permiten estos diagnósticos etiológicos son muy jóvenes y por lo tanto todavía no totalmente asumidas por los neuropediatras. Incluso en las guías de diag nóstico de las diferentes sociedades científicas, sus algoritmos están desfasados por la rápida incorporación de nuevas técnicas. En este artículo se revisan las técnicas actuales así como los últimos avances en las mismas, que se están incorporando a la práctica clínica.

Abstract In more than half of neurodevelopmental disorders, a genetic etiology is demonstrated. The detection of these pathogenic variants has a huge impact on the course of the disease of these patients. It allows the acceptance of the disease by the parents of the patients, issue a prognosis, anticipate the future consequences of the disease and in more and more cases establish a treatment or change the one already established. The genetic techniques that allow these etiological diagnoses are very recent therefore not yet fully assumed by neuropediatricians. Even in the diagnostic guides of the different scientific societies, their algorithms are outdated by the quick incorpora tion of new techniques. This article reviews the current techniques as well as the latest advances in them that are being incorporated into clinical practice.

[New genetic testing algorithm for evaluation of neurodevelopmental disorders]. / Nuevo algoritmo de test genéticos para evaluación de trastornos del neurodesarrollo.

In more than half of neurodevelopmental disorders, a genetic etiology is demonstrated. The detection of these pathogenic variants has a huge impact on the course of the disease of these patients. It allows the acceptance of the disease by the parents of the patients, issue a prognosis, anticipate the future consequences of the disease and in more and more cases establish a treatment or change the one already established. The genetic techniques that allow these etiological diagnoses are very recent therefore not yet fully assumed by neuropediatricians. Even in the diagnostic guides of the different scientific societies, their algorithms are outdated by the quick incorporation of new techniques. This article reviews the current techniques as well as the latest advances in them that are being incorporated into clinical practice.

En más de la mitad de los trastornos del neurodesarrollo se demuestra una etiología genética. La detección de estas variantes patogénicas tiene un impacto enorme en el curso de la enfermedad de estos pacientes. Permite la aceptación de la enfermedad por parte de los padres de los pacientes, emitir un pronóstico, adelantarnos a las futuras consecuencias de la enfermedad y, en cada vez más casos, instaurar un tratamiento o cambiar el ya establecido. Las técnicas genéticas que permiten estos diagnósticos etiológicos son muy jóvenes y por lo tanto todavía no totalmente asumidas por los neuropediatras. Incluso en las guías de diagnóstico de las diferentes sociedades científicas, sus algoritmos están desfasados por la rápida incorporación de nuevas técnicas. En este artículo se revisan las técnicas actuales así como los últimos avances en las mismas, que se están incorporando a la práctica clínica.

Génesis y evolución de la anestesia epidural lumbar en su primer centenario / Genesis and evolution of lumbar epidural anesthesia in its first century

Introducción: La anestesia epidural lumbar es la técnica predilecta para gran número de anestesiólogos. Permite variadas intervenciones quirúrgicas, es útil para el tratamiento del dolor agudo y crónico, a la vez provee al paciente de distintos beneficios. También resalta su versatilidad ya que puede combinarse con otros métodos anestésicos, así como extenderla para el alivio del dolor posoperatorio. Objetivo: Describir los adelantos científicos que propiciaron la aparición de la anestesia epidural lumbar y cuál ha sido la evolución de esta técnica anestésica a lo largo de un siglo. Desarrollo: El acceso por vía lumbar al espacio epidural con fines anestésicos fue publicado por el cirujano español Fidel Pagés en marzo de 1921, luego de una década en el olvido fue introducida por el cirujano italiano Archile Dogliotti en 1931. A partir de entonces, se le han incorporado diversos y valiosos adelantos. Conclusiones: La anestesia epidural lumbar fue descrita hace un siglo por el doctor Pagés. Han sido variados y numerosos los aportes que han recibido, algunos de los cuales han sido objeto de controversias; no obstante, se ha tornado una técnica universal que sigue captando la preferencia de muchos anestesiólogos(AU)

Introduction: Lumbar epidural anesthesia is the technique preferred by a great number of anesthesiologists. It allows performing several surgical interventions and is useful for the treatment of acute and chronic pain; at the same time, it provides the patient with different benefits. It ls also worth highlighting its versatility, since it can be combined with other anesthetic methods, as well as to be extended for postoperative pain relief. Objective: To describe the scientific advances that led to the appearance of lumbar epidural anesthesia and what has been the evolution of this anesthetic technique over a century. Development: the Spanish surgeon Fidel Pagés published lumbar access to the epidural space for anesthetic purposes in March 1921. After a decade in oblivion, the Italian surgeon Archile Dogliotti introduced it, in 1931. From then on, it has been incorporated several valuable advances. Conclusions: Dr. Pagés described lumbar epidural anesthesia a century ago. The contributions achieved have been varied and numerous, some of which have been the subject of controversy; however, it has become a universal technique that continues to capture the preference of many anesthesiologists(AU)

Novedades del glaucoma en tiempos de COVID-19 / News about glaucoma in the time of COVID-19

El impacto de la COVID-19 en la atención médica dominó las noticias en 2020, incluida la atención del glaucoma. Sin embargo, el reciente cambio de paradigma en la terapia de esta patología hacia una intervención más temprana, un mejor manejo del cumplimiento del paciente y un nuevo enfoque en abordar la patología real, continuó avanzando en este periodo con la aprobación de nuevos medicamentos, productos biológicos y dispositivos, que significaron avances en la atención médica. En este artículo, pretendemos reflexionar sobre los logros obtenidos en el año 2020 en el tratamiento del glaucoma, así como brindar una descripción general de los hallazgos más notables. Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática de la literatura científica de mayor impacto. Se limitó la búsqueda por tipo de diseño (revisiones, series de casos, estudios descriptivos, analíticos y experimentales, metanálisis). No se tuvo en cuenta el idioma de la publicación(AU)

The impact of COVID-19 on medical care was ever-present in the news during the year 2020, and glaucoma care was not an exception. However, the recent paradigm switch in the treatment of this condition towards earlier intervention, better management of patient compliance, and a new approach in addressing the actual disorder, continued to gain ground in this period with the approval of new drugs, biological products and devices leading to the advancement of medical care. The purpose of the study was to reflect on the progress achieved in the treatment of glaucoma in the year 2020, and provide a general description of the most notable findings. A systematic search was conducted in the highest-impact scientific literature. The search was limited to reviews, case series, descriptive, analytical and experimental studies, and meta-analyses. The language of publication was not taken into account(AU)

The BA-BCS 2021: An Initial "Trial" for Integrating Basic Science and Medical Progress on Breast Cancer in a Latin-American Country.

The first Buenos Aires Breast Cancer Symposium (BA-BCS) was held in a virtual format, between the 17th and the 21st of May 2021. The main goal of the meeting was to facilitate the interaction among physicians and basic researchers from South America and with peers from the rest of the world. To embrace their different interests and concerns, the congress included not only talks on basic, translational and clinical research, but also round tables to discuss diagnostic methods, research financing and biobank management, as well as virtual poster sessions in which the youngest fellows presented their recent findings. This report provides a brief overview of the talks delivered during the meeting, which addressed a wide variety of vital issues for breast cancer research mostly focused on the accurate diagnosis, prevention and treatment of this illness. The presentations included a wide spectrum of themes including hormone receptors and the relevance of their mutations, immunotherapy, cancer stem cells, mouse models, environmental hazards, genetics and epigenetics, local and systemic therapies, liquid biopsies, the metastatic cascade, therapy resistance and dormancy, among others.