Safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma for severe COVID-19: a randomized, single blinded, parallel, controlled clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Convalescent plasma (CP) has been widely used to treat COVID-19 and is under study. However, the variability in the current clinical trials has averted its wide use in the current pandemic. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of CP in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the early stages of the disease. METHODS: A randomized controlled clinical study was conducted on 101 patients admitted to the hospital with confirmed severe COVID-19. Most participants had less than 14 days from symptoms onset and less than seven days from hospitalization. Fifty patients were assigned to receive CP plus standard therapy (ST), and 51 were assigned to receive ST alone. Participants in the CP arm received two doses of 250 mL each, transfused 24 h apart. All transfused plasma was obtained from "super donors" that fulfilled the following criteria: titers of anti-SARS-CoV-2 S1 IgG ≥ 1:3200 and IgA ≥ 1:800 antibodies. The effect of transfused anti-IFN antibodies and the SARS-CoV-2 variants at the entry of the study on the overall CP efficacy was evaluated. The primary outcomes were the reduction in viral load and the increase in IgG and IgA antibodies at 28 days of follow-up. The per-protocol analysis included 91 patients. RESULTS: An early but transient increase in IgG anti-S1-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels at day 4 post-transfusion was observed (Estimated difference [ED], - 1.36; 95% CI, - 2.33 to - 0.39; P = 0.04). However, CP was not associated with viral load reduction in any of the points evaluated. Analysis of secondary outcomes revealed that those patients in the CP arm disclosed a shorter time to discharge (ED adjusted for mortality, 3.1 days; 95% CI, 0.20 to 5.94; P = 0.0361) or a reduction of 2 points on the WHO scale when compared with the ST group (HR adjusted for mortality, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.03 to 2.5; P = 0.0376). There were no benefits from CP on the rates of intensive care unit admission (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.35 to 1.9; P = 0.6399), mechanical ventilation (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.25 to 1.7; P = 0.4039), or mortality (HR, 3.2; 95% CI, 0.64 to 16; P = 0.1584). Anti-IFN antibodies and SARS-CoV-2 variants did not influence these results. CONCLUSION: CP was not associated with viral load reduction, despite the early increase in IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. However, CP is safe and could be a therapeutic option to reduce the hospital length of stay. Trial registration NCT04332835.

COVID-19 convalescent plasma composition and immunological effects in severe patients.

Convalescent plasma (CP) has emerged as a treatment for COVID-19. However, the composition and mechanism of action are not fully known. Therefore, we undertook a two-phase controlled study in which, first the immunological and metabolomic status of recovered and severe patients were evaluated. Secondly, the 28-day effect of CP on the immune response in severe patients was assessed. Nineteen recovered COVID-19 patients, 18 hospitalized patients with severe disease, and 16 pre-pandemic controls were included. Patients with severe disease were treated with CP transfusion and standard therapy (i.e., plasma recipients, n = 9) or standard therapy alone (n = 9). Clinical and biological assessments were done on day 0 and during follow-up on days 4, 7, 14, and 28. Clinical parameters, viral load, total immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgA anti-S1-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, neutralizing antibodies (NAbs), autoantibodies, cytokines, T and B cells, and metabolomic and lipidomic profiles were examined. Total IgG and IgA anti-S1-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were key factors for CP selection and correlated with NAbs. In severe COVID-19 patients, mostly interleukin (IL)-6 (P = <0.0001), IL-10 (P = <0.0001), IP-10 (P = <0.0001), fatty acyls and glycerophospholipids were higher than in recovered patients. Latent autoimmunity and anti-IFN-α antibodies were observed in both recovered and severe patients. COVID-19 CP induced an early but transient cytokine profile modification and increases IgG anti-S1-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. At day 28 post-transfusion, a decrease in activated, effector and effector memory CD4+ (P < 0.05) and activated and effector CD8+ (P < 0.01) T cells and naïve B cells (P = 0.001), and an increase in non-classical memory B cells (P=<0.0001) and central memory CD4+ T cells (P = 0.0252) were observed. Moreover, IL-6/IFN-γ (P = 0.0089) and IL-6/IL-10 (P = 0.0180) ratios decreased in plasma recipients compared to those who received standard therapy alone. These results may have therapeutic implications and justify further post-COVID-19 studies.

An epidemiological and molecular study regarding the spread of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium in a teaching hospital in Bogotá, Colombia 2016.

BACKGROUND: Enterococcus faecium is ranked worldwide as one of the top ten pathogens identified in healthcare-associated infections (HAI) and is classified as one of the high priority pathogens for research and development of new antibiotics worldwide. Due to molecular biology techniques' higher costs, the approach for identifying and controlling infectious diseases in developing countries has been based on clinical and epidemiological perspectives. Nevertheless, after an abrupt vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium dissemination in the Méderi teaching hospital, ending up in an outbreak, further measures needed to be taken into consideration. The present study describes the vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium pattern within Colombian's largest installed-bed capacity hospital in 2016. METHODS: Thirty-three vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium isolates were recovered during a 5-month period in 2016. Multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis was used for molecular typing to determine clonality amongst strains. A modified time-place-sequence algorithm was used to trace VREfm spread patterns during the outbreak period and estimate transmission routes. RESULTS: Four clonal profiles were identified. Chronological clonal profile follow-up suggested a transitional spread from profile "A" to profile "B", returning to a higher prevalence of "A" by the end of the study. Antibiotic susceptibility indicated high-level vancomycin-resistance in most isolates frequently matching vanA gene identification. DISCUSSION: Transmission analysis suggested cross-contamination via healthcare workers. Despite epidemiological control of the outbreak, post-outbreak isolates were still being identified as having outbreak-related clonal profile (A), indicating reduction but not eradication of this clonality. This study supports the use of combined molecular and epidemiological strategies in an approach to controlling infectious diseases. It contributes towards a more accurate evaluation of the effectiveness of the epidemiological measures taken regarding outbreak control and estimates the main cause related to the spread of this microorganism.

[Nutritional risk and clinical outcomes in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in a high-complexity hospital network]. / Riesgo nutricional y desenlaces clínicos en pacientes con diagnóstico de COVID-19 en una red hospitalaria de alta complejidad.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: the identification of nutritional risk at hospital admission is important to establish timely interventions in the COVID-19 patient care cycle, due to a high risk of it being associated with complications. Objective: to determine the association between the level of nutritional risk upon admission and in-hospital mortality at 28 days in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 treated between March and October 2020 in two hospital institutions in Colombia. Methods: a retrospective, observational study. Hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 were included and assessed by the Nutrition Service using the nutritional risk identification in emergencies scale, adapted from the NRS 2002 scale. In-hospital mortality at 28 days was analyzed as the primary endpoint, and hospital stay, admission to Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and requirement for mechanical ventilation as secondary endpoints. Results: a total of 1230 patients were included, with a mean age of 65.43 ± 15.90 years, mainly men (57.1 %, n = 702). A high nutritional risk (≥ 2 points) was identified in 74.3 % (n = 914). Patients with a high nutritional risk had a greater probability of in-hospital death at 28 days (HRadj: 1.64; 95 % CI: 1.11-2.44), and a greater risk of requiring mechanical ventilation (OR = 1.78; 95 % CI: 1.11-2.86) or ICU admission (OR = 1.478; 95 % CI: 1.05-2.09), as well as hospital stay longer than 7 days (OR = 1.91; 95 % CI: 1.47-2.48). Conclusions: patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 at high nutritional risk had a significantly higher in-hospital mortality at 28 days and a higher probability of requiring mechanical ventilation, ICU admission, and prolonged hospital stay.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: la identificación del riesgo nutricional al ingreso hospitalario es importante para establecer intervenciones oportunas en el ciclo de atención del paciente con COVID-19, debido al alto riesgo de asociarse a complicaciones. Objetivo: determinar la asociación entre el nivel de riesgo nutricional al ingreso y la mortalidad intrahospitalaria a 28 días en pacientes con diagnóstico de COVID-19 atendidos entre marzo y octubre de 2020 en una red de dos instituciones hospitalarias de Colombia. Metodología: estudio observacional retrospectivo. Se incluyeron pacientes hospitalizados con diagnóstico de COVID-19 y valorados por el Servicio de Nutrición con la escala de identificación de riesgo nutricional en emergencias, adaptada de la escala NRS 2002. Se analizó como resultado principal la mortalidad intrahospitalaria a 28 días y como secundarios, la estancia hospitalaria, el ingreso a la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) y el requerimiento de ventilación mecánica. Resultados: se incluyeron 1230 pacientes, con edad promedio de 65,43 ± 15,90 años, principalmente hombres (57,1 %, n = 702). Se identificó un alto riesgo nutricional (≥ 2 puntos) en el 74,3 % (n = 914). Se evidenció que los pacientes con alto riesgo nutricional tenían una mayor probabilidad de muerte intrahospitalaria a 28 días (HR: 1,64; IC 95 %: 1,11-2,44) y un mayor riesgo de requerir ventilación mecánica (OR = 1,78; IC 95 %: 1,11-2,86), de ingreso en la UCI (OR = 1,478; IC 95 %: 1,05-2,09) y de estancia hospitalaria superior a 7 días (OR = 1,91; IC 95 %: 1,47-2,48). Conclusiones: los pacientes con diagnóstico de COVID-19 y riesgo nutricional alto presentaron una mortalidad intrahospitalaria a 28 días significativamente mayor y una mayor probabilidad de requerir ventilación mecánica y atención en la UCI, así como estancias hospitalarias prolongadas.

Genomic characterization of SARS-CoV-2 and its association with clinical outcomes: a 1-year longitudinal study of the pandemic in Colombia.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore associations between the molecular characterization of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and disease severity in ambulatory and hospitalized patients in two main Colombian epicentres during the first year of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. METHODS: In total, 1000 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were included in this study. Clinical data were collected from 997 patients, and 678 whole-genome sequences were obtained by massively parallel sequencing. Bivariate, multi-variate, and classification and regression tree analyses were run between clinical and genomic variables. RESULTS: Age >88 years, and infection with lineages B.1.1, B.1.1.388, B.1.523 or B.1.621 for patients aged 71-88 years were associated with death [odds ratio (OR) 6.048036, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.346567-32.92521; P=0.01718674]. The need for hospitalization was associated with higher age and comorbidities. The hospitalization rate increased significantly for patients aged 38-51 years infected with lineages A, B, B.1.1.388, B.1.1.434, B.1.153, B.1.36.10, B.1.411, B.1.471, B.1.558 or B.1.621 (OR 8.368427, 95% CI 2.573145-39.10672, P=0.00012). Associations between clades and clinical outcomes diverged from previously reported data. CONCLUSIONS: Infection with lineage B.1.621 increased the hospitalization and mortality rates. These findings, plus the rapidly increasing prevalence in Colombia and other countries, suggest that lineage B.1.621 should be considered as a 'variant of interest'. If associated disease severity is confirmed, possible designation as a 'variant of concern' should be considered.

Mutation profile of SARS-CoV-2 genome in a sample from the first year of the pandemic in Colombia.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiopathogenic agent of COVID-19, a condition that has led to a formally recognized pandemic by March 2020 (World Health Organization -WHO). The SARS-CoV-2 genome is constituted of 29,903 base pairs, that code for four structural proteins (N, M, S, and E) and more than 20 non-structural proteins. Mutations in any of these regions, especially in those that encode for the structural proteins, have allowed the identification of diverse lineages around the world, some of them named as Variants of Concern (VOC) and Variants of Interest (VOI), according to the WHO and CDC. In this study, by using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology, we sequenced the SARS-CoV-2 genome of 422 samples from Colombian residents, all of them collected between April 2020 and January 2021. We obtained genetic information from 386 samples, leading us to the identification of 14 new lineages circulating in Colombia, 13 of which were identified for the first time in South America. GH was the predominant GISAID clade in our sample. Most mutations were either missense (53.6%) or synonymous mutations (37.4%), and most genetic changes were located in the ORF1ab gene (63.9%), followed by the S gene (12.9%). In the latter, we identified mutations E484K, L18F, and D614G. Recent evidence suggests that these mutations concede important particularities to the virus, compromising host immunity, the diagnostic test performance, and the effectiveness of some vaccines. Some important lineages containing these mutations are the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma (WHO Label). Further genomic surveillance is important for the understanding of emerging genomic variants and their correlation with disease severity.

Detection of nutritional risk and hospital stay in the hospitalized elderly adult.

INTRODUCTION: Background and aims: a high nutritional risk can independently be associated with a longer hospital stay in elderly patients. This study aims to establish the prevalence of the risk of malnutrition and its associated factors in a high-complexity level hospital in Bogotá, Colombia, during 2018. Methods: a cross-sectional study. The prevalence of the risk of malnutrition was measured using a malnutrition-screening tool (MST), and the association with hospital stage, age, and patient diagnoses was assessed. Results: a total of 7,192 patients comprised the cohort. Age range was 61 to 108 years, with an average of 77.1 ± 9.2 years, and subjects were mostly female (55.5 %). We identified as main conditions urinary tract infections (8.4 %), congestive heart failure (5.4 %), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with an acute exacerbation (4.6 %). The prevalence of the risk of malnutrition was 41.4 %, significantly associated with longer hospital stays (p < 0.001), older age (p < 0.001), and a diagnosis of delirium (OR = 5.98, 95 % CI: 2.78 to 12.86), diarrhea and gastroenteritis (OR = 5.01, 95 % CI: 2.44 to 10.32), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (OR = 4.44, 95 % CI: 2.38 to 8.28), specified pneumonia (OR = 4.43, 95% CI: 2.11 to 9.30), and high blood pressure (3.94, 95 % CI: 2.07 to 7.50). Other diagnoses included abdominal pain (other) (OR = 3.80, 95 % CI: 1.81 to 7.99), urinary tract infections (OR = 3.64, 95 % CI: 2.07 to 6.24), acute bronchitis (OR = 3.22, 95 % CI: 1.56 to 6.65), and bacterial pneumonia (OR = 3.02, 95 % CI: 1.65 to 5.55). Conclusion: the prevalence of the risk of malnutrition in our institution is approximately one in two patients, with a significant association to increased hospital stay ≥ 8 days, patient age ≥ 80 years, and mainly diagnoses of delirium, diarrhea, and gastroenteritis of suspected infectious etiology.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Antecedentes y objetivos: el alto riesgo nutricional puede asociarse independientemente a una estancia hospitalaria más prolongada en los pacientes ancianos. Este estudio tiene por objetivo establecer la prevalencia del riesgo de malnutrición y sus factores asociados en un hospital de alta complejidad de Bogotá (Colombia) durante 2018. Métodos: este fue un estudio transversal. Se determinó la prevalencia del riesgo de malnutrición mediante la herramienta de detección MST y se evaluó la asociación con la estancia hospitalaria, la edad y el diagnóstico del paciente. Resultados: en total, 7192 pacientes conformaron la cohorte. El rango de edad era de 61 a 108 años, con un promedio de 77,1 ± 9,2 años, siendo los sujetos en su mayoría de sexo femenino (55,5 %). Se identificaron como condiciones principales las infecciones del tracto urinario (8,4 %), la insuficiencia cardiaca congestiva (5,4 %) y la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (4,6 %). La prevalencia del riesgo de desnutrición fue del 41,4 %, asociada a las estancias hospitalarias prolongadas (p < 0,001), la edad avanzada (p < 0,001) y los diagnósticos de delirium (OR = 5,98, IC 95 %: 2,78 a 12,86), diarrea y gastroenteritis (OR = 5.01, IC 95 %: 2.44 a 10.32), hemorragia gastrointestinal (OR = 4.44, IC 95 %: 2.38 a 8.28), neumonía específica (OR = 4.43, IC 95 %: 2.11 a 9.30) e hipertensión arterial (3.94, IC 95 %: 2.07 a 7.50). Otros diagnósticos asociados fueron: dolor abdominal (otros) (OR = 3.80, IC 95 %: 1.81 a 7.99), infecciones del tracto urinario (OR = 3.64, IC 95 %: 2.07 a 6.24), bronquitis aguda (OR = 3.22, IC 95 %: 1.56 a 6.65) y neumonía bacteriana (OR = 3.02, IC 95 %: 1.65 a 5.55). Conclusión: la prevalencia del riesgo de desnutrición en la institución es aproximadamente de uno de cada dos pacientes, con una asociación significativa al aumento de la estancia hospitalaria superior a 8 días, a la edad del paciente mayor de 80 años y, principalmente, a los diagnósticos de delirium, diarrea y gastroenteritis.

Association between Paraoxonase-1 p.Q192R Polymorphism and Coronary Artery Disease susceptibility in the Colombian Population.

BACKGROUND: Paraoxonase-1 (PON1), a glycoprotein associated with serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL), has a central role in metabolizing lipid peroxides, exhibiting antiatherogenic properties. The polymorphism p.Q192R has been previously associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) susceptibility and clopidogrel response. PURPOSE: We aimed at investigating the association of PON1 p.Q192R with CAD and clopidogrel response in Colombian population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted among 163 patients diagnosed with CAD and treated with clopidogrel. The allele frequencies for the PON1 192Q and 192R alleles were determined in cases and Latin-American controls obtained from the public database gnomAD (n = 17,711). Response to clopidogrel was determined by assessing the platelet function using the INNOVANCE PFA-200 System. We determined the association between PON1 p.Q192R polymorphism, increased susceptibility to CAD and high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) by using odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) on four genetic models. RESULTS: The allele frequencies for the PON1 192Q and 192R alleles were 0.60 and 0.40, respectively. The allele distribution was found to be statistically different from the control group and other ethnic groups. The allele 192R was positively associated with decreased susceptibility to CAD under a dominant model (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.42-0.8; P < 0.01). We found no association between the polymorphism and HPR. CONCLUSION: We propose that PON1 p.Q192R is a potentially useful marker for CAD susceptibility in the Colombian population and lacks association with HPR under clopidogrel treatment.

A Pharmacogenetic Study of CYP2C19 in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients of Colombian Origin Reveals New Polymorphisms Potentially Related to Clopidogrel Therapy.

Clopidogrel, an oral platelet P2Y12 receptor blocker, is used in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome. Interindividual variability in treatment response and the occurrence of adverse effects has been attributed to genetic variants in CYP2C19. The analysis of relevant pharmacogenes in ethnically heterogeneous and poorly studied populations contributes to the implementation of personalized medicine. We analyzed the coding and regulatory regions of CYP2C19 in 166 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) treated with clopidogrel. The allele frequencies of CYP2C19 alleles *1, *2, *4, *17, *27 and *33 alleles were 86.1%, 7.2%, 0.3%, 10.2%, 0.3% and 0.3%, respectively. A new potentially pathogenic mutation (p.L15H) and five intronic variants with potential splicing effects were detected. In 14.4% of the patients, a new haplotype in strong linkage disequilibrium was identified. The clinical outcome indicated that 13.5% of the patients presented adverse drugs reactions with a predominance of bleeding while 25% of these patients were carriers of at least one polymorphic allele. We propose that new regulatory single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) might potentially influence the response to clopidogrel in Colombian individuals.

The influence of different curriculum designs on students' dropout rate: a case study.

The relationship between students' withdrawal and educational variables has generated a considerable number of publications. As the explosion of information in sciences and integration theories led to creating different curriculum designs, it has been assumed that differences among designs explain academic success and, therefore, students' retention. However, little attention has been given to examine explicitly how diverse designs influence dropout rates in practice, which questions if decisions to reform curricula are sufficiently informed. This article describes our curriculum reform, which exposes our former and current curriculum designs as having had dissimilar dropout percentages. Furthermore, we aimed to explore the influence of different curriculum designs on students' dropout rates. The conclusion is that dropout variations may be explained not only because of the curriculum design itself, but also because of the power relationship changes between teachers and students that brought out the design change. Consequently, more research is needed to fully understand the political implications of different curriculum designs and their influence on dropout rates.

[Evaluation in 18 hours of Cardiac Dynamics with the Mathematical Law of Dynamic Systems] / Evaluación en 18 horas de la dinámica cardiaca con la ley matemática de los sistemas dinámicos.

Introduction: an exponential law has been found for chaotic dynamic cardiac systems, making it possible to quantify the differences between normal and pathological cardiac dynamics. Methodology: 120 electrocardiographic records were analyzed, 40 corresponded to subjects within the limits of normality and 80 with different pathologies. For each holter the attractors generated with the data during 18 hours and throughout the dynamics were analyzed. The fractal dimension of the attractor and its spatial occupation were calculated. To these measures was applied the diagnosis mathematical evaluation previously developed, comparing the evaluation for 18 hours and for the whole registry; sensitivity, specificity and Kappa coefficient were finally calculated. Results: For the normal dynamics, the occupancy spaces in the Kp grid were between 200 and 381 for the evaluation of the whole holter, and between 201 and 384 in the evaluation during 18 hours, showing the closeness in the measurements, which allows that the decrease in the time of the evaluation is consistent, this same proximity was observed for the diseased and acute dynamics. Conclusion: It was evidenced the clinical applicability in 18 hours of the exponential law in the chaotic cardiac dynamics associated with arrhythmias showing to be useful for the prediction of the evolution towards acute states of the dynamics

Introducción: una ley exponencial se ha hallado para los sistemas dinámicos caóticos cardiacos, logrando cuantificar las diferencias entre dinámicas cardiacas normales y patológicas. Metodología: Se analizaron 120 registros electrocardiográficos, 40 correspondían a sujetos dentro de los límites de normalidad y 80 con diferentes patologías. Para cada holter se analizaron los atractores generados con los datos durante 18 horas y durante toda la dinámica. Se calculó la dimensión fractal del atractor y su ocupación espacial. A estas medidas se aplicó la evaluación matemática diagnostica desarrollada previamente, comparando la evaluación para 18 horas y para todo el registro; finalmente se calculó la sensibilidad, especificidad y coeficiente Kappa. Resultados: Para las dinámicas normales los espacios de ocupación en la rejilla Kp estuvieron entre 200 y 381 en la evaluación de la totalidad del holter, y entre 201 y 384 en la evaluación durante 18 horas, mostrando la cercanía en las medidas, lo que permite que la disminución en el tiempo de la evaluación sea consistente, esta misma cercanía se observó para las dinámicas enfermas y agudas. Conclusión: Se evidenció la aplicabilidad clínica en 18 horas de la ley exponencial en la dinámica cardiaca caótica asociada a arritmias mostrando ser de utilidad para la predicción de la evolución hacia estados agudos de la dinámica.

Validación del BESTest en población de adultos mayores colombianos / Validation of the BESTestest in a population of older Colombian adults

Introducción. El envejecimiento y las comorbilidades afectan la cognición y el sistema sensoriomotor de las personas. La pérdida de equilibrio es una de las principales causas de caídas en adultos mayores, por lo que monitorear su desempeño funcional es importante. El sistema de evaluación de equilibrio identifica factores de riesgo para caídas. Objetivos. Identificar las propiedades psicométricas de validez y confiabilidad entre evaluadores y estimar el valor de corte óptimo del BESTest para así diferenciar entre adultos que tienen o no riesgo de caídas. Métodos. Estudio observacional de validez y confiabilidad en el que participaron 221 adultos de entre 50 y 80 años capaces de caminar, con o sin dispositivo de asistencia, de forma independiente durante seis metros y de realizar tareas de equilibrio sin fatiga. Se indagaron datos sociodemográficos, clínicos e historial de caídas. Resultados. Se encontró una correlación significativa entre el sistema de equilibrio con la escala de confianza en las actividades cotidianas (r=0,47, p<0,01), una consistencia interna adecuada para la prueba en general (alfa de Cronbach de 0,90), una sensibilidad del 78% y una especificidad del 66%. El área bajo la curva fue de 0,76, con una discriminación aceptable, es decir, se estableció que las personas que obtienen un puntaje <80 en la prueba tienen alto riesgo de caídas. Conclusiones. El sistema de equilibrio cuenta con buenas propiedades psicométricas que permiten su aplicación confiable en población colombiana. La prueba aporta a la toma de decisiones clínicas gracias a que discrimina el riesgo de caída y el perfil funcional del adulto.

Introduction. Aging and comorbidities affect cognition and the sensorimotor system of individuals. Loss of balance is one of the main causes of falls in older adults, so monitoring their functional performance is important. The balance assessment system identifies risk factors for falls. Objectives. To identify the psychometric properties of validity and inter-rater reliability and to estimate the optimal cut-off value of the BESTest in order to differentiate between adults who are or are not at risk for falls. Methods. Observational validity and reliability study involving 221 adults aged 50 to 80 years able to walk, with or without an assistive device, independently for six meters and to perform balance tasks without fatigue. Sociodemographic and clinical data and history of falls were investigated. Results. We found a significant correlation between the balance system with the confidence in activities of daily living scale (r=0.47, p<0.01), adequate internal consistency for the test overall (Cronbach's alpha of 0.90), sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 66%. The area under the curve was 0.76, with acceptable discrimination, i.e., it was established that persons scoring <80 on the test are at high risk of falls. Conclusions. The balance system has good psychometric properties that allow its reliable application in the Colombian population. The test contributes to clinical decision making because it discriminates the risk of falling and the functional profile of the adult.

Recommendations for providing nutritional care to COVID-19 inpatients. A literature review / Recomendaciones para la atención nutricional hospitalaria en pacientes con COVID-19. Revisión de la literatura

Resumen Introducción. La enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) puede llevar a la hospitalización de los pacientes en los casos más graves; por tanto, es necesario establecer recomendaciones teórico-prácticas de intervención nutricional hospitalaria. Objetivo. Identificar las recomendaciones dirigidas a los equipos de salud hospitalarios para brindar atención nutricional a pacientes hospitalizados mayores de 18 años e infectados con COVID-19. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura en PubMed mediante la siguiente estrategia de búsqueda: periodo de publicación: diciembre 1 de 2019 a marzo 21 de 2020; idiomas de publicación: inglés y chino; términos de búsqueda: "Coronavirus Infection", "Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome" y "Nutrition for Vulnerable Groups". Resultados. Se identificaron 283 artículos en la búsqueda inicial, de los cuales se seleccionaron 6 para analizar las prácticas de atención nutricional hospitalaria. Las áreas de investigación de estas publicaciones fueron soporte nutricional; evaluación de intervenciones para abordar y disminuir la severidad de las complicaciones pulmonares y hepáticas, y efectos de antioxidantes y ácidos grasos omega-3 en adultos con síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda. Conclusión. Las recomendaciones para la atención nutricional hospitalaria en pacientes con COVID-19 se basan en procesos de cuidado nutricional y en la gestión de los servicios de alimentación; según estas recomendaciones, se deben establecer estrategias de evaluación de riesgo nutricional, realizar intervenciones de soporte nutricional que reduzcan el riesgo de desnutrición y vigilar los riesgos asociados a la administración del soporte nutricional y las alteraciones metabólicas asociadas a esta enfermedad.

Abstract Introduction: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may require the hospitalization of patients in the most severe cases. Therefore, it is necessary to establish theoretical and practical recommendations for nutritional interventions at hospitals. Objective: To identify recommendations given to hospital health care teams for providing nutritional care to inpatients over 18 years of age infected with COVID-19. Materials and methods: A literature review was conducted in PubMed using the following search strategy: publication period: December 2019 to March 2020; publication language: English and Chinese; search terms: "Coronavirus Infection", "Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome" and "Nutrition for Vulnerable Groups". Results: A total of 283 articles were retrieved after completing the initial search, of which 6 were selected to analyze nutrition care practices in the hospital setting. The areas of research of these publications were nutritional support, the evaluation of interventions aimed to manage and reduce the severity of pulmonary and hepatic complications, and the effects of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids in adults with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Conclusion: Recommendations for providing nutritional care to COVID-19 inpatients are based on nutritional care processes and food service management. According to these recommendations, nutritional risk assessment strategies should be established, nutritional support interventions aimed at reducing the risk of malnutrition should be carried out, and the risks associated with the administration of nutritional support, as well as COVID-19-re-lated metabolic disorders, should be monitored.

[MÉDERI MODEL NUTRITIONAL CARE HOSPITAL]. / MODELO MÉDERI DE GESTIÓN NUTRICIONAL HOSPITALARIA.

INTRODUCTION: the need for nutritional care models, to address the problem of malnutrition in hospitals, involves developing mederi Nutrition Care Model in order to raise the quality of health care, and promote good practices of Clinical Nutrition. To describe the process of nutrition and metabolic support, aimed at measuring the effectiveness of the model, which is currently a center of national and international reference. MATERIALS AND METHODS: descriptive, evaluative, transversal and observational. Includes analysis of consolidated since the implementation of the model in 2008 through 2014. Information The number of study subjects was 163 575, variables to test the efficacy measures were: productivity and perceived quality of nutritional care. RESULTS: made analysis of the key processes in which the model is based, nutritional adult and neonatal hospital care, nutritional support, supervision of food services, and teaching and research, is an increase in productivity of the service 591% , increasing the percentage of patient satisfaction from 50% to 95.8%. CONCLUSION: the success of a model of nutritional care lies in the consolidation of administrative, healthcare facilities, which in turn promotes the development of human talent, teaching and research in nutrition.

Introducción: la necesidad de modelos en atención nutricional para responder a la problemática de la malnutrición en los hospitales, conlleva desarrollar el modelo Méderi de Atención Nutricional, con el fin de elevar la calidad de la atención en salud y promover buenas prácticas de nutrición clínica. Objetivo: describir el proceso de nutrición y soporte metabólico, orientado a medir la eficacia del modelo, el cual se constituye actualmente en un centro de referencia nacional e internacional. Materiales y métodos: estudio de tipo descriptivo, evaluativo, transversal y observacional. Incluye el análisis de la información consolidada desde la implementación del modelo en el año 2008 hasta el año 2014. El número de sujetos del estudio fue de 163.575 y las variables medidas para probar la eficacia fueron: productividad y calidad percibida de la atención nutricional. Resultados: realizado el análisis de los procedimientos claves en los que se fundamenta el modelo: atención nutricional hospitalaria adulta y neonatal, soporte nutricional, interventoría a servicios de alimentación, y docencia e investigación, se encuentra un aumento en la productividad del servicio de un 591%, así como un incremento del porcentaje de satisfacción de los pacientes del 50 % al 95,8%. Conclusión: el éxito de un modelo de atención nutricional radica en la consolidación de una estructura administrativa y asistencial, que a su vez promueva el desarrollo del talento humano, la docencia y la investigación en nutrición.

Evaluación de la Saturación Venosa de Oxígeno (SvO2) desde la teoría de los sistemas dinámicos / Evaluation of SvO2 from the Theory of Dynamic Systems

Introducción: La evolución de un sistema dinámico se puede caracterizar a partir de la construcción de atractores caóticos. Objetivo: Desarrollar una metodología de evaluación de la saturación venosa de oxígeno, fundamentada en los sistemas dinámicos, para pacientes en Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. Metodología: Se seleccionaron 10 pacientes con diferentes patologías de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Postquirúrgicos, y registró la saturación venosa de oxígeno durante su tiempo de estancia. Con base en estos valores se construyeron atractores caóticos en el mapa de retardo y se evaluaron los valores mínimos y máximos ocupados por el atractor. Resultados: Se halló que la saturación venosa de oxígeno tiene un comportamiento caótico; los valores máximos y mínimos de los atractores en el mapa de retardo variaron entre 22,10 mmHg y 93,70 mmHg. Conclusiones: Se plantea una nueva metodología capaz de caracterizar el comportamiento de la variable monitorizada para la evaluación del paciente crítico(AU)

Introduction: The evolution of a dynamic system can be characterized from the construction of chaotic attractors. Objective: To develop a methodology based on dynamic systems, for the evaluation of venous oxygen saturation of patients in the Intensive Care Unit. Methodology: 10 patients with different pathologies of the Post-surgical Intensive Care Unit were selected, and recorded venous oxygen saturation during their time of stay. Based on these values, chaotic attractors were constructed on the delay map and the minimum and maximum values occupied by the attractor were evaluated. Results: It was found that venous oxygen saturation has a chaotic behavior; the maximum and minimum values of the attractors on the delay map varied between 22.10 mmHg and 93.70 mmHg. Conclusions: A new methodology is proposed capable of characterizing the behavior of this monitored variable for the evaluation of the critical patient(AU)

Meningoencefalitis por Nocardia spp: Reporte de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Nocardia spp meningoencephalitis: A case report and literature review

Resumen La nocardiosis es una rara infección oportunista que afecta principalmente a pacientes con alteración de la inmunidad celular, como pacientes con síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida o postrasplantes. El compromiso del sistema nervioso central es generalmente como absceso y menos frecuentemente como meningitis primaria. El presente artículo hace el reporte de un caso de meningitis primaria por Nocardia en paciente inmunocompetente y revisión de la literatura.

Nocardiosis is a rare opportunistic disease that affects mainly patients with deficient cell-mediated immunity, such as those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or transplant recipients. The central nervous system presentation is as cerebral abscesses and less frequently, as primary meningitis. Here, a case of primary nocardia meningitis is described in a patient without a predisposing condition, along with a literature review.