Debilidad neuromuscular del paciente crítico post covid-19: resultados de recuperación funcional en dos centros de tercer nivel / Neuromuscular weakness in the critically post COVID-19 patient: functional recovery results in two third-level Centers

Resumen Introducción : La efectividad de las terapias de reha bilitación física sobre los pacientes que requirieron ven tilación mecánica prolongada y egresaron de Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) con debilidad neuromuscular post COVID-19 se conoce principalmente en el perio do agudo. El objetivo de este estudio fue caracterizar la recuperación funcional en personas con debilidad neuromuscular post UCI por COVID-19 admitidas a rehabilitación. Métodos : Estudio retrospectivo que incluyó a 42 pa cientes con debilidad neuromuscular post COVID-19, de dos centros de rehabilitación de tercer nivel, desde abril de 2020 hasta abril de 2022. Resultados : Encontramos diferencias estadísticamen te significativas entre las valoraciones funcionales de ingreso y alta. La Medida de Independencia Funcional (FIM) mejoró de 49 [41-57] a 107 [94-119] (p < 0.001). La escala de Berg de 4 [1-6] a 47 [36-54] (p < 0.001), el test de 6 minutos de 0 [0-0] a 254 [167-400] (p < 0.001), y el test de 10 metros de 0 [0-0] a 0.83 [0.4-1.2] (p < 0.001). No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre la puntuación total al ingreso y al alta de las evaluaciones funcionales con la edad y la complejidad respiratoria. Discusión : El tratamiento para la recuperación fun cional en un centro de tercer nivel y larga duración, sería beneficioso para personas con grave debilidad neuromuscular post UCI a causa del COVID-19, a pesar que el 43% no alcanzó el nivel de movilidad previo. La edad y la complejidad respiratoria son variables que no impactaron en la recuperación final.

Abstract Introduction : The effectiveness of physical rehabi litation therapies on patients who required prolonged mechanical ventilation and were discharged from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with post-COVID-19 neuro muscular weakness is known in the acute period. The objective of this study was to characterize the functional recovery in people hospitalized with post-ICU neuro muscular weakness due to COVID-19 admitted to rehab. Methods : Retrospective study which included 42 patients with post-COVID-19 neuromuscular weakness, who were admitted to two tertiary care rehabilitation centers, from April 2020 to April 2022. Results : We found statistically significant differen ces between the functional evaluations of admission and discharge. The Functional Independence Measure improved from 49 [41-57] a 107 [94-119] (p < 0.001). The Berg scale from 4 [1-6] a 47 [36-54] (p < 0.001), the 6-mi nute test from 0 [0-0] a 254 [167-400] (p < 0.001), and 421 the 10-meter test from 0 [0-0] a 0.83 [0.4-1.2] (p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences bet ween the admission and discharge total score of the functional assessments with age and respiratory com plexity. Discussion : Treatment for functional recovery in a tertiary and long-term center is beneficial for people with severe post-ICU neuromuscular weakness due to COVID-19, even though 43% did not reach the previous level of mobility. Age and respiratory complexity are variables that did not impact the final recovery.

Quiste hidatídico primario de páncreas: reporte de caso

Introducción. El quiste hidatídico puede localizarse en cualquier órgano del cuerpo. El quiste hidatídico en el páncreas (QHP)se presenta con una prevalencia menor a 1%, la localización más frecuente es la cabeza en 61% a 69%, en el cuerpo y cola en 31% a 39%. No es fácil diferenciar el quiste hidatídico pancreático de otros tumores quísticos del páncreas, por lo que esta patología debe tenerse en cuenta en el diagnóstico diferencial de lesiones quísticas pancreáticas. Caso Clínico. Paciente femenino de 66 años quien desde el año 2016 se encontraba en control por una tumoración quística de la cola pancreática de 1,7 cm, diagnosticada en forma incidental. La paciente cursó asintomática y se controló en forma anual. El año 2021 la lesión alcanzó un tamaño de 4,7 cm. En este contexto se decide la resección quirúrgica por vía laparoscópica. Se resecó una pieza quirúrgica de 8 cm de longitud que incluye la cola del páncreas y el quiste. La histología describe la membrana prolígera y múltiples escólex viables. Conclusión. La localización primaria en la cola del páncreas de un quiste hidatídico confunde el diagnóstico con un tumor quístico mucinoso. El tratamiento quirúrgico actual en los quistes distales debería ser la resección laparoscópica.

Introduction. The hydatid cyst can be located in any organ of the body. The hydatid cyst in the pancreas occurs with a prevalence of less than 1%, the most frequent location is the head in 61% to 69%, the body and tail in 31% to 39%. It is not easy to differentiate the pancreatic hydatid cyst from other cystic tumors of the pancreas, so this pathology must be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions. Clinical Case. The present report discusses a 66-year-old female patient who had been in control since 2016 for a 1.7 cm cystic tumor of the pancreatic tail. The patient was asymptomatic and was controlled annually. In 2021, the lesion reached a size of 4.7 cm. In this context, laparoscopic surgical resection was decided. An 8 cm long surgical specimen was resected, including the tail of the pancreas and the cyst. Histology describes prolific membrane and multiple viable scolexes. Conclusion. The primary location in the tail of the pancreas of a hydatid cyst confuses the diagnosis with a mucinous cystic tumor. The current surgical treatment for distal cysts should be laparoscopic resection.

Presiones de la vía biliar en pacientes con y sin colelitiasis

Introducción: El reflujo de enzimas pancreáticas hacia la vía biliar extra-hepática y la vesícula biliar es un fenómeno anormal que tiene un rol en la litogénesis y carcinogénesis. Debido a que la presión de la vía biliar depende entre otros factores, de las presiones del esfínter de Oddi. La disfunción de éste se vería reflejada en presiones elevadas de la vía biliar en pacientes con colelitiasis. Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio es el de medir las presiones de la vía biliar extra-hepática en pacientes con y sin colelitiasis y relacionarlas con la presencia de reflujo pancreáticobiliar. Material y Método: Se diseñó un estudio pros-pectivo de casos y controles. La muestra está constituida por todos los pacientes operados con gastrectomía total por cáncer gástrico estadios I y II durante 30 meses. La medida de resultado primaria fue establecer diferencias en las presiones de la vía biliar entre pacientes con y sin colelitiasis. Resultados: Las presiones de la vía biliar extra-hepática en pacientes con colelitiasis fueron más elevadas (16,9 mmHg) que en los pacientes sin colelitiasis (3,3 mmHg) (p < 0,0001). Estas presiones se correlacionan con la presencia de amilasa y lipasa en la bilis de la vesícula; se encontraron niveles elevados de enzimas pancreáticas en pacientes con colelitiasis (p < 0,0001). Conclusiones: Las presiones de la vía biliar en pacientes con colelitiasis fueron, significativamente, mayores comparadas con las presiones de la vía biliar en pacientes sin colelitiasis. En los pacientes con colelitiasis, la presión elevada de la vía biliar se asocia a la presencia de reflujo pancreáticobiliar.

Background: The reflux of pancreatic enzymes into the bile duct and the gallbladder is an abnormal phenomenon that plays a role in lithogenesis and carcinogenesis. Because the pressure of the common bile duct depends on the pressures of the sphincter of Oddi, its dysfunction would be reflected in an increase in the pressure of the common bile duct in patients with cholelithiasis. Aim: The objective of this study was to measure the pressures of the common bile duct in patients with and without cholelithiasis and to relate them to the presence of pancreatobiliary reflux. Material and Method: A prospective case-control study was designed. The universe was constituted by all patients undergoing total gastrectomy for gastric cancer stages I and II during 30 months. The primary outcome measure was to establish differences between common bile duct pressures in patients with and without cholelithiasis. Results: Common bile duct pressures in patients with gallstones showed a significant elevation (16.9 mmHg) compared to patients without gallstones (3.3 mm Hg) (p < 0.0001). These pressures correlated with the levels of amylase and lipase in gallbladder bile; higher levels were found in patients with gallstones compared to patients without gallstones (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Common bile duct pressure in patients with cholelithiasis was significantly higher compared to patients without cholelithiasis leading to pancreatobiliary reflux.

The nonsynaptic plasticity in Parkinson's disease: Insights from an animal model

Abstract Background The 6-OHDA nigro-striatal lesion model has already been related to disorders in the excitability and synchronicity of neural networks and variation in the expression of transmembrane proteins that control intra and extracellular ionic concentrations, such as cation-chloride cotransporters (NKCC1 and KCC2) and Na+/K+-ATPase and, also, to the glial proliferation after injury. All these non-synaptic mechanisms have already been related to neuronal injury and hyper-synchronism processes. Objective The main objective of this study is to verify whether mechanisms not directly related to synaptic neurotransmission could be involved in the modulation of nigrostriatal pathways. Methods Male Wistar rats, 3 months old, were submitted to a unilateral injection of 24 µg of 6-OHDA, in the striatum (n= 8). The animals in the Control group (n= 8) were submitted to the same protocol, with the replacement of 6-OHDA by 0.9% saline. The analysis by optical densitometry was performed to quantify the immunoreactivity intensity of GFAP, NKCC1, KCC2, Na+/K+-ATPase, TH and Cx36. Results The 6-OHDA induced lesions in the striatum, were not followed by changes in the expression cation-chloride cotransporters and Na+/K+-ATPase, but with astrocytic reactivity in the lesioned and adjacent regions of the nigrostriatal. Moreover, the dopaminergic degeneration caused by 6-OHDA is followed by changes in the expression of connexin-36. Conclusions The use of the GJ blockers directly along the nigrostriatal pathways to control PD motor symptoms is conjectured. Electrophysiology of the striatum and the substantia nigra, to verify changes in neuronal synchronism, comparing brain slices of control animals and experimental models of PD, is needed.

Uso de Python para detecção de fake news sobre a covid-19: desafios e possibilidades / Using Python to detect fake news about covid-19: challenges and possibilities / Usar Python para detectar noticias falsas sobre covid-19: desafíos y posibilidades

Este trabalho tem como objetivo relatar estratégias para coleta de um conjunto de dados em português para treinamento de modelos de Inteligência Artificial com vistas a identificar de forma automática fake news sobre covid-19 disseminadas durante a pandemia, a partir de código Python. Analisamos um método de detecção de fake news baseado em uma Rede Neural Recorrente e de aprendizagem supervisionada. Selecionamos um corpus com 7,2 mil textos coletados em websites e agências de notícias por Monteiro et al. (2018) com cada um previamente catalogado como verdadeiro ou falso como conjunto de dados de treino e validação. O modelo foi usado para detecção de fake news sobre covid-19 em um conjunto de notícias coletadas e classificadas pelos autores deste trabalho. O índice de acerto foi de 70%, ou seja, essa foi a taxa de sucesso da detecção dos itens catalogados.

This work aims to report strategies for collecting a dataset in Portuguese for training Artificial Intelligence models to automatically identify fake news about covid-19 disseminated during the pandemic, using Python code. We analyze a fake news detection method based on a Recurrent Neural Network and supervised learning. We selected a corpus with 7,200 texts collected on websites and news agencies by Monteiro et al. (2018), each one of them previously cataloged as true or false as a training and validation dataset. This model was used to detect fake news about covid-19 in a set of news collected and classified by the authors of this work. The hit rate was 70%.

Este trabajo tiene como objetivo informar estrategias para recopilar un conjunto de datos en portugués para entrenar modelos de Inteligencia Artificial para identificar automáticamente noticias falsas sobre covid-19 difundidas durante la pandemia, utilizando el código Python. Analizamos un método de detección de noticias falsas basado en una Red Neuronal Recurrente y de aprendizaje supervisado. Seleccionamos un corpus de 7.200 textos recogidos en webs y agencias de noticias por Monteiro et al. (2018) con cada uno catalogado previamente como verdadero o falso como un conjunto de datos de entrenamiento y validación. El modelo se utilizó para detectar noticias falsas sobre covid-19 en un conjunto de noticias recopiladas y clasificadas por los autores de este trabajo. La tasa de acierto fue del 70%, es decir, esta fue la tasa de éxito de detección de los artículos catalogados.

Propiedades psicométricas de la escala Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item (GAD-7) en una muestra comunitaria de adolescentes en Chile / Psychometric properties of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale in Chilean adolescents

BACKGROUND: The Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale is widely used for the assessment of generalized anxiety disorder. AIM: To adapt the GAD-7 to the Chilean adolescent population and to evaluate its psychometric properties. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The GAD-7 was adapted and administered to 2,022 adolescents between 13 and 19 years of age, recruited from eight schools in the northern area of Santiago, Chile. Other self-report instruments were used to assess depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life. The one factor structure and invariance by sex were examined using Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Its reliability and validity based on its relationship with other variables were assessed. RESULTS: The one-factor structure and invariance by sex were confirmed. The results showed an adequate internal reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.86, Spearman-Brown coefficient = 0.82). As expected, significant correlations were observed with measures of depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life. Higher scores were observed in women than in men. CONCLUSIONS: The Chilean version adapted for adolescents of the GAD-7 has good psychometric properties. Thus, it may be a useful and valid instrument for the assessment of generalized anxiety disorder in adolescents in Chile.

A population-based cross-sectional study of the status of Diabetes Care in the Philippines (PhilDiabCare 2020)

Background@#Worldwide, diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious health issue with a global prevalence of 9.8% in 2021. According to the latest 2018 Expanded National Health and Nutrition survey done by the DOST-FNRI, the prevalence of diabetes in the Philippines have more than doubled from 3.4% in 2003 to 7.9% in 2018. The latest research conducted regarding diabetes care in the Philippines was in 2008 which showed that 85% of patients with diabetes failed to achieve the HbA1c general target of <7%.@*Objectives@#A population-based cross-sectional study to update the current status of diabetes care in the Philippines, specifically to determine glycemic control, trends in DM management, prevalence of complications and lastly their clinico-socio demographic profile.@*Methods@#340 patients with diabetes were included from the clinics of the Institute for Studies on Diabetes Foundation, Inc. physicians. The following data were collected: clinico-socio demographic profile, HbA1C-based glycemic control, trend in the use of glucose lowering agents, and prevalence of diabetes complications.@*Results@#The mean age of the 340 patients with diabetes in this study was 62 years old. Almost sixty-seven percent (66.8%) were females. The mean body mass index was 26 kg/m2. The mean duration of diabetes was 12.63 years. Close to sixty- eight percent (67.6%) had tertiary education, 58.8% were unemployed and 65% had above minimum income. The most commonly used single oral agent was biguanide (72.9%), followed by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (64.3%). The most common dual therapy combinations were biguanide plus dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (43.2%), biguanide plus sulfonylureas (27.2%), and biguanide plus sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (11.1%). Basal insulin was the most commonly used injectable agent. The present study showed that 47.4% of patients achieved an HbA1c of <7%. For the microvascular complication group alone, most had neuropathy (30.4%) followed by nephropathy (17.3%) and by retinopathy (5.4%). For the macrovascular complication group, the most common was coronary artery disease (82%) followed by peripheral artery disease and DM foot (27%). Overall, the most frequent DM complication identified was neuropathy (30.4%) , nephropathy (17.3%) and coronary heart disease (16.1%).@*Discussion@#Compared to the 2008 study, oral glucose lowering agents’ usage shifted from sulfonylureas to more use of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors. There was a decline in the use of thiazolidinediones, α-glucosidase inhibitors and non-use of meglitinides. For insulin use, there was a shift from the use of premixed insulin to more basal insulin usage. There was marked improvement in the diabetes care situation in the Philippines from the 2008 study to the 2020 study. Glycemic control defined as HbA1c level of <7.0 increased from 15% to 47.4%. Coronary artery disease was the most common macrovascular complication while neuropathy was the most common overall and microvascular complication.

Which is the best antiresorptive treatment after finishing teriparatide? / ¿Cuál es el mejor tratamiento antirresortivo luego de terminar con teriparatide?

Abstract Anabolic drugs are the treatment of choice for osteoporotic patients with very high risk of fractures. Post anabolic treatment with an antiresorptive drug maintains the bone mineral density (BMD) gained. The recommendations regarding the ideal antiresorptive drug are not precise. The aim of this paper is to compare the usefulness of zoledronate and denosumab in a group of 28 women with very high risk of fractures. All of them completed at least one year of treatment with teripatide and latter 14 received zolendronate and 14 denosumab for another year. We retrospectively review their biochemical and densitometric changes. Both treat ment groups experienced a reduction in bone turnover markers of the same magnitude at the end of the second year. In Lumbar Spine BMD increase of 3.96 ± 8.56% Median (Me) 2.54 p = 0.21 in zolendronate group and 3.55 ± 5.36% (Me 5.14) p = 0.07 in denosumab group. Femoral Neck BMD changed -0.09 ± 6.50% (Me 0.29) p = 0.85 in zolendronate group, and - 3.41 ± 5.08% (Me 5.35) p = 0.59 in denosumab group, with no difference between both groups. In Total Hip BMD an increase of 0.55 ± 4.20% (Me 0.43) p = 0.70 in zoledronate group, and 4.53 ± 5.13% (Me 0.64) p = 0.04 with denosumab. We conclude that both antiresortive treatments have a similar effect in biochemical markers after one year of treatment. BMD increase significantly in total hip and changed with a trend toward in lumbar spine with denosumab, but without differences between both groups of treatment.

Resumen Los anabólicos son el tratamiento de elección en la osteoporosis con muy alto riesgo de fracturas. Después del tratamiento anabólico un fármaco antirresortivo mantiene la densidad mineral ósea (DMO) ganada. Las reco mendaciones sobre el fármaco antirresortivo ideal no son precisas. El objetivo de este trabajo es comparar la utilidad de zoledronato y denosumab en un grupo de 28 mujeres con muy alto riesgo de fracturas. Todas ellas completaron al menos un año de tratamiento con teripatide y luego 14 recibieron zolendronato y 14 denosumab durante un año. Revisamos retrospectivamente sus cambios bioquímicos y densitométricos. Ambos grupos de tratamiento experimentaron una reducción de los marcadores de recambio óseo de la misma magnitud al final del segundo año. En columna lumbar la DMO aumentó 3.96 ± 8.56% Mediana (Me) 2.54, p = 0.21 en el grupo zolendronato y 3.55 ± 5.36% (Me 5.14) p = 0.07 en el grupo denosumab. La DMO del cuello femoral cambió -0.09 ± 6.50% (Me 0.29) p = 0.85 en el grupo zolendronato y - 3.41 ± 5.08% (Me 5.35) p = 0.59 en el grupo de denosumab, sin diferencias entre ambos grupos. En la Cadera Total la DMO aumentó 0.55 ± 4.20% (Me 0.43) p = 0.70 con zoledronato y 4.53 ± 5.13% (Me 0.64) p = 0.04 con denosumab. Concluimos que ambos tratamien tos antiresortivos tuvieron un efecto similar en los marcadores bioquímicos después de un año de tratamiento. La DMO aumentó significativamente en la cadera total y mostró una tendencia similar en columna lumbar con denosumab, sin diferencias entre ambos tratamientos.

Conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre covid-19 en argentina. estudio tranversal / Knowledge, attitudes, and practices about COVID-19 in Argentina. A cross-sectional study

Resumen Nuestro objetivo fue evidenciar el nivel de conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas frente al COVID-19. Fueron encuestados 3774 individuos mayores de 16 años entre el 18/09/20 y el 16/10/20. El 80% residía en la ciudad de Buenos Aires o la Provincia de Buenos Aires. El 58% había completado estudio terciario. El 72% tenía actividad laboral independiente o en relación de dependencia pública o privada. Utilizaban el sistema de salud prepago el 51%, obra social laboral el 34%, y sistema público de salud cerca del 10%. De acuerdo a las variables socio-demográficas analizadas, la mayoría de la población fue representativa de la clase media. Del total de encuestados, el 7% tuvo diagnóstico de COVID-19. Observamos un alto nivel de conocimiento de la enfermedad, con 80 a 90% de respuestas correctas. En relación a las medidas adoptadas por las autoridades, los juicios emitidos variaron entre "correctas", "insuficientes", "perjudiciales", "innecesarias", etc. El 44% se sentía protegido por el sistema de salud. En cuanto a los referentes válidos para transmitir información, la respuesta preponderante fue el personal médico. En cuanto al momento deconsultar por síntomas, un porcentaje impor tante (28%) lo haría en forma tardía. Observamos un alto grado de cumplimiento de las medidas de protección, a excepción del ítem "Asistencia a reuniones" (50%). Los resultados de estos estudios contribuyen a establecer estrategias comunicacionales para la prevención y el control de la enfermedad y de ese modo enfrentar de forma más eficiente eventuales rebrotes de la enfermedad.

Abstract Our objective was to assess levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices against COVID-19. A total of 3774 persons were surveyed between September 18 and October 16, 2020. Eighty% resided in Buenos Aires City or Buenos Aires Province: 58% had completed tertiary education; 72% worked either independently or as employees in the public or the private sector; 51% used a prepaid health care plan, 34% were covered by a trade union-based health system, and near 10% used the public health services. According to the socio-demographic variables analyzed, the population studied was representative of the middle class. A total of 7% had been diag nosed with COVID-19. There was a high level of knowledge about the disease, judging by the high proportion of correct answers (80-90%). Regarding the measures taken by the government, the answers varied widely ("correct", "inadequate", "harmful", "unnecessary", etc.). The medical staff was the preferred source of information; 44% of respondents felt protected by their health system; 28% would only seek healthcare when feeling very sick. There was a high degree of compliance with most protection measures, except for attendance to social events in poorly ventilated spaces (50%). The results of these studies contribute to establishing communication strategies for the prevention and control of COVID-19 and thus deal more efficiently with eventual outbreaks of the disease.

Structural resistance of orthodontic mini-screws inserted for extraalveolar anchorage / Resistência estrutural de mini-aparafusos ortodônticos inseridos para ancoragem extra-alveolar

ABSTRACT The risk of fracture or strain in mini-screws is higher if diameter, length, type of alloy or insertion angle is selected inappropriately. The aims of this study were to test the structural resistance of two types of orthodontic mini-screws -one made of stainless steel and another of titanium- from an international brand and to evaluate the efficacy of two other titanium miniscrews of Brazilian origin, during an extra-alveolar anchorage procedure. The mini-screws analyzed were: Bomei stainless steel and Bomei titanium/Taiwan, Morelli titanium and Neodent titanium/ Brazil. Experiments were conducted on pig mandibles to simulate the process of extra-alveolar anchorage. Two insertion processes were used: Direct at 30°, and Indirect, starting at 60° and ending at 30° with gradual continuous movement. Strain was evaluated using Optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Data were evaluated using Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric statistical analysis and post hoc Tamhane test. Significant statistical differences in strain were observed among the mini-screws used in the extra-alveolar insertions, both for the direct and indirect procedures. In the indirect insertion tests, both stainless steel and titanium mini-screws suffered deformation, showing that angling can be an important factor in mini-screw failure rates. The change in angle during the insertion movement increased deformation rates independently of alloy type, increasing the risk offailure. These results could help orthodontists in choosing mini-screws for extra-alveolar anchorage, which can be performed with direct or indirect insertion. In vivo studies should be conducted to confirm the findings of this study.

RESUMO O risco de fratura ou tensao nos mini-parafusos é maior se o diámetro, comprimento, tipo de liga ou ángulo de insergao for selecionado de forma inadequada. Os objetivos deste estudo foram testar a resistencia estrutural de dois tipos de mini-aparafusos ortodónticos -um feito de ago inoxidável e outro de titànio- de uma marca internacional e avaliar a eficácia de dois outros mini-parafusos de titànio de origem brasileira, durante um procedimento de ancoragem extra-alveolar. Os mini-aparafusos analisados foram: Bomei ago inoxidável e Bomei titànio / Taiwan, Morelli titànio e Neodent titànio / Brasil. Foram realizadas experiencias em mandíbulas de porcos para simular o processo de ancoragem extra-alveolar. Foram utilizados dois processos de insergao (Direta a 30°, e Indireta, comegando a 60° e terminando a 30° com movimento gradual continuo). A deformagao foi avaliada utilizando Microscopia Optica e Microscopia Eletrónica de Varredura. Os dados foram avaliados utilizando análise estatistica nao paramétrica Kruskal-Wallis e testepost-hoc Tamhane. Diferengas estatisticas significativas na deformagao foram observadas entre os mini-parafusos utilizados nas insergoes extra-alveolares, tanto para os procedimentos diretos como indiretos. Nos testes de insergao indireta, tanto os mini-parafusos de ago inoxidável como os de titánio sofreram deformagao, mostrando que a angulagao pode ser um fator importante nas taxas de falha dos mini-parafusos. A mudanga no ángulo durante o movimento de insergao aumentou as taxas de deformagao independentemente do tipo de liga, aumentando o risco de falha. Estes resultados podem ajudar os ortodontistas na escolha de mini-parafusos para ancoragem extra-alveolar, que pode ser realizada com insergao direta ou indireta. Estudos in vivo devem ser conduzidos para confirmar os resultados deste estudo.

Caracterização Histológica das Lesões da Valva Mitral de Pacientes com Cardiopatia Reumática / Histopathological Characterization of Mitral Valvular Lesions from Patients with Rheumatic Heart Disease

Resumo Fundamentos: Os mecanismos subjacentes pelos quais a doença cardíaca reumática (DCR) levam à disfunção valvar grave não são totalmente compreendidos. Objetivo: O presente estudo avaliou as alterações histopatológicas nas valvas mitrais (VM) buscando uma associação entre o padrão de disfunção valvar predominante e os achados histopatológicos. Métodos: Em 40 pacientes submetidos à troca da VM devido a DCR e em 20 controles submetidos a transplante cardíaco, foram analisados os aspectos histológicos da VM excisada. Dados clínicos e ecocardiográficos também foram coletados. As análises histológicas foram realizadas usando coloração com hematoxilina-eosina. Determinou-se inflamação, fibrose, neoangiogênese, calcificação e metaplasia adiposa. Valores de p<0,05 foram considerados estatisticamente significativos. Resultados: A idade média dos pacientes com DCR foi de 53±13 anos, sendo 36 (90%) do sexo feminino, enquanto a idade média dos controles foi de 50±12 anos, semelhante aos casos, sendo a maioria do sexo masculino (70%). O endocárdio valvar reumático apresentou espessura maior que os controles (1,3±0,5 mm versus 0,90±0,4 mm, p=0,003, respectivamente), e infiltrado inflamatório mais intenso no endocárdio (78% versus 36%; p=0,004), com predominância de células mononucleares. Ocorreu fibrose moderada a acentuada mais frequentemente em válvulas reumáticas do que em válvulas controle (100% vs. 29%; p<0,001). Ocorreu calcificação em 35% das valvas reumáticas, principalmente entre as valvas estenóticas, associada à área valvar mitral (p=0,003). Conclusões: Apesar do intenso grau de fibrose, o processo inflamatório permanece ativo na valva mitral reumática, mesmo em doença tardia com disfunção valvar. A calcificação predominou em valvas estenóticas e em pacientes com disfunção ventricular direita.

Abstract Background: The underlying mechanisms by which rheumatic heart disease (RHD) lead to severe valve dysfunction are not completely understood. Objective: The present study evaluated the histopathological changes in mitral valves (MV) seeking an association between the pattern of predominant valvular dysfunction and histopathological findings. Methods: In 40 patients who underwent MV replacement due to RHD, and in 20 controls that underwent heart transplant, histological aspects of the excised MV were analyzed. Clinical and echocardiographic data were also collected. Histological analyses were performed using hematoxylin-eosin staining. Inflammation, fibrosis, neoangiogenesis, calcification and adipose metaplasia were determined. A p value<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The mean age of RHD patients was 53±13 years, 36 (90%) were female, whereas the mean age of controls was 50±12 years, similar to the cases, with the majority of males (70%). The rheumatic valve endocardium presented greater thickness than the controls (1.3±0.5 mm versus 0.90±0.4 mm, p=0.003, respectively), and a more intense inflammatory infiltrate in the endocardium (78% versus 36%; p=0.004), with predominance of mononuclear cells. Moderate to marked fibrosis occurred more frequently in rheumatic valves than in control valves (100% vs. 29%; p<0.001). Calcification occurred in 35% of rheumatic valves, especially among stenotic valves, which was associated with the mitral valve area (p=0.003). Conclusions: Despite intense degree of fibrosis, the inflammatory process remains active in the rheumatic mitral valve, even at late disease with valve dysfunction. Calcification predominated in stenotic valves and in patients with right ventricular dysfunction.

Conocimiento de los médicos generales sobre complicaciones obstétricas asociadas a riesgo cardiovascular subsecuente / General practitioners’ knowledge about pregnancy complications associated with long-term cardiovascular risk

Resumen Introducción: La enfermedad cardiovascular (ECV) constituye la principal causa de mortalidad en mujeres; la preeclampsia (PE) y la diabetes mellitus gestacional (DMG) están asociadas a incremento en el riesgo de ECV. Objetivo: Evaluar el conocimiento de los médicos generales (MG) sobre complicaciones obstétricas asociadas a ECV. Métodos: Se envió a los MG un cuestionario electrónico anónimo basado en casos, diseñado para evaluar el entendimiento de la influencia de la historia obstétrica en el riesgo cardiovascular a largo plazo y el conocimiento general sobre riesgo de ECV. Resultados: La tasa de respuesta fue de 35 % (161/465). Los participantes reconocieron que la PE y la DMG son factores de riesgo para ECV (98 y 83 %, respectivamente) y reportaron las siguientes estrategias de tamizaje de ECV en mujeres con historial de PE y DMG: monitoreo de presión arterial (PE 100 %, DMG 46 %), cálculo de índice de masa corporal (PE 68 %, DMG 57 %), evaluación del perfil de lípidos (PE 71 %, DMG 57 %), hemoglobina glucosilada (PE 26 %, DMG 92 %) y glucosa en ayuno (PE 28 %, DMG 91 %). Conclusión: Las estrategias de tamizaje para identificar ECV en mujeres con antecedentes de PE y DMG reportadas por los MG fueron variables.

Abstract Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in women; preeclampsia (PE) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are associated with an increased risk of CVD. Objective: To evaluate general practitioners (GP) knowledge about complicated pregnancies and their association with CVD. Methods: An anonymous case-based electronic questionnaire designed to assess the level of understanding on the influence of a history of pregnancy complications on long-term cardiovascular risk and general knowledge about CVD risk was sent to GPs. Results: The response rate was 35 % (161/465). The participants recognized that PE and GDM are risk factors for CVD (98 and 83 %, respectively), and reported the following CVD screening strategies in women with a history of PE and GDM: blood pressure monitoring (PE 100 %, GDM 46 %), body mass index calculation (PE 68 %, GDM 57 %), lipid profile evaluation (PE 71 %, GDM 57 %), glycated hemoglobin (PE 26 %, GDM 92 %), and fasting glucose (PE 28 %, GDM 91 %). Conclusion: GP-reported screening strategies to identify CVD in women with a history of PE and GDM were variable.

Molecular Diagnosis in an Argentinean Mitochondrial Disorders Cohort

Abstract Mitochondrial diseases are multisystemic disorders characterized by an impairment of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Diagnosis requires an approach that involves a high index of suspicion, molecular techniques and a careful selection of the tissue to be studied. Our goal was to develop and implement local strategies for diagnosing mitochondrial disorders, by standardizing procedures of molecular biology and nucleic acid sequencing. A prospective, analytical, observational study was conducted in a cohort of, a total of 82 patients with suspected mitochondrial disorder who were treated at our hospital between May 2008 and June 2019. We developed molecular diagnostic tools that included classical monogenic techniques and Next Generation Sequencing. We characterized the neurological and extra neurological manifestations noted in our cohort. Following the proposed algorithm, we obtained a molecular diagnostic performance of 54%, identifying mutations in 44 patients. mtDNA mutations were identified in 34 patients. Structural rearrangements in mitochondrial genome were found in 3 and 7 in nuclear genes, respectively. Our results confirm the utility of the proposed algorithm and the molecular tools used, as evidenced by a high diagnostic performance. This is of great value to a more efficient and comprehensive medical care of patients and families affected by mitochondrial disorders.