Survey on the patterns of feeding difficulties and behaviors in Filipino children with Autism Spectrum Disorder seen in a Philippine Tertiary Hospital and the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective@#To describe patterns of feeding difficulties and behaviors of Filipino children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).@*Methods@#An electronic mealtime survey was administered to caregivers of 3- to 9-year-old children diagnosed with ASD in a Philippine tertiary government hospital. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses between feeding difficulties measured as Mealtime Survey Score, sociodemographic data, and early feeding history were performed. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to these was analyzed through a binomial test.@*Results@#All of the 115 study subjects reported at least one problematic feeding behavior, with picky eating being the most frequent (61.74%). Significantly, more feeding difficulties were observed among the children with reported early feeding difficulties during their 2nd and 3rd year of life. There were no documented statistically significant changes in feeding behaviors during the past six months of the COVID-19 pandemic.@*Conclusion@#There is a high prevalence of feeding difficulties and problematic feeding behavior among Filipino children with ASD, however no significant changes to these during the past six months of the COVID-19 pandemic were documented. Present feeding difficulties and behaviors were associated with history of early feeding difficulties, highlighting the need to include feeding difficulties in screening tools, and early training programs and interventions for children with ASD.

A study on reducing nonfunctional distractors of multiple-choice questions in medical examination / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective:To discuss the possibility of modifying nonfunctional distractors to improve the quality of multiple-choice questions in medical examination through analyzing the changes in the difficulty and discrimination of items and the selection rate of modified distractors.Methods:Thirty-two multiple-choice questions involving nonfunctional distractors from a medical examination were studied. According to the item-writing guidelines, experts modified nonfunctional distractors based on actual measurements. We analyzed the changes in the difficulty and discrimination of items and the selection rate of modified distractors before and after item modification using the paired Wilcoxon test, and investigated the correlation of item difficulty and discrimination before and after item modification by Spearman's rank correlation analysis.Results:Six questions were modified due to technical factors, and 26 questions were modified due to weak interference in knowledge content. Before and after nonfunctional distractor modification, the difficulty values of the questions were 0.676 (0.558, 0.893) and 0.637 (0.531, 0.839), respectively; the discrimination values (point-biserial correlation) were 0.261 (0.150, 0.316) and 0.262 (0.138, 0.358), respectively; and the discrimination index values were 0.215 (0.113, 0.352) and 0.259 (0.138, 0.346), respectively. There were significant differences in the difficulty and discrimination index of items before and after modification. The difficulty and discrimination of items before and after modification were both significantly correlated. The selection rates of modified distractors were 0.009 (0.003, 0.015) and 0.044 (0.021, 0.092) before and after modification, respectively, which were significantly different.Conclusions:Nonfunctional distractors in this study were mainly caused by reasons in the contents of the test questions, less in technical defects. Through the analysis and modification of nonfunctional distractors, the selection rate of nonfunctional distractors can be effectively increased, and item difficulty and discrimination can be improved.

Discussion on Difficulties of Ethical Review of DCD Organ Donation and Transplant based on Cases / 中国医学伦理学

The ethics committee of organ transplantation technology and clinical application in a hospital has encountered some difficulties and typical cases in its review work and practice for many years. Sometimes, it is difficult to make a decision in these dilemmas. Based on the previous experience of the hospital in the ethical review of organ donation and transplantation, combined with two typical cases, this paper discussed and analyzed two review points of whether the voluntary unpaid donation and the principle of informed consent were met, and whether the risk-benefit ratio was reasonable, and put forward relevant ethical and legal countermeasure for further research by institutional ethics committees and other parties, in order to provide reference for discussing the practical problems and ethical confusion of ethical review of organ donation and transplantation.

Difficulties Faced by Physicians Working at a Designated Cancer Hospital in Practice of Advance Care Planning (ACP)

Objectives: There are known barriers to advance care planning practices for both health care providers and patients. Since physicians were the main occupations that introduce ACP, the goal of this study was to clarify where the difficulties were felt in the practice of ACP by looking back on the practice of physicians who were working in a designated cancer hospital. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 physicians who were recommended by the palliative care team as physicians who clinically practice ACP for cancer patients. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed using content analysis by Graneheim et al. Results: We finally classified into 6 major categories as follows: Insufficient readiness of patients/Insufficient readiness of medical staff/Discrepancy in communication/Lack of evaluation index of ACP/Dilemma with professional ethics. Conclusion: Patients and health care providers each lacked readiness for ACP, and physicians found it difficult due to the resulting communication discrepancies and lack of colleagues with whom they could collaborate.

Effects of acupuncture combined with Huatan and Progesterone prescription on IL-6,HOMA-IR,HS-CRP,sex hormone and pregnancy outcome in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(phlegm-dampness and difficulty) / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of acupuncture combined with Huatan and Progesterone prescription on patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(phlegm-dampness and difficulty).Methods:Total 128 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(phlegm-dampness and difficulty)were treated in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from Septem-ber 2017 to March 2021,and randomly divided into control group and observation group,with 64 patients in each group.Control group received conventional treatment in Western medicine,and observation group was treated with acupuncture and the Huatan and Progesterone prescription.After 3 menstrual cycles,the efficacy was compared.Results:After treatment,serum TGF-β1,IL-6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(HS-CRP)levels of observation group were lower than that of control group(P<0.05),insulin resis-tance index(HOMA-IR),endometrial thickness and ovarian volume in observation group were lower than those in control group(P<0.05),serum estrogens(E2)level in observation group was higher than that in control group,while levels of luteinizing hormone(LH)and follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)were lower than that in control group(P<0.05).After treatment,ovulation rate(79.69%)and pregnancy rate(57.81%)in observation group were higher than those in control group,and there was no significant difference in abor-tion rate between the two groups(P>0.05).Total incidence of adverse reactions in observation group(7.81%)was lower than that in control group(21.88%),and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:For patients with polycystic ovary syn-drome(phlegm-dampness and difficulty),combined acupuncture and Huatan and Progesterone prescription has significant effect,which can help to reduce inflammatory reaction,reduce insulin resistance,promote ovulation and pregnancy,and improve clinical efficacy.

Study on the measurement and application of diagnostic and treatment difficulty in disease categories / 中国卫生政策研究

This study delineated the conceptual framework of Diagnostic and Treatment Difficulty(DTD)for disease categories for the first time and calculated the coefficient by utilizing disease occurrence probability,average total cost,and cure/improvement rate.The study employed the 2017 data from the New Rural Cooperative Medical Insurance in seven counties or districts to assess the DTD coefficient of inpatient disease categories.It also generated a distribution chart and fitted curve illustrating the relationship between the number of cases and DTD coefficient,in line with disease occurrence patterns.A paired sample Wilcoxon rank-sum test was performed on the DTD coefficient of the same disease categories calculated for two sample counties,yielding non-significant results(p =0.73).This suggests that the algorithm is robust and effectively portrays the occurrence and distribution patterns of disease categories.The measurement results can be utilized to define the scope of disease categories in healthcare institutions and characterize healthcare service supply and demand behavior.However,it's worth noting potential limitations,including a reliance on sample size and subjectivity in weight determination.

Validación de un Nuevo Indice de Dificultad para la Exodoncia de Terceros Molares Mandibulares Impactados

El objetivo del presente estudio fue el determinar la validez de un nuevo índice de dificultad para la exodoncia de terceros molares mandibulares impactados. El presente es un estudio descriptivo, comparativo y transversal. Se llevó a cabo en la Clínica Estomatológica de la Universidad Nacional de Trujillo-Perú, durante el año 2015. La muestra estuvo conformada por 42 pacientes ASA I, de 18 a 65 años, con indicación de extracción de tercera molar mandibular impactada asintomática, con corona clínica íntegra. Cada paciente firmó un consentimiento informado para así poder participar en el estudio. Antes de la realización de la exodoncia, a cada paciente, se le valoró su grado de dificultad quirúrgica según la clasificación de Winter-Pell y Gregory y el nuevo índice de dificultad propuesto. Para la comparación del grado de dificultad entre los índices con el número de complicaciones, la dificultad quirúrgica entre los índices con la dificultad quirúrgica real y el tiempo quirúrgico entre los índices; se utilizaron la prueba estadística de Chi cuadrado, el Test de Mc Nemar y la T de Student, respectivamente. La significación estadística fue del 5 %. Al comparar los índices con el grado de dificultad real, se obtuvo que existe una alta diferencia estadística significativa (p < 0.001). Al realizar las pruebas de sensibilidad y especificidad de ambos índices, se obtuvo que el nuevo índice y el índice de Winter-Pell y Gregory tuvieron una sensibilidad del 100 % y 55 % y una especificidad del 10 % y 100 %, respectivamente. Se concluye que el nuevo índice propuesto en este estudio pronostica de manera más exacta la dificultad quirúrgica de las exodoncias de terceros molares mandibulares impactados.

The aim of this study was to determine the validity of a new difficulty index for the extraction of impacted mandibular third molars. This is a descriptive, comparative and cross-sectional study. It was carried out at the Clinica Estomatológica of the Universidad Nacional de Trujillo - Peru, during the year 2015. The sample consisted of 42 ASA I patients, from 18 to 65 years old, with an indication for extraction of an asymptomatic impacted mandibular third molar, with complete clinical crown. Each patient signed an informed consent in order to participate in the study. Before performing the extraction, each patient was assessed their degree of surgical difficulty according to the Winter-Pell and Gregory classification and the new difficulty index proposed. For the comparison of the degree of difficulty between the indices with the number of complications, the surgical difficulty between the indices with the actual surgical difficulty and the surgical time between the indices; the Chi-square statistical test, the Mc Nemar Test and the Student's T test were used, respectively. Statistical significance was 5 %. When comparing the indices with the actual degree of difficulty, it was found that there is a highly significant statistical difference (p < 0.001). When carrying out the sensitivity and specificity tests of both indices, it was found that the new index and the Winter-Pell and Gregory index had a sensitivity of 100 % and 55 % and a specificity of 10 % and 100 %, respectively. It is concluded that the new index proposed in this study more accurately predicts the surgical difficulty of extractions of impacted mandibular third molars.

Prueba de caminata de 6 minutos: del sujeto normal a la obesidad mórbida / Six minute walk test: from normal to morbid obesity subject

Resumen Introducción: La obesidad mórbida se asocia a alteraciones de la capacidad de caminar, sin embargo se desconoce cómo es el comportamiento de la prueba de caminata de 6 minutos en sujetos con incrementos del índice de masa corporal (IMC). Objetivo: Describir el comportamiento de la prueba de caminata de 6 minutos en sujetos con IMC normal hasta la obesidad mórbida. Métodos: Mediante un diseño transversal analítico se estudiaron sujetos de ambos sexos de 18 a 60 años con IMC: normal (18.5-24.9 kg/m2), sobrepeso (25-29.9 kg/m2), obesidad (30-39.9 kg/m2), obesidad mórbida (> 40 kg/m2). Se les realizó prueba de caminata de 6 minutos, se acotaron variables demográficas y antecedentes personales patológicos. Se analizaron las categorías de IMC con ANOVA de una vía y ajuste de Bonferroni y los sexos con prueba t, ambos para grupos independientes y correlaciones de Pearson para las diversas variables. Una p < 0.05 fue considerada estadísticamente significativa. Resultados: Se estudiaron 480 sujetos de ambos sexos en cuatro grupos. Edad: hombres 43 ± 11 y mujeres 45 ± 10 años. Porcentaje diabetes mellitus (6.7%), hipertensión arterial (18.3%). Metros caminados hombres vs. mujeres por IMC (normal: 483 ± 56 vs. 449 ± 61; sobrepeso: 471 ± 55 vs. 441 ± 44; obesidad: 455 ± 70 vs. 421 ± 47; obesidad mórbida: 443 ± 49 vs. 403 ± 54; p < 0.05). Correlación IMC-metros caminados r: -0.446 (p < 0.0001). Conclusiones: Los metros caminados en la prueba de caminata de 6 minutos disminuyeron conforme incrementó el IMC. El sexo masculino caminó más metros en todas las categorías.

Abstract Introduction: Morbid obesity is associated with alterations in the ability to walk, however, the behavior of the 6-minute walk test in subjects with increases in body mass index is unknown. Objective: To describe the behavior of the 6-minute walk test in subjects with normal body mass index to morbid obesity. Methods: Through an analytical cross-sectional design, subjects of both genders from 18 to 60 years old with body mass index were studied: Normal (BMI: 18.5-24.9); overweight (BMI: 25-29.9); obesity (BMI: 30-39.9); morbid obesity (BMI: > 40) kg/m2. A 6-minute walk test was performed, demographic variables and pathological personal history were delimited. BMI categories were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni adjustment, and gender with t-test, both for independent groups, and Pearson's correlations for the various variables. Results: 480 subjects of both genders were studied in four groups. Age: men 43 ± 11 and women 45 ± 10 years old. Percentage diabetes mellitus (6.7%), arterial hypertension (18.3%). Meters walked men vs. women by body mass index (normal: 483 ± 56 vs. 449 ± 61; overweight: 471 ± 55 vs. 441 ± 44; obesity: 455 ± 70 vs. 421 ± 47; morbid obesity: 443 ± 49 vs. 403 ± 54, p < 0.05). Correlation body mass index-meters walked: r: -0.446 (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Meters walked in the 6-minute walk test decreased as body mass index increased. The male gender walked more meters in all categories.

Calidad del examen parcial de la asignatura Sangre y Sistema Nervioso en la carrera Estomatología

Introducción: Estimar la calidad de cualquier instrumento evaluativo escrito, es requisito esencial no solo en su proceso de construcción, sino también en la obtención de información para la toma correcta de decisiones. Objetivo: Evaluar la calidad del examen parcial de la asignatura Sangre y Sistema Nervioso, disciplina Bases Biológicas de la Estomatología, carrera Estomatología. Métodos: Estudio observacional analítico y transversal, en 27 exámenes correspondientes al examen parcial de la asignatura Sangre y Sistema Nervioso, disciplina Bases Biológicas de la Estomatología, carrera de Estomatología, Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba, curso 2022. Se analizó la correspondencia del fondo de tiempo y la cantidad de ítems explorados en el examen, se calcularon índices de dificultad y de discriminación de incisos y preguntas, coeficiente de discriminación biserial puntual y de consistencia interna. Resultados: Existió correspondencia adecuada entre el fondo de tiempo asignado a los contenidos de las temáticas y la cantidad de ítems explorados en el examen. Predominaron los reactivos con índice de dificultad media y buen poder de discriminación. La consistencia interna de las preguntas y del examen general se evaluó de excelente. Conclusiones: La calidad del examen parcial aplicado en la asignatura Sangre y Sistema Nervioso de la disciplina Bases Biológicas de la Estomatología, carrera de Estomatología, Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba, curso 2022, es adecuada.

Introduction: To estimate the quality of any written evaluative instrument is an essential requirement not only in its construction process, but also in obtaining information for correct decision making. Objective: To evaluate the quality of the partial test from Blood and Nervous System subject in Biological Bases of Dentistry discipline, Dentistry career. Methods: Analytical and cross-sectional observational study, in 27 tests corresponding to the partial test of Blood and Nervous System subject, Biological Bases of Dentistry discipline, Dentistry career, Santiago de Cuba Medical Sciences University, course 2022. The correspondence from the background of time and the number of items explored in the test were analyzed, indices of difficulty and discrimination of items and questions, punctual biserial discrimination coefficient and internal consistency were calculated. Results: There was an adequate correspondence between the amount of time assigned to the contents of the themes and the number of items explored in the test. Items with a medium difficulty index and good discrimination power prevailed. The internal consistency of the questions and general test was evaluated as excellent. Conclusions: The quality of the partial test from Blood and Nervous System subject, Biological Bases of Dentistry discipline, Dentistry career, Santiago de Cuba Medical Sciences University, course 2022, is adequate.

The mediating effect of interdisciplinary cooperation ability on the level of hospice care practice and the degree of difficulty of medical staff / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To explore the mediating role of interdisciplinary cooperation ability between the level of hospice care practice and difficulty degree of hospice care for medical staff, in order to improve the quality of hospice care services for medical staff, and to provide evidence for relevant managers to formulate effective measures to reduce the implementation of hospice care difficulties.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional survey. Using convenience sampling method, the general data questionnaire, Palliative Care Difficulties Scale (PCDS), Palliative Care Self-Report Practice Scale (PCPS) and Modified Index of Interdisciplinary Collaboration (MIIC) were used to investigate 362 medical staff in all hospice care institutions of Shiyan City from July to August 2022.Results:The total score of PCDS in 362 medical staff was (40.58±13.44) points, (67.47 ± 12.50) points for PCPS and (108.36 ± 21.46) points for MIIC. There was a positive correlation between the total score of MIIC and PCDS ( r=0.500, P<0.01). The total score of PCPS was negatively correlated with the total score of MIIC ( r=-0.337, P<0.01) and the total score of PCDS ( r=-0.189, P<0.01). The interdisciplinary cooperation ability of medical staff in hospice care had a complete mediating effect between the level of practice and the degree of difficulty (Effect value=-0.190, 95% CI-0.274 to -0.126), and the mediating effect accounted for 98.5% of the total effect value. Conclusions:The practice level of hospice care can not directly affect the implementation of the difficulty degree, but by taking active measures to improve the interdisciplinary cooperation ability, so as to enhance the practice level, and then reduce the implementation of hospice care difficulty degree.

A qualitative research on the responsibility understanding and difficult experience of respiratory nurses in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To explore the responsibilities of respiratory nurses in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patient and the difficulties in disease management, so as to provide reference basis for formulating COPD management training strategies for respiratory nurses.Methods:Using phenomenological methodology, 14 nurses from the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine in the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University and the First People′s Hospital of Yinchuan were interviewed in a personal semi-structured way from May to August 2021, and the data were sorted and analyzed according to Colaizzi 7-step analysis method.Results:Nurses′understanding of the responsibilities of COPD patient management could be summarized into five themes: dynamic monitoring and management of patients′ health, nursing decision-making of sudden changes in patients′ condition, implementation of patients′ out of hospital follow-up, promotion of improvement of patients′ self-management behavior, and cooperation among multidisciplinary team members. The difficult experience of nurses in the management of COPD patients abstracted five themes: lack of professional knowledge of COPD management, lack of clinical nursing decision-making authority, lack of human and financial support for follow-up, lack of communication skills with patients, and lack of multidisciplinary team formation in the hospital.Conclusions:Respiratory nurses have a clear understanding of the responsibilities of COPD patient management, but there are multiple difficulties in performing their responsibilities. We should pay attention to the responsibility positioning and difficulty support of nurses′ COPD management, and formulate targeted training strategies to promote the improvement of COPD nursing quality.

Research progress in predicting the difficulty of surgery for middle and low rectal cancer based on pelvic measurement / 中华消化外科杂志

Total mesorectal excision (TME) has become the basic principle of surgical treat-ment for middle and low rectal cancer. Some of patients with ultra-low rectal cancer require under-going intersphincteric resection (ISR). Due to the limitation of the narrow pelvis, TME and ISR put forward higher requirements for the precise separation of the anatomical level and the protection of neurological function during the operation. At present, evaluation of the difficulty of surgery for middle and low rectal cancer is mainly based on the subjective judgment of chief surgeon, and there is no unified and objective scoring system or prediction model that can classify the difficulty of surgery for middle and low rectal cancer before surgery. The authors review relevant literatures and summarize the existing studies related to pelvic measurement for predicting the difficulty of surgery for middle and low rectal cancer, in order to provide significant guidance for the selection of surgical approach for patients with middle and low rectal cancer.

Construction of evaluation index system for difficulty of nursing work items in post anesthesia care unit / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To explore the nursing work items and the technical difficulty in post anesthesia care unit, so as to provide the basis for accurate calculation of anesthesia nursing workload and reasonable matching of human resources.Methods:The primary and secondary indicators of the nursing working system in post anesthesia care unit were determined through the literature review and group discussion. Delphi method was used to revise the indicators and evaluate the importance and difficulty degree of the indicators. Finally, analytic hierarchy process and linear weighted sum method were used to calculate the weight value and difficulty coefficient of each index.Results:The positive coefficients of the experts in the two rounds were 100.00%, the authority coefficients of the experts were 0.90 and 0.96, the variation coefficients ranged from 0.000 to 0.342 and 0.042 to 0.307, and the Kendall coefficients were 0.239 and 0.273 (both P<0.01). The evaluation index system of the difficulty of nursing work in post anesthesia care unit was finally composed of 10 primary indicators and 85 secondary indicators. The weight of the primary index ranged from 0.016 4 to 0.186 4, and the weight of the secondary index ranged from 0.000 8 to 0.064 3. The standardized difficulty coefficient of the secondary index ranged from 1.02 to 1.59. Conclusions:The evaluation index system of the difficulty of nursing work items in post anesthesia care unit was comprehensive and the difficulty coefficient was in line with the actual clinical work in this study, which provides reference for the follow-up scientific calculation of nursing workload and human resources matching in post anesthesia care unit.

Analysis of the current situation and influencing factors of the post-discharge coping difficulties in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy / 中华护理杂志

Objective To describe the status of the post-discharge coping difficulties in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy(HDP),and to explore its influencing factors.Methods A total of 280 women with HDP from a tertiary A maternity hospital in Nanjing City were investigated with the general information questionnaire,the post-discharge coping difficulty scale-new mother form,the readiness for hospital discharge study-new mother form,the family APGAR index.The factors influencing post-discharge coping difficulties in women with HDP were analyzed using univariate analysis and multiple linear regression.Results 238 valid questionnaires were collected,with a response rate of 85.0%.The score of the post-discharge coping difficulties in women with HDP was 5.07±1.69,which is at a middle level.The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that parity,primary caregiver during the postpartum period,HDP type,readiness for hospital discharge,family APGAR index were influencing factors of post-discharge coping difficulties in women with HDP(P＜0.05).Conclusion Post-discharge coping difficulties in women with HDP remains to be further improved,and it is affected by many factors.Medical staff should pay more attention to post-discharge coping difficulties of such parturients,formulate targeted continuation care programs according to relevant influencing factors,comprehensively improve their coping ability,and reduce their coping difficulties after discharge.

Changes in Pediatric Hospital Staff’s Sense of Difficulty Toward Palliative Care:A Single-pediatric Hospital Survey Report

The purpose of this study was to clarify the changes in the sense of difficulty hospital staff felt toward palliative care before and after a palliative care team of the pediatric hospital started in-hospital consultation. A self-administered questionnaire about the difficulty, consisting of 21 items in five areas, was used to conduct a survey in 2015 for the pre-consultation period, and in 2018 for the post-consultation period. Responses were obtained from 222 people in the pre-consultation period (response rate of 70.9%) and from 384 people in the post-consultation period (response rate of 87.3%). Over 70% of the respondents were nurses and midwives. A lower sense of difficulty was observed in three of the items including “relief of painful symptoms”, “family care during caregiving”, and “support when oneself and surrounding staff feeling inadequate and lost”. Further, a significant decrease was observed in the sense of difficulty in six items reported by nurses and midwives in departments receiving the interventions. Eleven of the 16 cases in which the palliative care team intervened involved multiple requests for intervention for 2 patients with pain control difficulties, suggesting that the consultation activities contributed to the decrease in the sense of difficulty experienced by nurses and midwives.

Calidad de la prueba parcial de un curso propio sobre diátesis hemorrágicas en la carrera Estomatología

Introducción: Dentro de los grandes desafíos que la formación universitaria en el sector salud enfrenta hoy, está el implementar y validar instrumentos de evaluación efectivos. Objetivo: Evaluar la calidad de la prueba parcial del curso propio Bases morfofuncionales de las principales diátesis hemorrágicas en Estomatología, de la Facultad de Estomatología, Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba, curso 2022. Método: Estudio observacional analítico y transversal, en 30 exámenes correspondientes a la prueba parcial del curso propio Bases morfofuncionales de las principales diátesis hemorrágicas en Estomatología, plan de estudio E, carrera de Estomatología, Facultad de Estomatología, Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba, curso 2022. Se analizó la correspondencia del fondo de tiempo y la cantidad de ítems explorados en el examen, se calcularon índices de dificultad y de discriminación de incisos y preguntas, coeficiente de discriminación biserial puntual y de consistencia interna. Resultados: Existió correspondencia adecuada entre el fondo de tiempo asignado a los contenidos de las temáticas y la cantidad de ítems explorados en el examen. Predominaron los reactivos con índice de dificultad media y buen poder de discriminación. La consistencia interna de las preguntas de modo individual fue excelente, pero la del examen en general fue baja. Conclusiones: La calidad del examen parcial del curso propio Bases morfofuncionales de las principales diátesis hemorrágicas en Estomatología, aplicado en la Facultad de Estomatología, Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba, curso 2022, fue poco adecuada.

Introduction: One of the challenges facing universities of health sciences today is the implementation and validation of effective tools for evaluation. Objective: To evaluate the quality of the partial exams of an in-house course in Morphofunctional bases of the most common hemorrhagic diathesis in Stomatology, Facultad de Estomatología, Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba, course 2022. Method: An analytical and transversal observational study was carried out. For the study, it was selected 30 of the partial exams implemented in the in-house Morphofunctional bases of the most common hemorrhagic diathesis in Stomatology course, type (E) course syllabus, Stomatology career, Facultad de Estomatología, Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba, course 2022. Correspondence between scheduled time and the number of items used in the test was assessed, and also, difficulty index and discrimination index for items and questions, point-biserial item discrimination coefficient and internal consistency coefficient were calculated. Results: There was an adequate correspondence between the time scheduled for the topics and the number of items used in the exam. Items with a moderate difficulty index and high degree of discrimination index predominated. The internal consistency of the individual questions was excellent, but the exam in general was low. Conclusions: The quality of the partial exam of the in-house course Morphofunctional bases of the main hemorrhagic diathesis treated in Stomatology, giving in the Faculty of Stomatology, University of Medical Sciences of Santiago de Cuba, course 2022, was inadequate.

Introdução: Entre os grandes desafios que a educação universitária na área da saúde enfrenta hoje, está a implementação e validação de instrumentos de avaliação eficazes. Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade do teste parcial do curso Bases morfofuncionais da diátese hemorrágica principal em Estomatologia, da Facultad de Estomatología de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba, curso 2022. Método: Estudo observacional analítico e transversal, em 30 exames correspondentes à prova parcial do próprio curso Bases morfofuncionais da diátese hemorrágica principal em Estomatologia, plano de estudos E, carreira de Estomatologia de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba, curso 2022. A correspondência do analisou-se o fundo de tempo e o número de itens explorados no exame, calcularam-se índices de dificuldade e discriminação de subseções e questões, coeficiente de discriminação bisserial pontual e consistência interna. Resultados: Houve correspondência adequada entre o tempo destinado aos conteúdos dos temas e o número de itens explorados no exame. Predominaram os itens com índice de dificuldade médio e bom poder de discriminação. A consistência interna das questões individuais foi excelente, mas a do exame como um todo foi baixa. Conclusões: A qualidade do exame parcial das Bases Morfofuncionais da diátese hemorrágica principal do curso de Estomatologia, aplicado na Facultad de Estomatología de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba, curso 2022, não foi adequada.

Melanoma nodular amelanótico: a propósito de un caso / Amelanotic nodular melanoma: a case report

RESUMEN Introducción: El melanoma es un tumor maligno de estirpe melanocítica que constituye el sexto cáncer más frecuente en la población general y tiene una alta capacidad para producir metástasis. Aproximadamente el 95% de los melanomas primarios pertenecen a cuatro tipos clínico-patológicos: extensivo superficial, nodular, lentigo maligno y lentiginoso acral. El 5% restante corresponde a variantes menos frecuentes entre las que se encuentra el melanoma amelanótico, que representa entre el 0.4-27.5% de los casos de este subgrupo. Objetivo: Presentar un caso de un melanoma amelanótico, como una variante que puede acompañar a cualquier otro tipo clínico de melanoma, en este caso a uno de tipo nodular,lesión que, debido a su disminución o ausencia de pigmento, puede conducir a errores diagnósticos que inciden en la demora en el tratamiento y reducen la sobrevida de los pacientes que lo padecen. Caso Clínico: Se presenta el caso de un paciente de sexo masculino de 75 años que acude por presentar una lesión tumoral exofítica en la frente, de aproximadamente un año de evolución. Al examen físico se observa la lesión tumoral cupuliforme, eritematosa y brillante, que bajo dermatoscopio de luz polarizada muestra un patrón vascular polimorfo a predominio de vasos lineales gruesos. Se plantean varios diagnósticos diferenciales entre los que se destacan: carcinoma basocelular, granuloma piógeno, linfoma y metástasis cutáneas; se realiza una toma de muestra para biopsia y técnicas de tinción con inmunohistoquímica, que confirman el diagnóstico de melanoma, se decide exéresis de la tumoración con márgenes y seguimiento multidisciplinario del caso. Conclusiones: Las variantes hipo/amelanóticas del melanoma son poco frecuentes y su diagnóstico presenta dificultades que suelen generar demoras que influyen en el tratamiento y pronóstico de la enfermedad. La dermatoscopía se presenta como una herramienta sumamente útil que puede aumentar la sospecha diagnóstica de estos tumores, aunque el estudio histopatológico continúa siendo el patrón de referencia para el diagnóstico, así como para el abordaje terapéutico y seguimiento ulteriores.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Melanoma is a malignant melanocytic tumor that constitutes the sixth most frequent cancer in the general population and has a high capacity to produce metastasis. Approximately 95% of primary melanomas belong to four clinicopathological types: extensive superficial, nodular, lentigo maligna, and acral lentiginous. The remaining 5% correspond to less frequent variants, among which is amelanotic melanoma, that represents between 0.4-27.5% of the cases in this subgroup. Objective: To present a case of an amelanotic melanoma, as a variant that can accompany any other clinical type of melanoma, in this case a nodular type, a lesion that, due to its decrease or absence of pigment, can lead to diagnostic errors that affect the delay in treatment and reduce the survival of patients who suffer from it. Clinical Case: The case of a 75-year-old male patient who presents with an exophytic tumor lesion on the forehead of approximately one year of evolution. Physical examination reveals a bright, erythematous, dome-shaped tumor which shows a polymorphous vascular pattern with a predominance of thick linear vessels under a polarized light dermatoscope. Several differential diagnoses are proposed, among which the following stand out: basal cell carcinoma, pyogenic granuloma, lymphoma, and skin metastases; a sample is taken for biopsy and staining techniques with immunohistochemistry, which confirm the diagnosis of melanoma, it is decided to excise the tumor with margins and multidisciplinary follow-up of the case. Conclusions: The hypo / amelanotic variants of melanoma are rare and their diagnosis presents difficulties that usually generate delays that influence the treatment and prognosis of the disease. Dermoscopy is presented as an extremely useful tool that can increase the diagnostic suspicion of these tumors, although the histopathological study continues being the gold standard for diagnosis, as well as for the therapeutic approach and subsequent follow-up.

Assessing an assessment tool: Analysis of multiple choice questions on difficulty level and discrimination power, from an assessment in physiology

Background: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) or ‘‘items” are frequently used in medical education to assess students’ knowledge at the end of an academic session. However, item analysis has to be done to confirm their excellence. This piece of work was aimed to analyze test items in the subject of Physiology. In view of the fact that item analysis has never been conducted in our physiology department, thus this study was planned to assess the quality of MCQs and construct a viable question bank. Aim and Objectives: To evaluate the quality of MCQs used so as to develop a pool of valid items to update the question bank. Materials and Methods: Total of one hundred 1st year MBBS students were given 40 MCQs. Analysis was done with the item difficulty and item discrimination indices. Results: Difficulty indices (p) of 14 items were easy while about two MCQ were difficult and the remaining 24 of the items were within acceptable range. The discrimination index (DI) (D) for 40 items; one item showed negative discrimination, ten were having poor discrimination, whereas 11 were having excellent discrimination.Nine items were having acceptable, and nine items were having good discrimination. The DI exhibited slight positive correlation with difficulty index (r = 0.1575 P = 0.05). However, it was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The findings show that most of the items were falling in acceptable range of difficulty and discrimination level. It concludes that Item analysis is a very useful and necessary procedure to obtain valid Items from time to time.

Dificultad y discriminación del examen de Ontogenia Humana y SOMA en la carrera de medicina / Difficulty and discrimination of the Human Ontogeny and Osteomioarticular System Exam in the medical major

Introducción: La evaluación es la categoría reguladora del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje. Los instrumentos evaluativos utilizados para tal propósito deben reunir los criterios mínimos de calidad. Objetivo: Evaluar la dificultad y discriminación del examen de la asignatura Ontogenia Humana y SOMA de la carrera de medicina en la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de Matanzas en tres cursos académicos. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio de investigación descriptivo transversal en el marco de la educación médica, para describir la estructura del examen de la asignatura Ontogenia Humana y SOMA, en la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de Matanzas, en los cursos 2016-2017, 2017-2018 y 2018-2019; y determinar la frecuencia de errores, y el nivel de dificultad y el poder de discriminación de estos. Resultados: En el examen aplicado en los tres cursos predominaron las preguntas tipo ensayo. La frecuencia de errores fue media, baja y alta, respectivamente. Los exámenes presentaron dificultad media y excelente poder de discriminación. Conclusiones: Los indicadores de calidad estudiados alcanzaron valores satisfactorios para el examen de la asignatura Ontogenia Humana y SOMA en la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de Matanzas en los cursos académicos estudiados(AU)

Introduction: Evaluation is the regulatory category of the teaching-learning process. The evaluative instruments must meet the minimum quality criteria. Objective: To assess the difficulty and discrimination of the exam of the Human Ontogeny and Osteomioarticular System subject of the medical major in the School of Medical Sciences of Matanzas during three academic years. Methods: A descriptive and cross-sectional research was carried out in the framework of medical education, in order to describe the structure of the exam of the Human Ontogeny and Osteomioarticular System subject, in the School of Medical Sciences of Matanzas, in the academic years 2016-2017, 2017-2018 and 2018-2019; as well as to determine the frequency of errors, together with their level of difficulty and power of discrimination. Results: In the exam applied during the three academic years, essay-type questions predominated. The frequency of errors per year was medium, low and high, respectively. The exams presented medium difficulty and excellent power of discrimination. Conclusions: The studied quality indicators obtained satisfactory values for the exam of the Human Ontogeny and Osteomioarticular System subject in the School of Medical Sciences of Matanzas during the studied academic courses(AU)

Nursing of a case of goal-directed pulmonary rehabilitation after spinal cord surgery for type Ⅱ spinal muscular atrophy / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To summarize the nursing care measures of a patient after spinal orthopedic surgery for spinal muscular atrophy type Ⅱ.Methods:The patient was provided with a goal-directed pulmonary rehabilitation nursing program during ICU resuscitation by exercise pulmonary function, monitor difficult airway extubation and alleviating anxiety.Results:The patient postoperative pulmonary function recovered well, the difficult airway was extubated smoothly and the anxiety was relieved. The patient was discharged from the hospital on the 17th day after the operation.Conclusions:Goal-directed pulmonary care can help promote pulmonary rehabilitation and improve the quality of patient survival after orthopedic surgery for spinal muscular atrophy typeⅡ.