The role of daily adjustment disorder, depression and anxiety symptoms for the physical activity of cardiac patients.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) is crucial in the treatment of cardiac disease. There is a high prevalence of stress-response and affective disorders among cardiac patients, which might be negatively associated with their PA. This study aimed at investigating daily differential associations of International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11 adjustment disorder, depression and anxiety symptoms with PA and sedentary behaviour (SB) during and right after inpatient cardiac rehabilitation. METHODS: The sample included N = 129 inpatients in cardiac rehabilitation, Mage = 62.2, s.d.age = 11.3, 84.5% male, n = 2845 days. Adjustment disorder, depression and anxiety symptoms were measured daily during the last 7 days of rehabilitation and for 3 weeks after discharge. Moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), light PA (LPA) and SB were measured with an accelerometer. Bayesian lagged multilevel regressions including all three symptoms to obtain their unique effects were conducted. RESULTS: On days with higher adjustment disorder symptoms than usual, patients engaged in less MVPA, and more SB. Patients with overall higher depression symptoms engaged in less MVPA, less LPA and more SB. On days with higher depression symptoms than usual, there was less MVPA and LPA, and more SB. Patients with higher anxiety symptoms engaged in more LPA and less SB. CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight the necessity to screen for and treat adjustment disorder and depression symptoms during cardiac rehabilitation.

COVID-19 protective behaviors: A longitudinal study applying an extended protection motivation theory.

OBJECTIVE: Behavioral measures have proven indispensable to slow down the spread of COVID-19. However, adopting new health behaviors is generally challenging. This study aimed at identifying determinants of adopting protective behaviors over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. To explain adherence to protective behaviors over time, this study applied an extended version of the protection motivation theory combined with objective contextual pandemic-specific measures. METHOD: Six measurement points covered a period of 15 months during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland. The sample of N = 4,001 (Mage = 53.1, SDage = 19.3, rangeage = 18-98, 49.2% female) participated via telephone or online. Data were analyzed on inter- and intraindividual levels using generalized estimating equations with intentions and self-reported engagement in four protective behaviors (hygiene behaviors, physical distancing, adherence to recommendations in case of symptoms, and mask wearing) as outcomes. RESULTS: Over time, response efficacy and self-efficacy were the most important predictors for all intentions and self-reported behaviors and on both levels of analysis. Moreover, intentions also emerged as important predictor of self-reported behavior. Social norms, measured as subjectively expected disapproval from others, were mostly negatively related to intentions and self-reported behaviors on the interindividual level, but less consistently on the intraindividual level. Perceived risks to oneself and others, as well as objective, contextual variables (incidences, mortality, stringency index) showed inconsistent effects. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that threat appraisals (e.g., risk perceptions) are less important than positive beliefs about the behavior (i.e., coping appraisals) for the adherence to protective behaviors during a pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Predicting physical activity following cardiac rehabilitation: A longitudinal observational study.

PURPOSE: The adoption of a healthy lifestyle is crucial for patients with established cardiac diseases. However, many patients do not engage in regular physical activity in their everyday life. RESEARCH METHOD: The present study applied the health action process approach (HAPA) in an intensive longitudinal research design (n = 3,354 daily surveys) investigating intention towards physical activity and objectively measured physical activity in 137 cardiac patients (Mage = 62.1 years) during and after inpatient rehabilitation across 28 days. Self-reported HAPA variables were measured daily in online questionnaires at the end of each day. Theory-driven hypotheses were tested using linear multilevel models. RESULTS: One-third of the sample did not reach the recommended physical activity levels in the first weeks after discharge from rehabilitation. Results are mostly in line with the motivational HAPA phase at both levels of analysis; outcome expectations and self-efficacy were positively associated with intentions. Results for the volitional phase were partly in line with the HAPA. Daily deviations in previous-day planning and concurrent action control were positively associated with physical activity during and after cardiac rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: The results of this study partly speak towards the HAPA in predicting physical activity in cardiac patients, thereby replicating prior research. The HAPA framework offers guidance for motivating and empowering cardiac patients to be more active in their everyday life. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Implementation of a Novel Medication Regimen Following Cardiac Rehabilitation: an Application of the Health Action Process Approach.

BACKGROUND: Medication adherence is an indispensable prerequisite for the long-term management of many chronic diseases. However, published literature suggests that non-adherence is widely prevalent. Health behavior change theories can help understand the underlying processes and allow the accumulation of knowledge in the field. The present study applied the health action process approach (HAPA) in an intensive longitudinal research design to investigate medication adherence in patients after discharge from inpatient cardiac rehabilitation. METHOD: In total, n = 139 patients (84.9% male, Mage = 62.2 years) completed n = 2,699 daily diaries in the 22 days following discharge from inpatient cardiac rehabilitation. Patients' intentions to take medication and predictors were assessed in daily end-of-day questionnaires. Adherence to medication was measured subjectively (self-report) and objectively. Multilevel modeling was applied to disentangle the between- and within-person level. RESULTS: Higher levels of risk awareness and self-efficacy were positively associated with intentions to take medication at both levels of analysis. Contrary to theoretical assumptions, positive outcome expectations were not associated with intention, neither between- nor within-person. In contrast to published literature, patients showed very high medication adherence (95.2% self-report, 92.2% objectively). CONCLUSION: In line with the theoretical assumptions, the results showed that risk awareness and self-efficacy are promising modifiable factors that could be targeted to motivate patients to take medication as prescribed. Daily measurements revealed that patients took their medication as prescribed; thus, future studies should make every effort to recruit patients vulnerable to non-adherence to avoid ceiling effects.

Differential associations of emotional and physical domains of the MacNew Heart with changes in 6-min walking test.

AIMS: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR), a key component of secondary prevention in cardiac patients, contributes fundamentally to improved cardiovascular health outcomes. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) represents a widely employed outcome measure in CR, yet, its predictive properties on exercise capacity change during CR are poorly understood. Aim of this study was to examine the association between baseline HRQOL and its subdomains on improvement of exercise capacity during CR. METHODS: Study participants were 13,717 inpatients of six Swiss CR clinics from 2012 to 2018. We measured HRQOL at admission to CR with the MacNew Heart (MNH) questionnaire and exercise capacity at admission and discharge using the six minutes walking test (6MWT). Following factorial analyses, we performed univariate and multivariate analyses to test the predictive properties of baseline global HRQOL and its domains for improvement in exercise capacity, adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Mean improvement in 6MWT was 114 m (SD = 90), achieved after 17.4 days (SD = 5.5). Lower emotional HRQOL (b = 7.85, p = < .001, 95% CI [- 5.67, 10.03]) and higher physical HRQOL (b = - 5.23, p < .001, 95% CI [- 6.56, - 3.90]) were associated with less improvement in the 6MWT. Global MNH and social HRQOL showed no association with exercise capacity improvement. CONCLUSION: Patients entering CR with low emotional and high physical HRQOL are at risk for a lower gain in exercise capacity during CR. Global MNH alone does not provide a reliable assessment of HRQOL; thus a focus on specific domains of HRQOL is needed.

Relation of Brain Perfusion Patterns to Sudden Unexpected Death Risk Stratification: A Study in Drug Resistant Focal Epilepsy.

To explore the role of the interictal and ictal SPECT to identity functional neuroimaging biomarkers for SUDEP risk stratification in patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy (DRFE). Twenty-nine interictal-ictal Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans were obtained from nine DRFE patients. A methodology for the relative quantification of cerebral blood flow of 74 cortical and sub-cortical structures was employed. The optimal number of clusters (K) was estimated using a modified v-fold cross-validation for the use of K means algorithm. The two regions of interest (ROIs) that represent the hypoperfused and hyperperfused areas were identified. To select the structures related to the SUDEP-7 inventory score, a data mining method that computes an automatic feature selection was used. During the interictal and ictal state, the hyperperfused ROIs in the largest part of patients were the bilateral rectus gyrus, putamen as well as globus pallidus ipsilateral to the seizure onset zone. The hypoperfused ROIs included the red nucleus, substantia nigra, medulla, and entorhinal area. The findings indicated that the nearly invariability in the perfusion pattern during the interictal to ictal transition observed in the ipsi-lateral putamen F = 12.60, p = 0.03, entorhinal area F = 25.80, p = 0.01, and temporal middle gyrus F = 12.60, p = 0.03 is a potential biomarker of SUDEP risk. The results presented in this paper allowed identifying hypo- and hyperperfused brain regions during the ictal and interictal state potentially related to SUDEP risk stratification.

Common Ictal and Interictal Perfusion Patterns: A Window into the Epileptogenic Network and SUDEP Mechanism in Drug-Resistant Focal Epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: Focal epilepsies have been described as a network disease. Noninvasive investigative techniques have been used to characterize epileptogenic networks. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe ictal and interictal cortical and subcortical perfusion patterns using single- photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). METHODS: Thirty-five interictal-ictal SPECT scans were obtained from 15 patients with DRE. A methodology was developed to get a relative perfusion index (PI) of 74 cortical and sub-cortical brain structures. K-means algorithm, together with modified v-fold cross-validation, was used to identify the two regions of interest (ROIs) that represent hypoperfused and hyperperfused areas. RESULTS: In common with the individual analysis, the statistical analysis evidenced that the hyperperfusion ROIs resulting from group analysis during interictal and ictal involved mainly the cingulate gyrus, cuneus, lingual gyrus, and gyrus rectus as well as the putamen. ROIs hypoperfused included the red nucleus, the substantia nigra, and the medulla. The medians of the group analysis of the hypoperfusion and hyperperfusion ROIs were 0.601-0.565 and 1.133-1.119 for the ictal and interictal states, correspondingly. A group of mostly cortical structures involved in the hyperperfused ROIs in both interictal and ictal states showed no change or negative change in the transition from interictal to ictal state (mean change of -0.002). On the other hand, the brain stem, basal ganglia, red nucleus, and thalamus revealed a mean global change of 0.19, indicating a mild increase in the PI. However, some of these structures (red nucleus, substantia nigra, and medulla oblongata) remained hypoperfused during the interictal to ictal transition. CONCLUSION: The methodology employed made it possible to identify common cortical and subcortical perfusion patterns not directly linked to epileptogenicity, for a better epileptogenic network and sudden unexpected death (SUDEP) mechanism in DRE.

Depression and anxiety in cardiac rehabilitation: differential associations with changes in exercise capacity and quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) has been successful in improving exercise capacity (EC) and quality of life (QoL). However, depression and anxiety are highly prevalent among cardiac patients and might represent risk factors for rehabilitation outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of depression and anxiety as possible independent risk factors for CR outcomes. METHODS: The study applied a pre-post-design. The sample comprised N = 3'434 cardiac disease patients taking part in a Swiss inpatient CR center. Variables measured at the beginning (T1) and end of rehabilitation (T2) included depression and anxiety (HADS), EC, and QoL (MacNew). A path analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Depression at T1 had a significant negative relationship with improvements in EC and in all aspects of QoL during rehabilitation. Anxiety at T1 was positively related to improvements in EC and in emotional and physical QoL. Improvements in depression during CR were positively related with improvements in all outcomes. Improvements in anxiety showed no significant association with the outcomes. CONCLUSION: Depression and anxiety should be screened for during CR. Depression should be treated due to the negative association found with rehabilitation outcomes. Underlying mechanisms of the positive association of anxiety with rehabilitation outcomes need further investigation.

Importancia diagnóstica de leucoencefalopatía multifocal progresiva cerebelosa

RESUMEN Introducción: La leucoencefalopatía multifocal progresiva es una enfermedad desmielinizante del sistema nervioso central, de etiología viral. Se presenta en pacientes con enfermedades inmunosupresoras y la localización en fosa posterior es rara. Debido a sus formas clínicas inespecíficas se hace infrecuente su diagnóstico lo que conlleva a daño irreversible y/o a la muerte del paciente. Objetivo: Orientar sobre la posibilidad de leucoencefalopatía multifocal progresiva cerebelosa en pacientes inmunodeprimidos con manifestaciones neurológicas de daño en fosa posterior. Caso clínico: Paciente masculino, de 25 años de edad, sin antecedentes de enfermedades aparentes, que comienza con lenguaje escandido, temblor mixto dismetría y ataxia. Se diagnostica leucoencefalopatía multifocal progresiva cerebelosa por cuadro clínico, neuroimagen y presencia de virus JC en líquido cefalorraquídeo, además de una inmunosupresión severa causada por virus de inmunodeficiencia humana diagnosticado por pruebas serológicas. Conclusiones: Considerar leucoencefalopatía multifocal progresiva cerebelosa en todo paciente con manifestaciones neurológicas de afectación en fosa posterior y estudiar causas de inmunosupresión subyacente.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is a demyelinating disease of viral etiology that affects the central nervous system. It presents in patients with immunosuppressive conditions and location in the posterior fossa is rare. Due to its unspecific clinical forms, its diagnosis is infrequent, leading to irreversible damage and/or the patient's death. Objective: Instruct about the possibility of cerebellar progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in immunocompromised patients with neurological manifestations of posterior fossa damage. Clinical case: A case is presented of a male 25-year-old patient without apparent pathological antecedents who started out with slurred speech, mixed tremor, dysmetria and ataxia. Cerebellar progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy was diagnosed by clinical picture, neuroimaging and the presence of JC virus in the cerebrospinal fluid, alongside severe immunosuppression caused by human immunodeficiency virus diagnosed by serological testing.

Physical activity after cardiac rehabilitation: Explicit and implicit attitudinal components and ambivalence.

OBJECTIVE: Physical activity is crucial in the treatment of cardiac disease. In addition to sociocognitive theories of behavior change, attitudinal ambivalence and nonconscious factors have also been demonstrated to predict physical activity. We propose an extension to the theory of planned behavior with a dual-systems approach including explicit and implicit attitudes, and different types of attitudinal ambivalence as moderators to predict the physical activity of patients after discharge from inpatient cardiac rehabilitation. METHOD: The sample comprised N = 111 cardiac patients who provided daily diary reports of intention, cognitive, affective, and implicit attitudes for 21 days after discharge (86% male, Mage = 62, SDage = 11, n = 2,017 days). Daily moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) and light (LPA) physical activity were measured using accelerometers. Five types of ambivalence were calculated. Analyses included Bayesian multilevel modeling. RESULTS: Patients with more positive affective attitudes and more positive implicit attitudes had a higher intention. Higher ambivalence weakened the affective attitudes-intention relationship. On days with more positive implicit attitudes than usual, intention was lower, but only when ambivalence was low. Patients with higher ambivalence engaged in less MVPA. On days with extremely low ambivalence, implicit attitudes were negatively associated with tomorrow's MVPA. Patients with more positive affective attitudes engaged in more LPA, but only when their ambivalence was very low. On days with higher ambivalence than usual, the next day's LPA was shorter. However, another type of ambivalence showed the opposite effect. CONCLUSIONS: The results emphasize the importance of affective and implicit attitudes and ambivalence for the physical activity of cardiac patients. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

COVID-19: presentación clínica en pacientes hospitalizados en el Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Pedro Kourí" / COVID-19: clinical presentation in patients admitted to Pedro Kourí Tropical Medicine Institute

. Introducción: Con los primeros casos de COVID-19 en Cuba era necesario el reconocimiento temprano de los pacientes con riesgo de evolucionar hacia formas graves de la enfermedad. Objetivo: Describir el comportamiento clínico de la COVID-19 en pacientes hospitalizados en el Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Pedro Kourí" e identificar factores asociados a la gravedad. Métodos: Se presentaron los primeros 73 casos de COVID-19 hospitalizados en el Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kourí desde el 11 de marzo al 5 mayo de 2020. Los pacientes se clasificaron en dos grupos: graves y con enfermedad ligera. Se compararon variables clínicas, demográficas, de laboratorio e imagenológicas en el momento del ingreso, y su posible asociación con la gravedad de la enfermedad. Resultados: Hubo siete pacientes graves (9,6 por ciento), cinco fallecieron. La edad > 60 años, tener más de una comorbilidad, hipertensión arterial y asma bronquial, fueron más frecuentes en pacientes graves. La fiebre más de seis días (p= 0,00), disnea (p= 0,00), presencia de estertores húmedos (p= 0,00), frecuencia respiratoria > 24/min (p= 0,00) y valores de linfocitos < 0,8 x109/L (p= 0,00), de ferritina > 500µg/L (p =0,00), proteína C reactiva ( 10μg/L (p= 0,01) y LDH ( 500 U/L (p= 0,01) se relacionaron con la gravedad. El 18,2 por ciento de las radiografías de tórax mostró alteraciones, con predominio de focos de condensación inflamatoria bilateral. Las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron: distrés respiratorio, choque, sepsis bacteriana y afecciones cardíacas. Conclusiones: Existen características clínicas y de laboratorio, identificables al ingreso, que están relacionadas con la gravedad de la enfermedad; lo que puede ser útil para la estratificación del riesgo y el manejo adecuado de los pacientes(AU)

Introduction: Upon appearance of the first COVID-19 cases in Cuba, early identification of patients at risk of developing severe forms of the disease became a necessity. Objective: Describe the clinical behavior of COVID-19 in patients admitted to Pedro Kourí Tropical Medicine Institute and identify factors associated to severity. Methods: A presentation was made of the first 73 COVID-19 cases admitted to Pedro Kourí Tropical Medicine Institute from 11 March to 5 May 2020. The patients were divided into two groups: severe and mild disease. A comparison was made of clinical, demographic, laboratory and imaging variables at admission, and their possible association to disease severity. Results: Seven patients (9.6%) were critically ill; five died. Age > 60 years, more than one comorbidity, arterial hypertension and bronchial asthma were more common among critical patients. Fever for more than six days (p= 0.00), dyspnea (p= 0.00), presence of humid stertors (p= 0.00), respiratory rate > 24/min (p= 0.00) and lymphocytes < 0.8 x109/l (p= 0.00), ferritin > 500 µg/L (p =0.00), C-reactive protein 10 μg/l (p= 0.01) and LDH 500 U/l (p= 0.01) were related to disease severity. 18.2 percent of the chest radiographs showed alterations, with a predominance of bilateral foci of inflammatory condensation. The most common complications were respiratory distress, shock, bacterial sepsis and heart disorders. Conclusions: Some clinical and laboratory characteristics identifiable at admission may be associated to disease severity, which makes them useful for risk stratification and the appropriate management of patients(AU)

Hallazgos radiológicos de la neumonía por Pneumocystis jirovecii en fallecidos cubanos con VIH/sida / Radiological findings of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in Cuban deceased HIV / AIDS patients

Introducción: La neumonía por Pneumocystis jirovecii (PcP) es una de las enfermedades más frecuentes en los pacientes con VIH/sida y provoca una alta morbilidad y mortalidad. La radiología juega un papel fundamental para su diagnóstico presuntivo. Objetivo: Describir los hallazgos radiológicos de neumonía por Pneumocystis jirovecii en una serie de casos de fallecidos cubanos por VIH/sida, y relacionarlos con el estado inmunológico de los pacientes. Métodos: Se realizó el estudio de una serie de 69 fallecidos por sida con PcP en el Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kourí desde enero de 1996 a enero de 2014. El diagnóstico de la PcP se confirmó por estudios anatomopatológicos mediante la observación de estructuras compatibles con el hongo. Resultados: De los 69 casos del estudio, 57 (82,6 por ciento) presentaron alteraciones en la radiografía de tórax. De ellos, 44 (77,2 por ciento) y 13 (22,8 por ciento) presentaron un patrón radiológico típico y atípico de la PcP, respectivamente. En 12 (17,4 por ciento) fallecidos la radiografía de tórax fue normal. En 76,8 por ciento de los casos se detectó niveles de linfocitos T CD4+ inferior a 200 cél/ 956;L. La relación entre el patrón radiológico y el estado inmunológico de los fallecidos analizados no fue significativa. Conclusiones: Los hallazgos radiológicos descritos en los fallecidos cubanos por sida con PcP son similares a los informados en la literatura internacional. Sin embargo, el diagnóstico de la PcP no debe excluirse en pacientes con radiografías de tórax normales o con patrones atípicos que presenten un cuadro clínico sugestivo de la enfermedad(AU)

Introduction: Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PcP) is one of the most common diseases among HIV / AIDS patients, causing great morbidity and mortality. Radiology plays a fundamental role in its presumptive diagnosis. Objective: Describe the radiological findings of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in a series of Cuban deceased HIV / AIDS patients and relate them to the patients' immune status. Methods: A study was conducted of a series of 69 deceased AIDS patients with PcP at Pedro Kourí Tropical Medicine Institute from January 1996 to January 2014. PcP diagnosis was confirmed through anatomopathological studies based on observation of structures compatible with the fungus. Results: Of the 69 study cases, 57 (82.6 percent) presented alterations in their chest radiographs. Of these, 44 (77.2 percent) and 13 (22.8 percent) followed a typical and atypical radiological pattern, respectively. In 12 deceased patients (17.4 percent) chest radiography was normal. In 76.8 percent of the cases, levels of T CD4+ lymphocytes were below 200 cell/ml. The relationship between the radiological pattern and the immune status of the deceased patients analyzed was not significant. Conclusions: The radiological findings described for Cuban deceased AIDS patients with PcP are similar to those reported in the international literature. However, PcP diagnosis should not be excluded in patients with normal chest radiographs or atypical patterns who present a clinical status suggestive of the disease(AU)

Improvements in exercise capacity of older adults during cardiac rehabilitation.

AIMS: Cardiac rehabilitation plays a vital role in secondary prevention of cardiovascular patients. Female sex and higher age, however, are associated with non-referral to cardiac rehabilitation. Improving exercise capacity during cardiac rehabilitation is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality risks. The objective of this study was to closely examine the beneficial changes in exercise capacity of older patients of both sexes during cardiac rehabilitation and to identify the most important predictors of the change in exercise capacity. METHOD: A sample of 13,612 patients (mean age = 69.10 ± 11.8 years, 63.7% men, 19% > 80 years) was analysed. Data were prospectively assessed from 2012-2018 in six Swiss in-patient cardiovascular rehabilitation clinics. Improvement in exercise capacity measured with the six-minute walking test represents the outcome variable. Univariate and multivariate analyses, as well as the random forest method were used to estimate variable importance. RESULTS: Mean improvement in the six-minute walking test was 113.5 ± 90.5 m (men = 118.7 ± 110.0; women = 104.4 ± 93.0, Cohen's d = 0.16). The presence of heart failure, diabetes mellitus and psychiatric diagnoses was related to reduced but nonetheless clinically relevant six-minute walking test improvement. Random forest analysis suggests that baseline exercise capacity, age, time in rehabilitation and heart failure were the most important predictors for improvement in exercise capacity. Clinically relevant improvements in exercise capacity (>45 m) were also present into old age (85 years) and for both sexes. CONCLUSION: As indicated by these results, efforts need to be increased to refer eligible patients to structured rehabilitation programmes, irrespective of patients' age and sex.

Spontaneous Subdural Hematoma and Behavioral Changes Due to a Dural Arteriovenous Fistula. A Case Report and Literature Review.

Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) represent 10-15% of intracranial arteriovenous malformations. Of these, only 12-29% cause intracranial hemorrhage. The presentation of DAVF as a subdural hematoma (SDH) and intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH) is infrequent; additionally, behavioral changes are not common among these patients. We report, for the first time in our country, the case of a 23-year-old man with no history of head injury, in which a brain computed tomography (CT) scan revealed SDH and IPH with behavioral disturbances. The angiotomography showed ecstatic venous vessels, indicating the presence of a DAVF, which was later confirmed by cerebral angiography. Endovascular therapy, which followed the clinical diagnosis, resulted in satisfactory evolution two years after treatment. A review of the literature concerning cases with DAVF and behavioral disturbances is presented. DAVF may lead to cognitive impairment, behavioral changes, and dementia as a result of diffuse white matter and thalamus modifications related to venous ischemia, and it should be considered as a reversible cause of vascular dementia.

Los errores de medicación y los valores profesionales en el proceso docente-educativo Cubano / Medication errors and professional values in the Cuban teaching-educational process

Introducción: La formación de profesionales de la salud en Cuba concibe la educación de estos, en valores éticos y morales. Los errores en los que incurren los profesionales de la salud en sus prácticas profesionales aumentan el riesgo de eventos adversos que atentan contra la seguridad del paciente. Los valores profesionales contribuyen a minimizar los errores y sus efectos. Los errores de medicación son unos de los más frecuentes. Objetivo: Exponer aspectos generales de los errores de medicación, los valores de los profesionales de la salud relacionados con esta temática y el papel de la formación de los profesionales en la cultura de la seguridad al paciente en Cuba. Desarrollo: Se presentan los conceptos de seguridad del paciente y de errores de medicación, vinculados con los valores de los profesionales de la salud y el proceso de formación profesional. El papel de los valores en la prevención y evaluación de los errores de medicación, así como los métodos más usados en su detección. Conclusiones: La academia y las unidades del sistema de salud cubano juegan un papel esencial en la formación en valores de los profesionales de la salud, para que ejerzan sus funciones en una cultura de la seguridad del paciente, donde los errores de medicación estén adecuadamente gestionados(AU)

Introduction: The training of health professionals in Cuba conceives their education in ethical and moral values. The errors by health professionals in their professional practices increase the risk of adverse events that threaten patient safety. Professional values ​​help minimize errors and their effects. Medication errors are one of the most frequent. Objective: To present general aspects of medication errors, the values ​​of health professionals related to this topic, and the role of professional training in the culture of patient safety in Cuba. Development: The concepts of patient safety and medication errors are presented, associated with the values ​​of health professionals and the professional training process. The role of values ​​in the prevention and evaluation of medication errors, as well as the methods most used in their detection. Conclusions: The academy and the units of the Cuban health system play an essential role in the training in values ​​of health professionals, so that they perform their functions in a culture of patient safety, where medication errors are adequately managed(AU)

Manifestaciones clínico radiológicas en pacientes con coinfección tuberculosis pulmonar y VIH/sida / Clinical-radiologic manifestations inpatients with pulmonary tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS coinfection

Introducción: la infección por Mycobacterium tuberculosis es considerada la coinfección más común en personas VIH positivas. Objetivo: describir las principales características según variables sociodemográficas y clínicas seleccionadas de los pacientes VIH/sida con Tb pulmonar e identificar los hallazgos radiológicos más frecuentes para contribuir a un diagnóstico más temprano y disminuir la mortalidad por esta coinfección. Métodos: se realizó un estudio de casos clínicos. Se incluyeron 120 pacientes con VIH/sida y cultivo de esputo positivo de Mycobacterium tuberculosis, atendidos en el Hospital del Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kourí, en el periodo comprendido entre enero de 2004 y diciembre del 2010. Resultados: de los casos estudiados el 92,5 por ciento eran masculinos; 48,3 por ciento con color de piel blanca, la media de edad fue 35,6 años. La tuberculosis fue definitoria de sida en el 25,8 por ciento de los casos. La media del conteo de linfocitos T CD4+ fue 193,91 cel/µL. Las manifestaciones clínicas más frecuentes fueron fiebre, tos y pérdida de peso. Predominó el patrón radiológico primario, con infiltrados en lóbulos inferiores, infiltrados con derrame pleural e infiltrados extensos. El 25 por ciento tenían Rx de tórax normales. Conclusiones: la coinfección se presentó independientemente de los niveles de linfocitos T CD4. Las radiografías de tórax sin alteraciones no excluyeron el diagnóstico de tuberculosis en pacientes VIH/sida(AU)

Introduction: Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is considered the most common coinfection in HIV-positive people. Objective: To describe the main characteristics according to the sociodemographic and clinical variables chosen from HIV/AIDS patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and to identify the most frequent radiological findings, in order to contribute to an earlier diagnosis and to reduce the mortality due to this coinfection. Methods: A clinical case study was carried out. A total of 120 patients with HIV/AIDS and sputum culture positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, treated at the Hospital of Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK), and who were admitted between January 2004 and December 2010. Results: Out of the cases studied, 92.5 percent were male, 48.3 percent had white skin, and their mean age was 35.6 years. Tuberculosis was a defining condition for AIDS in 25.8 percent of the cases. The mean CD4+ T-lymphocyte count was 193.91 cells/?L. The most frequent clinical manifestations were fever, cough and weight loss. There was a predominance of the primary radiological pattern, with infiltrates in the lower lobes, infiltrates with pleural effusion, and extensive infiltrates. 25 percent percent had normal chest X-rays. Conclusions: Coinfection occurred independently of CD4+ T-lymphocyte levels. Unchanged chest radiographs did not exclude the diagnosis of tuberculosis in HIV/AIDS patients(AU)

Manifestaciones clínico radiológicas en pacientes con coinfección tuberculosis pulmonar y VIH/sida / Clinical-radiologic manifestations inpatients with pulmonary tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS coinfection

Introducción: la infección por Mycobacterium tuberculosis es considerada la coinfección más común en personas VIH positivas. Objetivo: describir las principales características según variables sociodemográficas y clínicas seleccionadas de los pacientes VIH/sida con Tb pulmonar e identificar los hallazgos radiológicos más frecuentes para contribuir a un diagnóstico más temprano y disminuir la mortalidad por esta coinfección. Métodos: se realizó un estudio de casos clínicos. Se incluyeron 120 pacientes con VIH/sida y cultivo de esputo positivo de Mycobacterium tuberculosis, atendidos en el Hospital del Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kourí, en el periodo comprendido entre enero de 2004 y diciembre del 2010. Resultados: de los casos estudiados el 92,5 por ciento eran masculinos; 48,3 por ciento con color de piel blanca, la media de edad fue 35,6 años. La tuberculosis fue definitoria de sida en el 25,8 por ciento de los casos. La media del conteo de linfocitos T CD4+ fue 193,91 cel/µL. Las manifestaciones clínicas más frecuentes fueron fiebre, tos y pérdida de peso. Predominó el patrón radiológico primario, con infiltrados en lóbulos inferiores, infiltrados con derrame pleural e infiltrados extensos. El 25 por ciento tenían Rx de tórax normales. Conclusiones: la coinfección se presentó independientemente de los niveles de linfocitos T CD4. Las radiografías de tórax sin alteraciones no excluyeron el diagnóstico de tuberculosis en pacientes VIH/sida(AU)

Introduction: Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is considered the most common coinfection in HIV-positive people. Objective: To describe the main characteristics according to the sociodemographic and clinical variables chosen from HIV/AIDS patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and to identify the most frequent radiological findings, in order to contribute to an earlier diagnosis and to reduce the mortality due to this coinfection. Methods: A clinical case study was carried out. A total of 120 patients with HIV/AIDS and sputum culture positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, treated at the Hospital of Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK), and who were admitted between January 2004 and December 2010. Results: Out of the cases studied, 92.5 percent were male, 48.3 percent had white skin, and their mean age was 35.6 years. Tuberculosis was a defining condition for AIDS in 25.8 percent of the cases. The mean CD4+ T-lymphocyte count was 193.91 cells/?L. The most frequent clinical manifestations were fever, cough and weight loss. There was a predominance of the primary radiological pattern, with infiltrates in the lower lobes, infiltrates with pleural effusion, and extensive infiltrates. 25 percent percent had normal chest X-rays. Conclusions: Coinfection occurred independently of CD4+ T-lymphocyte levels. Unchanged chest radiographs did not exclude the diagnosis of tuberculosis in HIV/AIDS patients(AU)

Can emotional content reduce the age gap in visual working memory? Evidence from two tasks.

Ageing is associated with declines in several cognitive abilities including working memory (WM). The goal of the present study was to assess whether emotional information could reduce the age gap in the quantity and quality (precision) of representations in visual WM. Young and older adults completed a serial image recognition (SIR) task and a colour-image binding (CIB) task. Results of the SIR task showed worse performance for negative than neutral and positive images within the older group, hence enlarging the age gap in WM. In the CIB task, recall precision was lower in the old than young adults, showing an ageing decline in the quality of WM representations. Positive images tended to improve precision, but this boost was similar for both age groups. In sum, emotional content did not reduce the age gap in visual WM.

Coinfección tuberculosis pulmonar/VIH: asociación entre estado inmunológico y hallazgos radiológicos / Pulmonary Tuberculosis / HIV Infections: Association between Immune Status and Radiological Findings

Introducción: la infección por VIH afecta la inmunidad celular, por tanto aumenta la susceptibilidad del huésped a la infección por Mycobacterium tuberculosis. En la atención primaria de salud es imprescindible el papel desarrollado por el médico y la enfermera de la familia a fin de prevenir estas complicaciones en el paciente infectado.Objetivo: determinar la asociación entre el estado inmunológico y los hallazgos radiológicos en pacientes VIH/sida con TB pulmonar.Métodos: estudio descriptivo de casos clínicos. El universo estuvo constituido por 120 pacientes con VIH/sida y cultivo de esputo positivo de Mycobacterium tuberculosis, atendidos en el Hospital del Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kourí, en el periodo comprendido entre enero de 2004 y diciembre del 2010.Resultados: los pacientes con conteo de linfocitos T CD4+ inferior a 200 cel/µL tuvieron 5,70 veces mayor oportunidad de presentar un patrón radiológico primario (OR: 5,70; IC 2,48- 13,09; p=0,00). No se encontró asociación estadísticamente significativa entre el patrón radiológico post primario y el conteo de linfocitos T CD4+. Los pacientes con conteos de linfocitos T CD4+ mayor a 200 cel/µL tuvieron 1,96 veces mayor oportunidad de presentar Rx de tórax normales, pero resultó no significativo estadísticamente.Conclusiones: el patrón radiológico de TB primaria se asoció al conteo de linfocitos T CD4+ inferior a 200 cel/µL y la ausencia de alteraciones radiológicas en pacientes con conteo de linfocitos T CD4+ superior a 200 cel/µL, no descartó la coinfección TB pulmonar/VIH(AU)

Coinfección tuberculosis pulmonar/VIH: asociación entre estado inmunológico y hallazgos radiológicos / Pulmonary Tuberculosis / HIV Infections: Association between Immune Status and Radiological Findings

Introducción: la infección por VIH afecta la inmunidad celular, por tanto aumenta la susceptibilidad del huésped a la infección por Mycobacterium tuberculosis. En la atención primaria de salud es imprescindible el papel desarrollado por el médico y la enfermera de la familia a fin de prevenir estas complicaciones en el paciente infectado. Objetivo: determinar la asociación entre el estado inmunológico y los hallazgos radiológicos en pacientes VIH/sida con TB pulmonar. Métodos: estudio descriptivo de casos clínicos. El universo estuvo constituido por 120 pacientes con VIH/sida y cultivo de esputo positivo de Mycobacterium tuberculosis, atendidos en el Hospital del Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Pedro Kourí", en el periodo comprendido entre enero de 2004 y diciembre del 2010. Resultados: los pacientes con conteo de linfocitos T CD4+ inferior a 200 cel/µL tuvieron 5,70 veces mayor oportunidad de presentar un patrón radiológico primario (OR: 5,70; IC 2,48- 13,09; p=0,00). No se encontró asociación estadísticamente significativa entre el patrón radiológico post primario y el conteo de linfocitos T CD4+. Los pacientes con conteos de linfocitos T CD4+ mayor a 200 cel/µL tuvieron 1,96 veces mayor oportunidad de presentar Rx de tórax normales, pero resultó no significativo estadísticamente. Conclusiones: el patrón radiológico de TB primaria se asoció al conteo de linfocitos T CD4+ inferior a 200 cel/µL y la ausencia de alteraciones radiológicas en pacientes con conteo de linfocitos T CD4+ superior a 200 cel/µL, no descartó la coinfección TB pulmonar/VIH(AU)

Introduction: HIV infection affects cellular immunity, thus increasing host susceptibility to infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In primary health care the role played by the family physician and the family nurse is essential to prevent these complications in infected patients. Objective: Determine the association between immune status and radiological findings in HIV / AIDS patients with pulmonary TB. Methods: Descriptive study of clinical cases. A hundred twenty patients with HIV / AIDS and positive sputum culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis were the universe of our study. These patients were treated at the Hospital of Pedro Kouri Institute of Tropical Medicine from January 2004 to December 2010. Results: Patients with T CD4+ counts below 200 cel/µL had 5.70 times higher chance of presenting a primary radiological pattern (OR: 5.70; CI 2, 48- 13,09; p = 0.00 ). No statistically significant association between the radiological post primary pattern and T CD4+ count was found. Patients with T CD4+ counts above 200 cel/µL had 1.96 times higher chance of presenting normal chest Rx, but it was not statistically significant. Conclusions: The radiographic pattern of primary TB is associated with T CD4+ count below 200 cells / uL and the absence of radiographic abnormalities in patients with counts of TCD4 + above 200 cells / uL, did not rule out pulmonary TB / HIV co- infection(AU)