Cost-utility analysis of a palliative care program in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: The economic assessment of health care models in palliative care promotes their global development. The purpose of the study is to assess the cost-effectiveness of a palliative care program (named Contigo) with that of conventional care from the perspective of a health benefit plan administrator company, Sanitas, in Colombia. METHODS: The incremental cost-utility ratio (ICUR) and the incremental net monetary benefit (INMB) were estimated using micro-costing in a retrospective, analytical cross-sectional study on the care of terminally ill patients enrolled in a palliative care program. A 6-month time horizon prior to death was used. The EQ-5D-3 L questionnaire (EQ-5D-3 L) and the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire (MQOL) were used to measure the quality of life. RESULTS: The study included 43 patients managed within the program and 16 patients who received conventional medical management. The program was less expensive than the conventional practice (difference of 1,924.35 US dollars (USD), P = 0.18). When compared to the last 15 days, there is a higher perception of quality of life, which yielded 0.25 in the EQ-5D-3 L (p < 0.01) and 1.55 in the MQOL (P < 0.01). The ICUR was negative and the INMB was positive. CONCLUSION: Because the Contigo program reduces costs while improving quality of life, it is considered to be net cost-saving and a model with value in health care. Greater availability of palliative care programs, such as Contigo, in Colombia can help reduce existing gaps in access to universal palliative care health coverage, resulting in more cost-effective care.

Enfermedad pulmonar intersticial difusa secundaria a neumonitis por hipersensibilidad de patrón mixto: reporte de caso y revisión de literatura / Diffuse interstitial lung disease secondary to mixed pattern hypersensitivity pneumonitis: Case report and literature review

La enfermedad pulmonar intersticial difusa (EPID) supone un amplio grupo heterogéneo de enfermedades caracterizadas por hallazgos en su intersticio pulmonar, específicamente relacionados con su engrosamiento, lo cual impacta significativamente en el intercambio gaseoso y la mecánica ventilatoria del paciente. El diagnóstico se genera acorde a la clínica del paciente, el uso de imágenes y la histopatología. El tratamiento guarda relación directa con el patrón pulmonar estructural que presente la EPID. Se presenta el caso clínico de una paciente femenina de 32 años, indígena, quien ingresa por exacerbación de disnea, con antecedente de neumonitis por hipersensibilidad, adicional a otros antecedentes clínicos que guardan relación estrecha con la EPID.

Diffuse interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a large heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by findings in the pulmonary interstitium, specifically changes related to thickening of the interstitium, which significantly impacts the patient's gas exchange and ventilatory mechanics. The diagnosis is generated according to the patient's clinical presentation, imaging and histopathology. The treatment is directly related to the structural pulmonary pattern of ILD. We present the clinical case of a 33-year-old female patient of indigenous ethnicity who is admitted for exacerbation of dyspnea, with a history of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in addition to other clinical antecedents that are closely related to ILD.

Diagnóstico y tratamiento de los tumores de la unión esofagogástrica. Experiencia en el Instituto Nacional de Cancerología / Diagnosis and treatment of esophagogastric junction tumors. Experience at the National Cancer Institute

Introducción. El diagnóstico adecuado de los tumores de la unión esofagogástrica es esencial para el tratamiento de estos pacientes. La clasificación propuesta por Siewert-Stein define las características propias, factores de riesgo y estrategias quirúrgicas según la localización. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir las características de los pacientes con adenocarcinoma de la unión esofagogástrica tratados en nuestra institución. Métodos. Estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo, de corte longitudinal, que incluyó los pacientes con diagnóstico de adenocarcinoma de la unión esofagogástrica intervenidos quirúrgicamente en el Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Bogotá, D.C., Colombia, entre enero de 2012 y mayo de 2017. Resultados. Se operaron 59 pacientes (84,7 % hombres), con una edad media de 62,5 años. En su orden de frecuencia los tumores fueron tipo II (57,6 %), tipo III (30,7 %) y tipo I (11,9 %). El 74,6 % recibieron neoadyuvancia y se realizó gastrectomía total en el 73 % de los pacientes. La concordancia diagnóstica moderada con índice Kappa fue de 0,56, difiriendo con la endoscópica en 33,9 %. El 10,2 % de los pacientes presentó algún tipo de complicación intraoperatoria. La supervivencia a tres años en los tumores tipo II fue del 89,6 % y del 100 % en aquellos con respuesta patológica completa. Conclusión. Es necesario el uso de diferentes estrategias para un proceso diagnóstico adecuado en los tumores de la unión esofagogástrica. En esta serie, los pacientes Siewert II, aquellos que recibieron neoadyuvancia y los que obtuvieron una respuesta patológica completa, tuvieron una mejor supervivencia a tres años

Introduction: Proper diagnosis of gastroesophageal junction tumors is essential for the treatment of these patients. The classification proposed by Siewert-Stein defines its own characteristics, risk factors and surgical strategies according to the location. This study describes the characteristics of patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction treated at our institution. Methods. Retrospective, descriptive, longitudinal study, which includes patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction who underwent surgery at the National Cancer Institute in Bogotá, Colombia, between January 2012 and May 2017. Results. Fifty-nine patients (84.7% men) were operated on, with a mean age of 62.5 years. In their order of frequency, the tumors were type II (57.6%), type III (30.7%) and type I (11.9%). 74.6% received neoadjuvant therapy and total gastrectomy was performed in 73% of the cases. The moderate diagnostic concordance with the Kappa index was 0.56, differing from the endoscopic one in 33.9%. 10.2% of the patients presented some type of intraoperative complication. Three-year survival in type II tumors was 89.6% and 100% in those with complete pathologic response. Conclusion. The use of different strategies is necessary for an adequate diagnostic process in tumors of the esophagogastric junction. In this series, Siewert II patients, those who received neoadjuvant therapy, and those who obtained a complete pathological response had a better three-year survival

Prevalence and mean number of teeth with amalgam and nonamalgam restorations, United States, 2015 through 2018.

BACKGROUND: Amalgam has been used for more than 150 years as a safe and reliable restorative material. The authors described the occurrence of amalgam and nonamalgam restorations in the United States in primary and permanent teeth across age groups and according to sociodemographic characteristics. METHODS: The authors used clinical examination data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-2018 for participants 2 years and older (n = 17,040). The authors estimated the prevalence and mean number of amalgam and nonamalgam restorations in primary and permanent teeth according to age groups (2-5 years, 6-11 years, 12-15 years, 16-19 years, 20-39 years, 40-59 years, 60-79 years, and ≥ 80 years), race and ethnicity, federal poverty guideline, education, and pregnancy status. RESULTS: The prevalence of amalgam restorations ranged from 4% through 69%. Overall, amalgam restorations were more prevalent in children and adolescents from racial and ethnic minority groups and families at lower poverty levels and with lower education. The mean number of teeth with nonamalgam restorations was higher than those with amalgam restorations in primary teeth of children aged 6 through 11 years, permanent teeth of those 12 through 15 years and 20 through 39 years, and women aged 20 through 49 years, regardless of pregnancy status. The mean number of amalgam restorations was higher than that for nonamalgam restorations in older age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Nonamalgam restorations were the most common in the primary teeth of children older than 5 years and in the permanent teeth of adults younger than 40 years. Amalgam restorations were more common in older adults. Amalgam and nonamalgam restorations were equally common in children younger than 5 years. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The study findings suggest a shift from amalgam to alternative restorative materials in the United States.

Situación actual de la laparoscopía de estadificación en pacientes con cáncer gástrico en Colombia: ¿Cómo lo estamos haciendo?

Introducción. La laparoscopía de estadificación permite identificar con gran precisión el compromiso locorregional avanzado y metastásico a peritoneo en los pacientes con cáncer gástrico. Las guías internacionales aún difieren en las indicaciones para incluir este procedimiento como parte del proceso de estadificación. Métodos. Se diseñó una encuesta dirigida a cirujanos residentes en Colombia, sobre el uso de la laparoscopía de estadificación en los pacientes con cáncer gástrico. Se analizaron los resultados y con base en la evidencia disponible se proponen algunas pautas en las indicaciones y técnica del procedimiento. Resultados. Respondieron la encuesta 74 cirujanos; el 43,8 % considera que el objetivo de la laparoscopía de estadificación es descartar la carcinomatosis peritoneal. El 54,1 % realiza el procedimiento en estadios tempranos, sin embargo, el 48,6 % considera realizarla solo en pacientes con sospecha de carcinomatosis por imágenes. Las áreas evaluadas con mayor frecuencia por los cirujanos (más del 85 %) son la superficie hepática, las cúpulas diafragmáticas, los recesos parietocólicos y la pelvis. Las zonas evaluadas en menor frecuencia son la válvula ileocecal (40,5 %) y el ligamento de Treitz (39 %). El 33 % de los cirujanos no toma rutinariamente citología peritoneal. Conclusión. Este trabajo muestra la tendencia de los cirujanos en el uso de la laparoscopía de estadificación en pacientes con cáncer gástrico. A pesar de encontrar resultados muy positivos en relación con las indicaciones y técnica del procedimiento, es necesario analizar la evidencia disponible para su uso según cada escenario y mejorar la sistematización del procedimiento.

Introduction. In patients with gastric cancer, staging laparoscopy allows advanced locoregional and metastatic involvement to the peritoneum to be identified with high accuracy. International guidelines still differ indications to include this procedure as part of the staging process. Methods. A survey was designed for surgeons practicing in Colombia on the use of staging laparoscopy in gastric cancer patients. The results were analyzed and based on the available evidence some guidelines on the indications and technique of the procedure were proposed. Results. 74 surgeons responded to the survey and 39.7% consider that staging laparoscopy is a reliable tool to define resectability. 43.8% of surgeons consider that the objective of staging laparoscopy is to rule out peritoneal carcinomatosis and 54.1% perform the procedure in early stages; however, 48.6% consider performing it only in patients with suspected carcinomatosis by imaging. The areas evaluated by most surgeons (>85%) were the hepatic surface, diaphragmatic domes, parietocolic recesses and pelvis. The least frequently evaluated areas were the ileocecal valve (40.5%) and the ligament of Treitz (39%). Peritoneal cytology is not routinely taken by 33% of surgeons. Conclusions. This study provides insight into surgeons' trends in the use of staging laparoscopy in gastric cancer patients. Despite finding very positive results in relation to the indications and technique of the procedure for many surgeons, it is necessary to analyze the available evidence for the use of staging laparoscopy according to each scenario of gastric cancer patients, and a better systematization of the procedure is necessary.

Manejo de perforaciones, fugas y fístulas del tracto gastrointestinal con clip sobre el endoscopio. Experiencia de un centro oncológico Latinoamericano / Management of perforations, leaks and fistulas of the gastrointestinal tract with over the scope clip. Experience at a Latin American cancer center

Introducción. Las fístulas derivadas de enfermedades neoplásicas del tracto digestivo, así como las fugas posteriores a procedimientos quirúrgicos, no son infrecuentes y ocasionan una morbilidad importante cuando se manejan de forma quirúrgica. También durante los procedimientos endoscópicos se pueden presentar perforaciones y, si se logra un manejo no operatorio, se alcanza una adecuada recuperación. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir las características clínicas y los resultados de los pacientes con perforaciones, fístulas y fugas del tracto gastrointestinal, manejadas endoscópicamente con clip sobre el endoscopio. Métodos. Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, de pacientes con perforación, fuga o fístula postoperatoria, llevados a endoscopía digestiva con colocación de clip sobre el endoscopio, en el Instituto Nacional de Cancerología en Bogotá, D.C., Colombia, entre enero de 2016 y abril de 2020. Resultados. Se incluyeron 21 pacientes, 52,4 % de ellos mujeres. La mediana de edad fue de 66 años y del diámetro del defecto fue de 9 mm. En el 95 % se logró éxito técnico. Hubo éxito clínico temprano en el 85,7 % de los casos. El 76,1 % de los pacientes permanecieron sin síntomas a los 3 meses de seguimiento. Conclusiones. El manejo de perforaciones, fugas y fístulas con clip sobre el endoscopio parece ser factible y seguro. En la mayoría de estos pacientes se logró la liberación del clip y la identificación endoscópica del cierre inmediatamente después del procedimiento; sin embargo, en el caso de las fístulas, no se alcanzó el éxito clínico tardío en todos los casos

Introduction. Fistula of the digestive tract derived from neoplastic diseases as well as leaks following surgical procedures are not uncommon and usually cause significant morbidity when are managed surgically. Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures may present perforations during their performance; if they are managed non-operatively, an adequate recovery is obtained. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics and the short- and long-term outcomes of patients with perforations, fistulas and leaks of the gastrointestinal tract managed endoscopically with over the scope clip (OTSC). Methods. Descriptive, retrospective study of patients brought to digestive endoscopy with OTSC placement with diagnosis of postoperative perforation, leak or fistula at the National Cancer Institute in Bogota, Colombia, between January 2016 and April 2020. Results. Twenty-one patients were taken for OTSC application for the management of perforations, leaks and fistulas of the gastrointestinal tract, 52.4% of them were women. The median age was 66 years. The median diameter of the defect was 9 mm. Technical success was achieved in 95%. Early clinical success was described in 85.7% of the cases; 76.1% of patients remained symptom-free at 3-month follow-up. Conclusions. Management of perforations, leaks and fistulas with OTSC appears to be feasible and safe. In most of these patients, clip release and endoscopic identification of closure was achieved immediately after management; however, in the case of fistulas, late clinical success was not achieved in all cases

Diferencias en el funcionamiento ejecutivo en boxeadores universitarios amateurs con distintos niveles de experiencia y categoría de peso / Diferenças no funcionamento executivo em boxeadores universitários amadores com diferentes níveis de experiência e classes de peso / Differences in executive functioning in amateur college boxers with different levels of experience and weight category

El boxeo es un deporte popular que implica golpes repetitivos a la cabeza, los cuales podrían producir alteraciones en el funcionamiento cerebral. Aunque existe evidencia del daño cerebral causado por la práctica del boxeo a nivel profesional, permanece la controversia sobre los posibles riesgos en el boxeo aficionado. El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar si existen diferencias en el funcionamiento ejecutivo en boxeadores amateur universitarios en función de su nivel de experiencia en la práctica deportiva y su interacción con la categoría/peso. Método: Participaron mexicanos amateurs agrupados en novatos y experimentados y por su categoría de peso en ligero y medio. Se utilizó la Batería Neuropsicológica de Funciones Ejecutivas y Lóbulos Frontales BANFE-2 (Flores-Lázaro et al., 2014). Resultados: se realizó un MANOVA, los contrastes multivariados indican que hay diferencias en la interacción de las variables dependientes, de acuerdo con el nivel de experiencia F (4,17) = 3.75, p = .023, ηp2 = .469, 1-β=.56. En particular, las tareas en que se observan diferencias significativas son aquellas que evalúan el control inhibitorio (stroop) y la toma de decisiones de riesgo beneficio (juego de cartas), procesos que se encuentran asociados al funcionamiento de la corteza prefrontal orbito medial. Los hallazgos sugieren que la evaluación del funcionamiento ejecutivo puede ser una herramienta útil para evidenciar cambios funcionales en boxeadores amateur. (AU)

Boxing is a popular sport that involves repetitive blows to the head, which may cause disturbances in brain function. Although there is evidence of brain damage caused byprofessional boxing, controversy remains about the possible risks in amateur boxing. The aim of this study was to analyze whether there are differences in executive functioning in amateur college boxers based on their level of experience in sports practice and their interaction with category/ weight. Method: 24 mexican amateur boxers participated, grouped into novice and experienced and by their weight category (light and médium). The neuropsychological battery of executive functions and frontal lobes BANFE-2 (Flores-Lázaro et al., 2014) was used. Results: a MANOVA was performed, the multivariate contrasts indicate that there are differences in the interaction of the dependent variables, according to the level of experience F(4,17)= 3.75, p= .023, ηp2= .469, 1-β= .56. In particular, the tasks in which significative differences are observed are those that assess inhibitory control (stroop) and risk-benefit decision-making (card game), processes that areassociated with the functioning of the orbito-medial prefrontal cortex. The findings suggest that the evaluation of executive functioning can be a useful tool to demonstrate functional changes in amateur boxers. (AU)

O boxe é um esporte comum que envolve golpes repetitivos na cabeça dos atletas, o que pode causar distúrbios nas funções cerebrais. Embora hajam evidências de danos cerebrais causados pelo boxe profissional, a controvérsia permanece sobre os possíveis riscos no boxe amador. O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar se existiam diferenças no funcionamento executivo de atletas de boxe amador universitários com base no nível de experiência, na prática esportiva e na interação com a categoria / peso. Método: participaram 24 boxeadores amadores, agrupados em novatos e experientes e por categoria de peso leve e médio. Foi utilizada a Bateria Neuropsicológica de Funções Executivas e Lobos Frontais BANFE-2 (Flores-Lázaro et al., 2014). Resultados: foi feito uma MANOVA, os contrastes multivariados indicaram que existiram diferenças na interação das variáveis dependentes, de acordo com o nível de experiência F(4,17) = 3.75, p= .023, ηp2= .469, 1-β= .56. Em particular, as tarefas em que se observaram diferenças são aquelas que avaliam o controlo inibitório (stroop) e a tomada de decisão risco-benefício (jogo de cartas), processos que estão associados ao funcionamento do córtex pré-frontal órbito-medial. Os resultados sugerem que a avaliação do funcionamento executivo pode ser uma ferramenta útil para demonstrar mudanças funcionais em pessoas que praticam o boxe amador. (AU)

Situación actual de la laparoscopía de estadificación en pacientes con cáncer gástrico en Colombia: Cómo lo estamos haciendo? / Current situation of staging laparoscopy in patients with gastric cancer in Colombia: How are we doing it?

Introducción. La laparoscopía de estadificación permite identificar con gran precisión el compromiso locorregional avanzado y metastásico a peritoneo en los pacientes con cáncer gástrico. Las guías internacionales aún difieren en las indicaciones para incluir este procedimiento como parte del proceso de estadificación. Métodos. Se diseñó una encuesta dirigida a cirujanos residentes en Colombia, sobre el uso de la laparoscopía de estadificación en los pacientes con cáncer gástrico. Se analizaron los resultados y con base en la evidencia disponible se proponen algunas pautas en las indicaciones y técnica del procedimiento. Resultados. Respondieron la encuesta 74 cirujanos; el 43,8 % considera que el objetivo de la laparoscopía de estadificación es descartar la carcinomatosis peritoneal. El 54,1 % realiza el procedimiento en estadios tempranos, sin embargo, el 48,6 % considera realizarla solo en pacientes con sospecha de carcinomatosis por imágenes. Las áreas evaluadas con mayor frecuencia por los cirujanos (más del 85 %) son la superficie hepática, las cúpulas diafragmáticas, los recesos parietocólicos y la pelvis. Las zonas evaluadas en menor frecuencia son la válvula ileocecal (40,5 %) y el ligamento de Treitz (39 %). El 33 % de los cirujanos no toma rutinariamente citología peritoneal. Conclusión. Este trabajo muestra la tendencia de los cirujanos en el uso de la laparoscopía de estadificación en pacientes con cáncer gástrico. A pesar de encontrar resultados muy positivos en relación con las indicaciones y técnica del procedimiento, es necesario analizar la evidencia disponible para su uso según cada escenario y mejorar la sistematización del procedimiento

Introduction. In patients with gastric cancer, staging laparoscopy allows advanced locoregional and metastatic involvement to the peritoneum to be identified with high accuracy. International guidelines still differ indications to include this procedure as part of the staging process. Methods. A survey was designed for surgeons practicing in Colombia on the use of staging laparoscopy in gastric cancer patients. The results were analyzed and based on the available evidence some guidelines on the indications and technique of the procedure were proposed. Results. 74 surgeons responded to the survey and 39.7% consider that staging laparoscopy is a reliable tool to define resectability. 43.8% of surgeons consider that the objective of staging laparoscopy is to rule out peritoneal carcinomatosis and 54.1% perform the procedure in early stages; however, 48.6% consider performing it only in patients with suspected carcinomatosis by imaging. The areas evaluated by most surgeons (>85%) were the hepatic surface, diaphragmatic domes, parietocolic recesses and pelvis. The least frequently evaluated areas were the ileocecal valve (40.5%) and the ligament of Treitz (39%). Peritoneal cytology is not routinely taken by 33% of surgeons. Conclusions. This study provides insight into surgeons' trends in the use of staging laparoscopy in gastric cancer patients. Despite finding very positive results in relation to the indications and technique of the procedure for many surgeons, it is necessary to analyze the available evidence for the use of staging laparoscopy according to each scenario of gastric cancer patients, and a better systematization of the procedure is necessary

In vivo computer-aided diagnosis of colorectal polyps using white light endoscopy.

Background and study aims Artificial intelligence is currently able to accurately predict the histology of colorectal polyps. However, systems developed to date use complex optical technologies and have not been tested in vivo. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a new deep learning-based optical diagnosis system, ATENEA, in a real clinical setting using only high-definition white light endoscopy (WLE) and to compare its performance with endoscopists. Methods ATENEA was prospectively tested in real life on consecutive polyps detected in colorectal cancer screening colonoscopies at Hospital Clínic. No images were discarded, and only WLE was used. The in vivo ATENEA's prediction (adenoma vs non-adenoma) was compared with the prediction of four staff endoscopists without specific training in optical diagnosis for the study purposes. Endoscopists were blind to the ATENEA output. Histology was the gold standard. Results Ninety polyps (median size: 5 mm, range: 2-25) from 31 patients were included of which 69 (76.7 %) were adenomas. ATENEA correctly predicted the histology in 63 of 69 (91.3 %, 95 % CI: 82 %-97 %) adenomas and 12 of 21 (57.1 %, 95 % CI: 34 %-78 %) non-adenomas while endoscopists made correct predictions in 52 of 69 (75.4 %, 95 % CI: 60 %-85 %) and 20 of 21 (95.2 %, 95 % CI: 76 %-100 %), respectively. The global accuracy was 83.3 % (95 % CI: 74%-90 %) and 80 % (95 % CI: 70 %-88 %) for ATENEA and endoscopists, respectively. Conclusion ATENEA can accurately be used for in vivo characterization of colorectal polyps, enabling the endoscopist to make direct decisions. ATENEA showed a global accuracy similar to that of endoscopists despite an unsatisfactory performance for non-adenomatous lesions.

Cuerpo extraño como causa de apendicitis aguda complicada / Foreign body as a cause of complicated acute appendicitis

La apendicitis aguda es una de las patologías más comunes en el ámbito hospitalario. Las formas complicadas pueden ser causadas por objetos puntigudos, afilados, delgados o alargados, ingeridos de forma accidental, y representan una causa inusual con una prevalencia del 0,0005 %

Acute appendicitis is one of the most common pathologies in the hospital setting. The complicated forms can be caused by pointed, sharp, thin or elongated objects, accidentally ingested, and represent an unusual cause with a prevalence of 0.0005%.

A Classic Presentation of Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor.

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare malignancy, of uncertain differentiation, which more commonly affects adolescents and young adult males; it usually has an intra-abdominal location. We describe the case of a 35-year-old male who presented initially with occasional abdominal pain, and subsequently with abdominal mass sensation, without any other associated symptoms. Imaging studies reported an intra-abdominal mass located in mesogastrium, right hypochondrium, and right lumbar region, without clear evidence of infiltration to secondary structures, but with clear peritoneal spread to greater omentum and pelvis. Definitive diagnosis of DSRCT is based on histologic and immunohistochemical findings. Standard treatment includes intensive neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgical cytoreduction, and radiotherapy. Despite this multidisciplinary approach, DSRCT has a poor prognosis and a high mortality rate at five years.

Development of a Platform for Noncovalent Coupling of Full Antigens to Tobacco Etch Virus-Like Particles by Means of Coiled-Coil Oligomerization Motifs.

Virus-like particles are excellent inducers of the adaptive immune response of humans and are presently being used as scaffolds for the presentation of foreign peptides and antigens derived from infectious microorganisms for subunit vaccine development. The most common approaches for peptide and antigen presentation are translational fusions and chemical coupling, but some alternatives that seek to simplify the coupling process have been reported recently. In this work, an alternative platform for coupling full antigens to virus-like particles is presented. Heterodimerization motifs inserted in both Tobacco etch virus coat protein and green fluorescent protein directed the coupling process by simple mixing, and the obtained complexes were easily taken up by a macrophage cell line.

Steady-state persistence of respiratory syncytial virus in a macrophage-like cell line and sequence analysis of the persistent viral genome.

Long-term infection by human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) has been reported in immunocompromised patients. Cell lines are valuable in vitro model systems to study mechanisms associated with viral persistence. Persistent infections in cell cultures have been categorized at least as in "carrier-state", where there exist a low proportion of cells infected by a lytic virus, and as in "steady-state", where most of cells are infected, but in absence of cytophatic effect. Here, we showed that hRSV maintained a steady-state persistence in a macrophage-like cell line after 120 passages, since the viral genome was detected in all of the cells analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization, whereas only defective viruses were identified by sucrose gradients and titration assay. Interestingly, eight percent of cells harboring the hRSV genome revealed undetectable expression of the viral nucleoprotein N; however, when this cell population was sorted by flow cytometry and independently cultured, viral protein expression was induced at detectable levels since the first post-sorting passage, supporting that sorted cells harbored the viral genome. Sequencing of the persistent hRSV genome obtained from virus collected from cell-culture supernatants, allowed assembling of a complete genome that displayed 24 synonymous and 38 nonsynonymous substitutions in coding regions, whereas extragenic and intergenic regions displayed 12 substitutions, two insertions and one deletion. Previous reports characterizing mutations in extragenic regulatory sequences of hRSV, suggested that some mutations localized at the 3' leader region of our persistent virus might alter viral transcription and replication, as well as assembly of viral nucleocapsids. Besides, substitutions in P, F and G proteins might contribute to altered viral assembly, budding and membrane fusion, reducing the cytopathic effect and in consequence, contributing to host-cell survival. Full-length mutant genomes might be part of the repertoire of defective viral genomes formed during hRSV infections, contributing to the establishment and maintenance of virus persistence.

Complications and Comorbidities in Hispanic Patients Who Develop Traumatic and Non-traumatic Acute Compartment Syndrome.

Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is a medical emergency that remains under-recognized and understudied. This study aimed to identify risk factors for the traumatic and non-traumatic presentation of ACS within a majority Hispanic population. A four-year retrospective analysis of medical records in a single institution revealed 26 with traumatic and 21 non-traumatic patients presenting with ACS. Traumatic ACS occurred in younger males following fractures, as previously described in the field. After controlling for age differences, non-traumatic ACS occurred in older patients with multiple comorbidities, increased use of statins, and anticoagulants as compared to the traumatic ACS group. A large proportion (80%) of the non-traumatic ACS group also presented with hypertension. Patients taking anticoagulants and statins should be carefully monitored for ACS development after non-traumatic qualifying events and advanced age. Further studies should identify how statins interact with the patients' racial/ethnic profile and the incidence of comorbidities to promote earlier identification and reduce morbidities.

Hernia de Amyand tipo 2: apendicectomía y hernioplastia con malla de baja densidad / Amyand's hernia type 2: appendectomy and hernioplasty withlow density mesh

La incidencia de las hernias inguinales en Colombia es de aproximadamente 15 por cada 1000 habitantes, y el riesgo de presentar una hernia inguinal durante la vida es del 27 % en hombres y del 3 % en mujeres. Existen presentaciones poco frecuentes como la hernia de Amyand que consiste en la protrusión del apéndice cecal, inflamada o no, dentro del contenido del saco herniario. A nivel global, tiene una incidencia del 0,13 % al 1 % y su tratamiento se realiza basándose en la clasificación de Losanoff y Basson. Sin embargo, una de las controversias aún existentes respecto al manejo quirúrgico, es la indicación del uso o no de mallas al momento de realizar la hernioplastia y el resultado final del mismo, así que este es el punto donde se centra la revisión de nuestro artículo. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 79 años con una hernia de Amyand tipo 2, a quien se le practicó hernioplastia con malla de baja densidad absorbible, con adecuada evolución posquirúrgica

The incidence of inguinal hernias in Colombia is approximately 15 per 1000 inhabitants, and the risk of presenting an inguinal hernia during life is 27% in men and 3% in women. There are rare presentations such as Amyand's hernia, which consists of the protrusion of the cecal appendix, inflamed or not, within the content of the hernial sac. At a global level, it has an incidence of 0.13% to 1% and its treatment is based on the Losanoff and Basson classification. However, one of the still existing controversies regarding surgical management is the indication of the use or not of meshes at the time of performing the hernioplasty, and the final result of it, this is the point where the review of our article focuses. We present the case of a 79-year-old patient with a type 2 Amyand hernia who underwent hernioplasty with a low-density absorbable mesh, with adequate postoperative evolution