Outcomes of accelerated corneal cross-linking for pediatric and adult keratoconus: a comparative study.

PURPOSE: To compare the visual, refractive, and topographic outcomes of a high irradiance accelerated corneal crosslinking (ACXL) protocol after a 12-month follow-up between pediatric and adult patients with progressive keratoconus (KC). METHODS: Retrospective, comparative, cohort study. Patients with KC were divided into two groups: pediatric (≤ 18 years) and adult (> 18 years). All of them were managed with epi-OFF ACXL (30 mW/cm2, 8 min, pulsed 1:1 on and off = 7.2 J/cm2). Visual, refractive, and topographic values were measured preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperative. KC progression, defined as a Kmax increase of ≥ 1D during follow-up, was recorded. RESULTS: Eighty-nine eyes (53 patients) were included for analysis; 45 (50.6%) eyes were from pediatric patients and 44 (49.4%) from adults. At one-year follow-up, pediatric patients experienced significantly higher rates of progression (22.2% vs. 4.5%, p = .014). Contrariwise, female gender (Beta = - 3.62, p = .018), a baseline uncorrected visual acuity of Snellen ≥ 20/60 (Beta = - 5.96, p = .007), and being ≥ 15 years at ACXL treatment (Beta = - 0.31, p = .021) were associated with non-progressive disease. A significant improvement in best-corrected visual acuity, Kmin, Km, and Kmax was recorded in both groups. Overall, 86.5% of eyes from both groups showed Kmax stabilization or improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the similarity in visual, refractive, and topographic outcomes in both groups, younger age was associated with KC progression after ACXL at one year of follow-up.

Lessons Learned From Ocular Graft versus Host Disease: An Ocular Surface Inflammatory Disease of Known Time of Onset.

ABSTRACT: The ocular surface inflammatory disorders (OSIDs) comprise a group of conditions characterized by persistent inflammation of the ocular surface and adnexal tissues. Systemic autoimmune diseases and hypersensitivity reactions cause them, and, if left untreated, can result in severe inflammatory dry eye, corneal damage, and vision loss. Ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD) forms part of the ocular surface inflammatory disease umbrella. It is a condition occurring after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell or bone marrow transplantation, usually in chronic graft-versus-host disease. oGVHD can virtually affect any ocular adnexal tissue, especially the meibomian glands, and cause persistent inflammation, tissue fibrosis, and subsequent chronic, severe dry eye disease. Among the OSIDs, oGVHD has the particularity that it has a "time zero," meaning we know when the disease started. As such, preclinical models have leveraged this to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in the damage oGVHD causes to the ocular surface. In oGVHD, establishing a "time zero" allows for predicting the clinical course and establishing adequate treatment. This is also possible because the inflammatory infiltration occurs in ocular surface tissues, which are readily accessible. Using oGVHD, we might be able to understand the immune response mechanisms in other OSIDs better (i.e., Sjögren syndrome, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, among others). This review presents an up-to-date overview of the pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and treatment of oGVHD. In addition, we will discuss the value of the "time zero" concept in the study of oGVHD.

Effectiveness and Safety of Teriflunomide in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis and Improvements in Quality of Life: Results from the Real-World TERICARE Study.

INTRODUCTION: Teriflunomide is a once-daily oral immunomodulator approved for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) or relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS; depending on the local label), based on extensive evidence from clinical trials and a real-world setting on efficacy, tolerability and patient-reported benefits. The TERICARE study assessed the impact of teriflunomide treatment over 2 years on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and some of the most common and disabling symptoms of MS, such as fatigue and depression. METHODS: This prospective observational study in Spain included RRMS patients treated with teriflunomide for ≤ 4 weeks. The following patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were collected at baseline and every 6 months for 2 years: the 29-item Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale version 2 (MSIS-29), the 21-item Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS-21), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), the Short Form (SF)-Qualiveen and the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication v1.4 (TSQM). Annualised relapse rate (ARR), disability progression according to the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and no evidence of disease activity (NEDA-3) were also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 325 patients were analysed. Patients had a mean (SD) age of 43.2 years (10.4), a mean baseline EDSS score of 1.75 (1.5), a mean number of relapses in the past 2 years of 1.5 (0.7), and 64% had received prior disease-modifying therapy (DMT). Patients showed significant improvements in the psychological domain of MSIS-29 from 35.9 (26.6) at baseline to 29.4 (25.5) at 18 months (p = 0.004) and 29.0 (24.6) at 24 months (p = 0.002). Levels of fatigue and depression were also reduced. After 2 years of treatment with teriflunomide, ARR was reduced to 0.17 (95% CI 0.14-0.21) from the baseline of 0.42 (95% CI 0.38-0.48), representing a 60.1% reduction. Mean EDSS scores remained stable during the study, and 79.9% of patients showed no disability progression. 54.7% of patients achieved NEDA-3 in the first 12 months, which increased to 61.4% during months 12-24. Patients reported increased satisfaction with treatment over the course of the study, regardless of whether they were DMT naive or not. CONCLUSION: Teriflunomide improves psychological aspects of HRQoL and maintains low levels of fatigue and depression. Treatment with teriflunomide over 2 years is effective in reducing ARR and disability progression.

Reading Argumentative Texts: Effects of the presence-absence of connectives in reading comprehension and cognitive effort / Leer Textos Argumentativos: efectos de la presencia-ausencia de conectores en la comprensión lectora y esfuerzo cognitivo

Recent studies prove a strong association between reading and eye movements. Few investigations report the role of connectors and prior knowledge during reading in Spanish, as well as their association with eye movements. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of the presence absence of connectors in two argumentative texts on cognitive effort and reading comprehension. Forty-one psychology undergraduate students participated in a reading comprehension task, while their eye movements were recorded. The condition with connectors was related to prior knowledge, the slide time fixation, the slide number fixations, and the slide return fixations. The condition without connectors was related to the return fixations, the time fixation, and the number of fixations. Prior knowledge was correlated with the total time fixation, the total return fixations, and comprehension. This suggests that during reading without connectors more cognitive effort is required, observed in the return fixations; moreover, prior knowledge has an important role in the visual strategies required to process and obtain a representation of text. But participant performance was still good as observed in the scores of the reading comprehension task

Estudios prueban una asociación entre lectura y movimientos oculares al reportar el efecto de los conectores en el procesamiento textual. Pocas investigaciones revelan el papel de los conectores, el conocimiento previo y los movimientos oculares en la lectura de textos en español. El objetivo fue evaluar los efectos de la presencia-ausencia de conectores en dos textos argumentativos sobre el esfuerzo cognitivo y la comprensión lectora. Participaron 41 universitarios en una tarea de lectura con registro de sus movimientos oculares. La comprensión en la condición con conectores estuvo relacionada con conocimiento previo, tiempo y número de fijaciones por diapositiva, además del número de regresos en la lectura por diapositiva. Mientras la comprensión de textos sin conectores estuvo relacionada con conocimiento previo, regresos, tiempo y número de fijaciones, el conocimiento previo se correlacionó con tiempo y número fijaciones, regresos en la lectura y la comprensión. Se sugiere que la lectura de un texto sin conectores requerirá mayor esfuerzo cognitivo observado en los regresos en la lectura; además, el conocimiento previo afecta las estrategias visuales para procesar y representar mentalmente un texto. Pero, el desempeño de los participantes sigue siendo bueno, según lo observado en los puntajes de la tarea de comprensión lectora.

Association of cerebrospinal fluid protein biomarkers with outcomes in patients with traumatic and non-traumatic acute brain injury: systematic review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Acute brain injuries are associated with high mortality rates and poor long-term functional outcomes. Measurement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers in patients with acute brain injuries may help elucidate some of the pathophysiological pathways involved in the prognosis of these patients. METHODS: We performed a systematic search and descriptive review using the MEDLINE database and the PubMed interface from inception up to June 29, 2021, to retrieve observational studies in which the relationship between CSF concentrations of protein biomarkers and neurological outcomes was reported in patients with acute brain injury [traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, acute ischemic stroke, status epilepticus or post-cardiac arrest]. We classified the studies according to whether or not biomarker concentrations were associated with neurological outcomes. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale. RESULTS: Of the 39 studies that met our criteria, 30 reported that the biomarker concentration was associated with neurological outcome and 9 reported no association. In TBI, increased extracellular concentrations of biomarkers related to neuronal cytoskeletal disruption, apoptosis and inflammation were associated with the severity of acute brain injury, early mortality and worse long-term functional outcome. Reduced concentrations of protein biomarkers related to impaired redox function were associated with increased risk of neurological deficit. In non-traumatic acute brain injury, concentrations of CSF protein biomarkers related to dysregulated inflammation and apoptosis were associated with a greater risk of vasospasm and a larger volume of brain ischemia. There was a high risk of bias across the studies. CONCLUSION: In patients with acute brain injury, altered CSF concentrations of protein biomarkers related to cytoskeletal damage, inflammation, apoptosis and oxidative stress may be predictive of worse neurological outcomes.

Analysis of ocular surface damage and visual impact in patients with primary and secondary Sjögren syndrome.

The objective of this study is to review the ocular surface changes and complications of patients with Sjögren syndrome and assess their visual impact. A retrospective, cross-sectional, observational, and descriptive study of patients with Sjögren syndrome diagnosed according to the American-European Consensus Group criteria was designed. Data including age, gender, the reason for consultation, associated systemic disease, visual acuity, and ocular complications were recorded. Dry eye tests including tear meniscus thickness; tear film break-up time; ocular surface staining (fluorescein and lissamine green); and Schirmer I test were performed. A total of 249 patients, 233 women (93.6%) and 16 men (6.4%) were studied. Meibomian gland dysfunction was found in 46% (n = 229 eyes) patients; shortened tear film break-up time in 44% (n = 220 eyes); decreased tear meniscus in 49% (n = 243 eyes); significant superficial punctate keratopathy in 49% (n = 242 eyes); a mean ocular surface staining score of 5.92 points; and a low score for Schirmer I test (mean = 5.4 mm). Eyes with a 4 + corneal fluorescein score showed the worst BCVA (mean = 0.63 ± 0.66 LogMAR, ≤ 20/80 Snellen eq., 95% CI 0.29-0.97), compared to 1 + to 3 + scores (mean = 0.211 ± 0.37 LogMAR, 20/32 Snellen eq., 95% CI 0.53-1.15). Ten eyes (4.0%) presented central corneal ulceration with a mean visual acuity of 20/500 (96% visual loss). Ocular surface alterations related to severe dry eye and complications from Sjögren syndrome may have a significant impact on visual acuity. Secondary Sjögren syndrome to rheumatoid arthritis had the worse dry eye prognosis, visual outcome, and ocular complications.

Factors that predict life sciences student persistence in undergraduate research experiences.

Undergraduate research experiences (UREs) have the potential to benefit undergraduates and longer UREs have been shown to lead to greater benefits for students. However, no studies have examined what causes students to stay in or consider leaving their UREs. In this study, we examined what factors cause students to stay in their UREs, what factors cause students to consider leaving their UREs, and what factors cause students to leave their UREs. We sampled from 25 research-intensive (R1) public universities across the United States and surveyed 768 life sciences undergraduates who were currently participating in or had previously participated in a URE. Students answered closed-ended and open-ended questions about factors that they perceived influenced their persistence in UREs. We used logistic regression to explore to what extent student demographics predicted what factors influenced students to stay in or consider leaving their UREs. We applied open-coding methods to probe the student-reported reasons why students chose to stay in and leave their UREs. Fifty percent of survey respondents considered leaving their URE, and 53.1% of those students actually left their URE. Students who reported having a positive lab environment and students who indicated enjoying their everyday research tasks were more likely to not consider leaving their UREs. In contrast, students who reported a negative lab environment or that they were not gaining important knowledge or skills were more likely to leave their UREs. Further, we identified that gender, race/ethnicity, college generation status, and GPA predicted which factors influenced students' decisions to persist in their UREs. This research provides important insight into how research mentors can create UREs that undergraduates are willing and able to participate in for as long as possible.

Frecuencia del síndrome metabólico y factores de riesgo en adultos con y sin diabetes mellitus e hipertensión arterial / Frequency of metabolic syndrome and risk factors in adults with and without diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension

RESUMEN Objetivo Determinar la frecuencia y factores de riesgo para Síndrome Metabólico (SM) en adultos con Diabetes mellitus, hipertensión arterial y sin diabetes-hipertensión. Material y Métodos Se realizó un estudio transversal analítico en derechohabientes de ambos sexos y mayores de 20 años de los servicios de consulta externa del HGZ No. 1 IMSS Colima, México. Las variables estudiadas fueron edad, IMC, diámetro de la cintura, grado de escolaridad, estado socioeconómico, grado de actividad física, tabaquismo, antecedentes familiares para diabetes e hipertensión arterial (HTA) y parámetros bioquímicos como glucosa, colesterol HDL, triglicéridos. Resultados Se estudiaron 417 pacientes (170 hombres y 247 mujeres), con un promedio de edad 53,2 ± 13,4 años (intervalo 20 a 86 años). La frecuencia global del SM fue del 52,3 % (56 % mujeres y 46,4 % hombres). Mientras que la frecuencia del SM fue de 50 % en DM2, 42% en HTA, 80 % DM2 + HTA y 28,2 % sin DM o HTA. La frecuencia del tabaquismo fue del 27,8 % y fue un factor de riesgo importante para la totalidad de pacientes con SM, en DM2 y en DM2+HAT. Conclusiones La frecuencia del SM en adultos fue del 52,3 %, las mujeres fueron más afectadas y el tabaquismo fue el factor de riesgo más importante.(AU)

ABSTRACT Objective Determinate the frequency and the risk factors for Metabolic Syndrome in adults with diabetes mellitus, Hypertension and without Diabetes- Hypertension. Materials and Methods We realized a cross-sectional study in patients of both sexes and older than 20 years of the "Hospital General de Zona 1 IMSS" in Colima, Mexico. The variables studied were: age, BMI, waist circumference, cigarette smoking, and family history of diabetes and hypertension, and biochemical parameters, such as glucose, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Results A total of 417 persons were enrolled (170 men and 247 women), with an age average of 53.2 ± 13.4 years (age range, 20 to 86 years). The global frequency of the metabolic syndrome was 52.3 % (56 % in women and 46.4 % in men). While the MS frequency was 50 % in DM2, 42 % in hypertension, 80 % in DM2+hypertension and 28.2 % without DM2 and hypertension. The cigarette smoking frequency was 27.8 %, and it was an important risk factor for the totally of patients with MS, in DM2 and in DM2+hypertension. Conclusions The frequency of MS in adults was 52.3 %, women were the most affected, and cigarette smoking was the most important risk factor.(AU)

Efficacy of Keyhole Approach to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome under Ambulatory Strategy.

The carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common entrapment neuropathies found in humans. Currently, the gold standard is surgical treatment using different modalities. The minimally invasive strategy with high resolution capacity and less morbidity is still a challenge. Methods. Prospective nonrandomised clinical trial in which a minimally invasive microsurgical approach was used following the keyhole principle in 55 consecutive patients and 65 hands under local anesthesia and ambulatory strategy. They were evaluated with stringent inclusion criteria with the Levine severity and functional status scale and with a 2-year follow-up. Results. 90% showed immediate improvement dropping to grades 1-2 in all items of the scale referring to pain and numbness. 97% reported improvement, as of the first month, and 3% reported persistence of symptoms, although at a lesser degree and with no functional limitation. No incidents were identified during the procedure and 98% of patients were discharged within an hour after the surgical procedure. Conclusions. The microsurgical approach described following the keyhole principle is a treatment option that, under local anesthesia and ambulatory management, may represent an alternative strategy of an effective treatment reducing the morbidity. This trial is registered with Clinical Trials Protocol Identifier NCT03062722.

[Frequency of metabolic syndrome and risk factors in adults with and without diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension]. / Frecuencia del síndrome metabólico y factores de riesgo en adultos con y sin diabetes mellitus e hipertensión arterial.

OBJECTIVE: Determinate the frequency and the risk factors for Metabolic Syndrome in adults with diabetes mellitus, Hypertension and without Diabetes- Hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We realized a cross-sectional study in patients of both sexes and older than 20 years of the "Hospital General de Zona 1 IMSS" in Colima, Mexico. The variables studied were: age, BMI, waist circumference, cigarette smoking, and family history of diabetes and hypertension, and biochemical parameters, such as glucose, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides. RESULTS: A total of 417 persons were enrolled (170 men and 247 women), with an age average of 53.2 ± 13.4 years (age range, 20 to 86 years). The global frequency of the metabolic syndrome was 52.3 % (56 % in women and 46.4 % in men). While the MS frequency was 50 % in DM2, 42 % in hypertension, 80 % in DM2+hypertension and 28.2 % without DM2 and hypertension. The cigarette smoking frequency was 27.8 %, and it was an important risk factor for the totally of patients with MS, in DM2 and in DM2+hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of MS in adults was 52.3 %, women were the most affected, and cigarette smoking was the most important risk factor.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la frecuencia y factores de riesgo para Síndrome Metabólico (SM) en adultos con Diabetes mellitus, hipertensión arterial y sin diabetes-hipertensión. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio transversal analítico en derechohabientes de ambos sexos y mayores de 20 años de los servicios de consulta externa del HGZ No. 1 IMSS Colima, México. Las variables estudiadas fueron edad, IMC, diámetro de la cintura, grado de escolaridad, estado socioeconómico, grado de actividad física, tabaquismo, antecedentes familiares para diabetes e hipertensión arterial (HTA) y parámetros bioquímicos como glucosa, colesterol HDL, triglicéridos. RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 417 pacientes (170 hombres y 247 mujeres), con un promedio de edad 53,2 ± 13,4 años (intervalo 20 a 86 años). La frecuencia global del SM fue del 52,3 % (56 % mujeres y 46,4 % hombres). Mientras que la frecuencia del SM fue de 50 % en DM2, 42% en HTA, 80 % DM2 + HTA y 28,2 % sin DM o HTA. La frecuencia del tabaquismo fue del 27,8 % y fue un factor de riesgo importante para la totalidad de pacientes con SM, en DM2 y en DM2+HAT. CONCLUSIONES: La frecuencia del SM en adultos fue del 52,3 %, las mujeres fueron más afectadas y el tabaquismo fue el factor de riesgo más importante.

Alergia al néquel manifestada como edema pulmonar no cardiogénico en paciente pos-cierre de comunicación interauricular con dispositivo tipo Amplatzer / Nickel allergy manifested as noncardiogenic pulmonary edema in a patient post-closure of atrial septal defect with Amplatzer device

El cierre percutáneo es la modalidad predilecta para el tratamiento de los defectos septales tipo ostium secundum cuando la anatomía es favorable, y reporta una tasa de éxito excelente así como también un bajo porcentaje de complicaciones. Se presenta el caso de un cierre exitoso de defecto septal tipo ostium secundum con dispositivo tipo Amplatzer en un paciente con antecedente de alergia a metales no detectada previamente, quien presentó edema pulmonar no cardiogénico, fiebre y pericarditis secundarios al níquel del dispositivo, pero tuvo mejoría y evolución satisfactoria con tratamiento médico.

The percutaneous closure of ostium secundum septal defects is the preferred treatment modality when the anatomy is appropriate, as it shows high success and low complication rates. We present a case of a succesful percutaneous closure of an ostium secundum septal defect with an Amplatzer septal occluder device in a patient with an undetected metal allergy which led her to non cardiogenic pulmonary edema, fever and pericarditis related to the nickel contained in the device, with improvement and satisfactory evolution after medical treatment.

Desarrollo de uaa película polimèrica con propiedades antiempañantes / Developmentof a polymeric film with anti-foggfng properties / Desenvolvimentodde uma película polimérica com propriedades de antiembaciamento

En la búsqueda de una película polimérica con óptimas propiedades antiempañantes se seleccionó como matriz polimérica polietileno de baja densidad (LDPE), a la cual se incorporaron por extrusión uno de los siguientes aditivos: polisorbato 80, oleato de sorbitán, monooleato de glicerol y mezcla de glicéridos, cada uno a 3 concentraciones. Para evaluar la eficiencia antiempañante de los empaques se realizaron medidas de tensión superficial, ángulos de contacto, medidas de transmisión de luz y pruebas cualitativas de empañamiento en frío. Los resultados sugieren que la película con mejores propiedades antiempañantes es la que contiene oleato de sorbitán al 1%.

In search of a film with optimal antifogging properties, low density polyethylene (LDPE) was selected as polymeric matrix, and one of the following four additives were incorporated into the film by an extrusion process: polysorbate 80, sorbitan oleate, glycerol monooleate and glyceride mixture, each of them in 3 different concentrations. Measures of surface tension, light transmission, contact angles, and qualitative cold fogging test were made to assess the efficiency of fog resistant in all packages. The results suggest that the film with sorbitan oleate (1%) presents the best antifogging properties.

Na procura de uma película polimèrica com ótimas propriedades antiembaciamento, selecionou-se como matriz polimèrica polietileno de baixa densidade (LDPE) e, através de uma extrusão, incorporou-se um dos seguintes os aditivos polisorbarto 80, oleato de sorbitan, mono-oleato de glicerol e mistura de glicerídeos cada um em três concentrações diferentes. Para avaliar a eficiência antiembaciamento das películas se realizaram as medidas de tensão superficial, ângulos de contato, medidas de transmissão de luz e provas qualitativas de antiembaciamento em frio. Os resultados sugerem que a película que contèm o oleato de sorbitan 1% tem as melhores propriedades antiembaciamento.

Implicaciones terapéuticas de los conflictos cognitivos / Therapeutic implications of cognitive conflicts

El objetivo de este estudio es presentar algunas implicaciones clínicas, en particular con respecto a laformulación de hipótesis en psicoterapia, del trabajo con conflictos cognitivos. Desarrollamos un métodosistemático para la detección de estos conflictos basados en la técnica de la rejilla y elaboramos las implicaciones para el proceso terapéutico que sirven como base de un método de análisis de conflictos...

Implicaciones terapéuticas de los conflictos cognitivos / Therapeutic implications of cognitive conflicts

El objetivo de este estudio es presentar algunas implicaciones clínicas, en particular con respecto a laformulación de hipótesis en psicoterapia, del trabajo con conflictos cognitivos. Desarrollamos un métodosistemático para la detección de estos conflictos basados en la técnica de la rejilla y elaboramos las implicaciones para el proceso terapéutico que sirven como base de un método de análisis de conflictos...(AU)