Nanomedicina para enfrentar la pandemia de COVID-19: un análisis bibliométrico de las publicaciones de Web of Science con la herramienta Bibliometrix de R / Nanomedicine in the struggle against COVID-19: a bibliometric analysis of Web of Science publications with the R-tool Bibliometrix

La enfermedad de COVID-19, a poco más de un año de su aparición, ha provocado más de 2 000 000 de muertes y más de 100 000 000 de contagios a nivel mundial. Ante esta situación, científicos de varias disciplinas han trabajado arduamente para luchar contra ella. Una de las disciplinas involucradas en la investigación sobre COVID-19 es la nanomedicina, que se define como la aplicación de la nanotecnología en medicina. El objetivo de este trabajo es explorar, mediante un análisis bibliométrico, la producción científica sobre nanomedicina aplicada a la COVID-19. Se realizó una búsqueda de publicaciones en Web of Science para el período 2019 - 2021, la cual abarcó cinco áreas de la nanomedicina: administración de fármacos, fármacos y terapia, imagenología in vivo, biosensores y biomateriales. Los datos obtenidos de Web of Science se procesaron en Bibliometrix, una herramienta de código abierto, programada en lenguaje R, que sirve para hacer análisis bibliométricos. Se encontraron 155 publicaciones, las cuales en su mayoría son artículos y revisiones de literatura. Más del 70 por ciento de estas se concentraron en las áreas de administración de fármacos y biosensores. Las revistas científicas donde se han publicado más artículos son ACS Nano, Biosensors & Bioelectronics y Nanomaterials. Los países con mayor producción científica son Estados Unidos, India y China. Las contribuciones más relevantes de la nanomedicina en la lucha contra la COVID-19 son el desarrollo de nanovacunas y el diseño de biosensores nanoestructurados para el diagnóstico(AU)

In the period barely exceeding one year elapsed after its emergence, COVID-19 has caused more than 100 000 000 contagions and more than 2 000 000 deaths worldwide. Faced with this situation, scientists from various disciplines have arduously struggled against the disease. One of the disciplines involved in research about COVID-19 is nanomedicine, which is defined as the medical application of nanotechnology. The purpose of the study was to describe the current status of research about COVID-19 oriented nanomedicine through a bibliometric analysis. A search was conducted for Web of Science publications from the period 2019-2021, covering five nanomedicine areas: 1) drug administration, 2) drugs and therapy, 3) in vivo imaging, 4) biosensors and 5) biomaterials. The data obtained from Web of Science were processed with Bibliometrix, an open code tool programmed in R-language useful for bibliometric analysis. A total 155 publications were found, most of which were articles and literature reviews. More than 70percent of the publications dealt with drug administration and biosensors. The scientific journals publishing the largest number of articles were ACS Nano, Biosensors & Bioelectronics and Nanomaterials. The countries with the largest scientific production were the United States, India and China. The most relevant contributions of nanomedicine to the struggle against COVID-19 are the development of nano vaccines and the design of nanostructured biosensors for diagnosis.

Pheochromocytoma-Induced Takotsubo Syndrome Treated With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Beware of the Apical Sparing Pattern.

A 45-year-old female presents with suspected acute myocardial infarction with cardiogenic shock requiring mechanical circulatory support. Pheochromocytoma-induced atypical Takotsubo syndrome is diagnosed. Clinicians should suspect high catecholamine states as a cause of the basal subtype of atypical Takotsubo syndrome. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).

Patents and Nanotechnology Innovation in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: This paper examines nanotechnology patents in Mexico to gain some insights into: a) the growth of patents over the last twenty years; b) the distribution of assignee patents between private and public institutions; b) the economic sectors engaged in nanotechnology R&D; and, c) whether R&D is oriented to basic research or more applied science and engineering. METHOD: The present research employs the DG concordance system. This approach establishes a procedure to match patents according to their potential use in economic sectors. The research incorporates a two-stage approach, each involving a different method: capturing basic information from Mexican nanotechnology patents; and, establishing concordance with economic sectors. RESULTS: 217 patents were identified; 153 were analyzed. Private companies and individuals registered 30 %. The largest concentration (41%) is found in the economic sector "Manufacture of Chemicals and Chemical Products". Most patents are located in basic research. There are virtually no patents related to the final place in the value chain (final products) or to nanotechnology instruments. CONCLUSION: The article provides an overview of nanotechnology in Mexico in terms of quantity and institutional allocation of patents; also with the economic sectors with which they are associated, and the relation with the place in a value chain. Patent concentration in public academic institutions suggests a lack of nanotechnology research and development capacity in firms. Most patents are related to electronics, an economic sector with significant development in the country.

Importance of clothing removal in scalds.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that prompt removal of clothing after scalds lessens the severity of injury. METHODS: This experimental study and case series was carried out in the Burn Centre of a tertiary hospital in Hong Kong. An experimental burn model using Allevyn (Smith & Nephew Medical Limited, Hull, England) as a skin substitute was designed to test the effect of delayed clothing removal on skin temperature using hot water and congee. Data of patients admitted with scalding by congee over a 10-year period (January 2005 to December 2014) were also studied. RESULTS: A significant reduction in the temperature of the skin model following a hot water scald was detected only if clothing was removed within the first 10 seconds of injury. With congee scalds, the temperature of the skin model progressively increased with further delay in clothing removal. During the study period, 35 patients were admitted with congee scalds to our unit via the emergency department. The majority were children. Definite conclusions supporting the importance of clothing removal could not be drawn due to our small sample size. Nonetheless, our data suggest that appropriate prehospital burn management can reduce patient morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Prompt removal of clothing after scalding by congee may reduce post-burn morbidity.

Multidisciplinary vascular malformations clinic in Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVE: To review clinical characteristics, imaging modalities, and treatment outcomes of patients referred to a multidisciplinary clinic for management of vascular malformations. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Multidisciplinary vascular malformation out-patient referral clinic in a teaching hospital in Hong Kong. PATIENTS: The 141 attendees of the clinic from August 2005 to November 2011. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Management and treatments offered, and responses to treatment. RESULTS: Of the 141 patients, 46% were diagnosed to have low-flow vascular malformations, 16% were diagnosed to have high-flow vascular malformations, and 15% were diagnosed to have a haemangioma. Prior to attending the clinic, approximately one third (32%) of the patients had a clinical diagnosis that was consistent with the final diagnosis. Overall, the radiological and clinical diagnoses were consistent in 43% of the patients. Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography were the most commonly used imaging modalities. Of the 73 patients who received active treatment, 70% had a good response, 12% had minimal improvement, 8% had no change, and 7% had a recurrence or a major complication; in 3% of the patients the outcome was unknown. CONCLUSION: From this retrospective case series, it is evident that confusion still exists over vascular malformations and haemangiomas. Multidisciplinary clinics have a role in providing an accurate diagnosis and facilitating appropriate management and treatment plans. Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography had demonstrable utility in determining the extent of the lesions and flow type.

Analgesic effects of preoperative gabapentin after tongue reconstruction with the anterolateral thigh flap.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate gabapentin's role in head and neck cancer surgery following the demonstration of the effectiveness of gabapentin in reducing postoperative pain. DESIGN: Non-randomised open-label trial. SETTING: Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain scores, analgesic usage, and the frequency of adverse effects. PATIENTS: In patients undergoing anterolateral thigh flap reconstruction after resection of tongue carcinoma, those who had an oral dose of gabapentin before surgery were compared to those who did not. RESULTS: Postoperative pain was reduced in the gabapentin group (1.2) compared to the control group (1.7) [P=0.05]. In the gabapentin group, mean morphine (patient-controlled analgesia) use (3.5 mg), sedation scores (1.0), and antiemetic usage (0 mg metoclopramide) were all significantly reduced in comparison to the controls with respective figures of 11.4 mg, 1.6, and 12.2 mg. CONCLUSION: Single preoperative doses of gabapentin led to significant reductions in postoperative pain and nausea with reduced analgesic and antiemetic usage, without additional side-effects or increases in operative complications.