Alteration of Gut Microbiota Composition in the Progression of Liver Damage in Patients with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD).

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a complex disorder whose prevalence is rapidly growing in South America. The disturbances in the microbiota-gut-liver axis impact the liver damaging processes toward fibrosis. Gut microbiota status is shaped by dietary and lifestyle factors, depending on geographic location. We aimed to identify microbial signatures in a group of Chilean MASLD patients. Forty subjects were recruited, including healthy controls (HCs), overweight/obese subjects (Ow/Ob), patients with MASLD without fibrosis (MASLD/F-), and MASLD with fibrosis (MASLD/F+). Both MASLD and fibrosis were detected through elastography and/or biopsy, and fecal microbiota were analyzed through deep sequencing. Despite no differences in α- and ß-diversity among all groups, a higher abundance of Bilophila and a lower presence of Defluviitaleaceae, Lachnospiraceae ND3007, and Coprobacter was found in MASLD/F- and MASLD/F+, compared to HC. Ruminococcaceae UCG-013 and Sellimonas were more abundant in MASLD/F+ than in Ow/Ob; both significantly differed between MASLD/F- and MASLD/F+, compared to HC. Significant positive correlations were observed between liver stiffness and Bifidobacterium, Prevotella, Sarcina, and Acidaminococcus abundance. Our results show that MASLD is associated with changes in bacterial taxa that are known to be involved in bile acid metabolism and SCFA production, with some of them being more specifically linked to fibrosis.

Characterization of content associated with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer individuals in Chilean medical schools: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, and other sexual and gender identities (LGBTIQ+) individuals face health inequities. Additionally, medical students report a lack of confidence in providing specific health care to LGBTIQ + individuals, and medical schools do not offer the breadth and depth of coverage needed to fully prepare and make them comfortable in caring for these individuals. This study aims to characterize the teaching of curricular content related to LGBTIQ + health issues in medical schools in Chile. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional descriptive mixed-methods study based on a 15-question survey sent to school directors of the 24 medical schools in Chile, conducted between October 2020 and July 2021. The questions included in the study were mostly based on two pre-existing questionnaires covering content, assessment methods, and identification of barriers to teaching this content. RESULTS: The validated questionnaire was answered by 14 of 24 Chilean medical schools, with 11 schools (78.9%) declaring that they included some training in their curriculum. The predominant range of time allocated to LGBTIQ + training in medical programs was between 1 and 5 h. The most addressed topics were HIV (92.85%), sexual orientation (78.57%), and chronic disease risk in LGBTIQ + populations (78.57%). Most schools, accounting for 71.5%, considered the content they delivered to be "moderately insufficient" or "insufficient". Regarding the teaching methodologies, the most used were lectures (92.8%), clinical cases (42.9%), and clinical simulation (28.6%). CONCLUSION: Most surveyed medical schools reported curricular spaces dedicated to teaching health issues of LGBTIQ + individuals, primarily during the pre-internship training period. However, the time allocated is insufficient, and there is little approach to topics beyond the patient's sexual history or sexual orientation. Given the crucial role of medical schools, they must adopt both local and national strategies to enrich training focused on the care of LGBTIQ + patients.

The immune response as a therapeutic target in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complex and heterogeneous disorder considered a liver-damaging manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Its prevalence has increased in the last decades due to modern-day lifestyle factors associated with overweight and obesity, making it a relevant public health problem worldwide. The clinical progression of NAFLD is associated with advanced forms of liver injury such as fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As such, diverse pharmacological strategies have been implemented over the last few years, principally focused on metabolic pathways involved in NAFLD progression. However, a variable response rate has been observed in NAFLD patients, which is explained by the interindividual heterogeneity of susceptibility to liver damage. In this scenario, it is necessary to search for different therapeutic approaches. It is worth noting that chronic low-grade inflammation constitutes a central mechanism in the pathogenesis and progression of NAFLD, associated with abnormal composition of the intestinal microbiota, increased lymphocyte activation in the intestine and immune effector mechanisms in liver. This review aims to discuss the current knowledge about the role of the immune response in NAFLD development. We have focused mainly on the impact of altered gut-liver-microbiota axis communication on immune cell activation in the intestinal mucosa and the role of subsequent lymphocyte homing to the liver in NAFLD development. We further discuss novel clinical trials that addressed the control of the liver and intestinal immune response to complement current NAFLD therapies.

Assessing student perceptions of the clinical teachers' performance during early clinical exposure.

BACKGROUND: The clinical teachers' attributes can be grouped into physician competencies, teacher competencies, and personal characteristics. Global performance is considered the clinical teacher's capacity to facilitate an active and stimulating learning process for medical students and a warm, supportive, and pleasant environment. AIM: To determine which attributes of the clinical teacher influence their global performance from the students' point of view. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Role Model Apperception Tool questionnaire (RoMAT) was answered by 133 second-year medical students at the University of Chile during 2018. RESULTS: The students assessed 37 clinical teachers. Teaching competencies had the higher influence in global performance. Personal characteristics also had a significant influence. Physician competencies had an indirect influence on teaching competencies. The model obtained 88% of the explained variance of the teacher's global performance. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that teacher competencies, personal characteristics, and physician competencies are qualities that influence the perception of the global performance of clinical teachers.

Assessing student perceptions of the clinical teachers' performance during early clinical exposure / Evaluación de la percepción de los estudiantes acerca de los atributos de sus tutores en los primeros cursos clínicos

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The clinical teachers' attributes can be grouped into physician competencies, teacher competencies, and personal characteristics. Global performance is considered the clinical teacher's capacity to facilitate an active and stimulating learning process for medical students and a warm, supportive, and pleasant environment. AIM: To determine which attributes of the clinical teacher influence their global performance from the students' point of view. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Role Model Apperception Tool questionnaire (RoMAT) was answered by 133 second-year medical students at the University of Chile during 2018. RESULTS: The students assessed 37 clinical teachers. Teaching competencies had the higher influence in global performance. Personal characteristics also had a significant influence. Physician competencies had an indirect influence on teaching competencies. The model obtained 88% of the explained variance of the teacher's global performance. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that teacher competencies, personal characteristics, and physician competencies are qualities that influence the perception of the global performance of clinical teachers.

ANTECEDENTES: Los atributos de un tutor clínico pueden agruparse en competencias clínicas, competencias docentes y características personales. En el desempeño global del tutor se considera su capacidad de facilitar un proceso de aprendizaje activo y estimulante y generar un ambiente cálido y de soporte. OBJETIVO: Determinar qué atributos del tutor clínico, evaluados por los estudiantes, influyen sobre su desempeño global. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: La escala "Role Model Apperception Tool" fue contestada por 133 estudiantes de segundo año de medicina en la Universidad de Chile durante el 2018. RESULTADOS: Los estudiantes evaluaron 37 tutores clínicos. Las competencias docentes tuvieron la mayor influencia sobre el desempeño global. Las características personales también mostraron influencia significativa. Las competencias clínicas influyeron indirectamente a través de las competencias docentes. El modelo logró explicar 88% de la varianza del desempeño global del tutor clínico. CONCLUSIONES: El estudio muestra que las competencias docentes, características personales y competencias clínicas influyen sobre la evaluación de los estudiantes sobre el desempeño global del tutor.

Determinants of the intention to speak up about medical error in primary healthcare settings in Chile.

Medical error frequently occurs in ambulatory care, and healthcare professionals may encounter situations in which they need to speak up to ensure better practice. This study aims to investigate the factors that influenced the intention to speak up about medical errors among healthcare professionals in primary care settings. Data were generated through a national cross-sectional survey of primary healthcare centres in the Republic of Chile. A research instrument was designed using the constructs of the theory of planned behaviour and was analysed using the structural equation model technique. In total, 203 healthcare professionals were recruited between March and May 2020. The model showed that the intention to speak up was directly and positively influenced by attitudes towards speaking up and perceived control (standard deviation [SD] = 0.284 and 0.576, respectively). Subjective norms indirectly and negatively influenced the intention to speak up through attitudes towards speaking up and perceived control (total effect SD = -0.303). The exploratory construct of willingness to change self-behaviour positively influenced the attitude towards behaviour. The intention to speak up strongly influenced the speaking up behaviour (total effect SD = 0.631). The proposed model explained 40% of the variance in behaviour. Based on this model, it was concluded that the intention to speak up strongly influenced the speaking up behaviour and predicted it by 40%. Factors that modify the intention to speak up are expected to influence the occurrence of this behaviour. This knowledge will inform strategies to enhance communication among healthcare professionals, improve speaking up behaviour and improve patient care.

[Experiences of medical students belonging to sexual and gender diversity: a systematic review]. / Las experiencias de los estudiantes de medicina LGBTQ+ durante su formación: Una revisión sistemática.

BACKGROUND: Students belonging to sexual and gender diversity experience chronic stress due to stigmatization and discrimination. AIM: To identify the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual, and queer (LGBTQ+) medical students. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Systematic literature review using the PRISMA protocol in PubMed, ERIC, EMBASE, and LILACS databases. Articles published in Spanish or English were considered. Three authors independently reviewed and synthesized information from the selected articles, according to the PRISMA criteria. RESULTS: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Forty-three experiences were reported, which were finally classified into four categories: i) Relationship between peers in the educational context (23%), ii) Relationship between students and teachers in the educational context (23%), iii) Relationship with the educational institution (34%), and iv) Curriculum and training experience (19%). The relationship with the educational institution was identified as the most relevant category. Students with a strong sense of belonging to their institution were more likely to be persistent and make an effort in learning. The second most relevant experiences, mainly negative, derive from interactions with peers and teachers. CONCLUSIONS: LGBTQ+ medical students still experience more discrimination than inclusion during their training. Therefore, medical schools should render medical education a more inclusive space for the LGBTQ+ population.

Las experiencias de los estudiantes de medicina LGBTQ+ durante su formación: Una revisión sistemática / Experiences of medical students belonging to sexual and gender diversity: a systematic review

Background: Students belonging to sexual and gender diversity experience chronic stress due to stigmatization and discrimination. Aim: To identify the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual, and queer (LGBTQ+) medical students. Material and Methods: Systematic literature review using the PRISMA protocol in PubMed, ERIC, EMBASE, and LILACS databases. Articles published in Spanish or English were considered. Three authors independently reviewed and synthesized information from the selected articles, according to the PRISMA criteria. Results: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Forty-three experiences were reported, which were finally classified into four categories: i) Relationship between peers in the educational context (23%), ii) Relationship between students and teachers in the educational context (23%), iii) Relationship with the educational institution (34%), and iv) Curriculum and training experience (19%). The relationship with the educational institution was identified as the most relevant category. Students with a strong sense of belonging to their institution were more likely to be persistent and make an effort in learning. The second most relevant experiences, mainly negative, derive from interactions with peers and teachers. Conclusions: LGBTQ+ medical students still experience more discrimination than inclusion during their training. Therefore, medical schools should render medical education a more inclusive space for the LGBTQ+ population.

Los atributos de un tutor clínico de excelencia: una revisión sistemática

Knowing what characterizes an excellent teacher is relevant to guide training, evaluation, and continuous improvement of the clinical teacher. We performed a systematic review using the PRISMA protocol, aiming to identify the attributes of an excellent clinical teacher. MEDLINE, ERIC, ScienceDirect, and Scopus databases were searched for articles published in English and Spanish, between 2007 and 2019. Two independent reviewers extracted and synthesized data from articles that met the PRISMA pre-established criteria. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Of the 106 attributes reported by the studies, 49 (46,2%) were generic. The most frequently mentioned attribute was respectfulness. Forty-six attributes (43,3%) were pedagogical. Feedback and planning were those most frequently mentioned. Eleven attributes (10,3%) were disciplinary and clinical skills was the most mentioned. We conclude that generic and pedagogical dimensions had a greater representation in the literature, in comparison with the disciplinary dimension. This could be explained, considering that having adequate clinical skills is the minimal necessary requisite to become a clinical teacher, but does not make a difference in how their performance is perceived, contrary to the generic and pedagogical dimensions.

[A systematic review about the most important attributes of clinical teachers]. / Los atributos de un tutor clínico de excelencia: una revisión sistemática.

Knowing what characterizes an excellent teacher is relevant to guide training, evaluation, and continuous improvement of the clinical teacher. We performed a systematic review using the PRISMA protocol, aiming to identify the attributes of an excellent clinical teacher. MEDLINE, ERIC, ScienceDirect, and Scopus databases were searched for articles published in English and Spanish, between 2007 and 2019. Two independent reviewers extracted and synthesized data from articles that met the PRISMA pre-established criteria. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Of the 106 attributes reported by the studies, 49 (46,2%) were generic. The most frequently mentioned attribute was respectfulness. Forty-six attributes (43,3%) were pedagogical. Feedback and planning were those most frequently mentioned. Eleven attributes (10,3%) were disciplinary and clinical skills was the most mentioned. We conclude that generic and pedagogical dimensions had a greater representation in the literature, in comparison with the disciplinary dimension. This could be explained, considering that having adequate clinical skills is the minimal necessary requisite to become a clinical teacher, but does not make a difference in how their performance is perceived, contrary to the generic and pedagogical dimensions.