Years of life lost to COVID-19 in 49 countries: A gender- and life cycle-based analysis of the first two years of the pandemic.

Specific mortality rates have been widely used to monitor the main impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, a more meaningful measure is the Years of Life Lost (YLL) due to the disease, considering it takes into account the premature nature of each death. We estimated the YLL due to COVID-19 between January 2020 and December 2021 in 49 countries for which information was available, developing an analytical method that mathematically refines that proposed by the World Health Organization. We then calculated YLL rates overall, as well as by sex and life cycle. Additionally, we estimated the national cost-effective budgets required to manage COVID-19 from a health system perspective. During the two years of analysis, we estimated that 85.6 million years of life were lost due to COVID-19 in the 49 countries studied. However, due to a lack of data, we were unable to analyze the burden of COVID-19 in about 75% of the countries in the world. We found no difference in the magnitude of YLL rates by gender but did find differences according to life cycle, with older adults contributing the greatest burden of YLL. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a significant burden of disease, which has varied between countries. However, due to the lack of quality and disaggregated data, it has been difficult to monitor and compare the pandemic internationally. Therefore, it is imperative to strengthen health information systems in order to prepare for future pandemics as well as to evaluate their impacts.

Bacillus subtilis KM0 Impacts gut Microbiota Profile and Transcription of Genes Related to Transcellular Transport in Zebrafish (Danio rerio).

It is known that probiotic microorganisms play important roles in the composition of the intestinal microbiota. Also, probiotics can affect the paracellular and transcellular transport mechanisms performed by intestinal cells. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the potential probiotic Bacillus subtilis KM0 on the profile of the gut microbiota and transcription of genes related to intestinal transport of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Zebrafish was exposed by immersion to B. subtilis KM0 for 48 h, and the intestines were collected for metataxonomic analysis and transcription of genes related to transcellular and paracellular transports. Although exposure to B. subtilis changed the intestinal microbiota profile of zebrafish, the diversity indices were not altered. A decrease in the number of genera of potentially pathogenic bacteria (Flavobacterium, Plesiomonas, and Pseudomonas) and downregulation in transcription of transcellular transport genes (cubn and amn) were observed. B. subtilis KM0 strain had the expected probiotic effect, by interfering with the proliferation of potentially pathogenic bacteria and decreasing the transcription of genes codifying for signals involved with a mechanism that can be used for invasion by pathogens. The present study demonstrated that, even with a short-term exposure, a bacterium with probiotic potential such as the KM0 strain of B. subtilis can modify the profile of the host's intestinal microbiota, with an impact on the regulation of intestinal genes related to mechanisms that can be used for invasion by pathogenic bacteria.

Statistical actuarial estimation of the Capitation Payment Unit from copula functions and deep learning: historical comparability analysis for the Colombian health system, 2015-2021.

The Capitation Payment Unit (CPU) financing mechanism constitutes more than 70% of health spending in Colombia, with a budget allocation of close to 60 trillion Colombian pesos for the year 2022 (approximately 15.7 billion US dollars). This article estimates actuarially, using modern techniques, the CPU for the contributory regime of the General System of Social Security in Health in Colombia, and compares it with what is estimated by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection. Using freely available information systems, by means of statistical copulas functions and artificial neural networks, pure risk premiums are calculated between 2015 and 2021. The study concludes that the weights by risk category are systematically different, showing historical pure premiums surpluses in the group of 0-1 years and deficits (for the regions normal and cities) in the groups over 54 years of age.

Release of simvastatin from scaffolds of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid and biphasic ceramic designed for bone tissue regeneration.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the release of simvastatin from scaffolds composed of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) and biphasic ceramic designed for bone engineering and to assess the physico-chemical and mechanical properties of the scaffolds. Samples with 30% and 70% porosity were obtained with 0, 2, 5, and 8 wt %. of simvastatin through the solvent evaporation technique and leaching of sucrose particles. Scaffold degradation and simvastatin release were evaluated in phosphate-buffered saline. Scaffolds were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and microtomography for two-dimensional and three-dimensional morphological characterization of the porosity, connectivity, and intrinsic permeability. The mechanical characterization was conducted based on the compressive strength and the chemical characterization by differential scanning calorimetry and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Gradual and prolonged simvastatin release from the scaffolds was observed. The release followed the Korsmeyer kinetics model with the predominance of case II transport for 30% porosity scaffolds, and anomalous behavior for the 70% porosity samples. Simvastatin release was also influenced by the slow scaffold degradation due to the strong chemical interaction between simvastatin and PLGA, as observed by differential scanning calorimetry. The scaffolds presented spherical and sucrose crystal-shaped pores that resulted in a homogenous porosity, with a predominance of open pores, ensuring interconnectivity. Simvastatin incorporation into the scaffolds and increased porosity did not influence the mechanical properties. The scaffolds presented gradual and prolonged simvastatin release, with satisfactory physico-chemical and mechanical properties. The scaffolds presented gradual and prolonged simvastatin release, with satisfactory physico-chemical and mechanical properties, a promise for applications in bone regeneration. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 2152-2164, 2019.

Distrações e interrupções no preparo e na administração de medicamentos em unidades de internação hospitalar / Distractions and interruptions in medication preparation and administration in inpatient units

Objetivou-se identificar as distrações e as interrupções durante o preparo e a administração de medicamentos pela equipe de enfermagem em unidades de internação médico-cirúrgica. Trata-se de estudo quantitativo, do tipo transversal com técnica de observação sistemática para a coleta de dados. Observou-se 342 preparos e 364 administrações de medicamentos. Foram identificadas 252 distrações, a maioria ocorreu durante o preparo de medicamentos, esteve relacionado à conversa paralela e a equipe de enfermagem foi a maior fonte. As interrupções ocorreram em 111 momentos, semelhantemente às distrações ocorreram em sua maioria no preparo dos medicamentos, a conversa paralela foi a principal causa e foi iniciada por terceiros (profissionais da equipe de enfermagem e outros, pacientes e acompanhantes). Tais eventos interferem na segurança do paciente e na qualidade do ambiente de trabalho, importantes de se abordar nos currículos dos cursos dos profissionais de saúde e no planejamento estratégico das instituições de saúde.

The objective was to identify distractions and interruptions during medication preparation and administration by the nursing staff in medical-surgical inpatient units. This is a quantitative, cross-sectional study in which the systematic observation technique was used for data collection. In total, were observed 342 preparations and 364 administrations of medication, with identification of 252 distractions that occurred mostly during drug preparation, related to parallel conversation, and the nursing staff was the largest source. Interruptions occurred in 111 moments, mostly during medication preparation, parallel conversation was the main cause and initiated by third parties (professionals of the nursing team and others, patients and caregivers). Such events interfere with patient safety and the quality of the work environment. It is important to address this topic in the curriculum of health professionals' courses and in the strategic planning of health institutions.

Actions of the fall prevention protocol: mapping with the classification of nursing interventions.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the correspondence between the actions contained in the fall prevention protocol of the Ministry of Health and the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) by a cross-mapping. METHOD: this is a descriptive study carried out in four stages: protocol survey, identification of NIC interventions related to nursing diagnosis, the risk of falls, cross-mapping, and validation of the mapping from the Delphi technique. RESULTS: there were 51 actions identified in the protocol and 42 interventions in the NIC. Two rounds of mapping evaluation were carried out by the experts. There were 47 protocol actions corresponding to 25 NIC interventions. The NIC interventions that presented the highest correspondence with protocol actions were: fall prevention, environmental-safety control, and risk identification. Regarding the classification of similarity and comprehensiveness of the 47 actions of the protocol mapped, 44.7% were considered more detailed and specific than the NIC, 29.8% less specific than the NIC and 25.5% were classified as similar in significance to the NIC. CONCLUSION: most of the actions contained in the protocol are more specific and detailed, however, the NIC contemplates a greater diversity of interventions and may base a review of the protocol to increase actions related to falls prevention..

The use of infrared images to detect ticks in cattle and proposal of an algorithm for quantifying the infestation.

This paper presents a study on the use of low resolution infrared images to detect ticks in cattle. Emphasis is given to the main factors that influence the quality of the captured images, as well as to the actions that can increase the amount of information conveyed by these images. In addition, a new automatic method for analyzing the images and counting the ticks is introduced. The proposed algorithm relies only on color transformations and simple mathematical morphology operations, thus being easy to implement and computationally light. Tests were carried out using a large database containing images of the neck and hind end of the animals. It was observed that the proposed algorithm is very effective in detecting ticks visible in the images, even if the contrast with the background is not high. On the other hand, due to both intrinsic and extrinsic factors, the thermographic images used in this study did not always succeed in creating enough contrast between ticks and cattle's hair coat. Although these problems can be mitigated by following some directives, currently only rough estimates for tick counts can be achieved using infrared images with low spatial resolution.

Actions of the fall prevention protocol: mapping with the classification of nursing interventions / Ações do protocolo prevenção de quedas: mapeamento com a classificação de intervenções de enfermagem / Acciones del protocolo de prevención de caídas: levantamiento con la clasificación de intervenciones de enfermería

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the correspondence between the actions contained in the fall prevention protocol of the Ministry of Health and the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) by a cross-mapping. Method: this is a descriptive study carried out in four stages: protocol survey, identification of NIC interventions related to nursing diagnosis, the risk of falls, cross-mapping, and validation of the mapping from the Delphi technique. Results: there were 51 actions identified in the protocol and 42 interventions in the NIC. Two rounds of mapping evaluation were carried out by the experts. There were 47 protocol actions corresponding to 25 NIC interventions. The NIC interventions that presented the highest correspondence with protocol actions were: fall prevention, environmental-safety control, and risk identification. Regarding the classification of similarity and comprehensiveness of the 47 actions of the protocol mapped, 44.7% were considered more detailed and specific than the NIC, 29.8% less specific than the NIC and 25.5% were classified as similar in significance to the NIC. Conclusion: most of the actions contained in the protocol are more specific and detailed, however, the NIC contemplates a greater diversity of interventions and may base a review of the protocol to increase actions related to falls prevention..

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar a correspondência entre as ações contidas no protocolo de prevenção de quedas do Ministério da Saúde com a Classificação de Intervenções de Enfermagem (NIC) por meio do mapeamento cruzado. Método: estudo descritivo realizado em quatro etapas: levantamento de ações do protocolo; identificação das intervenções NIC relacionadas ao diagnóstico de enfermagem risco de quedas; mapeamento cruzado; e validação do mapeamento a partir da técnica Delphi. Resultados: foram identificadas 51 ações no protocolo e 42 intervenções na NIC. Foram realizadas duas rodadas de avaliação do mapeamento pelos peritos. Houve correspondência de 47 ações do protocolo com 25 intervenções NIC. As intervenções NIC que apresentaram maior correspondência com ações do protocolo foram: prevenção contra quedas, controle do ambiente-segurança e identificação de risco. Quanto à classificação de semelhança e abrangência, das 47 ações do protocolo mapeadas, 44,7% foram consideradas mais detalhadas e específicas do que a NIC, 29,8% menos específicas que a NIC e 25,5% foram classificadas como similares em significado à NIC. Conclusão: a maioria das ações contidas no protocolo é mais específica e detalhada, contudo a NIC contempla maior diversidade de intervenções e pode fundamentar uma revisão do protocolo para ampliação das ações relacionadas à prevenção de quedas.

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar la correspondencia entre las acciones contenidas en el protocolo prevención de caídas del Ministerio de la Salud con la Clasificación de Intervenciones de Enfermería (NIC) por medio del mapeo cruzado. Método: estudio descriptivo realizado en cuatro etapas: levantamiento de acciones del protocolo, identificación de las interveciones NIC relacionadas al diagnóstico de enfermería riesgo de caídas, mapeo cruzado y validación del mapeo a partir de la técnica Delphi. Resultados: fueron identificadas 51 acciones en el protocolo y 42 intervenciones en la NIC. Fueron realizadas dos rodadas de evaluaciones del mapeo por los peritos. Hubo correspondencia de 47 acciones del protocolo con 25 intervenciones NIC. Las intervenciones NIC que presentaron mayor correspondencia con acciones del protocolo fueron: prevención contra caídas, control del ambiente-seguridad e identificación de riesgo. Sobre la clasificación de semejanza y abrangencia de las 47 aciones del protocolo levantadas, 44,7% fueron consideradas más detalladas y específicas de lo que la NIC, 29,8% menos específicas que la NIC y 25,5% fueron clasificadas como similares en significado a la NIC. Conclusión: la mayoría de las acciones contenidas en el protocolo es más específica y detallada, com todo, la NIC contempla mayor diversidad de intervenciones y puede fundamentar una revisión del protocolo para ampliación de las acciones relacionadas a la prevención de caídas.