Association of TLR8 Variants in Sex-Based Clinical Differences in Patients with COVID-19.

The host immune response might confer differential vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8), could participated for severe COVID-19 outcomes. To investigated the relationship of TLR8 rs3764879-C/G, rs3764880-A/G, and rs3761624-A/G with COVID-19 outcomes and with biochemical parameters. A cross-sectional study of 830 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients was performed, and classified into mild, severe, critical, and deceased outcomes. The TLR8 rs3764879-C/G, rs3764880-A/G, and rs3761624-A/G polymorphisms were genotyped. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determinate the association with COVID-19. A stratified analysis was by alleles was done with clinical and metabolic markets. In all outcomes, men presented the highest ferritin levels compared to women (P < 0.001). LDH levels were significantly different between sex in mild (P = 0.003), severe (P < 0.001) and deceased (P = 0.01) COVID-19 outcomes. The GGG haplotype showed an Odds Ratio of 1.55 (Interval Confidence 95% 1.05-2.32; P = 0.03) in men. Among patients with severe outcome, we observed that the carriers of the GGG haplotype had lower Ferritin, C-reactive protein and LDH levels than the CAA carriers (P < 0.01). After further stratified by sex, these associations were also seen in the male patients, except for D-dimer. Interestingly, among men patients, we could observe associations between TLR8 haplotypes and Ferritin (P < 0.001), D-dimer (P = 0.04), C-reactive protein, and Lactate dehydrogenase in mild (P = 0.04) group. Our results suggest that even though TLR8 haplotypes show a significant association with COVID-19 outcomes, they are associated with clinical markers in COVID-19 severity.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide exerts an osteoinductive effect in human mesenchymal stem cells.

Several neuropeptides present in bone tissues, produced by nerve fibers and bone cells, have been reported to play a role in regulating the fine-tuning of osteoblast and osteoclast functions to maintain bone homeostasis. This study aims to characterize the influence of the neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on the differentiation process of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into osteoblasts and on their anabolic function. We describe the mRNA and protein expression profile of VIP and its receptors in MSCs as they differentiate into osteoblasts, suggesting the presence of an autocrine signaling pathway in these cells. Our findings reveal that VIP enhances the expression of early osteoblast markers in MSCs under osteogenic differentiation and favors both bone matrix formation and proper cytoskeletal reorganization. Finally, our data suggest that VIP could be exerting a direct modulatory role on the osteoblast to osteoclast signaling by downregulating the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand/osteoprotegerin ratio. These results highlight the potential of VIP as an osteoinductive differentiation factor, emerging as a key molecule in the maintenance of human bone homeostasis.

Role of nutritional therapy on dietary habits and glycemic control in insulin-treated kidney transplant patients with diabetes.

AIMS: To evaluate the effect of nutritional therapy on glycemic compensation and key cardio-renal risk markers in patients with diabetes and kidney transplant, on insulin treatment by Multiple Daily Injection (MDI) or Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII). METHODS: 34 patients with diabetes on insulin treatment and kidney transplant recipients were enrolled;12 participated in the structured nutritional program (intervention group), 22 patients (control group) did not receive nutritional protocol. Both groups were then divided into subgroups according to the method of insulin administration (MDI and CSII). RESULTS: Statistically significant reduction in fasting blood glucose values, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and glycosuria were observed in both groups at the end of the study. The intervention group, significantly reduced total cholesterolemia and the glycemic index, together with reduced dietary intake of lipids, cholesterol, soluble carbohydrates and increased consumption of carbohydrates and fiber. These improvements were even more pronounced in patients treated with CSII. CONCLUSIONS: A proper nutritional approach optimize glycometabolic outcomes and contribute significantly to the reduction of the major cardiovascular risk factors in renal transplant patients.

The fatal contribution of serine protease-related genetic variants to COVID-19 outcomes.

Introduction: Serine proteases play a critical role during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, polymorphisms of transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) and serpine family E member 1 (SERPINE1) could help to elucidate the contribution of variability to COVID-19 outcomes. Methods: To evaluate the genetic variants of the genes previously associated with COVID-19 outcomes, we performed a cross-sectional study in which 1536 SARS-CoV-2-positive participants were enrolled. TMPRSS2 (rs2070788, rs75603675, rs12329760) and SERPINE1 (rs2227631, rs2227667, rs2070682, rs2227692) were genotyped using the Open Array Platform. The association of polymorphisms with disease outcomes was determined by logistic regression analysis adjusted for covariates (age, sex, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and obesity). Results: According to our codominant model, the GA genotype of rs2227667 (OR=0.55; 95% CI = 0.36-0.84; p=0.006) and the AG genotype of rs2227667 (OR=0.59; 95% CI = 0.38-0.91; p=0.02) of SERPINE1 played a protective role against disease. However, the rs2227692 T allele and TT genotype SERPINE1 (OR=1.45; 95% CI = 1.11-1.91; p=0.006; OR=2.08; 95% CI = 1.22-3.57; p=0.007; respectively) were associated with a decreased risk of death. Similarly, the rs75603675 AA genotype TMPRSS2 had an OR of 1.97 (95% CI = 1.07-3.6; p=0.03) for deceased patients. Finally, the rs2227692 T allele SERPINE1 was associated with increased D-dimer levels (OR=1.24; 95% CI = 1.03-1.48; p=0.02). Discussion: Our data suggest that the rs75603675 TMPRSS2 and rs2227692 SERPINE1 polymorphisms are associated with a poor outcome. Additionally, rs2227692 SERPINE1 could participate in hypercoagulable conditions in critical COVID-19 patients, and this genetic variant could contribute to the identification of new pharmacological targets and treatment strategies to block the inhibition of TMPRSS2 entry into SARS-CoV-2.

Macrophage immunophenotypes in Jorge Lobo's disease and lepromatous leprosy- A comparative study.

Jorge Lobo's disease (JLD) and lepromatous leprosy (LL) share several clinical, histological and immunological features, especially a deficiency in the cellular immune response. Macrophages participate in innate and adaptive inflammatory immune responses, as well as in tissue regeneration and repair. Macrophage function deficiency results in maintenance of diseases. M1 macrophages produce pro-inflammatory mediators and M2 produce anti-inflammatory cytokines. To better understand JLD and LL pathogenesis, we studied the immunophenotype profile of macrophage subtypes in 52 JLD skin lesions, in comparison with 16 LL samples, using a panmacrophage (CD68) antibody and selective immunohistochemical markers for M1 (iNOS) and M2 (CD163, CD204) responses, HAM56 (resident/fixed macrophage) and MAC 387 (recently infiltrating macrophage) antibodies. We found no differences between the groups regarding the density of the CD163, CD204, MAC387+ immunostained cells, including iNOS, considered a M1 marker. But HAM56+ cell density was higher in LL samples. By comparing the M2 and M1 immunomarkers in each disease separately, some other differences were found. Our results reinforce a higher M2 response in JLD and LL patients, depicting predominant production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, but also some distinction in degree of macrophage activation. Significant amounts of iNOS + macrophages take part in the immune milieu of both LL and JLD samples, displaying impaired microbicidal activity, like alternatively activated M2 cells.

Techno-Economic Analysis of the Optimum Configuration for Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Cycles in Concentrating Solar Power Systems.

There is a general agreement among researchers that supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) cycles will be part of the next generation of thermal power plants, especially in concentrating solar power (CSP) plants. While certain studies focus on maximizing the efficiency of these cycles in the hope of achieving a reduction in electricity costs, it is important to note that this assumption does not always hold true. This work provides a comprehensive analysis of the differences between minimizing the cost and maximizing the efficiency for the most remarkable sCO2 cycles. The analysis considers the most important physical uncertainties surrounding CSP and sCO2 cycles, such as turbine inlet temperature, ambient temperature, pressure drop and turbomachinery efficiency. Moreover, the uncertainties related to cost are also analyzed, being divided into uncertainties of sCO2 component costs and uncertainties of heating costs. The CSP system with partial cooling (sometimes with reheating and sometimes without it) is the cheapest configuration in the analyzed cases. However, the differences in cost are generally below 5% (and sometimes neglectable), while the differences in efficiency are significantly larger and below 15%. Besides the much lower efficiency of systems with simple cycle, if the heating cost is low enough, their cost could be even lower than the cost of the system with partial cooling. Systems with recompression cycles could also achieve costs below systems with partial cooling if the design's ambient temperature and the pressure drop are low.

ROCK1/2 signaling contributes to corticosteroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease.

Patients with corticosteroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) have a low one-year survival rate. Identification and validation of novel targetable kinases in patients who experience corticosteroid-refractory-aGVHD may help improve outcomes. Kinase-specific proteomics of leukocytes from patients with corticosteroid-refractory-GVHD identified rho kinase type 1 (ROCK1) as the most significantly upregulated kinase. ROCK1/2 inhibition improved survival and histological GVHD severity in mice and was synergistic with JAK1/2 inhibition, without compromising graft-versus-leukemia-effects. ROCK1/2-inhibition in macrophages or dendritic cells prior to transfer reduced GVHD severity. Mechanistically, ROCK1/2 inhibition or ROCK1 knockdown interfered with CD80, CD86, MHC-II expression and IL-6, IL-1ß, iNOS and TNF production in myeloid cells. This was accompanied by impaired T cell activation by dendritic cells and inhibition of cytoskeletal rearrangements, thereby reducing macrophage and DC migration. NF-κB signaling was reduced in myeloid cells following ROCK1/2 inhibition. In conclusion, ROCK1/2 inhibition interferes with immune activation at multiple levels and reduces acute GVHD while maintaining GVL-effects, including in corticosteroid-refractory settings.

Long-term care facilities' response to the COVID-19 pandemic: An international, cross-sectional survey.

AIMS: To (i) assess the adherence of long-term care (LTC) facilities to the COVID-19 prevention and control recommendations, (ii) identify predictors of this adherence and (iii) examine the association between the adherence level and the impact of the pandemic on selected unfavourable conditions. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. METHODS: Managers (n = 212) and staff (n = 2143) of LTC facilities (n = 223) in 13 countries/regions (Brazil, Egypt, England, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Thailand and Turkey) evaluated the adherence of LTC facilities to COVID-19 prevention and control recommendations and the impact of the pandemic on unfavourable conditions related to staff, residents and residents' families. The characteristics of participants and LTC facilities were also gathered. Data were collected from April to October 2021. The study was reported following the STROBE guidelines. RESULTS: The adherence was significantly higher among facilities with more pre-pandemic in-service education on infection control and easier access to information early in the pandemic. Residents' feelings of loneliness and feeling down were the most affected conditions by the pandemic. More psychological support to residents was associated with fewer residents' aggressive behaviours, and more psychological support to staff was associated with less work-life imbalance. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-pandemic preparedness significantly shaped LTC facilities' response to the pandemic. Adequate psychological support to residents and staff might help mitigate the negative impacts of infection outbreaks. IMPACT: This is the first study to comprehensively examine the adherence of LTC facilities to COVID-19 prevention and control recommendations. The results demonstrated that the adherence level was significantly related to pre-pandemic preparedness and that adequate psychological support to staff and residents was significantly associated with less negative impacts of the pandemic on LTC facilities' staff and residents. The results would help LTC facilities prepare for and respond to future infection outbreaks. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No Patient or Public Contribution.

Absence of Spontaneous Magnetic Fields due to Time-Reversal Symmetry Breaking in Bulk Superconducting UTe_{2}.

We have investigated the low-temperature local magnetic properties in the bulk of molten salt-flux (MSF)-grown single crystals of the candidate odd-parity superconductor UTe_{2} by zero-field muon spin relaxation (µSR). In contrast to previous µSR studies of UTe_{2} single crystals grown by a chemical vapor transport method, we find no evidence of magnetic clusters or electronic moments fluctuating slow enough to cause a discernible relaxation of the zero-field µSR asymmetry spectrum. Consequently, our measurements on MSF-grown single crystals rule out the generation of spontaneous magnetic fields in the bulk that would occur near impurities or lattice defects if the superconducting state of UTe_{2} breaks time-reversal symmetry. This result suggests that UTe_{2} is characterized by a single-component superconducting order parameter.

Reconfigurable perfect vortex beam generator based on a liquid crystal spiral phase plate.

A transmissive adaptable optical setup to generate a range of perfect vortex beams (PVBs) carrying different topological charges (TC) without using moving parts is presented. The setup is composed of an ad hoc transparent reconfigurable liquid crystal (LC) spiral phase plate (SPP), a refractive axicon and a convergent refractive lens. The LC SPP electrodes are manufactured ablating indium-tin oxide (ITO) glass substrates using direct laser writing (DLW) resulting in a very high fill factor device. In-house tailored electronics drive the 72 LC SPP electrodes giving rise to 72 different configurations with orbital angular momentum. In this work, the generation of PVBs with 36 positive or 36 negative TCs using this optical setup is accomplished.

Association between empathy, anxiety and psychological well-being in Mexican medical students. Transversal study.

BACKGROUND: The expression of empathy improves the quality of health care, which is why its instruction is suggested during the years of academic training of medical students. However, expressing empathy can also cause anxiety and impair psychological well-being. OBJECTIVE: To identify profiles that describe the relationship between empathy, anxiety and psychological well-being in Mexican medical students. METHOD: Cross-sectional study in Mexican medical students completed the Multidimensional Empathy Scale, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Psychological Well-Being Scale for Adults. RESULTS: Women presented greater empathy and anxiety and lower psychological well-being (p < 0.01). Anxiety in students of the last year of training was lower compared to students of the first and second year (p < 0.01). Four profiles were detected: 1) men, minimal anxiety, low empathy; 2) first-year students, moderate to severe anxiety, low psychological well-being, high empathy; 3) last year of training, mild anxiety, adequate psychological well-being, medium empathy; 4) women, second and third year of training, very high empathy. CONCLUSIONS: Medical students in their first year of training constitute a population at risk. Attention strategies are necessary for this student group.

ANTECEDENTES: La expresión de empatía mejora la calidad de la atención a la salud, y por ello se sugiere su instrucción durante los años de formación académica de estudiantes de medicina. No obstante, la expresión de empatía también puede ocasionar ansiedad y perjudicar el bienestar psicológico. OBJETIVO: Identificar perfiles que describan la relación entre empatía, ansiedad y bienestar psicológico en estudiantes mexicanos de medicina. MÉTODO: Estudio transversal en estudiantes mexicanos de medicina que completaron la Escala Multidimensional de Empatía, el Inventario de Ansiedad de Beck y la Escala de Bienestar Psicológico para Adultos. RESULTADOS: Las mujeres presentaron mayor empatía y ansiedad, y menor bienestar psicológico (p < 0.01). La ansiedad en estudiantes del último año de formación fue menor que en los estudiantes de primer y segundo año (p < 0.01). Se detectaron cuatro perfiles: 1) hombres, ansiedad mínima, empatía baja; 2) estudiantes de primer año de formación, ansiedad moderada a grave, bienestar psicológico bajo, empatía alta; 3) último año de formación, ansiedad leve, bienestar psicológico adecuado, empatía media; 4) mujeres, segundo y tercer años de formación, muy alta empatía. CONCLUSIONES: Los estudiantes de medicina del primer año de formación constituyen una población de riesgo. Son necesarias estrategias de atención para este grupo estudiantil.

Generation of integer and fractional vortex beams based on liquid crystal electronically reconfigurable spiral phase plates.

The manufacturing and characterization of a large-size 72-electrode liquid crystal-based reconfigurable spiral phase plate (SPP) is presented. The SPP is addressed by a custom-made driver with 72 independent channels, which allows for the generation of any arbitrary integer or fractional optical vortex beam with topological charges ranging from -24 to +24. The 25 mm diameter device is fabricated using direct laser writing, leading to a fill factor over 99%. The device performance and flexibility exceed previous transparent reconfigurable SPP in terms of size, tuning range, and fill factor. The device and the light path have been simulated using the angular spectrum propagation method, showing excellent correspondence.

Correlation versus hybridization gap in CaMn[Formula: see text]Bi[Formula: see text].

We study the interplay between electronic correlations and hybridization in the low-energy electronic structure of CaMn[Formula: see text]Bi[Formula: see text], a candidate hybridization-gap semiconductor. By employing a DFT+U approach we find both the antiferromagnetic Néel order and band gap in good agreement with the corresponding experimental values. Under hydrostatic pressure, we find a crossover from hybridization gap to charge-transfer insulting physics due to the delicate balance of hybridization and correlations. Increasing the pressure above [Formula: see text] GPa we find a simultaneous pressure-induced volume collapse, plane-to-chain, insulator to metal transition. Finally, we have also analyzed the topology in the antiferromagnetic CaMn[Formula: see text]Bi[Formula: see text] for all pressures studied.

Implication of myddosome complex genetic variants in outcome severity of COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE(S): During a viral infection, the immune response is mediated by the toll-like receptors and myeloid differentiation Factor 88 (MyD88) that play an important role sensing infections such as SARS-CoV-2 which has claimed the lives of more than 6.8 million people around the world. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional with a population of 618 SARS-CoV-2-positive unvaccinated subjects and further classified based on severity: 22% were mild, 34% were severe, 26% were critical, and 18% were deceased. Toll Like Receptor 7 (TLR7) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs3853839, rs179008, rs179009, and rs2302267) and MyD88 (rs7744) were genotyped using TaqMan OpenArray. The association of polymorphisms with disease outcomes was performed by logistic regression analysis adjusted by covariates. RESULTS: A significant association of rs3853839 and rs7744 of the TLR7 and MyD88 genes, respectively, was found with COVID-19 severity. The G/G genotype of the rs3853839 TLR7 was associated with the critical outcome showing an Odd Ratio = 1.98 (95% IC = 1.04-3.77). The results highlighted an association of the G allele of MyD88 gene with severe, critical and deceased outcomes. Furthermore, in the dominant model (AG + GG vs. AA), we observed an Odd Ratio = 1.70 (95% CI = 1.02-2.86) with severe, Odd Ratio = 1.82 (95% CI = 1.04-3.21) with critical, and Odd Ratio = 2.44 (95% CI = 1.21-4.9) with deceased outcomes. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge this work represents an innovative report that highlights the significant association of TLR7 and MyD88 gene polymorphisms with COVID-19 outcomes and the possible implication of the MyD88 variant with D-dimer and IFN-α concentrations.

Flourishing During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Longitudinal Study in South Africa.

In this longitudinal study, we examine changes in psychological distress and multidimensional well-being from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic among South African adults. As a secondary purpose, we explore whether pre-pandemic flourishing is protective against subsequent psychological distress during the public health crisis. The analytic sample (n = 293; Mage = 44.27, SD = 14.28; female = 65.19%) completed measures of anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, and well-being shortly before the stringent nationwide lockdown started in South Africa (T1). A follow-up assessment was completed approximately 6 months later (T2). Paired samples t-tests supported very small improvements in anxiety (d = -0.09) and depression symptoms (d = -0.13). For domains of well-being, small increases were found in close social relationships (d = 0.25) and financial and material stability (d = 0.19). Positive changes in the domains of character and virtue (d = 0.10) and meaning and purpose (d = 0.07) were very small. Changes in physical and mental health (d = -0.03) and life satisfaction and happiness (d = 0.02) were more negligible. Results from the generalized linear models indicated that continuous scores of secure flourishing assessed before the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with lower subsequent psychological distress (particularly depression symptoms) during the public health crisis. We discuss the implications of the findings for the development and delivery of interventions to promote and sustain human flourishing during public health crises, especially in contexts of social-structural vulnerability.

Association Among Different Aerobic Threshold Markers and FATmax in Men With Obesity.

Purpose: This work studies the interrelation of the first ventilatory threshold (VT1), the heart rate inflection point (HRIP), and the exercise intensity at which blood lactate started to accumulate (LIAB) or increased 1 mmol∙L-1 above baseline (LT+1.0); and examinee their association with the exercise intensity eliciting maximal fat oxidation (FATmax). Methods: Eighteen young men with obesity performed an incremental-load exercise test on a treadmill after overnight fasting. Gas exchange, heart rate, and blood lactate concentration were recorded. Linear regression analysis was used to determine the association among FATmax and AeT markers. A standard error of estimate (SEE) ≤9 beats∙min-1 and the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) were used to examine the accuracy of different AeT for predicting FATmax heart rate. Results: The FATmax occurred at 36±7%VO2peak before the HRIP (41±6%VO2peak), LIAB (42±10%VO2peak), LT+1.0 (61±9%VO2peak) and VT1 (40±7%VO2peak). Furthermore, the HRIP (R2= 0.71; SEE= 6 beats∙min-1; CCC=0.77), VT1 (R2= 0.76; SEE= 5 beats∙min-1; CCC=0.84) and LIAB (R2= 0.77; SEE= 5 beats∙min-1; CCC=0.85) were strongly associated to FATmax and showed an acceptable estimation error for predicting FATmax heart rate. Otherwise, LT+1.0 showed a moderate correlation with FATmax, a low accuracy for predicting FATmax HR (R2= 0.57; SEE= 7 beats∙min-1; CCC=0.66) and a poor agreement with the rest of AeT markers (Bias: +20%VO2peak). Conclusion: The HRIP, LIAB and VT1 did not perfectly captured the FATmax, however, these could be exchanged for predicting the FATmax heart rate in men with obesity. Moreover, the LT+1.0 should not be used for AeT or FATmax assessment in men with obesity.

Fibromyxoid Nephrogenic Adenoma: A Series of 43 Cases Reassessing Predisposing Conditions, Clinical Presentation, and Morphology.

Nephrogenic adenoma is a benign epithelial lesion of the genitourinary tract that arises from the reimplantation and proliferation of shed renal tubular cells in areas of urothelial injury and denudation. Fibromyxoid nephrogenic adenoma is a rare variant that consists of compressed spindle-shaped renal epithelial cells in a fibromyxoid background. Only 14 observations of this variant are reported in the literature. We performed a retrospective analysis of fibromyxoid nephrogenic adenomas from 3 large reference centers. We identified 43 lesions in 6 women and 36 men (2 in 1 man) with a median age of 72 years (range, 31 to 94 y). Median lesion size was 0.7 cm (range, 0.2 to 5 cm). Nephrogenic adenomas were in the bladder (n=15), prostate/prostatic urethra (n=14), kidney (n=7), ureter (n=3), penile urethra (n=3), and urethral diverticulum (n=1). One of the kidney lesions developed in an end-stage kidney and radiologically mimicked cancer. Of 37 patients with information, 36 had predisposing conditions including prior biopsy, transurethral resection of bladder tumor, resection, Foley catheter, BCG treatment, urinary stones, (chemo)radiation, or diverticulum. Only 4/37 (10.8%) had a history of prior irradiation. Fifteen lesions had pure fibromyxoid morphology and 28 were admixed classic and fibromyxoid patterns. Three nephrogenic adenomas involved prostatic stroma, 3 renal sinus fat, 2 muscularis propria (1 bladder, 1 renal pelvis), 1 perinephric fat, and 1 corpus spongiosum. Ten fibromyxoid nephrogenic adenomas were intermixed with urothelial carcinoma, 1 with prostate adenocarcinoma, and 1 with malignant melanoma. By immunohistochemistry, PAX8 was positive in all the examined lesions (n=31). Napsin A was negative in all examined fibromyxoid nephrogenic adenomas (n=30). Twenty of them had classic nephrogenic adenoma component which was positive for napsin A. Similar to classic nephrogenic adenoma, fibromyxoid nephrogenic adenoma can occur anywhere along the urinary tract and is associated with a prior history that causes urothelial injury. In nearly a quarter of the cases, fibromyxoid nephrogenic adenoma extended beyond the lamina propria. Unlike previously suggested, fibromyxoid nephrogenic adenoma is not specifically related to prior radiation therapy. Awareness of this variant is important to avoid misdiagnosis and overtreatment.

Positron emission tomography and its role in the assessment of vulnerable plaques in comparison to other imaging modalities.

The diagnosis and management of vulnerable plaques are topics of high interest in the cardiovascular field. Although imaging techniques like computed tomography angiography (MCTA) and ultrasonography (USG) can structurally evaluate atherosclerotic plaques, they are limited in examining internal cellular processes. Positron emission tomography (PET) molecular imaging, on the other hand, can highlight these cellular processes, including inflammation, angiogenesis, and lipid oxidation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is also a valuable non-invasive imaging technique that can provide detailed anatomical and functional information on the cardiovascular system. In this review, we compare the advantages and drawbacks of MCTA, USG and MRI imaging techniques with PET molecular imaging in evaluating vulnerable plaques. PET imaging allows physicians to measure different pathophysiological events within the plaque using intravenous radiotracers, of which 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) is the most validated one. By using 18F-FDG, physicians can understand the formation of the plaque, assess the accumulation of macrophages, and predict major cardiovascular events. However, some limitations exist in using 18F-FDG, including myocardial uptake and low sensitivity in imaging coronary arteries. We also mention other radiotracers that can help in evaluating vulnerable plaques, including 18F-NaF. Although PET imaging is still challenging, it has shown promise in evaluating vulnerable plaques and could be used to intervene in high-risk patients before major cardiovascular events occur.

Entrenamiento de atención focalizada para disminuir la ansiedad en pacientes candidatos a craneotomía.

BACKGROUND: The focused attention training has been used in pre surgery patients because of the benefits of its use decrease of psychological symptoms like anxiety, eases the post operatory period and recovery. Also, there are favorable changes in a psychological level as well as pain healing. OBJECTIVE: Show that the focused attention training is effective in patients who are candidates to a craniotomy. METHOD: The study includes 11 participants in an age of 29 to 60 age from the Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, from May to September 2021. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was applied pre, post and follow-up, to search anxiety symptoms and the focused attention training was used in the 11 patients. RESULTS: The data was analyzed and checked with the Friedman test, for not parametric data and to identify differences in anxiety levels. It was observed that there are differences (p < 0.05) in both anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety decreased significantly before and after the focused attention training, the follow-up was kept the same way for 40 days; which means the training helped the patient to decrease anxiety.

ANTECEDENTES: El entrenamiento de atención focalizada se ha utilizado en pacientes prequirúrgicos por los beneficios que conlleva: disminuye los síntomas psicológicos como ansiedad, facilita el periodo posoperatorio y la recuperación, cambios favorables a nivel fisiológico y reducción del dolor, entre otros. OBJETIVO: Demostrar la eficacia del entrenamiento de atención focalizada en pacientes candidatos a craneotomía. MÉTODO: El estudio incluyó 11 participantes de entre 29 y 60 años de edad del Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, de mayo a septiembre de 2021. Se aplicó la Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) antes, después de la intervención y a los 40 días para investigar síntomas de ansiedad, y se utilizó el entrenamiento de atención focalizada en los 11 participantes. RESULTADOS: Se analizaron los datos con la prueba de Friedman para datos no paramétricos con el fin de identificar diferencias en los niveles de ansiedad. Se observó que sí hay diferencias (p < 0.05) tanto en ansiedad como en depresión. CONCLUSIONES: La ansiedad disminuyó significativamente entre las mediciones antes y después de la intervención. La medición posterior continuó de la misma manera durante los 40 días, lo que significa que el entrenamiento ayudó al paciente a disminuir la ansiedad.

General empathy and medical empathy in Mexican medical students: Integration of an empathic profile.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the association between general empathy and medical empathy. Detect predictors of the level of medical empathy from general empathy. To determine the psychosocial profile that describes the relationship between general empathy, medical empathy, and demographic and academic characteristics in medical students. METHOD: Descriptive cross-sectional design. Medical students completed the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) and the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy-student version (JSPE-S). RESULTS: Relatively high levels of general and medical empathy were detected. The total score of the IRI and the JSPE-S and their dimensions correlated positively (r = 0.14-0.52), except for the dimension personal distress of the IRI. The score of the IRI dimension empathic concern was the best predictor of the JSPE-S score and its dimensions (b = 0.27-0.54). Four profiles were detected: 1) men, preference for technology-oriented specialty, less empathy; 2) pre-clinical period students, less empathy; 3) students of the clinical period, greater empathy; and 4) women, preference for patient-oriented specialty, greater empathy. CONCLUSIONS: General and medical empathy are associated. Differentiated empathic profiles will allow the design of instructional strategies in empathy according to the specific needs of each one.

OBJETIVO: Identificar la asociación entre empatía general y empatía médica. Detectar predictores del nivel de empatía médica a partir de la empatía general. Determinar el perfil psicosocial que describa la relación entre empatía general, empatía médica y características demográficas y académicas en estudiantes de medicina. MÉTODO: Estudio transversal descriptivo. Estudiantes de medicina completaron el Índice de Reactividad Interpersonal (IRI) y la Escala de Empatía Médica de Jefferson versión estudiantil (EEMJ-E). RESULTADOS: Se detectaron niveles relativamente altos de empatía general y médica. El puntaje total del IRI y la EEMJ-E y sus dimensiones se correlacionaron positivamente (r = 0.14-0.52), excepto para la dimensión malestar personal del IRI. El puntaje en la dimensión preocupación empática del IRI fue el mejor predictor del puntaje de la EEMJ-E y sus dimensiones (b = 0.27-0.54). Se detectaron cuatro perfiles: 1) hombres, preferencia por especialidad orientada a la tecnología, menor empatía; 2) estudiantes del periodo preclínico, menor empatía; 3) estudiantes del periodo clínico, mayor empatía; y 4) mujeres, preferencia por especialidad orientada al paciente, mayor empatía. CONCLUSIONES: La empatía general y la empatía médica se encuentran asociadas. Unos perfiles empáticos diferenciados permitirán el diseño de estrategias de instrucción en empatía acordes con las necesidades específicas de cada uno.