Cost-sharing and associated factors in the Peruvian private health care system.

BACKGROUND: The costs associated with healthcare are of critical importance to both decision-makers and users, given the limited resources allocated to the health sector. However, the available scientific evidence on healthcare costs in low- and middle-income countries, such as Peru, is scarce. In the Peruvian context, the health system is fragmented, and the private health insurance and its financing models have received less research attention. We aimed to analyse user cost-sharing and associated factors within the private healthcare system. METHODS: Our study was cross-sectional, using open data from the Electronic Transaction Model of Standardized Billing Data-TEDEF-SUSALUD, between 2021-2022. Our unit of analysis is the user's medical bills. We considered the total amount of cost-sharing, proportion of total payments as cost-sharing, and cost-sharing as a proportion of minimum salaries. We use a multiple regression model to perform the analyses. RESULTS: Our study included 5,286,556 health services provided to users of the private health insurance in Peru. We found a significant difference was observed in the cost-sharing for hospitalization-related services, with an average of 419.64 soles per day (95% CI: 413.44 to 425.85). Also, we identified that for hospitalization-related services per day is, on average, 0.41 (95% CI: 0.41 to 0.41) minimum salaries more expensive than outpatient care, although cost-sharing per day of hospitalization represent on average only 14% of the total amount submitted. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides a detailed overview of cost-sharing in the private healthcare system in Peru and the factors associated with them. Policymakers can use the study's finding that higher cost-sharing for inpatient hospitalization compared to outpatient care in private insurance can create inequities in access to healthcare to design policies aimed at reducing these costs and promoting a more equitable and accessible healthcare system in Peru.

Psychometric Adaptation of a Brief Scale of Child-to-Parent Violence and Intrafamily Violence in Peruvian Adolescents.

Family violence is a critical public health problem in Latin America. In Peru, family violence continues to be difficult to detect and prevent, with child-to-parent violence (CPV) arising as a key issue. This study aimed to do a psychometric adaptation of a brief scale of evaluation of CPV and intrafamily violence in a sample of Peruvian adolescents. Our study analyzed internal structure, internal consistency (with depression, family satisfaction, and anxiety), convergent validity, and measurement invariance. The study population included 570 adolescents living with both parents (50.2% women). Adequate goodness-of-fit indices were found for the full version of CPV and intrafamily violence of nine items (CFI = 0.991; RMSEA = 0.053) and the version with only CPV of six items (CFI = 0.995; RMSEA = 0.074). The latent correlations between CPV with depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms were greater than 0.40. Our study found that the full version of CPV and intrafamily violence (nine items) and the CPV-only version (six items) were invariant by sex. Reliability was adequate in all cases (ω > 0.70). The scale presents evidence of validity and reliability in Peruvian adolescents. It is suitable for epidemiological research on family violence.

Cognitive impairments associated with chemotherapy in women with breast cancer: a meta-analysis and meta-regression.

Chemotherapy is one of the most widely used treatments for breast cancer (BC). However, there is evidence of side effects like cognitive changes related to the chemotherapy treatment. The aim of the study was not only to summarize the existing evidence on the relationship between chemotherapy and cognitive performance in women with BC but also to identify additional consequences and aspects associated with these impairments. We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression to present updated information on the matter. We retrieved data from the databases PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus. Twenty studies comprising over 2,500 women were examined and the results indicated that chemotherapy can compromise cognition in women with BC (-1.10 OR [95%CI: -1.81 to -0.74], P<0.01), with working memory (-0.49 OR [95%CI: -0.85 to -0.13], P=0.03) being the most affected among the domains. Furthermore, additional data indicated that cognitive impairment is most likely amid women with BC having a lower education level (Q=4.85, P=0.02). Our results suggested that chemotherapy affects cognitive functions in women with BC, and certain characteristics can worsen the deterioration. A comprehensive study of women with breast cancer and existing predictors contributes to optimized personal journeys, elevated life prospects, and advanced care that can also aid prognosis and therapeutic approaches.

Profiles of depressive symptoms in Peru: An 8-year analysis in population-based surveys.

Background Profiles of depressive symptoms have been described due to heterogeneity in symptomatology and presentation. In our study, we estimate depressive symptom profiles and relate these symptom profiles to risk factors in the Peruvian population. Methods We carried out an observational study based on the Peruvian Demographic and Health Survey (2014-2022). Men and women aged 15 years and older living in urban and rural areas in all regions of Peru were included. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used to define depressive symptom profiles. We estimated latent class models to define the profiles and performed a Poisson regression analysis to determine the associated factors. Results A total of 259,655 participants were included. The three-class model was found to be the most appropriate, and the classes were defined according to the severity of depressive symptoms (moderate-severe symptoms, mild symptoms, and without depressive symptoms). Also, it was found that the three classes identified have not changed during the years of evaluations, presenting very similar prevalence over the years. In addition, women are more likely than men to belong to a class with more severe depressive symptoms; and the older the age, the higher the probability of belonging to a class with greater severity of depressive symptoms. Conclusions Our study found that at the population level in Peru, depressive symptoms are grouped into three classes according to the intensity of the symptomatology present (no symptoms, mild symptoms and moderate-severe symptoms).

Estimated impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence and treatment of depressive symptoms in Peru: an interrupted time series analysis in 2014-2021.

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic increased the burden of mental disorders worldwide. Peru has been one of the countries most affected by COVID-19, however, studies evaluating the medium and long-term consequences of the pandemic on Peruvians' mental health are recent and represent a new field of study in proliferation. We aimed to estimate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence and treatment of depressive symptoms using nationally representative surveys in Peru. METHODS: Our study is an analysis of secondary data. We carried out a time series cross-sectional analysis based on the National Demographic and Health Survey of Peru, collected using a complex sampling design. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was used to measure mild (5-9 points), moderate (10-14 points), and severe (15 points or more) depressive symptoms. The participants were men and women aged 15 years and older, living in urban and rural areas of all regions of Peru. The main statistical analysis used segmented regression with Newey-West standard errors, taking into account that each year of the evaluation was divided into four measures (quarter measure). RESULTS: We included 259,516 participants. An average quarterly increase of 0.17% (95% CI 0.03-0.32%) in the prevalence of moderate depressive symptoms was identified after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (approximately an increase of 1583 new cases of moderate depressive symptoms by each quarter). The percentage of cases treated for mild depressive symptoms increased quarterly by an average of 0.46% (95% CI 0.20-0.71%) after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic (approximately an increase of 1242 new cases treated for mild depressive symptoms by each quarter). CONCLUSION: In Peru, increases in the prevalence of moderate depressive symptoms and the proportion of cases treated with mild depressive symptoms were found after the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study is a precedent for future research assessing the prevalence of depressive symptoms and the proportion of cases receiving treatment during the pandemic and post-pandemic years.

High genetic diversity and zoonotic potential of Staphylococcus aureus strains recovered from bovine intramammary infections in Colombians dairy herds.

Genotyping of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from mastitis has become a fundamental tool to understand its complex epidemiology and to evaluate spillover events. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency of genotypes of the S. aureus strains isolated from intramammary infections by spa typing technique, and to evaluate the association between genotypes and the ability to form biofilm under in vitro conditions. Sixty-six strains of S. aureus recovered from bovines intramammary infections on 56 dairy herds located in 14 municipalities of the department of Antioquia were characterized. The majority of strains (65/66) were isolated from milk samples collected from dairy cows with subclinical intramammary infections. Nineteen different spa types were found in this study, t521 (19.70%), t267 (15.15%), and t605 (12.12%) being the most frequent. The strains from the t605 spa type showed the highest biofilm production. The high frequency of spa types with zoonotic potential found in this study, identified cattle as an important reservoir of theses clones for people in close proximity, such as milkers and consumers of unpasteurized dairy products.

Cognitive impairments associated with chemotherapy in women with breast cancer: a meta-analysis and meta-regression

Chemotherapy is one of the most widely used treatments for breast cancer (BC). However, there is evidence of side effects like cognitive changes related to the chemotherapy treatment. The aim of the study was not only to summarize the existing evidence on the relationship between chemotherapy and cognitive performance in women with BC but also to identify additional consequences and aspects associated with these impairments. We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression to present updated information on the matter. We retrieved data from the databases PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus. Twenty studies comprising over 2,500 women were examined and the results indicated that chemotherapy can compromise cognition in women with BC (-1.10 OR [95%CI: -1.81 to -0.74], P<0.01), with working memory (-0.49 OR [95%CI: -0.85 to -0.13], P=0.03) being the most affected among the domains. Furthermore, additional data indicated that cognitive impairment is most likely amid women with BC having a lower education level (Q=4.85, P=0.02). Our results suggested that chemotherapy affects cognitive functions in women with BC, and certain characteristics can worsen the deterioration. A comprehensive study of women with breast cancer and existing predictors contributes to optimized personal journeys, elevated life prospects, and advanced care that can also aid prognosis and therapeutic approaches.

Development of a Framework for the Implementation of Synchronous Digital Mental Health: Realist Synthesis of Systematic Reviews.

BACKGROUND: The use of technologies has served to reduce gaps in access to treatment, and digital health interventions show promise in the care of mental health problems. However, to understand what and how these interventions work, it is imperative to document the aspects related to their challenging implementation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine what evidence is available for synchronous digital mental health implementation and to develop a framework, informed by a realist review, to explain what makes digital mental health interventions work for people with mental health problems. METHODS: The SPIDER (Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, and Research type) framework was used to develop the following review question: What makes digital mental health interventions with a synchronous component work on people with mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, or stress, based on implementation, economic, quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies? The MEDLINE, EBM Reviews, PsycINFO, EMBASE, SCOPUS, CINAHL Complete, and Web of Science databases were searched from January 1, 2015, to September 2020 with no language restriction. A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews-2 (AMSTAR-2) was used to assess the risk of bias and Confidence in Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research (CERQual) was used to assess the confidence in cumulative evidence. Realist synthesis analysis allowed for developing a framework on the implementation of synchronous digital mental health using a grounded-theory approach with an emergent approach. RESULTS: A total of 21 systematic reviews were included in the study. Among these, 90% (n=19) presented a critically low confidence level as assessed with AMSTAR-2. The realist synthesis allowed for the development of three hypotheses to identify the context and mechanisms in which these interventions achieve these outcomes: (1) these interventions reach populations otherwise unable to have access because they do not require the physical presence of the therapist nor the patient, thereby tackling geographic barriers posed by in-person therapy; (2) these interventions reach populations otherwise unable to have access because they can be successfully delivered by nonspecialists, which makes them more cost-effective to implement in health services; and (3) these interventions are acceptable and show good results in satisfaction because they require less need of disclosure and provide more privacy, comfortability, and participation, enabling the establishment of rapport with the therapist. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a framework with three hypotheses that explain what makes digital mental health interventions with a synchronous component work on people with mental health problems. Each hypothesis represents essential outcomes in the implementation process. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42020203811; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42020203811. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.12688/f1000research.27150.2.

Ethical implications in the evaluation of complex contexts related to COVID-19

Background: The pandemic caused by Sars-cov-2 has generated multiple sustained efforts for its identification, characteristics and mobility of the disease that to date has repercussions worldwide. Given this need, it is necessary to have updated information considering transparent research processes. Method: A critical review of the current literature on COVID-19 research. Conclusions: It is essential to have ethical procedures in the different phases of research that can go beyond personal interests and that guarantee the preservation of people's welfare in the reduction of possible damage to health globally, adequate procedures in the collection of information that is not built to the measure of the researchers, to avoid involuntary segregation of the participants and that this leads to a reduction of significant damage due to implicit biases that are generated by poor planning that pursues the scoop instead of social good.

Introducción: La pandemia ocasionada por el Sars-cov-2 ha genero múltiples esfuerzos sostenidos para su identificación, características y movilidad de la enfermedad que hasta la fecha tiene repercusión a nivel mundial y ante esta necesidad es necesario contar con información de actualiza teniendo en cuento procesos claros de investigación. Método: revisión crítica del cuerpo actual de literatura sobre investigación en COVID-19. Conclusiones: Es imprescindible contar con procedimientos éticos en las diferentes fases de investigación que puedan ir más allá de los intereses personales y que garanticen la preservación del bienestar de las personas en la reducción de posibles daños en la salud de manera global, adecuados procedimientos en la recolección de información que no se encuentren construidos a la medida de los investigadores, para evitar una segregación involuntaria de los participantes y que esto conlleve en una reducción de daños significativos por sesgos implícitos que son generados por una mala planificación que persigue la primicia en lugar de un bien social.

Patterns of proliferation and cell differentiation during hepatic ontogeny in the alpaca.

The liver has multiple functions that change throughout ontogeny. South American camelids (SAC) have unique characteristics related to adaptation to extreme environments and metabolism. However, the process of hepatic cell differentiation has not been studied in any SAC. We study the patterns of cell differentiation and proliferation in the liver of the alpaca at different times of the ontogeny, excluding the hematopoietic components. Immunohistochemical techniques were performed in 66 specimens, including embryos, fetuses, neonates and adults. Supplementary analyses were performed by lectinhistochemistry. The hepatocytic differentiation was performed by the identification of Hepatocyte (Clone: ​​OCH1ES Dako®). It began in the specimens of 1.8-2.5 cm of crown to rump length (CRL), from Days 25-29 (ovulation = Day 0), continued during gestation and intensified towards its end. The cholangiocytic differentiation was performed by the identification of cytokeratin 7 (CK7, Dako®). It was manifested at the final of gestation (specimens of 28.4 cm CRL, from Day 223 onwards). Parenchymal cells underwent a process of gradual differentiation (differentiation of hepatocytes preceded that of cholangiocytes). Cell proliferation was observed along gestation using the nuclear proliferation antigen (PCNA) and Ki-67. Hepatic organogenesis in the alpacas shares similar differentiation and proliferation mechanisms with other altricial, but phylogenetically distant, species.

Development of a framework for the implementation of synchronous e-mental health: a protocol for a realist synthesis of systematic reviews.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been necessary to incorporate technologies in the care of mental health problems. But there have been difficulties in the application of technology-based interventions in mental health. Some quantitative systematic reviews don't allow us to fully identify and properly describe this subject. In order to answer the question "how do electronic interventions apply in mental health and what makes the application of any of these interventions work", this study will carry out an overview of systematic reviews, which will make it possible to develop a theoretical framework on the implementation of electronic care in mental health problems. Methods: We will search MEDLINE, EBM Reviews, PsycINFO, EMBASE, SCOPUS, CINAHL Complete, and Web of Science databases from 1st January 2015 to September 2020, with no language restriction. We will follow a qualitative method approach and include systematic reviews that assess primary studies relating to adults with common mental health problems using any type of mobile mental health intervention that includes a synchronic component and communication with a mental health professional. For the analysis, we will make a meta-synthesis of the systematic reviews, using an emergent grounded theory approach to synthesize the information, prioritizing the systematic reviews with the lowest risk of bias in the AMSTAR-2 tool. The meta-synthesis will be based on interpreting, integrating, and inferring the evaluation elements to understand better the e-health implementation process for patients with mental health problems. Finally, we will present the overall assessment in a Summary of Qualitative Findings table. Conclusion: Our results will allow a better understanding of the facilitator and limitations in implementing e-health interventions for mental health problems.

Eficacia de la cirugía bariátrica-metabólica en pacientes con obesidad y diabetes mellitus tipo 2 / Efficacy of bariatric-metabolic surgery in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus

La prevalencia de la diabetes mellitus tipo 2 está incrementando rápidamente a nivel mundial de manera paralela a la epidemia de obesidad. El número de personas con diabetes, alrededor del mundo, se ha duplicado en los últimos 20 años; una de las características más preocupantes de este rápido crecimiento es el aparecimiento de diabetes tipo 2 en niños, adolescentes y adultos jóvenes. Debido a la reducción de la esperanza de vida causada por las morbilidades producidas por la diabetes, los pacientes que sufren de esta patología requieren un manejo integral. La cirugía bariátrica / metabólica ha demostrado que: • Mejora significativamente el control glucémico. • Reduce los factores de riesgo cardiovasculares. • Incluso ha demostrado la posibilidad de producir remisión de la diabetes tipo 2, hipertensión arterial y otras comorbilidades asociadas con la obesidad. Los resultados de múltiples estudios demuestran claramente la eficacia de la cirugía metabólica en el control glucémico y de otras comorbilidades asociadas con la diabetes tipo 2 y la obesidad; se observa, con mucha frecuencia, casos de remisión de la diabetes, incluso hasta 5 años después de la intervención quirúrgica. Por esta razón, la Asociación Americana para la Diabetes (ADA) considera a la cirugía bariátrica como una opción terapéutica viable en pacientes obesos con diabetes mellitus tipo 2.Las cirugías gastrointestinales diseñadas para controlar la obesidad pueden mejorar la homeostasis de la glucosa más efectivamente que el tratamiento farmacológico-clínico y producir cambios importantes en el estilo de vida; incluso, en un considerable número de pacientes, se logra la remisión de la diabetes tipo 2. (AU)

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is rapidly increasing to global level parallel to the epidemic that obesity. The number of people with diabetes, around the world, have doubled in the last 20 years; one of the most worrisome features of this rapid growth It is the appearance of type 2 diabetes in children, adolescents and young adults. Due to the reduction in life expectancy caused by morbidities produced by diabetes, patients suffering from this pathology require comprehensive management bariatric / metabolic surgery has shown that: • Significantly improves glycemic control. • Reduces cardiovascular risk factors. • It has even demonstrated the possibility of producing diabetes remission type 2, arterial hypertension and other comorbidities associated with obesity. The results of multiple studies clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of the metabolic surgery in glycemic control and other associated comorbidities with type 2 diabetes and obesity; cases are very often observed of remission of diabetes, even up to 5 years after the intervention surgical For this reason, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) considers bariatric surgery as a viable therapeutic option in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Gastrointestinal surgeries designed to control obesity can improve glucose homeostasis more effectively than treatment clinical pharmacological and produce important changes in lifestyle; even, in a considerable number of patients, remission of the type 2 diabetes. (AU)

Genotypic and phenotypic characterization of biofilm production by Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from bovine intramammary infections in Colombian dairy farms.

The ability of Staphylococcus aureus to form biofilms is an important virulence factor because this has been associated with persistent bovine intramammary infections. Different mechanisms of biofilm formation have been described in S. aureus; however, the process has been found to be mainly driven by the ica and bap genes. The presence of the ica and bap genes, as well as the biofilm formation in vitro were evaluated in 229 S. aureus strains isolated from bovine milk collected from different regions of Department of Antioquia, Colombia. Three different genotypes grouped into three separate clusters were identified from in vitro assays. Genotype 1 (ica positive and bap negative) was the most prevalent (78.17%), followed by genotype 2 (ica and bap positive) (12.66%) and genotype 0 (ica and bap negative) (9.17%). Biofilm formation was observed in 81.26% of the strains from which 100% of genotype 2 isolates showed biofilm formation. The biofilms formed by genotype 2 isolates were also found to have the highest optical density (>2.4). These results showed that most of the S. aureus strains were capable of biofilm formation, suggesting the virulence potential particularly in bap-positive strains.

Impacto del primer "learning center" de cirugía mínimamente invasiva en Chile / Impact of the first learning center of minimally invasive surgery in Chile

Resumen Introducción: El entrenamiento estandarizado mediante simulación ha demostrado mejorar habilidades de residentes y cirujanos. Sin embargo, los centros de simulación que imparten programas validados son escasos y centralizados. Favorecer el acceso de la comunidad quirúrgica a estos programas constituye el desafío actual. Objetivo: Describir el primer "Learning Center" (LC) realizado durante el 90° Congreso Chileno de Cirugía, evaluar su impacto y percepción de los asistentes sobre simulación en cirugía mínimamente invasiva (CMI) en los programas de formación actual. Materiales y Método: Estudio de corte transversal. Se describieron las características del LC. Se aplicó una encuesta tipo Likert para evaluar impacto y percepción de los asistentes. Criterios de inclusión: completar ≥ 1 sesión de entrenamiento, exclusión: encuesta incompleta. Se aplicó estadística descriptiva y analítica no paramétrica. Resultados: LC se compuso de 10 estaciones de entrenamiento con distintos niveles de dificultad. Un equipo de 9 instructores monitorizaron y entregaron feedback efectivo a los asistentes. 84 asistentes contestaron la encuesta completa, 39% mujeres. La muestra se conformó por 41,6% residentes de cirugía general, 35,7% cirujanos, 17,9% internos de medicina, y 4,8% médicos generales. 85% manifestó acuerdo con el impacto positivo del LC como recurso educacional continuo durante el congreso, y la utilidad de la práctica simulada para el desarrollo de habilidades en CMI. No hubo diferencias significativas según sexo o nivel de formación. Conclusión: El primer LC se desarrolló con una amplia aceptación entre sus participantes, constituyendo un posible recurso permanente. El entrenamiento simulado en CMI parece ser un recurso aceptado y percibido como una necesidad por la comunidad quirúrgica nacional.

Background: Standardized Simulated Training (SST) has shown to improve both resident and surgeon skills. However, Simulation Centers with validated training programs are scarce and centralized. The current challenge is to provide the surgical community access to these programs. Aim: To describe the first Learning Center (LC), launched during the 90th Chilean Surgical Congress, and to assess its impact and attendees' perception on simulation in Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) in current surgery residency programs. Materials and Method: Cross-sectional study. LC characteristics are described. A Likert survey was applied to assess its impact and attendees' perception. Inclusion criteria: to have performed ≥ 1 training sessions. Exclusion criteria: incomplete surveys. Descriptive and non-parametric analytical statistics were applied. Results: The LC was composed of 10 training stations with different difficulty levels. Nine instructors monitored and gave attendees effective feedback. 84 attendees answered the survey adequately. 39% were women. The sample was composed of 41.6% General Surgery Residents, 35.7% Surgeons, 17.9% Medicine Clerks and 4.8% General Practitioners. 85% of participants agreed regarding both the positive impact of the LC as a continuous educational resource during the congress and SST usefulness in development of MIS skills. There were no significant differences according to sex or medical degree. Conclusion: The first LC was widely accepted amongst its participants, constituting a possible permanent resource in the Chilean Surgical Congress. SST in MIS seems to be an accepted resource and perceived as a necessity by the national surgical community.

Valid group comparisons can be made with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9): A measurement invariance study across groups by demographic characteristics.

OBJECTIVE: Analyze the measurement invariance and the factor structure of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) in the Peruvian population. METHOD: Secondary data analysis performed using cross-sectional data from the Health Questionnaire of the Demographic and Health Survey in Peru. Variables of interest were the PHQ-9 and demographic characteristics (sex, age group, level of education, socioeconomic status, marital status, and area of residence). Factor structure was evaluated by standard confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and measurement invariance by multi-group CFA, using standard goodness-of-fit indices criteria for interpreting results from both CFAs. Analysis of the internal consistency (α and ω) was also pursued. RESULTS: Data from 30,449 study participants were analyzed, 56.7% were women, average age was 40.5 years (standard deviation (SD) = 16.3), 65.9% lived in urban areas, 74.6% were married, and had 9 years of education on average (SD = 4.6). From standard CFA, a one-dimensional model presented the best fit (CFI = 0.936; RMSEA = 0.089; SRMR = 0.039). From multi-group CFA, all progressively restricted models had ΔCFI<0.01 across almost all groups by demographic characteristics. PHQ-9 reliability was optimal (α = ω = 0.87). CONCLUSIONS: The evidence presents support for the one-dimensional model and measurement invariance of the PHQ-9 measure, allowing for reliable comparisons between sex, age groups, education level, socioeconomic status, marital status, and residence area, and recommends its use within the Peruvian population.

Liver damage in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice.

Pulmonary fibrosis is an emerging disease with a poor prognosis and high mortality rate that is even surpassing some types of cancer. This disease has been linked to the concomitant appearance of liver cirrhosis. Bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis is a widely used mouse model that mimics the histopathological and biochemical features of human systemic sclerosis, an autoimmune disease that is associated with inflammation and expressed in several corporal systems as fibrosis or other alterations. To determine the effects on proliferation, redox and inflammation protein expression markers were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Analyses showed a significant increase in protein oxidation levels by lipoperoxidation bio-products and in proliferation and inflammation processes. These phenomena were associated with the induction of the redox status in mice subjected to 100 U/kg bleomycin. These findings clearly show that the bleomycin model induces histopathological alterations in the liver and partially reproduces the complexity of systemic sclerosis. Our results using the bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis model provide a protocol to investigate the mechanism underlying the molecular alteration found in the liver linked to systemic sclerosis.

Norovirus and human adenovirus occurrence and diversity in recreational water in a karst aquifer in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico.

AIMS: To determine the seasonal occurrence and diversity of norovirus (NoV) and human adenovirus (HAdV) in groundwater from sinkholes, and brackish water used for recreational activities in the karst aquifer of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. METHODS AND RESULTS: Hollow fibre ultrafiltration was used to concentrate viruses and standard plaque assay methods were used to enumerate somatic and F+ specific coliphages as viral indicators. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays were used to estimate the number of genome copies for NoV strains GI, and GII, and HAdVs. The predominant NoV genotypes and HAdV serotypes were identified by comparative sequence analysis. Somatic and male F+ specific coliphages were detected at concentrations up to 94 and 60 plaque-forming units per 100 ml respectively. The NoV genogroup I (GI) was associated with 50% of the sampled sites during the rainy season only, at concentrations ranging from 120 to 1600 genome copies per litre (GC l-1 ). The NoV genogroup II (GII) was detected in 30 and 40% of the sampled sites during the rainy and dry seasons, respectively, at concentrations ranging from 10 to 290 GC l-1 . During the rainy and dry seasons, HAdVs were detected in 20% of the sites, at concentrations ranging from 24 to 690 GC l-1 . Identification of viral types revealed the presence of NoV GI.2, GII.Pe, GII.P16 and GII.P17, and HAdV F serotypes 40 and 41. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that NoVs and HAdVs are prevalent as virus contaminants in the karst aquifer, representing potential health risks particularly during the rainy season, in one of the most important areas used for tourism in Mexico. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is one of the few studies conducted in karst aquifers that provide a foundational baseline of the distribution, concentrations and diversity of NoVs and HadVs in these particular environments.

Observations and Projections of Heat Waves in South America.

Although Heat Waves (HWs) are expected to increase due to global warming, they are a regional phenomenon that demands for local analyses. In this paper, we assess four HW metrics (HW duration, HW frequency, HW amplitude, and number of HWs per season) as well as the share of extremely warm days (TX95, according to the 95th percentile) in South America (SA). Our analysis included observations as well as simulations from global and regional models. In particular, Regional Climate Models (RCMs) from the Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX), and Global Climate Models (GCMs) from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) were used to project both TX95 estimates and HW metrics according to two representative concentration pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). We found that in recent decades the share of extremely warm days has at least doubled over the period December-January-February (DJF) in northern SA; less significant increases have been observed in southern SA. We also found that by midcentury, under the RCP4.5 scenario, extremely warm DJF days (as well as the number of HWs per season) are expected to increase by 5-10 times at locations close to the Equator and in the Atacama Desert. Increases are expected to be less pronounced in southern SA. Projections under the RCP8.5 scenario are more striking, particularly in tropical areas where half or more of the days could be extremely warm by midcentury.

Additional malignancies in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST): incidence, pathology and prognosis according to a time of occurrence-based classification.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study is to clarify if a classification based on the time of occurrence of associated malignancies in GIST patients can help in the understanding of the clinical controversies observed in these patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all the patients diagnosed with GIST tumors between January 1999 and October 2016. They were divided into GIST patients associated with other tumors (A-GIST) and those not associated (NA-GIST). A-GIST patients were also divided into four types according to the proposed classification. RESULTS: Of 104 GIST patients, 32 (30.7%) (A-GIST group) had at least one additional primary malignancy. The most frequent location of the associated malignancy was the GI tract (26%). Compared to NA-GIST, A-GIST were more often asymptomatic with a lower risk of recurrence. The main cause of death in NAGIST was GIST itself, being associated tumors the main cause of death in A-GIST group. No differences were found in DFS and OS between A-GIST and NA-GIST. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the proposed classification classifies GIST patients with associated malignancies in different subtypes that differ substantially in terms of incidence, type of neoplasms associated, cause of the association and prognosis.

Satisfacción sexual en mujeres adultas y adolescentes chilenas usuarias de dos centros de salud universitarios / Sexual satisfaction in Chilean adult and adolescent women using two university health centers

RESUMEN Introducción: La satisfacción sexual es un indicador de calidad de vida que ha ido adquiriendo mayor relevancia en la investigación científica. Objetivo: Comparar el nivel de satisfacción sexual y variables de relación de pareja y comportamiento sexual en mujeres adultas y adolescentes usuarias de dos centros de salud universitarios Métodos: Estudio observacional, transversal y analítico en dos grupos de comparación: mujeres adultas y adolescentes. La satisfacción sexual fue medida mediante la Nueva Escala de Satisfacción Sexual (NSSS). Se aplicó cuestionario sobre datos sociodemográficos, relación de pareja y comportamiento sexual. Se realizó análisis bivariado y regresión logística para evaluar la asociación entre las variables de relación de pareja, comportamiento sexual y nivel de satisfacción sexual según grupo de adultas o adolescentes. Resultados: Participaron 348 mujeres (174 adultas y 174 adolescentes). La mediana de edad de adultas fue 33 años (rango 20-50) y adolescentes de 17 años (rango 14-19). En el 89,9% la experiencia sexual más reciente se dio en contexto de una relación de pareja. El 94,6 % se siente satisfecha con su relación de pareja. Las adolescentes presentan un mayor nivel de satisfacción sexual que las adultas. Conclusiones: En las mujeres adultas cuando la iniciativa sexual es compartida y se sienten satisfechas con la relación de pareja, aumenta la satisfacción sexual. En las adolescentes, aumenta la satisfaccción sexual cuando la actividad sexual se da en un contexto de relación de pareja y tienen una mayor frecuencia de relaciones sexuales.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Sexual satisfaction is an indicator of quality of life that has become more relevant in scientific research. Objective: To compare the level of sexual satisfaction, variables of couple relationship and sexual behavior of adult women and adolescents who are users of two university health care centers. Methods: Observational, transversal and analytical study of two groups: adult and adolescents women. Sexual satisfaction was measured by the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale (NSSS). A questionnaire was applied based on sociodemographic data, couple relationship and sexual behavior. Bivariate analysis and logistic regression were performed to evaluate the variables of couple relationship, sexual behavior and level of sexual satisfaction according to the group of adults or adolescents. Results: 348 women participated (174 adults and 174 adolescents). The average age of adults was 33 years (range 20-50) and adolescents 17 years (range 14-19). In the total trial 89.9% the most recent sexual experience occurred in the context of a relationship. 94,6% feel satisfied with their relationship. Adolescents have a higher level of sexual satisfaction than adults. Conclusions: When adult women feel satisfied with their relationship and sexual initiative is shared, the sexual satisfaction increases. In adolescents, sexual satisfaction increases when sexual activity occurs in a relationship context and when they have a higher frequency of sexual relations